Loving the Lex

O, Lexa, how I love thee.

I am having so much fun spending time with this little friend. From her insistent, "Mommy, you're supposed to play with me!" to her talents at hiding phones and toys in various purses and backpacks, to her willingness to help with any task, to her consistently welcome snuggliness, I'd be hard-pressed to think of a better tiny person with whom to spend my days. In fact, I find myself laughing a little at my previous notion that I would be bored being home with just one girlie all day. (It's actually kind of the best thing ever.) (Not that I don't miss the others.) (But you know what I mean.)

(couldn't have done better if I had hand-picked her myself)

(doing her second favorite thing)

(exploring new ways to experience Diego)

Some of my favorite quotables of late:

Me: How come you're so smart?

A: Because. I'm so smart.

Me: When are you going to go pee-pee like a big girl?

A: Mmm...when I'm older like Vanna.

Me: You're so cute.

A: I know!

A: Hi, it's me, Lexa! 

(when she comes into a room or sits down at the table.)

P.S. Right now she is trying to put a size 4 diaper onto a mermaid Barbie doll. I'm curious to see how this one pans out...

Puedes Hacerlo. Podemos Ayudarte*

Ah, the Home Depot kids' workshop. Where little girls can wield tools, nail pieces of wood together, paint, hang out with Daddy, and come home with their very own (not-quite-useful, not-quite junk) wood-working creations...in this case, a miniature football goal post. Just imagine how many Barbie football games we'll be able to host. The possibilities are endless!

*you can do it. we can help. sounds so much fancier in Spanish, don't you think?

Smart Kid

Feeling a little incredulous that, for homework, Julia had to read and identify the "resolution" in a story that ended with "they got married and lived happily ever after," I thought it would be an opportune moment to pose an important question:

"Do you think that there is really such a thing as getting married and living happily ever after?"

Convinced that my question would segue into a meaningful discussion on the fact that happiness in marriage is not a given, but is certainly attainable with hard work, sacrifice, and commitment on the parts of both people, I anxiously awaited the response. With all the Disney exposure around here, I was completely prepared for an answer in the affirmative. Here's what I heard instead:

J: "Um...no."

Me: "Oh. Why not?"

J: "Because. Then you have kids."

Well, okay then. Discussion aborted. Looks like she's got a lot more figured out than I give her credit for.

Manis and Pedis

On our California trip this summer (yes, I know, I am pretty behind on this one) we took the girls to get manicures and pedicures at a salon where my cousin Stephanie teaches. It was such a treat for the girlies, who love all things finger nail polish, plus they got to spend some time with Taylor, my cousin's daughter. (We had a long conversation about this at the salon...my cousin's child is my kids' second cousin, I think, but she's my first cousin once removed. I'm pretty sure. I'll look it up some day. Today is not that day.)

Anyway, here is the proof. (Read: lots and lots of pictures)

Vanna, Taylor and Julia, striking a pose and raring to go

Lex wasn't so sure she liked what was going on at first, but she 

warmed up as soon as she saw the first layer of pink go on...

Savanna, who loves everything and everyone, was 

pleased as punch from the beginning to the end

Only rainbow nails for this one

And Taylor, too. 

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure that's what they all picked

Cutest baby ever.

Stephanie and Taylor

The finished product (minus toes)

Cutest toes ever.

Cutest cheeks ever. (Last one, I promise!)

Vanna's little tan hands

And her cute, freckly face

J getting her toes done

Have I mentioned the cuteness?

E.M.C. 

(even more cuteness)

This one was too hard to pass up

Laura, Stephanie and I. We all squint 

when we smile, but I'm pretty sure I win.

Laura, my MIL Linda, and I also got to go back another day for amazing (FREE!) facials. Like a nap on my face. (And you know I love naps). Can't wait to go back!

Lesson (Re)Learned

It took about 45 minutes this afternoon to remind me why I have made a personal commitment to not do any homework until the girls have all gone to bed.

Well, it really only took about the first 5 of that 45, but I kept plugging through anyway, (against my better judgment) trying to get my discussion question answered before I had to start making dinner. I have been super tired lately, and by 8:00 when the girls are finally down, I have little to no brain power left to explore the tenets of Gothic literature and/or form a complete sentence that makes any logical sense. I thought (incorrectly) that 45 minutes would be plenty of time to read what I needed to read and get my thoughts together to formulate my response. With the girlies at my side in the office as my constant companions, (because who can resist a mommy that is sitting still for more than three seconds) that 45 minutes really went by in what seemed like 10, and eight inarticulate lines later, I was not even half-way to answering the question, and it was suddenly time to work on dinner.

Without even looking for it, I had the chance to be reminded of that golden rule that I made for myself oh so many years ago and focus on academics only after the last kisses have been planted, the last squeezes have been rendered, and the last good-nights have been said.

Because, apparently, even a tired mommy sounds smarter than a frazzled one.

(I still love my cute little interrupters. But it's better for 

everyone when they interrupt me during tasks that require 

much less brain function than trying to earn a Bachelor's Degree.)