Michael Phelps

Ok, all of my daughters know who Michael Phelps is. Tonight while playing charades, Suzy was a "person". She frantically waved her arms in a somewhat swimming motion (after pointing her toes a few times) and was quite specific that she was "Michael Phelps- Yeah!". Jilli and Ali get as caught up during the replays as they did during the original airing of his meets. The topper was this evening during the closing ceremonies. After watching Phelps win "again" by .01 seconds, Ali declares "Michael Phelpy pleases me". Fortunately they were so mesmerized that they did not notice their parents rolling on the floor.

Campers!

Ok, so with our summer speeding away from us and the home improvement projects lasting longer than planned (as they always do) our big camping trip to the Mohican Wilderness has been postponed a year. The joy of a nuclear family vacation - we can take it whenever we want:).
In order to enjoy a little camping for free we decided to put up the tent in the front yard. It was just another reminder that the kids don't need the whole frills package to enjoy things. They celebrated as if we had just discovered gold in the front yard. The twins helped us put up the tent, and then celebrated the success by having Suzy chase them all around and in and out of it. This was highly entertaining as the first 5 times anyone went in or out, they tripped over the bottom zipper part. There was no crying though, just more laughing and popping up and running again, because camping is about roughing it.
After the tent fun (or "house" fun as Suzy called it) wore off ,we realized it was really hot outside so we went inside to cool off (another perk of home camping). Eventually the evening cooled and we put Suzy to bed (as nobody would have gotten any sleep if she was in the tent) and the rest of the gang headed outside for fun and games. Since we don't have our fire pit yet, we skipped the classic smores and headed straight for flashlight tag. We also played flashlight funny face/scarey face, shadow puppets, and a game called "what's that" - an Ali creation where we tried to guess what the dark shapes outside were (please note parents are no fun at this because they actually know what all the shapes are and also it was a full moon).
Around 10 I was told it was time for me to go inside as it was time for the "real camping" (apparently since i was going to sleep inside with Suzy and not in the tent, I did not qualify for real camping). This coming from two children on comfy marshmellow beds (the great irony being that we had lent out our air mattress to cousin Charlie and so Mike the old man was the only one actually sleeping on the ground. Big Daddy points for him! ) We did agree that it was time for sleep (and one last bathroom break into the house because of the excessive water bottle usage in the tent). So I kissed my campers good-night wondering if they would stay out all night or if they would be coming in at some point.
They did make it all night long and in fact even slept in till after 8! They are definitely their Daddy's daughters, professional campers from the start. Hopefully by next year we can even allow Suzy in the tent.

the baby is 2

time for the phrase that parents can be found all over the world muttering to each other in a state of sincere confusion... "when did that happen?" My baby turned 2 today. We celebrated by driving past the zoo. Once I realized that 2 of the three parking lots were full, we simply waved at the animals as we drove past and headed for a hike at the nature preserve. We managed to walk the smallest nature trail before nature called to Jillian and we headed back to the center for the restrooms. That was the farthest we got into the woods today as we found a small pond teeming with tadpoles to examine for a very long time and then there were caterpillars (while shockingly similar to the ones at our house) that were amazing in every way and must be tended to and corraled and examined till a mothers brain completely shuts off out of boredom thus stimulating the "go home and clean" reflex. If they want to stare at caterpillars, they can do it while I have something to do too. We did take a walk after dinner. Suzy's favorite activity. it's a catch 22 of course because it's a grand birthday activity because she loves it soo very much, but it usually ends in a time-out as she pitches a royal fit when it's over. Not even the "we're going home to have cupcakes" was a consolation to her. She did eventually enjoy her cupcake and the 25th rendition of "Happy to You" for the day. She made Mike blow out her candles. I think she realized he'd had something to do with her success on the previous cake. We ended the day with a nice long bath and her first real attempt to say squirrel during her prayers. This is what threw me into the "she's growing so fast, where has it gone" state that currently encompasses me. My baby doesn't bother to say squirrel, she can't, so she calls them frogs. That's why we started blessing the rodents during prayer in the first place. it was too cute. needed to hear it every day.

"Look Suzy, there's a squirrel! Do you see the squirrel?"

" Yeah"

"Where's the squirrel Suzy?"

"Yeah, Mommie. Frog! Dere's Frog."

What's life going to be like when she actually uses the word squirrel? I suppose she can't call them frogs forever. Just imagine, someday she will even use all those tiny little connecting words in the middle of sentences.

