FYI

Apparently John asked to "fly like Superman" each year he had the chance to speak with Santa Clause. So glad that I get to keep learning new thing about John. 

Mischief or Curiosity?

Little Cecily's toddlerhood could be defined in one word, "mischief". I've truly learned my lesson that any time there is silence from her that I will, not most likely, but surely find her in some sort mischief. And sadly, this is also relevant for silence while in the same room together, silence five feet away from me, and silence right next to me. I'm positive that by the time she turns three I will have been conditioned to never turn my back away from her. 

Just since 4 o'clock today we've had poop on the floor (and all over her), my knitting yarn tangled and her tangled in it (this was three feet away from me), and a toy ripped open with her teeth to reveal little plastic beads everywhere that had the unfortunate likeness of Nerd candy (and this was right next to me while she, Oliver, and I were talking about a primary song). Of course there was brushing her teeth with candy in her mouth and dipping garlic bread into her applesauce only to waste both, but that's just normal kid stuff - right? 

The one place she can't find mischief (knocks on wood*) . . . 

The Little Mermaid

We're watching The Little Mermaid and Oliver can't handle the possibility of Sebastian being eaten. He's whining and and asking if he'll get away. But now there's physical comedy involved with Sebastian pinching the chef's nose and Oliver can't reconcile the two. He's crying "No!" and laughing boisterously each time someone gets hit. Pretty sure Oliver is convinced that the chef is the biggest villain of the movie. Future vegetarian being raised unintentionally right here. 

Look At My Heart!

Oliver: Mom! Come look at my heart! 

Mom: Mmm, okay sweetie in a minute.

Oliver: (huffs) Okay, because you're taking a nap?

Later . . . 

Oliver: Mom! Come look at my heart now!

Mom: Okay, show me your heart.

(A heart shape is on the floor, made from all the Kinex pushed around to make the shape)

Mom: Wow! That is a heart! Good job bud!

Oliver: I made it because I love you. 

Mom: I love you too sweetie.

After a hug (of course) . . .

Oliver: I don't ever want you to die Mom. 

. . . a discussion on the afterlife and the resurrection ensue. 

Read the Instructions

While watching Joseph of Egypt (the animated version) . . .

(A montage where Joseph gets married and the next scene shows him with a newborn baby)

Oliver: Mom, when you get married again a baby will come out.

Me: Well, after you marry you can make a baby with a girl. A boy and girl make a baby together.

Oliver: But I don't have any instructions! Can you give me the instructions?

Me: Well, when you get older Mom and Dad will have a talk with you about it, and when you get married you'll figure the rest out. 

Oliver: But I want the instructions now! 

Me: . . .

Colbert Park

Because Monday wasn't enough to fill our outside quota before the icy tundra of death rolls in we headed to a new to us park, Colbert Park. 

4 hours of park was fun (even though it still wasn't enough) and we had the dirty hands and faces to prove it.

Post-Park Park Excursion

After the day at Homer lake (preceded by aerobics for Mommy and running around the gym for the kids) we decided it just wasn't enough and visited Mattis Park to wait for Dad to get off from work. 

Running with weed flower. 

Putting weed flower in mouth.

Sad weed flower face. 

Random rest on the concrete.

Chasing squirrels.

Playing with weed flower part deux. 

The end to a lovely day. 

Homer Lake

Trying to enjoy the Autmnal weather and landscape before it all dies and turns an ugly grey. Just trying to keep positive about the upcoming winter months.

Lunch before we set out.

Throwing leaves into the waterfall feature.

Spent some time at the sand pit and naturescape.

Watching and poking things.

Probably the most exciting part of Oliver's day was to watch this elderly couple fish. They were patient enough to field all his of his questions. He'd stop and watch, and ask a question. Then bolt around to a different part of the dock, and ask another question. Then dash over to the equipment to inspect it - and ask another question. Look, bolt, ask question was the pattern for about 30 minutes. Occasionally there'd be a jump, pose, and shout of excitement. But really there just wasn't enough time to rotate this sequence in with all that was going on, as shown in the following pictures:

Cecily happily took to fishing as well. 

It's Happened Again!

I turn on some doo-wop music in the car.

Cecily: Turn it off! 

Me: Turn it off?!

Cecily: That's not music! 

On a good note she can recognize the sound of the piano and the violin. 

The Day Cecily Asked to Wash Her Hands . . .

. .  . and climbed into the sink instead. 

The Casting of Star Wars

Cecily is currently potty training. And while I waited in the bathroom with her we began to have a discussion, hopefully interpretive, of the bathroom wall art. 

Points to C3PO: "That's Mommy (?)"

Points to Darth Vader: "That's Daddy."

Points to Chewbaca: "That's a doggy."

Points to Yoda: "That's a issionary"(missionary perhaps).

A Very Pooh Moment

While sitting eating at the table and looking at his reflection in the back glass sliding door.

Oliver: Who are you?

You are me!

You go this way and I'll go that way. 

(Runs around the room and comes back to his reflection, this time right up against the door).

Did you say something? Neither did I. 

Can I Catch a Mermaid?

Today in the car on the way home from Homer lake.

Oliver: Mom, can we go fishing?

Mom: Maybe on the weekend sweetie.

Oliver: Can I catch a fish?

