Funny Things

Today I was changing Lucy's diaper while she was standing and being the little rail she is I said, "Come here skinny legs." She responded, "I not skinny, I Wucy." Lucy is always making us laugh with all her constant talking. She was even telling my doctor yesterday about how she didn't eat her dinner the night before so she didn't get a treat. The doctor tried to talk to her about Easter--the eggs and bunnies and all Lucy could say (having no memory of the previous Easter) was, "I don't have a bunny."

Esther, my fearful child, has told me about ten times this week that she DOES NOT WANT TO BE SIX. I finally got around to asking her to why she didn't want to be six and she said, "Because I don't want my teeth to fall out." Unfortunately, Mommy cannot stop time so life will go on and someday Esther will be six and have to lose some teeth--facing those fears!

Oh, and there have been many more ladybug questions but the best was, "Mom, do ladybugs cry?" I can't even remember how I responded but that one made me laugh. I'm glad my life is so full of humor.

Esther's First Pet

John got Esther her first pet yesterday--a ladybug in a jar. She was thrilled! She could hardly eat her dinner because she wanted to watch her ladybug. When I asked her what the name was she first said Diamond, which is what she names everything, but after I made another suggestion she came up with Maria. So, Maria, is the newest member of our family. I think this is the only kind of pet I can handle--small, low maintenance, and contained. Of course, since we've had the ladybug Esther has asked fifty questions about ladybugs:
"Does a ladybug have a nose?"
"When do ladybugs die?"
"When do ladybugs get old?"
"Do ladybugs have a shell?"
"What do ladybugs eat?"

I'm now expected to be the all-knowing resource on ladybugs. I guess I better do some research because I could not answer any of her questions with 100% certainty. We're just hoping Maria stays alive for a while.

"Fwy" Fear Part 2

Lucy is now going through the same fear that Esther had a year or so ago. She is deathly afraid of flies. It would be fine for her to have this fear if she wasn't so irrational about it. She sees any black speck or crumb and she thinks it's a fly. She wouldn't eat her raisin bran this morning because she swore there was a fly in it. Never mind that Mommy comes and checks it and tells her it's not a fly, it's okay. She is stubbornly afraid. If she sees what she thinks is a fly there is no resting until I remove the offending speck. Let me just say, it's impossible to have a floor completely clear of any tiny dark crumbs, especially with two messy girls. One time we had to get Lucy out of the bath and put her in the shower due to an unfortunate spot--probably from off Lucyu herself. This is why her fear is driving me CRAZY. Sometimes she won't even go play outside--she'll just sit on my lab because she spotted a fly. When you're outside, there will be flies!!! Fortunately, Esther got over this weird fear and hopefully we can get Lucy to work through it soon!

Utah Weekend

Over the weekend I flew to Utah, all by myself, to see my brother in the musical, "Aida." First, I have to say, that flying without kids is soooooooo relaxing. I carried on one bag, I rode the esclators like a regular person, and I read my book the entire flight. Nice.

I also got to hang out with my sister and do some shopping and lunch--one of my favorite things to do with her. It was so fun to see my brother in Aida. He played the male lead--Captain Radames and he did a fantastic job. His vocals were amazing. It was especially weird to see my baby brother kiss, cuddle and sing closely with "Aida" on stage. I forgot to bring my camera to Utah and my cousin Lindsay (an amazing photographer), told me I could borrow a couple of her shots.

A big thanks to Beth for watching my kids so I could go on Friday. And thanks to Lige for his talent and a great show! You're so grown up!!!

Green Drink Recipe

I've had some requests for my green drink and it's not really an exact recipe but here's what I do. I buy the organic spinach and organic spring mix from Costco. At the bottom of the blender I put a cup or two of water. Then I fill the blender almost to the top, and packed a bit, with a combination of the greens. Then I add the juice of one lemon and one apple. Next I start blending it (because it's getting pretty full by this point) and then add other fruit, depending on what I have--a banana, frozen blueberries, frozen berries, frozen strawberries, or frozen mangoes (whatever frozen fruit Costco is selling). You can also add other greens like romaine, cabbage, or anything green. We've tried adding cucumbers and celery but the celery taste was too much for my girls, and my husband. You can adjust it suit your tastes. Spring mix is a little stronger tasting then spinach so you can use less of that too. My girls really like the strawberry banana combination. Don't get me wrong, there is still an underlying taste of green but Lucy still drinks it so it can't be that bad. Oh, and the color looks horrible. If you have a problem with brownish/greenish colored drinks then perhaps use an opaque glass or cup.

The quick fib

Yesterday I watched as Esther hit Lucy on the back because Lucy would not share a toy camera (she had two). I was pretty shocked because Esther rarely hits so I said, "Esther, you hit Lucy!" She said, "No I didn't." I said, "Yes, you did. I saw you--you better go sit in time out." Then she said, "I didn't hit her, I was burping her, like a baby." I almost believed her because she generally doesn't fib either but I remembered the look on her face and the reason for the "burping" and she was sent to time out. It was hard not to laugh but I guess we need to have a couple of talks about hitting and fibbing.