Cheering up

MOMMY: Addie, you seem to be having a sad morning.
ADDIE: Yeah. I just don't think I'm going to be happy.
MOMMY: I have an idea! One thing I know always makes you happier is if you do something very nice to make someone else happy. I happen to know for a fact that it makes you happy when you make others happy.
ELLIE: Mommy, don't worry. I can help her!

... and at the end of the day, I had this gem to cheer me up. When I expressed how happy I was to receive such a beautiful gift, Addie smiled her big beautiful smile and said "It worked! I had the best day EVER!!!"

Moments like these

My camera lens may be smudged but no matter how common moments like these may be, they never cease to make my heart sing.

Sharing a Room

I remember how much I loved to rearrange my room when I was younger. Whether it be changing the color of the room or simply moving my furniture and toys into different corners, it made me happy. However I don't think I EVER asked to share a room with my seestor.

You might be surprised to find out that when Addie and Ellie asked if they could share a room, I said yes. I know I am! What the heck was I thinking??? In my defense, we did talk about my concerns about them not getting along and asked for them to think of solutions of every possible fight I could think of that might result in them sharing a common space. They considered each of my concern and discussed how they would handle those difficult moments if they arise. And they will.

Alas, in the end, I agreed. I couldn't think of a good reason not to. After all, I told them that if it's not working after a month, we'll move things back to the way they were. It's just stuff it can be moved back again. Besides, it gave me a good excuse to do a thorough cleaning of their rooms (no more of these little piles of who-knows-what hanging out in corners).

And so, Addie's old room is now called the "Dance, Playroom, Music Room" and contains all of the girls' toys.

And Ellie's old room is now called the "Kids Room" and contains the beds and all of the girls' clothing.

You would not believe how excited they are. I'll give you a hint. Daddy is out of town and NEITHER girl asked if they could sleep with me last night. Trust me, that's saying something.

Here's to hoping Daddy isn't too upset when he returns...

Sisters to the Rescue

I love how much the girls look out for each other. It seems that there is no one (not even Mommy) who is as in tune with their needs as they are.

Some mornings are more difficult than others. Addie wakes up grumpy and Ellie immediately jumps to "helping" mode where she helps Addie brush her hair and teeth just because Ellie knows that her little sister needs that extra support in the morning.

Some days are more difficult than others. Ellie comes home sad about some difficulties she has been having at school and Addie jumps to "cheerful" mode where she becomes all the more silly to get her big sister to smile. Worst case, she always has an extra hug or two for Ellie.

Sometimes words are not needed. Only actions.

Tid-Bits

I love that when you first wake up Addie, even before she opens her eyes she smiles and opens her arms for a big hug.

I love that when one girl is having a bad day, the other is quick to come up with ideas to make it better, whether it be borrowing a cherished stuffie, receiving a big hug or even getting the honored place at the table, next to Mommy.

This morning when Daddy woke Addie up before leaving town for work, she said "I'm going to miss you" even before opening her eyes.

Ellie: Mommy, what's the surprise?
Mommy: It begins with an "s" and ends with an "e"
...
Ellie: Mommy, is the sleep over with Brynn and Lylah our surprise?
Mommy: Yep.
Ellie: But, Mommy, "sleep over" doesn't end with an e!!!

I love the Addie-isms:
"I would eat but-cept that I am not very hungry."
"I miss Bella because I haven't seen her in a long long time ago!"

I miss the Ellie-isms:
"Oh, so entire close! Try again. You can do it!"
"I'm a big girl be-kuz I have ree-a ree-a strong missiles!"

I love how, before leaving to go home, Addie has to give every single one of her friends a hug good bye, no matter which friends are still in the classroom, and no matter which friends actually respond to her asking "Who wants a hug before I go?"

I love how proud Ellie is about the things she has accomplished, especially with diving class. She specifically asked if Addie can come watch because "If I know she's cheering me up, then I will do better!"

I have to laugh at how quickly a child's clean room can explode into a war zone when a sleepover is happening. 30 seconds, tops.

Ellie's Parent Journal

Once a week Ellie comes home with her parent journal. Each time we get a special hand-written letter, though recently they've been for Addie rather than us lowly parents.

