Sunday, January 31, 2010

need a translator

Em's toddler slang is out of control lately. I am having to work double time to figure out some of the things she says.

For example, a favorite toy is the Quadrilla marble run. We call it a marble roller coaster. So, Em calls it a roller. Except it comes out 'bowler'.

Yesterday she had me searching high and low for something she called a 'swallet'. Was it a wallet? Her pencil bag? No. It's a 'SWALLET!' What color is it? Green, ok, I can find something green. No... nothing. Nothing she wanted. Last night, it finally dawned on me that she was talking about a green pacifier that we'd unearthed. I think she was calling it a swallow-it. Makes sense, sort of.

The other day the girls were watching The Nutcracker and kept yelling about the 'balleena!'. For some reason it took me an inordinately long time to piece together that they were pointing out the ballerinas. Duh.

The one that really got me laughing was in reference to our Kangaroo Bouncer. It's a sort-of over inflated swimming pool thing designed to be jumped in. Em asked over and over for a 'blow' in the 'jumpy house'. You know, because it was deflating. Air this thing up, please! Blow!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ketchup


Catsup?

Ketchup?

...

Catch Up!
________

It's been a busy month at the Rowdy House.

We've not done anything too exciting, but there is always something going on, it seems.

Mondays are playgroup days. And Tuesdays and Thursdays are for preschool.
I took this cute picture last week when I subbed a couple of hours in the girls' classroom.
Miss Roo looks an awful lot like her daddy here. She's got a hefty dose of the ornery, too.
Wednesdays are for therapy and friends.
A playgroup pal lives close by and we've been hanging out with them after therapy and sharing lunch. Em is super interested in their handheld games. I've got a pretty good idea of what should go on the 4th birthday wish list now.
Fridays are for speech therapy and then more friends! A couple of weeks ago we hung out with Abigail and Porter. Em and Abby swapped shoes. This was the first time Em's ever worn something with a high heel. She reminded me an awful lot of Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality. It was not graceful.
And lately, Saturdays are packed full of errands. The girls seem to find something entertaining no matter where we go. This was at IKEA. Which is always a favorite destination.
They have beds, food and an endless supply of toys. What's not to love?

J had to travel for work, so the RGs and I sucked it up for the first part of the last week on our own. Fortunately, we're able to visit with Daddy on the computer via Skype while he's away.
Then, the McGrandparents rode to the rescue for the last part of the week! This was highly anticipated. As in, every time we got in the car, either Em or Roo would ask if we were going to Marmee's house. And Roo repeatedly went to the front door and knocked and then told me it was Marmee and Grandpa.
Em had a little cough and got a quick trip to the doctor for some meds, too. While we waited for her prescription to be filled, she got a snack and a balloon. Five days later, that balloon is still the favorite toy. Even though it doesn't 'fly' anymore.
In between playing with the balloon, Em was my super-duper helper. She assisted me on a little t-shirt craft and discovered that playing with buttons was awesome.
She helped make biscuits, do the dishes and even put away the silverware from the dishwasher!
Roo had an amazing time with a new audience to read to and new voices to read to her. She also invented a new game. It's called making cookies. It involves standing on a chair at the kitchen sink and using all the measuring utensils to ladle water around (and into mouths).
Roo also had the rights to all the best one-liners of the week. Like, "Let's twist again." which meant she wanted to open the door. Or, after being asked if she needed to go, rhyming it (instead of answering) with "Cookie Dough!".
My favorite was heard upon exiting the bedroom after tucking her in... "Take me with you!!"

We wrapped up the week with J's homecoming...
...And some quality time with the whole family.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

how to get the most out of your workout


Em decided to help Marmee get the most out of her stretching.

It started off innocently enough.


But, it got a little more intense during the plank portion of the workout.

And then, Em decided Marmee needed more resistance.

The finale included a pose like this...
...but before Marmee could grab her foot, Em reached up and tickled it!


