Happy Birthday, Bode!

photo by Blue Lily

Dear Bode,

You are the big 6 years old now. Every day, we are amazed by your intelligence, sensitivity, and imagination.  Every day, we enjoy your happy smile. The past 6 years have been such an incredible experience for me and Daddy.  We are so lucky to have you in our family.  You radiate a calm, happy energy. You're FUN and have an imagination that rocks!  

photos by Blue Lily

Most of all, thank you for your love, Bode. You are the best.

Happy, happy 6th birthday, pumpkin.

We love you so much. 

Mommy
xo

Bode: first front tooth, gone!

Dear Bode,

Your front tooth has been wiggly, dangly, jiggly and just scary-looking-loose for about a month.  Sometimes, you remind me of a character on The Simpsons, because this front tooth of yours will jut out at a dramatic angle.  It makes me absolutely squeamish to look at this tooth. It has been a long month of me trying to school my face to "neutral" and not alarm you about your tooth.  And forget about brushing it! I was so nervous every time I put the toothbrush to that particular tooth, just waiting for it to go flying out at the slightest pressure.

Well, I am happy to report that the tooth fell out! This morning we went to the mall to do some back -to-school shopping for shoes.  We stopped at Starbucks afterward for a treat.  You were eating a ham/egg/cheese sandwich and you announced, "I think my tooth came out."  Well, I didn't react because you've been thinking that your tooth has come out several times over the past month.  But then you stuck your palm out, and there it was: your front tooth.

I smiled and congratulated you.  Then I gave you a hug, and while I was hugging you, I started to cry.  It made me feel so happy and so sad (at the same time) to see that tooth gone!  You are getting so big.  "Hey," you said, as a tear dropped on your cheek, "You're crying!"  I told you that I was only crying from happiness, because I was so happy for you.  You smiled big,  and that gap where the loose tooth used to taunt me? It looks so big and empty now.  

On the drive home, you kept poking your finger into the gap and telling me what you were doing.  We talked about how a big boy tooth was going to move into that spot.   I think you are really happy now that it's gone.  I think it was a bit of a preoccupation and a worry.  So now you are kind of relieved to get that out of the way. 

I'm going to enjoy your smile these days with your missing front tooth.  You've always had a great smile, and today, it is as beautiful as ever!

Love, 

Mommy

Stranger danger

Do you remember the caution, "Stranger danger!" that was stressed in the 80s?  I think it was the 80s. I know I had a few nieces at that time, and I remember one of my sisters being incredibly paranoid about child abduction.  That doesn't  sound fair: paranoid about something serious like child abduction.  But I remember thinking she was...a little zealous about teaching her child all the dangers out there.   I was a young aunt and had zero children at the time, and had absolutely no idea how your whole heart and mind change once you have a child.  I had no idea how fear of everything what-if can become your whole line of thinking when you have a child. 

I have always been pretty calm (I think?) about stuff like "stranger danger" with my children. It's probably because I'm always with my children.  (And before I continue, I do understand that this type of thinking is not a preventative or the 'right' way to think!)  The only time I had an absolute tear-producing, fearful situation was when we "lost" Gianna at the Farmer's Market in Saratoga Springs for about 5 minutes. And I think I pretty much forgot about that 10 minutes after we found her. 

I had an interesting "lesson"  recently.  We went to Bode's 6 year well-check a couple of weeks ago.  His pediatrician examined him, asked me questions about his eating habits, his sleep habits and such.  And then she looked at me and said, "Now I'm going to ask Bode some questions."  She turned her attention fully to Bode, and kind of blocked me from his view with her body, and began to present different scenarios to him.  I could see him but he couldn't really see me without leaning and looking around the pediatrician.

The firs scenario she told him about was a 'nice' lady pulls up in our driveway while he is outside playing. The nice lady rolls down her window and asks Bode if he would like some candy. She says that she has a big bag of candy to give him if he'll get into her car.  The pediatrician asked, "Would you get into her car for the candy?"  

It took Bode a loooong time to think about this situation. Finally, after what seemed like several minutes, he answered, "No."

(Phew.)

The next scenario was we are at home and I am taking a shower. Before I get in the shower,  I tell Bode and Gianna not to bother me while I am showering ("Mommy is tired and wants to be alone.").  Someone rings the doorbell and  the person wants to be let in the house.  The person says that he knows Mommy and it's okay. Does Bode let the person in the house?   

