I can remember, as a very young girl, stirring pots on the stove and always wanting to help Dad cook. I realize now how maddening that must have been for him! Alana insists on helping me cook now. Yesterday, I was getting ready to grate some cheese and she told me she wanted to help. She was a little confused, but she eventually pulled herself together. I had to run to get the camera, but here you go:
Nope. Still not the right tool, but third time's a charm!
We decided to do our nuclear family gift exchange early this year. We're going to be going out of town Christmas eve and Christmas day, and we didn't want to give our kids their presents at a time when we'd have to say, "you have two hours to play with this."
Plus, Alana saw us looking up My Little Pony play sets online and asked me about it. I reminded her that Christmas was coming, and that Christmas is the day where we all give each other presents. Alana spent the next three days asking me several times, every day, if she would be getting a pony present from Daddy or if Alana would be giving a pony present to Mommy so they could play together.
Ken thought that it was funny that Alana wants to buy ME ponies, but I actually thought it was very sweet. I do love My Little Ponies and they were always my favorite toys growing up, and I really love playing with them with my daughter, since me playing with them alone might seem a little weird. So, here are the kids and their presents. My Little Pony's Pinkie Pie Balloon House for Alana, and the classic Garage for Josiah.
Alana's Christmas dress just came in the mail! She was so excited to see the pretty package and even happier when she realized that it was addressed to HER!
She wanted to wear the dress right away and was happy to pose for some pictures so that Grandma could see how pretty it looks. Thanks, Grandma! I don't think I'm going to be able to get her back out of it any time soon!
Oh, yes, you read that right! Alana's active imagination has struck again. Today she wanted very badly to wear her My Little Pony panties. I told her in no uncertain terms that pantie wearing is a privilege that can only be won by peeing in the potty. If she wanted to wear the panties, she would have to do the deed.
A few minutes later, I'm changing Josiah's diaper, and what do I see? This:
Alana thought for a moment, and said, "I'm a butthead."
Oh, God! I tried to hold in the laughter but I just couldn't! Alana, noticing how amused I was, continued her train of thought. She held her hair out from her head and said, "this is butt hair!"
I was rolling. Of course, since such behaviors won her appreciation she had to continue. She started running around the house saying, "butt hair! Butt hair! Butt hair!"
Don't believe me? There's video.
Here's the fabulous daughter trying to coax her brother into joining her buttheadedness: (note how the poor guy throws himself onto the ground and tries to make it as hard as possible for her!)
Every year I field lots of phone calls asking for specific toy/clothing needs and sizes when it comes to the kids. So I will make a blog post that people can just print out and take to the store with them. Hopefully that will clear things up!
ALANA:
Size 4T for: socks, tights, dresses, and hats
Size 3T for: everything else. (pants and shirts)
Shoes: size seven
You can feel free to buy 4T. As soon as she gets around to her next growth spurt it will fit fine, anyway.
Favorite color: Pink or yellow.
Things she's interested in developmentally: She's really sophisticated and can manage things that are meant for a much higher age group. Don't buy her toddler toys, they will bore her! Buy her things that you expect would be a challenge. If they are too advanced for her, she'll grow into. If you buy her something too simple, she'll just give it to Josiah. Books explaining Nature (like National Geographics picture books) are big hits. She's very into science, nature, and geography. Don't ask me why, she just is!
Things she's interested in otherwise: This girl is mad for Care Bears, My Little Pony and the Littlest Pet Shop toys. Anything cute, cuddly, or pink will probably score big.
JOSIAH:
Size 2T for everything.
Shoes: size five
Favorite color: Red or Blue. Go-o Superman! (Or Spiderman. Or both, in a duel!)
Things he's interested in developmentally: He's very into the way things fit together. Toy-wise this means projects that stack or snap together are a big hit. He's also pretty into animals, animals, animals. He also likes conquering, so things that can be sat on and climbed are good.
Things he's interested in otherwise: Right now he's in a mimicking sister stage. He likes to play with her ponies and animals, and he likes to carry things in purses. He also really likes pounding the crap out of things, so any toys that can take a good beating would be appreciated.
Any questions, let me know!
So I've taken a bit of a leave of absence from blogging, and have a LOT of catching up to do!
To start off with, Grandma and Grandpa have given Alana a new winter coat. Her favorite style didn't come in toddler sizes, so we bought her a "big girl" coat she'll probably be wearing for the next three years. She loves it, a lot!
Alana has also recently developed an almost freakish adoration for the Care Bears. Yes, she wants to be a Care Bear, and do all the things that Care Bears do. She won't go to sleep without them. Look what Ken and I discovered the other night, when we went to check on the kids before heading off to bed ourselves:
Did you know that Tigger carries a purse? I know that purses and Tiggers don't go together traditionally, but in our house, Tigger carries a purse and we wouldn't have it any other way. Tigger has replaced Polly Pocket in Alana's heart. She has Tigger, Pooh or Piglet with her at all times.
And, because Alana can't hog the spot light ALL the time- here is Josiah, laughing. Why is he laughing? Because he's alive, and the house is a mess, and that's the way he likes it!
The Refrigerator is not for hiding in.
Don't take your diaper off and rub your butt on the floor
If you're going to take your diaper off to poop it's best to do it in the potty
Don't rub your feet on brother's head
Don't jump on brother's bed while he is sleeping
Don't lick your sister
Don't bite mommy's feet
If you are hungry, eat food not paper
If you are hungry, eat food not beads
If you are hungry, eat food don't chew on a blanket
It's "pooh bear", not "poop bear." People get confused if you say you want to watch a "poop" video.
Don't stand naked in front of the window and scream.
That is Alana at the Chinese Buffet. She put a napkin on her head and started waving her hands and saying "boo!"
That is Alana holding her Polly Pocket. She loves it so much, she will rarely be without it. It rides in her jacket pocket, stays in her hand all day (and night) or is hidden away somewhere only Alana can find it.
She's growing too fast! She's too big! I suddenly find myself wishing she could be a baby again, but it's not to be. I'm sure any day now she'll be fourteen and telling me I'm old and don't get it and slamming the door in my face. *sighs* Oh, well! At least I'll have pictures of the cute moments!
Today I was watching one of my friend's boys. He helped Alana break into my bedroom and get into some permanent markers. Alana drew all over my desk, dresser, the wall and a living room cabinet. Fortunately I know that isopryl alcohol and baking soda can cover any number of sins!
But, these two kids are indominatable when they get together! They stole the baking soda and went running around the house holding it upside down and making a TOTAL mess. Then, Alana worried that JJ was hungry and got down the cereal for him. When I finished cleaning up the mess in the bedroom, I came out to find the entire box of cereal turned upside down on the coffee table.
Ay, ay, ay!
At least I have a sense of humor, right?
And it was funny. There was no permanent damage done, and Alana and JJ helped clean up the cereal and sweep the floor. What great kids! It's not their fault they're three.
