Worn Out

Zia was up at 5:15 this morning. The twins were in bed with me and Cork was in Arya's bed. Everyone got up with Zia, except Cork. The twins stayed up too late and were a wreck when we tried to go to bed. Both were crying messes, so we decided we would all sleep better if they stayed with me and he went to their room. They woke this morning how they were late last night...sobbing messes. I took them swimming this afternoon for 45 minutes to wear them out. We got out of the pool and as we walked to the locker room Arya said "I think I stayed up too late." Yes child, you definitely did. All three kids fell asleep right when we put them to bed tonight. Zia had a nap in the car on the way to the grocery store today and that was it, so it didn't surprise me that she was out quickly. When I thought she might nap this afternoon, she helped me make banana bread instead.

Sales Pitch

The kids tore the family room couch apart today. They know this is not something they are supposed to do. Since it was already apart, I decided to vacuum it. Arya told me that they'd taking it apart just so I could clean it. She has a little work to do on her sales pitch.

Crashed

You would think that someone who crashes this hard at nap time would sleep for hours. Nope. She sleeps for 90 minutes max most days. She is also staying up later most nights playing in her crib and waking earlier in the morning. Everyone around here is tired. Usually when she gets up, the rest of the house is up for the day, no matter what time that may be.

Milk Drool

Zia picked her own clothes today and was so proud of herself. So many people say she looks just like Corky and I don't see it. It's just like when they say the twins look like me. I don't see that either. I see them as individuals and can see parts of us in them, but I rarely think they look just like us. I can definitely see Cork in this picture though.

That milk drool on her chin cracks me up. I wore her out! She pretty much never nurses to sleep anymore. At night, I've been nursing her downstairs and then rocking her for a few minutes in her room then putting her in her crib awake. She's gotten to the point that some nights I'll rock her two or three times and then she points to her crib for me to put her down. I miss nursing her in the rocking chair in her room at night, but I love that I'm not tied down to be there at bed time anymore.

Even when she picks her own clothes, she doesn't always leave them on.

Arya and Eiley have been doing things they know they shouldn't and then blaming it on their CareBears. We read a book about a girl who does this and her animal got taken away. I figured that would be enough to teach them, but they seemed to need to learn through first hand experience. I took their CareBears away today and tonight. Both are upset about it, but also know I'm serious. I didn't really take them. The bears are in their room, sort of taunting them, they just can't touch the bears. Tomorrow they'll get the bears back, but with a warning that if they continue to make bad choices with the bears, then the bears will go away again, but for longer.

Gymnastics Birthday

Arya went to a birthday party today at a gymnastics place. She loved it. The girls have both asked to be in ballet at the gym and I honestly don't think they are going to like it. I called the gym to see if there are any spots left in the gymnastics class, but it is full. We're buying them used ballet shoes because I'm pretty sure the girls will use them for one class and then be done. Eiley has dreams of dancing on her toes up on a stage. I showed them vidoes online of kid classes and what they'll probably be doing and she really didn't like what she saw, but still wants the class.

Ergo Baby

I broker the Ergo out again today. Zia has been in it a few times since I last posted a picture. She loves it. She gets so excited when it comes out.

Spinners

I'm not sure why, but the kids have had so much energy lately. Maybe because it should be getting warmer out and we should be able to be outside, but we haven't been out much because it keeps getting cold. Arya and Eiley did not sit still all day.

I couldn't get them to stand still for a picture, so I spun in circles with them as they ran around me.

Little Cleaner

We had our first somewhat nice day in ages yesterday. I picked the kids up from school and we went right to the zoo. While we were int he monkey house, Eiley asked "Does the monkeys taste good?"

Today, I was trying to get the kids to clean up. Arya and Eiley were doing their typical routine where they walk around a lot, but barely clean up. Zia on the other hand was very busy putting stuff away. Eiley very seriously said "I'm glad we have Zia to help clean."

Non Stop Climbing

She won't stop climbing. Now that she's started, she is trying to climb everything. This was covered by the changing table, so she had never attempted this until today. I'm sure she would have done it a long time ago if the table hadn't been in the way.

