Allison Wonderland

Little Sissy is leaping and bounding towards learning to read. It's all very exciting for her, but at the same time it's rocking her world. It started when we were reading a Tangled book about colors. She knew that Rapunzel was wearing a purple dress, but she paused when she got to the word because it didn't make sense to her. All along she has been saying "jress" and is still convinced that the books (and I) are lying about the real way to say it.

Same with "chruck" (truck).

I had to laugh today when we were reading Alice in Wonderland and she kept saying "Allison" even though it clearly said "Alice." Apparently they printed that one wrong too. Every time. In every book. Because everyone knows her name is Allison Wonderland.

Here's to hoping that she can rise above the conspiracy theory and learn to chrust me again.

Preschool Introductions

Yesterday I was parent helper in Little Sissy's preschool class. Parents are required to help at least 3 times each semester. Between all the times I've gone for Little Buddy and the times I've gone for Little Sissy, the kids are getting used to seeing my face. I was never without someone cuddling up with me or on my lap. Very fun.

Yesterday I was struck by the way Little Sissy was describing everyone to me to make sure I remembered them. Her perceptions just cracked me up.

"That's Charlotte. She's had dried up chocolate on her face since last year."
"That's Olivia. She has to have her fruit snacks cut into little pieces."
"That's Evan. He's getting bigger and doesn't have to bring his puppy any more."
"That's Ella. She hits sometimes."
"That's Kassie. She has short hair like me."

Do you ever wonder how people would describe you if they had to wrap it all up in one sentence?

Fall Festivities

Last year at this time I was regretting that I was so busy with my business (interesting word, isn't it?) that I didn't have a lot of family time. Thanks to the economy, my wish has been granted and I've had much more time this year. :) We've been to the pumpkin patch 3 times, Grants Farm, Boo at the Zoo, and the Family Fall Fun Fest (that might be in the wrong order, but it's definitely 4 F--somethings in a row). The girls chose to be Laura and Mary Ingalls (not Holly Hobby, not Little Bo Peep, not Amish girls--just to be clear). Little Buddy was Scooby Doo for part of the festivities and a pirate for the rest.

This year they've been much more aware of all the "creepy" things around. They are very sensitive to it and prone to nightmares, so I try to limit their exposure. It can't always be helped, though, as was the case at Grant's Farm. I was very surprised they were willing to get their picture made with this guy. Notice that the weather was freakishly warm just a few weeks ago. Now we have our coats out.

Here they are at the FFFF. Their dolls are Baby Carrie and Baby Grace.

Boo at the Zoo. I hated to cover up the calico dress, but it was quite chilly! Those animals can sure produce the candy!

One of our days at the pumpkin patch. Sadly, Big Sissy was at school. :(

Isn't she just wicked cute??

A couple of funny stories from the season, because you know how I love to tell stories. First, Big Sissy read the Donald Duck version of "A Christmas Carol" at school. There is a part where Scrooge has died and there is a picture of the tombstone, which says R.I.P. She wanted to know if that meant "Rich Icky Person." It made me giggle thinking of all the rich icky people in the cemeteries.

Then we were planning to carve our pumpkin (which we still haven't done). I said out loud that I would have to do a google search to find out how to cook the pumpkin seeds. Little Sissy, who is always so helpful and sincere, said, "Mommy, why don't you just turn the seeds over to see how to cook them?" Perhaps we eat from a box too often? :)

Yes, Boys are Different!

When Little Buddy was a baby, people would ask me, "So is it different having a boy?" I would shake my head and laugh because he was the sweetest, cuddliest little baby who smiled all the time, slept great, ate good. But then he turned about 2 and oh my, yes. It is different. He still will play with "girl stuff" from time to time, but he just plays with it differently. He is still my most affectionate child, and I hope that never changes. But he's almost my most physically aggressive child.

Today I was reminded again of the differences when I was trying to teach letters and sounds as we were eating lunch. "What starts with F? Ffffffff....."

Little Sissy: "Fairies, fancy, fish"
Little Buddy: "Fffff....football! And FARTS!!!" (hysterical laughter)

Yep, I've got a boy. And I love it.

Setting the Birthday Bar High

I feel slightly guilty because this will probably never happen again for anyone else's birthday, BUT this year the whole family was off for Little Sissy's birthday. We celebrated all day long, and that wasn't even her party! Starting off with special birthday pancakes...

Then she opened her Samantha Doll she's been wanting ...

Next came a trip to the Magic House, where we did lots and lots of painting...

And finally finished the perfect day with a STL Cardinals game with our church. Looking back, this is even more significant since they ended up winning their 11th World Series in 2011. Happy birthday, sweet girl!!

Just Say No

We were passing the grocery store yesterday when suddenly I heard Big Sissy sort of gasp.
"Mommy, I can't believe they would sell DRUGS there. It says so right on the sign."

Thank you, public school, for giving us conversation topics that I might not have thought of with a 6-year-old. I love that it bothers her, though!

Soccer Princess

I promised pictures of the younger 2 playing soccer and then soccer started consuming our life, so now that it's over I have time to post pictures. :) Big Sissy had practice on Tuesday nights--immediately after ballet, Little Buddy had practice on Friday nights, and then Little Sissy had practice on Saturday mornings--at the same time as Big Sissy's games. Whew!

Little Sissy tells me that she loved soccer, although she tends to tire out in the middle. Water breaks are her favorite time. After the first practice, I also discovered that she had been stashing lip gloss in her shin guards. I don't know what God has planned for her, but her athleticism may lie more in the form of dance or swim. Just a guess. Either way, she had fun and got some good outdoor exercise.

You might be wondering where the pictures of Little Buddy playing soccer are. Well...I'm not going to blame the fact that he's a 3rd child as much as the fact that I am a forgetful mommy. With practices on Friday nights, we were doing good to get there on time and I could never seem to remember to also bring my camera. After a few practices we just started to forget it. Literally. We forgot to go to the last 3 practices. Oops. Luckily, he didn't love it so he didn't notice. He really thought his coach was mean because he kept saying they couldn't use their hands. Big meanie. But lest I worry that Little Buddy won't be able to find something he likes, we went to a free gymnastics class last week and he went NUTS he loved it so much. So don't worry. We won't be bored. Tumbling starts next week.