Caitlyn & Alexandra

Harvest Moon

2012-02-10T18:05:00.003-07:00

Caitlyn: Mama, look the moon is so full...and orange. It must have eaten a lot of macaroni & cheese!

Groundhog Day

2012-02-02T07:28:00.003-07:00

Caitlyn: What day is it today?
Mama: It's Thursday.
Caitlyn: I thought it was mole day.
Mama: Mole day??
Caitlyn: Yes, moles live in holes. Hey, that rhymes.

Mama: Oooh, she means Groundhog Day!

Cooking 101

2012-01-24T19:34:00.002-07:00

"Mama, why is the butter leaking?"

Where did that come from?

2012-01-17T07:39:00.001-07:00

Mama: Caitlyn, please go put your pyjamas on the shelf in your closet.
Caitlyn: Ok mom, I’ll see what I can do.

Last Time

2012-01-15T08:49:00.002-07:00

In the shower
Mama: Did you wash your armpits?
Caitlyn: No, but I don't have to.
Mama: Why not?
Caitlyn: I washed them last time!

Awwww...

2012-01-14T09:42:00.002-07:00

While snuggling
Caitlyn: Mama, I can hear your heart talking to me.

Oh, the Drama!

2012-01-13T19:02:00.000-07:00

Caitlyn bites her finger while eating.
Caitlyn: Oh dear, I guess I will never eat with that hand again!

On The Right Track

2012-01-12T19:00:00.003-07:00

Caitlyn: Look mom, I'm on the right track! I'm on the track #45!

Space Cowboy

2012-01-11T21:15:00.001-07:00

Daddy was putting Caitlyn to bed when she looked up at him with sad eyes.
Caitlyn: Daddy, I really want to live in outer space. Then we can see Jupiner and the Moon.
Daddy: Well, maybe you can be an astronaut when you grow up! Then you can visit all sorts of planets! Do you want to be an astronaut when you grow up?
Caitlyn looks at Daddy, with even sadder eyes and a pouty lip...
Caitlyn: No, I want to be a cowboy.

Museums

2012-01-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

The other day we drove past the Aerospace Museum.
Mama: Caitlyn, look at all the airplanes!
Caitlyn: Is that the airplane station?
Mama: No, it's the airplane museum.
Caitlyn: Are there airplane bones in there?

Knock knock...

2012-01-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

Caitlyn: Knock, knock
Mama: Who's there?
Caitlyn: It's Caitlyn silly!

Crafty?

2012-01-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

I started what I hope will become a new tradition this year. Caitlyn and I made Christmas ornaments! My goal is to make a different ornament every year. Then, when the girls move out, they'll each have a batch of ornaments to start with!

Friday Family Movie Night

2012-01-06T19:38:00.000-07:00

We've recently started a new family tradition. Fridays after dinner, we all put on our pyjamas, curl up on the couch and start a family movie:

Then, at 7:00 (standard bedtime), Alex heads to bed, and we make popcorn for the second act!

It's a lovely, cozy way to start the weekend.

Plate Licking Good!

2012-01-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

Theology by Caitlyn

2012-01-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

Reading the Easter story:

Caitlyn: But mama, Jesus is a baby! Does Jesus live on Jupiner?

Not on Our Planet!

2012-01-03T19:32:00.000-07:00

Watching Great Big Sea on TV:

Caitlyn: Mama, why does that boy have long hair?
Mama: Sometimes, boys have long hair.
Caitlyn: Boys don't have long hair.
Mama: They can.
Caitlyn: Not on our planet!

Christmas According to Caitlyn II

2011-12-20T19:27:00.002-07:00

Mary and Joseph went on a trip, but there was no room for them so they went in the stable. A good fairy came and asked them what they wanted for Christmas. Mary asked for a baby girl named Jesus.

Christmas According to Caitlyn

2011-12-12T19:26:00.001-07:00

Mary and Joseph went on a donkey, but there was nowhere for them to stay, so all the kings horses & all the kings men helped them find baby Jesus!