Really?

I blog this so that one day I can (on the advice of my sister) use this information to mortify my children. My children can also credit their continuing lifecycle to the "Good and Angry" book that has been the recent topic of our little book study.

Finally, at the end of a particularly active trip to walmart for a few groceries, i arrive at the checkout ready to be done and in the car headed home. The girls had been, shall we say, energetic during our shopping. Not necessarily disobeying or being wild, but certainly walking that fine line that every mother knows. They sweetly help me load the groceries onto the conveyor and then play with the check writing board that swings out and the usual checking out activities that occur when trapped in a two foot space cornered on every side by toys and candy. (side note that there is a special level of hell for the designer of the checkout line " Lead us NOT into temptation people!") anyway, after noticing that walmart is overcharging 10 - 25 cents for almost every item I have chosen to purchase that day as compared to the posted prices for said items (another level of hell), I proceed to remove my attention from the twins in order to inform the poor cashier of the mistakes.

Please note that of course upon reading this in hindsight, one does go immediately into red alert mode; however, I had assumed that i was being accompanied by my wonderful 5 year old children.

Here is the point that life takes on a slow motion quality. I look up from paying the cashier to see my twins both leaning through a fence barrier type thing and licking (yes you read correctly) pre-packaged bags of popcorn for sale.

L-I-C-K-I-N-G.

BAGS.

5 year olds.

They are both giggling and wiping their tongues all over the packaging as if it's some sort of sugar fountain.
I can tell you that I did use a tone of voice that immediately wiped any sort of smile from their faces and that they are still alive by the grace of God.
I cannot answer the question that everyone who reads this will ask of themselves...... WHY?

and no, i did not purchase the popcorn. but really unless you lick the outside of the bag too, it shouldn't affect you, the poor person who may eventually purchase it.

Dreamin

Suzy had a very, very bad nightmare in the wee hours of this morning. There was a great thrashing about in her crib with fussing and crying. Mike, the dutiful father, braved going into her room to see what was the matter even though it was 6:45am (an hour which angers his wife to have to become awake and tend to the children). Poor Suzy did not look at her daddy, she was sound asleep with one final cry escaping her lips..... "mine". One can guess who was the terrible monster(s?) in her dream:)

Geez Louise

Tonight Nanny and Mike took the kids to get ice cream while I went to a mom's night out to regain some perspective and some sanity. So I thought I would share with you the stories that I got to hear when I got home.

The ride home from the ice cream store contained much singing. Inevitably, the song turns to Old McDonald and his wonderful farm, as this is the main song in Suzy's repertoire. She loves to sing "E-I-E-I-O" and has begun to adjust the song a bit as well. For example... Old McDonald had a farm "E-I-E-I-O" and on that farm he had a duck "E-I-E-I-Duck". The twins think this is quite funny. So Michael began the song... Old McDonald had a farm "E-I-E-I-O" and on that farm he had a (pause from my husband to allow children to choose animal)..... "Boober" comes the selection from Ali followed by Suzy's "E-I-E-I-Boob". My fabulous husband doesn't miss a beat "Now Ali, there really is a boober bird and it makes a call something like this (insert choking gargling sound). Can you make that sound?" Ali attempts this gagging and concludes "no". Mike then brings it to the logical conclusion "then you need to pick another animal". Someday my children will spend time trying to find the boober bird in our National Audubon Society's Guide to Field Birds, I am sure of it.

Jillian was about to throw a fit at bedtime because Ali had picked three stories and she had not gotten a chance to pick one. The crisis was averted by my quick thinking and extremely handsome husband. " I didn't realize you hadn't gotten a chance to choose a book, Jillian. You may read one more before bed and choose it." to which he got this response....
"Geez Louise! I'm so lucky!" and no there was no sarcasm in it.

Cold and Flu Season

I blame Adam and Eve. I seriously doubt there was cold and flu season in the garden of Eden. Without a doubt poor Jillian got the worst of it. A stomach flu, head cold, and pink eye. I knew she wasn't well when she put herself to bed at 11am and slept till 5pm. I would have wanted to sleep it all away too. The good news is that she has emerged victorious! It was a great day to see her dancing around again with the other ladies (who slipped through the germie grasp of the season without a scratch!) But admittedly dancing is a very ambitious activity for someone just feeling better. So we decided to haul up the old atari early (we were taking it to church for our annual congregational meeting) and the girls played space invaders and pac man and Mike played centipede and I discovered the freaky music to haunted house is still freaky and the game still makes me jump at 32. Geesh.

