The Little Stinker!

Lizzy would be known as the little stinker.  As each day goes by, she is blossoming and her personality shines through more and more!  She is quite the character and has a goofy personality and is really fun to be around, but as each day goes by, I'm realizing that she's going to be quite the handful!

Lately, she has been so stubborn.  She has to have her way and does not like to hear the word "no".  If you tell her no (which is very often), she throws herself on the floor, falls backwards and lays flat on the floor crying.  This usually occurs when she's going through the cupboards looking for something to eat and we tell her that she's had enough because literally, she could eat all day long.  Wow, does she love to eat!  I'm very close to buying locks for the cabinets, but then I'll feel bad for Sydney because she won't be able to get in to them either.  Sydney can actually be very helpful.  If I tell her to get something for Lizzy, she helps out.  Or if she asks me if she can having something and I tell her that she can, she can be self sufficient so I don't have to get up every time.  So, well see!

Lizzy has also been the sippy cup theif lately.  She does it at home and at daycare.  She doesn't want her own cup...she could care less.  She wants what everyone else has, even if her cup has the same thing inside.  She knows excatly what she's doing too, and clearly has a plan.  When she takes Sydney's cup, she looks very carefully to see if Sydney is paying attention and then goes up to her to show her that she actually stole her cup.  When Sydney notices, Lizzy starts to run like a mad woman into the other room and when Sydney catches up, Lizzy smashes the cup to the floor.  This is a constant event in our house. It kind of makes me laugh. We try to keep things out of her reach, but Lizzy has a way of somehow getting everything.  I'll give her one thing...she's persistent and never gives up.

Yaaaaaaayyyyyyy!

Last week was Sukkot, so I took the girls to a Sukkah service.  The real reason I went was because the girls were going to spend the night at Grammie and Grandpa's house so that Jason and I could go to the MSU vs. UofM game early the next morning (they won, by the way...so far, I have never been to a losing MSU vs. UofM game, I guess I'm good luck).  Yeah, yeah, yeah...Dad, if you're reading this, I know you've never been to a game at MSU.  Anyway, the plan was that I would go to the service and then the girls would sleep over and I would be on my way. Jason didn't go because he decided to cash in on his free pass.  You see, a few weeks ago, he went to visit his side of the family in Frankenmuth with the girls and I really didn't want to go (a girl needs time to shop, you know!)...so I owed him, he got to stay home!

But it wasn't all that bad.  Yes, it was a little cold, but we survived.  The kids were very cute.  Lizzy just loves to dance.  Fortunately, this was a musical service.  Although we had no idea what they were saying, it's still fun to dance!  Lizzy's latest thing is to say yaaaayyyyyy at the end of every song.  She does it when the tv is on, when a song ends on the radio, or on a CD, etc...it's funny!  So after every prayer, it would be silent and there would be Lizzy, clapping away and saying her favorite phrase.  I was only a little embarrased when they were saying the mourner's kaddish (a prayer to remember those who have passed...or something like that) and Lizzy thought it was an opportune time to clap and say "yaaaayyyyyyyyyy"!!!

Sydney was great, and always seems to have a good time.  She really pays attention!  She particularly enjoyed the food afterwards (and so did I, of course!).

I'm Sorry!

I picked Sydney up from school today, and on the way to Helene's I explained to her that I would be picking her up early because we had to go to a shiva.  Of course she asked me what that meant because she's never been to one or even heard the term.  I told her that my boss' father (father?, she says mid sentence), okay dad died and we had to go and say that we're sorry.  Sydney all of a sudden had this look on her face and you could tell that she was processing what I said.  Then, like 30 seconds later she says, "we have to go say sorry?  Why, did you push him?"  I guess I'll save the whole death conversation for a later date, but that statement definitely made me laugh! We obviously have a lot of pushing going on in our house....and a lot of saying sorry!

Happy Young Skipper!

Jason and I were driving home from our friend's Brian and Andi's on Saturday night (we like to crash their block party...it's always fun) and Sydney says, "Is tomorrow Young Skipper?" We both just busted out laughing!  How cute is that? Obviously she meant Yom Kippur, which if anyone knows me at all, would know that I'm not so keen on the Jewish holidays.  I'm trying to do more these days, but I can't really teach Sydney that much, so it seems only fitting that Sydney wouldn't get the words right!

It's kind of sad that Sydney goes to Synagogue more than I do.  She went with Grammie for Rosh Hashana, and Grandma Sharon for Yom Kippur.  I always end up staying home with a napping Lizzy.  But also because I feel weird just going to a synagogue where I'm not a member.  Anyway, today at the kid service, each kid went up to light a candle and speak into the microphone to say what they are thankful for.  My mom says that most kids said things like "peace", or "happiness".  Apparently Sydney was the youngest one there, but sat there and listened and enjoyed it like everyone else.  When Sydney's turn rolled around she went up to light the candle, grabbed the microphone and said she was thankful for "dolls".  Too funny...at least she's consistent...the girl likes dolls!

I will say that I've enjoyed a lot of great food this weekend.  Jewish holidays are always good for that! Lizzy ate like a good little Jewish girl.  She loved the matzah balls, rice, chicken, challah...whatever we gave her!  Sydney ate nothing of course!  She's going to turn into yogurt one day!  Of course when dessert rolls around, Sydney perks up with a happy smile and awaits her treat.  Who can resist seven layer cake?

I guess back to reality tomorrow.  I enjoyed the day off with family and good food.  I can only imagine how clean the house would be if I didn't work.  I can't believe everything I was able to fit into the day today.  And to top it all off...I'm relaxed and sitting in a nice clean house...feels good!

