Our Princess Castle

Andrea's battle wound

2011-05-10T10:48:00.000-06:00

From a fight with the Etch a Sketch. Guess who won.

Guess what!!

2010-06-02T23:07:00.003-06:00

The day she has been waiting for has finally come. I noticed it tonight after brushing her teeth.

Can you see it?

I told her that I want her to wiggle it and wiggle it so that it comes out before Friday morning.

I don't know if I will be that lucky. But I am going to keep hoping.

And now Andrea wants one.

Thursday Greta learned

2010-05-22T22:46:00.001-06:00

That it is not a good idea to jump on a ball. Andrea was her only witness.

What a Sweetheart

2010-01-25T00:14:00.007-07:00

My mom has a friend that had quite a few health problems and hospital stays over the last year and a half. Andrea recently went to visit her in the hospital with my mom. During the visit Andrea sang for her as only Andrea can. I was told that before they left Andrea said that she did not want to leave until Jean got better and could go home. Jean passed away a few days later.

We love you Jean. Thank you for the memories that you have given to my girls and to me.

How Things Happen at Our House

2009-12-24T19:18:00.003-07:00

When Grandma is in charge things look this:

When I am in charge things look like this:

And this:

And this:

And then this:

Which leads to this:

There was still some left over candy the next day, but only until Cousin B got ahold of the tablecloth and the candy ended up on the floor. Somehow the gingerbread houses were safe and stayed on the table!

When they are playing nicely it usually means there is a mess

2009-12-14T20:17:00.005-07:00

This time it was a big one.

They were being fairies. My only guess is that the packing peanuts were fairy dust or clouds or something like that.

Soon after this picture Greta started crying that her hand hurt. Mean Mom that I am, I still made them clean it up. Lucky for the three of us I showed them a cool trick (use a bucket to scoop it up quickly) and by the end they were fighting (literally) for the peanuts.

Greta: (said to Andrea while cleaning up) "I'm in a bad attitude today."

I forgot to mention, because I know the question will be asked. Where was I during all the fun? In the other room, working on school work.

"Bravest of them All"

2009-12-04T23:17:00.002-07:00

Wednesday the three of us went to get shots. One of those fun ones.

A couple weeks ago I took the girls for their well checks I let them choose if they wanted to get a shot or flu mist. Andrea... didn't really understand. Greta decided that she wanted a flu shot. When the nurse told us they only had the flu mist it took some thinking on Greta's part. She volunteered Andrea to be first (she had two other vaccinations to get also, plus the flu mist), Andrea hardly batted an eye, so Greta was okay. She did so well and said she liked the flu mist after it was over. A lot better reaction than saying it felt like she had a bloody nose which was her comment last year. Also a better reaction than the one Andrea had of blowing the mist out and all over my hand instead of sniffing it up!

Back to Wednesday. We couldn't do the flu mist again because it had only been two weeks. Greta wasn't sold on the idea. I went first, Greta volunteered that Andrea go next (such a nice big sister). Andrea was very brave and watched the whole thing then got her happy pink bandage. As Greta went to sit in the chair she said that I had to let her hold my hand really, really, really tight. She sat down, started holding my hands tighter and tighter, then couldn't do it. It was too much. And there was nothing I could do to talk her into it. I was talking to her (even trying to bribe her) for a couple hours after we got home. She was not going to budge. And when I told her that I wanted her to agree she told me that she wasn't going to. I had no idea she was so scared of shots.

The next day I got a call at work. I asked my mom if she was going to get the shot. She handed the phone to Greta who told me that she wanted to get the shot. "Really?! Do you want Grandma to take you or do you want me to?" "Grandma." I was just about to tell her that she could call and talk to me when she got it (as a distraction) when she said (hesitantly) "Okay. I'll go with you. Then you can see how brave I am. But you have to let me bring my Mickey Mouse sucker." That made my day. It also made me laugh.

We met up for the shot, waited our turn, I sat in the chair and she got on my lap. She covered her arms up, refusing to budge, even to let the lady clean her arm, until her sucker was open and was in her mouth. Lucky for us the lady giving the shot was really, really fast. She almost didn't make it. Instead there was a quick wipe then shot and we were done. And I didn't let her see the tiny bit of blood which I think was what had her so worried. (She saw that I bled a tiny bit. Andrea had not bled at all.)

Her grandpa, grandma, Andrea, and I all kept telling her how proud we were of her and how brave she was. The lady that gave the shot told her that she was "the bravest of them all". That made Greta light up even more.

This experience taught me more about Greta. I already knew that she has her own ideas and opinions about certain things. There are some things that you cannot make her do, at least until she thinks it through and feels like she is making the decision herself. This time I didn't think she would give in. She surprised me. :)

You can tell we have had a sick house

2009-10-19T11:16:00.000-06:00

My girls are playing in the other room. My mom had just come in from outside. Greta told my mom that Andrea was sick. She had given Andrea rice and a piece of cheese. Then she said, "She is throwing up diarrhea."

"Are you wearing your spectacles?"

2009-10-09T23:59:00.003-06:00

Last week I had an eye exam. The next day I got contacts. Greta didn't really understand contacts but she wanted to, so I told her I would show her. The next day (Saturday) she came into my bedroom first thing in the morning. I asked if she wanted to watch me put them in. She wanted to watch me take them out, so I showed her, then put it back in.

Sunday night I was covering Andrea at bedtime when Greta asked, "Are you wearing your spectacles?" I said, "What?" (That seems to be what I say when I want someone to explain what they are asking, but how would they know that is what I am asking??) "Are you wearing your spectacles?"

I think she understood that I had no idea what she was talking about by the look of complete confusion on my face, because she said something about the things on my eyes. I laughed and said that no, I was not wearing the contacts, and where did she hear the word spectacles?

