Okay, my eyes are watery from laughing so hard, and Big Belle is still rolling on the floor.
Tonight, we used the microphone thingy from Christmas (a huge hit) and were singing songs and what not. I have to admit, Big Belle stole the stage.
Until...
Clara Belle and I were singing a rousing version of 3 Little Monkeys jumping on the bed...when Big Belle chimed in (out of nowhere and completely out of her norm) "3 Little Monkeys Poopin' on the Bed"! If I had expected this, it totally would not have been funny, but off the cuff like that it was hysterical. When I moved on to "I'm brining home a baby bumblebee..." that was quickly turned into "I'm poopin' out a baby bumblebee" complete with feet pounding, knee slapping, tears from Big Belle, and I have to admit and was not doing a good job at stifle any laughter.
This could turn bad, I fully realize that, but until another day when I have to squash all of this fun, tonight we are enjoying a good old fashioned belly laugh or two.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Game of Life
I've sat on the sidelines the past few weeks. Booing and hissing with my fellow teachers as we are moved from those sidelines of life and put into the middle of a game we can not play.
Our school has been slated to close. Our family threatened to be torn apart. In this day and age, an all too common stadium scene and one some people are uninterested in hearing. "It's happening everywhere" "it's another product of the economy" "it's something we all have to live with now days" doesn't help morale any. Some of it is true, and I will be the first to say the facts don't lie.
My school district is facing an astronomical deficit. (Made even more astronomical by someone who teaches reading. Not dealing with numbers regularly makes the word "millions" even more daunting!)
The main charge seems to be that closing our small school, with the very old rickety building in a poor part of town would be a simple answer to one part of the budget crisis. But simple for whom.
It is often on here you can find me whining about my small town. I've never been a "big city" person, have no desire to live in one. But when I find myself an hour and a half away from museums, shops, and other signs of what I consider to be normal life -- gasp even a Target -- I get a little stir crazy. With the events from the past two weeks, I have been humbled and have come to learn the most important lesson from this small town: sticking together.
As a teaching unit, we have remained fairly silent on our school closing. Meaning we have not publicly spoken out (but oh if you were a fly on the wall of our copy room) and we have only signed a polite petition requesting our school to stay open. However, we have (to use what I consider to be the "mother" of all southern words possibly beating out ya'll) BLESSED to have such strong parental support from the families at our school, even extending out into the community as well. The Chamber of Commerce, realtors, and many others with absolutely no ties to our school have spoken out at board hearings, written to newspapers, called the radio station, and so much more. I feel very honored to live in such a place that works so hard for something they know and feel is important and valuable. Not only for me, but for my child reaps the benefits of this special school.
We should know the outcome in about a week and a half, good or bad. Until then, we've come away from wallowing in our sorrow to discussing the matter calmly and rationally and extremely intelligently. What a wonderful experience for my 5th graders to see just what we are allowed to do in this country...I really hope they see a positive result from all of this, I say that for mostly personal reasons, but most importantly, I hope they are as proud as I am of everything everyone has done to fight for our school.
Our school has been slated to close. Our family threatened to be torn apart. In this day and age, an all too common stadium scene and one some people are uninterested in hearing. "It's happening everywhere" "it's another product of the economy" "it's something we all have to live with now days" doesn't help morale any. Some of it is true, and I will be the first to say the facts don't lie.
My school district is facing an astronomical deficit. (Made even more astronomical by someone who teaches reading. Not dealing with numbers regularly makes the word "millions" even more daunting!)
The main charge seems to be that closing our small school, with the very old rickety building in a poor part of town would be a simple answer to one part of the budget crisis. But simple for whom.
It is often on here you can find me whining about my small town. I've never been a "big city" person, have no desire to live in one. But when I find myself an hour and a half away from museums, shops, and other signs of what I consider to be normal life -- gasp even a Target -- I get a little stir crazy. With the events from the past two weeks, I have been humbled and have come to learn the most important lesson from this small town: sticking together.
