As I get older, the size of the bag I carry around just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I was rummaging through it last night searching for something, and found a bunch of notes with funny kid sayings and little updates I wanted to remember… so I thought I’d better get them all jotted down somewhere not in danger of getting lost forever. So here you go, in no particular order…
Funny things Evie has said over last couple of months:
“Hey! We’re just hangin’ out!”
Eve, what are you doing in the bathroom? “I just washing my hands!” Why? “I need to wash the monster down the drain. He’s standing right there.”
I gently reminded Eve that she should turn off the water when not using it, so as not to waste it. I then needed to use the bathroom, and Eve remained – to keep me company. I, um, really needed to go… and Eve made the following observation… “Mommy – you’re wasting your pee-pee.”
There is no rushing Eve... which means our mornings are really interesting. And not frustrating, at all. After about 20 minutes of constant reminders to put on her coat, put on her boots, stop reading that book, get out of the laundry basket, and put on your coat already… we were finally headed out the door. When I was gathering up my bag and miscellaneous stuff… Eve yells from the doorway - “Alright, Mommy – Hup-two-three… let’s go! Hurry… we’re going to be LATE!”
It took me a while to figure out one night before bed that when Eve was talking about the “long-n-slower,” she was referring to the “jogging stroller.”
She constantly calls us a “silly goose.”
She called Daddy back in her room one night to ask him “what is THIS?” She was touching her eyebrow, so he told her that’s what it was. She replied,”I take it off, now.”
My laptop is “Mommy’s cuper.”
Before Christmas, we set up our nativity scene. It was tough thing to ask Eve to find the willpower not to touch and play with the pieces. Each morning, she’d go look at it and say “Good morning, Baby Jesus!” Baby Jesus is in a blanket and basket – and she claimed it was “his carseat.” When we’d tell her that his mommy was Mary, she’d ask, “but, where is her little lamb?”
I may have shared this one, already. I forget what I was explaining to Eve, but apparently she didn’t care for my tone… and told me, “I don’t want to hear it from you, Mommy.”
After we went to see Santa in December, Eve told us she wanted a reindeer for Christmas. But we didn’t need to worry, because she wanted “not a lot… just ONE.”
Eve’s response to just about anything negative is “it’s okay, Mommy. That happens.” Not such a great reply to things like hitting her sister, or pooping in her underwear.
Eve has “nightmares.” We frequently wake up and hear her yelling things in her sleep like, “Mommy get me out!!” or “I pursh the button!” or “NO, Josie – I do it!!”
She thinks it’s funny to tell us to “kiss her,” then after we do, she “wipes off” the kiss, and giggles and giggles.
We attended Ryan’s graduation from Mankato State in December, and someone used an air horn during the presentation of diplomas. Eve’s eyes got really big… and she smirked and said, not quietly – mind you, “Mommy TOOTED!” A little later during the ceremony, she started singing, again – not quietly, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town…”
If Eve catches someone doing something they weren’t supposed to be… she’ll smirk and tell them they are “BUSTED!”
“Eww. It’s tooty in here.” If you know my husband, I think that one is self-explanatory.
And from Josie…
“I’m a professional, Mommy. Don’t try this at home.”
“Daddy, did you know Mommy is on the naughty list? She tooted on Santa’s lap.”
With pouty lips, “Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?”
Josie likes to “surprise” us, and will get herself dressed in her jammies or in her outfit for the day all by herself. If she needs help getting an arm out of a sleeve, or her head through the neck hole, she’ll ask for help, but will tell us “don’t look, it’s going to be a surprise!”
On the way to a play date at Lucy’s house, “That was so nice of God. He put the Gronaus so close to us!”
Does that make you so happy?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The doldrums of February are upon us, and hopefully, we’re experiencing the last cold snap of the season. I have to keep reminding myself that I choose to live here, I choose to live here, I choose to live here. The question “when will it be spring?” is a common one at our house, because spring brings the magic of going to the park, going for walks, and not having to be mindful of the piles of dog poo hiding in the snow in the backyard.
