Caterpillars

Last weekend we were at Gramma's house for Mother's Day, but we didn't expect to become a family of caterpillars! It was fun for all. We scooted around or tripped over our feet while giggling. Of course Ellie insisted that she was a baby caterpillar and Addie wanted to join in the fun. Then some of the bravest caterpillars rolled down the hill over and over again. I'm sure this will not be the only time we play this game.

LIttle Sister Quote of the Day

Ellie: Mommy, Addie just pinched me.
Mommy: Addie, we don't pinch our friends.
Addie: (pinch)
Ellie: Owie! She just did it again.
Mommy: NO! WE DON'T PINCH OUR FRIENDS! NO!
Addie: (slow motion, you see it coming and it breaks your heart... cries)
Mommy: Oh, do you feel bad for pinching Ellie?
Addie: (crying, nods her head)
Mommy: Do you want to give her a hug?
Addie: (nods her head and gives Ellie a big hug)
Ellie: Thank you, Addie. We don't pinch our friends, right?
Addie: (nods and hands Ellie Bun Bun Bear)

Wordless Wednesday

Time for Electrolysis

Ellie: Why do you have hair in your arm pits?
Daddy: Everyone has hair in their arm pits when they grow up.
Ellie: Oh.
Daddy: And boys have hair everywhere. See my tummy? It has hair.
Ellie: (VERY proudly) When I grow up, I will have lotsa lotsa lotsa hair on my BUTT like Mommy!
Daddy: (trying, but failing to not laugh)
Ellie: Daddy, are you laughing because Mommy has a hairy butt?


DISCLAIMER:
It may or may not be needed, but erroring on the safe side... In my defense, Ellie does not understand the differences between the front and rear private parts. It's all "butt" to her. Having said that, please go ahead and continue to laugh.

Mommy's Day 2011

As far as I'm concerned, Mother's Day is a process. I always want to fit so much into one day that it's not really practical to expect it all to happen. So, this year, Mother's Day spanned approximately 2 weeks. Don't laugh. It all worked out great as far as I'm concerned.

First on the list: Matching dresses for pretty tulip picture with me and my beautiful daughters. I get a kick out of how much they both enjoy wearing the same thing as me. It makes them feel special. As for the picture - I have to update my Facebook profile picture at least once a year, right? Check.

Second: Get family picture. This certainly does not happen often enough and so Mother's Day seems to be a good time to force the matter. Check.

Third: Get generations pictures. It's so apparent that both of these beautiful ladies absolutely love to be a grandmommy. Check.

Forth: Get "cousins" picture. These kids are too cute together, but get them all in the same picture? Ha. Good luck with that one. Check.

Fifth: Get flowers. How beautiful are these baskets? OMG. I love them. And Michael even went one step furhter and surprised me with flowers for my window boxes outside of my bedroom! Check.

Sixth: Amazing Niffer present from my Michael. He did a FANTASTIC job of remembering something I've wanted for years, and I LOVE the results. I especially like how the sun comes in the room at the same angle as the photos - so cool! Check.

Seventh: Release some butterflies into the wild so they can be happy. Wave bye-bye to each one while wishing them well. Please excuse the butterfly porn. Check.

Eighth: Splash around in sprinklers. Ellie had a blast but the verdict is still out for Addie.

Ninth: Treasures, each made with loving little hands. A MUST-HAVE for a happy Niffer. I love the one-eyed Ellie holding hands with Mommy and her updated list of why she loves me. Check.

"I love my mommy because:
- I like about her that I snuggle her
- I like playing with her
- She is very pretty and she looks like a Mommy"


Tenth: Get grandma photos. I absolutely treasure how much my girls love their grandparents, yet amongst the fun I often forget to take photos. Check.

And last, but not least: Bed time hugs from my girls and relaxing hour or two watching something with my love. Check.

I had a fantastic Mother's Day even if it took two weeks to fit it all in. I wish I had gotten a photo of me and my sister, but I suppose that's starting to borderline asking for too much.

Oh wait! I snuck one of those in too. Go ahead and say it. I'm a spoiled Niffer.