"From the Barbie Princess and the Pauper." Ah-ha. "The queen says, 'Where are my spectacles? Where are my spectacles?' " (I probably just slaughtered the queen's quote. Greta corrected me when I was telling this story the other day.)

Silly girl. And once again I am amazed at the random, funny things my kids learn from silly shows.

And...

2009-09-02T08:20:00.002-06:00

The first words out of Andrea's mouth to me this morning: "No tie-oh-tees woat me up nass moh-ning." (No coyotes woke me up last morning--meaning today.)

Andrea's current obsession/fear

2009-09-01T11:34:00.002-06:00

Wolves/coyotes.

I don't know where it came from, but I came home from school to Andrea saying that she doesn't like "how-wee wofs" (howly wolves). Then Greta told her that she heard coyotes at our house, and how she thought I was whistling.

Um... what?

2009-08-30T19:28:00.002-06:00

I was helping Andrea in the bathroom a few minute ago when she said, "Deh's no soah-wuh in dis bah-woom."

"What?"

"Deh's no sah-wuh in dis bah-woom."

"... There's no sour in this bathroom?"

"Deh's no baff in dis bah-woom."

"Oh! There is no shower or bath in this bathroom!"

"Yeah."

:)

Andrea: "Do you have a yutty bum?"

2009-08-26T11:44:00.002-06:00

"I mean... a yutty tummy?"

Me: "No."

Andrea: "What do you have?"

Me: (thinking)"... Nothing. Why? Because I want to go to bed?"

Andrea: "Yeah."

Me: "Because I am tired."

Andrea: "Oh."

Here we go to the zoo

2009-08-22T12:36:00.002-06:00

Last week we went... twice! The first day we went to see the new baby giraffe.

I don't know what Andrea was doing.

The next day I heard that a baby elephant had been born a couple hours before we got to the zoo the day before. We had no idea. There were no signs... nothing. We were rushed on Monday between the girls not wanting to go and me needing to get home for school, so we went back Saturday. We saw signs telling about the newest baby.

Andrea telling Greta to move.

Andrea is the same height (36") but far from the weight (251 lbs).

Fun sisters.

Greta and "Elle" (it's a boy). It took her well over half an hour and three stores, then going back to the first store before she was able to make a decision.

More random Andrea

2009-07-29T21:59:00.002-06:00

Andrea wanted to share the water in her sippy cup with me this evening. She told me that I needed to drink it "for wee-oh, nah pee-tend" ("for real, not pretend"). I did get a little that dumped into my mouth, and she told me, "Dat's a duhd duhl" ("that's a good girl").

Andrea's Phrase of the Day

2009-06-28T09:35:00.003-06:00

"That's the whole point!"

???

Where did it come from? The first time she said it my mom and I both laughed. Then she said it again after my mom said something along the lines of "You want me to color the rest of this?"

Silly, silly girl!!

Talk about easy!

2009-06-24T11:40:00.003-06:00

For the last month or two I have been wanting to potty train Andrea. As my schedule is, I didn't know when I would be able to do it without making my mom work also.

Saturday Andrea decided that she wanted to use the potty... a lot! Sunday afternoon I put her in panties. She has been in panties since, minus bedtime, but she has woken up with a dry diaper the last three mornings! She has done so well!! I am so proud of her!! And the only accident so far was yesterday. She had said she needed to go potty, I repeated to make sure I had understood her, and she said no. Five minutes later she said she needed to go, and by the time I turned around she bent over to look between her legs. Oops!

Now I need to go back to the store to pick up the style of panties she has been asking for (size 4 will not work!).

Silly Andrea

2009-06-02T11:57:00.003-06:00

A little while ago I stopped for a minute to wash my hair in the bathtub. Andrea had been following me around. She was standing by me as I was getting the water going. Out of nowhere she told me, "Don't get water in my eyeball." I laughed.

Not too long before that she had told me that her hair looked perfect. She is pretty easy to please when it comes to her hair. She lets me do my thing and she picks the pretties to finish it up.

Middle of the night wake-ups

2009-05-29T00:13:00.004-06:00

A few nights ago (Monday night maybe?) I went to bed late. I had checked on the girls, made sure they weren't ready to roll out of bed, and covered them up before I went to bed. Andrea woke me up about an hour later (1:30 a.m.) needing a drink. I complied, and got her back to bed.

Three hours later (4:30 a.m.) she came running into my room, telling me that "it's going round and round!" Being woken up because of scary dream isn't exactly fun. This was worse, with a startling wake up comment, accelerated heart rate going from sleep to WAKE UP, and needing to take care of my scared little girl. A middle of the night dizzy spell had never happened before. I was surprised. I held on to her for a little while (it didn't last very long), then she said she needed a drink. I took her into the bathroom, set her on the counter next to me, got her a drink, and, after handing the drink to her, I noticed that she wasn't sitting there "okay". Her body was moving in a circle. I pulled her close to me to stabilize her. It wasn't long and everything seemed okay again.

As far as I know she hasn't been having many of these dizzy spells anymore. I was supposed to schedule a follow-up appointment with the ENT awhile ago (I don't remember when I spoke with him. At least a month ago), but I never did because I figured I had the time frame of when these were happening narrowed down. Bad excuse not to schedule, I know. They seem to happen when she has a cold; quite often later in the sickness when she seems to be getting better.

I think it is time to get the professional involved again.

Greta had a scary dream this morning

2009-05-21T09:29:00.004-06:00

I heard her crying before she opened my door (what usually wakes me up). It was 4:30am. She climbed in to bed with me with tears on her cheeks. I asked what her dream was about.

"I saved some Smarties that you had given me. Andrea ate them!"

