Odd Snippets

I love catching bits and pieces of the kids' chatter throughout the day.  Sometimes, when they are playing together upstairs, I will brew myself a cup of tea and sit out of sight on the stairs so I can listen to them.  Their imaginations and vocalizations never fail to put a smile on my face and make me chuckle.

Today the laugh of the day came while I cleaned the kitchen counters.  Alice and Angela were playing next to the kitchen in the formal dining room.  I am not sure what the game actually entailed.  When I walked by the dining room to put something in the hall closet, I saw Angela crouched under the table and Alice was semi under one of the dining room chairs.  I thought it was a game of hide and seek until I heard Alice ask her sister, "Angela, can you push me on the butt?  I am stuck."

Ever the obliging sister, Angela replies, "Sure."  A grunt of exertion follows.

The push apparently worked because the next thing I hear is, "Thanks, Ang for pushing my butt."

Now there is a conversation I thought I would never hear.

One World, Many Stories...Adventures in Summer Reading at the Local Library

It should surprise no one that both Angela and Alice are enrolled in our local library's summer reading program.  Mom is a book geek after all.  Knock on wood, it seems like both girls are following in their Mama's footsteps.  At the Christmas Tree Shop yesterday, Angela actually squealed for joy and clapped when we entered the kiddie book section. 

We are in week three with their respective reading clubs.  So far, Alice has a kazoo and a little click camera to show for her reading efforts.  Angela is the proud owner of a rubber duck and a blow up mini beach ball for hers.  Both girls love stories, so doing the 15 minutes a day of reading is not an issue.  I have to say, however, the thought of prizes is definitely an added incentive. 

In addition to the reading clubs, the library also offers several all ages programs.  Since the theme of this year's summer reading program is "One World, Many Stories", each all ages session highlights some aspect of various world cultures.  Thursday's offering centered on instruments from Africa and various Caribbean nations.  The presenter/musician was a very enthusiastic African gentleman dressed in cultural attire.  He obviously LOVED music and kids.  He showed and named all the instruments he brought with him and performed using them.  I expected Alice to be interested but Angela (as every two year old is) was the wild card.

Well, I think she caught the presenter's contagious joy.  Every note he played was met with a squeal of complete and utter joy from Angela.  She relished dancing with her sister and other children and particularly loved the African version of "Simon Says" that the gentleman performed.  You should have seen Angela shake her grove thing when he commanded "Shake your hips from the left and the right."  After he introduced and demonstrated all the instruments, he divided the audience into two groups and gave each child a chance to play an instrument with him.  As each group performed, I marvelled at how his strong lead made his motley bands actually sound good.  He even had simple instruments for his younger audience members (read: Angela).  She loved performing so much that she refused to give back her instrument and performed on and off with the gentleman for the remainder of the performance.  He was very good natured about the whole thing.  I think he appreciated her enthusiasm for his performance.  The adult members of the audience also were amused, and a little surprised I think, by Angela's joy.  It was one of those moments when I wished I had my video camera with me.  I particularly felt its absence when Alice decided to stretch out on her stomach during a dancing break.  Angela straddled her sister like a horse, draped her body over Alice's back, and wrapped her arms around Alice's neck.  A little boy on his mother's lap watched this unfold as I did.  He seemed confused by it and asked his mother, "What is she doing to her?" 

His mother replied, "She just loves her sister very much."

I smiled at the mom's explanation.  "That she does," I thought to myself as I watched my duo start to dance together again.  I  wonder what will be their stories as they grow up.  Their love for each other seems like it will be a constant theme woven through them.  I think, perhaps, there will also be an African drum circle somewhere in Angela's.

Sisterly Bonding

Alice and Angela scampered off to their playroom one night after dinner.  I looked at John and asked, "We're screwed, aren't we?"

Knowing exactly where my question was going, he replied, "Oh, yeah.  One will lie and the other one will swear to it."

Since Alice has been on vacation, she and Angela have really bonded.  Sure they have their typical arguments.  No toy is as much fun as the one that a sibling has in her hand.  But, more often than not, I catch little moments of love which just take my breath away- the hugs, the sleepy cuddles on the couch while watching a movie, the laughter during tea parties.  I see how they look out for each other at the Tot Drop in the Y and at the local parks.  Each instance dusts the haziness from childhood memories of my own and restores them into Technicolor. 
  
When I see them playing with their dolls together, I recall the hours my sister and I spent in the basement playroom playing Barbies together.  Even when Megan got too old for dolls, she would always spend some time playing with me. I remember all the little games we played from made up ones to board games. 

An outdoor concert with Alice brought back all the summer evenings in the yard playing Frisbee together and catching fireflies.  Swimming in the pool with the girls this week made me think about times at Stonybrook and my aunt's house.  We would be in the water until we pruned.  At the beach we would body surf until the waves became way too rough; we would leave the waves only to dig in the sand for sand crabs and other treasures (the ice cream truck was also good incentive to get out the water).

It is funny how all that play helps create not only fond memories but an unshakable bond.  When I look at the girls, I always send up a little prayer that their relationship will be close like mine is with Megan.  There is something to be said for knowing someone is in your corner to back you up whenever necessary.

Sisters rock!

Safety First

A few weeks ago Angela and I  finished our "Mommy and Me" swim classes at the local Y.  We had a great time.  Angela loved, loved, loved the water.  At the last class, the instructor recommended getting Coast Guard approved life jackets for the kids.  When I considered Angela's enthusiasm for the pool, and the fact our backyard is essentially all pool, I decided it would be prudent to follow the instructor's advice. 

I never realized the large range of life jackets on the market.  Infant life jackets have the typical flotation vest that goes around the chest along with an additional pillow that goes around the neck.  This construction makes floating face up the default position when they are in the water. 

Upon bringing the vest home, I decided to do a trial run with it.  Two year olds are a capricious lot and will sometimes take an irrational hatred toward pretty much anything (except cookies and ice cream).  I waited until Angela was in a good mood and put the jacket on her.  She looked quizzically at her well padded stomach.  She then fondly patted her tummy and said, "Pop Pop."  John and I lost it.  (For those of you who don't know, my father is rather, um, "well padded", shall we say?).  Needless to say, I had to call my father immediately.  Thankfully, he is the kind of guy who would be tickled by the tale.  I think, too, he was rather flattered to be likened to his grand daughter's life saving device. 

Let the Slapping Begin!

It is a rare thing when I feel like totally bitch slapping someone; but, right now, I could totally let the fists o' fury fly.  In a rare moment of relaxation yesterday, I decided to check out Facebook.  It was then I noticed a posting from the leader of the pug group to which I belong.  (Yes, I belong to a pug group.  If you owned one, you would totally understand).  Anyhow, the leader of the group often posts about pug dogs in need of rescue.  This particular pug cutie who needed adoption was given up because its owner has a new baby and she did not have enough time to spend with the dog.

What?!

Love Me!

Considering I have two children (one is four and the other is two), there was a time when I brought home  two newborns to our pug.  Even in the midst of the chaos that children (particularly freshly hatched ones) bring a household, I would never have entertained the thought of giving up Puggie.  Even after the dog ate a poopy diaper, and I had to clean up regurgitated poop all over the house, I never would have gotten rid of her.  Albeit, she did get a time out on the back porch until I knew she was empty.  Even after rushing her to the vet after she chewed on and ingested part of a bottle of diaper cream, I would never have gotten rid of her (even after seeing the subsequent vet bill from the emergency treatment).  Getting rid of Puggie would be akin to severing a limb.

Seeing the post about the rescued pug made me think of all the things my family would have missed out on without Puggie.  She was my EPT.  She realized I was pregnant both times before I did (using the standard EPT).  Even after experiencing Alice, she still celebrated the new life growing within me when she sensed Angela.  With the birth of the girls, Puggie realized a new side of her identity- that of protector.  While I will admit that "pug protection" does seem like an oxymoron, Puggie takes her job seriously and has alerted me to a few things that needed my attention.  She is an amazing caregiver.  When Alice had pneumonia, Puggie did not leave her side.  She even acted as Alice's pillow.  Puggie is an amazing listener who seems very patient with Alice's constant chatter and Angela's prattling.  Puggie makes Angela laugh with her playfulness and patience with dress up (a Cinderella outfit on a pug is wrong yet hilarious).  Heck, "pug" was Angela's second word. 

Puggie has been my children's first lesson in gentleness as she so sweetly endured those first slaps pats of affection from her girls.  She has also been their first lessons in responsibility as they do the daily pug tasks that I have assigned them.  She kept me sane during the "baby blues" period of plummeting hormones.  Nothing gives comfort like a pug gently snoring alongside you.  She was a great nursing pillow and book prop (pre-Kindle days).

I wish I could find that woman and have her reconsider her choice.  But, perhaps, her pug is better off without someone so uncaring.

This Blog is Brought to You by the Letter "F"

Unfortunately, I did not witness this interchange firsthand. 

John and I decided to speed up the "getting the kids to bed so we have a few seconds of silence before we pass out" routine.  I engaged in the fruitless task of rocking Peanut to sleep while John ran the water for Alice's bath.  While she waited on the toliet for her bath time, Alice let out a particularly long fart.  Amazed by her wind passing prowess, Alice happily exclaimed to her father, "Daddy, it sounds like an 'F'!"

I wonder if her teachers would be impressed by this application of her phonics knowledge.

What a Great Way to Wake Up

I had a rough time sleeping last night.  Angela woke up with teething pain and had a hard time settling back into sleep.  One of those fast and furious summer-esque storms hit.  My sciatica flared due to the weather.  I did not want my tossing and turning to wake John, so I moved to the guest bedroom.  I put a heating pad on my back and hoped to salvage the rest of the night.  

I must have passed out because next thing I know Alice is in bed next to me.  Angela let out a cry.  "Mommy, Angela's awake," Alice informed me.

I grabbed Angela who was standing in her crib waiting for me, and I brought her back into bed with Alice and me.  Whereas Alice is content to snuggle alongside of me, Angela likes to drape herself across my chest.  I was enjoying the quiet (something I don't experience too often) when I discerned a series of odd puckering noises coming from Angela.  It took a second to register that she was practicing her kissing.  She is very adept at blowing kisses; but, lately, she has been trying to make actual contact with the person she is trying to kiss.  I shifted my gaze down to her at the moment she lifted her head to look at me.  Upon making eye contact with me, Angela stopped her training momentarily and said, "Happy."  She then planted a kiss on my lips.  

I wonder if she registered my heart's reply of "Me too."