Mom: Maybe

Oliver: Can I catch a mermaid?

A few days ago while looking at some horses in a pasture . . .

Mom: . . . and they cut his mane, isn't it pretty?

Oliver: Who did?

Mom: Probably someone who takes care of the animals.

Oliver: I want to take care of all the animals and feed them.

While reading a nursery rhyme about taking the pig to market . . .

Oliver: Why is that boy taking that pig to market? 

Mom: Probably to sell him.

Oliver: Why?

Mom: So someone can eat him. 

Oliver: I'll save him. And I'll save all the animals when I grow up. 

Let's just say that our little vegetarian has said that he will 'save all the animals' on multiple occasions. Including when we ask him to try his meat at mealtime.  

Recently

At the Indianapolis temple open house. Such a beautiful temple! One of my favorites. Lucky us as it's the temple district that we are in! 

At the YSA branch waiting for Daddy.

She said she needed to wash her hands. Not even half a minute passes is she inside the sink "taking a bath".

Oliver's cute cheesy grin. Cecily who will bite her lip in her sleep. And our messy van.

Oliver refuses to be called "handsome boy" and insists on being a "pretty boy" instead. I think he's got a lot more than that, but I am his Mother. 

Midweek upkeep

I feel all smooshy and happy inside when they are sweet to one another, "Cecily come sit on my lap!"

Late afternoon reading lessons on the bed is the perfect prescription for an afternoon nap. I think he fell asleep sounding out "mmmmmmmmm".

Prettier

Me: Oliver please don't pull my hair. 

(Oliver has recently taken up pulling my leg hairs when visible, it's surprisingly painful)

Oliver: But I'm trying to get it out. Why do people have hair on their legs?

Me: . . . to keep us warm.

Oliver: But some people do and some people don't [have hair on their legs].

Me: Yes, that's right.

Oliver: But you'd be prettier if you didn't have this hair.

Me: . . . 

Songs that Provide Relief

How Gentle God’s Commands

1. How gentle God’s commands!

    How kind his precepts are!       

    Come, cast your burdens on the Lord.     

    And trust his constant care.

2. Beneath his watchful eye,

    His Saints securely dwell;

    That hand which bears all nature up

    Shall guard his children well.

3. Why should this anxious load

    Press down your weary mind?

    Haste to your Heav’nly Father’s throne

    And sweet refreshment find.

4. His goodness stands approved,

    Unchanged from day to day;

    I’ll drop my burden at his feet

    And bear a song away.

Be Still, My Soul

1. Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;

With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav’nly Friend

Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as he has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast’ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Aging

When I see my wrinkles I think, "I got there faster than you".

The Day Cecily Fell Down . . .

 . . . on her nose into the base of the sewing machine table. 

The Things Oliver Says

Oliver: How do you our bodies stick together? Will they fall apart?

Later on the car ride, in reference to a jogger . . .

Oliver: Why is that man naked? . . . It's because he doesn't own any clothes. 

While talking with Oliver before bedtime . . .

Oliver: Mom, I'm a fruit-guy. 

Steak and Shake

 

Music

Scene: driving in the car, after dropping Dad off at work Mom decides to turn off the classical music and turn on the top 40 radio station (which has become more and more rare). 

Oliver: "What is this?!"

Mom: "It's (. . . so and so popular artist). Do you like it?

Oliver: Yes! 

. . . Hmmmm, I dunno. This isn't music, this is just noise. 

Scene: Driving in the car Mom turns on the oldies station. 

Cecily: "What's this?!" (look of extreme concern on her face)

Mom: "It's the Begees, baby! Do you like it?"

Cecily: (silence)

Lesson: Expose my children more to a variety of music styles. 

Good news: Oliver wants to play the violin and piano.

Bad news: He's been singing Bizet's "March of the Kings" for the past two weeks and it's just about banned from our house. 

Favorite Girl

Oliver: You're my favorite girl, Mommy.

Me: I am?! I'm so glad that I'm you're favorite girl. You're my favorite boy!

Oliver: What does 'favorite girl' mean?

Me: Uh . . . 

Oliver: It means we love each other. 

And now for your viewing pleasure, the myriad of emotions by Oliver while eating yogurt.

Mattis Park Stroll

When we used to live at Colony West we often took a stroll at Mattis Park. Now that we live further away it was nice to return and enjoy the different garden spaces. Even without a playground the kids had tons of fun looking at the red dirt, variety of flowers, and searching for fish in the lake. 

The lilies were so lovely! Each color of Lilly was so vibrant, especially against the    bright green ground cover. I hadn't been a fan of their leafy stems before but couldn't help but be drawn to their beauty this season. 

Oliver wanted to try and climb the olive tree - which I love for it's knotty and flakey bark and sage colored leaves. He got a couple steps up, a great start to a hopeful future of tree climbing. 

Cecily is always trying to undress, starting with her shoes. 

"Red dirt Mom"!

This little flower thief was too quick for this Momma. Of course it was all for me.

Looking for the fishies! 

The Vocabulary Test

Oliverisms 

After-later: at a future time. Example, "I'll eat the rest of my dinner after-later". 

Busy: preoccupied. Example, "I can't eat it, my tummy is busy!"

Nap Time

I sat down, turned around, asked Oliver to finish his food, and the next thing I knew .  . . was that it was nap time!