Sayings I won't correct

Now that Sophie is getting older, we are really on her to speak very clearly and get ready to enter the big world with understandable language. However, today, there are certain phrases I have decided I just won't fix:

"Mommy, I am sweatering!" She isn't a fan of the heat.

"I want my bear cubbers". That is what she says when she is tired and cold, meaning the bear quilt better come soon.

"Him hurt him Hiney." Never fails, everytime she watches three little pigs she bursts into laughter and yells that when the big bad wolf falls into the bucket of boiling water. What is getting funnier is that Harper now does it too!

There are tons more, and next time she says one, I may have to update the list...

I had to write before I forgot...

Sophie and I got an unusually odd thing today of getting to eat lunch together by ourselves. Harper fell out for an early nap, so the two of us played catch up chat. The end of her school and ballet is coming soon with summer approaching, so I asked her about what she will miss about each.

Me- Sophie, what has been your favorite part of school?

Sophie- Well, I love singing with Miss Gayle (their music teacher) because she makes up silly songs. One time she made an alligator go up the water spout instead of the spider. And, I like days where we only go outside one time. When we go outside two times my hair gets all wet and it looks funny.

I can't make this up....

Realizing you are a parent

This has been five of the craziest, busiest weeks ever. Between Easter, family visits, trips home, Ear surgeries, sicknesses, and all the other parts of our life, we have had to redo the family dry erase calendar many times to fit in added events lately. Although it has been busy, we loved the craziness, because we all knew the climax of the busy weeks was DISNEY!

Disney was a hilarious trip. If you know Lee and I, we are fans of travelling. We are also great fans of low key travelling. We have visited great places, and had amazing trips, but don't ask us to map out all the details, or visit a travel agent, or grace the aisles of Barnes & Noble for the tourists' guides. We have our own style of travel that keeps us relaxed and loving the fun of stopping and seeing the true life of where we visit.

Disney, however, led us to two travel guides, a phone plan, three web site subscriptions, and numerous calls to Disney reservations. I packed for three days (record for me), and had sensible shoes, a backpack, antibacterial gel in many scents, and spillproof juice boxes.

All this planning was worth it when I saw the gleam in the eyes of two of the cutest little girls when their favorite fairy tales characters waltzed in the doors of the castle:

I have felt like a mom for a while now (3 1/2 years, to be exact), but when you see your oldest and she can't possibly take her eyes off the princess before her and you MUST go buy her the exact gown she wore as soon as you finish dinner, you are aware you are a mother.

Lee mentioned to me as we left Disney each night that all these dads with older children must feel like such a parent as they carried their seven and eight year olds out of the park because they just couldn't walk any further. He had his moment as the last night Sophie was just tired. She sooo wanted one more ride at her favorite spot, but just couldn't ride in the stroller one more minute. Lee had his realization as he carried her for four straight hours to her ride, on the bus, around the park, and to her bed.

As young as we feel, we are parents who have carried their children through Disney, led them to meet their fairy tale dreams, and completely exhausted them each day with magical fun. That notch is now forever in our belts. We have the pictures to prove it.

By the way, our next trip? I don't even know if we will get a map to the place.

"Worrying" from a three year old

Today Sophie and I had some girl time as I drove her to a classmate's birthday party. She was extremely excited because not only had she forgotten about the birthday party, but it was such a pretty afternoon after a rainy morning. She was so busy talking and moving to new topics before I could chime in on her questions that my head was spinning. But, we got one great conversation in.

Sophie: Hey mommy, you know what? I am going to quit worrying about myself. (sidenote: Sophie is often told to 'worry about yourself' when she gets preoccupied with others and shows signs of tattletale-ness, if that is a word)

Me: Really Sophie? If you don't worry about yourself, what are you going to do? Because you know you need to keep yourself in order.

Sophie: No, mommy. I think Jesus is going to worry about me. I think Harper needs some help.

I am glad she has the wonderful faith of a child that she is completely unconcerned about herself. I am also completely worried that Harper is going to not get away with anything from a big sister who is now whole heartedly on her case! Either way, it was a cute conversation.

Oh- she also pointed out that a waitress at lunch was a "clown" pretty loudly (she did have VERY bright white hair teased crazy. We all thought it, though none spoke up. ) She also asked a checkout lady how she got purple hair. Sophie wants purple hair, it is her favorite. So, Jim N' Nicks and JoAnns are out of my rotation for a while.