Bath Time!

So it's bath night. Jilli was supposed to go first, but Suzy had other plans. Mike went to go get a mountain dew out of the garage and left Suzy to visit with Jilli while she took her bath. When he returned, this is what we found. Yes, she is wearing pants, a onsie, her jacket, and socks. Praise the Lord we had at least taken off her shoes earlier. Good times.

Dad's Night

The twins are having a great time at preschool these days. Jillian is betrothed to a nice christian boy named Jack, although I believe that perhaps Ali may also be betrothed to Jack. This was the aspect of preschool that I was not expecting, but at least they are nice boys from christian families:) The girls had a very special night of preschool a few weeks ago. Daddy's night is a chance for all the dads to spend an hour with their kids at preschool and see what they do during their school days. (It is a co-op, but generally it's stay-at-home moms who do the working in the class. ) One of the neat things they did for Dad's night was to interview the kids during the preschool day about their dads. Here are Jilli and Ali's thoughts on their father.

Ali's Interview:
My dad's name is : Michael
My dad is 11 feet tall
He weighs 9 pounds
He has blue eyes and blonde hair
His favorite color is orange
His favorite food is chicken with sauce
His favorite TV program is football
My dad's job at work is a teacher
He helps mom at home when he: clean up the food
The thing my dad does best is: clean up the kitchen
The thing I enjoy doing the most with my dad is : play goldfish

Jilli's Interview:
My dad's name is Michael
My dad is 15 feet tall
He weighs 15 pounds
He has blue eyes and brown hair
His favorite color is red
His favorite food is red and green peppers
His favorite TV program is Jasmine
My dad's job at work is teaching students
He helps mom at home when he: holds the baby
The thing my dad does best is: works on the computer
The thing I enjoy doing the most with my dad is : I love him and I like to watch him tie my shoes.

Time to workout

The girls were playing in the guest room downstairs and Mike and I heard a very terrible thump. It was probably the only time we have both gone running at once. We burst forth into the room to see what had occurred, and scared the dickens out of the twins. They about screamed for their lives. Both were fine, I don't even remember what made the thump, but I certainly remember what they said next. "We thought you were bears!" Time for electrolysis or the stair machine I guess.

Look out sister!

Today the girls were playing a game called Lucky Duck. It was their first time playing with their new game (compliments of Nanny) and all three of them were very intent. Yes, even Suzy because this is a game of a moving stream with quacking sounds with lots of little rubber duckies. The twins were playing with Nanny and they had very nicely given Suzy a game piece and were letting her take turns (ie letting her grab random duckies and create log jams of duckies while the rest played the game). This was ok for a while, but then Suzy got a bee in her bonnet and began stealing Ali's pieces that she had collected out of the stream (collect 3 and you win). Suzy would grab them and hold them as far away from Ali as she could. She would turn her back on Ali with a quite gleeful look on her face. There was much commotion as we would take the pieces back and try to continue with the game. But Suzy was not to be satisfied and Jilli had finally had enough. THOSE ARE AAALLLLLIIIIIIIS! came the loudest holler I have heard out of my firstborn and I can tell you that everything in the room came to a stop. It was actually quite hilarious. Nanny couldn't help but chuckle and I'm looking at Mike like, should we even say anything about that because it's how we all felt and her sister was being a huge pain in the rear. Mike said as sternly as he could muster that we don't scream at Suzy because she is so little and doesn't know any better. However, I firmly believe that my ornery third child knew exactly what she was doing:)

Motzerella

The girls have taken an interest in the story of their birth. So every morning on the way to preschool this week, I have been asked and have obliged to tell them the story of when they were born. Weds morning Jillian asked to hear the story of Suzy's birth when I was done with theirs. I told them that Suzy's birth was a little different because there was only one baby in my belly. Ali omits this huge and I mean HUGE gasp. "Oooh, poor Suzy!" and Jilli adds "She had no company, no friends!" It was incredibly sweet and just a reminder of how the twins see life a little differently than the rest of us singletons. There was consensus amongst all of the members of the vehicle that Suzy is now very happy to be out of Mommy's belly and have the company and friendship of her big sisters.

