Category Archives: Kulia

Due North

My kids are officially oriented. Both children have learned where to put their backpacks, how to find the girls’ room, and the quickest way to the playground. Up next, their first official day alone in class. If orientation is any indication, they will both breeze into their new role as Student without a backward glance. I find myself not crying over lost babies but trying to figure out how much “me” time I can squeeze into a measly 6 hours a week. If only Oregon did full day kindergarten. Sigh.

For now, I’m just trying to remember to take a picture of each kid before they head out the door for their first day of school. Ah, the burden of being a mom!

Life Goes On

We had a nice weekend.  Kat and Josh came down to visit and brought Melo so the girls could get some puppy love.  They commiserated with us over the loss of Artie and we retold all of our crazy dog stories which was fun.  Kat went with me to pick up Artie’s ashes which was hard.  But he’s home now at last.  Then,the girls and I went over to Al’s and bought a little dogwood tree and some day lilies that we planted in the backyard.  We are going to make a little stone marker too and bury him there under the tree.  I think he’d like that.

This week we are busy with zoo camp for the girls.  Leina is an old hand at it by now but this is the first summer that Kulia has been able to go.   Because they are both so close in age, I was able to get them together in the same age group so Leina can show her little sister the ropes.   Kulia was very quiet on the ride over to the zoo on Monday.  She spent the whole ride sucking her thumb and worrying Patches.  When I went to pick her up, however, she was bursting with energy and chatter and declared that it wasn’t scary at all!  Leina isn’t very happy about having her little sister tag along but this is the burden that all older sisters must bare.  I still remember trying to play 4-square on the school playground with Suzy holding onto my hand the entire time when we changed schools.  Us olders have such a cross to bear…..

Back On Her Feet

Just a quick post to let you know that Kulia is back on her feet and we are all so happy to have her bouncing around the house again.  Especially her sister!  Leina spent the last few days moping around the house, declaring there was no one to play with, and upset because no one was paying any attention to her.

Yes, Leina is very happy to have her sister back and up to her old tricks!

School’s Out; Vomiting In

I know, I know.  It feels like all I write about now a-days is vomit.  But really, there is more to my life than that.  I think there is anyway.

Yes, Kulia has yet another stomach bug.  The smell has only just dissipated from the backseat of my car from her last bout and here we are again.  This time, she’s running a nice high fever to go along with her stomach upset.  I was checking in with my mom last night who is home from having her gallbladder removed when Leina came charging down the stairs yelling “Kulia vomited! Kulia vomited!”  It’s like her war cry lately.  So I quickly hung up with my mom, who is recovering nicely, and ran upstairs to help Bitty out.  I have very little optimism right now as her stomach bugs take about 5 days to clear out.  I am so very tired of sofas covered in bowls and running load after load of soiled laundry.   I try and tell myself that it could be worse.  She could be really sick so I should be thankful it’s just a  harmless bug but man, it ain’t easy.  That’s for sure.  I’ve been running for so long, I can hardly even remember what a free and easy day feels like.

June cannot pass quickly enough for me.

Happy Birthday Bitty!

I’m all out of babies.   Excuse me while I wipe away my tears of sorrow.  For you see, today, Kulia turned 4.  4!  No matter how you look at it, 4 is not a baby.  4 is a little, sweet girl full of giggles and grins and rascal eyes.  Thankfully, 4 will still let mom sneak a few snuggles but 4 is very capable on her own, thankyouverymuch.  Sniff.  A 4 year old.  How time flies.

Because Kulia is on the tail end of this stomach flu bug, we had a very mellow birthday for her.  Dinner was, of course, DinoNuggets with ranch but we threw in a Clifford juice box, ’cause, you know, it’s a big day and all.  After eating dinner, Kulia attacked the presents.  First up were the Walls Family dot paints.  A very big hit.  These were broken out and immediately used to good measure.  

Next up, Leina gave Kulia her gifts.  I guess today, Leina had been working in her room to wrap presents and make cards for Kulia.  She was so very proud of them I just know she’d want me to share them with you.

It reads: “I Love U Leina Loves Kulia H-B-D- Kulia”.  I’m thinking “Happy Birthday” was beyond her capabilities hence the H.B.D.  Upon opening the very well taped present (mental note: buy more tape) Kulia found a scrap of fabric from Leina’s stash to which she cried “OOOOH! FABRIC!”  Am I raising these girls right or what?

The final sister present consisted of four slightly used Tinkerbell markers but they all had their lids still.  Bonus!

Mom and Dad hit Target and picked her up her very own My Little Pony baby to snuggle and love.

Next it was time for cake.  Actually, cupcakes.  Unfortunately, Kulia said her tummy didn’t feel so good and she didn’t want one.   Poor thing.  All she could stomach was a left over donut hole from earlier today.  And so we gathered round the nibbled donut hole to sing her happy birthday and watch her blow out her candle.

Hmmmm, what will she wish for?  (Notice the beautiful Dot Paint setting for the slightly eaten donut hole.  Classy!)

I think she’s figured her wish out. 

Take a big breath!  You’ll need it to blow out that candle!  (Just try not to topple over the donut hole, will ‘ya?)

Happy Birthday Bitty!  We love you!

Little Bitty

Even though it’s a beautiful summer day out, I’m sitting here on the sofa watching a Tom and Jerry marathon with my little bitty who has somehow picked up a stomach bug.   It seems that every family has a child who is prone to stomach upsets and Kulia is ours.  Luckily, she has figured out how to hit the bowl and stay calm until it’s over.  She’s my little trooper for sure.  Leina, however, is my big wimp.  At the first sign of vomit, she screams and runs off holding her nose.  She is a sympathetic vomit-er.  Even hearing some one start to retch will get her going.  The up side is, her screams and running alerts me that Kulia is going through another bout of sickness so that’s kind of helpful.  But not much.

But don’t worry, I’m sneaking in as many snuggles as possible.  If she weren’t so miserable, this would be my idea of a perfect Sunday morning.