Mission Control

We had just finished breakfast this morning when Eiley came running back into the kitchen to yell "Mission Control: Arya's pooping!"

While I was cleaning lunch, I heard Eiley tell Arya "Sometimes I am really dramatic." And Arya told her "Sometimes I'm under control", by which she meant out of control.

I gave the girls an early bath today because we were going to be up at school late tonight. When they got done, they got themselves ready while I cooked. Arya came down stairs. I talked to her for a bit and then she said "I like the balloon I made." She was looking at an art project Eiley had made at school. I wondered if I had been wrong about which girl was down with me. I made her look at me. I kept looking at her and second guessing myself. Finally I said, "Did you make a balloon at school too?" And she said "No." Thanks for making me doubt myself.

ABC Shush

I was singing the ABCs today and signing them. Zia looked at me, put her finger by her mouth and said "shhh momma". Guess she didn't like my singing.

I foresee our garden plants being destroyed before we have a chance to get them outside.

Goat Cheese

I made goat cheese mozzarella today. It turned out really well for a first try. It was a bit more dry than it should have been, but the flavor was still great.

Beer Guy

We took the kids to the Zoo in Madison today. They all wanted to play on the playground there. I let Zia start climbing this rope ladder. I never thought she would go up the whole thing. I really thought she'd get a few steps and her feet would fall through or she'd tumble down to me. Nope. She did the whole thing, making me pretty nervous the higher she got.

After the zoo, we went to the union. Only in Madison does the beer guy (the one carrying all the empty plastic pitchers) get cheered on when he keeps stacking pitchers, and gets booed when another worker tells him he can't try picking all of these up at once. He did have the original stack by himself, but those few extra on the top made it really unstable.

Baby

Spring Break, Day 8, we spent 4 hours today at an indoor kid playground. The girls had a blast and were not ready to leave when it was time. We had to get to the library though and it was getting late. I was sure they would all fall asleep early, but I was wrong. It was another late night for them.

I was reading to them today and one of them obviously farted. It smelled so bad. I asked Eiley and she denied it. I asked Arya and she denied it. I said "I know one of you farted." Zia then yells "baby", grabs her butt, and laughs. I'm glad we cleared that up.

Hiding Zia

Spring Break, Day 6. We had another friend over today. She was here about 5 hours. We got a lot of time outside during that time, despite it being cool. The girls all played down the street with our neighbor's kids and had a blast. Later, we went to the library and picked up a bunch of new books. One of those was a Strawberry Shortcake book. In it, some of the characters give each other gifts. For an adult, it is very evident at the end of the story what will be in two surprise boxes. I asked the twins what they thought would be in the boxes. They both yelled out "twins" at the same time.

Zia started hiding today. I was cooking and she kept yelling for me. I went to check on her and she was like this. How cute.

Kid Approved

Spring Break, Day 5. The girls had a friend over today for about 6 hours. We got an extra seat from her mom and were able to go to a park. We also had a shaking party and made butter.

After our shaking party, we made some pretty awesome whole wheat blueberry muffins. Everyone approved.

Easter 2014

We had a long fun filled day today. We were to church just before 8:00 for a breakfast, the kids sang at both services, but since there was no Sunday school, we were able to leave by about 10:40.

We came home, did a few little things and then let the kids hunt for eggs in the back yard. Then they did a hunt with some neighbor kids and we hung out outside for hours. It was so nice and warm today. I did not cook a big dinner since no one was coming over. Instead, we went out to a pub type place downtown and had burgers for dinner. We were the only people there, so the kids were allowed to do whatever they wanted. Cork ordered some fried pickles for an appetizer. He asked the girls if they wanted more. Arya told him "I haven't finished mine yet. I am still deciding if I like it."

Arya drew this picture today of her walking a dog.

Zoo Easter

Day three, and we took the kids to the Zoo. It was cold this morning. The Easter activities were a lot of fun, but it was cold. We really need it to warm up. We were all chilly and didn't have enough clothes with us.

We Have a Runner

Day two of spring break started with an Easter Egg hunt at a local grocery store. I wanted to get a good pic of the kids after. The twins picked the location. Zia had other plans. In the time it took me to focus, she was gone.

