Adventures, A Party and Opinions

Honestly, we bought them beds. However, there are times when I go in to check on them before I go to bed and this is what I find. Everything on the floor and the girls sound asleep. Emily is on the left and Madeleine is on the right. The next morning when I brought up the topic, I was informed they had been "camping".

We did have a bit of a bedtime "adventure" this past week. Usually after we say good night to the girls, they play around in their room for about 30 minutes and then give up and go to sleep. However, Wednesday night I heard crying coming from their room and it was the type of crying little kids do when they are absolutely terrified. I went running in to find Madeleine with her head solidly stuck under Emily's bed and both girls screaming at the top of their lungs. Apparently, Madeleine had tossed their nightlight under the bed and then went after it. My guess is she put her head sideways to get it under there and then turned her head so her chin was against the floor. Apparently, Emily had tried to grab Madeleine's feet and pull her out, but did not meet with success.

Thursday night had some "hiccups" too. Friday was the end of the year picnic at school (mind you it is one of THREE end of the year events - this is preschool, not college!!) and we had signed up to go. However, there have been a few too many bedtime shenanigans of late and both girls were very tired and needed sleep on Thursday. They were told if they got out of bed and goofed off they would not be attending the picnic the next day. They got out of bed and goofed off. They were warned again. They got out of bed and goofed off. They did not go to the picnic. We were submitted to some of the most pathetic begging and pleading we have ever heard, but there is a point where one has to realize parents are for more than driving us places and providing the occasional grilled cheese sandwich.

You may notice in some of the pictures on this posting that two of us have very colorful fingernails. Miss Deena babysat for us last Sunday and brought her nail supplies. She painted our toenails too!

Yesterday Madeleine and Emily had a busy day. They attended Amanda's birthday party in the afternoon, and in an effort to avoid six hours of "Is it time for the party yet?" the girls and I went to Busch Gardens in the morning. We got there early and were consequently able to avoid the lines. We also tackled a couple of new rides and the girls rode alone on the Grover roller coaster (or rather they rode with each other and I was in the next car - not that I could have reached them if needed...)


Emily in her dragon boat.

Madeleine in her boat.

Dragon boat ride from last week, Emily in front and Madeleine in back.

Ready for roller coaster take-off. Madeleine on the left and Emily on the right. Madeleine had a great time and Emily said it was okay, but once was enough. I was also informed that Emily had been scared, but Madeleine held on to her.

So far, we have managed to catch the Sesame Street characters on each of our visits to Busch Gardens. I honestly can not imagine how hot it must be in those costumes - it was pushing 90 yesterday (at 10 AM) and fairly humid....

Madeleine, Zoe and Emily.

Madeleine, Abby Cadabby and Emily.

This week we got in on a new Busch Gardens adventure. We went and saw the Sesame Street 4D movie (about 15 minutes long). I have to be honest the "4D" part of it threw me a bit...to my knowledge there are 3 dimensions, but I don't spend a whole lot of time with the CNN.com science section, so maybe they discovered something new? Anyhow, we decided to give it a shot. I had never been to a 3 D movie before and thought it was great.

The movie starts and it is 3D and I'm laughing at the girls when they try to reach out and touch things, etc. Then the "4th dimension" kicks in. When Ernie tosses Rubber Duckie in the bath tub the chair in front of you squirts water at you. Or when Oscar calls his "trash vermin" from the back of the theater to the front, they puff air at your legs that is supposed to feel like critters running by. The girls, especially Emily, did not like the water being squirted at them - and in fairness, at their height it hits them in their faces. About the third squirt I had some royally ticked preschoolers on my hands. Then the "dogfish" came. Mind you this is a Sesame Street dogfish, so it is a fish that looks like a beagle and has long floppy ears, but we were convinced it would swim up and bite us. I tried telling them to take the glasses off when they got scared because then they saw everything was on the screen, but no luck. We left, in tears, 7 minutes into the movie. Maybe next year and with a raincoat.

In our glasses, ready for the movie to start. Emily's shirt (blue) is proof we had just visited a water fountain.

We skipped our nap, something which we are not ready to do, and went to Amanda's party at 2. If I had had to drive them one more exit on the highway they would have been asleep in their carseats. Amanda had her party at a place where you paint pottery and both girls painted gorgeous butterflies. Amanda also had a pinata (this is the "new" kind where children take turns pulling ribbons from the bottom and one ribbon opens it...while safer, it is less dramatic in that there is no wondering who will end up with a black eye from the stick!) which we thought was "pretty cool" and call it "the candy game".