The part about Andrea wouldn't surprise me at all. The girl loves sugar!!!

Andrea stole the "show"

2009-05-18T19:52:00.000-06:00

My grandpa passed away on Mother's Day. His funeral was Saturday. My dad suggested that the grandkids and great-grandkids sing "I am a Child of God" like we had at my other grandpa's funeral. I was not excited about the idea at all.

On our way to the church Saturday morning I asked the girls to practice singing with me. When Greta and I got to the third verse Andrea started shouting at us that we weren't singing the right words. Then she was crying. After I finished singing Greta told me that she didn't know that part.

We got to the church. Our time came to go up and sing along with siblings, cousins plus their spouses and kids. I was trying to get copies of the words to the song to some that didn't know the song. Greta and Andrea ended up in a group of kids while I joined a group of my cousins. Not too long into the song I heard a familiar little voice, singing her heart out. Andrea brought a huge smile to my face and a lot of others.

After the funeral a lot of people made sure to tell Andrea and me what a good job she did singing. There were quite a few people that were surprised that, at 2 years old, she knew the words to the song.

Lots and lots and lots of pictures!!!

2009-04-27T23:16:00.003-06:00

Thursday, April 9

This is how Andrea drinks. She hears, "Andrea, swallow!" quite a bit.

Saturday, April 11

Sunday, April 12
Easter

Thursday, April 23
I got home from work to hear the girls saying, "It's your birthday!!" They had decorated the house with streamers and made cupcakes with their grandma. There were party hats and a gift that Greta had picked out herself. I was surprised to see it all!! I keep forgetting to take a picture of my gift from Greta. I laughed when she told me about it!

Sunday, April 26
All ready for church

Showing off her teeth.

A few pictures from March 19

2009-04-05T09:48:00.002-06:00

I am really behind here, but here are a few cute pictures I have on my newly updated computer.

A new cousin!

2009-01-27T23:07:00.004-07:00

Greta cried and cried when it was time to leave. Once we did she told me she didn't want Carolyn to come over on Wednesday. (That is HUGE! She always wants Carolyn to come over.) She wants her aunt, uncle, and baby cousin to come over. Such a sweet girl.

Greta sang the funnest song I had ever heard this evening after we left the hospital (second visit of the day). Something about Sammy's father asked him to buy a loaf of bread...??? She sang it at least three times, and there are five verses (she forgot one until the last time she sang it for me). Each verse made me laugh, partially because it is such a funny song, partially because she has such a cute singing voice.

What Andrea said at breakfast

2009-01-25T19:20:00.002-07:00

"Tah-tut meok is so dee-ish-us." (Chocolate milk is so delicious.)

She is feeling better!

2009-01-18T08:50:00.003-07:00

Yesterday Greta was sick all morning and into the afternoon. I started offering her Pedialyte that I remembered having in the evening when she kept begging for water. Remembering that my mom had said Andrea had a bit of diarrhea the day before I gave her some also. Both girls loved it.

This morning Greta is doing even better. She woke me up at 7:00 a.m. as she ran for the toilet. Luckily she was just hungry and not starting another round of throw up. She ate four crackers, had a couple drinks, and went back to bed for about 45 minutes. When we came downstairs I asked if she wanted more of the medicine drink. Andrea had been given some Tang before Greta and I got downstairs. I poured Greta half a glass of Pedialyte. Andrea wanted some too, so I gave her about a quarter of a glass. She wasn't impressed. She wanted "ohm" (all of it). She didn't want it anymore, and kept reaching for Greta's cup. Her grandpa and I kept asking her if she wanted different drinks - orange juice, apple juice, Tang... she didn't want any of it. Finally my dad pulled out the apple juice and held it next to Greta's cup, saying, "Look! It's apple juice!" Greta seemed amazed. When she had her next sip she said, "It does taste like apple juice!" (It really doesn't.) Andrea was still saying that she wanted Greta's drink.

My dad: "It's okay to want."
Greta to Andrea: "That's what Grandpa tells me!"
Me to Greta: "Do you like it when he says that to you?"
Greta: *silence* "I'm not saying."

That made my dad, mom, and me laugh. She did eventually say that no, she doesn't like it when he tells her that.

I guess I can't make my family live under a rock

2009-01-14T23:16:00.003-07:00

Today I took Greta and Andrea with me to Target. Yesterday I had heard about some great clearance sales they were having, so I wanted to see what I might find. I didn't find much. While walking through the girls clothes I started pushing the cart toward a pink shirt with Hershey's kisses on it. I thought Greta might like it. She saw one shirt and one shirt only; a black Hannah Montana shirt. Doh!! I have hoped that we could avoid High School Musical, Camp Rock (or whatever it is), Hannah Montana, and others. But this is what she wanted. When I asked who Hannah Montana is Greta told me "a singer." That's all she knows. But the other girls at school think she is cool. She cried for at least five minutes because I didn't take it off the rack (I was still deciding, and I didn't want to get her hopes up by putting it in the cart like I normally would, just to change my mind and put it back. Okay, really, I just didn't want to get it). We walked around, Greta finally told me that she wanted to go home, so I found the last couple things I needed and we started to head for the front of the store. Then I saw my mom pushing her own cart. Greta also saw her and ran to catch up. She was told about the Hannah Montana shirt right away. "Can we go get it Grandma???" For whatever reason my cart was no longer good enough for my girls. I stopped to look at a few things and lost my family, only to find them closer to the girls clothes. My first time through the little and bigger girl sections I didn't find anything. The second time I found a few things. One of which was a PINK Hannah Montana shirt. I held it up to Greta's back when she wasn't paying attention to see if this shirt would actually keep her belly covered. It looked like it would. I had it strategically folded in the cart so she couldn't see what it was, just that a pink shirt was in the cart. She asked to see it a couple times.

