New Sneakers

Who doesn't love new sneakers? They really DO make you run faster and I learned today that when they light up, they make you jump faster. We got new sneakers today at Stride Rite and she jumped the whole way through the mall after we left the store. She made a lot of people laugh today.

A glass/bottle *hiccup* keeps the Pychiatrist away.

Let's talk about parenting, shall we?

Sasha.

Sasha.

Sasha.

This is all in one day...after school....just so you know.

Scene 1:
Her teacher uses a Red/Yellow/Green behavior chart (I won't even go there because I don't agree with them but I'm just saying...) and Sasha came home with a YELLOW. Yellow. Yellllllooooooow.

I asked her how she got on yellow and it took her a while to come up with something. She said that she was fighting with 2 boys over a book because there was a grape in it. She then acted out the "fight": Yummm yummmm yummmmmmm mmmmmmm. Ok, I didn't ask but just stated my disappointment over the fact that she got a yellow. I told her that Yellow is unacceptable.

Matt asked her why she got a yellow. She told him that she got a yellow, "...because me and Jillian just kept talking and talking and we couldn't stop." It sounds like it was not a good day.

Scene 2:
Homework was a N.I.G.H.T.M.A.R.E because she was so tired when she got home. We, unfortunately, have been having issues adjusting to the new school year. We (Sasha) now has a clock set to bedtime that gets moved back 5 minutes at a time when she has a 'bad attitude'.

At some point during the night, please don't ask me for details because it took all of my tricks to get there, we got the homework done and it was actually really well done. But...at some point, as I was focusing on my angel, genius 6-year-old, I heard my almost 20-month-old saying, "Boooo, boooo, yoook mom, boooo".

This phrase loosely translates as, "Look mom, I am drawing all over myself and the ceramic tiles with a brown marker and it's so fun!"

At that point in my evening, I poured myself a glass of wine.


Sasha on her way to bed 20 minutes early (seems as though Dudley was a bit excited about that) and yes, I DID take a picture of it.

Eliana showing off her "Boooo" marker art.

Lost in Translation

Another Sasha Moment:

I had to talk to Sasha about Murray not being able to see. She needs to be more careful with her craziness (jumping and flailing about). I also thought knowing that Murray couldn't see her toys would motivate her to clean them up a little bit faster. I know, I know, wishful thinking.

Mommy: I took Murray to the doggy eye doctor today and she said that he can't see very well anymore. He's going blind so we need to be really careful.
Sasha: What does 'blind' mean?
Mommy: Sasha, you know what 'blind' is. Think about it.
Sasha: OHHHHHH!!!! Murray is going to be blindfolded!
Mommy: (trying not to laugh) Yes, that will be what it feels like to him, like he's blindfolded. 'Blind' means you can't see.
Sasha: (talking to Murray) Murray, it's ok if you are blindfolded, we will keep you.
I gave up.

This morning, at the bus stop, the first thing she said to her friend Jackson, "Jackson! My dog Murray is going to be blindfolded!"

Oh Sasha Sasha Sasha.....

Taking the Good with the Bad

Murray is doing great. He had bloodwork done last week and some things are better, some are worse. The vet said that he's "maintaining" and that we should pay more attention to how he's acting. He and Dudley are wrestling like they haven't wrestled in years.

The only problem though, is that Murray is now almost blind. The diabetes cause cataracts but they won't do surgery to remove them because of his liver disease. He's not in any pain and has actually adjusted just fine. It happened so quickly that it took us a week to realize what was going on.

As you can see from the pictures, he's able to find Ellie even it means breaking through the tent! She loves it. He's like her own little playmate. He loves it because she's like his own little smorgasbord! I love it because I have my furry Murray back!

Seriously, where is the camera?

Candid Camera? Isn't that still on? Really? Did they REALLY just cancel school for tomorrow?

It's Not Just Me

It's not just me who spoils the dogs. They were a little nervous yesterday because our cleaning lady was here. Her shoes were squeaking and they don't like that. Don't ask. I don't know why.

So they ran to hide in Sasha's room and she took great care of them. They each had a bowl of water and a bowl of food. They had a bed, a blanket and some toys, too. What a life!

Fourth Day

So Sasha didn't have school on Tuesday, it barely rained. She didn't have school on Wednesday, it barely rained. She had school today and the rain has been pounding against the windows since last night and all day today. It has been an open-the- door-and-you-get-soaked kind of day. It is a day when even the dogs don't want to go outside. It is a day to wear your raincoat and hat!!! WHOOOPEEEEE!!!!