I have decided I love driving around with the girls in the Jeep. Especially the twins, they are at a fabulous age for discussions while we tootle around town. Today, my favorite passage came from Ali. Consider that we are singing along with the kids CD when all of a sudden....
"Mom, did I have Motzerella when I was a baby?"
What? Yeah, I mean, I guess. Not when you were a brand new baby, but after a while you're allowed to have cheese . Why?
" No momma, did I have Motzerella when I was a baby?"
What are you talking about Ali?
"Did I have Motzerella poopers like Suzy did today?"
ooooh, you mean Diaherrea?
"Yes, did i have diaherrea when I was a baby?"
Indeed they are both long and complicated words:)

My favorite mis-speaking of Jillians: underrupted. as in "Ali! You underrupted me! I was talking first!"

A little known fact to share... Suzy loves to body slam her sisters. If the girls lay down on the ground on their backs (for instance in the driveway to be traced with chalk), it is like a sonar beacon to Suzy who will arrive from wherever she was previously occupied and launch herself across their stomachs. She giggles and wiggles around there for quite some time, in fact she has never ended a session on her own.

The Yeazels

For quite some time we have been hanging out with the Yeazel family. They are wonderful friends and we love them very much. In fact, they are so much a part of our daily lives that Ali's mispronunciation of their last name went unnoticed until a few weeks ago when Ali walked up to Mrs. Yeazel and, in trying to get her attention, she used her name. "Dayeazel". It took us a while to figure out how she got that one, but Mrs. The Yeazels finds her new name very cute.

Really?

We had a very interesting conversation with Jilli this morning. In the process of helping out an upset tummy, Mike gave her a peppermint and was telling her that her tummy knew the peppermint would help but that her brain needed to learn that information. Then he came up with the question, "Jilli, what does your brain look like?". To which Jilli had this reply.....

It's a bunch of teeny tiny little monsters (fingers demonstrating very tiny) who think and think and think until they decide and then the stroke in your belly goes away.

Now you know.

Suzy's ear thing

Something new about Suzy. We discovered it with ice cream first, but it works with ice water as well. When you give the girlie something cold to eat or drink, she pulls at her ears. "Is it cold Suz?" and she answers with a tug, tug, flappity flap. Every time.

The Dog

Ok, normally these posts are places to read the cute wonderful stories of my children. Well, to break with convention and simply because it has, and I mean MUST, be noted... this one is about the amazing lack of intelligence in our precious Cleo. She is a wonderful sweet and loving dog, couldn't be better with the kids. It's the screen door she has a problem with. This evening, once again, for the 8th time actually, the dog has tried to sprint outside through the screen door. While the words are leaving our mouths "wait for the....." the dog is running into the screen door. Tonight she actually took out the whole door. She kills me.

Little Prayers

Ali: Thank you God for all the things God gave us. Amen.

Jilli: Thank you God for making Ali get healthy and make Daddy happy forever. Make Mommy happy forever so she will not give us spankings. And thank you God for not letting the trees die or anything.

While I was blogging

Ali comes over wearing two beaded necklaces. She says "Mom, I love you. Would you like a necklace?" I say " That would be wonderful Ali. I would love a necklace." So Ali takes off one of her necklaces and says "Hold your hair up." and she fastens it around my neck. Then to top it off, she says "This means that you are special Mom. God made you special and I am special too because I have one. Jilli is mean. She has been mean to me all day long." and off she goes.

And don't let anyone tell you that an 11 month old doesn't know right from wrong. I busted Suzy in the kitchen with a bag of crackers she took off the girls table. Jumped a mile high when I said her name (just a sing-songy name, not even a "hey what cha doin" name) and began to shove the crackers in her mouth hand over fist.

Tootie Bum

It's the girls new insult. They made it up all by themselves. You're a tootie bum. Try it the next time you get in a fight with your hubby. :)

Sparkly World

There are a few small differences between growing up in the country and growing up in the city. When we had the girls, we naturally assumed we would move someplace more "country" since Mike and I both grew up in rural areas. Being a kid growing up in a city is something we know nothing about and as the parent, one wants to feel quite confident in their "all knowing" status. It's funny how God's plans differ from our own sometimes. We are beginning to appreciate the "city" side of living, and the girls are showing us the perks from their point of view as well. My favorite so far is "Sparkly World" (which is actually pronounced Spark-a-lee World). Whenever we are driving in the evening or in the dark, the girls are in awe of all the city lights in the distance. We never actually arrive in Sparkly World because city lights look their most sparkly from a little bit of a distance. But you are guaranteed at some point in the drive to hear "Look Mama! Sparkly World!" with just enough excitement to remind us that God has great blessings in store for us wherever we are.