Talk, talk, talk, talk.....

Wow, kids really do say the darnedest things!

Zoey has started school again. Her boyfriend William is gone this year. This leaves Quinn and Jagger from last years class. They aren't in her class but they seem to hang out on the playground and at the extended care. Since day one she has been coming home talking about Q and J, about how they bother her, they play pirate, they took her seeds. Then there was one day that involved spitting. Q's mom is a good friend of mine and we have always joked about the kids bothering each other. Zoey tells me these things with a big smile on her face, so the boys cant be bothering her too much. Still. Tonight we talked to her about how she needed to go to school tomorrow and it was time to get ready for bed. She said that she didnt want to play with Q and J. I said, well go play elsewhere on the playground honey. She said no. I figured out that she couldnt since she plays with Marion on the playground and Marion likes Quinn. So of course they have to play near them. So I suggested that she play with Anna. She goes "no I dont like Hope". I said who is Hope. She's one of Anna's friends. I said oh. Well why dont you like Hope. "B/c her head is like this (arms motioning up over her head and out to the side)". I said, Hope has a big head so you dont like her? She goes no, her head is like THIS (motions again). Aand I said, and that's WHY you dont like her?? She said ah huh. I seriously had to stiffle the laugh. I know that is sooo horrible. I shouldnt laugh. Apparently the poor girl has a big head? I've never noticed a kid in her school with some head issues. They all look cute to me. Still we had to have a talk with her about how that wasnt nice and how maybe Hope really wanted to be her friend and that maybe Hope was really a fun girl and that she would never know unless she tried or said Hi. Zoey looked at me like I was talking Chinese and shook her head "no, momma, no"......Wow, I cant believe it starts that young!! Of course I immediately looked at her father and said where do you think she's learning that from????

Then yesterday, her friend Abby was coming over. She needed to get dressed. She and I went to the dryer to get clean clothes out for her to wear (since they never actually get folded and carried up stairs!). I pull out a skirt and she says "no I need something more fashionable". WHAT!!!! She continued on to say "something more pretty and beautiful".

As for Audrey. She's the little comedienne. One day she was at my parents house swimming. She got out of the pool and kinda squatted for a minute in her swim diaper. I said Audrey are you going tinkle? She goes "no momma, I tinkle in gamma's pool" :-) You are now officially warned! Another time, she and I were going to hang out with my friend Katie and her baby Trey (her daughter is Marion mentioned above). I said Audrey are you ready to go play with Baby Trey. She goes "momma, baby trey bite me". I said Baby Trey bit you? "Yea, baby trey bite me momma" and then gets this really silly grin and a little look out of the side of her eyes. She cracks me up, seriously. Ten minutes later I was putting my shoes on. She walks up and goes Momma baby trey NO bite me. He no bite me. Shaking her head no the whole time. As if I was so gullible to believe her the whole time and she wanted to make sure that I didnt hold Trey responsible for biting her. It was silly!

On a serious note, Zoey still says somethings or letters incorrectly. We're going to do some screening on speech. It could be related to her hearing issues of previous. Also she is still snoring bad. We meet the ENT this week to talk tonsils and speech. In the meantime, even though its wrong pronunciation, we still think its really cute to hear her say that things are "bizgusting" or listening to her "UUsic". She always enunciates the "U" since she knows that I'm going to try and get her to say "mmmuusic" a few times. Personally, I'm torn. It could be that she just needs a nasal spray to help with the swelling in her nostrils from allergies. Or that it's tonsil problem. So basically surgery or steroids. Neither sound appealing. Other issues that came up at Zoey's 5 yr check up. She has scoliosis developing in her back - left side, C curve. No surprise here since its exactly what I have. And she is so tall and skinny and lanky. Or at least continues to develop that way. She needs PT to fix the tiptoe walking that she is doing consistently. And apparently the doctor thinks she is a candidate for a sleep study since she has these horrible night terrors where she is not awake but her eyes are open and she can be screaming or crying hysterically. Inconsolable. It's hard but at least its good to know that it's not normal. It will make you batty and feel horrible for your child. Useless really. Nothing we do can console her and it's happened since she was a baby. Ah, things to deal with in the coming years. Oh, yeah, and we want her to get her eyes checked since Audrey has the whole glasses thing and Zoey likes to tell me that she can't see sometimes..... :-)

As for Audrey's current health issues. She has eczema realllll bad. We're working on it. But a steroid creme is all the dermatologist could tell me. Which I dont use on the pooor kid. Well, I use it when I see this one spot breaking out in a rash. But since I've been spreading creme on her like its going out of style, at least her itching is getting better. This poor little baby used to itch herself bloody up and down her stomach, back and buttocks from the age of 5 or 6 months till this summer. Finally, we have something that's working. It also helps that Benadryl is safe for her. Finally she is currently getting her TWO year molars. HOLY COW that's a cranky kid! Tylenol and motrin alternating seem to be helping. She will come to me and say "peeiiiilll momma please"......nice. Self medicating toddler. Anyway, that and asking for popsicles at 7am. We have been letting her have a bunch of popsicles this last two weeks. I'm sure they help the gums.....OUCH!