And of course the lucky recipient has to respond. Take a close look, everyone! After Daddy helped Addie out a bit, she signed her name ALL. BY. HERSELF. Do I hear a Whoop! Whoop! ??

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!"

Addie's Homework

Addie moved up to the Brown Bears classroom! Her first homework assignment was to create a poster all about her. Of course, Ellie got straight to work and helped Addie make it perfect.

Addie Wants a Turn

This summer Ellie participated in a few theater camps. She was impressive in the sense that very few kids memorized their lines, but she memorized ALL of hers. She's a self-driver like that.

One thing that took me by surprise was how much it meant for Addie to be there to support Ellie on her performance day. It meant that Mommy had to leave work particularly early to get Addie in time to make it for the show, but Addie insisted that it was VERY important to her so I made it happen.

Upon arrival, Ellie and her class would be sitting on the floor in front of the stage. When she saw her little sister, Ellie would pat the floor next to her to show Addie that there was a spot saved for her. She would give Addie a nice little squeeze as they sat next to each other and paid attention to the teacher.

After each little play the teacher talked to the class about what their favorite parts were. She would call on individuals who had their hands raised. Addie would raise her hand, but since she wasn't in the class, the teacher didn't pay much attention to her. When Ellie noticed that this was starting to bother Addie, she raised her hand.

Teacher: Ellie, what was your favorite part?
Ellie: Can my sister, Addie, have a turn please?
Teacher: Sure. Addie, would you like to tell us your favorite part of the play.
Addie: Yeah.
Teacher: (waits... waits... waits...) Ok... What was it?
Addie: I liked the part... I liked it when... I liked... I liked it when the... ummm... they said... I liked it when... I... umm...
Teacher: You liked lots of parts?
Addie: I liked the part the best when they... umm... when the girls said... um... I liked it when they said... Ummm... "Kitty cannonballs!"
Ellie: Good job Addie!
Audience: Awwww!

Safe and Sound*

I could lift you up

I could show you what you wanna see

And take you where you wanna be

You could be my luck

Even if the sky is falling down

I know that we'll be safe and sound

We're safe and sound

I could fill your cup

You know my river won't evaporate

This world we still appreciate

You could be my luck

Even in a hurricane of frowns

I know that we'll be safe and sound

Safe and sound

We're safe and sound

Safe and sound

We're safe and sound

Hold your ground

We're safe and sound

Safe and sound

I could show you love

In a tidal wave of mystery

You'll still be standing next to me

You could be my luck

Even if we're six feet underground

I know that we'll be safe and sound

We're safe and sound

Safe and sound

Safe and sound

Hold your ground

Safe and sound

*Safe & Sound lyrics by Capital Cities

 

You know how it goes.  Sometimes you hear a song and from the moment you first hear it, you know it reminds you of someone in your life.  This song was that for me.  There is just something about it that makes me think of the relationship that my two girls have.  It's beautiful - both the song and the relationship.  When I watch my girls interact with, support and encourage each other, I have no doubt that these two will always be just that... safe and sound.

 



Sisters MUST be present

Addie: You are my bestest best friend and I love you more than the entire world!
Ellie: Aww, I love you too. You are my best friend too and the best little sister ever.
Addie: I was in Paris the odder day at my new house.
Ellie: You were?
Addie: Yeah I was dere to get married but I decided not to.
Ellie: Why not?
Addie: I decided to wait so dat you could see me get married. Was that nice of me?
Ellie: Yes it was! So let's go to Paris together and then I can see you get married. How's that?
Addie: Ok! And we can go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and say "I love you" to our princes, right?
Ellie: Right.

I will miss you!

Today is Ellie's last day at Sunset Academy, the preschool/kindergarten that she has been going to for nearly 4 years now. This morning, while snuggling in bed with the girls, I asked her how she felt about it, expecting her to be a bit anxious and sad. She is super excited. Instead, it was Addie who broke down with the biggest tears I've seen in a long time.

