Yesterday at Whole Foods, Lydia said to Graham ...
Knock, Knock
G: Who's there?
L: Moo cow
G: Moo cow, who?
L: Mooooooooo
She thought it was hilarious.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
She's going to marry Freddie
When I picked EB up from carpool today, she began to talk ...
There is a boy in my class, and we are going to get married. We are going to practice a dance, so we will have a wedding dance.
How did you decide you are going to marry him?
Well, he's nice and kind. And, I like him, and he likes me.
... and he has a helping heart.
And he does whatever I say.
I really couldn't argue with her. She said his full name is Freddie Johnson.
About five minutes later, she asked
What is my maiden name?
Bodie
Well what name will I have?
So, I told her she could keep Bodie, or put them together, or just have the new one.
I think we are going to have to meet this kid.
- EB's shocked Momma
There is a boy in my class, and we are going to get married. We are going to practice a dance, so we will have a wedding dance.
How did you decide you are going to marry him?
Well, he's nice and kind. And, I like him, and he likes me.
... and he has a helping heart.
And he does whatever I say.
I really couldn't argue with her. She said his full name is Freddie Johnson.
About five minutes later, she asked
What is my maiden name?
Bodie
Well what name will I have?
So, I told her she could keep Bodie, or put them together, or just have the new one.
I think we are going to have to meet this kid.
- EB's shocked Momma
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
In the rear view mirror
This morning, EB begged to be dropped off at carpool so that she could walk into school on her own. At first, her questions made me wonder if she was nervous. Then I figured out that she was completely eager to go on her own.
We pulled up to the drop-off. Someone opened the door. EB excitedly leaned over and kissed her sister, then gave me kiss. Hopped out of the car and yelled I love you to both of us.
Then I watched her walk away through the side rear view mirror, her little blonde head moving along with her backpack nearly as big as she is. She took the hand of and older student ambassador, undoubtedly asking which room to walk her to. And then she was gone.
I just about teared up.
EB's Momma
Monday, August 26, 2013
Summer ended, School began
As you may have guessed, we've gotten a little busy around here. Last week, the girls had their first full week of school (well, it was supposed to be their first full week), and Graham and I had orientation week with sessions for new graduate students. Just to make things interesting, Graham accepted a consulting gig with the ACT company (yes, the testing company), so he was out of town from Sunday afternoon til Wednesday. Thankfully, we had our CC in town just like always for orientation week and this year Nona came at the end of the week as well. We are so lucky to have them "close."
On Monday, Lydia had her first day of school in the 2's class at PDO!
She was so proud of herself and of her owl backpack.
Unfortunately, Miss EB started running a fever on Monday night, after just one full day in Kindergarten with everyone attending. We were so lucky CC was here as EB had to stay home on Tuesday, my full day running sessions on campus. By Wednesday, EB was feeling better but couldn't return to school, so we went back-to-school shopping for me with CC ...
Here's my photo text I sent to my sis making sure this dress (that I bought for $20!) wasn't too young or too short for me now that I'm 35 ...
On Wednesday afternoon, we had the changing of the guard ...
Wouldn't you know that on Thursday, EB just didn't feel up to heading to school. So she stayed home with her Nona and sister all day. She actually did start a runny nose that day and has had it since, poor girl.
We had to have a distraction when Nona left on Friday, so L and I headed to the library where she read me some books. Really, she did. It was super cute.
Now, we're back to 40+ hour work weeks and school. The blog posting may suffer a bit, but we're starting to get into our new routine ... complete with colds, carpool, late-night working, and 2-year-old meltdowns at drop-off. Thank goodness for incredibly cute 2-year-olds that like to run through the house again and again for no reason and and volunteering in EB's classroom. I keep reminding myself, it's really good, just different than what we're used to.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
First day of Kindergarten!
It's hard to believe that our Eden Brooks started Kindergarten on Friday, but it's true. The week before, we stopped by her classroom for a brief orientation - meet the teacher, drop off supplies, and see all the cool stuff like an iPad that has a Morris Lessmore's Books app,
lots of turtles,
and the butterfly garden.
When we got there EB's teacher, Mrs. Clare (as she told us "like care with an l for love") had a welcome gift for the kiddos...
... and CC brought EB back from Mississippi so they could join the fun in visiting the school for the first time!
After EB's entrance assesment, Ms. Clare said with a smile, "She's going to make me look good this year." We couldn't have been more proud, especially when Ms. Clare said EB was brave -- that she read a few sentences for Ms. Clare and tried words even when she didn't already know them. Ms. Clare also said our little reader was starting out K at a first grade level.
Fast-forward a week ... a special day calls for a special breakfast - beignets!!!
Lydia is telling us "Dirty hands!" I guess she was proud of them.
I always get an order of beignets (three big ones) and a large order of fingers. I am usually the only one who eats the big ones, though this morning Lydia decided she wanted "a big one Daddy!"
After breakfast everyone got dressed and grabbed bags so we could take pictures. Although Lydia does not start until Monday, she had to have her big-girl owl backpack [she is so proud that it now belongs to her instead of her sister -- she keeps asking for "my owl backpack"], and she had to have a picture for every one that EB took.