We shopped around for awhile, were walking toward toilet paper, when Greta told me she found the perfect thing to wash the toilets. I think it was a Clorox Toilet Wand. She carried that box around for maybe ten minutes. She would not put it down. She thought that's what we needed. I don't think she knows that I have a toilet brush. She finally put it down after I pointed out a package of tissues that included a Hannah Montana box. Then she didn't want to put that down. I can't remember what my mom finally said, but she put the packageback where it belonged. No tears.

We left the store with Greta not really knowing whether or not there was a Hannah Montana shirt in a cart. But then she thought she saw the checker put one in my bag. She kept asking to look, but I made her wait until we got home to pull all the shirts out. Once again I got zero credit. "The man put a Hannah Montana shirt in our bag!!!" *sigh*

They always make me laugh

2009-01-11T23:15:00.003-07:00

Last night I told the girls to find books to read before they went to bed. Andrea said, "Weh's doh-tah soos?" It took me a second to figure out she was asking "Where is Dr. Seuss?" I'm not sure which Dr. Seuss book she was referring to - maybe The Cat in the Hat?

Today in Primary the singing leader had snowflakes that she had the kids sit on. When we got home that's what Greta wanted to do, so I cut papers into squares, folded them, and showed her what to do. We made four (or more?) papers worth of snowflakes of various sizes. Toward the end she said, "This is totally, totally awesome!" I am sure I taught her awesome, but totally...?

At lunch we had yummy skillet dinner. Andrea didn't eat much, but she did tell Greta "Dis is ree, ree, ree, ree good." But she didn't say good. I had to ask her what she said, then figured it out just as my parents told me.

As crazy and wild as these girls are, they have hearts of gold. If I get hurt (even pretending) Greta gets sad right along with me and wants to make me feel better. Greta loves making things to give to people, usually some kind of drawing or painting. She has been wanting us to help her spell out messages that she writes. Andrea knows how to make your heart melt. She is the hardest kid to be mad at! All she has to do is smile at you or tell you that she loves you and she is forgiven. And she has the saddest, most heartbreaking cry. I heard that tonight when I went upstairs after multiple times telling them to be quiet, it's bedtime, etc. It broke my heart and I had to hug and kiss her until she wasn't so sad. She is finally letting me wear a sweater around the house without making me take it off. She used to think that if I wore a sweater it meant I was leaving. And if I give her a kiss she says, "No bye-bye."

Yet another Andrea funny

2009-01-08T14:05:00.002-07:00

I have another funny phrase she said a week or so ago, but it's written down at home. Hopefully I will remember to type it up soon!

Today I got home from school. Andrea was being a little cutie (Greta was playing computer games and had not yet noticed that I was home from school, at least not that I could tell). My mom said that if I had gotten home a little bit earlier I would have seen tears. Why? Andrea told me, "Ee-uh ant big bankie. Ga-mah seh NO." (Andrea wanted big blankie. Grandma said NO.) My mom and I laughed and laughed.

Cutest little dancer!!

2009-01-05T23:12:00.003-07:00

We were watching a dance competition (I think there were eight countries involved) tonight. Andrea loves dancing. She started dancing along. Since I don't have a video camera, I pulled out my trusty camera. It might have been a bit more effective if I had changed the settings a little so it was taking pictures in a row by itself, but I didn't. You get the idea. She was dancing with the Russians. Sorry the pictures are so small. I didn't notice that I had them set to upload to a smaller size until 31 pictures had uploaded.

She wanted to dance alone. Can you tell?

Andrea got to sit on the couch with me for a couple minutes after that while Greta danced alone.

She didn't dance for very long.

Finally, posey/fun pictures of Greta!

2009-01-04T16:44:00.003-07:00

These were taken today after church.

Greta holding her eyes open when I complained about all the close-eyed pictures I was taking.

This is a funny picture. I think Greta had been too close to Andrea in the corner. Andrea has an angry looking face with Wheat Thins, her current favorite food, in her hand and hanging out of her mouth. Greta looking like she did something wrong.

A few Christmas pictures

2009-01-03T22:32:00.004-07:00

Santa's snack plate with homemade cookies and chocolate dipped gummy bears. We left the cup empty so that Santa's milk wouldn't get warm in case he prefers cold milk. If he likes milk then I told Greta he could put it in the microwave.

Greta insisted that Santa's treats go on the special red plate.

Christmas morning.

We were drinking orange juice before we could open presents. Their grandpa didn't stop them from sneaking into their stockings, hence the candy cane, fruit snacks, and ornaments.

The girls' gifts from Santa. Big girl beds!

The stuff on the floor (in the picture with Andrea's bed) is what goes with Greta's bed. I had spent most of the afternoon putting the beds together. Andrea's had different parts put together multiple times. Darn instructions. I guess I should have followed them better, but they were annoying.

Doesn't Greta look happy?

I did not many pictures from Christmas. I was too busy playing with them.

Little funny

2008-12-28T23:48:00.003-07:00

Today, after Andrea and I were making Lumpy (Pooh Bear's baby elephant friend) sounds, I asked Andrea what Roo says. "Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy." I laughed out loud, told her "Good!" and gave her a big hug. I wondered who else would she surprise me with her answer? I don't remember the order I asked, but here are some of her answers: Tigger - "Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy." Kanga (Roo's mommy) - "Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy." Pooh Bear - "I like honey!" (Made me laugh!!) Rabbit - "Carrots!" (Made me laugh!!) Eeyore - not the answer I expected and I can't remember now what she said. I can't remember what she said for Christopher Robin. I couldn't make out what she said for Owl.

