Day 2347

Yes, my boy. That is a mighty spoon.

Also, what kind of toddler won’t eat rice?!

Day 2346

Kindergarten information night: so parents stop hyperventilating about the big change for their little babies.

Also, they do a post-registration, pre-September assessment of all the kids, and I am super excited to hear what they have to say about Lizard.

Day 2345

We had to start explaining how brains work to Lizard today. I wonder how long I have to wait before I can crack out my brain surgery for beginners book...

Day 2344

Lizard demands to know what we’re making for dinner (and then sometimes demands more options if she’s not happy with the answer), and then she announces what she’s making for dinner... and for dessert... and for extra dessert, in case we’re still hungry.

Day 2343

I wonder how big a kitchen you need if you have five people who all want to bake at once when three of them need to be on stools...

Day 2342

New strategy: major penalties for petulance.

Day 2341

Today I learned it is possible to be too grumpy for broccoli pizza. But only for Lizard.

Day 2340

Chinchilla covered a book a book in construction paper, handed it to me and said “Open it! Open it! It’s a present!”

And then at bed time he said “I want a diss!” And then gave me a huge smooch. Twice.

So my heart is basically just a puddle now.

Day 2339

Nothing seems to offend Lizard’s tender sensibilities quite like her brother pretending to be something she doesn’t want him to pretend. And nothing gets him riled up quite like his sister telling him he’s not allowed to do something he wants to do.

Whatever could go wrong?

Day 2338

MAMA! MAMA! MAMA! MAMA!! MAAAAAMMMMAAAAAA!!!

Day 2337

We were looking for a specific princess book and Chinchilla grabbed his bumbo, effortfully picked it up and then raised it triumphantly as high as he could “I found it, you duys!”

My under-two has picked up ‘you guys’. I don’t even know how to feel.

Day 2336

Oh my dosh... Oh my dosh...

Day 2335

Overwrought Lizards do not take criticism or helpful suggestions well.

And somehow Chinchilla learned to make a ‘straining to lift something heavy’ face, and can execute it to great comedic effect.

Day 2334

Between the ‘thank you home’ card, the surprise loaf, and the forever hug I think the kids might have been excited to have their daddy home again.

Day 2333

Turned the converted crib around so Chinchilla wouldn’t be able to get out of bed AGAIN at nap time. I fixed it after I got him up but he insisted that it be turned around at bedtime and that I lift him into bed.

Apparently he just wants a big kid bed like his sister or a crib. No half measures.

Day 2332

Follow the advice you give the four year old. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Let it go.

Also, King George III?!?!? REALLY?!?!?

Day 2331

Separate the children and they are sweet snuggly darlings. Put them together and the bonking and screaming and crying begins.

I really hope this calms down once they can burn off energy outside again...

Day 2330

We might have to start saying ‘let’s look it up in the dictionary!’ If Lizard keeps asking us questions out of the blue about what words like ‘ever’ and ‘most’ mean.

Although it’s always possible that would only make it worse...

Day 2329

Chinchilla seems to have figured out that he can put as many books and stuffies and blankets in his bed as he likes... if he waits until we’ve left the room. It’s kinda funny doing the count in the morning of after nap...

I’m just waiting for the day that the count is : all.

Day 2328

I love when Lizard tries to persuade me. Her logic is adorable and she thinks she’s so sneaky.

But yeah, as you said, it does make sense for us to go to the other superstore if someday all of the lights in our normal superstore burn out.

I also love it when Lizard pulls out totally absurd phrasing for a four year old. Like “all that remains”.

Day 2327

Chinchilla on humour:

C: knock knock!
Me: who’s there?
C: Do-nana ME!!!

Day 2326

If this was foreshadowing for the teenage years, send help in ten years. Also alcohol.

Day 2325

Chinchilla was enthusiastically “helping mommy” make dinner by moving around my water bottle, trying to pull off all of the stalks of celery, and shoving green shoots of raw garlic into his mouth.

Then he stole daddy’s fork and replacement fork and stuck them in his bowl with his own fork and spoon and proudly announced “I have three borks!”

Day 2324

He’s Superman! He’s Astronaut Boy! He’s JackJack! He’s Cookie Monster!

Or as Chinchilla says it: dookie monter, which is also appropriate.

Day 2323

Question of the day: where would an under two put a pair of glasses when no one is looking?

Day 2322

“How much garlic is appropriate, Daddy?”

Day 2321

It’s kinda fun having a mid-day daddy return so I can see the excitement building, and then unleash the little devils to bestow a flurry of hugs.

Also, apparently Chinchilla is Astronaut Boy now.

Day 2320

Such marvels: Lizard making up lullabies on the fly to cheer up her little brother and lending me a stuffy so I wouldn’t be lonely; Chinchilla pretending to be the dog and then counting to seven out of the blue.