Washing Instructions

This didn't come with washing instructions.
(At least she's in the dirty clothes pile.)

Pick a Pile

Since N's toy box is unable to shut because of all the stuffed animals, baby dolls and accessories...I said it's time to go through and see what she was done playing with. We made two piles. One of what she wants to keep and one of what she is ok with getting rid of. Here are piles. Can you guess which is which?

The lonely little leopard printed bear was the only item she was willing to part with.

After we had a small bag ready to be picked up by AmVets N says, "Those charity kids are SO lucky... they get so many cool things for free."

The Tic Tac Lie

It's pretty funny how kids feel free to fess up to a lie when the lie is no longer in affect.

We're driving down the interstate and N says, "Mom, sometimes when you're in the shower and you've told me to go brush my teeth... I sneak into the kitchen, climb onto the counter and get a mint tic tac. Then when you get out of the shower and ask if I brushed my teeth I can let you smell my clean breath!"

Me, "So Natalie, you were lying to me?!"

N, "Yeah, but I didn't do it today. Today I didn't brush my teeth at all."

Well, how awesome...

Appreciating the Small Moments

I just watched my baby fall asleep and I hope I remember it forever.

She is just so damn cute. She's been 'good' lately. No naughty chair the past few days. Tonight I was just watching her dance and try to do a forward roll and just be 2. Jason kept telling her she looked like 'Baby Iya' which is what Valla called herself when she was little. LG really does resemble Val at this age. Every time he'd say it, she'd say, "No, I Wauren!"

The past few nights when she knows it's bedtime, she asks, "Sleep mommy's bed?" I tell her "No way Jose" and chase her into her room. It's become quite the game. Tonight I surprised her and answered, "OK!" She ran as fast as her tanned little legs would carry her into her room to get her pillow. As we got her jammas on she had a gigantic smile plastered on her face. I asked if she was happy. "Happy Mommy's Bed!" To give the simple gift of pure joy.

She then demanded both Jason and I put our jammas on and get under the covers with her. Because really what fun is it to sleep somewhere else if the someone who sleeps there isn't even there. She was giddy with excitement to be sandwiched between us. We chatted for a few minutes then said it was time to go to sleep.

Then began the tossing, turning, audible spontaneous yawns, the eye rubbing, the pillow adjusting, kicking, scratching, jamma biting, nose picking, more tossing and turning and then eventually the decrescendo of breathing that lead to sleep. I wish I could have video taped it.

Our baby days are numbered, she's the last and it's ok. I will remember this simple night forever. Sweet dreams little Lauren.

Natalieisms-

We were watching 17 Again with the girls, it's rated PG13, but I"m not quite sure why. Well I guess we did fast forward the 'human sexuality' classroom scene. Anyway... N was telling Mike it was a big deal she was watching at PG 13 movie and then added, "It's ok, the cops can't see us."

L saw a guy with arms covered in tattoos, "look mom, stamps!"

V had been away at camp for 2 days. N was setting the table, realized she only needed 4 forks instead of the usual 5, said, "I miss Valla" and burst into tears.

It was morning and a few drops of accumulated dew were dripping from the roof line.

L asks, "Rain mom?"

N corrects her, "No, it's just mildew."

Goodie Bags

N made 10 gift bags today.

There is no birthday party planned.

She woke me this morning asking if she should have a car wash or lemonade stand.

She then made goodies bags for her potential lemonade customers :)

Sleep Away Camper

It's currently 9:06pm and I'd give anything to be a fly on the wall at Camp Mah Kah Wee. Valla is at Girl Scout sleep away camp until Friday! The theme for the week is Dancing Queens. (I stayed as a Girl Scout at the SAME camp a few times back in the 80's)

Today was drop off day, she has been counting down for months to this day with tons of excitement and a pinch of apprehension. She started packing in May. I am so proud of her for being brave enough and fighting through her nervousness.

Here she is dropping off her bag at the luggage trailer.
Time to check in.
Gotta make sure we're not bringing any unwanted bugs to share at camp!
We've got spirit, yes we do.
We've got spirit, how bout you?!
(think of the power this rainbow painted piece of wood has)
Walking to the bunkhouse with her best buddy, Madison. They were in Kindergarten together in Gville, have stayed in touch and now we live 25 mins apart in Seminole Cty.

Skeeter Hollow- Their bunkhouse unit

Picking out a bunk, top please!

Getting settled

Ok, Mom and Dad, you can leave now!!

Security- That is Emery, her American Girl doll she got when she was 4.
That doll is so well traveled :)
Bunkmates
I asked N to write Val a note she could open at camp. N went all out and made her all kinds of goodies. She even included a sacred Silly Band and a decorated toilet paper roll...oh to be 5 :)
I can't wait to see the pictures she takes with her camera and hear the stories of her fabulous week. Boy will I miss her.

Jason commented:
Summer 2010- Drop her off at camp.
Summer 2020- Drop her off at college.
Ugh!

Quotables

Valla says, "I am so surprised they found water on the moon, (slight pause) but maybe the astronauts that were there just spilled some of theirs."


Nataliesims-

• "Ya, know Dad. Some people get the song 'You Can't Stop the Beat' (from Hairspray) confused with 'You Can't Stop the Meat'
• Jason says, "Valla, you need to clean up your room before you leave today for camp." N comments, "Good thing I'm not going to camp!!"
• We were walking by a palm tree in the heat of the day and the noisy Florida cicadas where howling quite loudly. N says, "They should really cut down that loud tree."
  

For no other reason than I find it interesting and because it's my blog and I can...here is a close up of a noisy cicada...

Day By Day

Valla hosted a tea party for her sisters and me. This is the set Mary bought the girls in London. I love they enjoy getting it out and using it.

So if N is ever looking for a job, she can totally be a magician's assistant and squeeze in those tiny boxes. Here she is in the very small compartment under our table. She even shuts the door. I would DIE in a spot that cramped!

N made this little project. The numbers are our ages. She is 5 and 3/4!

I hate throwing their creations but would have to devote an entire room to them if I kept them all. Solution to quote PeeWee's Big Adventure, "Why don't you take a picture it'll last longer!"

This is the first flower LG has ever given me on her own. She picked it outside my dad's office and ran to give it to me. It is about the size of a paper clip. LOVE :)

This is what happens if you leave LG unattended with the box of nail polish close to the counter's edge. A broken bottle of nail polish is really not fun to clean up. Of course the rug hanging on the tub is usually on the floor exactly where the bottle hit and probably would have prevented the break, but the girls had a rowdy bubble bath and it was drying out. OF COURSE! (Thank goodness we're renting!!)

We've been using a new behavior system around here. The girls earn pebbles for doing chores, being nice and being good. They lose them for not. When the jar is full, they pick a reward.
Both have worked very hard. N was so proud when she filled her jar!

Valla chose to go to the puppy store in the mall and hold a puppy which costs $5.

Nat chose to have dinner at Kidropolis, a local version of Chuckee Cheese

They are now working on their 2nd jars and my house is cleaner because of it!