"Rafiti"

Yesterday, Andy and I were in the car with the kids. In the car, Chloe called out, "Look Rafiti!" Puzzled, I asked her, "What did you say?" Again, she repeated, "Rafiti!" Trying my hardest to understand, I questioned, "Chloe, are you saying, Rafiki? Rafiki from the Lion King?" She shook her head "No!" Chloe is now frustrated. "Mom, rafiti, the writing on the bridge." Oh, grafiti!!! Chloe then said, "Mom, rafiti is bad. You are only supposed to color on paper." At this I laughed. Chloe you are a riot! You are one of the brightest three year-olds I have ever met. You are so curious about the world around you, and because of this, you just cannot help getting into things. It is good to know that Chloe knows the rule, even though she rarely follows it!

Dr. Smith - The Veterenarian

Today, while Isabel was at school, Chloe and mommy played one of our favorite games, imagination! Chloe was the vet, Dr. Smith, I was the patron, and Lexy was the patient. To begin the game, I brought my dog to see Dr. Smith. Chloe asked, "What is the matter with your dog?" I explained that she had a fever and was bumping into walls. I asked her if she could examine my dog (poor Lexy) and help her to get better. Chloe, using her doctor kit, listened to her heart, looked in her eyes, ears, and mouth, and took her temperature. She told me that the thermometer said, "happy!" I asked her what this meant and she said, "It means she doesn't have a fever anymore." Oh! I asked her if Lexy should take some tylenol, but she said emphatically, "No, she doesn't have a fever." Silly question, I guess. Finally, I asked her, what does Lexy need to get better. She looked me straight in the face and simply said, "glasses." The imagination is a beautiful thing!

Nature Girl

Who would've thought it? Isabel loves getting dirty. She loves to pick up rocks under the trees in the yard, and look for living things...bugs, worms, and salamanders. She is not afraid to pick them up and carry them around the yard.

Just this past Tuesday, Isabel was carrying a salamander around her grandparents house. I think when she picked it up part of the tail snapped off. Isabel told me not to worry, that salamanders can regrow their tails!

Another day Andy called on his way home from work and told the girls he would take them fishing if they could find some worms. Isabel wasting no time, grabbed her bucket and shovel, and headed out to the tree in the backyard. Within 20 minutes she had found at least a dozen worms. She knew right where to look. While there were plenty of fish splashing in the pond at the Willows, the girls did not catch any that day!

I hope I will always remember the look in Andy's eyes....he is so proud of his little nature girl! He loves to see Isabel having fun getting dirty and hanging from the trees! I know in his mind he is already planning their first adventure together - maybe they will go on a weekend fishing trip?

Isabel volunteers with the circus clowns

Yesterday, two clowns from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to the Nursery School. The kids were so excited. Isabel and Chloe were in the front row with their friends - Maura, Maggie, Maria, and Eva. Towards the end of the show, the clowns were looking for three volunteers, all of the girls shot up their hands. Isabel was selected with two other kids. The clowns lined the three kids up next to each other and told them to put their hands down by their sides. Seconds later Isabel stretched her arms up and out to the side. One of the clowns came over and pushed her arms down so they could begin the stunt. But just moments after the clown walked away, Isabel stretched out both arms again. The clown gently pushed Isabel's arms down to her side one more time and repeated, "Just keep your arms down by your side." No luck, within seconds, she had her arms out to her side. The clown scratched his forehead and returned with a rope. He had an idea. He used the rope to tie her arms down by her side. It was hysterical. Everyone was laughing. Isabel was so cute! She totally made the act! The interaction between her and the clown was funnier than the juggling performance. Oh, to be four again!

The Haircut

I have always heard the stories about kids getting a hold of a pair of scissors and then giving themselves or a friend a haircut. Just a few months ago, at Nursery School Registration, I saw a mom with her twins with the shortest pixie cuts. I said to her, "Your girls look adorable with their short hair." The mom just rolled her eyes and groaned as she proceeded to tell me the story of the twins playing beauty parlor and giving each other a trim. She was mortified. Well, it has happened to me! Just yesterday, I was on the phone with my sister, Erin, when I came downstairs to find a few small piles of hair on the floor. I was stunned. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Chloe had found the scissors and had cut chunks of hair on the right side of her head. I cannot say this surprises me as Chloe rarely obeys the rules of the house. Frankly, I don't think she can help it. She is incredibly curious always wanting to try new things and discover how things work. The funny part was when she told me how it came to happen. She said, "Mom, I just thought to myself, Chloe needs a haircut and so I decided to cut my hair." Luckily, I had her hair pulled back in a half-up, half-down style. When I took the pony out, the hair that was pulled back covered most of the section that was cut. Never a dull moment in this house. What can I expect with three kids?

An Interview with Isabel

1. What is something mom always says to you? Listen.

2. What makes mom happy? flowers

3. What makes mom sad? When I don't listen and you have to give us a timeout.

4. What does your mom do to make you laugh? She tickles me.

5. What was your mom like as a child? You chatted when you went to bed.

6. How old is your mom? 90

7. How tall is your mom? 5 feet

8. What is her favorite thing to do? clean

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? clean

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? I don't know.

11. What is your mom really good at? cleaning

12. What is your mom not very good at? Riding bikes.

13. What does your mom do for her job? Watch her children.

14. What is your mom's favorite food? I think broccoli.

15. What makes you proud of your mom? I am proud of you because you do all the hardwork.
We get to play and make a mess and you always clean it up.

16. If your mom was a cartoon character, who would she be? Sharpee from High School Musical

17. What do you and your mom do together? Special time - when we read books together.

18. How are you and your mom the same? We have the same eyes.

19. How are you and your mom different? Mom, your feet are bigger.

20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because you tell me everyday.

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Tennis lessons

Chloe is going to South America

Chloe is such a funny girl with a vivid and wild imagination. Today she spent the majority of her day packing for her big trip. When I asked her where she was going, she looked at me with serious eyes, and said America. I tried to explain to her that she was already in America. She just looked at me and said, "No mom, I am going to South America, to visit my Tia and Lalo!" Who could argue with that? Chloe was very considerate and actually invited her sister, Isabel, to travel with her tomorrow. Unfortunately, Isabel had to decline her offer. Isabel explained to her that she would be unable to go as she has school on Tuesdays. Chloe told her sister not to worry as she had packed her camera and promised to take lots of pictures and send a postcard. Chloe, you are so special. I hope someday you will travel the world!

The Biter

Brayden is now 11 months old. He is such a cute little boy. He looks all baby, until he opens his mouth, and flashes his pearly whites! He has ten teeth already. The four front teeth on the top and the bottom as well as two molars on the bottom. He is a very affectionate boy, snuggling up to his mommy, and then when I least expect it, he goes in for the bite! I cannot tell you how many times I have been bitten by this kid. He bites down hard and leaves marks. It seems I am always crying out in pain, "Ow"! I can't say I would be surprised if it is one of the boy's first words. Brady dear, don't worry, I still love you more than words can express!