Day 2288

If you give a Lizard a crocheted hay bale, she will ask you to make more. And also to make individual hays of two different kinds.

Day 2287

Today I crocheted a hay bale. Also a wonky tortilla. I suspect the requests might only get more absurd from here.

Lizard wanted more new toys out; we said no. She decided to clean up the living room in an attempt to curry favour. I pointed out that it didn’t look very tidy after she had finished. “But I cleaned it just enough!”

Listening to a 90s playlist; Lizard is dancing in her chair like a maniac; Chinchilla waves his arms in the air “MAKE IT LOUD!”

Not sure if that is a sign of excellent or terrible parenting.

Day 2286

After second Christmas, I feel like we need a guest house to keep all the toys...

Day 2285

Sure, he refuses to accept a bunch of the nicknames we give him, but we watch the incredibles *one* time and Chinchilla starts saying “I Jackjack!”

Day 2284

As the number of consecutive Christmas events increases, so too does the level of bananas.

Heaven help us.

Day 2283

All the activity does result in Christmas Tired, but it also means a steadily increasing fan club for our kids, which is super gratifying. And they love the extra attention, and the extra people to talk to.

Day 2282

It fills my heart to see my kids sharing their new toys, giggling together, and being silly and polite and fun with new people even though they’re really overtired. Also seeing them passing out hugs. Including one of Chinchilla’s trust fall hugs (they caught him!) - as far as I’m aware, the first one outside the family.

Day 2281

I might be almost as excited about the kids’ reactions to their presents as they are about the presents.

The big question is... will Lizard like her salad bowl?!?!

Day 2280

That thing where your daughter is so excited about wearing a dress that her little brother starts feeling left out... and then once you’re at the Christmas party, she wants to play darts and hockey.

I guess so far we’re succeeding in making her feel like she can do all things.

Day 2279

Lizard makes alarming snacks: chocolate cheese with bones in it.

It will probably be good when she absorbs more food pairing information. And more food anatomy...

Day 2278

For best results, assemble toys before Christmas Eve. Also take inventory of all your shipped goods before your last shopping day.

Day 2277

Kids are very helpful with migraine-induced nausea. They’ll climb on you and hug you until you feel better.

Chinchilla also checked my ‘temper’ and declared it “hot!”.

Day 2276

Our little Lizard has asked us not to call her Lizard anymore.

<deep breath>

Day 2275

Christmas tree decorating with two little kids actually goes pretty efficiently as long as you’re able to distract the kids from breakable ornaments while you’re trying to get the lights on. You might also get “help” with the lights.

Day 2274

Dropped the kids off at daycare and then meandered through the last bits of Christmas shopping. It feels like we got away with something.

Day 2273

Chinchilla is so excited about the (undecorated) Christmas tree that he apparently has to squat down to point hard enough at it.

Day 2272

Lizard discovers the joys of performing for a photographer’s camera; Chinchilla discovers the joys of ignoring the same.

Day 2271

Our kids have now seen Nightmare Before Christmas and by some magic, it was not too scary.

Also, Chinchilla is really enjoying his new verb tense. “Running! Walking! Running!” “Hugging Mommy!”

Day 2270

Today Lizard grabbed the dog for mandatory snuggles...and tried to tickle him.

Chinchilla continues to demonstrate his obsession with chocolate.

Day 2269

My two favourite things right now: Chinchilla’s blossoming and adorable vocabulary, and Lizard’s big beautiful heart. She is such an incredibly sweet and patient big sister.

Day 2268

Chinchilla mastered a new verb tense today; now he is reading, dancing, and running.

And if he’s reading, there’s a good chance it’s a book that features a pumpkin.

Day 2267

Having to look after yourself when you’re home sick is lame. Having your wee kids come home and try to help you feel better is both heartwarming and kinda dreadful.

Day 2266

My gastrointestinal tract succumbed to peer pressure.

Day 2265

Today Lizard’s tummy was doing well and her Daddy’s tummy was not, so it was time for birthday cake! I made the chocolate apple cake she requested, and she decided she didn’t want to finish her dinner and that we should have cake tomorrow.

Luckily, she reconsidered before my head exploded.

Her review: I like the flavour. It’s a cake that makes you go “whoa! That’s a nice cake!” And you look at it and say “wow! What a big beautiful cake!”

Day 2264

Chinchilla keeps surprising me with all the things he knows. He’s turning into a pretty good little communicator.

C: Bye! Later!
Me: Bye! See you later!
C: Alligator!

Day 2263

I’ve already started teaching my kids about consent. Apparently I should have started with my coworkers.

Day 2262

Upside: bonus snuggle time with my sweet girl on her birthday.
Downside: poor Lizard is very sick for her birthday again.

Day 2261

And on the eve of her fourth birthday, Lizard turned our house into a vomitorium.

Day 2260

My three year old asks more thoughtful interesting questions than a bunch of the people I work with. While both groups are terrible at listening when they don’t feel like it, at least Lizard listens to the answer when she asks a question.

Day 2259

When you have two kids who are sick, tired, dramatic and overwrought it seems to be a rule that they will always most want to play with the toy the other kid is holding.

Day 2258

Absorbing the extra snuggles from the sick kiddos, brushing away the rest.