Mornings

Em is a morning person and is at her best really early.

Em got up early today and by 6:30 we were discussing what we were going to do for the rest of the morning. Em informed me that she had decided that Tucker needed a bath. Really? Of all things that we could do. . this is what she wanted to do?

We have paints. We have art supplies. We have chickens outside that need to be let out and fed. We have a beautiful backyard to play in and plants to water. We have a park a block away. We have TV. All of these things would be appropriate activities for 6:30. Bathing the dog hadn't even registered as something "we could, or would, or would ever want to do" especially first thing in the morning.

Me, "Em, can't you think of anything else to do? Do you really want to wash the dog?" An astounding, "Yes!" was proclaimed as she ran into the bathroom.


Me, "Em, I don't know that Tucker wants me to wake him up to take a bath."


Em, "Yes he does. He NEEDS a bath. I want to wash him."


This is where I realize that my life has changed. I have officially crossed the line and have become that "crazy parent."


What did I do? Did I redirect my 2.5 year old and suggest that we leave our ancient old dog alone and relieve him of the humiliation of a bath?

Nope. I rustled the old guy awake, told him he was getting a bath, and carried him to the bathtub.


Em declared "Mama, good job. You're strong!" as I lowered Tuck into the tub. He gave me the "are you kidding me, this is what you woke me up for stare" as I turned on the shower and he got his first early morning bath in 13 years. Emma giggled, Tucker got clean, and when it was all said in done Emma snuggled Tucker and said, "I love you Tucker!" and I think Tucker understood.


I look back at my morning and I have to chuckle. Toddlers are completely unpredictable in a wonderful way. I didn't have a bath for the dog planned, but what did it hurt besides Tuck's ego? Nothing. He's clean. We had fun. And the pups got an extra long walk as a payment for Tucker being so compliant. I totally feel that this was a win-win situation for all!

Honestly I think they both look content!

Happy Easter

I walked into Em's room this morning and instead of her normal "good morning mama," I hear, "Today I can wear my purple fairy god mother dress!"

aka. . . screw the bunny, I get to wear tulle. . . .

We invited our good friends over for brunch and hosted an easter egg hunt. The brunch was delicious (if do I say so myself) but the Easter egg hunt was . .. well. . . .given we had 3 two year olds it was very short lived.

I think Truman had more fun than the kids. Brian and Ankur hid at least 30 eggs and I think the kids probably picked up 10. Truman scored at least 3! Who knew greyhounds like jelly beans??

Here's the trio devising a game plan.

Actually this is what went down: Em was happy to find the eggs, but didn't want to put the dirty eggs in her basket, Surabi would find an egg and take a time out to eat all of the jelly beans in that egg, and Asher was more interested in the dog's balls scattered throughout the yard.

Truman desperately wanted to participate. Hey Mom, is this my basket?

Em took egg finding very seriously. She would find one and yell, "Mama, bring me a wipe. It's dirty!"

No jelly bean went undiscovered!

Em sharing her find with Truman.

Emma twirling for the crowd.

MMM... jelly beans and sand!

After we put the eggs away this is how the kids spent the next 45 minutes. Apparently all we needed was three watering cans and a hose

Getting a picture of three 2 year olds is like herding cats.

We had a wonderful time and it was good to be able to spend such a special morning with friends! Happy Easter everyone!

So Eager to Grow Up

Oh the big dilemma of time. Children spend their days yearning to be old and adults do everything they can to stay young.

Whether it's to wear a pair of shoes that are too big or a new pair of underwear, Em is constantly telling me how grown up she is. "I'm big now!" she proclaims whenever she wants something that isn't necessarily age/size/Emma appropriate.

I bought Em a new set of underwear that were the next size up. I didn't think they would fit so I washed them and put them away. For three days Em informed me as she got dressed, "I can wear my new underwear now!" and would turn and point to her little hiney and state "Mama, my butt is bigger now!" For three days I laughed and then refused her the bigger underwear. Finally on day 4, I gave in and let her wear the coveted underwear. They were way too big and I spent the day listening to her exclaim, "mama, my underwear is up my butt!" but it made her happy. It made her so happy she tried to show them to two people at the coffee shop . . .side note: I've never seen a grown man blush so quickly.

The other item Emma wants to "grow up" for are the a pair of sparkly pink converse. Her Grandmother sent these and the shoes have become the "golden gem". I didn't see them come in and Brian hid them immediately after she opened the box. Em spent almost a week looking for them. One day she pulled me into her bedroom and informed me that she "WAS going to wear her new Caa-Berse". She pointed to the top of her closet and I could see two toes of shoes sticking out. I pulled them down and Em squealed with joy. These shoes are size 8. She's in a 6.5. Not only do they fall off her feet but she trips on them. We made a compromise and she is allowed to wear them in the house over her pj's with feet (that's the only way they stay on her feet).

So my typical morning involves Em waking up and asking for her new underwear followed by plopping down to put on her new clown sized converse. I guess if I look on the bright side, both of these items will still fit her in a year so we're getting our money's worth!

I bought Em a new dress for Easter. I made two big mistakes. . .#1. Letting her see me buy it. #2 Telling her she could wear it before Easter. That dress barely made it across the front threshold before Em put it on. She walked around the house singing "I'm a fairy Godmother," so I pulled out my camera and played with a few settings. I really liked how a few of these pictures turned out.

The magic of Two

Two, oh wonderful two.

In the past few weeks things have gotten a lot better.