WANTED:

One little girl, approximately 3 feet tall, with brown eyes and a round belly. She often wears pigtails in her hair, though she also loves to wear over-sized hats. She loves to give hugs to everyone around her, whether they be friends, family or strangers. The bandit also loves to pucker up, and has been seen kissing every image of a baby (person or animal) depicted in story books. Witnesses say they recall seeing the toddler waving to them at a restaurant until they felt obligated to wave back. Though not a big talker, she has quite an accent: "hut dug" is "hot dog," "pincess" is "princess," "buh bug" is "bye bye," "up-ff" is "up," and "ah duh" is "all done." She has also been known to say a sing-songy "Hi!" whenever she sees an animal, big or small. She loves to wear princess dresses and sparkly shoes and can often be found following every action that a slightly bigger version of herself performs. Generally, a good natured person, she can occasionally set one in their place with a distinct grunt. This little bandit has been charged with crimes of eating too much food and has the reputation of "fastest eater in the West." Known to run away in giggles if one tries to capture her, it is recommended to wait until she falls asleep. However, beware of the large quantity of teddy bears surrounding her, standing guard during during the night.

If you ever see her, please inform officials or anyone else with in sight. She is a sight to be seen and should be regarded with a high level of awe.

Big Sister Quote of the Day

While getting Addie dressed in the morning...

Addie: Appa!
Ellie: Look Mommy! Addie just said "apple!"
Mommy: Are you sure?
Ellie: Yeah, she just said "apple!" Did you hear?
Mommy: Yeah, but why would she say that? We're getting dressed. It seems a bit random, don't you think?
Ellie: But she said "apple" and she's getting so big. I'm so pwoud of her. Good job, baby. Good job! Daddy! Daddy! Addie just said "apple!"

Wordless Wednesday

Ellie's getting married

Apparently one of her teachers recently got engaged so the topic of marriage is a common one in Ellie's life right now.

Ellie: Mommy, do you know why I have a ring?
Mommy: No, why?
Ellie: Because I'm getting married and I filled up my sticker chart!
Mommy: Oh, good job! Who are you going to marry?
Ellie: Umm.... Daddy!
Mommy: But I'm married to Daddy.
Ellie: Dat's ok. We can share him and when Addie gets bigger, she can marry him too.
Mommy: All of us?
Ellie: Yep, we can all share.
Mommy: When you get bigger and meet your own prince, I don't think Daddy is going to marry you, but he has another very important job.
Ellie: Why?
Mommy: It's his job to walk you to your prince on your wedding day. It's called "walking you down the aisle."
Ellie: Oh.
Mommy: And it's Mommy's job to sit in the front row and cry.
Ellie: Why?
Mommy: Oh, don't worry. It'll be happy tears.
Ellie: Why?
Mommy: Because I will be happy that you have found your prince but a little sad that you will no longer be my little girl.
Ellie: But I don't want you to cry because it will take away all my energy.
Mommy: Oh, I certainly don't want to take away all your energy on your wedding day!
Ellie: Don't worry, Mommy, even dough I will marry my prince, I will still love you.

Strawberry Shortcake

I'm sure I wasn't the only child who worshipped the strawberry ground that Strawberry Shortcake walked on. I was PISSED when my mom had the nerve to paint over my Strawberry Shortcake desk so that it would match my room, but that's a whole other story. You'd think that after all these years I'd look at Strawberry Shortcake with fondness but would be able to step back and acknowledge that she is no better than the next cartoon mega-star. But then again, you'd be wrong.

It all started a couple months ago when Ellie wanted to watch the latest Strawberry Shortcake: Sky's the Limit movie and fell in love with it. Then we had to (ok, **I** had to) buy her some Strawberry Shortcake dolls for her birthday. That's where the mistake really occurred. As soon as I opened that plastic packaging seal, I was overwhelmed with the wonderful aroma of 80's plastic strawberry scent. I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT WOULD AFFECT ME. I spent the next hour sniffing the little doll in the corner by myself, happy as a little strawberry nymph. That's the best way I can describe it, but just imagine lots of snorting of strawberry goodness. I'm sure the stuff is addictive.

Ok, so the scent is a big one, but it's not the only reason I still like Strawberry Shortcake. I like how she takes on challenges and yet understands the value of friendship. I like that she's adventurous and doesn't let her size stop her. I like how she encourages her friends and cheers them up. Most of all, I like all of her hats. Anyone who knows Niffer knows that hats are a very good thing.

And the best part? It's not just Strawberry Shortcake who is cool enough to wear hats! We started letting Ellie watch some of the cartoon series and I discovered that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HER FRIENDS WEARS HATS!!! How cool is that?!? You can't argue with that sort of role model!

Anyone who has so many friends with hats must be a pretty cool chick. That's my personal opinion as I sit here and snort strawberry scented plastic. One of these days I should actually buy one for Ellie since this Strawberry Shortcake is mine, all mine!