We had our annual group luncheon at work today, and this year the planners purchased jerseys and hats for each associate with the number 4 – to signify our division’s move into the 4th spot in the rankings of providers of group life insurance in the nation. We had a pretty phenomenal year being able to surpass our sales goal in this tough economic environment. I’m extremely grateful and aware of how fortunate I am to work for a company that can provide all of its associates with a 5.5% distribution into our performance share plans, when so many are struggling to keep and/or find a job in this market. Anyway – our executive vice-president was, as would be expected, excited to celebrate our success in 2008 today. He was sporting his hat and jersey with pride, and was walking around telling everyone to “suit up!” For some reason, it really cracked up. Maybe you need to know him to appreciate it… let’s just say that the phrase “suit up” sounds a bit foreign coming from his mouth. Almost as comedic as the fact that our senior vice-president not only knows who Flavor Flav is, but has watched his reality show. These are gentlemen who have worked for the company for 40+ and 35+ years, respectively – just to give you an idea of their ages.
I think it’s time for some kid updates. Let’s see. We’re getting close to the deadline for making a decision regarding where Josie will be going to preschool in the fall. Applications are due soon… and we’re currently making the rounds of public school tours. We’ll submit our application into the pool for St. Paul’s 4-year-old program, but aren’t entirely convinced that’s where we truly want her – even if somehow, we’re actually able to get in via the lottery system they have to use due to high demand. We’re touring a tuition-free charter school option tomorrow morning, and if that one doesn’t seem like a good fit for us, either, we’ll probably end up putting her in a private program. I’m anxious for the decision to be made, as is Josie. I think she’s a little confused by all the tours, and just wants to know when she gets to go to school, already. She’s soaking up everything around her, and has shown a great interest in numbers. She’s pretty good at writing all her numbers, but hasn’t, yet, been as interested in writing letters. Although she is very curious about what every word starts with, and has begun to be able to tell me what sounds different letters make and has been able to recognize all the letters for quite some time now. I’ve gotten her a bunch of “school books” to help her with her small motor skills, and she loves to play “school” at home at night while dinner is cooking.
Josie finished up ice skating lessons a couple of weeks ago, and did really well. Pat said he sees a really competitive edge in her already (which I’m a little torn about – is that a good thing, or not? How do we foster healthy competition without pushing too far?) as she loved the part of the lessons where the kids raced one another from one side of the ice to the other. She’d make it and quickly turn to see who she had “beaten” and then smirk with satisfaction when she realized she was one of the fastest. But the thing that I love about her (well, one of the many!) is that she’s already a good sport, and doesn’t taunt… well, anyone besides her sister, at least. So far, she’s tried soccer and swimming, and gymnastics and ice skating lessons. Now I think we’ll have her take a dance class, next – from a very reputable and respected teacher I conveniently happen to know quite well.
We’ve had an action-packed week with the excitement of Patrick traveling for work, (“why did the airplane take daddy away?”, “is daddy still in the little rock?”, “when will the airplane bring daddy home?”) then Josie throwing up at daycare the same day that he left, and me readying myself mentally for dealing with a bout of the flu, alone with the girls. She didn’t throw up again, but she started complaining of intense ear pain the next day. I got her into urgent care – and she has a double ear infection. And she couldn’t be more thrilled! Because that means she gets to take medicine! And what better thing in the world is there than medicine?! It’s pink! And yummy! I see great potential for hypochondria in her future.
I overheard a couple of conversations in the kitchen this morning between Eve and Josie while I was getting ready in the bathroom, and Patrick was in the basement feeding the pets.
Eve: “Josie…”
Jo: “What?” (said with a slightly annoyed tone.)
E: “Did you get a owie?” (this is in reference to the fact that Jo slipped and slid down the stairs leading to our bedroom, on her belly and got rug burn on her tummy as a result)
J: with a dramatic sigh, “Yes. On my tummy. I have a band aid.”
E: “Ooohhhhh. I’m so sorry. Oooohhhh. It will be okay. Was there blood?”
Sidenote – blood is the greatest fascination in the world right now. The moment anyone says “ouch”, the immediate question to follow is “is there BLOOD??”
J: “No. No blood. But you can’t take off my band aid. (an added statement for Eve’s benefit since Jo still holds a grudge over the fact that her sister removed a band aid from her knee once in the bathtub, like 2 years ago…) It has to stay on for a long, long time. Like, ‘til we’re old.” (Which in Josie’s mind, is probably like my age, since she asked me on my birthday if I was going to die soon?)
