Cindy Lou Who. . .Is that You?

Rob and I don't get out much without the kiddoes.  So we have never been very lucrative to our babysitters.  And where we used to live the girls seemed to be more interested in boys and other activities than sitting, so I always felt a little like I was calling to ask for a favor, an imposition really, whenever I needed a sitter.  

About a week after we moved here, one of our neighbors showed up on our doorstep bearing chocolate cupcakes (which my children devoured in a horrific crumbly mess before their eyes--and on my carpeted steps).  They had two beautiful teenage daughters and one precocious five year old boy.  The parents were friendly and welcoming and the girls mentioned, repeatedly, that they would love to babysit (the chocolate covered monkeys on the stair apparently still held some charm!).  

Lucky for us, we eventually and sporadically took them up on the offer and the younger of the two teenage daughters became "our" babysitter (and occasional dog sitter).  And I have to say, there is something completely reassuring knowing you are leaving your children with someone you can trust and whom you know your children love--because she loves them too.  

How do I know this?

Because she takes them on  bike rides and out for ice cream and sings karaoke with them.  She often says we really needn't pay her--she just loves coming over (Of course we DO pay her--no need to risk losing a good thing!).  Oh, and when I come home I have evidence that fun has been had by all. . .such as this:

Plus, my computer is full of pictures like this (and several video clips, including an instructional how-to video for these fabulous dos) :

Too bad all this fun did not happen while Rob and I were actually on a date--no, I was in class and Rob was on a work trip.  At least someone was having a good time!

Coincidence?

While out running around I couldn't help but wonder. . . 

Was THAT such a good idea?

On the other hand. . .

This one I get!

Life Through Sig's Eyes

Here are some funny conversations with Sig--my five year old.  She keeps us laughing.

First an interview:

Me: Sig, gives me some words of wisdom.

Sig: What's wisdom?

Me: Good advice.

Sig: Umm. . .S T O P spells stop. . . and S M A R T spells smart.

Me: Great!  What else can you tell me that is important?

Sig: You should always be H A P P Y --that means happy.  Now can I watch a video on your iPod?

Me: Is that all you have for me?

Sig: Yes--can I watch the video now?

Me: Sure.

Me to Sig after her telling me some elaborate story that went something like: "I am your dog and you saw me do such and such and then you said 'Wow! you are really good at such and such' and then you saw me do this and then you did this and then and then and then. . . forever!" Which is a normal day around here with the girl who never stops talking. . .about made up stuff:

Me: Sig, do you ever see what is actually in front of you or only the stuff in your head?

Sig (after pondering for moment): Just the stuff in my head.

In the car  (I must preface that I had never heard of Dave Ramsey until several bloggers mentioned him last fall.  Now Rob LOVES Dave Ramsey and listens to him in the car ALL the time):

Sig (as Rob starts Dave Ramsey): NOOOO!  I don't have any Dave Ramsey lives left!

Me:  What?!

Sig:  You have to let me listen to Crazy Frog to earn Dave Ramsey lives and I already used all my Dave Ramsey lives up.  You have to let me listen to Crazy Frog now.

This girl lives one big video game. The only thing she hates more than Dave Ramsey is. . . .the drive through car wash.  As we pull around the gas station and Sig realizes we are about to enter the car wash:

Sig: NOOO!  NOT the  CAR WASH!  NOOO!  

Rob: Either the car wash or Dave Ramsey.

Sig (Brow furrowed--small pause) Dave Ramsey!

Rob (laughing): I already paid for it--we have to go through.

Sig (Covering her eyes with her hand): Please tell me when I open my eyes we will be through!

Sig (Midway through car wash--peeks out) Hey! I am being brave--my eyes are open. . .I'm only shaking a little bit. 

At dinner--Hannah is complaining about not liking dinner:

Sig (with a sign and a tone of exasperation): You just have to learn to eat real fast then you won't taste it!

And finally--in the kitchen with friend Grace:

Signe:  Grace likes Stellan.

Grace:  Well Signe likes Collin!

Rob: Signe, you like Collin?! You have a boyfriend?

Signe (with a sigh and eye roll--hand thrown out for emphasis): Well, it's not my fault--it's just that I'm the cutest girl in the claaass.

So there you go!  Life and advice of Sig.  

Easter Sunday

Awake, thou wintry earth-- 

Fling off thy sadness! Fair vernal flowers,

laugh forth Your ancient gladness!

Christ is risen.    

                                      - Thomas Blackburn, An Easter Hymn

He Strikes Again!

What's small and furry and comes bearing goodies?

At our house the hunt for eggs is not a simple game of hide-and-seek.  Mr. Easter Bunny leaves a trail of clues hidden in bright plastic eggs. . . 

The girls must read the clue to find the next egg. . .

Sometimes they are in strange places. . .

Bun in the end they lead to the prize.

This year they found their baskets hidden in the car.

They are always filled with candy. . .

. . .and of course those infamous peeps. . .

And each year he leaves a little something summery for these two girls who have winter birthdays. 

 

Anyone know when the rain will stop. . .and the wind will pick up?

Did he strike at your house too?

Happy Easter

Anyone have a good recipe that calls for hard boiled eggs. . . or several recipes?

We  hadn't done this in years--it was really fun. . .though I am not sure why Sig decided she needed to dye eggs in a swim suit!

Happy Easter

This One's For Manna

Every summer the girls beg for us to cut off their lovely blond hair.  I don't know why, but cutting their hair off always makes me sad.  Signe pulls off a pretty cute short do, and has had it short a lot.  It has gotten longer than ever before in the past year--maybe that is why it was hard to cut it.  

So I didn't--Rob did.

Blame him Leesa, blame him!

It did turn out rather cute though.  And we haven't been able to wipe the smile off her face yet.  When asked if she liked it she jumped up and spread her arms wide: "I LOVE it!"  She shouted.

So there you go.  Summer here we come.

***Update -- Hannah fell victim to Rob's scissors.  I am generally opposed to Hannah cutting her hair short, but I think it did turn out pretty cute.  I had to layer the ends a little to give it some shape after he hacked it off really short! She, like Sig, is thrilled with it.