Twirls 'n Curls

Yes, I thought of that title with a double meaning all by myself :) My husband was putting the older girls to bed while I got the baby down one night.  When I came out, Linsey (5) had left this cryptic message, translated, "I love you but I have to go to bed!"  We have some pretty solid bedtime rules around our house, and though occasionally contested, they're pretty much followed. Actually, I've been thinking about it the past few days, and we have a lot of random rules, probably because our kids are so little.  That's what I'm hoping, anyway.  I was listening to a sermon that said if everyone is on the same page and going the same direction, you don't have to have many rules.  Long story short, we're not there yet, but we keep trying!  So here's a peek into our household of random rules, most of which were made on the spot during important life lesson opportunities, or teachable moments: 1)  No hugging in the bathtub (near drowning experie...

We live in such a visually-oriented society, it's a wonder people ever buy books without pictures anymore.  My girls can't understand when someone takes a picture of them and they can't see it right away on the back of the camera.  Luckily, this doesn't happen very often since most everyone has gone digital - sorry if you're one the 12 people left who hasn't :) But I have to really be strict with them, or they would easily watch TV all the time, and they're 3 and 5!!  The other day was a perfect example:  I try to exercise with a DVD before the girls get up, but Linsey woke up early and flopped on the couch.  Her first words, "I can't hear the TV." "I know, that's because I have it on mute - this is mommy's quiet time." "Oh, so you can think?" "Yep.  And I pray for you guys." "You probly don't get to think much when we're around, do ya?" "Nope.  You can go get dressed if you ...

Lately I have just been overwhelmed watching these amazing, tiny little people God has entrusted me with.  I thank the Lord with them every night that I get to be their mommy.  They are so different from one another, yet the family ties are unmistakable.  It's interesting now, having 2 that can converse fairly well.  I've been catching snips of their conversations when they don't know I'm listening - shh!  You might hear something too - L:  Hannah, you be the baby birdie, ok? H:  Okayyyy! L:  Now I'm the mama bird, and I'm going to sit on your head. (what a setup that was!) H:  No!  That will hurt me! L:  But that's what all mama birds have to do, watch! [muffled screams] L:  There!  That wasn't so bad, was it? H:  That was soooooo scareme! (scary + scared me, it's hannah-speak) L:  Then I guess you can be a princess. H: I don't wanna be a princess! L:  Then you can....be a puppy! H:  Ruff!...

Suspect, known on the streets as Bully Baby,   was apprehended with this weapon in hand  at an undisclosed, private location several days ago. Big Daddy, the undercover parenting agent who made the arrest, comments: "We've suspected [Bully Baby] of foul play for quite awhile, always sneaking around when she thinks no one is looking.  But this time we caught her in the act - fishing without a license is a serious offense around here.  I had to drag her out, kicking and screaming, and there were plenty of witnesses.  She won't be getting away with this again." Bully Baby tried to make an escape just hours later, but was again apprehended and is now safely behind bars.  She declined to comment at this time.  Stay tuned for the latest, up-to-date information.  We're the only ones following this story.  Really.

Yes, everything in my house talks - even our guinea pig is noisy!! My girls have wonderful imaginations and magically transformed into pillow people minutes before our family pillow fight, so of course I took a pic. Here are a few things we like to do as a family, in no particular order: 1.  We eat every meal, 3 times a day together.  This is enough excitement, if you have small children you know this. 2.  Family movie night - Disney, Muppets, and Man vs Wild are the current faves 3.  Jumping on the trampoline together. 4.  Going on walks to get ice cream now that it's warmer :) 5.  Starting last week, pillow fights!  So much fun...so few brain cells to lose. 6.  Reading books and patiently enduring through Linsey reading to us. 7.  Wrestling (aka tickling Daddy) 8.  Thinking up reasons to stay up after bedtime (this really is a collaborative effort, I think they're plotting behind our backs...)

We have passed on these words of wisdom to our posterity in the past 24 hours or so...we make house calls if you would like us to help teach your children as well! "Don't lick other people, even if you're pretending to be a dog.  That's just gross." "No, honey, you're not the only person in the world who can stand on one foot. Good job though!" "Don't lay down on the bathroom floor, especially at the store!" "Don't touch anyone's bottom but your own!" "Don't eat out of the garbage, yuck!!" "No fishing in the toilet!"  (I think all 3 have heard this one!) Do you have any sagely wisdom you'd care to share?? I know you have stories too!!

Flashback-- 3 months ago, we vacationed with Tom's grandma and threw a whole loaf of bread to the ducks at a pond near her house. The girls loved it and have taken to feeding the pigeons outside Costco with their hot dog buns when we eat lunch there. We live in the high desert, you take what you can get, right? Present time-- It's our usual routine for Linsey to watch Natalie for a few minutes while I get Hannah down for her afternoon nap. This time, I couldn't believe how quiet they were being, especially since Linsey kinda had that "whatever" attitude about it. I walked into the kitchen to see Nattie frantically crawling across the floor to gobble up pieces of bread. I thought she had dumped the garbage when I saw another piece fly through the air and Nattie scramble to get it. Then I saw Linsey on top of the counter, throwing the bread with obvious flair and satisfaction. I asked incredulously, "Linsey, what are you doing?" "I...