Tonight my mom turned on the movie "The Sound of Music." I was excited to see it, but did not think we would be able to watch it long, thinking the girls would get bored. They did so well!! They loved the singing (especially Andrea) and loved the dancing (especially Andrea, who kept asking for more dancing).

Fun pictures!

2008-12-24T10:01:00.003-07:00

These are not in the right order, but they were all taken in December.

A game the girls love...

This time with Grandma!

The first big snowstorm! Greta helping Andrea get a snowball:

Andrea not really knowing what to do with it:

Cheering for Andrea. "You hit the window!!"

Playing the computer.

Showing off the birthday poster she made to share with her class.

No guesses?!

2008-12-03T17:02:00.004-07:00

Fine.

"Mommy ict ah ahm" = Mommy licked my arm
"Uh oo Tuh" = Love you Greta ("Tuh" used to be "Tuh-tuh")

Last week (or was it the week before??) she asked me to read the "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, what do you hear?" story. I might have been too slow to start reading and she started doing it herself. She had me rolling! But she did so well. And I was so surprised.

"Po (not to be confused with poo. It's Po, like the Teletubby) Beh, Po Beh, wuh oo he-uh. I hee uh ____ (usually "peatot". She loves the peacock picture) uh uh e-uh." (Translated is "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, what do you hear? I hear a ____ (peacock) _____ (whatever sound they make, which she doesn't usually say) in my ear.") She knows all the animals in the book. Her current favorite book is an oldie Golden Book, "Donald Duck and the One Bear" - AKA "Pizza book." I'm not sure if it's all the pizza that makes her love the book, or if it's the story, or Donald, Daisy, and Donald's nephews.

Greta is doing better, but still very hoarse. When I got home from work Monday I walked right past her lying on the couch. She didn't tell me she was there, and the sounds of "Mommy!!" is usually where they both are. Her grandma had told her she needed to get lots of rest so she could get better, so she was. I asked her how she was doing. Her response: "Not well." She is mostly surviving on popsicles, because right now she can get away with it, but she did eat her whold corn dog from Dairy Queen yesterday. Her outfit today.... yikes!! I need to take a picture. There was a day several weeks ago that I took her picture, then took her out in public. LOL! She's a kid, and she can get away with it. At least she's happy.

What I wouldn't give...

2008-12-02T20:54:00.005-07:00

To have a webcam on Andrea all the time! She is the funniest kid! She had my mom and me rolling tonight during dinner while she ate "neddles." One of the funnier things she said was "Mommy ict ah ahm." Can you figure it out? And she is the loviest kid. I come home from work or school and get "MOMMY!!! MOMMY!!! MOMMY!!!" and HUGE hugs that go on, and on, and on. Just a little bit ago I overheard the girls playing with Greta calling Andrea "Annie" and Andrea saying "Uh oo Tuh." Makes me laugh trying to spell how she sounds, but she makes perfect sense to me! ... Most of the time.

I tried posting a few pictures of the girls from Andrea's birthday dinner, but I had them sized huge in photobucket. I'll fix it... later. Now I'm going to read bedtime stories my little sick-os (Andrea has a runny nose, Greta sounds like a little man with her hoarse voice).

Should have been embarrassing, but....

2008-11-29T17:22:00.001-07:00

The night before Greta's birthday as I was tucking her in and kissing her goodnight she asked me to give her a surprise party. Um.... Okay.... I started thinking that maybe I could call my sister and see if she would mind if I picked up her 4-year-old daughter on my way home from work and I would take the two girls to McDonald's for ice cream cones. After telling my mom she suggested having people meet at McDonald's instead. Okay. That would work. On my way to work Wednesday morning I called my sisters and sister-in-law to let them know about the surprise party. After work I called my mom who mentioned what a nice day it was, and that it was too bad we weren't going to have the party outside. ......Okay. I was stopping at a store to pick up balloons. She called and changed plans with my sister and sister-in-law while I changed plans with my brother-in-law, then called and left a message for my sister. But then we didn't have snacks for the party. Luckily there is a Wal-Mart between work and the park. We had a great time (even with the locked bathrooms - what the heck?!).

The next day, Andrea's birthday, I wanted to do something fun. But what?! I had picked up Chick-Fil-A for our family the week before and the girls loved it. I suggested getting it for dinner again, thinking Andrea would have a fun birthday dinner. My parents and the girls met me after work. We ordered the same exact food, only this time neither girl touched her chicken. I was shocked!! All Andrea had was her lemonade. The next day was the first big day of her cold, so maybe that's why. ??? While sitting in the food court Greta commented on a worker at a hot dog stand's hat (is it Hot Dog on a Stick??). I had my back to that restaurant so I wasn't really paying attention to what was happening. Out of nowhere Greta yells, "THEY'RE OUT OF THEIR PEN!!!! HE'S OUT OF HIS PEN!!!!" I started laughing, guessing who she was talking about. I turned to check, and it was the hot dog worker. She was on the outside of the restaurant, washing counters. Kind of makes me want to take her out like this more often. Seriously.

Happy birthday to my beautiful girls

2008-11-20T00:06:00.005-07:00

We had a busy day for Greta's birthday. Now I'm up too late and it is Andrea's birthday. There are a lot of pictures that I would love to share and remember. Here are some that were easy to share.

I love you princesses! I hope your special days are extra special.

Nov 19, 2003

Nov 20, 2006 (pict taken Nov 21)

Nov 20, 2006

Nov 18, 2008

Nov 19, 2008

Uh-oh.

2008-10-27T17:45:00.003-06:00

Here are the girls after a Fall/Halloween party/carnival thing at the church on Wednesday.

Andrea wasn't wearing her cute tutu anymore.

She loved her cute curly hair!!!

Greta has been asking for this for awhile.

