The Imagination of Mr. Muscles

I love conversations with the kids. Today was a real treat. It can be hard for me because we switch subjects so quickly, sometimes without me knowing. Justin and I filled up a 5 gallon water bottle today. It is really heavy, but Justin informed me that he thought he could handle it because he "had been lifting weights." Then we start talking about baseball and suddenly he asks what the worst thing that could happen would be. I say that he could swing really hard and miss and hit the catcher in the head and kill him. That would be the worst thing that could happen. He tells me "no. The worst thing would be if you climbed into the trash can and didn't realize that it was trash day and there was all sorts of poop in the trash with you. Cat poop and baby poop. Then the trash man would pick you up and put you in the trash truck that was also full of poop. By the time you got to the dump you would be dead. That would be worse."

Kids, Kids, Kids

Yesterday I took Justin to sell popcorn for scouts outside of a local market. I told the girls to get shoes on and get in the car. I should have checked, but I didn't. We got to the store across town only to realize Mia was barefoot. I ended up holding this very tall and solid kid for about 20 minutes waiting outside of the store for other people to show up, set up the table and display, and fill out a form. We returned home for a couple hours then headed back. I told the girls again to get shoes on then come out so I could inspect them this time. Emma came out in a leotard and sandals. Okay, I guess. Mia comes out in Maryjane's and underwear. That's it. At least she did follow directions this time. I guess I need to be more thorough in my instructions: shoes and clothing.

Justin is playing baseball for the first time ever. He played soccer for a couple seasons, then BMX, now baseball. I had told him when he was younger that baseball was off limits because it is too long and boring to watch. (Yes, rotten mother.) He didn't care until this last year when all of his friends played. Charlie and Justin convinced me that he could try it out and so I signed him up. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised. It is actually fun to watch... as long as Charlie is there to help with the girls or take them. I was worried that Justin would be way behind the other kids because most of them have played for years now. Well, Justin is doing really well. He hits and makes it on base just about every time. I may be a little biased, but he is good and very handsome in his uniform.

Justin was getting something out of the car the other day and came inside screaming and bleeding. He said he was eating a tic tac and it hit his tooth wrong and made it loose and almost fall out. I was somewhat dubious of his story. I concluded that he had had a loose tooth, but didn't notice because it is held in place by his retainer. He bit a tic tac and it moved the tooth enough to make it bleed. I went out to the car and found at least 8 tic tacs Justin had spit out in the garage. I asked Justin how many he had had in his mouth at the time and he said maybe a couple. I told him how many I counted and he got this guilty grin on his face.

100th Post!! Little Manipulator

Me: Mia, turn down the T.V.
Mia: Mom, I don't know how to because I'm four years old.

Mia's In Preschool

Mia loves preschool. She is back at Miss Alison's, who she loves. Mia is such a sweetie. I really love this kid. She always is holding my face in her hands and trying to give me fishy kisses on my nose. She and Emma have been playing together so much too. They still fight pretty hard, but get along much more. Emma is almost 2 1/2 years older, but Mia has grown so much in the last 8 months that they are sharing some clothes now, which they love. Mia will save things for Emma during the day and tell Emma "Emma, you're the BEST!" I love it.

Mia finally got her bike for her birthday. I tried getting it earlier, but couldn't decide on one, then they didn't have the one I finally picked and we started the process over again. Finally, I just took her to the store and she picked out this one. She loves it and loves to show it to everyone.

A few weeks ago Emma got up to go to the bathroom during the night and went back to bed, but laid down in Mia's bed instead. At first she laid on top of Mia with her arms and legs wrapped around her, but by the time I grabbed the camera and came back this is how they were.

More School

Emma still doesn't like school. Everyday she says it was the worst day of her life. I think this means her life is pretty good. She says first grade is hot and really long. She said they don't have a trash can in the cafeteria so she puts her trash in her pockets until after school. Then week two she still didn't like it because she wasn't making friends. I suggested that she go up to some kids and introduce herself and ask if they want to play. She said "that is not how I do it. I walk around like this (scowling with arms crossed) and wait for them to come up to me to play."
It is a shocker that that didn't work for her. Justin and I gave her tips on how to make friends. Then she didn't like school because a couple different boys keep telling her they are in love with her, then they chase her around. She said one boy keeps making lovey faces at her so she makes mean faces at him to try to make him not like her. She cracks me up.
Today she said that it was a horrible day because they forced her to exercise, which made her very tired. It is starting to cool down, so hopefully school will seem a little more pleasant to her.