06 April 2009

Kids

Riley has taken to saying, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" in response to almost anything I say.

"Ri-Man, can you go pick up that book over there?" 
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" 

"Ri-Man, we're going to have mac'n'cheese for dinner!"
 "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" 

Sometimes I am kidding him. Sometimes not. It's always hilarious when he says it, though.

**********************
Maddie, Riley, and N are all at the age where they think if they close their eyes, you can't see them.

We went out for dinner and ice cream at a local soda fountain on Saturday evening. When we were getting ready to leave, I was busy putting Riley's coat on, with my back turned to Maddie. CV reported to me that Maddie reached out her hand to eat some leftover rainbow sprinkles straight from the bowl that the waiter had brought us, something I'd admonished her a couple of times not to do while we enjoyed dessert. Evidently, she reached her hand out, thought about it, then pulled it back. Then she closed her eyes, you know, so no one would see her, reached out, and took a handful of sprinkles.

Smarty-pants.

*************************
We took all three kids to the grocery store on Saturday evening. I had Maddie and Riley with me as we headed down the yogurt aisle. I often buy the kids these DanActive yogurts; they are expensive, but a good serving size and M&R love drinking out of the little bottles. "Blueberry or pomegranate?" I offered as we stood in front of the display. "I WANT POMEGRANATE," thundered Riley, who is not really capable of speaking in a voice below a shout. "POMEGRANATE! THAT'S A POMEGRANATE YOGURT? I DON'T SEE THE POMEGRANATE! IT IN THE BOTTLE? I LOVE POMEGRANATE!" I really shouldn't complain about my kids' eating habits if they are so well-versed in the joys of pomegranate.

************************
When I got to daycare one day last week, Maddie and Riley were playing outside. Ruth, M&R's daycare provider, reported that Riley had spent the whole afternoon running to the top of the hill in the backyard, then rolling down to the bottom. His hair was full of leaf bits and cut grass, and he had the world's biggest grin on his face. I love spring and summer.

***********************
Over the weekend, Maddie, Riley, and N built a "crocodile" out of some Lego-like toys we have at the house. They put it in the hallway, then went back to the playroom to get gussied up and ready to go "tease the crocodile." All three kids packed expedition bags full of toy tools, play food, and other sundry items, and they all wore various crocodile adventure outfits. Maddie's outfit? Pink corduroy pants, a striped shirt, her Ariel swimsuit (complete with tutu) over the top of her clothes, princess mules with feathers, and a colonial Williamsburg bonnet. She was a sight to behold.

***********************
We had a lovely weekend filled with walks, Play-Doh, a trip to a children's museum, dinner out, cooking, Sesame Street, the park, stickers, and stories. It was just the kind of weekend I'd been craving. We were busy, but in a take-it-as-it-comes kind of way, not an overly-scheduled, preplanned way. I did have to do a bunch of work (blargh), but only when kids were sleeping. I can't say that I feel well rested, but I feel content. Now I'm just hoping for good news from my realtor. Any day now . . . I did agree to drop the price by $10K. Any minute now, the phone could ring . . .

23 comments:

sappho said...

oh snick, these anecdotes are AWESOME. the perfect beginning to spring.
my fingers are crossed for you and the condo. good luck!

Adam said...

I love to read these. They remind me that I always *think* I'm going to remember the moments that are so vivid (closed eyes, pomegranates, costumes, etc.), but I've learned that I have to write these things down. So glad that you share, both for the added delight through your kids and the reminder to cherish the little snapshots and film clips of our own lives.

Melissa in Grafton said...

Very funny stories... and so darn cute. Yesterday was a great weather day to be out 'n' about. Not so much today. :-) Glad you guys got a chance to enjoy it! I really do think it's these little moments that make the whole mom thing worthwhile.

I hope the price drop brings quick movement on the condo... I'm trying to channel good selling vibes...

Hugs,
m

django's mommy said...

I heart this post.

Aimee said...

Your weekend with the kids sounds lovely.

Good luck on getting the offer you want/need quickly!

Susan said...

Well, considering that Michigan was hit with +5" of snow overnight, I'm envious of your weather. Your kids sound so cute. I love the close your eyes story. You sound relaxed in your blog.....hope the condo moves.

Anne said...

Good luck on selling your place, I feel your angst--we put our house on the market 10 days ago and so far? NO SHOWINGS. I have the feeling this is going to take a lot longer than we thought.

Glad you're enjoying spring!

Sandi said...

You're awesome.

I am a bitch. Right now my brother and his 19-month-old daughter are living with me and I can't wait for them to get the hell out. He's a great guy, she's a great kid. My kids love having them there.

You write about how much you are enjoying living roommate style with someone else and all I do is bitch about it (not on my blog, though because he read it).

I feel like a horrible person.

Liz Miller said...

Sounds like you are having a ball!

mek said...

Maddie is totally ready to come to the dress-up party - that is an outfit Cora would write with envy over! (An Ariel swimsuit!)

Anonymous said...

I hope so! It would be great to not have to worry about the condo anymore.
I loved those stories! It's cool to think that Maddie&Riley will grow up w/a sibling!

Snickollet said...

Sandi--

I don't think the roommate thing would work for very many people. I know that I am the kind of person who was meant to live with others, and so, for me, any disadvantage is far outweighed by the advantages. I'm in the minority.

MEK--

I thought of Cora when Maddie put on that outfit! As for the Ariel swimsuit: GRANDPARENTS.

-snick

watercolordaisy said...

sounds lovely! lol! I must get me some shoes like that....

Kerrie said...

Sounds like a delightful weekend, happy children, happy Mama...the ordinariness of it makes it so very special.

I love the image of Maddie closing her eyes to take the sprinkles without being busted, so sweet. Sometimes you have to let them "get away with it", don't you..??

Lovely post.

Rachel said...

Love those tidbits. It sounds like they are a lot of fun right now.

OTRgirl said...

Those are great snippets. Feels like a glimpse into the 'ordinary' joys of life (but not at all boring!).

C. said...

I wish we could move your condo to NY. Im currently in the market for a condo style home and the prices for homes here are so insane, it is easier and cheaper to just build one.

Maura said...

What a great post. The part about Maddie closing her eyes so nobody can see her reminds me of my little brother when he was probably about Maddie's age. He got a new glow in the dark Thundercats shirt and said to my aunt "look, my shirt glows in the dark... SEE?" and squeezed his eyes shut. It was the cutest thing. He's 24 now (I'm 29) and he was just the CUTEST kid when he was little. He's a pretty cool adult, too.

Mommy, Esq. said...

Definitely laughed out loud at some of these. Where is the photo of M in her outfit? :)

...tom... said...

...

Riley had spent the whole afternoon running to the top of the hill in the backyard, then rolling down to the bottom. His hair was full of leaf bits and cut grass, and he had the world's biggest grin on his face.

...truelol...

Gawd I miss being a little boy in the summer. If only we all had grassy hills to roll down and no deadlines...


I love spring and summer.

As well you should, as well you should.


...tom...
' father of twenty-something boy/girl twins '

Mama Mama Quite Contrary said...

I love these stories. Keep them coming!

Mama Nabi said...

Aw. My favorite one is Maddie closing her eyes... that is such a precious phase. :-) They are growing up so fast. Once I've settle down, I really want to make a trip up north on the east coast and meet up with you three. Or you can come down for a winter getaway.

Supa Dupa Fresh said...

Short Stack is 5 and still thinks "hide and seek" consists of her telling you where to hide. And instead of hiding, she jumps out and says "I WON" thinking that you didn't find her fast enough.

So the concept is not developed for many, many years.

Enjoy!

X

Supa