Silly Girls

January 21, 2009, 9:28 pm

One of my favorite things about Lily is her laugh. When you get Lily really tickled she has the greatest, most sincere and out-of-control laugh.

We were headed to Panera to meet Papa for lunch on Tuesday, and I went to put on my coat but put on Lily's coat instead. Then I put my coat on her. I didn't say a word. I should have recorded her laugh...it was priceless. (Perhaps you can hear it when you see the picture):

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Lily and Papa's Date

January 21, 2009, 9:24 pm

Nathan decided to take Lily to Disney on Ice. I thought this was such an adorable idea. I showed Lily video clips of Disney on Ice on the computer, and she became very excited. She picked out an outfit just for her special date (an outfit she felt Tinkerbelle would like). She also wore wings and brought her Ariel Barbie doll.

Papa and Lily had a great time at the show. Lily was especially excited by the "Under the Sea" number and Tinkerbelle’s scene. After the show, Lily talked nonstop. She told us all about the highlights and (perhaps most importantly) the cotton candy.

The day after the show Nathan stayed home with Lily as school was cancelled due to the cold temperatures. Lily talked Nathan's ear off all day, and he felt he got a taste of what it's like for me (and my barnacle).

Their date:


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Lily's Dog

January 15, 2009, 9:58 am

Lily and I spend a lot of time with Jack on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We often play in Lily's room, and Jack plays with us. I thought Lily was kind of torturing Jack by having him trapped in her room. One day she forgot to bring him in the room with us, and he sat outside whining. Another day he pushed the door open with his nose. He acts annoyed by Lily, but Nathan and I think he loves the attention. Lily gives Jack more attention that anyone.

Lily loves to give Jack treats. He used to be leery of taking food from her. Now he sits nicely and waits for his treats. Jack has a tendency to growl when he has bones or toys, so I took his Christmas toy and bone away from him. Lily was very upset about this, so I made the deal with her that if she leaves him alone and I hear no growling that he can have a bone each day and play with his toy. Lily did great with this rule, and Jack was very happy to eat his bone in peace.

Lily loves to play house. Usually she's the mom, I'm the daughter, and Jack's the dog. Jack doesn't even have to act much for his part. Sometimes he's a brother, but he's always very quiet.

I often say that I'm going to sell Jack down the river when he makes me mad (by nipping at children or peeing on the carpet). Lily doesn't like when I say this at all. She often asks me if Jack will be around when she's 7 or 10 or 20. Jack will be 10 in August, and he still seems somewhat like a puppy. He may be around for a long time...

Lily thinks Jack is "soooo cute!" She often yells out, "He looks like a fox! Oh, I love his little face."

As you can see, Jack is the little sister Lily will never have...

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Noah's 1st bball game

January 10, 2009, 2:10 pm

Noah keeps a journal in school and had to write a worry. He wrote, "playing in my first basketball game." Today was the day he's been excited (and apparently nervous) for. His team is called the penguins, and they played against the owls. There were even cheerleaders for the games and jamming music (ya'll ready for this?).

Noah did a great job. He always starts the season conservative as he figures out the rules of the game. Usually by the end of the season (like with baseball and soccer), he becomes more confident and assertive. He scored a basket and looked right at Nathan and me. He was very proud.

Here's our penguin, #15:



The exciting introduction of the team (this would make me nervous):

Introducing Noah

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Noah's Fort

January 6, 2009, 9:00 pm

Baby, it's cold outside. Really cold. We live in an awful, cold place in the Midwest, which leaves the kids bored by January (when winter has barely begun). So last weekend Noah asked if he could make a fort. I really embraced the idea and found many blankets and chairs and helped him build a huge fort. I had memories of making my childhood home's basement into a grand fort (I can remember all of the blankets I used).

So we turned Noah's entire room into a giant fort. He loves it. Lily loves it. His friends love it. Frankly, I love it. We even catch Jack in it.

It's been 3 days, and his room is still a fort. Noah hasn't slept on his bed in 3 nights. He sleeps in his fort. The first night he crawled way under the fort, and I wondered if he's sleep o.k. I woke up in the middle of the night and checked on him, and I could hear a snoring deep within the fort. I was thankful he didn't suffocate under all the blankets.

Lily also built a fort although it's not nearly as impressive. She still sleeps on her bed (smart girl). Both kids ask me every day if I have torn down their forts to which I proudly declare, "No way!" Sure, I have to move blankets and maneuver around chairs just to put their laundry away (and I hate disorder), but I'm gonna let them have their forts as long as they wish...



Lulu loves the fort:



Where Noah crawls in to sleep each night:


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Our Girl

January 4, 2009, 8:56 pm

I giggle to myself when I hear of friends who are adamant that they want to have a girl and NOT a boy. My experience so far (and I'm only 7 years into this parenting gig) is that girls can be very dramatic. My only subjects are Noah and Lily, but so far Noah is very even-tempered and Lily is very emotional.

Last night Lily did not want to take a bath. I told her that she had to take a bath, and Lily said, "I don't like your shirt! I don't like the color black!" and stomped off. A little later she came downstairs where I was doing laundry and reiterated the idea that she would not take a bath that night. I decided to play her games and told her I didn't like the color of her shirt (pink of course.) Lily's mouth dropped and she started to wail. Apparently I've tapped in on what really hurts Lily's feelings.

When Jason was here over Christmas break I asked Lily to let Jack outside. Lily said, "But Mom, I JUST sat down!" This brought the house down.

Today Lily and I were at the grocery store, and she had some candy. She said very dramatically, "Please put this candy in your purse! Don't let me eat anymore!"

Although she's emotional and precocious, Lily is also my biggest fan in the house. I usually have both Lily and Jack right on my heels. I call Lily my barnacle. I don't get a minute alone and it makes me chuckle to hear her looking for me if I happen to leave the room without her noticing.

Lily loves gifts, and she especially loves giving gifts. I find little treasures on the table by my bed each night. Right now there are a few Christmas ornaments in a velvet box (they cost $15 according to Lily), a stuffed animal (a pink mouse), and a single rolo. She also draws and paints me and Nathan pictures and leaves them by our bed.

I recently read a book by Mr. Fred Rogers on Loving children. In the book he emphasizes the importance of sharing childhood experiences, both good and bad, with your children. Last night Lily came to me in tears because Noah was being so mean to her. I proceeded to tell her how mean my older sister was to me when I was growing up. I asked Lily whom I was talking about, and then told her I was speaking of my beloved sister JJ. Aunt JJ is one of my very favorite people now, but when we were kids she was mean to me just like Noah is mean to Lily. Lily loved this little bit of information and is amazed that I was once a little girl who didn't like her older sibling. (Love you JJ!)

Tonight Lily had us all sing "Happy Birthday" to each other one at a time and blow out a candle. She told us what we were wishing for. She said that Papa and I are wishing that Noah and Lily won't fight, Lily is wishing that Jack won't bite her, Jack is wishing for Lily to leave him alone, and Noah is wishing for a Wii. She's so intuitive...

Here is our very girly girl Lily putting on some lip-gloss before preschool:



And my 2 shadows (I just can't possibly go to the bathroom without them):


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