Two blogs to come - Zoey's 5 birthday party photos and we're moving. Yep. Movers come this week and CJ leaves. FOR Phoenix. It's temp for a while then we'll be moving somewhere after his training. I'll post more. Me and the girls leave in January. I'll be driving cross country, heading north to Nashville then West on the 40. Old Route 66.....more details to come.

Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon go to WA

We recently took a trip up to WA to spend a week on Nana and Papa's sailboat in Anacortes. Grandma Nicky and Grandpa Clyde met us over there with their camper and powerboat. We had a great time - it was so beautiful despite the multiple times it rained or got foggy. The girls had a blast - going on the boat, going crabbing, going fishing, sleeping in the cabin on the sailboat. Zoey was so excited to go crabbing b/c her daddy had told her all about it. She would watch so intently as the pots got thrown in the water and then when the guys would bring them up she would start chanting - I want BIG BOYs, Big boy crabs......One day we actually got a bunch and had enough to cook up for dinner. She watched her dad boil the crabs, then smash them on the dock to get the meat out. Finally it came time to eat the crab. She was SO excited to eat it and dipped in the hot butter. One bite. Yep you guessed it - didnt like the taste! All that build up!!!! I think she ate some leftover pizza from lunch instead.....

Audrey at first hated the power boat. She very quickly started yelling at us, "I want Off This BOAT." She had a hard time b/c the boat was so bumpy. She kept telling me something about "falling down" - I think b/c the bumps. We took daddy's front seat in the fancy shock absorbtion chairs and all was better. Over the week she got more and more comfortable with the feel of the motorboat, but she still talks about that "falling down" thing when she talks about the boat.

It's always so nice to get out of the norm and on vacation or out of the daily grind. TVs off, toys gone and just one on one attention from mom and dad. New sights, new attention from other family. They love it. One thing that has always cracked me up about Zoey are her jokes. She knows a few knock knock jokes. Such as "knock knock, whos there, boo, boohoo, oh dont cry" or "old lady, old lady who, old lady i never knew you could yodel". But really what's the funniest are her made up jokes usually involving chickens, pooping or things crossing a road. It took us a minute to get used to them. The first time my dad and stepmom heard them, they immediately took to psychoanalyzing them and discussed how Dali would have greatly appreciated them for their surreal humor and wit! Here is an example. "Why did the chicken cross the road?" "Because he always had to poop on a toothbrush". I know, I know. It's always hilarious to see someone's first reaction to a Zoey joke. It cracks me up. Anyway, her jokes can go on for hours.

One particular night in the car after dinner, the girls were pretty wound up. Zoey was telling her jokes to us all and we were all cracking up. Then Audrey started really getting into it as well and CJ and I started to crack up more just by the two girls. He pointed out that we had Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon in our backseat. Example: Zoey would tell the first part of her joke. Audrey would repeat the last phrase. I would say the require response of "why", then Zoey would give her version of a punchline. Audrey would burst into huge laughter repeating the main phrase from the punchline. Usually something like "oooooohhhhhhhahhhhahhha, chicken pooping on toothbrush, hhhhhahhhhahhahahhaaa". I know its one of those things where you had to be there. But they still do it when they get in joke telling mode. They have the routine down PAT. It's hilarious. Zoey telling the joke and Audrey there for the comic relief and backup. Never a dull moment. Seriously.

The other thing that cracks me up about Audrey is that she already has these looks down. I mean she's got some serious training already started in the dramatic arts or comedy routines. She will say something to you, freeze, then hold your gaze as she turns her head to the side and looks at your through the side of her glasses. Her eyes just a sliver but still staring. Then she will stop and start laughing. There's also the hand motions where she is twisting her hands and motioning and all kinds of funny things to illustrate her story or questions or current needs.

Finally Zoey is swimming like a champ these days. Face in the water, goggles are always on, jumping in and swimming straight to you, coming up for breathes. It's so nice to have this skill going well. It will be such a huge relief to have TWO children that know how to swim.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Audrey turned two!!! It was a great day - lots of friends, family and little kids. She picked out her own birthday cake, played pinata and had a backyard baby pool party. I know they say that kids dont really know their birthday too well at this age, but I dont believe it!! She's got a pretty strong knowledge of birthdays and birthday parties from going with her sister to show us that she was pretty excited! Of course, Zoey immediately confiscated her birthday presents (specifically two baby dolls) and wouldn't relinquish them for 3 days!! Zoey kept saying that she just wanted a little more time with them. I informed Zoey that when it was her birthday next month, that she would be sharing her new toys with her sister as well. She didnt like that!!! I will be curious to see how Audrey does with Zoey's presents!!!!

