I realized today that we are not going to get family pictures taken in time for Christmas Cards this year. So after school I dragged everyone outside in attempt get a "kid" picture. Total fail. Ava didn't stop dancing around, and I couldn't get them to look at the camera at the same time. We'll try again another day.
I have been meaning to write down a few funny things the kids have said lately...
The other day Max was sitting at the table doing his homework. Ian was sitting next to him working on "homework". Ava walked by the garbage can and after seeing an old worksheet in it, she pulled it out and said "oh yeah, I forgot, this is my homework" and sat down and started scribbling on it.
One night after Ava turned two I asked her how old she was. She blurted out "twenty!" without pausing to think. When I said "no you're not!" she started laughing so hard she couldn't catch her breath. Like she had just told the best joke ever. Then I said "Ava, you're two!" She immediately countered with "no I'm not, I'm three!!!"
After seeing "transformer" on Max's Christmas list, I asked him which one he wanted. He immediatey responded with "Octopus Crime!"
Today at Home Depot, they gave us a flyer to come see/take a picture with the Grinch on Saturday night. When I told Ian and asked him if he wanted to go, he turned white and with obvious panic in his voice said "but mom, I hope it's not a real one!"
This morning Max set his breakfast down right next to Ian and said "I'm going to sit by Ian, because he's my best friend. And I love him." I wish I had that one on video.
Ava turned two a couple of weeks ago. Life has been so busy and crazy that I haven't even been able to wrap a present or bake cupcakes until today. She didn't get an elaborate tea party this year, as all of our attention has been dedicated to making our house liveable, and dealing with all the curve balls life has been throwing us.
I haven't even scheduled her two year check-up (stats to come), but I do know that she is a big girl. Tall and skinny. Already growing out of her 2T clothes. She is too smart for her own good, and talks like a grown-up much of the time. She has also developed a penchant for expressing an extreme range of emotions within a small time frame. When she is mad she will pinch, bite, hit, and yell " I don't like you...you're dumb!" Two minutes later she will wrap her arms around you in a tight-as-possible bear hug and say "I love you! You're so pretty!", as she plants a fat kiss on your cheek. I don't know where she learned the word "dumb" (nobody else in this house uses it), but we can't get her to stop saying it. "Mmm...don't like that shirt mommy, it's dumb!" Or, "I don't like this store, it's dumb!!!! Want a go home!"
Despite the occasional undesireable vocabulary, she is such a delight to have in our home. She gives the sweetest hugs and kisses. Her enthusiasm is contagious. Her creative play is genious. I love to listen to the conversations between her dolls, or the way she "reads" her books. I love the way she plays with my hair and whispers secrets in my ear. I love the way she screams, squeals, and hyperventilates with excitement when her daddy walks through the door. I love her encouraging motherly words... The other day we were searching high and low for her snow boots, then I finally remembered that they were in the car. When I told her, she said (with all the demeanor of a 20-year-old) "Hey! Good thinking mom!" Another day after helping frustrated children get their gloves on, I quickly put mine on and was immediately applauded with a "Great job mom!!!! You did it!!!"
Happy Belated Birthday to our sweet little sugar plum! We are elated to have you in our family!
Halloween crept up on us this year. I normally like to come up with homemade costumes ahead of time, but this year we were lucky to have costumes at all! Things have been super crazy around here, and I had to run to the supermarket (yes, the supermarket) a couple hours before trick or treating to buy Ian a costume. Luckily they still had a few left. The boys are obsessed with Marvel Comics these days, so that influenced their costume choices. Aunt Marlene sent Ava a pretty princess dress for her birthday (thank you!), and that took care of her costume. It's hard to believe that we have been here a little over three months and still aren't settled. Hopefully soon...
And these were the best shots I could get...the boys are fighting/wrestling in most of the pictures and Ava was casting spells with her magic wand.
