Quick Mom Tip

If you have a fussy eater... this may be worth trying. Maddy is definately one of those fussy eaters. So much so that she has been to a nutritionist and put on "Pediasure" because there are some days that she may have only a few bites of food. Recently, I discovered that this little trick can work with any food that you can fold (pizza, quesedillas, sandwiches etc...) Maddy was complaining that she couldn't finish her pizza and it was too much. So I suggested she fold it up and make it smaller. I showed her by folding her pizza, making it look like half it's original size. "Oh! OK", she said... and finished her pizza off in no time. It's worth a try!

Overheard

Recently, the girls have been playing a lot with their play tea set. They will set some stuffed animals up around their little play table and have tea together. I made the mistake one day of letting them put water in their cups. Since then, I have had to put a stop to it because they end up making a huge mess with water and getting the carpet all wet, so I made a rule, "no more water". I awoke one morning to hear them playing together. I overheard Maddy say "... go get some water for our cups...". Jordan was probably on her way to go get some when she saw me out in the hall way. I told them they had better not be playing with water! I quickly investigated to make sure there was indeed no water in their teacups, and headed downstairs. I then heard Maddy say, "I told you!".

Brush your teeth!

Been meaning to tell this story for awhile. The other day, I was getting Maddy ready to go out, and trying to brush her teeth. She was sitting on the counter, refusing to open her mouth so I could get the toothbrush in. I was getting upset and frustrated with her because she was being difficult. I got right in her face and tried to let her know I was serious and that there would be consequences if she didn't do what I told her. In the middle of my "scolding", she reaches up with her hand and plugs her nose.

"Mommy, you're stinky!"

Unfortunately, for her, I had not yet brushed my teeth either and still had morning breath. I looked away so I could laugh, but it was really hard to be serious after that!

I Love Rock 'n Roll

We've been playing a lot of Guitar Hero in our house lately. One of the songs Maddy likes to listen and sing to is "I Love Rock 'n Roll". This is how she sings it:

"I love rock n' roll
put another dime in the juicebox, baby
I love rock n' roll
So come an' take your time an' dance with me ..."

The Name Game

This afternoon, Jordan, Maddy and I were talking about their full names. They each know how to spell their first name, but we haven't gotten to their middle names yet. I think it'll be awhile before Jordan can spell Elizabeth!

I asked Maddy if she knew what her full name was, and she said no. I was about to tell her when Jordan walked over to her and whispered something in her ear. Maddy then smiled really big and proudly said her full name out loud.

"Madeline Grapes Nealey!"

(It's Grace in case you didn't know)

Fast Food?

Yesterday, as we were leaving the park after spending some much needed time outdoors, we decided to go out to eat. We asked the girls where they would like to eat, and Jordan said "McDonalds!". Daddy kindly told her that we weren't going anywhere that was "fast food", to which she replied, "so we're going somewhere that has slow food?"

Girls and boys

Since moving here last year, the girls haven't developed many friendships beyond the two boys of our close friends here. I expect that will change when Jordan starts school in the fall, but for now, they spend a whole lot of time with Jacob and Ethan while their Mom, Laura, and I drink coffee and enjoy some conversation. Jacob is Jordan's age, and Ethan is closer to Maddy's age, but a little older.



Recently, we've begun to notice that Jacob is a little put off by playing with girls. He has begun to complain about coming over to our house because all Jordan wants to do is play "wedding"... and play girl things.

One afternoon, as Laura was on her way over here with the boys, Jacob was a little reluctant to come play, I guess because he wasn't really in the mood for girl stuff. This was shortly after Christmas, and Jordan had gotten some Barbies, and some dress-up clothes.. and a bunch of "girl" toys! On their way over, they discussed how Jacob could do other things besides play girl stuff and that we had a lot of things to play that wasn't "girly" etc... and that he had to be nice to Jordan.

At our house, however, we were having a particularly girly day. Jordan was all into her dressup clothes. She had a dress on, with plastic jewelry, high heels, a tierra.. the works!

The doorbell rings.

Jordan answers it, all dressed up. Jacob gives his mother a look of "I told you!!!". Only later did I understand what this look meant, as Laura explained their discussion on the way over. Who knew that this stuff started this early!