Addie: But I'm going to miss her when she is gone! I yike to give my sissie a hug pretween kasses.
Ellie: Well I'm not gone yet! And today I am going to ask my teachers if I can go to your classroom lots of times to give you extra hugs. Would you like that?
Addie: Yeah! That would make me happy for today but I will miss you.
Ellie: I'm going to miss you too.
Addie: I love my sissie and I want to go to the same school as her because I will miss her.
Ellie: The good news is that we will still see each other at home and you will always be in my heart when we are at school.

.... and so on and so on... Poor Addie. Today is going to be a difficult day for her, but next Tuesday is going to be even more so.

Wordless Wednesday

Ellie's Birthday Party

Mommy: Ellie, what do you want to do for your birthday party?
Ellie: I want to go to Mid Air Adventures where they have those big swings and zip lines!
Mommy: Ok, that means we can invite 6 friends to your party. Who do you want to come?
Ellie: I mostly want my sister, Addie, to come. And she is going to want to bring a friend so I guess that leaves 4 more for me.

Seriously??? These two have it. The bond between sisters.

At the party itself, Addie was too nervous to do the swings or zip lines until Ellie went with her to show her that it was safe. Afterwards, Addie was a pro and kept her friend Julia safe on the swing just like her sister kept her safe. So cute.

Going on a Boy Hunt... Gonna Catch a Good One!

One day Ellie told a story during the car ride home. It went something like this...

Once upon a time there were two girls named Addie and Ellie. They loved to go on walks. They always went on walks together. So one day they asked their mommy if they could go on a walk.

"No, it's dinner time," she said.

"How about now?"

"No, it's time to clean your rooms."

"How about now?"

"It's time for a movie."

"How about now? Please?!"

"Ok," Mommy said.

So the two girls went on a walk together to have lots of fun walking together because they love to do that.

Then Addie said, "Is this really just a boy hunt?"

And Ellie said, "Yes, so let's go look for some boys. Oh there is a boy! And look! He has friends."

Addie asked, "Do you think we can marry them?"

Ellie said, "Only after they grow up."

Addie smiled and said "OK."

And they lived happily ever after.

Head Bugs

Though there is no part of me that enjoyed removing the head bugs from Addie's hair and eyelashes, I did love Ellie's reaction to her sister's sorrow and/or pain. Ellie was sad for her sister and said "I can not see my sister so sad" and would hide away without looking until it sounded like everthing was ok again.

Afterwards she drew a picture or two of Addie and Ellie standing in the sun with happy faces and no bugs. The words "I love you" on the picture spoke strongly of the sister bond the two of them have.

Little Sister Quote of the Day

Overheard from the next room over...

Addie: You are a good sister and you are mine!

Tid-Bits

To Addie, elevators don't exist, but it sure is fun to ride the aligator up and down. She especially loves pushing the buttons herself.

Addie: I'm almost five years y'old like Lori-elle!
She's so proud of her potty-training.

We had a cousin visiting us (how did I manage to not write about it?) with his family. Selah (age 4) and I were hanging out together and she told me "It feels like we are friends." I sure hope so, Selah.

"No matter how big and bad you are, when a two year old hands you a toy phone, you answer it." Love it.

I love that when I ask Addie to help me up, she generously offers me a single pinkie finger to hold onto.

I love sniffing Strawberry Shortcake dolls with Ellie. She collapses into a fake coma on the floor just like I do. Good stuff.

I love seeing the girls' eyes light up when they see each other at the end of the day. Ellie runs up to Addie and gives her a big hug, picking her up and (barely) carrying her towards the front door. Addie squeels with delight. "Look at my sista!"

A Tender Moment Spoiled

Ellie: Let's hold hands.
Addie: Ok. Look Mommy! We hold hands!
Mommy: I like seeing that.
Ellie: I love you Addie. You're a good little sister.
Addie: Yeah and I love you Ellie.
Ellie: You're the best.
Addie: Yeah and you NOT the best!

Sisters

Ellie and Addie often hold hands and tell each other "I love you, you're the best." when we're in the car. Enough said. And yes, after seeing this photo I lectured Ellie on her seat belt ettiquette. Her booster is a new thing and she's learning the rules of her new-found freedom. Back to the photo... Awww.