Followed by the following conversation:
E: “Josie! I’m not saying ‘na na na nah’ to you!”
J: “Yes – I know that, Evie.”
E: “Does that make you so happy?”
And in Evie news… we’re potty training! Somewhat successfully… and I have to keep reminding myself that she is a very different kid than Josie. A couple of weeks ago we were at daycare pickup and found out that she had peed in the potty for the first time that day. She had been sitting and “trying” for a while, but without any results. So we made a very big deal about what a big girl she was and what a good job she was doing… and honestly, Betty has been putting in a lot more effort than we have. Or, I guess I should say, than I have. She battles me quite a bit, and I’m going have to find a lot more patience from somewhere deep down inside as she will go for Daddy and Betty much better than she will for me. She’s using it as a stalling technique before bed, but has been “putting pee-pee” in the toilet pretty regularly. I’m still not convinced she’s entirely ready as she’s still having very wet diapers during naps and at night… but we’re starting down the path to being diaper-free… Amen!
Eve loves to watch movies, and loves music of any kind. She’s constantly walking around the house singing songs, and likes it when I start to sing a song, then let her finish the last word or phrase of a line. She dances to any music she hears, and doesn’t even get discouraged too much when her sister tells her that “jumping’s not dancing, Evie.” We still rock with Eve for a few minutes every night while we talk and cuddle before bed and the other night Pat was snuggling with her and said, “Eve, I love you.” To which she responded sweetly, “oh, Daddy… I love Mommy, too.” We say the standard “bless us oh Lord” prayer before dinner each night and Eve very nicely folds her hands and prays with us. We finish up with the sign of the cross and “Amen”… to which Eve adds excitedly every time, “Let’s eat!” She’s as sweet as she is stubborn, which makes life around our house quite the roller coaster ride. She looked up at me at dinner the other night and said, after I had scolded her about something, and told me, “Mommy. You’re a cutie-pie.”
We had our annual group luncheon at work today, and this year the planners purchased jerseys and hats for each associate with the number 4 – to signify our division’s move into the 4th spot in the rankings of providers of group life insurance in the nation. We had a pretty phenomenal year being able to surpass our sales goal in this tough economic environment. I’m extremely grateful and aware of how fortunate I am to work for a company that can provide all of its associates with a 5.5% distribution into our performance share plans, when so many are struggling to keep and/or find a job in this market. Anyway – our executive vice-president was, as would be expected, excited to celebrate our success in 2008 today. He was sporting his hat and jersey with pride, and was walking around telling everyone to “suit up!” For some reason, it really cracked up. Maybe you need to know him to appreciate it… let’s just say that the phrase “suit up” sounds a bit foreign coming from his mouth. Almost as comedic as the fact that our senior vice-president not only knows who Flavor Flav is, but has watched his reality show. These are gentlemen who have worked for the company for 40+ and 35+ years, respectively – just to give you an idea of their ages.
I think it’s time for some kid updates. Let’s see. We’re getting close to the deadline for making a decision regarding where Josie will be going to preschool in the fall. Applications are due soon… and we’re currently making the rounds of public school tours. We’ll submit our application into the pool for St. Paul’s 4-year-old program, but aren’t entirely convinced that’s where we truly want her – even if somehow, we’re actually able to get in via the lottery system they have to use due to high demand. We’re touring a tuition-free charter school option tomorrow morning, and if that one doesn’t seem like a good fit for us, either, we’ll probably end up putting her in a private program. I’m anxious for the decision to be made, as is Josie. I think she’s a little confused by all the tours, and just wants to know when she gets to go to school, already. She’s soaking up everything around her, and has shown a great interest in numbers. She’s pretty good at writing all her numbers, but hasn’t, yet, been as interested in writing letters. Although she is very curious about what every word starts with, and has begun to be able to tell me what sounds different letters make and has been able to recognize all the letters for quite some time now. I’ve gotten her a bunch of “school books” to help her with her small motor skills, and she loves to play “school” at home at night while dinner is cooking.