I cant believe my baby is TWO - she has grown up so much in just the month since CA. The talking, the expressions on her face and the expressing herself. WOW. In just a month she grew from the little toddler to the strong independent toddler who knew what she wanted, how to get it and NO HELP MOMMA. Her new phrase!! There's also "MA Turn, Mah turn." Sissy's room, sissy's toy, sissy's shirt, sissy's panties. Well you get the idea!!! Over the weekend, she pooped. She walked up to CJ and said, I pooped Daddy. He said, great go show your mom so she can change you. I had just walked into the room and she ran screaming "NOOOO, don't take mah poopy. Dont take mah poopy." Since I had to leave to meet a client, well, she obviously wanted to share it with Daddy!!

Welcome to the Big Girl World Baby Girl!!! With your Sissy at your side, I know you will conquer it all. At your own speed, your pace, your own style, your own direction, your own way, your own mind. You are quite an amazing little girl. And that goes for both of you!! My sweetie pie and my little monkey!

PS, photo is Audrey at 1yro....

A sad day

The day before we left for CA back in June, we had an unfortunate event. Our baby kitten died. It was horribly sad for everyone, with the exception of Audrey who is probably too young to notice. Zoey cried really hard when I told her, but it was a comfort to see she had some form of comprehension of what this meant. Her school had to deal with death this year when they lost their class hamster in the first month of school. I was so mad at the school for talking to my baby about death at such a young age, but I learned throughout the year that this was a good thing. I'm glad that she is getting that foundation about God, the stories of the Bible and some beginning form of religion. I'm not ready to take them both to church regularly since I dont think Audrey will apreciate having to sit still for that long. But soon enough I would like to find this in our lives and heart. Something that I didnt have growing up was a strong relationship to church, God or any type of religion. I respect my parents for allowing me to grow up and develop my own beliefs.

However, it's been a long hard road for me. I want my girls to have less of a challenge or at least a different one than I did. My thoughts are to allow them to develop their own relationship with God, but to start that at a very young age. As in now. And with dealing with Baby Kitty's death, I see why this is a good thing. I dont know how to explain death to these two beautiful little girls. Zoey sat and watched out the window at Baby Kitty's grave - she kept telling us that she was watching for God to take her to be with him. It was hard to explain to her that she was already there. Over the weekend, she started talking about Baby Kitty. It's been almost 2 months. She started to cry and told me that she was sad. She started talking about how God had taken her kitty. It was almost like she mad/sad that God had taken her kitty away. It's such grown up feelings that I dont think I handled it well. How can you handle that or explain that to 4 yro when grown ups dont even understand this?

While we are on this grave subject, a family that is very dear to Zoey has been given the news that the father has Lymphoma. Please keep them in your prayers, thoughts or positive vibes. I certainly have been.

Tropical Storm photos

This is what my family does in a tropical storm - go to the BEACH!! Here is daddy going swimming in the big waves and momma and the girls looking for sea shells.

Audrey in her own private idaho......

Zoey watching the kite surfer, looking for "kitty's paws" seashells....her favorite ones.

Audrey's first playdate

Technically this wasn't Audrey's first playdate. But this was one of the first. This is Audrey and Emily playing together at our house. Emily is Abby's little sister. Abby and Zoey are 3 months apart, Abby being older. Emily is 3 months older than Audrey as well. They've watched their sisters play together now for two years. Now it's their turn! They were so cute - they spent about an hour taking care of the babies together. Pushing them around in strollers and shopping carts. Next year the girls will be in the 2s classroom together. Along with 6 (SIX) other siblings that we know very well and play with often! And their teacher next year will be Zoey's teachers from this year, Miss Allen and Miss Dahl. I hope it's a great experience for her. I think she's ready, and with little friends like this - who wouldn't be?

I've also included photos from a playdate with Abby. Something for Audrey and Emily to look forward to......jumping on couches, singing at the top of their lungs!! Yes, these really do know how to have fun. FYI - Zoeys favorite song these days is Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"!!! Like mother, like daughter.....

Note to self:

When scolding my children, I must remember to include the phrase "that I see".

The other day, the girls were taking a bath. Both were getting pretty revved up, splashing water and shoving each other. So I said, the next person that pushes the other one into the water has to get out of the tub. Well, I turned my head, and sure enough someone pushed someone else. Zoey was crying and Audrey was whining. I didnt see who pushed who and Zoey sat there looking at me, like MOM, she pushed me first, make her get out. But I couldn't cuz Audrey was looking at me and pointing at Zoey!!!! Both kids acting like they wanted me to scold the other, but I didnt. I'm not going to punish them for things I dont see!! So I rephrased myself "the next person I see to push the other has to get out the tub". Funny, no more pushing after that!!