This time, he answered a little more quickly and said "No."

The most likely (and scariest) scenario, I thought, was when she told him to think that he was in a store. He was looking at toys in the store and then he realized that I  had walked off to shop for something else. He looked around but I was not there anymore.  What does Bode do if he can not find Mommy in the store?

Bode had no clue on what to do.  He just sat there thinking.  I felt my anxiety rising, as if I was watching from a distance while he was actually lost in the store, and I was behind some glass, sound-proof cage where I wanted to shout the answer to him ("I'm here! I'm here! Don't worry, I'll never leave you!").  Finally the pediatrician gave him two solutions: one was to find a mommy with a baby and ask her for help, and the other solution was to find the person working at the register.  (Honestly I found the second solution kind of confusing, because really...couldn't somebody just be standing there waiting for Bode to wander over looking for his mommy? The only store that has "official" looking uniforms are grocery stores and big box stores, and even then, colors can look like uniforms. I've often seen people in Target wearing red shirts that are not store clerks, for example).  

The pediatrician put him through a couple of more scenarios like this (what I call, "stranger danger" scenarios) and even though it took Bode a long time to think about these situations, he always answered "correctly."  

But it really made me stop and think.  He answered the questions correctly (with a lot of time to think) but what  if he was scared and panicked? Or what if he was hungry and that candy looked so good?  What would he do in a real-life situation?  Hopefully we will never have to find out.  

Before this appointment, I'd never told my children,  "don't talk to strangers" or about people being "bad" or anything like that. I've never told my children to not get into other people's cars or to not answer the door.  It just never occurred to me that I would need to.  And honestly, I don't want to because I don't like introducing those bad thoughts into their minds.  I like that they have a pretty innocent view of the world and would like to keep it that way.  (but of course, I wouldn't want to put them in danger just to shelter them from bad thoughts, either)

So after these questions, the pediatrician talked to us both about what to do in these situations. And she also gave us homework. I am to help Bode learn how (and when) to call 9-1-1, to memorize my phone number and how to tell people our address (things that he "failed" during her test).  

A couple of days after the appointment, we were at the library and Gianna found a book about talking to strangers. I thought it was a 'sign' that she had found this book and brought it to me. So I checked the book out of the library to talk about the stranger subject further. But it was....awful.  I mean I couldn't even finish some of the sentences because they were so....fear-inducing. I made up sentences as I read it (to not read the scary parts) and then I hid the book so that they wouldn't see it (and want to read it again).  But then our baby sitter came over and read the book to them. After they read the book, they both would say stuff like, "Don't talk to strangers! They are bad!"  (ugh)

I spent a few days correcting that mistake. I made a point of smiling at people ("strangers") and saying Hello to people we see out and about. I think the stranger-danger thought is corrected.  I was happy to see Bode say, "Hello, how is your day going?" to a man painting our neighbor's fence. 

I've been working with Bode on memorizing phone numbers and so far, the only thing he has learned is  9-1-1 (of course, because that is easy). But my issue is, we don't have a landline in the house. I only have my cellphone. So there is no way for him to practice dialing or even what a phone looks like! So I don't know what to do about that? I guess we should have a landline. Maybe I should have him practice my phone calling his aunts or something. Any ideas?

I've also been talking to him and Gianna about different situations and how to manage them.  I'm trying to put these "scary" situations into a more "empowering" light than "theres's a stranger at the door!" type thinking.  But it's a hard line, trying to impart the seriousness of the situation and getting the "what-to-do-if..." message across without putting fear into their heads. 

Have you talked to your children about emergency or scary situations, and do you have any good tips on making it more of an empowering situation than a scary situation?

Happy Thursday!

xo

PSA: the Brothers McGee FOUND

This is a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

When we last saw them, the Brothers McGee were located in the East, and looked like this:

Scary, mean, and fierce!

Through extensive investigation, they have been located again. Apparently, they are now on the loose in the Northwest. 

Be on the look-out for these two brothers, known as "Eyelashes," (or "lashes") and "Cheeksy." 

Though the smaller of the two, "Eyelashes" may in fact be the mastermind of the dangerous duo. He often uses the code word, "Bobo!" when getting his brother's attention. He may also be heard shouting, "Day! Day!" though we are not sure what this means. Investigators think that "Day!" means, "I want that!" but this is still inconclusive.