Caitlyn's Monologue

2011-12-01T07:33:00.001-07:00

Leaving the grocery store after an evening shopping trip:

Caitlyn: It's so dark, I'm not an owl, I don't have big eyes to see in the dark! How will we find the van? Oh, there's my friend moon, he will help us. Moon, "can you help us find our van? It's white and has a letter on the back....Oh, thank you moon, very thank you." Look mom, moon helped us find our van!

Good Listening

2011-11-27T14:22:00.001-07:00

Mama: Caitlyn, remember yesterday, when you found Alex's soother string and I asked you to put it on the table?
Caitlyn: Yes
Mama: Where did you put it?
Caitlyn: Under the chair.
Mama: Can you go get it for me?
Caitlyn: Yes mom.

Her Mother's Daughter

2011-11-13T09:29:00.001-07:00

Caitlyn and I were lounging, watching a home renovation show. They were ripping out the bathroom and re-doing it.
Caitlyn: Mama, we need to do that for my bathroom.
Mama: What's wrong with your bathroom?
Caitlyn: I don't like the colour of my towels!

Lounging

2011-11-05T20:13:00.000-06:00

This girl knows how to relax!

Fall II

2011-11-04T20:09:00.000-06:00

A beautiful fall day at the park with my two beautiful babies. (Yes Rachel, I know, they're hardly babies!)

Of course, Clifford came too!

Fancy Lunch!

2011-11-03T20:05:00.000-06:00

Papa: Mama's having lunch with Grandma today.

Caitlyn: Where will they go for lunch?|
Papa: I think they're going to Red Lobster.

Caitlyn: What's a lobster?

Papa: It's a kind of shellfish.

Caitlyn: Like at Superstore? (We always let her look at the live lobster at Superstore.)

Papa: Yes, like at Superstore.

Caitlyn: Mama's having lunch at the Superstore?

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T20:01:00.001-06:00

Tree Burglars

2011-10-26T20:34:00.000-06:00

Mama: Should we make a Christmas ornament for Chris & Rachel?
Caitlyn: No!
Mama: Why not?
Caitlyn: Because they don't have a tree!
Mama: I guess you're right, they might not have a tree...
Caitlyn: So, what do they do for Christmas?
Mama: Well, this year they're coming to visit us.
Caitlyn: Yeah! (very seriously) To our house?
Mama: Yes, they'll probably come to our house.
Caitlyn: And they will see our tree?
Mama: Yes they'll see our tree.
Caitlyn: And they will ask to take our tree?
Mama: No, I don't think they will ask to take our tree.
Caitlyn: They can NOT take our tree.
Mama: Don't worry baby girl, I will make sure they don't take our tree!

Mango Medley

2011-10-19T18:50:00.002-06:00

Caitlyn: What kind of yogurt are you feeding Alex?
Mama: Mango Medley.
Caitlyn: Watch out for the medley!
Mama: Why?
Caitlyn: Because...is Alex old enough for medley?

You try to give a kid some magic...

2011-10-15T19:35:00.001-06:00

On a walk:
Papa: Look in the window, the man with the long white beard, it's Santa.
Caitlyn: It's not Santa!
Papa: Why not?
Caitlyn: He's wearing a blue shirt, Santa wears red. That's just some guy.

Check your calendar

2011-10-14T19:03:00.000-06:00

On a walk to the park:
Caitlyn: Mom, when can we walk around the block?
Mama: Well, I thought you wanted to go to the park?
Caitlyn: I do, but when can we walk around the block?
Mama: How about tomorrow?
Caitlyn: Alright, I don't have plans for tomorrow, so that would work just fine.

Sunrise

2011-10-13T22:33:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn: Mama, thank you for making the sunrise pink & purple, my favorite colors!

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

2011-10-12T19:03:00.000-06:00

It's got to go in the middle of the table mom!

Biking

2011-10-11T20:34:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn loves bike riding, she's particularly excited about next year when she gets "a tricycle with two wheels!"

Drumheller

2011-10-10T20:52:00.002-06:00

Two Pig Tails....at Last!

2011-10-09T20:47:00.002-06:00

You've come a long way, baby!

The Difference a Year Makes!

