Nature

Ever see a duck get molested by five suitors at the same time?  I have.  I have also seen two very nonchalant deer walk down my driveway from about fifteen feet away.  I have also had a giant effing bullfrog scare the daylights out of me while raking leaves.  Oh, and I've had to watch my husband pull a bloody dew-claw off my dog after she sustained the injury while frantically circling two ducks in our pond.  And as I type this I think I'm watching two squirrels flirt (although they may be trying to kill each other, i'm not really sure).  I love this property and all it's creepy inhabitants.

The Utmost Authority on All Things

Ah, Catie... you are the most wonderful thing.  You make me feel like the smartest person in the world!  Every statement of fact you make turns into a question by adding just one little word to the end... right?

"Mom, Maggie is going to get in trouble if she doesn't wear her helmet, right?"
"Mom, I like M&M's, right?"
"Mom, we don't want to show any friends our tushey  at school, right?"  Wait, what?

After all, when you don't know, ask an expert... even when you do know actually.  Just another three-year-old moment, sure to be gone by the time she turns four. Sigh.

Goin' to the Chapel and We're Goin' Get Married....

Catie has been very concerned lately with figuring out the identity of whom she will marry.  Her short list of candidates includes, Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa, Papa Gary, Sissy, and Chandler.  This weekend, while perusing the aisles of a local antique store, the topic of marriageable individuals came up once again.  After listening to the faults of each of the aforementioned candidates, she was starting to get frustrated.  Pointing to the elderly man in the next booth she growled, "Fine, can I marry THAT guy then?!"  So desperate, so young.

I finally caved and told her she could marry me.  "Good Mom!  Because we are in love, right?"
Yes Catie, we are very much in love.

Sisters

I don't have a sister, but my daughters do.  From the moment we found out we were having a second daughter I have been so excited to witness their relationship, and now that they are both talking, walking, and full-blown people, it's really getting good.

Yesterday the big sister figured out how to give the little sister piggyback rides.  Both sisters could not have been more proud of this feat of strength.  Then there was the cartwheel marathon, first one tumbling girl, then the other, then repeat about 50 more times.  Then the sweet, random hugs while dispensing M&Ms from the candy machine.  And then came the puking.  Yes, after a fun filled day o play - the older one got sick (just in time for the babysitter - which was generously cancelled by an empathetic Mom and Dad). 

You would think all the grossness would make the younger one run for the hills, but no - the younger one was so concerned for her older sister that she kept trying to climb into bed with her.  I would say she just wanted attention like the pukey one was getting from us, but I don't think that was it.  I think she felt lonely.  She had just spent all day playing with her best buddy and now she had to play with her parents.  Boring.

After being sequestered to separate bedrooms all night, Catie woke up and asked me, "Is Sissy still sick??"  When I told her, "I'm not sure yet honey, she thinks she feels a little better," she said, "I hope she's better, I don't have anyone to play with."  I tried to suggest that I would play with her but that idea was unacceptable, "No Mom, I want to play with a little kid!!" 

I don't mind being second string playmate, nothing could make me happier. 

Brains/Brain

Listening to two little kids argue semantics is hilarious.  The 3 year old says "Brains" and the 6 year old corrects her, "No, you have a brain, not brains."  The 3 year old dons a quizzical expression and says again, "Brains?"  and the 6 year old again corrects her, "NO!  You don't have more than one brain, so you only have a brain, NOT brains!"  The 3 year old responds, "Brains, brains, brains!  Where is my brain!  Arghhhhhhhhh!" and hits herself in the head.  Everyone laughs.

Just another boring breakfast in the Calhoun house.