I don't know if Em is getting easier or I'm getting more tolerant of two year old behaviour. I think we've mastered the game of getting along. . .. . . for now. I spend most of my days jumping from one activity to another and laughing at what comes out of her mouth. Bill Cosby is right, children do say the darnedest things.

I decided it was time to do fun things so we are taking classes at Musikgarden and SANCA circus school. Em really enjoys both and it gives us "fun time" out of the store. . . . something we both desperately needed!!

Every night when we get home Em heads out to the chicken coop to say hi to the chickens. Tonight she informed me that she was their "Fairy God Mother" and she was going to "grant their wishes with magic!" I don't know if she's casting a spell on Penny. . but these two seem to be having a conversation. (Penny is the chicken)

We've been making our own bows and the bigger the flower the better!

This is Em's favorite.

I actually took a day off today (gasp) and spent the day shopping. I got this hat/glove combo for a whopping $0.47 and this raincoat (size 5T) for $3.99 I love deals! Em instantly put on her new clothes, went into the side yard, and demanded I take her picture.

Here she wanted me to take a picture of her "esop-a-gus"

and here she's just being cute!

A day in the life with Em

Em's grasp of language boggles my mind. Here are a few conversations and situations that made me chuckle.

Today we went to the grocery and I gave Em the coin change. She quickly put it in her pocket and said, "This is for my savings!" I then asked, "what are you going to spend your savings on?" She replied, "a nice gift for you mama."

Em has a ladybug nightlight in her room. The other morning Em stated, "The ladybug has a red light. The red combined (yes she said combined) with the ceiling makes pink stars."

Today I was doing dishes and Em was in the backyard. All of a sudden I hear "Mama I need help!!" I ran outside to see her standing in the dog yard, holding a bag, standing above a pile of dog poop. I asked, "What are you doing?" Em replied, "I'm picking up poop, but I don't want to touch it!" I laughed. I then informed her that picking up poop was my job, but I appreciated the help. She replied, "I am a responsible pet owner and I want to help you, mama. because I love you!"

Em, "Mama! Come here. Take my picture in my new pajamas that Grammy gave me and send it to Grammy. Grammy would like that!"

Totally random statement while walking the dogs. . . .Em states "I used to live on a tractor, one day when I was old. I used it to feed the cows and horses hay." Um. . . .. reincarnation?

Emma wanted to drink my coffee and I informed her that she wasn't old enough. I told her when she got older she could have coffee too. She replied "Mama, I don't want to be young anymore. I'm old now!"

Em still loves to crawl in bed with Mazie. This morning I overhear, "Mazie is sweet. She is my bestest friend."

Em went to the salon with me and got a red streak in her hair (it was vegetable dye and is already washed out). Every morning on the way to work Em reminds me, "mama, I want to go back to the salon. I need more red hair!"

Now that it's nice out I've been setting up her easel out back. Here she is painting the flowers on the stoop. "My masterpiece!" she declared when she was finished!

Trips

Another reason for my blogging absence is that Em and I took a trip back east to visit my family. Em is a great travel partner and overall our flights weren't that bad. . . well not as bad as I thought it would be on two 5+ hour flights with a two year old.

Waiting for our flight to Reagan International Airport

Em was exhausted when we finally arrived and quickly fell asleep snuggling Grammy.

I don't know who looks more content in the photo.

We didn't do much while we were there except sit around chatting, eating, and catching up. I have decided that's what one needs to do on vacation. . . NOTHING. I'm not used to doing nothing, so experiencing the pure void of responsibilities was really hard to do but very much welcomed and appreciated.

Oakley the wonder dog. He is the best dog on the planet.

The Ramey/Anderson/Schroeder ladies.

Pam (Tooey) and Em in her new tutu and heels. Em put on her outfit and proclaimed "I'm a lady!"

Chad was dead set on getting Em to say "Virginia is for Lovers!" For the most part he got a blunt stare and a closed mouth.

Em showing off her new tutu on mom's birthday.

Her ballerina pose!

I brought a giant suitcase of toys, books, and art supplies to keep Em busy while we were hanging out. Did Em want anything to do with these items? Heavens no. Em was content to play with Pam's stash of reading glasses, a bucket of rocks, and two wooden wine racks.

We had a great time and I am happy that we were able to get away for a bit. My battery has been recharged and I'm ready to hit the ground running.

Another day. ..

After my last post I've felt a bit stifled.

Every time I've approached the computer I run through my list of things to post about.

Emma didn't do this today.

Emma didn't do that.

Emma asserted herself this way.

Emma is two and showing herself.

Today I wanted to join the circus.

Honestly how does one follow up such a heart warming touching post. . . . there's no way I can post "I take it all back .. . . . I didn't mean it! My child is a monster. . ."

Well. . . my child isn't a monster. She's two. I have to constantly remind myself that even though she communicates as well a 3 year old, she's emotionally a button pushing, limit testing, whining, bundle of terrible twoness. Don't get me wrong. We have good days. We have bad days. Some days the good outweighs the bad and some days the bad. . well. . .that's about all there is. Some days I hold onto her completely asinine statements, aka imagination, as a way to give me motivation to keep on trucking.. . . to make it another day. . .to embrace my previous post.. . to enjoy my child.

The other day we were on a walk and this was our conversation:

Em: The sky is purple

Me: Where? I only see blue sky.

Em: Over there. By my rocket ship.

Me: Rocket ship? Who's on your rocket ship?

Em: Me and mama. We're flying to the moon. To look at the stars and planet earth.

Okay. . . planet earth?? Really? When she says stuff like this I have to remind myself that she's barely 2. These are the days that make the hard days worth it!