2011-10-08T20:45:00.000-06:00

Fall

2011-10-07T20:38:00.002-06:00

We've been blessed with a beautiful fall. Perfect for evenings at the park!

Alex in the swing

Caitlyn pushing Clifford (The Imaginary Dog)

Caitlyn on the "Big Kid" Swing

Alex - 13 Months ( A wee bit late!)

2011-10-06T20:54:00.003-06:00

Particularly for the far-off auntie & uncle!

Caitlyn's First Day of Preschool (Much Delayed)

2011-10-05T20:34:00.000-06:00

Rhyming with Caitlyn

2011-09-27T20:11:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn: What rhymes with barn?
Mama: Yarn...
Caitlyn: No mama, cow rhymes with barn.
Mama: No it doesn't.
Caitlyn: Yes it does. You gotsta listen mama. Baarrrnnn....cooooowww....see, it rhymes!

3 Year Old Conversation

2011-09-26T18:53:00.001-06:00

Caitlyn: How old are you?
Lauren: I'm three.
Caitlyn: But I'm three
Lauren: Fine then, I'm seven.

Caitlyn: Oh, well, seven o'clock is my bedtime!

Caitlyn's Latest Song

2011-09-24T17:38:00.001-06:00

I have a funky chicken
He's so funky that he even poops in the potty!!

But...

2011-09-19T19:52:00.000-06:00

Mama: Finish up your dinner and then it's time to shower.
Caitlyn: But, not wash my hair.
Mama: No, we have to wash your hair today.
Caitlyn: But I don't want to.
Mama: Well, we're washing your hair tonight, you can pick a bath or a shower.
Caitlyn: But, but I love you Mama!

Our Pets

2011-09-04T20:05:00.002-06:00

Caitlyn: I have a real puppy, you know.
Mama: You do?
Caitlyn, Yep, he lives at the pet store with my talking parrot..."Ack my talking parrot"!

Alex - 1 Year! (and 1 day)

2011-08-31T19:55:00.000-06:00

My dear, sweet, goofy Alex,

You definitely are the second child, even your birthday post is a day late!

My itty bitty, you light up our lives. You’ve just started to really be able to communicate with us. You love to wave goodbye, and when you shake your little head “no”, you always have a really serious look on your face!

You’ve started to copy a lot of the sounds we make, and we love playing at it with you.

You’re going to be a soccer superstar, you can already kick the ball around.

You’re eating mostly “grown up” food now, and we get a kick out of how methodically you pick each morsel out. If there’s something you don’t particularly like, you very careful pick it all out and set it to the side.

You’ve mastered drinking from a sippy cup & a straw.

You like to help pull the cutlery out of the dishwasher and hand it to me, you just haven’t figured out that we only do that part when it’s clean!

You get outraged very easily, by us taking away something unsafe, or being told no, but you’re calmed very easily too.

You love your blankie, you snuggle with it, and if I say, “where’s Alex?” you stop whatever you’re doing and pull the blanket up over your face.

Last night, while we were cuddling, you had your hand on my arm, and I realized, it felt like a toddler hand, not a baby hand anymore. It’s so fun to watch you grow up and interact more with your world.

We love you baby girl, we can’t wait to watch you grow this year,

Mama

Morning Snuggles

2011-08-26T19:20:00.000-06:00

Our Pantry

2011-08-25T19:18:00.001-06:00

Our pantry is useful for storing flour, cereal, and children!

Caitlyn

Alexandra

Calaway

2011-08-24T19:16:00.000-06:00

Last week I played hooky from work to have a date with Caitlyn at Calaway.

Tragic

2011-08-23T19:06:00.001-06:00

Mama: Caitlyn, in the fall, do you want to take gymnastics, or dance lessons?

Caitlyn: But mama, I already know how to dance!

Mama: I know you do, but I thought lessons might be fun, and Emma might want to come with us.

Caitlyn (very seriously): Does Emma not know how to dance?

Ikea Advertisement II

2011-08-22T19:06:00.000-06:00

Our back entry has been making me crazy. Now, with the thought of winter coming and four peoples outdoor things, something had to be done.
Before:

After:

Every Morning

2011-08-12T21:39:00.002-06:00

6:30 am, everyone still asleep in bed until...