Madeleine left and Emily right at the party. It was not my idea that they wear identical jumpers, especially when there are adults, who do not know them, trying to keep track of who is who. However, Amanda's mom is an identical twin and didn't seem phased at all.

In other news, for which there are no photos...

We are developing strong opinions about many things and not hesitating a whole lot in sharing them. The day of the preschool art show I came in to get the girls up from their naps and Madeleine looked me up and down and then asked if that was what I was going to wear to the art show. When I said yes and asked if that was okay I was informed "Your hair looks a little bit goofy." It did (bad haircut last time), but I really didn't need to hear it.

When Mom and Dad were here Liz sent the girls sticker earrings. We are apparently unable to leave the house without wearing them. The second time we were bowling Madeleine gasped and grabbed her ear. This was dramatic enough I looked over to see if her ear had fallen off and and when I asked what was wrong was informed she had forgotten to put on her earrings. "O-rings" in our house. I told her that was okay, I wasn't wearing any either.

We continue to have fun riding our bikes. And, at least for the moment, appear to have given up holding on to our sister's handlebar while she pedals....they were doing this on Easter morning when Dad and I took them out. The bikes are the hotwheels kind (3 wheels, low to the ground) and shockingly Emily got her feet tangled and fell. When she got up you could see the mental wheels turning and that she thought she'd be in trouble for continuing to do what she was told not to - holding her sister's moving bike. So, in an effort to recover, she announced, "See, that is why you wear helmets!" and then proceeded to bend over and thump her helmeted head on the pavement a time or two to illustrate her point.

Recently, while walking downstairs the girls and I were talking about the guest room. Emily informed me "It is called the guess room because I get to guess who is in there."

Easter and Other April Happenings

April brought Easter, spring break, better weather and a visit from Grandma and Grandpa!

All of the March birthdays. Emily in red and Madeleine in green helping Grandpa organize his birthday cards. Both girls felt strongly they needed to celebrate Grandpa's birthday as it is the same month as theirs....never mind it was an excuse to obtain yet another birthday cake.

The girls only had one day of preschool the entire time Grandpa and Grandma were here (don't get me started...I'm slightly bitter over the schedule and getting bilked out of tuition), so we did lots of things we had not done before.

We went to Jamestown Settlement (not to be confused with Historic Jamestown which is exactly .1 miles from the "other" Jamestown - it only took 2 years living here to figure out which is which and the difference....). There is a "Powhatan Indian Village", 2/3 scale models of the ships that brought the English in 1607 and a re-created English fort. There is also a pretty impressive visitors' center which we went through rather quickly.


Grandpa, Emily, Grandma and Madeleine in front of one of the ships.

Emily pounding corn while Madeleine watches (she got a turn too) in the Powhatan Village (First they had to dismiss the very plump squirrel who was determined to enjoy his corn breakfast and not particularly afraid of children).

Soldier Madeleine.

Soldier Emily.

We also went to Yorktown to play in the sand again. There were quite a few jellyfish, so we didn't really go in the water.

Madeleine (L) and Emily conferring - this usually is not a good thing.

Emily and Grandma.
Madeleine and Grandpa.

Emily in brown and Madeleine in green getting their Easter baskets out of the hall.

Emily's eggs.

Madeleine's eggs.

Hunting eggs - plastic and "real". The girls are wearing the shorts and t-shirts the Easter Bunny brought them, hence the less-than-formal attire. Emily in yellow, Madeleine in purple.

Both Tuesdays the grandparents were here it poured rain. Grandpa and Grandma even got in on a bit of a thunderstorm, which around here deserve respect. So, we went bowling. When Dad and I bowled the average speed was 10-11 miles an hour. For the girls it was 1-1.5 mph. There were times they would have had a strike, if there had been any speed by the time the ball got to the pins. Emily took the prize though, clocking in one time at .76 mph.

Grandpa, Emily, Madeline.

When the girls finally went back to school it was "Week of the Young Child" with all kinds of activities involving parents.

Emily in pink and Madeleine in purple on Monday morning's "Muffins for Mom".

Tuesday night's art show. Madeleine in red, Emily in green.

