Whether We Like It Or Not

A few days ago, Neve told me that she was ready to stop talking like "thith".  Like what, Neve?  "You know... like thith:  thhhhhhh."  While I may have mentioned her lisp here, Terry and I would never think of mentioning anything about it in front of her, and I doubt Fiona would be so mean.  I just couldn't believe she could hear it herself.  And I secretly love it.  I don't want her to grow out of it.  (Speech therapists, shhh.)  It sort of reminds me of this.

Fiona and I went uniform shopping for her new school today.  She's so tall.  She's so funny.  She's so beautiful.  She so badly wants to be independent.  But I am not ready for her to be in first grade for 8 hours a day.  My heart is breaking a little at the thought of this.

While baking the other day, Fiona and Neve asked if they could help.  I know I should love cooking with them (and sometimes I do, when I'm feeling especially patient), but I often hide the fact that I'm baking from them to avoid their "help".  Awful, I know.  Before I had a chance to even tell them what their jobs would be or where to find the utensils, Fiona had round up all the measuring cups and spoons, and asked me if I needed baking soda or baking powder.  They both took on the recipe, almost completely without my help.  It was the first time I really noticed their capabilities.  While I was so proud, I was also a little bit sad.

3 years ago exactly, Terry took a sharpie to our bedroom doorframe and measured the girls' heights.  I was a little annoyed (we already had a growth chart hanging in their room that had never been marked), but didn't say anything.  After months and now years of more marks, it's one of my favorite spots in our house.


Terry is prepared to replace the doorframe if and when we move, and take this one with us.

Today




Terry is wearing short denim shorts while working in the yard, and I don't think he realizes how adorable it is.

The girls are practicing music on their Casio in the character of "Super Singer Man".  (I love this, as I envision Elton John teaching them chords to Mr. Piano Man in their bedroom.)

Laundry has been folded neatly and there are stacks on every clean surface of our house.  While this usually bothers me, today I don't mind.

Our floors and furniture were just polished using a linseed oil that has made everything in our house smell like my dad's workshop.

Iced tea is getting cold in the fridge.

Sundays are so good.

Braq's Mashed Potatoes


sung by Neve White, who, whaddaya know... LOVES mashed potatoes!

(Thanks Uncle Nate for putting this on the mix you gave us.  They listen to it all the time.)

Don't Forget the Morshmelos

We were supposed to go camping Saturday, but it rained.  The kids seemed okay with it, and they began constructing a little backyard campsite instead.

Neve's Web Show?

This is what happens when you point a camera in the direction of a talkative child. Apparently, Neve has been wanting to host a show or a telethon or... I don't really know.



Some things you should know:

1. theawesomestvideoofthecatstealingapersonthatknockshimdown.com is not yet registered.
2. I sound like I've been eating a brick of Velveeta cheese.
3. Paypal has a few kinks to work out before accepting 25 computers as a form of payment.
4. My daughter is not a licensed doctor, so proceed with caution as she "doctors you".

The Patron Saint of Toothlessness

Fiona is going to be 7 next month, and she has not lost any teeth yet.  While this seems inconsequential to us (I mean, it's gonna happen), it seems to be at the forefront of all her thoughts lately.  ("Mom?  Feel this.  I think it's wiggling."  Hard as a rock.)

TODAY'S TOOTH CONVERSATION:

Fiona: "Mom?  Why does the tooth fairy want our teeth?  What does she do with them?"

Me: "I dunno.  Maybe she makes jewelry out of it."


{pause}


Fiona: "I don't think so."


{pause}


Fiona: "I think she uses them to make new teeth for people who need them."

Me: (thinking, "Wow, really?  Dentures?")


{longest pause, Fiona begins to chuckle}


Fiona: "What if after I lose these teeth, we see [insert Anonymous Toothless Neighbor's name here] with them in his mouth???  Like, he smiles and says, 'Hi, Fiona.  Look at my new teeth!'  And only I know that they used to be mine."

Me: (laughing so hard I can barely breathe, as I imagine [insert Anonymous Toothless Neighbor's name here] with proud itty bitty baby teeth in his mouth.)

Shoe Shopping


"Mom?  Something weird under my nibble!"

"Those are your ribs.  Stop lifting your shirt in public, Neve."

"But they're my best bones."