Overheard

This are somethings one may have overheard lately if Chez Henderson:

Rowena: "Mommy, is my Daddy dead?"
Me: "No."
Rowena: "Oh, he must be at work still."

Katie (to Delaney): "Okay, let's pretend like we're sisters and our parents are dead.  We have to do everything and take care of ourselves."

Rowena: "Stupid...(insert name)" when angry

Rowena: "I'm almost 8.  I'm 3 now, then I'm going to be 4, then 5, then 6, then 7, and then I'm going to be 8.  See it's soon.  Then I'll really be a big girl."

Sleepy Boy!

The kids have been sleeping in past 7 lately, and sometimes as late as 8:45...and ALL FOUR!  AMAZING!!!  Well, today was *not* one of those days.  Charlie had me up just minutes after 5am.  With the Olympics on and a good book, I haven't found my eyes closed any earlier than 1:30 a.m. for the past 5-6 days.  Guess I need to start going to be earlier; school is just around the corner!

Anyway...it's been a productive day here: 3 miles ran this morning before 8, shower, laundry being worked on, dishes being done, go-fish being played, Wii being danced to, and crafts being completed.  Charlie wasn't able to take it all, and I guess I didn't get him to bed on time...

Splish, Splash! Katie and Her Friends Celebrate 7!

Katie decided to have her party this year at Splash Station.  What a WONDERFUL job they did!  I hope she wants to have her party here again.  It was affordable (in the sense of any child's party when you think food, cake, ice cream, party favors, games, etc.).  All the kids had a great time.

The kids from Katie's class/grade: Amanda, Katie, Cassie, Matthew, Alex, and Danielle

 The Party-Go'ers: Gwen, Julia, Spencer, Delaney, Amanda, Katie, Cassie, Sean, Matthew, Alex, Danielle, Sophie, and Rowena

Splash station has several sets of water slides: speed-mat slides, body slides, and tube slides, along with a lazy river and a zero-depth pool.  To ride most of the water slides, you need to be 48".  Sadly, Katie was the only too short (and significantly too, besides Rowena).  Thankfully, she passed the swim test easily and was able to enjoy all the ammenities of Splash Station.

We had hot dogs, chips and drinks, followed by AH-MA-ZING ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

 Katie and her bestie, Cassandra, dancing on the bench

Katie and her "boyfriend," Matthew, going down the tube slide together.

Then, I took the 3 girls from Katie's class/grade along with Katie and Delaney to the roller rink in their pajamas for some free roller skating.

Next we headed home for presnts, fun playing Wii, Barbies, and Game Cube, and coloring before watching 2 back-to-back Barbie movies, eating popcorn, and finally falling asleep around 2am

The next morning, the girls had yummy breakfast and then ventured outside where they were able to watch a few locusts shed their shells, which was pretty awesome. Thanks to everyone who helped make her birthday wonderful!

USA! USA!~Olympics: London 2012~~USA! USA!

I love the Olympics.  I love watching all these amazing athletes that don't otherwise get recognition for their talents.  It's fun to watch sports that I don't know exist, and that aren't prevelant around here.  My favorite Summer Olympic events are swimming, diving, and women's gymnastics.  I will watch any event, though, and right now, NBC is my favorite channel.

For this year's Opening Ceremonies, we went to the Salkas' home for appetizers (Pinterest style), crafts, and company.  The kids had fun playing throughout the ceremonies, while Linda, Jeff, and I (Peter was at the movies with Ryan) chatted, made and ate food, and watched.  Later the kids made their own Olympic torches and watched the torch come into the arena, then a few fell asleep.  We got home around 11.

Throughout the Olympics we're planning on playing Wii Mario & Sonic Olympics as well as our own version of Olympic events, Henderson Style--which means Pillow Fighting, Pool Splashing, Breath Holding (in the pool), High Jump, Long Jump...you get the idea.

Starting the Olympics:

The Hendersons were all dressed in Red, White, and Blue with stars and stripes, but I changed two into their pajamas  just before the lighting-of-the-torch.  Go figure.

Fill In The Blanks

It's been so long since I've blogged.  I have so many drafts that I haven't published yet because I take so many pictures, it's difficult for me to choose which to use.  Have you noticed I have yet to publish Rowe's birthday letter?  Or her trip to American Girl store?  I also have a hiking post and a Museum of Science & Industry post to finish and publish.  Not to mention variou other here and there things.  Sorry.  These four kids have been keeping me super busy this summer!!!

My friend, Connie, did a post today about things she loves.  I wanted to share my answers.

I could blow an entire rainy afternoon…watching the Harry Potter movies with the girls.

When I was a kid, I used to love… roller skating, playing Barbies/house/school, being outside, and peeing in window wells.  There I admitted it.