As a teaching unit, we have remained fairly silent on our school closing. Meaning we have not publicly spoken out (but oh if you were a fly on the wall of our copy room) and we have only signed a polite petition requesting our school to stay open. However, we have (to use what I consider to be the "mother" of all southern words possibly beating out ya'll) BLESSED to have such strong parental support from the families at our school, even extending out into the community as well. The Chamber of Commerce, realtors, and many others with absolutely no ties to our school have spoken out at board hearings, written to newspapers, called the radio station, and so much more. I feel very honored to live in such a place that works so hard for something they know and feel is important and valuable. Not only for me, but for my child reaps the benefits of this special school.
We should know the outcome in about a week and a half, good or bad. Until then, we've come away from wallowing in our sorrow to discussing the matter calmly and rationally and extremely intelligently. What a wonderful experience for my 5th graders to see just what we are allowed to do in this country...I really hope they see a positive result from all of this, I say that for mostly personal reasons, but most importantly, I hope they are as proud as I am of everything everyone has done to fight for our school.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Why?
The winter hat -- known to the Belles as a toboggan down here-- and pacifier were an interesting touch I thought.
Life List 21-30
I know, a day late and a dollar short. We were too busy this weekend.
Doing nothing.
Ever have those days? You're so bored...and yet here's a laundry list (literally and figuratively) of things to do. And yet, you say you're bored.
We went from 84 degrees and sunblock, to rain and temps in the 40's. Maybe it'd depression and not boredom! The good thing is that today, being another rainy cold day -- hello 44 degrees!!! -- brought Chris home by 9am. We grocery shopped, came home to eat lunch, and spent about 2 hours laying in bed, reading books and just being lazy. And we weren't bored once!
So now, despite the fact that Clara Belle and Big Belle are holding the next Ultimate Fighting match just inches from me, I will give you the next installment of my Life List.
21. Have a vegetable garden in my yard. And eat something that I produce from it.
22. Enter and win a contest or competition. I'm not thinking sweepstakes or lottery here. Something that involves some sort of effort. I'm just not sure what. And I know the "winning" part might be putting the cart before the horse, but it's my list, so I can say that. I mean, I'm not going to enter a contest I think I would surely lose, right?
23. Nurse my children for a year. So far, we're almost there, but I'm not sure we'll make it much farther with this one. But 8 months is pretty darn good in my book, whenever it stops I'm going to make it count. :) If you asked me what I was most proud of in my life, my greatest achievement, this would probably be it. And yet it sits here at number 23....
24. Have a vase full of flowers sitting on my kitchen table, that grew somewhere in my yard. And not just for the "free flowers", although that would definitely be a plus!
25. Find a creative photography project, and see it through to completion. Big Belle has a scrapbook, of her first 11 months. Clara Belle has...a bunch of pictures in envelopes. 25 Baby Belle has...well, hopefully our computer files are well backed up.
26. Study a historical period in great depth. I'm envious of people who are "experts" in a field. Especially a particular field of study. While I probably will never be known as an expert in a field, I think it would be really cool to be known as someone who knows an extensive amount about a topic. I love history, so I'm figuring those two goals would go well together.
27. Get another degree or certification. Probably goes with number 26.
28. Go somewhere with Chris where he has to wear a tuxedo. I have yet to figure this one out. When I first met Chris, he wore a suit to work everyday. Since we have moved down here and he switched careers and works outside, obviously no suit. And while I think he looks dashing in his golf shirts....Also, seeing as we eloped to the beach, there was not much need for a tuxedo. So we need to have a black tie event to go to. Before one of the Belles gets married...and we're paying for it all.
29. Take pictures from a hot air balloon. I suppose this one should be "fly in a hot air balloon", but it's not so much the thrill of being in one that would be the best part, but the possible pictures available to take from a flight.
30. Order a meal in a foreign country in that native tongue. Seeing as I have no desire to ever travel to Mexico, I am excluding taco, burrito and the like.
Doing nothing.
Ever have those days? You're so bored...and yet here's a laundry list (literally and figuratively) of things to do. And yet, you say you're bored.
We went from 84 degrees and sunblock, to rain and temps in the 40's. Maybe it'd depression and not boredom! The good thing is that today, being another rainy cold day -- hello 44 degrees!!! -- brought Chris home by 9am. We grocery shopped, came home to eat lunch, and spent about 2 hours laying in bed, reading books and just being lazy. And we weren't bored once!
So now, despite the fact that Clara Belle and Big Belle are holding the next Ultimate Fighting match just inches from me, I will give you the next installment of my Life List.
21. