Maddie at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Taking Shape

Katie has met her match, and her name is Madeline. I have yet to meet another who can consistently out-negotiate Katie. Though it is Caleb who says he wants to be a lawyer like his mom. Maddie still wants to be a princess ballerina.

In skiing, too, Katie, has produced like-minded off-spring. Maddie and Caleb love it. Maddie, in full-speed tuck position, skis Sundance top to bottom without help at breakneck speed.

"Maybe you should try turning," Katie suggests.

"No, Mommy," Maddie commands. "I like fast."

She also likes fashion and dancing. Maddie designs princess dresses and watches "Project Runway." She loves ballet lessons and continues them on her own until much past her bedtime. She will only listen to "ballet music" no matter how much I try to convince her that Led Zeppelin is inspirational.

Blessed

Kit died this morning. He was more Katie's friend than mine; she knew him longer anyway.

I did what I could to relieve his suffering: lifting him into and out of the car; holding the hamburger to his mouth so he could take a bite, etc. Such actions brought me gratitude and perspective. My suffering was relieved. I don't suspect I did much for Kit's.

Rest in peace, my friend.

I dare you to break in

Attempting to get to the living room at 5 a.m. without waking anyone.

Step one: stuffed squeezable T Rex toy. "ROAR." Pause. No stirring from the kids' room. Phew.

Step two: Leap Frog spelling toy, spells words when pressed. "Can you spell bat?" How do you turn this thing off? "Press the letter that makes the 'b' sound." Off button, WHERE ARE YOU? "Press the letter 'b'." Off. Pause. No stirring. Phew.

Step three: Police car with motion activated siren: "WEE-OO, WEE-OO." For the love. Pause. No stirring.

Safely in the living room on the couch, computer open, homework started: a mild sneeze.

"Mama."

You've got to be kidding me.

Just to make sure I bemember

Caleb likes to bemember when we betended we were bezommies (zombies). Love that kid.

Writing Lesson

I write Caleb's name on the paper. "Now just make it look like that."

Caleb begins to write...a circle. "Nope," he says. "That's not a C." He begins again. "Nope. That's a candy cane." Then he draws candy canes. One of the candy canes is sideways. "That's not a candy cane. That's a gun." He begins drawing guns, now with sound effects.

Then the pencil becomes a gun. I am the target.

"Caleb, I'm so pleased we could have this time together to practice writing your name."

Somewhere in My Youth or Childhood...

Henry's second word: Football.

Yes!

Shall We Dance

Caleb, put on your shoes. In he runs. Maddie, put on your pants, out she goes. Where's Henry? Katie runs past. Enter Maddie with a skirt, can she wear that instead? Exit Caleb. Where's Henry? Katie runs past.

Maddie's out the door. Daddy starts the car. Caleb runs down the street. Where's Henry? Caleb gets in the car. Maddie heads back inside. Katie runs past.

All kids are in the car. I want the front seat. No, it's my turn. Caleb gets in Henry's seat. Henry's in the driver's seat. Maddie wants her other shoes. Katie runs past. Henry gets in his seat. Caleb to his side. Maddie in the back. The car pulls out. Where's Katie?

Morning

Henry's morning routine (he's 16 months):

Turn off the heater. Plug in the lamp. Drag chair in front of TV. Turn on TV. Give dad the remote control. Point to the freezer (he wants an Eggo waffle while he watches).

The man knows what he wants.

Amelia Bedelia

"OK, Maddie," I instructed as I sent her off to the field, "just do what the coach tells."

She shook her head affirmatively and took her position as a striker.

A corner kick. "Madeline," coach ordered. "Stand right here."

Maddie dutifully took her assigned position. As designed, the ball came right to her with a clear shot to the goal. We cheered. We waited. We waited longer. Maddie looked at the ball, then to the coach without moving. Then the other team kicked the ball out bound. Opportunity missed.

Substitutions. Maddie came out.

"Why didn't you kick it?" I asked.

"You told me to just do what coach said. He said 'stand here'. He didn't say 'kick the ball.'"

Argument Won

While trying to discuss with Maddie her recent disobedience issues, she cut in:

"Daddy, I'm just trying to be like Mom. And mom doesn't do what you say either."

Well played, kiddo.