The Food Battle

Food has been a battle lately.  I have started requiring more bites before Big Girl can leave the table.  Lunch was no exception.  Unfortunately, lunch included leftovers from the dinner battle last night.  So, I was prepared for the battle before we began lunch.  To my surprise, it was not much of a battle at all.  In fact, there were a few bites without any words at all! So, at the end of the meal, when she said, "Mom, I'm full."  I was happy to let the rest of it slide if she could eat just one more bite.

Me: "Alright, you did a good job.  If you eat one more bite, you can get up."


Big Girl:  (in a tone very imitative of her mother) "I don't have any more room in my tummy, are you sure you want me to eat it?" (complete with the head tilt to the side)


This would have been a convincing argument if she had waited long enough for a response before stuffing the bite in her mouth. We will have to work on the importance of timing with our threats.

Adventures with Dad

Today's Sister-ism is compliments of Dad.

Dad went to pick up dinner for us and even took the kiddos. Thank you, Daddy!

While he was in the car, Sister asked him:

"Daddy, are we getting food at a restaurant and taking it home so we can gobble it up?"

Daddy: "Would you like to get some food at a restaurant and take it home so we can gobble it up?"

Sister: "YES!"

Daddy: "What do you think, Brother? Should we get some food at a restaurant to take home so we can gobble it up?"

He turns around to see Brother sucking his fingers as usual and just staring at him.

Sister: (very matter-of-fact) "He doesn't talk much."

It's true. He doesn't.

Straddling the Fence

I opened a bottle of wine. As I am trying to open it, Sister Bear asks me:

"Mommy, are you going to drink that wine or pour it?"

"I am going to drink it."

"Does Daddy get some? He LOVES wine."

"Yes, he can have some, will you go ask him if he wants some"

Sister leaves goes into the other room to ask him. Then she comes out and says to me,
"He said 'Yes, please.' (pause) Or, maybe 'No, thank you.' (pause) But, really, 'Yes, please.'"

So, I go in to clarify what was really said, and Daddy was just as confused as I was. Apparently, Sister asked him,
"Mommy said you want some wine if she wants some wine if you want it"

So, he replied "Yes, please."

But, I guess the back and forth is more fun.

Potty

Sister woke up from her nap and comes up to me for a big hug. I hold her and as she is hugging me, she whispers,

"I just couldn't resist, so I was going potty in bed."

Yep, she knows the correct definition, now can we teach her connotation?

Ahh...the Truth Hurts

So, I was changing clothes to go to the gym. Sister came in and affectionately rubbed my belly (much like when I was pregnant) and then the truth came out:

"Mom, you have been eating too much junk food and too much healthy food and your belly is getting too big."

"Yes, I have."

Thanks.

Role Playing

Sister came out of her bedroom with her "purse" on her shoulder and her comb and detangle spray in her other arm. She stops, turns (like she is posing for a camera) and says

"Mom, I said to myself, I need to go on a nature walk."

"Okay, you can go on a nature walk, but you need to put your comb and spray away first."

"But, what if my hair gets knotted and tangled and worst of all, wild?" (It's a line from one of her favorite stories.)

"Well, I guess you will just have to go on your walk with knotted and tangled and worst of all, wild hair, then."

"No, I don't think so. If my hair gets knotted and tangled and worst of all wild, I will need those things."

Oh, to be 3 again.

The Old 3 Year Old

Sister comes walking out of her room, turns to me and says,

"Mom, I'm 3. So, I'm old and I need this stick to walk." (She holds her umbrella up and then sets it back down as a cane.)

If she is old, I'm ancient.

Know it All

Last night, we discussed going to have lunch with Daddy at his work today. We made plans and Sister was very excited to go see Daddy at work. This morning, Sister came in to greet me, and I asked if she was ready for a fun day, which included a trip to have lunch with Daddy. Her response?

Me: We get to go have lunch with Daddy!

Sister: NO! We can't go see Daddy. It's too far! He works in Austin, and that is too far away.

Me: Really? We can't go see him?

Sister: NO! (pause) Come on, let's get some Halloween candy!

I guess Halloween candy trumps Daddy for now.

Oh the Moments...

Daddy took Big Girl to McDonald's tonight when I was feeling sick and did not want to step foot in the kitchen. She took a bite out of her hamburger and then said:

"Take these freakin' things out of my hamburger."

She said it so fast and "freakin" was mumbled under her breath so much that we had to ask her to repeat it 3 times until we were sure what she was saying. Apparently, my efforts to say it under my breath were not very successful, because she imitated it very well! The reason for saying it? She wanted the pickle out of her burger.

