Dollhouse Dreams Dashed

We just received an email that said, "we're sorry.  when we sold you the dollhouse we didn't actually check to make sure we have it in stock first.  we don't. and we won't get more.  we'll refund your card. thank you, come again."

Morning Fresh

Dollhouse Dreams II

The word "dollhouse" is a powerful one for little girls and women alike.  It's full of all kinds of memories of days gone by, or for the younger ones, hopes for future fun.  The word has recently elicited a variety of animated stories that have been so fun to hear.  From what I've heard, it seems there are two kinds of girls in this world. There are those who are Dollhouse Girls and those who, quite simply, are not.

My grandma is a Dollhouse girl.  There were two things she always wanted to have, a bicycle and a dollhouse, both of which she never got.  When she was a young girl, her Aunt Lenoir had lost two children and wanted to take my grandma as her own.  She was a kind woman, who never said a cross word.  She was gentle and sweet, and promised grandma a bike and a dollhouse and new dresses if only she would come be her daughter.  Coming from a family of five children, this request didn't seem at all unreasonable to grandma, plus her mom quarrelled all the time.  Her house was loud and chaotic, they wouldn't miss the youngest of the five.  Grandma begged and pleaded, but her mom never relented.  So after many tears were shed, grandma made due, fashioning dolls and furniture out of scraps of this and that she found along the way.  She used her imagination and had very lively dollhouse adventures without the aid of an actual dollhouse.  Eventually, my grandma would have a daughter, and she vowed her daughter would have a better life than she had.  Her daughter would have a dollhouse!  Of course, my grandma didn't bargain for my mom, whose idea of a fun time was painting all of her baby dolls and jumping on her shiny, new dollhouse crushing it to bits.

Some people have been worried that a nice dollhouse is too much of an investment for a three year old little girl.  What if she doesn't like it?  And while the question is certainly a fair one, (I have seen more than enough postings on craigslist advertising a $200 dollhouse that was "never played with" or "only collecting dust") I don't think we need to worry.  You see, there are two types.  I'm a dollhouse girl, my mom was not.  My sister wasn't and neither is her daughter. My grandma was, as was Mimi. Wormy has gone the past year with only a doll family, and like grandma, has spent countless hours imagining a home and furniture for her little people.  Her face lights up when she sees pictures of houses online, and asks for a "Happy Birthday House" nearly everyday.  I think it's safe to say she's a Dollhouse Girl.

The Other, More Important, Side

In case you want to see the inside of Sunshine Manor....

Dollhouse Dreams

It was almost refreshing to see the giant goblins set-up in Sam's Club this morning.  It helped us know that we weren't the only ones looking forward to that last weekend in October, and we weren't completely crazy for thinking about it oh so soon.  Of course, it's not Halloween that excites us, but Wormy's third birthday, just two days before the big day of bewitching. 

We have been giving her birthday lots of thought for awhile now, primarily concerning ourselves with the perfect present.  We decided this year, if at all possible, would be the year of the Dollhouse.  We want something special, nothing plastic and fleeting, but rather a rich, wooden, heirloom that will be enjoyed not only by Chloe, but by the next generation as well.  I've been combing the internet looking for the perfect match, and have attempted to snag a few pretty good looking ones on Craigslist, always to be beat out by a swifter, more desperate mommy.  Afraid we would never be able to buy anything nice, I asked my mom and my grandma if they would be willing to go in with us instead of buying Worm a seperate gift, and they were completely excited to do so!

Last night, we took the kids to Learning Express so I could see some houses in person while the kids played with the Thomas set.  I decided a few that I kinda liked online were merely okay in person. I was a little discouraged, thinking nothing was quite good enough when I finally saw it.  The one.  The perfect heirloom.  It was beautiful, but not frilly.  Big, but not monstrous.  Modern, but not so to become dated.  And it had a couple of really cool features (ie. a working doorbell and drapes that go up and down), but not so many that the gadgets strip away the need for imagination. I was in love, and so was Patrick.  I looked for a price, and finding none, went over to the clerk to inquire.  I thought it would be a little high, but I didn't think I would see my dreams dashed so quickly and violently! (That much?!? For a dollhouse!!) We left a little dejected, but knew we would find something nice, just not that nice elsewhere.  I decided to look for the one from the store online last night, and hit dead ends at every turn.  Vendor after vendor was sold out with no idea when more would be in.  And then it happened.  I found one!  At a place called Future Memories, no less.  Not only did I find one, but it was fifty dollars  cheaper!  We ordered it immediately, knowing it was still too pricey for a birthday gift, but not being able to help ourselves, and it will be here in a week or so.

