Seussville

Em asked me to be the moose. I wore the hat. J wore the hat. Em wore the hat.

We all were the moose.

She took the hat to Roo. "Roo, you be the moose."

Roo wobbled inside the hat.

She called out, "Help! My moose is loose!"

losing

Me: Tonight, no one will get out of bed.

J: Do you understand us?

Em: Yes.

Roo: Yes.

Me: If you get out of bed, your special bedtime books go into time out.

J: Do you understand?

Em: Nooooo! No books in time out!

Roo: Nooooo!

J: Do you understand what will happen if you get out of bed?

Your books will be taken away.

Finally, after much back and forth about specific body parts that might get out of bed, and no, no body parts were allowed out of bed, comprehension was acknowledged.

______________________________

15 minutes later the video monitor shows them both out of bed

______________________________

J busts through their door, flips on the light and lays down the discipline.

Em: *sobbing*

Roo: *wailing*

J: You lost your books because you disobeyed and got out of bed.

Me: If you get out of bed again, your music goes into time out.

J: Do you understand what will happen if you get out of bed again?

Em and Roo: *simultaneously* Noooooooooo!

Me: *snort laugh*

J: *turns around and swallows a laugh*

______________________________

5 minutes later, Em gets out of bed just long enough to push her bed flush with Roo's.

Now, there's no need to get out of bed.

______________________________

20 minutes later, they're giving each other pretend doctor exams and surprise parties.

______________________________

We are never going to win this one, are we?

the science kids

A couple of weeks ago our playgroup met up at the nature and science center for an adventure. Em and Roo had such an awesome time exploring and investigating. We are so fortunate to have such amazing resources nearby.

Em learning how to use a microscope.

Roo investigating a fossil, some seed pods and Ernie with a magnifying glass

Em and her friend checking out some snakes.

Roo loving the woods.

The dino dig area as seen from the entrance.

The Pea

This morning we headed back to our favorite little theater for a cute rendition of

The Princess and the Pea.

The Prince was into comic books and his mother, an overbearing and overprotective woman, wanted him to mature and grow up. He just wanted to play Super Dude. He met a girl in the forest. She wore a cape and mask and was called Super Chick. She liked comic books, too. And turned out to be the girl chosen for him by his mother. They had the same favorite color: rainbow; liked to dance freestyle; and neither cared much for peas.

Princess Super Chick got tipped off about the pea under the mattresses by the royal cat. The queen was thrilled that the test was passed. The princess was tremendously guilty about cheating and confessed. Which was the real test after all. Everyone was thrilled. And they all lived happily ever after.

It was quirky and quick and funny. Roo laughed all the way through it. Em watched it as though she might be quizzed upon completion. Seriously invested.

Then, we went to lunch with our fun friends that attended the play with us. Yum.

After that? Cupcakes and ice cream!

A busy day that gave way to another nice surprise. Cuddly, sleepy girls wanting a story.

honey bear

The preschool director called me today while the girls were at school. Em was stung by a wasp during outside playground time. She was already back to playing, nursing the site with a tiny ice pack, by the time the phone call took place. No reaction or lasting issues, thankfully.

When I picked her up, I asked to see her boo boo and she gave me her right hand.

She was stung on the left hand. A non-issue already.

This evening she was telling me about playing under the playscape with a boy in a red shirt. Apparently they spied the nest and Em had the idea to go searching for honey like Pooh Bear.

Happy 36

J turned 36 last week while he was away for work travel. Em sang a little song and we sent it to him first thing that morning.

The rest of the celebration was saved for his return.

Em and Roo helped make cupcakes for their Daddy. And picked out a special card.

We're mad for princesses these days, so no other card would do.

Inside, Em wrote love and her name.

Roo refused to write her name. Instead she wanted to sign it with her alter ego name of the week. Then, she agreed to actually write her name.

Can you see the alias? That's a T, a tiny W, an I and a CH. Someone is a SYTYCD fan.

At the end of the weekend, we blew up balloons, put on our party frocks (ok, just Em did that) and put a candled cupcake in a go-cup.

And took it all to the airport to pick up our Prince Charming.

We love our daddy! He's the real Prince Charming for these three girls.