Little Climber

I'm not sure what took so long, but Zia figured out today that she could climb the changing table. I immediately moved it into the living room. It's more out of sight that way and it's on carpet.

She really does love her scissors. I got these out today to let her cut some. She can't do them right yet, but she is trying.

The older two love to answer yes or no questions with grunts that mean nothing to me. I tell them to please answer with a yes or a no so I understand what they want. I had a mouth full of food at lunch today when Arya asked for more food. I nodded yes and made an affirmative grunt. She told me to please answer with a yes or a no and that she doesn't understand me. LOL.
  

As if climbing the changing table wasn't enough for one day, Zia also decided to climb both in and out of her crib today.

I let the kids eat chocolate cake with breakfast today. They thought it was the coolest thing ever because I've told them how Nana used to have oatmeal and chocolate cake when she was a kid.

Arya ran into the living room today, flopped on the couch, and announced "I'm so stressed out!" This is not something I say, so I'm not sure where she heard it. It was pretty funny. What she really was was tired and hungry, not stressed.

Writing Girls

Arya had her first home work assignment this weekend. The assignment doesn't make much sense to me and I even clarified with the teacher to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Her letter of the week is G. She had to create a poster or book with objects, people, colors, numbers etc. Anything from around the house. The things did not have to start with G. So we did a book called "Is it Arya's or is it Eiley's?" We took pictures of something they each have that's slightly different. I wrote most of the book, but Arya wrote their names on each page. Later on, I saw Arya and Eiley writing at the kitchen table. They had written "is" and "no" by themselves. They hadn't copied it from anywhere. Arya was doing it from memory from seeing me write those two words in the book. So while the assignment doesn't make much sense, she definitely learned from it.

Valentine Hearts

I decided to make a bunch of heart shaped foods for the kids today for Valentine's day instead of giving them a bunch of candy. The pancakes and cookie frosting were colored with beet juice. They loved all of this, but still wanted a little candy.

Arya: Can I have something that starts with a K and ends with a D?
Me: Candy?
Arya: Yeah!

Memory Loss

Arya told me today "Sometimes I forget things because I'm getting older" and then later told me that she forgets and makes bad choices because she's getting old. I have no idea where she got that from.

Z loves her chocolate.

The girls exchanged their Valentine's at school today. Eiley came home with a bunch of candy. I let the girls eat as much as they wanted. They were wired after.

I should never let these two in the bathroom together without adult supervision.

Stuck

Life can be rough. Like when you're goofing around and get stuck on wrapped around underneath a chair.

Valentine Stink

Arya, Eiley, and I made these for their teachers for Valentine's day. They crack me up. I wasn't sure if "stink" was appropriate for school, but it made me laugh so I decided to just go for it.

Asked and Answered

The older two brought cuties to school today for snack. I put a few extra in each backpack just in case any were bruised or hard to peel. Zia helped herself to one when Arya and Eiley got home. I didn't know it until I saw her eating it, partially peeled, by the garbage can.

I am reading a long book right now. It's almost 500 pages. Eiley saw it today and said "The illustrator and author must have got real tired!"

I asked the girls to put away laundry today. Arya told me "That is too much laundry for my little hands."

Arya's nose was running. She told me "My nose isn't working so well, so I think orange juice is the answer."

Eiley kept asking for chocolate and Arya kept asking for juice. When they keep asking the same thing now, I just tell them "Asked and answered". It is amazing how well it works. Eiley asked and Arya said "I think I may know the answer."

New Dresses

The girls all got new dresses recently. I was going to wait for them to wear them this summer and then I realized that it doesn't make sense to have them wait. I'd rather they wear them now and get some use out of them.

While I want them to wear the dresses, I don't want them to ruin them with food either. I took Zia's off for her to eat and she ran around like this. She looks like she's ready for an '80's workout video.

Pine Cone Fire

I bought these chemical filled pine cones from a cubscout for the girls to put in our fire place. Of course they aren't the ones putting them in, but still the pine cones are for them. They are pretty cool to watch since they throw off some cool colors as they burn.

