One Hit Wonder Wednesday, Vol. 3

"Ooohhh CRUD!

It snow-ed on my spring,"

Willa, upon seeing the mother-lode of snow that Mother Nature dumped on us last night.  Truer words have never been said.

One Hit Wonder Wednesday, Vol. 2

My kids make me laugh, with abandon and without apology for the tears that flow down my cheeks after their word missiles land.  Today I share my favorite mascara-runner...

Ava, upon climbing into bed between Paul and I one snuggly Saturday morning...
"Great, here I am stuck between a big butt...and a bigger butt."  I didn't even bother asking which butt was mine.

L is for Lion

The girls made these sweet little lion masks several months ago for Elsa's letter of the week sharing in her preschool class.  It seems fitting to share now as March has certainly come in like a lion.  As I remember, the girls were lions themselves the day we made these...a bit unruly and wild.  Nothing like a little paint, glue, and yarn to soothe them into more lamb-like behavior.  Now let's see if Miss March follows suit and brings us to a beautiful, calm lamb of a spring.  

One-Hit Wonder Wednesday

Welcome to my ladies' greatest hits...more to follow each Wednesday.  Some are new, some are old...but all are those 3 little ladies' one-liners that I love, hate, laugh at, cry over, or they simply melt my heart.

Mom, after seeing biggest lady tell smallest ladies how it 'tis:  Ava, you're not in charge.

Ava, completely sincere:  No.  But if I was in charge, I'd be really good at it.

Elsa, hearing Willa wimper in the dark car:  Oh, Willa, what's wrong?  Are you afraid of the dark?

Willa:  No.  I'm afraid of the dork.

Elsa, giggling:  Who's the dork?

Willa, completely serious:  You.

Elsa, after a super fun play session:  I love my little sister like heck!

Ava's answer to my question of how her day went:  I was just so mindless today. 

Cupcake Candor

I often wish I had the candor of a three year old.  Speaking my opinion with total honesty.  It probably feels pretty damn good to get it all out, letting 'em know just how you see it...that is until you're on the receiving end of a three year old's compete candor.

We had prepared the cute little cupcakes for her 3rd birthday cake and ice cream session with the neighbors.  She picked lovely yellow cupcakes with yummy chocolate frosting.  The finishing touch would be pink and white frosted animal crackers.  How lovely.

Willa was very interested in putting the animal crackers on the cupcakes by herself.  I thought she needed instruction, so I did one for her and explained, "just put the crackers on like this, stick the bottom in and then they'll stand up a little."  She just looked at me and replied, "I do it how I want."    

Willa proceeded with putting the crackers on how she wanted, with them lying flat in the frosting on their little animal backs.  It was fine.  She's three and it's her party and this is not going to matter.  We finished the cupcakes, lined them up all nice on the cakestand, and then set them on the table to wait for the party.  I thought they looked great!  Wonder what Willa thought? 

"So, Willa, what do you think?"
"I think your guy looks like a moron.  Mine are all nice." 

Candor.  If you don't want the truth, then don't ask! 

yes your highness

One morning, just days before her 3rd birthday,

Willa and I had the following exchange...What would you like for breakfast?


I wanna root beer float.


That's not breakfast food, choose something else.


I wanna cookie and chocolate.


No.  You need to put something good for you in your belly.

A silent pause coupled with this look.

I now know that this was not a look.

It was a warning.

Can I have oatmeal?

Yes.  Oatmeal is a great choice.

Yes it is, your high-ny ass.

My turn to take a silent pause.  I'm a seasoned mom and very careful

not to show my certain surprise or possible concern

over her choice of words.

There's no way she said that intentionally.

I will let it go and I will not laugh.

OK.  Will you please get the oatmeal?

Yes, your high-ny ass.

Completely intentional.

I laughed and she had her oatmeal.



Just Another Day

I often think that as a stay at home mom, my days need to be filled with extraordinary things, amazing experiences, and grand accomplishments....ultimate art projects, great outfits, coffee with friends, creating a clever craft, playdates for the kids, playground visits, laundry done, well-balanced meals served, errands run, home clean and sparkly.....as if!! 

Try as I might, most of my days are not filled with these things.  Most of my days are just the normal stuff that make up a life.  Housework, homework, preparing meals, cleaning up, playing Barbies, reading to the kids, checking email, volunteer work, phone calls, delivering kisses, receiving hugs, taking out the garbage, ending arguments, calming nerves, dropping kids off, picking kids up, healing boo-boos, crying over hurts, laughing at jokes, impromptu art projects, crappy craft ideas, long walks, short walks, to do lists that are never quite done...these are the realities of my days.

And why are these days often not ended with a feeling of satisfaction?  Because I don't take the time to be satisfied by the simple accomplishments I make every single day.  My self-imposed definition of accomplishment doesn't allow for normal day activities.  In my mind, I am supposed to use all this time off...ha!!...to accomplish something.   So, today I sat back and observed my day with an open and appreciative mind. 

I observed that today was just another day.

Nothing extraordinary, nothing amazing, and nothing grand...only the realization that having just another day is my great accomplishment.