So much for Liberty and Justice...

GRACE: (She had set up a "school" in the hallway with Bellie. When they were ready to start their class, she proclaimed that they must say the Pledge just like they do at preschool.)


I pledge allegiance to the Flag
Of the United States of America.
And to the Republic
For which it stands
One Nation, Under God
Invisible
With Cookies and Cupcakes for all.


Somehow I don't think this is how it is said at her school, but I guess when you are the teacher you can take certain liberties.

Meet Toada

When Grace and Bellie came in the house talking about their new friend, Toada, it wasn't all that unusual. They often create characters when they are playing. As they were explaining that Toada was in Grace's hat (which was on her head), it took a few seconds for me to realize that they were quite serious. Nami then started feeling the hat for lumps, and wouldn't you know it - there sure was a toad in there. We have since relocated Toada to the back garden, where she can pee without consequence. Now I am not sure what to do with the hat. How exactly does one clean toad pee from a straw cowgirl hat?

Our Future Photographer

This fabulous picture of Gracie and her Mama was taken by Miss Annabelle.

Peek-a-boo

Michael's Green Hat

What Not to Wear

We try and pick out outfits for school the night before. Sometimes this saves us from the drama that often results from getting dressed, and sometimes not. Last night, we tried to pick something out, but Grace wasn't happy with ANYTHING. Getting frustrated, I asked her why she didn't like anything.

GRACE: Mom, I can't wear this.

ME: Why not, it is pretty fabulous.

GRACE: No, it is not fabulous. It is ridiculous.

ME: And why is it ridiculous?

GRACE: Because I am going to be the leader, and the leader cannot wear THAT. (THAT was a pair of capri pants and matching shirt. There were plenty of colors and patterns going on, so one would think she would love it.)

ME: Ok, what can the leader wear then?

GRACE: This (She then proceeds to pick out the following ensemble: A pink sleeveless dress that she had been wearing all afternoon and also wanted to sleep in, two different socks that were different heights[one snoopy, one ruffle-y princess], leopard print shoes, a pair if blue shorts that you couldn't see under the dress anyways, two pairs of panties, three hair barrettes, and a sweater sized 12-18 months that I can't bear to get rid of because Grace used to wear it ALL the time. )

I am going to start an official countdown until uniforms...

Bellie's BIG GIANT Hair

The reason there is no picture of Grace with the wig on is because when she saw Annabelle wearing it, she threw a fit that she didn't get it first. Such a fit, in fact, that it was taken away before she could even touch it. She then proceeded to throw herself on the floor, screaming and crying, "but Annabelle looks AWFUL in the wig. AWFUL..."

Our Wildlife Security System

George is carefully surveying the property, making sure that no squirrel dares come into the yard. This is a very stressful job, and not long after this picture was taken George fell asleep for hours, exhausted from an afternoon of squirrel watching. Unfortunately, while he was asleep he missed the snake removing its skin against the house.

Our Little Cowgirl

The Mantra of a Four Year Old

Grace was running from the playroom where she had once again played past the point of safely being able to make it to the bathroom. She was whispering to herself as she ran: "Don't pee on the floor, don't pee on the floor, don't pee on the floor."

Question and Answer

QUESTION: Can a four year old truly understand sarcasm?


GRACE: Bellie, your mom is calling you.

BELLIE: She's your mom, too.

GRACE: I guess she is, isn't she. Thanks for that, Belle.


ANSWER: Duh.

For the Record...

Eric will no longer be allowed to post. I pride myself on providing honest, fair and balanced information. His erroneous post clearly puts that in jeopardy.

Strike Two (Reality Version)

I'm sitting on the couch when I hear the woman scream, immediately I know she has spotted a snake, or at the very least a stick that looks like a snake. So I pick up my snake battling tools (my shoes and a shovel) and I head out the door. I quickly spot the snake -- a skinny, 18 to 24 inch black snake -- as it suns itself near the bottom of our deck stairs. As I close the distance between us, the little slitherer made a break for it. He quickly wriggled under our deck and out the other side. I moved around the deck and cornered it, I went for the kill but the sly little bastard maneuvered out of the way and snuck under a large bush causing George and me to search under the useless shrubbery for a few minutes before realizing the culprit had made a safe getaway. But fear not, snakes, like most crooks, will return to the scene of the crime, and I'll decapitate him then. After being out maneuvered I returned to inside the house, or attempted to anyway, I found all the doors, windows and drain pipes locked and barred, Anne huddling under the kitchen table with Papa. Annabelle let me in.

Strike Two

At 11:30 this morning, I was taking George outside. As I step onto the grass, what should I come upon? (If you know anything about me, this is an easy question.) Thats right, a snake. Sitting right there, head up in the air as if taunting me, daring me to step into my own yard. This is when I have a heart attack. I run inside, screaming and feeling my chest pound so hard I swear it might explode.
I sent the snake exterminating team (Eric and George) out to handle the situation. As of now, said named snake it still on the loose, as I am told it is quite fast. Last known hideout was under our deck.
So this, my dear readers, is strike two. First a copperhead, and now this black snake that if measured might well have required more than a yard stick. Three strikes and we move.

Mama's Secret Playground Pics

I usually arrive at school early enough to see Grace's class still on the playground. It cam be very amusing watching a bunch of 4 and 5 year olds. Today, Grace decided that she wanted to pick some dandelions. The problem was that they were outside the fence. So I sat and watched her stretch her little arm as far as she could to reach the flowers. It took a few tries, but she managed to get enough to make a very lovely bouquet. When she got in the car about 10 minutes later, she had marks from pressing her face into the fence, and her nose was yellow from sniffing her dandelions (unfortunately the pics of that didn't come out).

At the Zoo

Sisters

Grace and Bellie were racing down the hallway to get to the playroom. Grace got there first.

GRACE: I win, I win, I win!!!!
BELLIE: Whatever. I'm cuter.

Singing in the Rain

There has been a LOT of rain lately. So many things have been cancelled, including a trip to the zoo. So, what do you do when rain threatens a picnic? You could move inside or even cancel it all together. Or you could stand under a pavilion (because there was no way I was getting all wet) and watch your kids have an absolute blast playing in the rain. And then you can go home and spend 45 minutes trying to rinse all the sand out of their hair.

Happy, Happy Birthday Gramma!

We hope you have a wonderful day and we love you very much!

What a Face

On Safari

The girls were playing with their Daddy this evening, and somehow they ended up pretending to be lions. They were crawling around the house, searching for prey. When they spotted me on the computer in the dining room, Daddy lion announced that they were going to capture the Antelope (aka Mama) and eat her for dinner. As I am being dragged from my chair by the Daddy lion and the Gracie lion, Annabelle comes running out of the office yelling, "I got it. I got the antelope!"

She was holding an envelope.

Since becoming a parent, I have heard AND said things that I never could have dreamed up BC (before children). The past few days haven't really been out of the ordinary, but a few situations have really brought this to my attention. Here are a few examples:

ME: Of course that hurt. You can never EVER do a cartwheel on the stairs.

ME: Yes, you always flush the potty. No matter what.

GRACE(crying): I just don't like Daddy in a red shirt. I really like him in green.

GRACE: Mama, is that what you are wearing? Ummm, it's really not my favorite. What else do you have?

BELLIE: I am so sorry I threw up all over the car Mama because now you have to clean it up.