Breakthroughs

I have no recollection of my mother ever telling me she loved me. I remember saying, "I love you," to her twice in my life, but she did not respond.

Somehow Snacks has managed to break through. He regularly says, "I love you, Minna!"

And she says, "I love you," back.

Fleeting Moments

Snacks climbed into bed with Sissy and me this morning and said, "I love you guys more than anything in the world."

Which I enjoyed for exactly thirty minutes until I was back to my "Worst Mom in the Whole World" status.

Save One for Daddy

Snacks' most favorite treat these days is chocolate coins. Luckily we can get a little bag of them from Walgreen's for only 64 cents--they don't have to be the fancy expensive kind.

Snacks always makes sure to save at LEAST one coin for his dad. In fact, Snacks saves at least one of ANY treat he has for his dad. No matter what.

Crazy Talk

Snacks has been talking in his sleep for as long as I can remember. I used to run in to his room when he sat up and try to make sense of what he was saying. I'd try to get him to repeat himself; tell me what he needed and try to calm him if he was agitated, which typically didn't work.

Until I finally learned that even though his eyes are open and he's sitting up in bed, he's ASLEEP and not rational. So now I just do the best I can to try to get him to lie back down without engaging him in conversation.

Tonight when he sat up and gestured to me and said, "I need something fat...," I just kissed him, laid him back down and said, "Okay, honey, I'll go right out and get that for you."

And back to sleep he went.

Waiting for Auntie Em

Auntie Em came to babysit on Tuesday night. Snacks couldn't wait, and for two hours before she arrived he was looking out the window and checking out the front door. He decided to "decorate" the house for her.

Here are his stuffed animals decorating the house and looking out the window to greet her.

Oh, Mary Jane

I bought these shoes for Sissy last summer. I usually try to stick with Stride Rites, since they are so much better for little feet. But these? I just couldn't resist!

Christmas Comes But Once a Year...

I'm having a hard time taking the Christmas tree down this year, which is unusual for me because I've been known to take the tree down and pack everything up as early as Christmas night--ready to be done with the holidays.

But this year the tree was decorated by the kids; adorned with paper chains. I love sitting in my chair next to it at night after everyone else has gone to bed; enjoying it's special beauty and warmth.

It's dropping needles like crazy and the ornaments are finding their way all over the house, but it seems like there will be such a Big Hole after we take it down.

So we're considering hanging Valentines on it...and then maybe Easter eggs...

Compassion

At the zoo the other day, Minna was lagging behind most of the time, which is unusual for her. As we entered one of the buildings, I turned around to ask Snacks to run back out and walk in with Minna to keep her company. But I didn't find him behind me...

Because he had already run back out to Minna on his own. And he was holding her hand.

My sweet, sweet boy.

Mommy's Girl

Sissy has recently taken to getting a book off of the shelf in her room and carrying it into Snacks' room, where she climbs up into the chair at his table and begins "reading" it to herself.

A proud moment for Mommy who's very favorite alone-time pleasure is sneaking away to read a book.

Bath Time

Since Sissy was born her dad has given her virtually all of her baths. Tonight we changed the schedule around and I had a turn. I didn't realize what I'd been missing...

Christmas Star

Snacks and his dad made this Christmas star to go on the top of our tree this year. It's made of cardboard and tinfoil...and a toilet paper roll to hold it onto the tree, which I think was actually Snacks' idea.

It's almost time to take the Christmas tree down and I'm afraid the special star may not be sturdy enough to survive being packed away 'til next year...so I'm saving it here instead.

Girls' Day Out

Kiki was in the mood for shopping with Sissy after lunch today. They found these Stride Rite shoes and we couldn't decide if they were cute, hilarious, or just totally heinous, but Sissy LOOOOOOVED them so, of course, Kiki bought them for her (she wore them out of the store), along with another pair that Kiki couldn't pass up.

Sissy wore them all afternoon and then had Daddy put them BACK on over her footie pajamas after her bath. I had to pry them off her feet just before tucking her in to bed. (Luckily, she was too tired to notice.)

Cousin Olivia

Cousin Olivia lives several states away. She and her mom stayed with us when Snacks was two, and he has been smitten ever since. Not a week goes by that he doesn't ask when Cousin Olivia is going to come visit again. He frequently asks what time it is in the state she lives in wonders what she is doing. She happened to be here for his birthday that year so each birthday he asks if she will come. He draws and sends her pictures and photos of himself.

This week Snacks was surprised with a last-minute visit by Cousin Olivia. He got to spend two wonderful days doing fun kid-stuff with her. Here they are together at the zoo.

Sunrise

I called Snacks upstairs this morning to show him the sunrise. When he saw it, he ran downstairs to get Sissy. He lugged her all the way up the stairs--with great effort--so he could share it with her.

Milestones

Not a particularly clear picture--I'm still learning to use my new camera--but I am ELATED today because at 16 1/2 months, Sissy is FINALLY catching on to this whole walking thing. She's been practicing quite a bit today.

I'll be whipping out those red Mary Janes in no time!