Caitlyn: What will be for my breakfast today guys?

Ladies & Gentlemen

2011-08-08T19:42:00.001-06:00

Caitlyn: I will be the magicer, you be the ladies & gentlemen. Ladies & gentlemen, I am going to do a magic trick for you. I will make my water bottle disappear!

She carefully sets her water bottle on the kitchen table, covers it with an upside down mixing bowl and then covers it all with a blanket.

Caitlyn: Alright, abra-cadabra, make my water bottle disappear. Ladies & gentlemen, you gots to clap!

I dutifully clap. She carefully lifts off the blanket, lifts off the mixing bottle and....

Caitlyn: Oh no, my water bottle didn't disappear! I'm not very good at this. Maybe I need a magicer hat. Can you write that on the shopping list mama?

Okay....

2011-08-06T08:36:00.001-06:00

Caitlyn: Mama, mama, mama...I gots to show you somefing, but you can't look at it!

Super Caity

2011-08-02T19:32:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn: Mama, you be in trouble and call me and I will come save the day.
Mama: Okay. Help, Super-Caity, I'm in trouble.
Caitlyn: Super-Caity to the rescue.
Mama: Oh thank you Super-Caity:
Caitlyn; That will be $4.00.

Milk

2011-07-28T19:43:00.000-06:00

Alex loves milk! Every time we take the jug out of the fridge she flaps her arms and begs for some!

She's Absolutely Right

2011-07-27T19:41:00.000-06:00

"It's a great day for a popsicle, huh?"

Storm Watching

2011-07-26T19:41:00.000-06:00

We've had some fantastic thunder storms lately in the evenings...

Enchanted Forest

2011-07-25T08:42:00.000-06:00

Outdoor Babes

2011-07-24T08:41:00.000-06:00

Phonics II

2011-07-23T08:39:00.003-06:00

Caitlyn: Mama, what starts with "eh"?
Mama: Elephant, elbow..
Caitlyn: No, think harder!
Mama: Alligator, antelope...
Caitlyn: No Mama, you gots to sound it out...eh...eh...eh...L!

Wildlife!

2011-07-22T08:38:00.002-06:00

D Dutchman Dairy

2011-07-21T08:34:00.002-06:00

Counting

2011-07-20T08:32:00.002-06:00

Caitlyn: Does one come first?
Mama: Yes
Caitlyn: Does two come second?
Mama: Yes
Caitlyn: Does eighteen come next?
Mama: Not quite!

Hang on, that's a volcano!

2011-07-19T08:32:00.002-06:00

Let's Play a Game

2011-07-18T08:25:00.002-06:00

Caitlyn: I know a great game, do you want to play it with me?
Mama: Sure, what is it?
Caitlyn: It's Duck-a-Doo!
Mama: Okay, how do you play Duck-a-Doo?
Caitlyn: You duck, and I will throw the frisbee at your head!

The Road Trip

2011-07-17T08:25:00.000-06:00

Car Games

2011-07-14T19:46:00.000-06:00

My biggest concern about the camping trip was how the girls would handle the 5.5 hour road trip. I shouldn't have worried...about an hour out of the city:
Caitlyn: Let's play Hide & Seek. I will hide, and you will count!

Getting Ready for Camping

2011-07-07T19:12:00.002-06:00

Caitlyn: Can Clifford (her imaginary puppy) come camping?
Mama: Sure he can!
Caitlyn: Can Clifford's babies come camping?
Mama: Sure.
Caitlyn: Can Clifford's mommy and daddy come camping?
Mama: I suppose so.
Caitlyn: Are we bringing Alex?
Mama: Yes, we will bring Alex. I booked a cabin with two rooms, one for you and Alex and one for me and Papa.
Caitlyn: We will need three rooms, we need another one for Clifford!

I don't think you get a choice...

2011-07-06T17:21:00.000-06:00

Mama: Caitlyn, what's wrong?
Caitlyn: Papa says we gots to have a talk and I don't want to have a talk!

