hide-n-(sensory)-seeking

Today's post was written from Kitty Bitty's point of view as she flew solo for the afternoon. Ahhhh, the house is so quiet when the big kids are hanging out elsewhere! Big Brother and Sister are off with friends today. What's a little sister to do? Plenty. I can climb onto their desks and write on their drawings. I can wear their shoes around. I can nap with Daddy. I can eat dog food. Or steal Grandpa's newspaper. Pretty much all the same stuff I do when they are here. But going outside is not nearly as fun as when they are there to play too. They pretend that I am going to get them while I swing, or play that I am the monster at the bottom of the slide and they can't let go or I will eat them. I growl and gnash my teeth in true monster fashion. They blow bubbles from the fort so that I have lots of time to try and catch them as they float down. They dig with me in the sandbox, or...

Welcome to Wordy Wednesday! Today's subject is: Sibling Revelry Yup, you read it correctly. We are celebrating the upside of being in a brood! There are many advantages to having siblings, not the least of which include having a partner in crime, and having someone else there when you're scared of the dark. Maybe it's because we homeschool and my kiddos do a lot of their activities together right now, like gymnastics, but I'm always amazed at how much my kids miss each other when they are apart. The big ones, that is. Kit doesn't yet realize that the kids are gone until they come home. But then she is super happy to greet them with arms wide and an energetic, "HIIIIIIIII!!" The big kids, of course, love to get individual attention, but they are always so happy to get back to their dynamic duo. They fight, and squabble, and tattle-tell on each other, but, they also giggle, and conquer, and empathize with each other. Adding Kit into ...

I have been trying to absorb and navigate a recent truth that I must come to terms with. We care for four individuals with special needs . Not always in a strictly medical sense, but often in a very intense and immediate and nothing-else-is-going-to-happen-until-this-gets-fixed way. Most of the above happens primarily in regard to Kit and Grandpa's needs. But Zak has a good handful of moments like that too. And then there's Grace. Goofy Grace, Grinning Grace, Gregarious Gorgeous Graceful Grace! And lately, Gloomy Grace. A Little Left Out       She has a problem with not having enough problems. Yes, I'm being quippy, but it's also completely true. She is truly upset that Zak gets to see a doctor every week, and gets to answer questions. She literally tears up. "It's not fair! When do I get to go see a doctor?" She feels like she is missing out big time. And you know what? She is. Not because she doesn't get to go see a doctor, bu...

Occasionally, on the rare mornings that Kit wakes up before Grace, Kit will make her way into the kids room, climb onto the bottom bunk and over Grace, and will snuggle with her on her pillow. It is one of the very unusual few minutes that Kit will allow a blanket on herself. They giggle and talk girl stuff. It's adorable!