Budding Artist - Day 2

Maya drew me this morning. I told her how to spell Mommy, but she wrote it without help. I can't believe how big she is getting!

Happy Birthday To You?!

Maya and Ryleigh play happy birthday every day. Even when it's no one's birthday. They are slightly obsessed with birthdays since theirs in April and May.This consists of collecting "gifts" and singing the birthday song ina very sweet, loud, a little bit of the wrong words kind of way. They come find me wherever I am and give me their very thoughtful gifts. Today, for the first time, I received a drawing of "a dragon with stripes and petals and wings" and also "a tree with petals" from Maya. I love her creativity.

Diego's dark secret

I think Diego may not be potty trained, which is odd since he can fly a helicopter...

Jump Suit and Sparkly Shoes

Allie got a leotard trimmed with sequins around Easter. I swear, every day since then she has worn it. Every day. We have implemented a rule, she must wear pants, a skirt or shorts over it if we go out anywhere. She fought me on this for many days, until she realized that she wasn't going to be able to wear it at all unless she followed the rule. Now, when we are home, even in the yard, I am fine with her just wearing her leotard (she calls it her jumpsuit). It has become her uniform, and the only shoes that she will wear with it are sparkly (and I mean sparkly like you have nightmares about and that leave a trail of glitter behind her wherever she goes) pink Mary Jane type shoes. I thought she would tire of this outfit, but she hasn't. I am starting to think she may start kindergarten in that damn jumpsuit. Which would be just about right for Allie. I love that kid, and her sense of style.

The Dog Who Could Fly (or so she thought)

We have a porch off our bedroom, which is on the second floor. Sully likes to hang out there with us in the evenings. We usually sit out there for some time, and she watches the birds and squirrels. Sometimes she will put her front paws up on the ledge and look over, but Will and I both thought she just wanted a better look. Tonight I was sitting on my bed and she was out on the porch, looking over like she usually does, when I see out of the corner of my eye, her jump onto the ledge. I yelled her name, and she leaped over the side. Seriously? From the second floor?! What the hell is wrong with my dog? I heard her crash through the brush and thud onto the ground. I raced downstairs and out the door expecting to find her dead or paralyzed on the ground, but instead she comes trotting around the corner and takes off for the neighbor's yard. Their son caught her and I brought her home. As of now, she seems fine, but I am waiting...I am sure she will be sore tomorrow. No more porch privileges for her.

Update: As of this morning (AKA the day after the jump) she seems fine. She is being a bit more cautious about everything, but I think I like her better that way.

It's a big week for Lilly

Lilly has had quite a week. She lost her third tooth, the left top front one, and she learned to tie her shoes. Lilly has always worn Crocs, sandals, Velcro sneakers, or dressy shoes. She has never had shoes that tie, because she never picked any with laces. Yesterday she got her first sneakers with laces, I showed her twice how to tie them, and she has been tying every shoe she can get her hands on. She tried to teach Allie, but after about two minutes Allie said, "Oh, just tie 'em for me!" So now Lilly is the resident shoe tyer. A very cute one, with that sweet jack o lantern grin. I love it when the girls are genuinely proud of something they have mastered.

She does this on her own

Maya insists on having many stuffed animals and characters in bed with her every night. She always has Dora, that specific baby (who laughs when you squeeze her tummy and who on more that one occasion has scared the crap out of me during the night), Mr. Hippypotamus (she call him this because of 'Charlie and Lola'), and her big monkey. She spends a good five minutes tucking in and arranging each one just the right way before she arranges herself. Seriously, with those hands folded, I just want to gobble her up.