Reading

Connor currently has a few books that he can "read" (and by read I mean name all the pictures or read from memory). The best news of all to Connor...is that the girls are finally interested in listening. Well, by "listening" I really mean more like grabbing & sometimes mouthing the books. However, I have convinced Connor that they REALLY like to hear him read the books ALL. BY. HIMSELF. WITHOUT. ME.

P.S. I am going to invent a "Toy Vacuum" which picks up toys around the house, so my house doesn't perpetually look like this anymore. It will be a "hands-free" automatic type like the Roomba, that can be set to clean up when we are gone or napping.

Our Mistake

A few weeks ago Connor had an unfortunate vomiting episode. We really didn't know if he was sick or what, so we pulled out all the stops. We made him a little "couch bed" with his favorite blankie & pillow, gave him a "bucket" in case it happened again, and then put in a movie so he could rest up. As it turns out he wasn't really sick at all. No fever. No other symptoms. Completely fine about 30 minutes later. However, he apparently loved this treatment. Now, about once each day since then he casually tells me that he "might spit up again" (which is what he calls it). The other day the conversation went like this:

Connor: Mama, I fink I might need to spit up.
Me: Ok, then walk to the bathroom & use the toilet (because I know it is fake, so my reaction is super casual).
Connor: No, I don't fink so. I fink I need that bucket.
Me: Nah. You can just sit by the toilet if you think you need to throw up.
Connor: Well, actually I fink I need you to make be a bed right here (points to the couch), with that bucket. Then I will watch a movie. I fink it will be Monsters (as in Monsters Inc.).
Me: Umm, I don't think so, Connor. If you are really sick then you can sit by the toilet or lay in your bed by yourself to rest.
Connor: Umm, I don't fink I am very sick then.

Glad we got that all straightened out.

First Day of Preschool

Connor's been all smiles since he started preschool! Here he is on the first day with his "art project" from school. A dog. That he named "Daisy." So creative, that kid. We weren't too sure he was going to like preschool (or even actually GO to preschool willingly) but he has surprised us. I went with him for the whole first day (with all the other parents as required). However, he repeatedly told me that he was nervous. But on his real first day alone he woke up VERY excited. In fact he was up at 8am, dressed and ready to head to school by about 8:04am. The only problem was that school doesn't start until 9:00 and for the remaining 56 minutes he kept saying, "I'm ready for school! Is it time to leave?" You have no idea how hard it is for a 3 year old to wait for an entire hour. Turns out, it is quite difficult. I think we were in the car about 10 minutes early. At the school dropoff, he turned to me and casually said, "Bye Mom." grabbed his teacher's hand and off he went. It was a miracle, really.

P.S. Blurry picture was from a poor camera phone. Real camera still lost:(

The Flashlight Game

Bad News: I have lost our camera. So, for now there will be no pictures on the blog.
Good News: I have still managed to keep track of all the kids.

Here's a little story for you that requires no pictures. Sometimes when I am busy feeding the girls I'll play this fun game with Connor, which requires him to shine his flashlight on different things in the room. For example I'll say, "Shine your light on something red!" and Connor will rush around the room with his flashlight trying to find the perfect red item to illuminate. Recently I  have been giving him some new challenges, such as "Shine your light on something that floats in the air" (Balloon) or "Shine your light on something that swings" (Baby mobile toys), etc. Then, I tried this tricky one, "Shine your light on someone you love." (He shines his light right in the babies eyes, one at a time.) Ok, cute, but not exactly what I was going for there. "Connor, shine your light on someone else you love." He thinks this one through for a few seconds as if it is a trick question, and replies, "But Daddy is not here right now." Ummm, okay. Again, sweet but also not EXACTLY what I was thinking. "You are right Daddy is not here. Why don't you shine your light on someone who you love who is HERE. IN. THIS. ROOM." Again, he stops to think. "Oh, I know. Connor!" (Shines his light on his own shirt.) Let's try one more time. "Connor I think there is someone else who you love who you can shine your light on. Right in this room!" He replies, super confused at this point, "But Mama...I love Grandma, but she is not here." "Yes, you do love Grandma. But there is someone else left who is RIGHT. HERE!" Connor replies exasperated by this tricky riddle, "I don't know. Mama, just tell me!" Finally I give in, "Connor its me, your mom." (Shines the light right in my eyes.) "Oh yea. Kanks for telling me." No problem.

Newest Game

Our newest game...kicking the balloon. In case you have never tried it, you just clip a balloon on a short string to your sock and kick away. It can be pretty entertaining if you are 4 months old. Err well, also if you are 3 years old. In fact the 3 year old may have even had MORE fun. He was laughing, screaming, and rolling all over the place. Here Kaia is mesmerized by the speed in which the yellow balloon can fly! Oh, that big brother...he's just SOOO entertaining!

Hair Bows

They have not worn these in public yet...mostly because Daddy is not a huge fan. Well that and the fact that our babies do not generally like anything on their head for very long. Kaia's being a good sport, but apparently Ashlyn is not the hugest fan either. Maybe she will be a better sport once her head grows slightly larger than the flower itself.

Connor's New Bed

Connor finally graduated from his crib to a real big-boy bed. He staying in his crib for so long out of his mom's total fear that naps would cease, but she finally gave in and took the plunge. Connor has been nothing but excited. The best news of all is that Connor STAYS. IN. HIS. BED. and STILL. TAKES. NAPS.

So the first day after watching him on the video monitor for his nap, I said "Connor I was so proud of you that you stayed in your bed until I came to get you." His reply, "Oh no, mama. I didn't. I threw my blanket out and had to get it off the floor. I'm sorry. I did get out." Like for 1 second. So honest. Now when he wakes up he still calls me to come get him. He literally will call me for like 20 minutes as if he can not get up on his own. I have to wonder...when he figures out that he can actually climb out of his bed all by himself will all hell break loose? There is another family member who is also in love with this new bed and frequents it regularly. Although she has made it VERY clear that she wants her own room, apparently she is willing to share if the circumstances are just right.