party pacts & the estrogen sea

Tonight Lizzie went to her first birthday party without Anna Claire. She was invited to a party at Chuck E. Cheese. We have intentionally NEVER taken our girls to Chuck E. Cheese. I think parents should make a pact to not have birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese. Of course Lizzie now wants to go there with Anna Claire!
While we were at the party Russ took Anna Claire to the park to practice riding her bike without training wheels. After she rode her bike Russ got out the football. He said they threw 2 passes and Anna Claire said, "OK Daddy let's pretend this football is an easter egg. I'll hide it then we can find it." Poor Russ! He just wanted to toss the pigskin but got trapped in the estrogen sea. And since he is the best daddy in the world he went and looked for the hidden easter egg!

so gross...

YES! That is a worm on Anna Claire's face!!! We went to my grandmother's last weekend and found an earthworm - I think her name was Gracie. Gracie was originally twice this long. She met her demise when Lizzie threw her on the ground because she was "icky!" Then she somehow lost half of her body. Anna Claire was blissfully unaware of her passing and they continued to play as old friends do. Luckily enough my sister had her camera to catch it all on film.

Scared of the dark...

Tonight Lizzie was telling me how she is afraid of the dark. We talked about our memory verse right now, "When I am afraid I will trust in You" Psalm 56:3. She said,"When God comes down to my room I won't be scared but I can't get Him in here." My heart knew exactly how she felt! Wanting to see God and to be certain of His presence but then again what is faith? "...being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Scribble-Scrabble Poop

This morning Anna Claire went to a Sunday School party and ran around outside in the unbearable heat for 2 hours and ate a hot dog, cupcake, chips ... Afterwards she told me her stomach was hurting so I took her to the bathroom at a restaurant and she she asked me what her messy poop was called and I told her "diarrhea."
In the meantime another person came into the stall next to us and Anna Claire said, "Hey mommy, do you see that girl's sandals. Look at them mommy because you'd think they're cute." Then when the lady started to use the bathroom Anna Claire said,"Goodness gracious she really had the tinkle BAD!!!"
Finally Anna Claire finished in the bathroom and she ran through the restaurant yelling, "Daddy, I had smelly scribble-scrabble poop!!!"
The embarrassment NEVER ends!

Beach Fun!!!

We spent this past week at the beach with a friend of mine and her 3 year old daughter named Libby! The girls had so much fun jumping waves, building sand castles, and

throwing water balloons.

five - head

This morning when I was getting Anna Claire out of bed I noticed she had a few cute freckles on her forehead so I told her and she said, "You mean fivehead Mommy, not fourhead!"

Christmas in June

On Sunday we celebrated Christmas! Please note the characters:
Anna Claire - Joseph
Lizzie - Mary
Teddy Bear - Jesus
Daddy - the donkey
I laughed and laughed! Don't you LOVE the leash???
Russ deserves father of the year!

Summer of Therapy

This summer we are tackling 2 fears: Anna Claire's fear of movie theatres and Lizzie's fear of dogs. Lizzie let us take her picture petting Caroline so I think that's a step toward teaching her all dogs are not like Marshall. Notice we did not picture them with Marshall!
Anna Claire is terrified of movie theatres!!! She calls them "feeders"??? This summer they are showing old kids movies at 10am on Wednesday mornings for $3 so we are there every week. Week 1 was awful! She cried for 45 minutes of "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." I had to hold her VERY tightly but after 45 minutes she sat up and started eating popcorn and laughed the rest of the way through the movie. So bizarre! Week 2 was MUCH better except I had them both in my lap for 90 minutes -- numb legs!

spend-the-night party

The girls had 2 spend-the-nights in Lizzie's bed this weekend! They had so much fun together and were precious sleeping in Lizzie's twin bed.

cleaning

The girls have a chore chart and this time we decided they are old enough to earn some money for completing their chores. Before we have had a treasure box to get prizes out of after so many days of doing their chore charts.
Last night Russ asked Anna Claire to go to her room and straighten her room before supper. She said, "No Daddy. I don't want to." So Russ said, "Lizzie, do you want to clean Anna Claire's room for an extra 5 cents?" She happily agreed and ran down the hall. After about 5 minutes she came back "all done" with sister's room. Russ went to check her work and the room was immaculate! Later as I was looking for Anna Claire's pajamas and I found them behind Anna Claire's bed! Apparently if Lizzie was unsure of where something went she just threw it behind the bed or chair!
Very resourceful! Next time Russ and I will be a little more clear with our directions. Live and learn!!!

leaving home

This morning Anna Claire came to eat breakfast and she was very upset by her plate of food. In my usual, matter-of-fact mode I told her that was her breakfast. This was the conversation that followed:

Anna Claire: "Mommy! I am very close to not living with you anymore!
Me: "What does that mean?"
Anna Claire: "That means I'll live by myself!"
Lizzie: "Anna Claire, you're not big! You can't fix your own food."

So funny!

spanish

Lizzie has been sick this week and Anna Claire has been very jealous of Lizzie and her medicine. Today she said, "Mom, when I was 2 and a baby I was sick." I said, "Anna Claire, when you were 2 you had your tonsils taken out." Her reply, "Is tonsils spanish for teeth?" So funny!!!