Monday, January 25, 2010

Snow Day

Em and Roo had a snow day this past Thursday. At school.

Per the teacher's request, we brought packages of cotton balls a few weeks ago. And here's what they did with them!


That's right... filled up an inflatable pool with 'em. The kids got to dive in, have 'snowball' fights and make 'snow' angels. So fun!

Then, they had sled rides, courtesy of Wade's daddy.

There was also an 'ice skating' rink set up and a fun snowflake arts and crafts center.

This is MY kinda snow day!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

if you give a pig a pancake


Today was Pajama Day at preschool. Em and Roo have been so excited for this day. Roo woke up at 6:30am. Em woke up shortly afterwards because Roo was not quiet about being up for the day. As soon as I entered their room, Em said, "How 'bout my owl jammas?" So, they changed from one pair of jammas into another.

Preschool was hot to go. Flashlights with glow-in-the-dark star stickers for a warm up activity. Storytime included If You Give A Pig A Pancake.
Then, all the little piggies, er, monkeys ate a catered pancake lunch. With bacon. Ironic, right?

They had an awesome time.

And looked mighty cute doing it.


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

this one's for the McGrands

A little now and then...







Monday, January 11, 2010

it went remarkably well


What happens when 16 of your closest playgroup friends come over to make pizza and play on a cold winter day?


A little mess.

A lot of fun.
Full tummies and smiles that don't stop.


Saturday, January 9, 2010

Cinema Win


Last summer, I tried to take the girls to a feature length film. On my own. With a friend and her twins. It was a bust. We were too late, it was too crowded, the seats were too close to the front (they were the front), the screen was too high, the kids were too wild... We lasted 10 minutes.

Six months later, I was ready to try again.
We planned a fun morning that started with breakfast at our fav place, Trudy's, and then a movie.
The Princess and the Frog.

The girls entertained everyone in earshot. Em dubbed the girl busing our table a princess. She had a cute head wrap on that must have looked tiara-ish to Em. She called her "Princess Lady" each time the girl came by.

Roo and Em could not wait to get to the theater. They be-bopped in like they owned the place, settled into their booster seats and got to work on the popcorn. After each preview, Roo loudly asked, "What's next?". When the film started, the Disney castle at the beginning got such rave reviews, I thought there might be no where to go but down afterwards! But, they loved it.

Roo made 3 potty trips, took off her shoe and dropped it into the row below us. Em dropped her sippy cup and it joined Roo's shoe. A lot of musical chairs ensued. Em narrated the events to the people behind us several times. And there was much singing and dancing along with all the jazzy musical numbers.

They were adorable and so much fun to share this first with today.
Thanks, Em and Roo for making the movies fun again.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Toddler Slang, part 7

"pajama socks"

translation: footed pajamas

"monster kisses"

translation: big growly zerbert-style kisses

"sweet kisses"

translation: soft quiet kiss

"30 GOLDFISH IN A BOWL!"

translation: My blood sugar is low. I need a snack. Now! Gimme some goldfish crackers!

"Chriskit bother"

translation: Biscuit Brother's Christmas show

"Princess panties"

translation: Pull-Ups worn for nighttime

"cockerdiahs"

translation: Emme's Crocs

"nose medicine"
translation: nasal spray

"cookie spoon"
translation: spatula with some cookie dough

"picnic at the beach with some hot cocoa water"
translation: I've come up with an excuse to drink the bath water



Sunday, January 3, 2010

snugglemike


Em discovered a new obsession over the holidays. More specifically, she developed a crush.

Uncle.Mike.


The photographic evidence really speaks for itself.

I took to calling her Barnacle Em.


Her devotion knew no boundaries. Or modesty.

The phrase most likely to be heard at any given moment?
"Snuggle, Mike?"



The rest of us? Totally thrown under the bus. No one else was as important. Except, maybe Aunt Joy. Since she came with Uncle Mike.


SnuggleMike.
Christmas '09