Earlier in the day, while Big Girl and Brother were playing in the play room, I hear Brother start crying out of the blue. I asked Big Girl if she knew why Brother was crying. Her answer?

"Um, I think maybe because I kicked him."

Also, we went to an open house at the Emergency Command Center because Daddy volunteers for them. On our way back to the car, I let Brother walk to the car and he got distracted by the plants. In an effort to get him back on track, I said, "Bye, Bye Brother." I turned my back to him, so he would think I was serious. Daddy was already putting Big Girl into the car, and she comes RUNNING over towards me saying,

"Don't leave Brother, I want to keep him."

We Jumped to Our Race

This morning, we went to a 5K / Kids 1K to benefit foster children. (CASA) It is an amazing organization and I thought it would be fun for Big Girl to participate in her first race. She loves Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food - in the story the family participates in a race - so she was excited about participating in a race, too.

So, on our way to the race at 6:45 am, she was very excited when she saw the sun coming up. She said, "LOOK, The sun is setting, it is going up!"

As we got closer to the race, the sky was an amazing color and what Big Girl said was very appropriate, but funny nonetheless.

"Look, Mommy, it's the ocean way up high!"

Then when Big Girl started running in the race, she wanted to know where her friends were. I had tried to prepare her for the crowd of people by saying there would be a lot of friends, but did not expect her to stop running, turn around and say this:

"Come on, let's go! Follow me."

Yes, to the lone little girl who had not taken off ahead of her.

As for the title of today's blog: We have been working on learning the calendar and we have special days marked on the calendar. Yesterday, we were looking at Saturday and I asked her what box tomorrow would be. She said, "We jump, jump, jump to here" as she jumped her fingers across the week on the calendar to reach Sunday morning.

Thunder

There was a storm while Big Girl was napping and Brother Bear was eating.  Thunder woke Big Girl up, so I ran to get her.  While getting her, Brother Bear start crying.  He is mad that I stopped feeding him to get Big Girl.


Big Girl:  Brother Bear doesn't like thunder, too!

A Day to Remember

I've enjoyed starting this, because it has forced me to be present. It has really helped me to be aware of the conversations, so I can catch the memorable moments. This has been no easy feat when trying to juggle an inquisitive 3 year old who is ready to assert her independence, a 1 year old boy who does not like to sit still, and a - well, let's just say, big baby. Today, I did not have to be paying much attention, because the moments were aplenty!

Our first moment begins with the introduction of Brother. He is not really speaking, well, unless you count "DUHAH" (dog) and "UH UH" (uh-oh OR I'm about to throw this!). Nevertheless, his behavior was blog worthy today.

Brother loves to open and close doors. He finds them fascinating, and I like to assume that my future physicist is only developing his understanding of all things physics. So, while he is playing with the door to his bedroom, I am cleaning the house. All of a sudden, I hear him crying. I know he is mad because he has shut the door all the way and cannot reach the doorknob. So, I go to open the door.

This only makes him angry. Apparently, he wanted it closed.


Unfortunately, once it is closed, he is again frustrated. So, after him pushing on the door for some time, I finally get the door opened enough for him to see me. And this is his reaction:

This is the beginning of his heart melting "hold me" gesture!
It was so rough he needed a cuddle to feel better. I guess my physicist has a little ways to go.

So, a little later in the day, we make a trip to the store. I am getting Brother out of the car seat when I look over to see this:

My bird tamer is talking to the birds like she does to her dog/baby doll/brother. "Come here." And everyone listens! Do you see how close the bird is to her? I was amazed!

Oh, and this is not the end of our day, not even close.

So, after our trip to the store, on the way home, I am a little distracted, and it is not until halfway through the conversation that I realize what is being said:
Big Girl: Mom, do doggies cough and hiccup?

Mom: (Not really thinking, just trying to stop the questions) Yes

Big Girl: Why do doggies cough and hiccup?

Mom: (Realizing what has just happened, but not really knowing the answer) Oh, well, dogs cough, but I do not think they hiccup.

Big Girl: (authoritatively) But, they do on Clifford.

Mom: (oh, really?) Yes, dogs can hiccup on Clifford, but I do not think they can in real life.

Big Girl: It's okay, next time I'll show you.

Side note: Apparently, rarely, dogs can hiccup, but it is usually a sign of a medical condition. She definitely showed me.
Big Girl's umbrella was still sitting on the floor. She had been asked to put it away before we left for the store.

Mom: I think I asked a little girl to put an umbrella away.

Big Girl: Yes, I'm sorry. It was an accident.

I wish nothing but the best for you.

Big Girl was most likely trying to tell me that she wants me to have the life of my dreams, although I do not know where she would have gotten that idea from in the first place.  Nevertheless, she walks in the room and announces:


Big Girl:  I wish you had your life in your dreams.