I Like Baby Dolls

I had to go to curriculum night for Sydney's pre-school class last night!  It's crazy...curriculum night for preschool, but it was totally worthwhile and very informative.  I'm kind of blown away with what 3 year olds learn these days!  It seems like things they learn in preschool, are things that kids used to learn in kindergarten.  I remember like eight years ago in my susbtitute teaching days, that kindergarten students were learning letters and sounds and learning to write the letters as well.  These days, pre-school students have to do all of this before Kindergarten.  Fortunately, Sydney already knows her letters and sounds. But she isn't even close to being able to write them or blend them together.  In fact, she can barely hold a pencil and she definitely cannot color inside the lines or use scissors correctly. I think I might work with Sydney on her cutting and coloring skills as my next plan of attack.

Anyway, in class one day the kids were doing a project based on the book "If You Take a Mouse to School" called "If You Take a Preschool Student to Eagle, You Will Hear...
The students had to tell the teachers their favorite thing to do at Eagle Elementary so far.  I read all of the other kids statements which consisted of playing play-doh, reading certain books, playing with friends, etc.  You know, normal school activities.  Well Sydney says, "I like the baby dolls.  They go shopping."  I just had to laugh.  I'm pretty sure she didn't say "baby doll", she probably said babies and the teacher had to ask her what she meant because she never calls them baby dolls. 

But, oh my goodness!  I don't doubt for one single second that Sydney said that. She is definitely my child! Sydney could not be more girly and all she wants to do is shop and play with babies.  She always asks if we can go to the shop-o-rama (she thinks that's what the store is called because of her favorite book, "Llama Llama Mad at Mama").  Thanks to all of Sydney's grandma's, she spends a lot of time at the mall.  The other day I was at the mall with Sydney and a lady was carrying a Nordstrom bag and Sydney said, "hey, that's my store where I go with Grammie."  Is it bad that a three year old recognizes Nordstroms? This whole shopping thing gives me a chuckle.  I can't wait to see what Sydney comes up with for her next project. 

I JUST Cleaned!

Those are words that you hear come out of my mouth ALL of the time.  However, this time it was Jason!  He cleaned up the kitchen (which I always appreciate) and then like two minutes later, it was a mess.  Welcome to my world!!!  But it's a wonderful world because I have two wonderful kids who entertain me everyday...

Lizzy all of a sudden has two obsessions.  The first is to say "no" all day long.  No matter what you say, she'll say "no". Every once in a blue moon she will say yessthhhh and stick her little tongue out (so cute) which makes me wonder if she actually knows the difference between yes and no, but I doubt it.  The poor kid probably just thinks her name is "no" because that's all we ever say to her, but it's fun.  She has a great personality and a ton of energy, a fun one year old for sure!  Her second favorite obsession is The Backyardigans...it's so crazy...she's starting young, probably because Sydney loves them and controls the tv.  But Lizzy will stand in front of the t.v. and dance and sing every single time they come on.  She just drops everything she's doing and busts out into a little dance.  It really sounds like she's trying to sing the words which totally contradicts what I just said about her saying "no" all day long, so I guess I should say her days consist of "no" almost all day long with a little Backyardigans mixed in...we'll have to work on her vocabulary!

As for Sydney.  She is still loving school, it's only the second week, but when I tell her she has to go to school she says, "yaaaaayyyyy, I get to learn."  I love picking her up from school and hearing her stories as I drive her to daycare. "Sydney C. cries, but Sydney O. doesn't cry, that's me"  "Aditi (sp?) wasn't coming and the teacher called her and she's bad.  But I listen, I'm good."  She brings home cute little projects too.  I framed her very first painting so she will always have it.  She thought that was pretty exciting!  I feel like she's so grown up, yet she's only in pre-school.  I don't understand why parents get so emotional about their kids going to school.  I think it's great that she's socializing and learning around kids her own age and it's even better to hear her retell the day...so fun!  So, when Kindergarten rolls around...why do parents cry?  Didn't they take their kids to pre-school?  I'll probably cry when she's in fifth grade and beyond and I have to help her do reports and projects, but I will cross that bridge when we get to it.  For now, it's all good!!

Circle of Life

Today was more than just my birthday.  It represents so much more.  Not only did I bring Lizzy into the world on my birthday, but when I was a little girl, my Grandpa died on my birthday.  So, this day has always been particulary rough for my mom; while she is always happy to celebrate my birthday, she mourns the loss of her father.  But I guess that's just the way the world works!  It's just amazing to me that of all of the days on the calendar, Lizzy ended up with the same special day as me.  The day no longer belongs to me, we will share it, but she will get 90% of it and I will get 10%.  Besides...birthdays are way more fun when you're a kid!

I remember when I was little and when I woke up the morning of my birthday I felt like I was glowing; as if everyone just knew it was my birthday.  We were able to bring treats to school and walk around the school and give one to all of the teachers.  Then we would have awesome birthday parties with all of our friends and lots of presents to open..it was the life.  Now, although I didn't necessarily have a bad day, it's not like it was when I was kid.  It just feels like a typical day.  I had to work all day...woo hoo!  We did go out for dinner, but we were all tired, it was Wednesday afterall!  Jason did do better than last year though....my big 30th birthday and what did I get?  A griddle! Okay...I DID get Lizzy which is a great gift...but we all knew when her due date was...there was plenty of months to buy more than a griddle...oh well! At least I got a GPS this year (I know, I'm behind on the times).

Happy Birthday Lizzy!!!!