She loves it!

The two girls today.

Goat food snacks at school yesterday!

2008-10-24T10:11:00.003-06:00

When I got home from work last night I asked my mom how school was for Greta (Greta was off playing and didn't want to tell me herself). She said that Greta told her they had goat food for snacks. Goat food = Frosted Mini Wheats/Spooners. When Greta told her teachers that's what it was they asked if she had goats. "We did at our other house, but not at this one."

Who taught her this?!

2008-10-22T20:24:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I asked Greta how she became friends with one of the girls at school.

"Were you both nice to each other?"

"No. She was the most beautiful."

Lots of pictures!!

2008-09-28T21:31:00.004-06:00

9/16
Greta ready for school.

She came home singing "Tuda Toda." That night Grandma finally got her to sing it for me, as well as a "Welcome to School" song. YAY!

Andrea playing also.

What Andrea was begging for just before bed - chocolate milk.

9/17
One of the coolest toys ever - a "Roly Poly Playground." When I was watching the potato bug didn't do that well. The ladybug we had in there the week before was fun! Climbing all over the bubble, up and down the toys, everywhere!

9/18
Andrea had her cousin eating grapes!

9/25
Thursday was the day Greta's teachers had asked that the kids come to school wearing yellow. The night before, just before I left for school, I had the great idea to make yellow bows for her. I got home after 9pm and was up till almost midnight. I got home from school Thursday morning to find Greta dressed up and getting her hair curled. What a pretty girl!! Not sure about her wanting to wear dresses to school pretty much every day, but it sounds like I did the same thing when I was her age.

After Greta got home from school (I was at work) the girls had fun with their Grandma and Aunt "Haha."

9/26
Thursday night I made a tutu, hoping that the girls would like it for pictures coming up. Neither girl seemed interested in it. Greta was busy wearing a fairy outfit for Halloween, and Andrea wasn't sure about stepping into the huge pile of fluff, so I wore it for awhile.

Then we put it on Andrea. She wasn't impressed.

I put it back on, wore it for awhile, even considered mowing the lawn in it (I didn't). Greta told me that it was an ugly dress-up thing. I almost cried.

Andrea had humongous (is that spelled right? Blogger's spell check isn't showing it's wrong) crocodile tears, so I pulled out my camera.

I don't know what she's eating. She had been eating the anchors from Marshmallow Mateys, but that doesn't look like a bunch of anchors. I loved the facial expression (she has a lot of fun expressions!) which is why I shared this picture.

9/27
With all the fun we seemed to have Saturday morning, it's really no wonder I ran out of time and had to rush to get the three of us ready for an appointment at 11:00am.

This was hard to get a picture of! I asked Andrea to show me her hands, then asked her to turn her hands around so I could see the messy fingers. She turned her body around instead. I'd get her the right direction, give the instruction again and she'd turn around. That happened a few times, and I finally just snapped a couple pictures.

I can't believe that I didn't get any pictures of Greta in the tutu! I was busy making another one (had to make sure that the girls approved of the white one after the fiasco with the original tutu) while they had a lot of their fun.

Now as I am hurrying to get this mostly together the girls are upstairs shouting at each other, and Greta said that Andrea made a mess with the toilet paper, pulling it all of. As far as I know that's a first for her. At least it only ended up on the floor.

Today I pulled out some flash cards that I had hoped would keep the girls busy while I made lunch. I don't think they hardly touched them. After dinner Grandpa started showing them to Andrea. She now uses quite a few words!! Swing, pink sock, boat, bed, pup (cup), rarr (lion - lol!), puppy, apple (not the right word for the picture, but it was red and similar in shape), moo (cow), eeeee (horse, and she says it high pitched). She said table, but I don't remember how she said it (close enough to know). She says red (when you ask her what color something is that's what she says - red), what, potty, wet, show, tootie (cookie), why, NO, bubble (also a nickname that Aunt "Haha" tried to get Andrea to call Uncle Chris. It sounds like she only called him "Bubble" once or twice), "Twis" (Chris. Only started saying this yesterday), Jean (Grandma's friend), yeah, yes, "teet" (drink), "tee-tee" (I don't know if this is kitty or blankie, because she has a kitty blankie), owie "tee-tee" (owie stinky. She is still copying Greta. Luckily Greta is over that one). She is even trying to immitate words a lot more the last few days. While reading a story tonight I asked her to say something and she did really good!

My teacher said....

2008-09-24T17:33:00.003-06:00

A little while ago I was having Greta wash up in the restroom. Out of nowhere she said, "I have to ask Grandma where the doll is. My teacher said that one of the girls took the doll home. I have to take it back." I didn't know what she was talking about. The only doll I knew she had brought home was a paper doll she had painted and added yarn for the hair. I asked if that was the doll, and if her teacher wanted to hang it on the wall. "Yes." Ah-ha! I don't know why the teacher didn't just ask Greta where her doll was (her name was written on the back by an adult). Oh well.

Yesterday I was filling out a form for Greta's school. One of the questions was asking about her favorite activities. She told me finger painting, play dough, playing outside, and dress-up. I asked her what she thought Andrea's favorite activity was. My mom interrupted and said "potty!" I laughed. Why? Because it's the truth! Yesterday I came home from work to hear that she had sat on the potty about 25 times. I came home today to a much larger number (from my sister). And it's not us trying to potty train her. She says "po-ee" and we put her on it. Most of the time nothing happens, but she has had very few stinky diapers in a long time. Last night as I was putting the girls to bed Andrea said "po-ee" so I took her. She hadn't been sitting there for long when I heard a little tinkle. Wa-hoo!!!

Lots of exciting things!