Anyone else willing to chip in instead of getting a seperate gift would be greatly, greatly appreciated.  If you do like to buy seperate presents, furniture (Melissa and Doug or Ryan's Room type) for our little people will be much loved, otherwise, they will have only curtains and a doorbell till Christmas!  Those of us who buy the house will all sign the bottomside, adding a special note or Bible verse to make this gift truly special and meaningful for years to come.  We are so excited about it, and really have no idea how we are going to keep ourselves from ripping open the box and ringing the little tiny doorbell before the big day.

I have another story or two to tell regarding this whole thing, but since this has become tiresome already, I will end now, and quench your desire to see what this great thing looks like.... so without further ado...!

                                

Ta-DA!

(In Raeford) Everyone's a Cummings or a Goins

I was moving furniture around by myself this morning, generally making a monstrous mess of things.  Eli was hanging out by my kneecaps, and Chloe was playing in her room. A loud noise from the living room sent Chloe running out to investigate. 

Chloe: Mommy, what's coming on in here?

Mommy: Huh?

Chloe: What's coming on?

Mommy: Oh, you mean what's going on!

Chloe: (pauses, pensive, replies) No, what's coming on.

Mommy: Oh, ok.  Well, I'm moving the couch. 

Chloe: Ok, Mommy.  You move the couch. (returns to her room)

Wormy's Words

On Friday Chloe and I were in the living room together, when suddenly something caught her attention.  She stopped what she was doing, looked intently toward me and said, "Mommy, you're not wearing earrings! Mommy, your ears are naked!"

Yesterday she jerked open the refrigerator door, saw a full pitcher of her favorite summer liquid, and passionately exclaimed, "Mommy! God made more lemonade! Thank you, God! Chloe would like some lemonade, please!"

In the van, going to evening church, watching "Red video" yet again.  The Cedarmont Kids logo comes up and Eli immediately starts pointing at each letter saying "O-O-O".  Chloe sweetly replies, "That's not an O, Silly Boy. (Logo goes away) Look, they'll show you.  (Logo comes back) There it is! Look, Eli. K-I-D-S spells KIDS!"

Daddy Blog: Home Sweet Home

I'm thankful to have a wife that so sweetly cares for our family.  I'm vividly reminded of this when playing Chloe's favorite new game, House.  Friday night we set up Chlo's Little Pink House and a little blue tent that was "Eli's house" in Chloe's room.  We all had a great time entering and leaving and ringing door bells and sheltering from the storms.  Chloe had a little more fun when E was napping and she didn't have someone trying to knock down her walls.  This afternoon while playing House, Wormy wiggled out of her house announcing that I needed lunch and then returned carrying a bowl of plastic french fries.  I asked if Chloe wanted lunch and she said that she didn't...it was just for Daddy.  As I was enjoying my fries, Chlo left to "make Daddy's coffee" and returned with a nice, hot, invisible cup ("Be careful, Daddy.  Don't spill.  It's hot.").  After I had finished slurping down my coffee, Chlo told me, "I need to go to gym."  She then sternly assured me, "I be right back.  Don't cry, Daddy."  And with a kiss to my cheek, she left the house to go "runnin' and jumpin'".  After returning and taking her shower, which was apparently very cold, she ran many other errands, mostly buying milk at the store.  Each time I was instructed to stay inside.  I was finally rewarded with a trip to the park where we had fun sliding down the living room chair and swinging on pillows.

33 months (and some days)

The month flew by, and a few cute things have happened, but I don't remember them.  As I sit here reflecting, trying to recall what they were, my brain is filled with the memories of day after day of constant, droning whining sounds.

Favorites:

Books- Old Bible, New Bible, Eli's bedtime book, Freight Train by Donald Crews, Truck by Donald Crews, 10 Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle

TV- Red video, Barney, PBS Kids

Things to say- "Like Chloe's doing, Eli!" "No, that's mine!" "Daddy hold you." "No Mommy, not help you, Coey do it all by self."

Foods- strawberries, oranges, corn, organic fruit roll-up type things, chocolate chips

Things to Do- Puzzles, making Mommy draw everyone in the family, stamps, coloring, jumping, taking walks

A Look Into My Crystal Ball

Ack!

How Our Garden Grows

Chloe showing off the fruits of her labor

Easy, DZ

Today, I overheard Chloe say:

"I want a Frat Boy!"

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

We planted our very first ever "garden" this year, consisting of two tomato plants, two squash plants, a watermelon plant, and some pretty flowers.  We only have a small strip of mulch in the backyard where we are allowed to plant, but everything has thrived, and it has been a lot of fun.  Chloe's job is to water the plants every evening, and she absolutely loves it. At times I have tried to water the plants on my own, only to be rebuked by a panicked Wormy running and yelling, "No Mommy! Mommy not do it! That's Co-ey's job, that's not Mommy's job!"  Occasionally, when I am feeling especially patient, I even let her pull off the dead flowers to keep everything looking vibrant.  She really loves those times.  So far we have harvested and consumed six squash.  They were so yummy.  We have a half dozen green tomatoes, a watermelon, and a few more squash still on the vine.  I can't wait until the watermelon is ready.  There is something incredibly satisfying about eating the fruits of your labor.  It just tastes better.

Daddy Blog: Wormy's Words

After a storm had passed and I was taking Chlo back to bed

"Bye rainin'!  Bye thunder!  Bye lightnin'!  Thanks for coming!"

More Words from Wormy

Mommy is getting dressed.

Chloe: You look so pretty, Mommy.

Mommy smiles at Chloe, says nothing.

Chloe: Say thank you, Mommy.

Mommy: Thank you, Chloe!

Chloe: You're very welcome.

Not a Trace of Doubt in My Mind

I really hate to admit it, but it's true.  I know I should have no other gods, I know there are no other true religions, I know that God is sovereign and omnipresent.  He controls all things.  He knows the plot from beginning to end before the play is even written.  I know this.  Still, I just can't shake it.  I believe in the jinx.  Like God, it never fails me.  The words "Look how good the kids are being, Honey" are always immediately followed with screaming and blood.  "I can't believe they went to sleep so easily" answered with piercing yells from the back corner of the house.  "He hasn't been sick in so long!" ended with snot and crankiness by evening.  My Husband likes to tease me about my belief, uttering aloud my innermost thoughts at the most inopportune (ie quietest and most peaceful) times.  Yet, after Tuesday night, I think even he is beginning to go the way of Solomon.  After a round of intense storms left the kids unawakened, he remarked about how great it is that our little girl, though scared unto panic by leaves and feathers, sleeps through the worst blusters.  Enter storm 2.  The result? Two toddlers, scared and wide awake until two in the morning, and one Daddy wondering how this can be.  The jinx, that's how.

The Land of Make Believe

It's been fun to see Chloe really begin to embrace pretend play of late.  A few days ago, she jumped up onto the ottoman and exclamed, "Get on the boat, Mommy!  Hurry! You're getting wet!"  Then yesterday she was using a shoestring to unscrew the battery compartment of one of Eli's toys saying "gotta fix the batteries, Mommy!"

Daddy Blog: The Secret of the Favorite Colors

Remember this?  We had assumed that Chlo had randomly assigned our favorite colors without any order or logic involved.  We should have known better.  Chloe, Eli and I were polishing off our homemade cinnamon rolls on the front porch when Wormy pointed to her rocker and said, "Co-ee's favorite color is pink!"  Next she pointed to Eli's rocker (which happened to be blue) and said, "Eli's favorite color is blue!"  Then she pointed to the adult-sized rocker and announced, "Mommy's favorite color is white!"  And lastly she pointed to me and the (red) swing I was sitting in and yelled, "Daddy's favorite color is red!"

makes sense now

Little Pink Houses

Our Independence Day was lots of fun this year.  We spent the holiday plus a couple of more days in Shallotte, doing the whole tourist thing with t-shirts to prove it.  On the Fourth we had a massive cook-out topped off with the neighbors' really cool, illegal fireworks.  We did the tour of beaches (Ocean Isle, Holden, Mimi's yard), and the kids had different kinds of fun at all of them.  Our nights were stinkrotten, which made our days a little less wonderful, but there was still plenty of fun to go around.

A New Home

I decided to move over here after seeing how nice all of my friends' sites are.  I hope it's not too much of a hassle for all (two) of you to switch up your bookmarks.  This site is more user-friendly, more stream-lined and classy.  Plus, everybody's doing it, and the peer pressure's getting to me.