At the Park

2011-07-05T17:21:00.000-06:00

Mama: Caitlyn, why do you look so sad?
Caitlyn: My best friend in the whole wide world had to go home.
Mama: What was your friend's name?
Caitlyn: I don't know, but she was my best friend and now she's gone!
Mama: Why don't you go play and find a new friend?
Caitlyn: Alright.

Summer Feet

2011-07-04T08:18:00.002-06:00

Caitlyn: Mama, there's dirt on my toes!! Maybe it's from the farm, or Marley (the dog's) tongue, or something.

Yummm!

2011-07-03T08:18:00.002-06:00

Caitlyn: Mama, please I stop & smell the purple flower?
Mama: Of course.
Caitlyn: Yummm...it smells like pancakes!

Alex - 10 Months

2011-06-30T20:36:00.000-06:00

Miss Alexandra Paige,

You are 10 months old!!

A few weeks ago, you decided you were too grown up for baby food, so now, you eat finger food and you love it! One of your favorite things is tofu!

You're learning to drink from a sippy cup and loving it.

You're trying so hard to stand on your own. You love to pull yourself up, let go & grin as you fall on your bum!

You've learned to clap, and it's adorable.

Last night, you slept all the way through the night!! I think we were happier about that than you were!

You love to laugh and cuddle.

You love to play piano - with enthusiasm!

Next week, we're going to take you camping for the first time. I think you're going to love it! You're definitely an outdoor baby. Everytime we go outside you grin.

I love you zen-girl!

Mosquito Bites

2011-06-27T21:28:00.001-06:00

Mama: Caitlyn, you have lots of mosquito bites!
Caitlyn: I have lots of dots too!

Good Question

2011-06-25T16:10:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn: What is Alex's plan for today?

Morning Routine

2011-06-24T16:10:00.002-06:00

Alex (in her crib): Mamamamamamama
Mama: Good morning baby girl!
Alex: Haaaah
Mama: You slept so good, baby!
Alex claps for herself.

Bird Identification

2011-06-20T09:36:00.000-06:00

Cailtyn: Mama, what kind of bird makes that sound?
Mama: I'm not sure, sweetheart.
Caitlyn: Umm...I think it's like a magpie or something...

Silly

2011-06-19T09:36:00.002-06:00

5:30 in the morning,
Caitlyn: My pajama buttons all came undone at the night...silly buttons, right mommy?

Even...

2011-06-12T19:48:00.001-06:00

Caitlyn: Good morning Mama, I had breakfast!
Mama: Really, what did you have?
Caitlyn; I had milk, banana, and EVEN peanut butter toast....I gots to wash my hands!

Alex Made Breakfast!

2011-06-09T17:18:00.000-06:00

The health inspectors might not be impressed by the location - the front entry floor!

Ikea Advertisement

2011-05-30T20:36:00.000-06:00

$57...3 hours (including feeding children & putting them to bed)

Baking

2011-05-29T08:16:00.000-06:00

Pretending to bake cupcakes.
Caitlyn: Alright, we need flour, sugar, what else?
Mama: Eggs
Caitlyn: I don't like eggs, we can just put scrambled eggs on yours, because that's your favorite, right?
Mama: Right. What about baking powder & baking soda?
Caitlyn: Oh, I don't like those. But we could put in strawberries and black strawberries.
Mama: Alright, sounds great!

Interior Decorator

2011-05-27T17:24:00.000-06:00

While deciding where to hang some new paintings...
Caitlyn: I gots a great plan!! We could move the front door over there, and name it the back door. Then, we can move that light switch over to there and then, we can hang that painting right over where the door was!

Caitlyn's Recipe

2011-05-23T19:46:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn: What kind of yogurt is this?
Mama: It's mango.
Caitlyn: Maybe tomorrow, we can make mango.
Mama: How would we do that?
Caitlyn: Umm...we need flour, water, noodles and apple!

She is Right

2011-05-22T18:11:00.000-06:00

Papa: Caitlyn was in the sun lots today.
Caitlyn: I wasn't IN the sun, I was UNDER the sun!

Summer

2011-05-21T21:07:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn's Accomplishment

2011-05-20T21:07:00.001-06:00

On Sunday, Caitlyn drew a picture and wrote her name on it:

Alexandra's Accomplishment

2011-05-19T21:04:00.000-06:00

You have to start somewhere...

