Halloween 2013

Upon first glance you'd think this is a picture of a witch and her black cat, but you'd be wrong.

According to Addie, "I'm a witch kitty, and dis is my witch!"

Wordless Wednesday

Self-Portrait

I especially LOVE the fact that she included details such as which teeth she was missing.

A "just because" letter

When asked why she wrote this letter, the response was "Just because I wanted to."

Limited Options

Addie: I don't have gentle hugs to give. I only have this kind! (followed by her patented full-body squeeze).

Leaf Magic

I know I say it every time the season changes, but I swear **THIS** is my favorite!

Growing Up

It is always quite surprising to me when either of the girls does something out of the blue that seems so mature.

For as long as I can remember, Addie has always LOVED to wear dresses and skirts. She says that they make her feel so pretty and nice. She was born to love dresses. So imagine my shock that ever since she turned 4 on her birthday a week ago, she has been wearing PANTS more often than not. When asked why, she responds with a question in return. "Do I look like a teenager?" All the while, with a sly grown-up look on her face. I admit, when she wears a pair of jeans, there is no sign of my baby girl. Just a kid that has taken her place.

Today when Ellie rode the bus home from school, she walked herself home, came in the door, and without saying much more than a "Hi, how was your day?" she went to the kitchen, got a piece of bread out and a plate. Then she proceeded to make herself a sandwich for a snack. She even made me one too because she could tell I wasn't feeling very well.

When did this happen? When? Tell me!

Dippin Dots

I love eating Dippin Dots ice cream with the girls when we go out to watch games.

Ellie shares with Daddy and they have a competition over every bite, often stealing from each other's spoon.

Addie shares with me and is so generous that she gives me the first and last bites and even the large cookie pieces.

Life is good.

Rocket Boosters

In trying to get the kids to move faster, Daddy asked them where their rocket boosters were. After only a few minutes, Addie caught on like a pro. Every time she stepped up the speed, she'd announce "ZOOMER BOOSTER!"

Math

Barely a month into the school year (considering she didn't have school for a few weeks because of the floods) and Ellie has officially told me that she no longer likes math at school or at home. She says it's too boring. I don't blame her. The girl is WAY ahead of the silly stuff that first graders are learning. She can add and subtract single digit numbers with no problem, two digit numbers fairly well and can even cross over into negative numbers. She can multiply single digits and do a few simple division problems. Seriously, this girl just GETS it.

And thus she's bored with what they're learning now. Sigh. Unfortunately I do not think there is a good short-term solution. She will be changing schools soon but I think we'll come across the same problem there. We would like to get her into a Charter school but most likely can't do that this school year. I have found some math games that she can play on my phone but beyond that I'm not sure I have many options right now. Wish me luck in keeping this girl challenged!

Bedtime

Addie and Ellie both asked me to come snuggle with them before I go to bed. I asked them how would they know if I did or not and we agreed that I would leave the door open and that is how they would know that I had been there. So when bedtime for Mommy came, I kept my promise.

I loved that in going into Addie's room, and giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, a great big smile comes across her face.

I loved that in going into Ellie's room, and giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, she groans a grumpy "quite bothering me" sort of groan and snuggles back into bed.

Complete opposites and I love them both.

Happy 4th, Addie

Addie's day was just about perfect. First she got to open her present from Ellie, which was a fancy PURPLE dress that Ellie bought with her own money. Then Mommy FINALLY gave her a gnome that was made just for her. As luck would have it, the two matched perfectly.

I asked her how it felt to be 4 years old and she just grinned and reassured me that someday she will be my baby again.

Daddy asked her what she wanted for breakfast and it was a small miracle that he was able to give it to her, considering how little food we really have in the house. A few minutes later they were served a plate of green eggs and green ham. Nicely done, Daddy.

After walking Ellie to the bus stop, I told Addie what the plan was for the day. It wasn't anything super special. Get treats for her classroom, drop her off at school while Mommy ran a couple errands, Mommy would pick her up early, come home to play some games, take a nap, then go to the store with Gramma. After laying the plan out, she had a great big grin and very sincerely sighed and said "Thank you, Mommy. Thank you." The girl is 100% sweet.

I think the most note-worthy thing to post about, though, was her reaction to Ellie. They get along very well, but usually it's because Addie is willing to go along with whatever Ellie says to do. Addie knows how to humor Ellie, even if she doesn't agree with her. But her birthday was different. Ellie was trying to talk Addie into doing a race to see who got to keep the big present. Addie knew the present was hers and didn't want to fool around with a silly race that she knew Ellie would win. As such, she said no. Ellie kept begging. Finally Addie said, "I don't have to. Today is my birthday and I can do anything I want... with good choices!"

LOVE that she stood up to Ellie and LOVE the disclaimer she tagged onto the end of her out-of-character "I can do ANYTHING I want" statement. This girl is so mature - definitely a wise old soul.

Form a Line

In picking Addie up from school, she runs to the door, excited to see Daddy. Then she stops in her tracks, turns to her classroom and announces "Who wants to give me a hug?!" Of course a handful of friends line up to do just that.

Voicemail

I love how when Ellie leaves a voicemail it's a strange combination of talking to a stranger and talking to a loved one. Her message to Daddy today sounded a little like this:

"Hi. My name is Ellie and I was just calling to tell you that you don't need to pick me up from school because I am running errands with Jennifer, who is my mommy. I hope you get this message soon because I don't want you to worry about me. Anyway, I love you!"

Big and Fluffy

Mommy: Big fluffy snowflakes!
Ellie: Oh my gosh! It's snowing!
Mommy: Big fluffy snowflakes!
Ellie: It's so pretty!
Mommy: Big fluffy snowflakes!
Addie: Mommy, can we snuggle?
Mommy: Big fluffy snowflakes!
Ellie: Is it winter time yet?
Mommy: Big fluffy snowflakes!
Addie: No, it's fall time because it's my birthday some time!
Mommy: Big fluffy snowflakes!
Ellie: Mommy, why do you keep saying "Big fluffy snowflakes?"
Mommy: Big fluffy snowflakes!
Addie: Mommy, can you please stop because you're giving me a big fluffy headache!

Niffer is a Landlord Again

Well, it has happened again. One more step towards world-domination. Not really, of course, but it's exciting none-the-less because we have bought another investment property. And again, whenever I walk into this place, I'm filled with the "Awww, I could live here" feeling, which I LOVE. Maybe someday I will do just that!

And, of course, I like saving the best part for last... HOLY MOUNTAIN VIEWS, BATMAN!!!

Family Totem Pole

According to Addie, "mommies and daddies take care of sweeties and sweeties take care of mommies and daddies," though that was quickly followed by the following totem pole structure: "daddies take care of mommies; mommies take care of big sisters; big sisters take of little sisters; little sisters take care of babies but since we don't have a baby, I'll take care of stuffies instead. And stuffies? They take care of nothing."

I love that she understands that this family takes care of each other, and that it's important to look out for those smaller than yourself.

The secret password

You'd think that the secret password would be something obvious like "please" but not according to Addie. If you asked her what the secret is to getting something she wants, it's in batting of the eyes. Every time she wants something and knows it's a stretch to get it, or even if she just wants to be particularly cute, she makes it a point to bat her eyelashes like nothing else you've ever seen.