So, I/we havent updated this thing in a while. Sorry… especially since I know some of you are counting on us for your daily comedic relief! 😉
We are still at Rose and Dale’s and life is getting interesting. Dave is very busy with school and trying to figure out when to take the GMAT- its like the ACT for grad school. It sucks. We bought him a study book for $60, but figured it would be worth it in the end, the problem is the book is HUGE! So, we talked about it and had tentatively decided that Dave would take a “trial run” test to just get a feel for it, and then he’d know what to really brush up on in the book(thus not having to read the WHOLE thing) then he’d go back and take the test again before we have to turn in his application in February… one problem… one very large, expensive problem- THE GMAT IS $250!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could not believe that!!!!!!! I thought maybe like the ACT, around $50-70, maybe double that since its an entrance exam for graduates, but sheesh- nothing, NOTHING like $250… So, now our plan has changed- hopefully he’ll only need to take it once and we’ll be done with it. Dave is not exactly excited to take it either- the test is 250 minutes. Four hours on a Saturday morning- does that sound like fun to anyone normal? I think not.
Onto the hilarious parts… Charli is growing so fast. She has one tooth now and loves to talk all the time. She has started to do this thing with her tongue that cracks me up! I’ll stick my tongue out at her and she’ll do the same thing- only she puts it back in and out pretty quick and thinks its the greatest thing. Her favorite places to crawl in grandma’s house are into the formal living room by the grandfather clock- Rose has this little fake plant down on the ground in a little pot- she LOVES to crawl up there and chew on its leaves… yummy. She is also enthralled with grandma’s “lid drawer”. All the tupperware lids are in one drawer closest to the floor. Charli has figured out how to crawl up and on this one small knob, she pulls herself to kneeling. She then proceeds to open the drawer and somehow get her legs under the open drawer and sits there playing with all the lids for as long as she can stay balanced… occasionally she’ll lose her balance and get stuck underneath the drawer paralyzed in fear. Its hysterical.
Tori… now she is the really funny one. She has such an opinion these days- about everything!
The other day Rose was home from work and was going to treat Tori and I to lunch. I was getting Charli dressed for the day when Tori comes in from helping grandma get ready and says,
“Mom! Where’s da food”
“What?”
“WHERE’S DA FOOD?!” (as if I really didn’t hear what she had said)
“Sweetie, I don’t understand what you’re asking me.”
“WHERE’S DA FOOD?!!!!!!” (very insistent at this point that its not a difficult question to answer)
“I don’t know Tori, where is it?”
“ITS DOWNSTAIRS!!!!”
“WHAT?”
A few minutes later Rose comes in and asks,
“Did Tori ask you what she was supposed to?”
“Um, she asked me where the food was”
Rose, laughing, says, “She was supposed to ask you where your favorite place to get food is.”
Or the other morning, Tori had crawled into bed with us. Dave had left to go get in the shower and she looked at me and said,
“Now I’m gonna go get some nem n nems!” (M&Ms)
“Oh yeah?”
“YEP!” (she slides down off our bed) “hmmm…. now where can I find some nem n nems?!” (as she’s looking through the stuff in our room)
Or the other day at the store…
“Tori, if you don’t start listening and sit down in the cart, I’m going to lose my mind.”
“MOM!(still standing up at this point, now yelling for all to hear) I DON’T WANT YOU TO LOSE YOUR MIND!!!!!!”
“Well then sit down!”
“I don’t want to sit down and I don’t want you to lose your mind ok!?”
Tori is the most hilarious kid. When she’s not trying to get her way via screaming or tantrum throwing, she really is quite comical. She’s got the best imagination. She is very sweet and loving with Charli. They are best buds and its so much fun watching them feed off each other.
Most days (I guiltily admit) I take my job for granted. My kids are so much fun, a helluva lot of work, but even more fun. Tori really is a sweet kid, even if she screams and throws the mother of all fits at the most inopportune times occasionally. She brightens my day, everyday with her hilarious banter and commentary on life. I love it; all of it. Even the parts where I’m up for the 10th time in the middle of the night with Charli, or I’m cleaning up a potty accident from Tori. These things are all fairly temporary, and the pros still out way the cons… I love being a mom!
UGGH on the tests!! i had to take a teaching licensing test too and it cost $250, but if i would’ve had to retake it, the next time it wouldv’e only been $50, so check into that if needed… hopefully, not needed 🙂 my hubby had to take an 8 hour test!!!! AAH! your girls sound so fun! my little boy, craig is starting to talk a little more, but i can’t wait till he can really communicate and tell me things.
OMG thanks for the update that was hilarious about Tori in the supermarket with you! Hope ya’ll are doing wonderful I’ll talk to you soon.
Thanks for writing. It has been rather dismal in life lately and today reading about your sweet family brought a smile to my face and out right laughter at times. Tori is a hoot!! I wish we were closer so I could just come over and enjoy some time with your gang. I think about you often, and always keep you in my prayers. I loved their Halloween photos. I think Charli looks more and more like her wonderful daddy. Tori reminds me of someone else who had a distinct opinion at a young age and had me laughing too as a mom. Glad you keep a blog – keep it up!
Love ya all,
Mom/Nana
Hello,
It occured to me that you have no way of knowing that I am one of the mentioned people who rely on this blog. Well, I read it and keep up to speed on the Paynes. So thanks for posting. Thanks for your attitude about motherhood. Your honesty is really refreshing. Liz and I get nervous about parenthood, so it’s nice to hear someone who admits that it’s a lot of work and sometimes requires taking a step back to appreciate it.
Heart,
Nate Higley