I’ve always wanted to become really good at… cooking.  And not just in following recipes, but to be creative and truly know flavors and fragrances and what goes together.  I imagine myself on Master Chef.

If I could do one thing every day of my life, it would be… to nap.  I love to nap.  Oh, or maybe read.  Maybe I'm just picking things I'm not able to do often now?

I can lose track of time when I am… reading or on the internet.  It's disgusting how much time I allow myself to play on Pinterest, Facebook, reading blogs, and email!  And, if I'm engrossed in a good book, I can read for hours and not even realize it's been more than one.

Nothing clears my head like…running.  I just love the focus of my feet hitting the pavement, the steadiness of the breathing, and being alone.…

When I’m feeling drained, all I want to do is… sit on the couch and either watch TV or allow myself to be sucked into the virtual world of Pinterest and Facebook.

I feel most connected to my body when I’m…exercising.  It really doesn't matter what kind: Body Attack, Zumba, dancing, running, even walking.  Feeling my body move, the muscles working; it's a wonderful feeling and connection.

In my daydreams, I imagine myself… debt free, playing with the kids without thinking of what else is on my to-do list, and sometimes retired and travelling with Peter to various places and visiting our children.

I get a shot of energy when I… feel like one of my kids are in danger or being threatened/picked on!  There's nothing that gets my blood rushing more than needing to jump to the defense of my child. They will forever have me by their side.

18 Months of Charlie...A Month Late

Yes, Charlie is technically 19 months, but I just realized I never did an 18 month post on him.  Can I just start by saying how much I love this little guy?  I LOVE THIS LITTLE GUY!  He's so dang cute and sweet.  He's funny and happy, quiet and peaceful.  He has a love for books and if I (or anyone else) would just sit and read to him from morning until night, he would love it.  He also loves TV (He is a Henderson, after all...).  He takes things in stride and puts up with a lot.  Rowe can be very intense with him, only allowing him to have one toy at a time, and dictating which toy he's allowed.  Of course, as I type this, she is sharing with him and "teaching" him how to play.  Kate can be pretty intense too; wanting to carry him and hug him often.  Delaney is just kinda there.  Both older girls will read to him and talk with him, which is wonderful to watch.

At Charlie's 18 month well-check at the doctor, this is what occurred...

Weight: 19 lbs, 7 oz (3%)

Height: 30 1/2" (5%)

Head: 47 1/2 (50%)

He gained 1/2 lb in 3 months, so the doc is happy with that. He's tiny, just like Kate. At 1 1/2, Delaney was 21 lbs, 3 oz., Katie was 21 lbs, and Rowena was probably 23 lbs.

The doctor had me fill out a questionnaire that screens for autism. He passed with flying colors. I'm not sure if this is standard now (as I didn't do this with any of the girls), or if it was prompted due to his lack of speech development. Going with his speech, he can and does now say Da and Dadda. He says it on command, but not when he sees Peter. He is also starting to make a few more babbles, but remains very quiet. He tried to test Charlie's hearing at 15 mo, but he was too squirmy. He asked about his hearing today and I told him I'm not worried about it. He doesn't deny that Charlie can hear, but he is questioning the clarity of hearing; thinking if he's not hearing clearly he may not be able to articulate. I'm still not too concerned. So they attempted to test his hearing again today, but it (again) didn't work. I'm taking him back in 1 month for a hearing screening. Then doc wants him to be able to say 5-10 words by 21 months. If he's not, he has to go back in.

 

Here are a few other things about Charlie at 18 months:

 

Talking:

As stated before, he's not talking.  He will say "DeeDaDa" for Diego in the morning for the TV show he wants to watch.  Other than that, you don't really hear a word from the kid.  I usually only hear him if he's crying.

 

Play:

Charlie doesn't get a lot of play time, sadly.  If he tries to play, it's usually quickly interrupted by a sister (insert Rowena).  He does like the pretend food, our playhouse, his cars, and our pinball machine.  He also loves the big legos; building and destroying. He also loves to play in the bath, his water table, and the pool (as long as it's not cold).

 

Eating:

This kid is an eating machine.  I wonder why he's not 30 lbs yet.  He eats just about any and everything.  And, if there is food around, he wants it.  The kid is never full, I swear.  What he doesn't like: hot food, as in oven hot.

 

Sleeping:

BEST. SLEEPER. EVER.  You tell him it's "ni-night time" and he waves to everyone, blows kisses, reaches for his paci and blankies.  You can lay him down wide awake, and he'll wave to you and you leave the room, and don't hear from him for hours...when he awakes, which is usually making noises, sometimes a cry.

 

He's becoming our little boy, not our baby anymore!