We got to school a bit before 8:00 and saw EBs classmate and friend, Ava. Yes, they are the same age, just on opposite ends of the growth chart! When they are playing together you really don't notice their height difference.
When they get to school the first thing they do is take out anything for Mrs. Clare then hang their bag. EB and Ava share a hook.
While we watched for a few minutes, Lydia decided she was going to join in on the Kindergarten fun ... she built a cool octagon train and put a diamond or triangle piece on each one.
When she got in the car at carpool, the first thing she did was give her mom a huge smile and kiss. Then, she said she wanted to stay at school forever. Not a bad first impression. A few minutes later, she was completely upset, telling Ashley that someone threw mud on her at school. Apparently some girls were playing in mud at the playground, EB told them they needed to stop doing that, and one girl said "Fine!" and threw a stick.
After school, EB got to pick the snack ... snowcones - purple/grape. Thumbs for a great first day!
We then went to Chick-Fil-A. and to wrap up the fun filled day and to help celebrate our kindergartner, we had a Back-to-School Party at home. Ashley made a doughnut hole cake and hung balloons. And we had ice cream and lots of kids [our neighbors Chloe, Piper, and Nicholas, and friends Thomas and Brian] running around the house screaming various things. Craziness, but a good time.
We are so proud of our brave, little kindergartner!
lots of turtles,
and the butterfly garden.
When we got there EB's teacher, Mrs. Clare (as she told us "like care with an l for love") had a welcome gift for the kiddos...
... and CC brought EB back from Mississippi so they could join the fun in visiting the school for the first time!
After EB's entrance assesment, Ms. Clare said with a smile, "She's going to make me look good this year." We couldn't have been more proud, especially when Ms. Clare said EB was brave -- that she read a few sentences for Ms. Clare and tried words even when she didn't already know them. Ms. Clare also said our little reader was starting out K at a first grade level.
Fast-forward a week ... a special day calls for a special breakfast - beignets!!!
Lydia is telling us "Dirty hands!" I guess she was proud of them.
I always get an order of beignets (three big ones) and a large order of fingers. I am usually the only one who eats the big ones, though this morning Lydia decided she wanted "a big one Daddy!"
After breakfast everyone got dressed and grabbed bags so we could take pictures. Although Lydia does not start until Monday, she had to have her big-girl owl backpack [she is so proud that it now belongs to her instead of her sister -- she keeps asking for "my owl backpack"], and she had to have a picture for every one that EB took.
We got to school a bit before 8:00 and saw EBs classmate and friend, Ava. Yes, they are the same age, just on opposite ends of the growth chart! When they are playing together you really don't notice their height difference.
While we watched for a few minutes, Lydia decided she was going to join in on the Kindergarten fun ... she built a cool octagon train and put a diamond or triangle piece on each one.
When she got in the car at carpool, the first thing she did was give her mom a huge smile and kiss. Then, she said she wanted to stay at school forever. Not a bad first impression. A few minutes later, she was completely upset, telling Ashley that someone threw mud on her at school. Apparently some girls were playing in mud at the playground, EB told them they needed to stop doing that, and one girl said "Fine!" and threw a stick.
After school, EB got to pick the snack ... snowcones - purple/grape. Thumbs for a great first day!
We then went to Chick-Fil-A. and to wrap up the fun filled day and to help celebrate our kindergartner, we had a Back-to-School Party at home. Ashley made a doughnut hole cake and hung balloons. And we had ice cream and lots of kids [our neighbors Chloe, Piper, and Nicholas, and friends Thomas and Brian] running around the house screaming various things. Craziness, but a good time.
We are so proud of our brave, little kindergartner!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Lydia can talk.
Lydia is growing up fast ... really this month, it has been much more talking - whole sentences as in "no home, Nona and Bid Daddy's." and "Mama p'one. See Lyla." and "I have to peepee." and "No sissy book. Lyla book first."
In addition to saying sentences that we can recognize and respond to, she also is addicted to watching herself on our phones ... seriously, she could do it all day ... and if you put images on the television screen with our Roku, watch out - and she knows how to start them with the "O button."
She can put her shoes on by herself, and we are convinced she'll be dressing herself within the next few months. For the past 4 or 5 months, the ONLY shoes she would willingly wear were her white Keds. The other day she branched out and wore some boots (which she can also put on herself) ...
Another favorite sentence ... "No. Lyla do dat." It applies to things like getting a plate for lunch, putting on shoes, brushing teeth, and opening doors (which she can do, see below).
She likes to play babies (an old favorite that has turned into her changing diapers every 3 and a half seconds ... incidentally she also likes to pretend EB has dirty diapers. That one really makes her giggle.)
Why do we need this many? And why do they have to be as undressed as possible?
She likes to "Watch a show" and will ask to do so even when she knows she can't (like when we have already said no 46 times). She does still say "Ok" when we say "You have to brush your teeth first" or "Brush da teeth" when we say "What do you have to do first?"