Pause


Big Girl:  Did you hear what I just said?
I wish you had your life in your dreams.


I'm still not sure how I should have responded - but I said:


Me:  Thank you, I hope you have the life of your dreams, too.

The Curse of the WHY

On our way to get medicine for Brother, Big Girl asked me a question.

Mom: I don't know.

Big Girl: Why?

Mom: I said, I do not know why. We can go learn why, later.

Big Girl: WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!

Mom: Big Girl, I said I do not know why. When I say 'I don't know,' that means that I cannot tell you why. You should not ask me why anymore when I say, 'I don't know.'

Big Girl: Why can I not ask why?

Later, after we were back with the medicine for Brother, we gave him his first dose. After he took it, like a champ, Big Girl said:

What a good boy he is to take all of his medicine!

If only it were that fast...

In the car, on our way to the swimming pool...

Big Girl: Mommy, I am getting a suntan.

Mom: You are?

Big Girl: Yes, I am getting pink.
(Pink? Who told her that?)

Mom: You are?

Big Girl: Yes, I am getting pink, so I am getting a suntan.

Mom: Oh. And do you like getting a suntan?

Big Girl: Yes.

The Mind of a 3 Year Old

Today, we were heading home, and it was already lunchtime. I was very hungry and I know the kids were, too. Well, they had been snacking all morning and I had not. Nevertheless, it was time to get home for lunch.

Big Girl: Mommy, can I have a snack?

Mom: No snacks. We are going home to have lunch. I am VERY hungry, are you?

Big Girl: No, I 'm full. I ate a lot of food. I had spaghetti at a restaurant yesterdaaaaayyy. I had some cheese yesterdaaayyy. I had some soup yesterdaaaay. (pausing) I had some quesadilla yesterdaaaayyy. I had some peaches yesterdaaaaayyy. So I am very full.

Mom: Oh, you did eat a lot!

Big Girl: Yes, I did, and I am full.

PAUSE

Big Girl: So, can I have a snack?

Sidenote: The spaghetti was over a week ago, the soup and quesadilla was at least 2 days ago. If only I was "full" for that long.

Envy

Today, I let Big Girl pick a treat from the store. She picked out some candy and was very excited about it. While I was picking up some other items, she began asking me questions.

Big Girl: Mommy, if I eat this, will I get fat?

Mom: Well, if you eat too much of it, you can get fat.

Big Girl: And then I can be fat like Daddy?

Mom: Is Daddy fat?

Big Girl: Yes.

Mom: Oh, and you want to be fat?

Big Girl: Yes.

Well, I cannot argue with that. Although, Daddy is not fat.
After dinner, Big Girl patted her belly and said:

I'm so fat.

Mom in Training

My little Mom in Training enjoys doing things like Mommy. She loves to help and she loves to imitate. Today, I took Brother to storytime, and Big Girl wanted to go with us. I told her she could go, if she did not play and sat quietly. So, at one point, I turned around to see what she was doing and this is what I saw:She was "calling her friend Madeline." After storytime, we went through the library looking for books, and she led the way. While leading she said:

"This is the way I always wanted to go."

I apologize if you were in the library listening to her chant this as she led me and Brother around the library.

Then, during lunch, in the middle of the meal, I got up to get something out of the fridge. Whatever I was doing, I took out of the fridge and left the door open. My little mom in training said:

"MOMMY! There is smoke coming from the fridge! Close the door!"

Our day ended with a typical plea for a glass of water. I told her she did not need any water.

Big Girl: Can you please get Daddy?

Mom: Okay, but he is not going to get you water either. (I left and got Daddy.)

Big Girl: (to Daddy) Can you ask Mommy if I can have water?

The good news: she knows who is boss. The bad news: she figured out that Daddy has the best chance of persuading me.

OOPS!

After being away for almost two weeks, we had to restock the kitchen. It was bare. After a big grocery trip, while putting things away, I dropped a jar of food. It was glass. Luckily, it was a small jar. My little helper came in to check on the mess.

Big Girl: What happened?

Mom: I broke the jar. It's okay, I will clean it up.

Big Girl: (very sympathetically making a sad/upset face) Oh, God Bless America.

Mom: Yes, Big Girl, that's right.

Super Bossy Pants went to a New Level

Tonight, I took Big Girl in the stroller while I went on my run. When we got home, she took her bossy pants to a new level, when she began bossing her shoes around.

Big Girl: GET OFF SHOE! We're not going for a walk anymore! Get off shoe! We are home. We are not going for a walk anymore.