Eyelashes spotted in front of his hideout

"Cheeksy," seen here (below) with his back to the camera, may be working odd jobs in the neighborhood. DO NOT be fooled by his big, cheeksy grin and no matter how politely he asks, do not give him money, ice cream or toys.  He is, no doubt, plotting something serious. He can often be heard making blasting noises and talking excitedly about space or fast cars. We are not sure what these code words mean, yet.

Cheeksy in a neighborhood, with an unidentified source (may be his sister, "G")

If you do happen to spot these two brothers running around, please report them to their mother immediately! For more information, please go here.

END OF PSA.

xo

The Graduates

The morning of graduation

Bode and Gianna's graduation went very well and  was a pretty "dignified" ceremony for such little people (well, almost...).  The ceremony was filled with a lot of spirit and love as well.

The two classes walked to the bridge, Bode's older class taking a longer route, while the younger children in Gianna's class got the shorter, more simple route so that they met up on opposite sides of the bridge. The parents met early and walked over to stand on a hill at the side of the bridge, awaiting the graduates. The two classes met up at just the same time, a feat that the teachers smiled about,  calling over to each other, "Can you believe we met up at the same time?!" and "So unlike last year!"  

The "ceremony" began with Gianna's class singing a song called "We are All the Leaves of One Tree."  Hearing their sweet, baby voices singing the words and using their tiny hands to mime leaves, ocean waves, and stars was almost too much for me to handle.  It was then that I started to cry (silently).  But I held it together, lips clamped together in a smile as I watched the little friends all singing together.

Then the procession began, with the preschool children who were leaving the school walking across first.  Next, Gianna's friends who graduated to Kindergarten.  And last, Gianna (and friends) were supposed to walk across....except...the first boy got scared, ran over to his mother and hid his face in her legs the whole time.  This set the tone for the next graduate, Gianna's friend Kate, who cried out, "Mama!" and then started bawling.  Kate's mother ran over to her and held her. I knew Gianna was next, and I was just willing her to be the strong, fearless girl-child she is and to show her friends how to do it. When Gianna's turn came,  Gianna looked at her teacher, and then turned around and scanned the crowd for me. Finding me, she ran over to me and refused to cross the bridge!  I whispered, "Go on, Gianna, Mr. Trent and Bode are on the other side waiting for you."  But it was too much after her other friends had cried, and she refused to move. ("And they all fall down," I thought.)  Her teacher smiled, turned her attention back to the bridge, and nodded to the Kindergarten teacher, Traci, to start her ceremony.  

So next, the Kindergartners went: those who were leaving the school for new adventures and then those who were graduating (but staying).  When his name was announced, Bode practically skipped over the bridge, a happy smile across his face.

Only I wasn't there to give him a hug. :(   At the start of the Kindergarten ceremony, I had slipped on the muddy embankment, and had fallen -"Boom!" as Nico says - right on my behind.  Two fathers helped me up, each taking one of my arms and lifting me, standing, back to my feet. I was wearing Nico in a backpack and even though we were fine, Nico was startled and was crying loudly.  So I had walked away from the parent group so that everyone could enjoy the ceremony.  I was watching from a distance, but I still feel bad that I wasn't "right there" for Bode when he crossed.  Luckily, I had quieted Nico enough that I could run over to Bode and give him a hug soon after he had crossed over!  

(It is so hard to be a single parent! I feel for single parents everywhere. I feel so bad, always having to divide my time amongst three needy loves! Luckily, Bode is pretty forgiving. Gianna takes it more personally, or at least, lets me know that she *knows* when I am absent, or less than present.)

After the ceremony, we all walked back together to the school for a picnic lunch.  Of course, all the children ran around and played with each other while the parents exchanged memories, tears, and "Can you believe it's over?" laments.

Gianna dances on stage, Nico contemplates someone else's froggy boot, and the boys play Legos.

We stayed too long. In fact, we were the last ones to leave!  Gianna was over-tired and refused to budge.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), Miss Kelly, her teacher, still had to "work" after graduation, because it was up to Miss Kelly to encourage Gianna to go home. ;)  I already had my hands full with Nico, Bode, last-minute school stuff, and picnic supplies. So it was Miss Kelly who asked Gianna to be a big strong helper (to me) and walk by herself up to the car!

Nico wants to hula like everyone else, but he is too tiny.