Sometimes you have to love the rain

It makes for some good sleeping!

Third Day

God grant me the serenity....

Sasha is home again today.

It is only raining every few hours. It is super humid and hot so we are inside.


They cancelled school for today sometime yesterday afternoon. As soon as I saw that school was cancelled again today I sent them out to play in the rain. Not traffic, just rain.

Second Day

Hurricane Day. Are you kidding me? They actually cancelled school today, yesterday around lunchtime. As a teacher, I would have been overjoyed. As a mom of a child who frequently bounces off the walls when she is stuck inside too long, I am less than thrilled.

Think of me today. We did leave the house this morning but for the rest of the day, we will be stuck inside waiting for tornadoes and tropical storm strength winds. I certainly hope I hope I have enough tricks up my sleeve to get me through the day.

First Day

First Grade! Wow! I can't believe it.


Yes, Sasha is holding a Godiva bag. Yes, there is a box of Godiva chocolate in it for her teacher. And yes, as a matter of fact, I AM trying to bribe the teacher on the first day of school. So what!

Some more Fluffy butt pics

I can't help it. They are just so cute.

My Water Babies

They LOVE their new pool and so do I. (Purchased here on Amazon if you are interested.) They only come out when they are hungry.

A poor fitting cloth diaper is not good.

Yes, that is it on the floor beside her. Funny that she was carrying it around and went straight for the toilet paper. She was pulling off bits of paper and pretending like she was sneezing. And then after that, she took Sasha's toothbrush and put it IN THE TOILET! I guess I can see her train of thought.

Oh, no Honey, I really don't need a whole roll of toilet paper. Thank you.

First Painting Experience

Should I start the bidding on ebay now?

What do you do when you eat out wtih a toddler?

Do you let her enjoy herself so you can have a nice dinner? She really enjoyed coloring on her plate with a purple crayon. I do have to let you know, however, that Matt was pretty much in charge during this time. That may explain things...



Sasha, on the other hand, was quite content sitting between Bubbe and Zayde!

Ummm...

...my daughter does NOT get her fashion sense from me!
Both of these outfits were rejects from today.

Poor Dudley

He's just so afraid of thunderstorms and they always happen when Mommy is busy so he has to sit on Sasha's lap!

Fascinating

The girls were just fascinated with the opening ceremonies last night. As you can see from the picture, the boys weren't too impressed. I hope you were able to watch some of it, too.

Sushi Girls

Eliana has decided she now loves Sushi. She won't leave Sasha and I alone while we are eating it.


It seems as though she has also decided on her "signature pose". These are all different pictures!

Somebody call the cops!

Cinderella has been stealing our snacks again.

I Promise

I promise I will never wear this outfit while mowing the lawn!

Oh yes I did!

We're using cloth diapers 75% of the time. I'm still trying to find what works the best for Eliana. I love them! Eliana added her own accessories for this photo shoot.

PA pictures

We had a nice visit with Didi and Pap in lovely PA.

We spent a lot of quality family time together and even made it to Hershey Park. I really can't remember the last time I went to Hershey. Eliana rode her first "big girl" rides and loved them.




Sasha had fun with her cousin Kris.

Overflow

I'm here!

I'm so sorry Bloggerfriends. I have left you down. We were in PA for a week and vacations anymore really last 3 weeks longer. The first week consists of getting ready, the 2nd week is the actual vacation and then the 3rd week is spent unpacking, laundry, getting back into a routine.


Without further ado:

A few pics from a nice Family Festival which we had to leave early because it was also a Bug Festival and Sasha was overtired and overhyper.

I take that back.

What I meant to say is that here is nothing better than rocking your baby/child to sleep after she has been FIGHTING sleep for 2 hours.

I have decided that Eliana is going to be in a crib until she is 12 years old. We had a nice week-long visit with Didi and Pap in PA and Eliana slept with me. In a bed. It's not too funny waking up at 1:00AM to "Trash, yuck, Sas-sha, Nooooo, Da-eeeee, Nooooo, Di-eeeee. Pap! Nooooo". Well, it is a little bit funny when your child has crazy (think Kramer from Seinfeld) hair and is in your face saying all of her vocabulary.

I guess she thinks it is cool to sleep with Mommy. Boy does she have another coming.