Happy 36 and many more!

tastes like chicken

I'd run the bases if that big puppy would get out of the way

The RGs finally got to attend a baseball game! They've been asking all summer long to play baseball, see baseball, go baseball, have baseball...

On Labor Day weekend, we headed to the ballpark for a 6pm game. Not knowing exactly what to expect from Em and Roo, we opted to spread out a blanket on the berm.

It turned out to be perfect.

Roo inhaled popcorn and hot dogs and read the program.

Em stayed glued to the action and wanted to know each player's name and how he was feeling.

When the game ended, the after-show began with an outstanding fireworks display.

Total icing on the cake.

We figured that would be that and we'd head home. But, the field was opened up for kids to run the bases and Em was determined to participate. She patiently waited the 20 minutes in line, focused on the field the entire time. Finally, she, Roo and Daddy set off.

It was all going really well until Em got to 3rd.

Between 3rd base and home plate was the giant mascot. A dude in a bulldog suit.

He was high fiving the runners and Em couldn't figure out how to avoid him. She'd smoked J and Roo and couldn't see me waiting for her at home plate. My brave little girl decided to cut across the grass and hook it home. But, she was stopped by some of the field maintenance guys. Finally, they saw me and she heard me and we all got back together again. Em held it together until she was in my arms and then the tears came.

I got the whole run on video, but the last half is pretty much audio only. I didn't realize I left the camera running the whole time I was trying to get Em back.

J and I made such a big deal about her awesome run and bravery. By the time I tucked her in that night she told me that she wasn't scared of the big puppy anymore. Just to be sure, though, she's asked at least once a day since then where Spike (the big puppy) is and what he's doing. Just checking to make sure he's not around the next corner, I think.

Magenta and Sunshine

The girls had their first day back at preschool today.

It was a super dreary day with non-stop rain. So the cute outfits were covered with cute raincoats. And the picture was taken inside instead of on the porch.

Em couldn't wait to get started. She was a beaming ray of sunshine on this gloomy gray day. It was all the better for the rain because that meant she got to wear her rain boots and her backpack!

Roo had a great time at welcome week but was feeling some trepidation about going without me this week. A little sad. A bit scared and a touch envious because of how easy Em made it look. I've heard that feeling described as magenta. A mix of colors... not quite blue, not so scared you're yellow and not exactly green with envy... magenta.

When we got to school, Em couldn't get started fast enough. Roo clung and cried. I handed her over to Ms. Laura and kissed them both goodbye. Not my favorite part of the day by any stretch.

Afterwards, I stood in the hallway for a good half hour.

And asked the art teacher to go in with my camera. Here's what I saw.

My brave little bit getting started on her big adventure.

And my intrepid explorer blazing a trail.

I am so proud of them.

Em-isms

The latest and greatest -isms from Miss Em:

"my faydrid"

translation: my favorite

"gorngous"

translation: nice looking oranges, i.e. gorgeous

"rainbow seeds"

translation: prism fragments

"I'm talling" or "I'm highing"

translation: growing taller

"balloon kite"

translation: helium filled balloon

"chicken dinner winner!"

translation: winner winner chicken dinner (to be said after a victorious experience)

"zoocandy"

translation: zucchini

"wonderfall"

translation: waterfall, but a really cool one

"take a hide"

translation: I'm going to hide now

"open your eyebrows"

translation: raise your eyebrows

Roo's New 'Do

Roo's hair is whisper fine and tangles if you look at it sideways. It was time for a back-to-school trim and I made a last minute decision to do something more extreme.

Words like layers and bob and stack came out of my mouth. The next thing I knew, the hair was piling up on the floor.

Wow. That is really really short.

And did Roo's eyes get 5x bigger?

I think she likes it and it sure is adorable on her. Roo in blue with her new 'do.

it's better that she knows now

The girls had 'meet the teacher' day at preschool. Ms. Laura requested that the school supplies be delivered at this time.

On the list, along with the rest mat, change of clothes and assorted paperwork, was a family photo. We haven't taken one since Easter.

So, we did a family photo booth session.

The girls chose Photo 3 as the 'take to school' picture.

I think we made an impression today at the meet and greet.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4