And now we are on summer break.  And while I am so happy to put away the lunch boxes and backpacks, I'm wondering what to do with these two school children!

xo

The Wednesday before the last day of school

Tuesday drop off at school.

There are three letters to sum up how I feel about this week, and tomorrow: O M G

I'm simultaneously freaking out because my children will be having a ceremony tomorrow (do not roll your eyes...when you have children, these stupid preschool graduations mean so much) and because I'm trying to finish up the teachers' gifts before tomorrow morning. 

Why am I sitting here writing when I have so much to do?  Well. I can't finish up the teachers' gifts, because I'm waiting for one mother to bring her child's artwork to school pick up this afternoon. Yes, even though I asked for the artwork (that I gave all the supplies for so that there would be no delays) to be completed and delivered to me by last Thursday, June 5, this mother has yet to bring it to me.  Today is  her last chance. So, there's nothing else for me to do until I have everything. Ahem.   Second, I love nothing more than to write about how emotional I am feeling about my children!!! There! I said it.  I know that it can be positively grating when someone (me) is always whining about how sad everything makes her (me) and how emotional she (ME) feels.  I'm sorry if that's the case for you.  Sorry for being so grating and complaining about this one anonymous mother (grrrr) that hasn't given me the needed artwork.

But I do feel....so much....with my children. It is amazing how much emotion I feel and how strongly I feel these emotions. They are so incredible, these children (all children) and man, what a wonderful experience to have in your lifetime.  (Please don't write me emails about how you don't want to have children and how dare I suggest that the only way your life is complete is if you have children. I don't. I believe everyone has meaningful, emotional experiences in his and her lifetime as long as she/he has relationships - be that with your children, your partner, family, friends, dogs, cats, parakeets or even your garbage man! Enjoy!)

Tuesday school pick up. I've decided Nico is not going to school.

So this week has been especially trying and exhausting and emotional for me.  I'm just trying to get through tomorrow, people.  Tonight is going to be one big craftastic rush trying to get four (4!!!) teachers' gifts together by tomorrow a.m., but hey, as long as it makes them smile, all will be well. (Note to self: next time, don't volunteer. Just don't volunteer.)

Tomorrow, we have the rainbow bridge ceremony where both Bode and Gianna will say goodbye to their current teacher,  cross the bridge, and say hello their new teacher. I get so weepy just thinking about it (grate. sorry).  Unfortunately, we have been asked not to take photos or videos.  The teachers feel (strongly) that the photo-taking and video-taking during these events takes away from the experience for everyone.  They have appointed one parent to take the photo of each child crossing the bridge. Hopefully I will be able to focus on the event and Nico will be quiet so that everyone can enjoy the experience.  RWF will not be able to attend because he is in CA.  That is a big bummer for me.

After the rainbow bridge ceremony, we are going to walk back to the school for a picnic.  There is going to be a lot of walking and carrying of things (school stuff, teachers' gifts, picnic food for my family) and I really hope that I can do it all (and keep track of Nico). ;)  I want tomorrow to run smoothly and be a really happy day for Bode and Gianna. 

Wish us luck!

xo

Making rainbows

The other day, Bode came to me with this book in hand.  He asked me to read the page about rainbows.  So we read it together.  In the sidebar, there was an explanation on how to make a rainbow.  So we had to try it!  

It's super easy:  you put a glass of water in a window that is receiving (direct) sunlight, and then put white paper down to "catch" the rainbow. 

Once the rainbow appeared, we admired the different colors.  We talked about how rainbows always have certain colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet - or ROY G. BIV, is how I choose to remember it).  Bode loved this experiment (and Nico liked it, too!). The colors are more true in person (these were snapped using my iPhone).

It was fun and easy.  I loved that "Mommy" was able to help Bode with some science, because, honestly, RWF is usually Bode's go-to on science and math.  Also, if you have a little scientist on your hands, this book is great reading.  Bode loves to just look at the pictures and 'think' about what the pictures are about, I guess.  He will go through spells where he carries this book everywhere (and it's a big, heavy book!)...this is one of those weeks.

Have you ever made a rainbow? Try it with your babies, or just create a rainbow for yourself. ;)
xo

Party? What party?

It's probably best if I didn't tell you what I've been doing for the past hour (and a half) (or more).

