Fishing for Big Girls

I asked the kids to bring down their dirty clothes this morning so I could get started on the laundry. They decided the best way to go about it was to throw everything off of the balcony upstairs. Completely fine with me. They have fun - and I get the laundry downstairs.

One small hiccup, though. A pair of Eden's "big girls" and one of Levi's shirts got stuck on the the wall across from the balcony. Eden is up for the challenge and has developed a contraption to "fish" for the panties. Her tool of choice is made up of the following: one Star Wars light saber, tied to one Batman belt, tied to one telescope, tied to two bandannas (one pirate themed and one basic blue western wear). So far the panties elude her...but I am certain she will not give up until she is successful. Love that girl.

Project Wreath

I saw a post on alpha+mom last week and have been dreaming about making a similar wreath ever since! Yesterday, we finally made it out to the craft store to pick up the necessary supplies and today we set to work! What started as a group effort, quickly turned into a one-mom show. When the kids decided it was more fun to paint themselves than it was to paint the wreaths - I sent them off to the bath and finished up the painting myself. There is something oddly therapeutic about slapping paint on little foam balls. A tiny moment of quiet bliss for mommy.

Here is the progression of our wreath project. Oh, how I love them. They just make us feel merry and bright!

Two Cute Things...

Today's Tiny Treasures...

Eden is doing all of her pointing with two fingers (like a flight attendant showing you the way to the exits). And, she's doing a lot of pointing. Yesterday she was explaining to me how Santa comes down the chimney - pointing the entire time. Too cute.

Levi is still insisting on wearing a swimsuit just about every day. Usually his requirements also include: "with no shirt". I'm not sure what that boy has against being dressed. Such my California boy. Two Cute.

Sweet Singing

Scott and I woke this morning to Eden's sweet little voice singing upstairs. She had gone into Levi's room and was singing to him (over and over), "You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town." Such a good big sister.

Perfect.

I kept thinking yesterday was Saturday. Scott stayed home from work and it totally threw me off. It was such a perfect day. Just having Scott at the house made the day somehow peaceful and calm! The kids and I crafted away while Daddy worked in the next room.

We made Fall leaves, pretend pumpkin pie and a cinnamon spice batch of play dough that kept them occupied for most of the day. When we weren't inside working on our Fall projects, we were out enjoying the amazing weather! Fall in Austin is absolutely beautiful - sunny and 70! We spent the late afternoon at the park with some of our friends trying to catch minnows from the pond.



In the evening we had family movie night - one of my very favorite things. It really was a perfect day.

Today's Tiny Treasures: The kids came down the stairs this morning giggling. I could heard Eden's say, "Let's go show Mommy how silly we look." They rounded the corner of the kitchen and jumped out at me...with pull-ups on their heads. Zany kids. Oh, how I love them.



By the way, Levi would not pose for the picture. His 3-year old self, must have somehow spoken with his 16-year old self and they agreed it would be in his best interest to not document the pull-up on the head moment. Just a story I'll have to save for his girlfriend (minus the photographic evidence.)

P.S.

Only because I have been away from the blog for so long and have been meaning to write this down, here are two other tiny treasures:

I know that one day Scott and I will likely pay thousands of dollars in dentist bills to correct the damage Levi is doing by sucking his thumb. Despite that, I honestly love the little noise he makes when he is holding his dot, sucking his thumb and falling asleep. I hope I never for get the sound of it.

Eden is starting to read! All stages of development are fun with your kids, but this one seems to be exceptionally fun! She gets so proud of herself when she figures out a word. Last week she read her biggest word yet: DINOSAUR. Wow!

I did have a smile over one of her attempts to read, though. She was playing with a new toy she got for her birthday. It is called a Wobble Deck. I thought she was trying to sound out the name of the toy as she was balancing on it the other day and was confused to hear her making the "T" and "M" sounds. Just as I was about to offer some "parental guidance", I realized what she was doing. She was reading the trademark sign, TM. Good job, Eden. You sounded it out perfectly!

Thomas the Tank Engine and Barbie Cargo

Tonight I was picking up the house and was not very happy about it. This wasn't just your run of the mill mess - this was hurricane force. I think every toy in the play room had some how found its way to another part of the house. As I was feeling frustrated by the dent I didn't seem to be making in the piles of toys, something stopped me in my tracks.

Thomas the Tank Engine was pulling three cargo loads of Barbie shoes and accessories on the trampoline. I took a break from my grumpy attitude to remember how sweet Eden and Levi were being this afternoon as they played some kind of a game involving both brands of toys. They were making up a little story together and acting it all out. I can't remember or maybe wasn't paying attention to the script of their story. But, I do remember the giggles and the simple joy they seemed to share as they played together. It was a sweet moment.

Then this thought crossed my mind: My Thomas and Barbie days are numbered. One day Eden will be more interested in what shade of nail polish to wear and Levi will actually want to watch the football game that was on TV, instead of playing with his sister. It will happen before I know it - so a little perspective would be nice, Heather. Don't get so worked up about the mess that you forget to notice the little tiny treasures that are hiding all around you.