Day 2463

Chinchilla: Can I be the bad guy?

He asked later if he could be a minion. That seems more up his alley. It’s hard to imagine such a good snuggler being terribly villainous.

Day 2462

The first words out of Chinchilla’s mouth when we picked him up from daycare: “I’m sweating in my  shoes!”

Same, buddy. Same.

Day 2461

Chinchilla tells us he is the scariest. Of fire.

He certainly has a flair for attention-catching snippets of story.

Day 2460

Apparently our Lizard turns into a piranha when confronted with chicken drumsticks.

Day 2459

Assembled Lizard’s big twin bed. Got uninterrupted pep talk and enthusiasm from her while it was in progress, and she had and her brother just kept having serious giggle fits after we put them to bed.

I think they might like the change...

Day 2458

I love when my kids have one-on-one time with other adults. Look at my tiny humans! Aren’t they tremendous?! I love sharing them so other people can enjoy them too.

Day 2457

Lizard said she was going to tell us a story. Chinchilla jumped in: “Once upon a time there was a little girl. No! Once upon a time there was a little vampire and a giant.”

I was already hooked, but he didn’t continue. Maybe he’s just a storyteller in the style of Mr Martin, and I’ll just have to wait a few years...

Day 2456

Chinchilla, out of the blue: “I’m in a mood.”
Me: Oh no! You’re in a mood?!
Ch: I’m in a mood. Of crying.

...never did learn what our cheerful fella thought he was in a mood of crying about.

Day 2455

Today we learned the hard way that when Lizard says she has something under control she means, as she explained later, “things are not exactly going very well.”

Day 2454

Super effective: encouraging a two year old and four year old to say happy birthday as much as they want. They’ll even recruit their friends!

...I may regret this by the time my birthday rolls around.

Day 2453

Our neighbourhood owls seem to be multiplying!

I’d probably be more excited about this if I hadn’t seen a rabbit brazenly cross the yard under the tree with three owls sitting in it. Apparently they didn’t hear me egging them on...

Day 2452

We saw a dead deer at the side of the road. Because I’m that mom, I suggested it may not have looked both ways before crossing the street. Lizard says “That’s a surprise! Deers usually look both ways!”

Day 2451

Chinchilla continues to melt hearts with his love for babies.

Day 2450

This morning Chinchilla was snuggling with us and announced that he’s an elephant dropping. It’s unclear what he thinks that means.

And when is Eurovision going to get their shit together and crown Måns Zelmerlöw emperor for life?

Day 2429

While tucking Chinchilla into bed, I said “I love you so much.”

He responds: “I always love cake.”

Day 2428

That feeling when you’re explaining global warming to a four year old to justify to her making tacos with lentils instead of beef...

Day 2427

I can’t decide whether our little Zumba aficionado is just compulsive about getting their exercise in or whether they’re trying to stretch my uterus with kicks. Maybe both.

Day 2426

Chinchilla: Do you like my little nose?... Do you like my little face? ... Do you like my beard? Do you like my like my little hair?

Day 2425

Standing with neighbours, talking about the owls dealing with the bunny population, Chinchilla suddenly loudly announced “owls also eat mice!”. I am ridiculously proud of our clever boy.

Day 2424

Successfully built a dresser, despite the enthusiasm of our helpers.

Day 2423

Lizard was telling us about how bad her baby is, and I tried to explain some of the challenges of parenthood.

And then she started listing all the bad things her baby gets up to, and it was a little discomfiting how readily these outrages came to mind.

Day 2422

As we were walking home:
Chinchilla: It’s taking hours. It’s taking hours...
Me: it’s taking hours to walk home?
C: Yes! It’s taking hours to walk home! It’s taking hours to walk home. Oh my god, mommy. I say, oh my god. It’s taking hours to walk home.

Day 2421

Quality snuggle time makes everything better.

Day 2420

Performing miracles down to the penny.

Day 2419

Today I learned that the hamster dance is like crack to an overtired four year old.

Day 2418

Lizard has read her first book.

Day 2417

Spent all our money so we can do the grand reshuffling of beds and car seats in preparation for the baby.

Discovered that it takes Chinchilla at least a couple days to recover from the excitement of staying with grandparents. It’s been a while since I’ve had him fall asleep on me...

Day 2416

I love when Lizard uses her persuasive voice and tries to tell me things like I shouldn’t pick movies I want to see, I should just watch what other people want to watch, and then I’ll be happy.

Even better when she adds a “does that make sense, Mama?” at the end.

Day 2415

A few days ago, Lizard asked me what a metaphor is and I told her it’s like a simile and I’ve been pleased with myself ever since.

Day 2414

Lizard’s pretend cooking is starting to involve troubleshooting. “I put lemon in the cookies to make them more flavour-y. That made them really juicy, so I added chocolate chips.”

Note: do not accept baking tips from four year olds.

Day 2413

Chinchilla has started making demands about where he wants his bedtime kisses: Cheek! Other cheek! Forehead! Nose! Mouth!

Which is adorable.

But I draw the line at “In my mouth!”, ya goofball.