A look on a Crisis

I think I am hitting the quarter life crisis. Since 20 is the new 30 and I am 32, I reasoned today that some of my actions are now justified. Here are a few random happenings:

- I got excited, and I mean EXCITED, today because I got a deal on swiffer dusting/febreeze stuff. I got two cans, regularly $8.25, for $2.00. How lame is that?

- On the contrary, I went to cash in a free trip to the tanning bed and contemplated joining for two months to get my "base tan". Those words haven't crossed these lips since my junior year in college as I readied for Mardi Gras Ball season and spring break. Let's clarify that my base tan is about the saddest pale you have seen, but still.... (By the way, I did not join the tanning bed, because a) I know it is terrible for you and b) I thought of what material I could buy to sew shirts with that money. Oh the thoughts in my head.)

- I stopped a girl in a store today because she had these shoes I have dreamed of. They weren't flashy or spunky at all. In fact, they could only be described as "sensible" by both the woman and myself. But I loved them! They could go with both shorts, jeans, and sporty skirts! Never would I stop someone to admire their sensibility in shoes. But I did! If you see me in capris, make me stop....

- On another contrary, I have my Easter Dress I bought at Market last year because the designer told me how he made the dress for shapes like mine. I love it! However, it is the flashiest dress, and I am now on the search for a neutral sweater to tone it down.

I think that best way to sum this up is that I need a good haircut and a trip to Ann Taylor, and maybe my flightiness will settle soon.

Things I have learned from marriage

Today is our 5th anniversary. It has be a fast, fun filled, and fabulous five years. It honestly feels like yesterday that we were driving between Mobile and Montgomery weekly for appointments, showers, parties, and finally the big day. Lee and I met and dated for one year, got engaged for four months, then got married. It was a whirlwind romance, and it still feels that way! I have learned a few things in five years about marriage. Here are my top 5:

1- Let your husband do your shopping every once in a while. It happens quite regularly that my closets seem to eat all my good clothes and I have nothing to wear. I have given Lee free reign a few times to pick up a shirt or dress for me, and it OFTEN surprises what he brings home. His view of my style is awesome! I may not like what he brings home on the hanger, but it usually fits perfectly and are usually some of my favorite pieces. I, however, do not have that luck. Things I pick out for him are usually returned with mutual agreement that they are NOT working on him.

2- It is okay to go to bed angry. I know, this is so against all those Hallmark cards. However, in our marriage, it works. I can literally count on one hand the times we have fought. And that is because we don't sit down at night and dwell on situations. Things I may be irritated with at 8 pm seem petty the next morning when we have had some cool down time. If we hashed out every irritation, it would be much different. Once one of us just realizes and accepts that we are okay with our differences on a situation, we move on. Plus, when we go to bed late it is never good for the under eye circles.

3- Not everyone loves holidays like I do. Just because I am a Halloween, Christmas, and Easter junkie, doesn't mean Lee's inability to tear up when he sees the mini eggs at Target means he isn't excited. This one was hard to accept. When the girls came along I am in go mode with any holiday. Lee is a big fan of holidays, but he will never reach my level of enthusiasm. That is a difference in us, and it is okay to have differences.

4- I can't compete with Auburn football. We are a definite mixed family, and as much as I try, I won't ever be as big of a sports fan as he. That's okay. I love Alabama football, but if Auburn and Alabama are playing at the same time, Lee will get the bigger TV. If (oops, I mean WHEN) Alabama wins their next championship, I will probably watch the game by myself, again. It is just something about boys and their teams.

5- I am amazed at what happens when love is present. I think we both have so much respect, faithfulness, and respect for each other because of our love. Seriously. I am amazed at what Lee does for me, and I am honestly been amazed at what I want to do for him.

A very Un-Birthday

With the weather as cold as it has been, I am totally out of inside ideas to entertain the girls. We have exhausted the museum, mall, YMCA, bookstore, Costco(yes, a very fun place for kids), Walmart toy aisle, etc. So Friday, when Harper was still coughing and it was a little windy to be out, Sophie wanted to bake. We do make stuff often, and she loves to help with supper, but this time we took it to the extreme, with decorations and gifts to boot!

By the way, in attempt to save me from saying mean things to the computer, the pictures loaded backwards. The first shot should be last, but whatever. Anyway, Lee took the girls bowling Saturday so I could catch up sewing (18 shirts later, I would say I am caught up. Need something done? Now is a good time!) and Sophie bowled like you are supposed to and knocked down 5 or 6 pins each time.

Harper and her evil eye after she finished her cake.

Our un-birthday cake, complete with peeps!

My little Tutu and Tiara! All ready for their party.