And, yes, she can open doors (told you that one was coming).
L starts school (Butterflies class, pics to come) on Monday. We went to her orientation tonight, and she had a blast playing with all the cool new toys. She showed off her new sentence skills and changed at least 8 diapers on a babydoll. She built a Lego tower and met some new (and saw some old) friends. We are looking forward to her continuing to amaze us with her mad skills and to see what she comes up with to say next.
In addition to saying sentences that we can recognize and respond to, she also is addicted to watching herself on our phones ... seriously, she could do it all day ... and if you put images on the television screen with our Roku, watch out - and she knows how to start them with the "O button."
She can put her shoes on by herself, and we are convinced she'll be dressing herself within the next few months. For the past 4 or 5 months, the ONLY shoes she would willingly wear were her white Keds. The other day she branched out and wore some boots (which she can also put on herself) ...
Another favorite sentence ... "No. Lyla do dat." It applies to things like getting a plate for lunch, putting on shoes, brushing teeth, and opening doors (which she can do, see below).
She likes to play babies (an old favorite that has turned into her changing diapers every 3 and a half seconds ... incidentally she also likes to pretend EB has dirty diapers. That one really makes her giggle.)
Why do we need this many? And why do they have to be as undressed as possible?
She likes to "Watch a show" and will ask to do so even when she knows she can't (like when we have already said no 46 times). She does still say "Ok" when we say "You have to brush your teeth first" or "Brush da teeth" when we say "What do you have to do first?"
And, yes, she can open doors (told you that one was coming).
L starts school (Butterflies class, pics to come) on Monday. We went to her orientation tonight, and she had a blast playing with all the cool new toys. She showed off her new sentence skills and changed at least 8 diapers on a babydoll. She built a Lego tower and met some new (and saw some old) friends. We are looking forward to her continuing to amaze us with her mad skills and to see what she comes up with to say next.
Nona and Big Daddy's House!
For a while now, Lydia has been voicing the following when we pull up to our house: "No home!!! Nona and Big Daddy. Nona / Big Daddy's house." When she plays "bye-bye" (a game where she says "Bye Bye" then puts stuff in her grocery cart and rolls away) and you ask her where she is going ... yep ... Nona and Big Daddy's. So, we figured it would be good to visit Nona and Big Daddy.
We left the house around Lydia's naptime on Friday a few weekends ago. Lydia slept for about 2 hours or so. Then, L woke up and I glanced back to see this ...
Lydia stayed quiet for another hour, eating raisins and pretzels and singing songs to herself. Amazing.
When we got there, Nona met us, and both girls couldn't wait for a hug ... and to see the cats. And to play with all their toys.
Lydia's favorite picture from the trip ... "Monkey baba" followed by laughter. Too cute.
On Saturday, we woke up, had breakfast, then got dressed (in the matching outfits Ashley packed for them) and headed to Dauphin Island's Estuarium.
Lydia's favorite exhibit was the turtles followed by the big fish tank.
EB got to touch sting rays ...
... and hold hermit crabs (which she also found when we went to the beach for 20 minutes so they could dip toes and swim before our hour drive back to Mobile).
On Saturday night, EB helped me make homemade pizza to celebrate Nona's birthday, and we had a nice time catching up with Aunt Ashley and Jeremy.
Big Daddy got home from his call on Sunday morning in time to go to church then Morrison's cafeteria. We headed back to the house so EB could say bye to her pet caterpillars then loaded the car back to Baton Rouge.
A bit of a whirlwind and way too short, but it was nice to visit and to quench Lydia's need for Nona and Big Daddy (though this evening when we got home from her school orientation, it was "no home" again, so perhaps a trip to Mobile is in our future).
We left the house around Lydia's naptime on Friday a few weekends ago. Lydia slept for about 2 hours or so. Then, L woke up and I glanced back to see this ...
Lydia stayed quiet for another hour, eating raisins and pretzels and singing songs to herself. Amazing.
When we got there, Nona met us, and both girls couldn't wait for a hug ... and to see the cats. And to play with all their toys.
Lydia's favorite picture from the trip ... "Monkey baba" followed by laughter. Too cute.
On Saturday, we woke up, had breakfast, then got dressed (in the matching outfits Ashley packed for them) and headed to Dauphin Island's Estuarium.
Lydia's favorite exhibit was the turtles followed by the big fish tank.
EB got to touch sting rays ...
... and hold hermit crabs (which she also found when we went to the beach for 20 minutes so they could dip toes and swim before our hour drive back to Mobile).
On Saturday night, EB helped me make homemade pizza to celebrate Nona's birthday, and we had a nice time catching up with Aunt Ashley and Jeremy.
Big Daddy got home from his call on Sunday morning in time to go to church then Morrison's cafeteria. We headed back to the house so EB could say bye to her pet caterpillars then loaded the car back to Baton Rouge.
A bit of a whirlwind and way too short, but it was nice to visit and to quench Lydia's need for Nona and Big Daddy (though this evening when we got home from her school orientation, it was "no home" again, so perhaps a trip to Mobile is in our future).