A Good Boy

Scene: Checking out at the Ocean State Job Lot (don't judge, it's my guilty pleasure.) Theo helping me put items onto the counter.

Cashier to Theo: "You are a great helper. What a good little boy you are."
Theo: "I a good boy. I no even say PENIS today. That's a pottty word. A private talk word."
Cashier: "Um, oh, ok. Ya, ya that's good."

Me, choking on my laughter, trying to get the stupid credit card swiper to work, so we can get the hell out of there. We roll out but before we get out of earshot. "Mama, that girl say I a good boy."

The cashier was a man. A long haired man but a man nonetheless.

My Theo, you are a funny little  boy. And way to lay off the potty talk.

Those Dreaded Words

Here is Bea hamming it up in preparation for Picture Day. She chose the Spring Bench background instead of the plain brown one. She came downstairs all dressed, casting aside the outfit I had laid out for her, favoring this Easter Egg-themed one instead. This totally screams "SPRING."

When she got home that afternoon, I started to empty out her backpack.
Beatrice: "Mommy, look they gave us all combs."
Me: "Oh cool" (not really paying attention)
Beatrice: "I said I didn't want to comb my hair so Mrs. Lowell did it for me"
Me, finally looking up from emptying her bag, "Noooooooooooooo"

Mr precious girl was sporting quite the bouffant head of hair.

Cory rounded the corner, overhearing our conversation, spotted Bea's wild 'do and told her, "They always used to try and comb my hair before pictures. You just say "No Way."

Mothers of curly haired girls, would you ever comb through your daughter's dry hair?!? Clearly Mrs. L is the mother of straight haired girls.

So Close, Yet So Far Away

I dare say we are in the final stages of Renovation 2013.  The final coat of paint is going on the bedroom walls today. The closet shelving should be put in this week. The bedroom lights/mirror should be installed this week.  I think the plumbing will finally be completed.

We are hoping to be back in there this weekend (fingers and toes crossed.)

Here are the latest round of photos. (I couldn't really get good ones of the bathroom shower... too many shadows and poor lighting but you get the idea.)

The Reveal: Hallway Bathroom

The hallway bathroom is finished. Well mostly finished... I won't bore you with the details, says the girl who loves to detail every last detail. Just a couple more things but basically its all done.

 

I am very pleased with the way it came out. Especially the floor. Some of the highlights for me include the $75 Craigslist sink and the custom made box mirror. I also love the ledge on the top of the bead board. This bathroom has a lot of tchotchke potential.

Imagine That

My children are both blessed with very active imaginations. The latest round of imaginary play has centered around Beatrice playing the role of "Mama Allison", Theo starring as "Allie," and rounding out the cast is a baby doll named "Lizzy." The husband/father is "Mark."

Typically, the game starts off with Beatrice (Allison) telling Theo (Allie) to do something or to go get a blanket or bottle for Baby Lizzy. Often this game benefits me because Mama Allison is currently potty training Allie. I've been able to outsource some mothering.

Last night's scene was my favorite thus far in this little game. Beatrice was in her room tending to the baby while I was putting her laundry away. "Thanks for doing the laundry, LalaLina." Did I mention that I'm LalaLina, the aunt?

Suddenly Beatrice jumps up and grabs her 'phone' (my non-working 10- year old PalmPilot--remember those?)
"Oh hi, Mark. [Pause] Will you be home soon? [Pause] Ok. Bye honey." 
She turns to me "Mark's out to dinner with his friends."
"Oh" I say. "Does he go out a lot with his friends?"
"Not too much" she replies.
"Does he help you with the kids?" I press on.
"Ya sometimes. But sometimes he just acts like a big kid."

Where the hell does she come up with this stuff? I go downstairs and repeat this dialogue to Cory and we both laugh wondering where she's getting these phrases. I've never uttered those words about Cory. I give him shit about other things but we are pretty much even steven on the parenting front. We don't really play that "Good cop/Bad cop" / "mom is the serious one and dad is the childish/crazy one" stuff at my house.

A couple of minutes later Beatrice comes downstairs to report that Mark is on his way home "He didn't end up going out to dinner. Just drinks." (She's definitely heard this statement at our house.)Cory chuckles from the couch, where he's scrolling away on his iPad.

Me: "Oh, Ok. Does Mark take  you out too or does he just go out with his friends?"
Beatrice: "Ya, we go out to dinner sometimes. But he's always looking at his iPad at the table." Then she shoots Cory the most fantastic dirty look ever.  He glances up, with a nod of his head, acknowledging that little bit of "Mark" that lies within.

I'll be keeping my eye on this "Mark" character. My daughter deserves an equal partner-- one that supports her and actively fathers his children. Oh wait, Mark is a figment of her imagination. Perhaps I should ease up on my 5 year old daughter's fictitious husband.

This gal never ceases to entertain me.

Let's Iron Out Our Differences

 

Scene: On the couch with Cory, iPad in my lap looking at closet configurations.

Me: Come look at this one. It has an ironing board that comes right out of the wall.
Cory: You wouldn't need that. You don't iron.
Me: Well ya but that would be convenient.
Cory: The only thing you have to worry about is the elastic band in your pants not getting bunched up.

Oh shoot, that's ome sub zero shit to throw at a work from home girl. I didn't really have any comeback though as I was currently in my exercise pants. To be exact, the worst kind of exercise pants-- the kind that had not been used for exercise that day.

We Welcome You To Munchkin Land

Beatrice celebrated her 5th birthday this past weekend with back to back parties. The festivities started with my sister and nephew coming into town for a surprise trip. Beatrice was shocked and elated.

Then we put on a Wizard of Oz-themed birthday party. It was a hit and my baby girl noticed every detail. She loves a theme party, just like her mama. Everyone got in on the action, Cory dressed like the Scarecrow, Grandma came as Glinda, Theo was the Lion, Julian was the Tin Man, I was assigned the Wicked Witch role by Bea (interesting choice), and Auntie was a little of each character. Even McKenna the doll got a special custom dress made by Grandma.

After the party,  we girls headed into Boston to stay at a hotel. Beatrice requested Chicken Fingers and Mashed Potatoes for her birthday dinner. The next morning we went swimming at the hotel pool and out to breakfast for chocolate chip pancakes.

Last night as I was putting her to  bed she said "Mama I had the best birthday ever." If only we could stay 5 forever!