I mean, I did do things that had to get done. I fed the children. I put the children to bed. I read them stories (4!), gave them more milk, then handled various other issues (potty, pillow fluff, tucking in, hurt hand, hurt feelings, etc.).  I cleaned the kitchen (a lot). Then I got online to start planning Gianna's 4th birthday party.  I tried to answer various questions so that I could construct the proper invitation. Where to host, at home? (Bwaahaaahaa! No.freaking.way.) Okay, if not at home, then where?  I started searching online and ended up in this black hole called "best birthday party ever!" where I was sucked into thinking that if I didn't select the perfect venue, and all the best of everything, then Gianna would be damaged.  Then I started thinking about how she's turning FOUR, and OHMYGAWD how is that possible?  And then I started thinking, "Well, what did she look like at this time last year?"  

And then went down another rabbit hole:

Baby G

And then further:

And further still:

Stop. You're killing me.

Ohmygawd. Swoooooon.

And then suddenly, I was back in California with a toddler boy and a baby girl. And that little cheeky monkey was just killing me with his smile. I had to stop the insanity! So here I am. Confession is good for the soul.  And I still have a lot of party planning to do.
Thanks for listening.
xo

Spring Break has sprung

Bode and Gianna are officially on Spring Break!

Truthfully, when the teachers dismissed the classes yesterday, announcing, "Happy Spring Break!" I felt kind of...sad.  And unprepared. Like, "Really? Already? Are you sure that you don't want to keep them in school for the rest of the week?"  Because I was not ready to have my two monkeys full-time for the rest of this week, and the next!

After school, we dyed Easter eggs.  I had (mistakenly) told the children that we would color Easter eggs and of course, they were beyond excited.  They were so excited that I had to commit to the activity like, immediately.  

This morning, over breakfast, we brainstormed on what to do with our Spring Break. 

Here is our list (fantastically artistic styling by yours truly). You can probably guess who chose what activity.  They actually had a fun time coming up with ideas.  I only had to nix, or modify, some of the suggestions. 

1. Buy a book (Bode)
2. Buy a dress (Gianna)

(Okay, pause for my internal thoughts:  First of all, BUY A BOOK? Why? When you get a book (or two, or three, actually)  gifted to you once a month?  Also, buy a dress?  You have a closet full of dresses and really, only wear 2 of them on repeat. Moving on:)

3. Plant seeds (Bode. We already started this, but we have more to plant.)
4. Go on a trip (Bode. I gleefully wrote this one down.)
5. Go to OMSI (me, because the forecast calls for - you guessed it! - rain! all week.)
6. Go to backyard (Bode. Eh...okay.)
7. Go to library (me, I think)
7. Paul Bunyon statue (me, all of us. I searched for suggestions on my phone and they picked this from what I read aloud.)

Are you paying attention?  TWO number 7s on the list.  This is called motherhood. This is called "Me, on no coffee, at 8 AM."

8. Zoo (Bode & Gianna. Eh. I have my own opinions about zoos. This is a big MAYBE on the list.)
9. Ice cream (Gianna)
10. Eat breakfast out (Bode)

We will see how much we get done in a week's time, especially if we go on our trip.  The children are just really, really excited about having a list! of things! to do!  Bode has been walking around with the list in his hands all morning, announcing various things to do.  Of course, it's 10 o'clock in the morning and we haven't done anything but get dressed.  The delay is due, of course, to this little dude:

I insist on keeping the nap schedule.  I want him to at least get a morning nap in before we set off.  Bode and Gianna are so anxious to leave the house (it's raining!) so I need to be able to 'get' as soon as Nico wakes up. So that means I must close this and publish.  

But first...a note on our nook table. You may have noticed that our nook table does not fit the nook. It is actually (you could probably guess) the children's table.  

I'm terribly, terribly embarrassed by this set up.  So here's the story, and it's what I tell everyone who walks into the house (whether they care to hear it or not).  When we moved in, I was determined to find a nook table immediately. That nook is actually one of the only features of the house that I like.  So one of my "alone time" activities when we moved in was searching for the perfect nook table.  I soon found out that it does not exist.  Well, I found out that it does exist. You can buy it from Pottery Barn! But...I don't want to spend Pottery Barn pricing on a nook table for a house that we are soon to move out of (I hope!).  I don't want to live here anymore. So now the nook table hunt is...well, off the table (pun!).   I am annoyed by the kid table set up but not annoyed enough to fix it. And really, the children are the only ones that sit there (a lot) so it kind of fits them (???).  So! That's the story.  That is why you see a kids table (that doesn't fit)  in a breakfast nook.  Don't you feel better now that you know? ;)