A good teacher always helps!

Success!!

Disaster!

2011-05-18T21:03:00.000-06:00

Papa: Caitlyn, please put on your jeans.
Caitlyn comes down with her jeans on: Papa, do these ones have a belt on them?
Papa: Yes, they do.
Caitlyn: Oh, good, otherwise, my pants might fall down, and that would be a disaster!

Best Restaurant Ever

2011-05-17T21:00:00.004-06:00

Caitlyn: Mama, come to my restaurant.
Mama: Alright, I'll have pancakes please.
Caitlyn: With what in them?
Mama: Blueberries.
Caitlyn: Alright, here you go.
Mama: Great, can I have a fork please?
Caitlyn: No, this restaurant doesn't have forks. You could use your hands.
Mama: Okay, but they'll get sticky. Can I have a napkin?
Caitlyn: No, this restaurant doesn't have napkins.
Mama: Then what will I do with my sticky hands?
Caitlyn: I have a sink, it is on wheels, I will bring it to you!

Watermelon

2011-05-16T21:00:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn: Mama, do you know what the best part about water melon is....eating it!!
Is you favorite part the slurping or the chewing?

Just in Case

2011-05-10T20:25:00.001-06:00

I heard through the grape vine, that some people didn't realize that this was an April Fools joke...I apologize for any false feelings of pride sent in Alex's direction!

Just For Rachel

2011-05-09T19:05:00.000-06:00

It's hard to tell, but they're dark blue with sparkles, just for you!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T08:46:00.000-06:00

To my sweet darling babies:
Thank you for making me a mother. I love you both more than I ever could have imagined. I am so blessed to have both of you in my lives.

To my mother:
Thank you for being my mother, and not giving up on me. Thank you for being an amazing grandmother to my babies. They are truly blessed to have you in their lives.

Whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him but on all whom he met, not only for a day or a month or a year, but for all eternity - a very challenging and exciting thought for a mother.
~Rose Kennedy

Quiz Time

2011-05-04T07:39:00.000-06:00

What is Caitlyn talking about?

Caitlyn: You got to get it all in the red byzel.

Calendar - Part IV

2011-05-01T13:55:00.000-06:00

Caitlyn heading out to help her dad BBQ supper.
Caitlyn: Bye mama, see you next week!

Phonics

2011-04-30T11:13:00.000-06:00

Mama: This is an 'S', snake starts with 'S'
Caitlyn: And I start with 'C'.
Mama: Yes, you do.
Caitlyn: What starts with 'M'?
Mama: Mama starts with 'M'.
Caitlyn: What starts with '10'?

Royal Confusion

2011-04-29T16:49:00.001-06:00

Watching the royal wedding
Mama: That's the prince and the new princess.
Caitlyn: Where's the queen?
Mama: I'm not sure, we haven't seen the queen yet.
Caitlyn: Is the queen a boy or a girl?

Roasted Veggies

2011-04-28T07:36:00.003-06:00

After we're all done eating, but Caitlyn hasn't touched her veggies.
Caitlyn: I don't like roast veggies.
Mama: Try them, I think you'll really like them.
Caitlyn: I don't like them.
Mama: You're going to sit there until you eat them.
5 minutes pass
Caitlyn: Cut them
Mama: How do you ask nicely?
5 minutes pass
Caitlyn: Please
Mama : Please what?
5 minutes pass
Caitlyn: Please (adds chopping motion with her hand)
Mama: Use your words.
5 minutes pass
Caitlyn: Please cut them
Mama cuts the veggies
5 minutes pass
Caitlyn: Fork
Mama: How do you ask nicely?
5 minutes pass
Caitlyn: Please
Mama : Please what?
5 minutes pass
Caitlyn: Please fork
Mama gets her a fork
5 minutes pass
Caitlyn takes a bite of carrot
Caitlyn: Mmm I love roast veggies! (as she finishes eating them in 2 minutes).

Easter 2011

2011-04-27T17:52:00.000-06:00

Easter 2010

2011-04-26T19:47:00.001-06:00