2008-09-14T18:13:00.004-06:00

Last weekend the girls had a sleepover with their daddy. Saturday they went to a local celebration. I had been out shopping and called to ask Greta which of a couple backpacks she wanted, only to find out that she was getting ready to get her face painted. When I was young and got my face painted it was a small picture (flower, heart, something like that). When they got home that afternoon this was what I saw.

I was shocked. I don't think I had ever seen a face painting like that before, but she loved it. She washed it off herself.

She thought it was good enough.

I did not agree.

This is how Andrea eats muffins if we don't stop her.

Greta's first day of school was Tuesday, September 9. We went to the school the Thursday before for an Open House for her to see her new class and meet her teachers. We stayed about 40 minutes (all the time I had before I had to get the girls back home so I could get to work). Greta cried when we left. School wasn't long enough!

First day of school:

Two days later she thought she had to wear the same school dress. Her grandma helped to convine her to wear a different dress, one that I wore when I was about her age!

And here's Andrea, excited to go to school. She got left behind with me (I can't easily drop her off before work without being late), her grandpa, and her aunt. She wasn't happy.

Two cute girls today after church. Before I got them dressed I thought their dresses were the same color. Oh well.

Silly Greta!

2008-09-03T23:00:00.002-06:00

Greta drew a picture today of a witch's house. I was commenting on it, telling her how good it was when she told me that there were spider webs for carpet. What?! I though it was so funny and had no idea where in the world she would even come up with that idea. Turns out one of 500 or so books my mom had read to her today was a Donald Duck book with a witch (Madame Mim from the Sword in the Stone). I'm not sure if the witch's house had spider webs for carpet in the book or not. I'll have to scan in the picture tomorrow to share when it's not past my bedtime.

Greta was so brave!!

2008-08-30T16:50:00.000-06:00

She had her first dentist appointment today (no tomatoes! Andrea was little and then I had other things on my mind). She did so well. I was so impressed! She didn't like getting the x-rays of her back teeth, but she still did it. I'm not sure how impressed she was with the teeth cleaning (when the hygenist said it would tickle she clung to me. She hates tickles. She started making sounds that didn't sound good to me when she was getting fluoride painted on, but she did it and was so good. And she completely ignored the dentist when he tried talking to her. They had earphones on her and she was watching Ella Enchanted on the ceiling! If she tunes me out while watching tv shouldn't she tune out everyone else?

The hygenist and dentist said that her teeth looked really good. She has a beginning of a cavity between a couple of her back teeth, nothing that needs to be fixed right away, so we'll need to be sure to keep up with flossing.

Her cousins were nice while we were at a family party earlier. They told her that she can get her teeth drilled. I guess she was kind of looking forward to that, but I told her that her teeth were healthy and they didn't need to get fixed. She seemed to like that answer.

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho....

2008-08-29T22:52:00.000-06:00

Soon Greta will be off to pre-school! She is so excited! I called about a pre-school about a week and a half ago and found out that the school I wanted her to go to was full, but we could be #1 on the waiting list. Yesterday I got a phone call asking if I was still interested. Yes!!! She was upset Sunday that she wasn't going to be starting school like her cousins were on Monday. Last night I talked to her for a long time, telling her that her teacher needs to set up her class so that it was be special and all ready for her. I have a parent orientation to find out more on Tuesday, I just need to remember to let my boss know I need to come in late. Oops.

Andrea is practicing following directions

2008-08-29T22:47:00.000-06:00

Monday, I think while I was at school, Greta and Andrea were in the backyard playing in the sand. (We have been building a new deck with pavers around it. The pavers have sand sitting on them to go down in between the bricks.) And put handfuls of sand in Greta's hair. My mom told her not to do that. She had two handfuls of sand, lifted her hands up, and dropped it in her own hair. LOL! Nice!

Andrea had her well-check today. She didn't care for the nurse, but she really liked the doctor! She got two shots today, but only cried until Greta got a sucker for her. Greta was such a huge helper while we were there, telling Andrea how brave she was, telling her that the nurse was nice, and that doctors and nurses help us to feel better.

The doctor asked if Andrea was saying many words.
Me - "Not a lot, but she is trying more and more, right Greta?"
Greta - "Yeah. Sometimes she even says 'people.' "
Andrea - "Pea-poh?"

"Pea-poh" is her newest word, I think. She was playing with Fisher Price Little People that I played with as a kid. I asked if she had the car for the people when she tried saying it herself. It makes me smile every time she says it. She has also started saying "yes" instead of just "yeah" this week. That kinda makes me sad. I loved hearing her say "yeah" all the time.

Andrea's favorite word

2008-08-20T23:22:00.000-06:00

"Why?" Greta didn't start asking why a lot until she was maybe 3. Sometimes she almost drives me crazy, and I don't think I'm the only one.

Examples (I couldn't remember a specific, so I asked my mom. These are all from tonight while I was at school):
"Andrea, let's go get in the bath?"
"Why?"
"You need to get in the bath."
"Why?"
"To get washed up. Greta needs to get in too."
"Why?"
"Because you're dirty!"

"Andrea, do you want some peas?"
(Shakes her head no.)
"They're good for you."
"Why?"....

"We need to go inside."
"Why?"
"You're all wet."
"Why?"
"You were playing in the water."
"Why?"....

Back in business!

2008-08-17T19:37:00.000-06:00

Andrea wanted a drink while the grown-ups were all working outside. I was busy taking pictures (I was working!!) so I asked Greta to help. She did, then stepped back to ask, "Babe, is that good water?"

Greta took out all of the screws on her jewelry box. The side things were really hard to pull the layers up and down. One of them broke, so I suggested taking them all off. She did a great job!

Hoping to get a new camera soon

2008-08-05T23:18:00.001-06:00

But in the meantime, here's a picture I found and edited tonight when I should be sleeping.