Drinking Fountain Fun

Today was our first day of Spring Break. I took the kids to Betty Brinn. The very first thing they wanted to do was play with the drinking fountains. That's definitely what I'd flock to first if I was at a kid museum full of fun things to play with.

People Who Live in Forests

Yeah, that's not going to work.

The kids and I were driving to the grocery store today. I made a comment about the lady next to me who was on her phone. That led to a discussion about how I never use my phone while driving. I rarely use my bluetooth, but I won't dial or do anything else on the phone while I drive. I don't think it's safe and want to make sure they know it isn't safe. I explained how if they rode their bikes while playing on a phone or iPad they wouldn't watch where they were going and would crash. They both liked that and totally understood it. Of course the conversation just kept going from there and we talked about their need for helmets while riding their bikes. Eiley said "People who live in forests have to wear helmets while they drive."

Easter Egg Paints

We did a little Easter craft today. I am sort of a mean mom because I waited until Zia went to sleep before we did it. I just wasn't in the mood to handle her, her outburts, and paint. The older two had fun though. I clipped little art puff things to the end of clothes pins. Each one went to the corresponding color of paint. Then they got to paint Easter Egg shapes on paper. They made some really cute eggs.

Little Baller

A future baller? She loves playing with soccer balls and basketballs. She can throw too. I'm amazed at the arm this kid has.

E&Z Buddies

We are spending more and more time outside. It doesn't have to be very warm for us to be out, but today was pretty nice. Eiley was really into helping Zia today. They have become little buddies.

When Dad is Away

When Dad is away the family will play...or otherwise known as mom will be lazy. We actually did a lot today, but a lot of it made things easy on me. We went to the Home Depot and did their monthly class. Zia was better behaved than she usually is and it wasn't too much of a challenge to finish the project with Arya and Eiley. It was an easier project, so that helped a lot. Then we headed to the gym for ballet. I really wanted a coffee, but the Starbucks drive through line was so long and I just wasn't up to fighting with Zia to get her in her carseat again, so we skipped that. After ballet, we spent most of the day outside. It was in the upper 50s and we took full advantage of it. Playing outside is so much easier than inside. We went for a walk/bike ride, played on the swing set, played hide and seek with a neighbor, and I even got to finally bring in the last of the Christmas lights that were frozen under a bunch of ice until recently. A bunch of neighborhood kids came over and kept the girls entertained for the last part of our day before dinner. We went to Kopps as a treat and split burgers. Then, I let the twins each get their own ice cream cone. That's something we do maybe once a year. Usually we'll get a pint and take it home. They both ate almost their entire cone. I foresee huge eczema outbreaks in their future. They were worn out and asked to go to bed by 7:15. They didn't fall asleep then, but they wanted some down time and I was not going to argue.

Zia did something today that the twins have not tried until recently, and she did not see them do it. She tried to climb onto the top of the car.

Lap Sitter

Look at this goof. She was so tired tonight and so slap happy.

I know it isn't in focus, but I love this photo. Arya pulled Zia onto her lap so she could read to her.

We Need a Dog

Zia is in love with the swing. I wish it would warm up and I could push her without freezing and coughing so hard.This is the second day she's gotten herself ready to go out.

I made a black bean and quinoa enchilada dish for dinner tonight. Everyone loved it, except Eiley. She took one look at it and said "Look at this dinner. If I had a dog, I'd give it to the dog." She said it with such humor, that I really couldn't get upset with her for saying it.

No Warning

Zia really wanted to wear underwear this morning. I appeased her, knowing that it would end badly. I snapped this photo and about 2 seconds later she pooped. No forewarning or anything. Thanks kid.

She loves to swing! She wanted to go outside and swing today before the older two got home from school.

I pulled up a picture of Arya wearing this same outfit at almost the exact same age. They are just days apart wearing these. Arya and Eiley have way more hair at this age than Zia does. She is just as cute though.

Little Bed for Little Z

Zia took her first nap in the single bed in her room today. She was already asleep when I laid her down. She did not climb out of bed when she woke. She called for me to come get her. She can climb up and down from that bed, so she could have gotten out by herself if she wanted to.