Tuckered Out

The twins went crazy after school today. They were bouncing off the walls. I let them just go crazy and one of their care bears ended up behind the tv. They thought it was hilarious. We tried to get it out with a broom handle, but failed. They had to wait until Cork got home and he moved the tv to get the bear out.

Zia was not wanting to nap today. She was so cranky, so I got our Ergo out. I haven't worn her in it in way too long. She loved it. I will definitely be getting it out again when she's cranky.

Zia wasn't the only one who was totally worn out by the end of the day.

No Nigh Nigh

Zia has learned the word "no". She has been saying "uh huh" and "uh uh" for yes and no for awhile now. I was taking her up for a nap today and she clearly said "no nigh nigh". Of course she crashed shortly after, but she would have been perfectly happy to stay awake if I'd let her.

I made the kids chocolate oatmeal for breakfast today. It's just oatmeal cooked with smashed banana, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, peanut butter, a pinch of salt, and sometimes a teaspoon or two of maple syrup if the banana wasn't ripe enough to be really sweet. Zia woke this morning around 6:30 and nursed. She ate a bowl of oatmeal around 7:15 and nursed again around 8:00 after the older two went to the bus. Then she ate half an apple and probably 1/3 c of dry Joe's Os. I packed her more Joe's O's for the gym, thinking there was no way she would need a snack before I picked her up since she would only be there for 90 minutes max. I was wrong. When I picked her up, they told me that she had taken the tray off a high chair, climbed in herself, and started yelling at the workers because she wanted a snack. They said that she usually waits until the other kids are having a snack and then demands to be put in a high chair or sat down at a table. They were laughing at how demanding she can be. There is a little play area with a slide and some padded rolling things. Z will go over one, fall to the bottom, get stuck and then yell at other kids to help her out. She is so used to the twins helping that she must just expect every other kid to do whatever she wants.

Morning Message

I had a conversation with Eiley's teacher tonight. I really really really love her teacher. Each day she has a different kid tell her something to put on the board. Last week, Eiley told everyone she is a twin. I didn't realize that the kids in her class had no idea. They all meet in the cafeteria each morning. Arya and Eiley wear the same coat, hat, snow pants, and boots most days. They sit at tables right next to each other, but the kids must have tunnel vision. They had no clue. I love that her being a twin hasn't defined her at school. She made it half the year without mentioning it.

Eiley was sounding out words at school today. She was playing a game with a letter on a tile and she got three tiles to start. So she had dog. She got to replace one of those letters with a new one and then had to figure out what the new word was. She was doing pretty good replacing the first letter and figuring out how it changed the word and that the words then rhymed.

I also learned that her class is talking about vowels right now. Her teacher said that she confused the class this week. She couldn't remember exactly what she had said, but she was talking about kids names in the classroom. There are two boys whose names start with the letter I, but the sound E. And then their Eiley who is the exact opposite. The teacher was talking about names in the class that started with an I or and E and the kids all got confused.

Scissor Kid

Zia now thinks she should ride in the twins' car seats when they are at school. Too bad so sad kid. She won't be riding forward in the car for awhile yet.

She hates when the gate to the office is closed. It drives her insane. When she gets in there, she's like a magnet for scissors. I don't know how she always finds them, but no matter where they are she gets them. Then she tries to eat them, or cut her finger, or her clothes. Basically she does everything she shouldn't with them.

Monkey See Monkey Do

As she did yesterday, Zia tried to imitate the twins today. After dinner, they were jumping from the fireplace hearth. She climbed up and stood on the end for a minute or two, trying to decide if she would jump or not. In the end, she decided it wasn't a good idea and asked Cork to give her his hands to help her down.

A Big Jump

The twins were jumping off of the fifth stair up at their Great Grandma Bernice's house today. Zia saw them and since she thinks she's a triplet, she decided to give it a try. Thankfully I was right there and was able to grab her before she hit the ground. She thought it was hilarious. I convinced her that it was a bit more sane to jump from the second step up. That let me have a better chance at catching her. She thought it was the best game ever. I just hope she doesn't try this toward our tile floor.

Accordion Grandma

It's Cork's Grandma's 90th birthday this weekend. She spent some time entertaining us this weekend with her accordion. The kids loved it.