Dinner Drama

Libby didn't like her dinner tonight and had a momentary meltdown about it. Shane tried to convince her it was delicious, but she wasn't having it. When he asked her why she was crying about it she said (through tears), "I don't knooooow. I just can't hold my tears in and I don't know the reason whyyyyyy....."

Silence. Then, "Wow. That was a pretty good explanation."

I'm glad he thinks so. 'Cause, you know, welcome to womanhood, right?

Literary Critics

Today was a bit of a mess.  The mess actually started yesterday morning when Peyton's socks didn't feel right and then it ruined our lives.  Today's meltdown was louder, longer and, from what I can gather, had something to do with her pants not fitting just so. My day seemed to draaaaaag on forever. Peyton's after-school-attitude wasn't much improved from the morning and when I went to by my lottery ticket to win $636,000,000, I missed the cutoff by "30 seconds" according to the clerk.  Right after he sold tickets to the people in front of me.  He then proceeded to tell me I should've come earlier.  Yeah.  I got that.

Grrrr....

Sigh.

Tonight, after laundry and laying down expectations with Peyton I was sorta done.  So, I asked Shane if he'd read the girls their bedtime story.  He agreed.  Shane and I consider different criteria when picking bedtime stories for our girls.  I look for stories with well developed characters; ones we might even be able to relate to, and interesting story lines with great voice.  A little over-their-head humor is a total bonus.  Shane looks for stories that are short. Tonight, his first comment after giving Peyton's book pick the once-over was "This looks really long."

The book was Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes.  It's such a good book.

About half way through, though, I called him out for racing through the story and not reading any of the captions.  Then Libby added, "Yeah, and why are you, like.....YELLING?  Is it because you can't hear yourself?"  I mean, I think she might be onto something....

Mammals

Peyton: Mom, are mammals the ones with hair?

Me: Yes. 

Peyton: Are we mammals?

Me: Yes.

Peyton: So Grandpa Dad isn't a mammal?

Snow Day(s)!

Since school is closed and who knows when it'll reopen, I've been all kinds of stalker-ing the facebook posts of people baking with their kids, decorating for the holidays and reading under a blanket in front of the fire.  It's all so full of nostalgia and appreciation.  We've done every one of them too.  Except for the baking part. Well, I did bake. And by bake I mean I cut up a roll of Pilsbury Cookie Dough and made cookies and promptly shared them with almost no one.  Also, we read books when I looked at the reading log on the fridge and I panicked because I can't be the teacher who doesn't read with her kids when snowed in.  So yesterday we had a marathon round of sit still while I read to you and please listen because if you don't do those two things I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed to write it on your reading log.  Now, where were we?  Yes, Dinosaurs' Christmas. Now, let that resonate with you for just a moment.  Dinosaurs'. Christmas. Irony, right?  Anyway, I'm not going insane yet due to the fact that I have an enormous car with four wheel drive and snow tires.  I still equip my car every year like the Bend girl that I am, which means I'm not snowed in!  I'm on vacation! Really cold vacation where I have to think up lots to do so nobody gets hurt.

Then, tonight while lying on the couch thinking up our what-to-do-next I remembered something my dad gave Libby when she was born and I went searching to find this....

The effect for me is not unlike what it feels like to launch water balloons at my students on the last day of school.

Libby said she wanted to make it more challenging for me and they've just gone to put on their roller skates.  Please.  Oh, it'll be more challenging.  But not for me.

Happy Snow Days!  Here's to doing whatever it takes to stay warm safe sane....

Update:  On skates they didn't stand a chance.  I killed it.  However, we had one last round without skates and the littles dominated.  I ended on the verge of needing my rescue inhaler.  Peyton sustained a small injury.  It had less to do with the sling shot, and more to do with being the smallest of the three of us who dove over a chair to get at a puff.  She's fine.  They've asked to play again tomorrow.  First thing in the morning.  You got it, sisters.  Game. On.

How do you solve a problem like.......this one?

Today Peyton is insisting that I have five more babies. Two boys and three more girls.  I'm thinking maybe I underestimated the impact of The Sound of Music.  Also, much to her dismay, we aren't immediately getting a bigger house or a butler.  Crushing their Christmas wishes early over here....

Holy Moley

The girls and I were in the waiting room at the dermatologist today when a little boy who was three or four came back through the waiting room after his appointment.  He was clearly looking to share his good news with someone because he made eye contact with me and came straight for us.

"Know what!?  My mole is gone!"

"It is?  Where did it go?"

"It's in the test tube and I didn't even cry!"

"No way!  Good job!"

I mean, if this isn't exciting news people, then I don't know what is....