Emily on the left and Madeleine on the right on Friday morning's "Donuts for Dads"

Madeleine in purple and Emily in pink working in the "garden" we decided to plant this year. I'm not holding my breath. The funny thing is we started our seeds the same day Michelle Obama broke ground on the White House garden...the girls are convinced she copied our idea!

We have returned to Busch Gardens. We honestly put it off a bit and told the girls it wasn't open yet. This involved not listening to the radio in the car so as not to blow our cover by them hearing an ad. But, we gave up and went last weekend. The new Sesame Street themed area is open and a huge hit!


Grover with Madeleine's back and Emily

Emily, Zoe and Madeleine

Emily, Abby Cadabby and Madeleine

This week we also added Rice Krispy Treats to the girl's recipe portfolio. At first there was some reticence to tackle the bowl with left-over Krispies in it as I had warned them that I was the only one to handle the hot marshmallow goo...but we got over it.

Emily on the left and Madeleine on the right.

Officially Four!!

Many apologies for the "recent" (two months) lack of postings. All of us of fine, we've just been busy.

Madeleine and Emily officially turned four in early March and now consider themselves "big girls". There has been a sudden onset of independence...and a bit of attitude as well! However, it has been a generally positive change.

Madeleine in front and Emily in back "driving" their table somewhere (I can't remember the destination). Yes, we have gone over, and over, and over the idea that sitting on the table is not the best move. However, I may as well ask the table to walk across the room...so, we live with the occasional bump on the head and try to take advantage of the "teachable moments".

In early March there was "a lot" of snow - by Williamsburg standards (the local meteorologist actually pinned a snowflake of some sort to his lapel...). Madeleine attempting to start a snowman.

Emily, ready to take over the world with her windshield scraper.


Clearing off Till's car.

A slightly confused cardinal in one of our trees.

Birthday morning!! Madeleine on the left and Emily on the right in their official "birthday outfits". Behind them is a tent their mother bought on a whim thinking it would: A. be much smaller B. require less effort to set-up. The balloons are tied to Legos so they won't float away.

Madeleine with her name train from Oma and Opa.

Emily with her train.

Madeleine

Every year we have someone take a snapshot of the four of us on the girls' actual birthday. This year we also did pictures of each girl alone with us. We had to go to the Econ Dept to find someone to take the picture, hence the lovely concrete block wall!

Emily

"Snow White" Madeleine opening presents.

"Sleeping Beauty" (in our house - Sleeping Bleauty) Emily opening presents.

Oma and Opa sent us tons of hair accessories - which we insisted wearing all at once. Emily (L) checking Madeleine's hair.

Madeleine - now a big girl who can walk across the tires alone!

Emily's tire adventure.

Madeleine on the left and Emily on the right "twirling" in the hula skirts sent by Aunt Camilla and Kelly and t-shirts sent by Grandma and Grandpa.

Preschool class on the last day of class before spring break....wearing our bunny ears after our egg hunt.

Speaking of preschool. As a reward, Miss Terri, uses markers that have shaped tips; asterisk, swirly circle, heart, etc. Basically, you can use the markers as stamps. When a child does something good, they get a stamp on the back of their hand. In late March Madeleine came home with four stamps and Emily came home with three. Emily was very upset and I finally discerned, between gasping sobs, she had in fact earned four (at least in her opinion), but Miss Terri was busy and said she'd put the fourth stamp on Emily's hand "in a minute". She then forgot (I can identify)....The following school day Emily came home with about 10 stamps on the back of her hand (way above the usual amount). Knowing a fraud when I see one, I asked her how she got so many stamps. She proudly informed me "I waited and waited and when Miss Terri went away I sneaked really hard and got the marker!"

Our Hostessing Debut

In front David, then semi-circle left to right, Emily, part of Madeleine, Evan, Susan the Balloon Lady, Abby, Emerson, JulieAna, Ella.

With their fourth birthday just around the corner, Madeleine and Emily hosted their first "kids' birthday party" today. Below is their step by step guide for such social events.

The Guest List - This is the first opportunity you have to play with your parents' minds and it should not be squandered. In our case we each chose several girls from our class list. There was one girl left off and Mom said that was not acceptable. Madeleine took this opportunity to insist that she would like to invite some of the boys too. Mom suggested we could each invite three children, resulting in 8 of the 10 class members being involved - this too was unacceptable in her opinion.