Now to take something off that Spring Break list....

xo

A good meal

Yesterday afternoon, Bode, Gianna and I were sitting around the kids' table coloring when Bode announced, "Mommy, I want to donate Gianna."  I laughed out loud.  But he was serious.  "I want to know what it's like on my own," he continued. "No you don't!" I protested.  "Yes, I do. I want to donate her to somebody else."  At the second mention of being given away, Gianna started wailing.  "I don't want to be donated!" she cried.  I switched seats so that I could hold her and reassure her that she was not being dumped into some roadside donation bin.  Then I addressed Bode.  "Bode, you don't mean that. You wouldn't last  5 seconds without Gianna."  "I want to know what it's like on my own.  I want to be the only one."  he insisted.

I changed the subject to dinner, and the donation of Gianna was no longer discussed.

We made Ginger Chicken with Asparagus.  I found it in one of my food magazines, and it wasn't even a featured recipe. It was an advertisement for McCormick Ground Ginger (I guess I might as well mention the brand since I tried the recipe?).  I used real ginger. And my two monkeys/sous chefs helped out.  Not only did they help me, but they demonstrated such good will to each other, sharing and talking while they chopped and stirred.  All was well, and dinner was delicious.

Step 1:

Hand the monkeys kid-friendly knives (found on amazon here) and have them chop the asparagus into bite-sized pieces. 

Step 2:
While the monkeys are on veggie detail, chop 4 chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Then mince ginger and garlic.

Step 3:

Have the monkeys pour soy sauce, oil, and broth into a measuring cup.  This teaches them pouring skills as well as how to measure ("Fill it to the 2, Gianna.").  Have one monkey add the minced ginger and garlic to the marinade. The monkeys then take a very, very long time taking turns stirring the marinade.  This goes on forever until you realize that the poor neglected chicken breasts are never going to marinate for an hour if you don't rush this bit along.  Tell the older monkey to pour the marinade over the chicken pieces.  Put the chicken in the fridge while it marinates.

Step 4:  

When the two chimps joke about eating the raw asparagus, dare them to eat one.  They will think that they are being funny and daring, eating the raw asparagus. But you know better. You just tricked them into eating a raw vegetable!  

Step 5: 

While they consume half the (raw) asparagus, ask the monkeys if they want white rice or brown rice.  When the eldest monkey states that he wants brown rice, ask him what the difference is between white and brown rice.  Be secretly pleased and think, "He's so smart," when he answers that brown rice is chewier and more grain-y than white rice, and then remember that yes, he is a smart alec when he adds, "Oh, it's also BROWN. And white rice is...WHITE!" Like, duh.  Then start water on stove to make brown rice.  

Step 6:

Realize that the baby chimp has woken up from his nap and has been crying for attention for how long (???) while you were reading recipes and the other monkeys were stirring the marinade (forever).  Run to baby chimp's room and find him like this:

Hug, kiss and pat baby chimp over & over until he ceases to cry.  Then take him out of his sleepy sack,  change his diaper and put him in pants/socks. Bring him out to the kitchen to bond with his other chimp family members.

Step 7:

While chicken continues to marinade, try to ignore the crazy monkey behavior that occurs in the "witching hour" known to all mothers.

Note: baby monkey is fine and not psychologically harmed from crib abandonment

Step 8:

Take chicken out of fridge.  Continue to ignore crazy monkey behavior but direct all monkey behavior out of the kitchen while you heat up oil in large skillet.  Once monkeys have vacated kitchen, sauté  chicken and then asparagus.  Mix asparagus into chicken mixture so that everything is coated in yummy gingery sauce. Plate chicken/asparagus/rice onto divided plastic plates for all monkeys to eat.  Once food has cooled slightly, call monkeys back into kitchen to sit at monkey table and eat dinner.  Enjoy the meal that was prepared as a family (a family that loves each other very much and would never donate one another!).

Happy Friday!

xo

Laundry

While I was talking on the phone, I watched as Gianna sat down in this laundry basket. I got off the phone and started a to-do list while Gianna continued to sit (and giggle).  Then, a few minutes later, Bode joined her:

Happy Tuesday.
xo