Josie finished up ice skating lessons a couple of weeks ago, and did really well. Pat said he sees a really competitive edge in her already (which I’m a little torn about – is that a good thing, or not? How do we foster healthy competition without pushing too far?) as she loved the part of the lessons where the kids raced one another from one side of the ice to the other. She’d make it and quickly turn to see who she had “beaten” and then smirk with satisfaction when she realized she was one of the fastest. But the thing that I love about her (well, one of the many!) is that she’s already a good sport, and doesn’t taunt… well, anyone besides her sister, at least. So far, she’s tried soccer and swimming, and gymnastics and ice skating lessons. Now I think we’ll have her take a dance class, next – from a very reputable and respected teacher I conveniently happen to know quite well.
We’ve had an action-packed week with the excitement of Patrick traveling for work, (“why did the airplane take daddy away?”, “is daddy still in the little rock?”, “when will the airplane bring daddy home?”) then Josie throwing up at daycare the same day that he left, and me readying myself mentally for dealing with a bout of the flu, alone with the girls. She didn’t throw up again, but she started complaining of intense ear pain the next day. I got her into urgent care – and she has a double ear infection. And she couldn’t be more thrilled! Because that means she gets to take medicine! And what better thing in the world is there than medicine?! It’s pink! And yummy! I see great potential for hypochondria in her future.
I overheard a couple of conversations in the kitchen this morning between Eve and Josie while I was getting ready in the bathroom, and Patrick was in the basement feeding the pets.
Eve: “Josie…”
Jo: “What?” (said with a slightly annoyed tone.)
E: “Did you get a owie?” (this is in reference to the fact that Jo slipped and slid down the stairs leading to our bedroom, on her belly and got rug burn on her tummy as a result)
J: with a dramatic sigh, “Yes. On my tummy. I have a band aid.”
E: “Ooohhhhh. I’m so sorry. Oooohhhh. It will be okay. Was there blood?”
Sidenote – blood is the greatest fascination in the world right now. The moment anyone says “ouch”, the immediate question to follow is “is there BLOOD??”
J: “No. No blood. But you can’t take off my band aid. (an added statement for Eve’s benefit since Jo still holds a grudge over the fact that her sister removed a band aid from her knee once in the bathtub, like 2 years ago…) It has to stay on for a long, long time. Like, ‘til we’re old.” (Which in Josie’s mind, is probably like my age, since she asked me on my birthday if I was going to die soon?)
Followed by the following conversation:
E: “Josie! I’m not saying ‘na na na nah’ to you!”
J: “Yes – I know that, Evie.”
E: “Does that make you so happy?”
And in Evie news… we’re potty training! Somewhat successfully… and I have to keep reminding myself that she is a very different kid than Josie. A couple of weeks ago we were at daycare pickup and found out that she had peed in the potty for the first time that day. She had been sitting and “trying” for a while, but without any results. So we made a very big deal about what a big girl she was and what a good job she was doing… and honestly, Betty has been putting in a lot more effort than we have. Or, I guess I should say, than I have. She battles me quite a bit, and I’m going have to find a lot more patience from somewhere deep down inside as she will go for Daddy and Betty much better than she will for me. She’s using it as a stalling technique before bed, but has been “putting pee-pee” in the toilet pretty regularly. I’m still not convinced she’s entirely ready as she’s still having very wet diapers during naps and at night… but we’re starting down the path to being diaper-free… Amen!
Eve loves to watch movies, and loves music of any kind. She’s constantly walking around the house singing songs, and likes it when I start to sing a song, then let her finish the last word or phrase of a line. She dances to any music she hears, and doesn’t even get discouraged too much when her sister tells her that “jumping’s not dancing, Evie.” We still rock with Eve for a few minutes every night while we talk and cuddle before bed and the other night Pat was snuggling with her and said, “Eve, I love you.” To which she responded sweetly, “oh, Daddy… I love Mommy, too.” We say the standard “bless us oh Lord” prayer before dinner each night and Eve very nicely folds her hands and prays with us. We finish up with the sign of the cross and “Amen”… to which Eve adds excitedly every time, “Let’s eat!” She’s as sweet as she is stubborn, which makes life around our house quite the roller coaster ride. She looked up at me at dinner the other night and said, after I had scolded her about something, and told me, “Mommy. You’re a cutie-pie.”
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