Daughter knows best

While visiting family, we went to visit "Aunt Bee." Her office is in a university library, and parking is a hike from the library. After our visit, Daddy went to get the car to pick us up. I went with the kids to the spot we usually go to pick up Aunt Bee when we take her to lunch, but Daddy went to a closer spot. The next day, on our way to pick Aunt Bee up at work, this is the conversation I heard in the car:

Big Girl: Daddy, why did you get lost?

Daddy: I didn't get lost, Big Girl

Big Girl: NO! Yesterday, when you got lost, why?

Daddy: I didn't get lost. Mommy just went to the wrong place.

Big Girl: NO! Why did you get lost? YESTERDAY when we were at Aunt Bee's work.

Daddy: Okay, I don't know why. I just went to the wrong place.

Big Girl: But Daddy, why?

Daddy: (resigned) I don't know. I didn't know how to find you.

Big Girl: We were at Aunt Bee's work. You just go RIGGHHHTTT. Right, right to Aunt Bee's work.

Our Plans

After waking up from a nap, this is the conversation I had:

Me: What would you like to do?

Big Girl: No, I don't want to do anything.

Me: You don't even want to go to the playground?

Big Girl: No, I'm going to Target with Daddy.

Me: Oh, I should have known.

Later, I tell her she can take her first swim of the season in her kiddie pool. We get her swimsuit on and she runs out of her room, heading for the pool. She turns around and says:

Big Girl: Come on, let's go!

Me: Alright.

Big Girl: Let's Rock On!
(who taught her that one?)

Why can't you get it right, Daddy?

So, in my attempt to keep our house eating healthy food, I have been trying to replace junk food with some healthy alternatives. This has made Daddy suspicious of everything that he eats. Today, he comes in to ask what the "corn dogs" are really made from.

Daddy: What is really in the corn dogs? Is it tofu, bean curd, dog's butt?

Mommy: (gesturing for him to eat one) You can eat one.

Daddy: But what are they?

Big Girl: They are CORN dogs, Daddy!

Big Girl, the Parrot

We have a temporary addition to our already ridiculously long morning routine. Big Girl gets to have a nebulizer treatment in the mornings. We call it her "special air." She enjoys this, because I actually let her watch tv while doing this. So, while getting dressed, this was the conversation we had:

Big Girl: Mommy, can I watch Curious George?

Me: Yes

Big Girl: You said yes!? You will let me watch Curious George?

Me: Yes, Big Girl, we can watch it while we breathe our special air

Big Girl: You are so good to me.

Knowing that she heard that and is just repeating what she heard, it made me think of the many other things my little parrot likes to repeat. Yes, included in these are the typical bad words, but one that she likes to say while she is playing with her toys, most of the time it is not out of frustration, the way her mommy uses the phrase is:
"God Bless America"

I tell you Why now

On the way home from another big day, we are way behind schedule, as usual. I am telling the kids that it is time to get home so we can have dinner and go to bed, and when I was done telling them, okay, telling myself aloud, this is what I got:

Big Girl: Do you know what time it is?

Mommy: It's time for Brother to go to bed.

Big Girl: No, it's 38!

Mommy: Oh really?

Big Girl: Yeah, It's 38, time to dance and watch Curious George and play!

Bossy Pants

Big Girl: Mommy, what are you doing?

Me: Showing your brother how to sign motorcycle.

Big Girl: That's not how you sign motorcycle. It's like this. (gestures slightly differently)

Me: No, that is close, but it is like this. (signing the way I did originally)

Big Girl: (indignantly) NO! It's like this. (gestures again)

Me: Don't speak to me like that.

Big Girl: No, it's like this. (Improving the tone, but sticking with her original sign!)

Me: Okay, fine.

Big Girl: (pauses) How do you sign motorcycle?

And our day ended with our super bossy pants on!

Me: I don't like how you are acting right now

Big Girl: But, I do like how I am acting right now.

With Why comes What

Big Girl: MOMMY! This roly poly is going to heaven.

Me: Did you just step on the poor roly poly?

Big Girl: No. The roly poly is going to heaven.

Thinking to myself: Could I really be about to ask this question?

Me: Why?

Big Girl: I smashed him with my bicycle.

The Joys of Why

Big Girl: Daddy, why did I fall down?

Daddy: (worn out) Gravity

Big Girl: Why?

Daddy: Gravity makes everything fall

Big Girl: Why does gravity make everything fall?

Daddy: No one knows.

Big Girl: Mommy, why does gravity make everything fall?

Heavy Sleeper

I had to wake Big Girl up from her nap early one day.  She is like me and does not wake up quickly or easily.
Today was no different.


My attempts were met with:
Big Girl: "NO!  I have more sleep to do."