The funniest thing in a long time

2008-07-31T22:03:00.000-06:00

Tonight Andrea said potty. I asked if she needed to go stinky, she said "yeah," then started saying "owie tee-tee." She started saying it over and over again, which had me laughing. Guess who she is listening too. I had to call "Grandma" to have her hear funny Andrea. Too bad I couldn't figure out how to do the voice record on my phone.

She is getting it!

2008-07-29T21:35:00.000-06:00

Tonight after Andrea's bath she was trying to avoid getting out so I was sitting there clipping my fingernails. All of a sudden Andrea said what sounded like "puppy." I said, "What puppy?" She said, "Puppy!" then started pushing. EEK!! I kinda yelled and hopped off the toilet and got her on it just in time. YAY!!! She knew what she was doing, we just have to learn more about timing and practicing saying "potty."

Greta is also learning something. I don't know how long this has been happening, but every time she goes "stinky" she sits on the toilet saying "Owie stinky" over, and over, and over, and over..... A few days ago I was in there with her, trying to convince her that she didn't need to do this. I'm not exactly sure what I said (maybe that I would get her potty snacks for NOT saying "owie stinky" so much, and especially for not shouting it), but she stopped! And she was so proud of herself for saying "owie stinky" in her head. When I got home from school last night and went up to give them bedtime hugs she told me that she had a huge monster stinky and didn't even yell "owie stinky." YAY!! Now I won't have to worry about her going to school and having kids (or grown-ups) tease her about that.

Huh. I just realized that was a post full of stinky. :P

Andrea's new words

2008-06-16T09:16:00.001-06:00

Last week (Wednesday or Thursday?) Andrea started saying her name. She says "Eee-uh." Yesterday at church while sitting on my lap she said "Eee-uh," then turned to look at her Grandma and said "Eee-uh" again. Andrea and her grandma have an Andrea/ Eee-uh game they play. It always makes me laugh! I think she started saying "Te-tuh" (Greta) the same day she started saying her name, but she only says that when I ask her to say Greta.

A day or two ago she was singing the ABCs when I started singing Old McDonald to her. Now she sings "E-I-E-I-O" all the time!

Yesterday while visiting great-grandparents I was walking Andrea to a neighbor's house with some dogs. She said "doggy!" (or "goggy?" She won't say it for me now) a couple times.

Andrea found a little plastic bear while visiting her great-grandma. She didn't want to leave it behind. Great-grandma let her bring it home. She gave that little bear lots of little kisses all the way home!

Pictures to go with the first two posts

2008-06-10T23:15:00.000-06:00

Sunday, June 8

Tuesday, June 10

Andrea's news of the week

2008-06-10T18:31:00.000-06:00

Friday Andrea used the big girl potty! Sure, it wasn't exactly her idea, but it happened, and she came downstairs to tell everyone "Yay!" Sunday night the same thing happened, only she was exhausted and not excited or happy about what happened. And when I tried to give her marshmallows as a reward she threw them on the ground. I thought we were going to make it again today, but there were too many people between the kitchen table and the potty seats upstairs.

Sunday when we got to church Andrea's grandpa got out of his van and went to open the door of our car to help get her out for church. Andrea saw him and yelled "Papa!" She is experimenting more with words. She loves to sing, and sings every night, sometimes for an hour or so, before she goes to sleep. She has also been watching her cousin walk up and down the stairs and has been doing the same thing.

Andrea loves living at Grandma's house where she is able to go play outside all the time. She loves looking out the windows to see the birds and dogs.

Balloon! And brownies!

2008-06-10T17:22:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Andrea and I went to the car store. We went with Daddy! (Why did you go to the car store?) To look for a car and buy it. And I got a balloon! (What color was the first balloon?) Orange. (What happened to the balloon?) It popped. (Why?) Because. (Why did it pop?) Because. (Because what?) Because. It popped on the brick. (Were you sad?) Then he gave me another one. He gave me a great big pink one. (Were you so excited?) Yeah. (What did you do with your pink balloon?) It didn't pop and it blew away. (It blew away?!) Yeah. (Did you take it outside?) I took it outside. (What were you doing outside?) Playing. (Were you sliding?)

At this point she said she was done and not going to tell anymore. I read her what I had typed so far (she asked if I was doing it right). She didn't object with what had been written. Because she isn't sharing, I will finish the story.

Greta's five cousins came over today while their mom is at Wood Badge and their dad was at work. Greta's grandma had put her big balloon in the girls bedroom (it had been in the living room I think). Mom moved it from the girls bedroom to her bedroom. Before lunch Greta went and got it, even with her grandma and mom telling her to leave it where it was. The kids played with it. Mom was sure it would pop or lose the "stick" that kept it blown up. It didn't happen. Then Greta decided that she wanted to go outside and play. With her balloon. She ignored multiple warnings and took her balloon outside. It was very windy! She climbed into the backyard play toys. Mom thought she was going to lose it, but she pulled it through with her. She went down the slide but did not carefully bring it through. It was still safe! One time wasn't enough. She took care of it through the door, but this time the slide wasn't so friendly. Mom watched it go. She thought the "stick" had come out and that the balloon had blown up a ways and the leftover had fallen back to the ground. Mom didn't see it, but Greta and her cousin said that it blew away. Greta was upset. Mom wasn't surprised. Lucky for us Mom thought to take a picture before she went outside so we could remember her huge balloon. She refused to let me take her picture after holding the string so Andrea did. The pictures have yet to be uploaded.

Sunday Greta and her grandma made brownies while Andrea, Grandpa, and Mom napped. They called Uncle Dave and his family and Aunt Karin and her family to come share the brownies. Grandma took pictures, but they haven't been uploaded either.