After naps it was clear Mom had put some thought into this process and suggested we invite all of the girls in the class; seemed to feel she could justify inviting only some children if it went along gender lines. Do not surrender at this point. Cry if necessary, but insist that you must have girls AND boys.

In our case she broke down and we invited the entire class. Then two new students joined our class, she had to invite them too. We know she consoled herself, and Dad, by saying there was no way the majority of kids would come - it looked like she was wrong. Of the 12 children invited, 11 accepted - this sent Mom into orbit. However, the day before the party 4 kids were absent from school and she saw a reprieve on the horizon. Sadly, she was correct. Courtesy of the cold/cough/fever ripping through preschool, we ended up with 6 attendees, in addition to ourselves.

Madeleine with her supply list before going to the party store.

Emily with her supply list before going to the party store.

Supplies - You must be well-rested the day you go to the party supply store; you will use lots of energy hopping around the store and moving fast enough to make your parent think you have sprouted extra hands with which to touch everything. Once one of you decides which type of plate you want, let your sister have her turn. By the time she has decided - make sure you have changed your mind, this will greatly slow progress and make your mother doubt her sanity. Repeat the process for cups and napkins. Once you have given up and chosen your own plates, napkins and cups - eye your sister's choices and see if you should start over.

After the paper products are chosen, you may move on to "goody bags". Mom nearly outmaneuvered us at this point. She discovered "goody bag sets" involving goodies for 8 children in one big kit. We won this one, barely, by distracting her while she was showing us the available options. She knew that both of the kits chosen were labeled to indicate they contained 48 pieces, providing favors for 8 guests, and it was clear that Emily's choice included bags (each guest gets a bag plus 5 princess-themed plastic treasures). This was the crucial moment - we had to distract her enough that she didn't notice Madeleine's set of favors did NOT include bags. Sadly, she is compulsive and checked everything early and managed to regroup by decorating bags from Target for Madeleine's guests.

Cakes - For us, this was purely a case of an opportunity presenting itself. We were in a Michael's store and the three of us wandered near the shaped cake pans. After spotting them and quickly conferring - we turned on the charm. We convinced Mom, who had never made a shaped cake before, that we must absolutely have the shaped cakes or our birthdays would be miserable failures from which we would never recover. Carpe Diem!!

On the way home from Michael's Mom had the audacity to stop at the grocery store and try to entice us each to order a cake the store could make...no way, do not back down. This opportunity was sent from above and should not be squandered. Time to teach the old dog a few new tricks.

Madeleine had the foresight to choose a cake pan that could be adapted one of many different ways. She chose a butterfly and presented Mom with a new color scenario about every three days. She would go into great detail describing the way the butterfly should look and then wait until Mom submitted a drawing for her approval. It was at that point she changed her mind, again. Emily tried to jump on the bandwagon by suggesting that Abby Cadabby needed rainbow hair, etc. - she simply received a dirty look.

We think Mom finally had enough because one day we woke up and the cakes were sitting there finished. The butterfly was configured according to Madeleine's most recent specifications.

Emily blowing out her candles.

Emily's Abby Cadabby cake.

Madeleine getting ready to blow out her candles.

Madeleine's butterfly cake.

Everyone at the table.

Cleaning - This is a great opportunity for parental guilt and self-doubt. Your parents are probably trying to convince you cleaning/helping around the house is both expected and fun (fools). This is your chance to offer to "help". When your offer is accepted you should run around the house and access rooms from which you are normally barred. This puts your parent in the position of not letting you "help" and reinforcing the idea you are not responsible for household contributions, or accepting your "assistance" and their impending headaches. Sadly, we were outfoxed on this one. Last Saturday morning Dad announced he was taking us to the "Turtle Museum" and then McDonalds for lunch while Mom cleaned - we'll plan better next year.

Entertainment - Faced with the prospect of trying to entertain 13 preschoolers, Mom and Dad hired "The Balloon Lady" as she is known. She did magic, made balloon hats for the two of us and gave balloon animals to all the kids. We were very happy with this choice and thought it a wise move.

Madeleine and the Balloon Lady.

Emily and the Balloon Lady

Madeleine and her balloon hat.

Emily and her balloon hat.

You will know if your day was a success by the note on which you end it. If you end it looking like this...

Emily in her new Sleeping Beauty costume. Madeleine in her new Fancy Nancy costume.

it was a success!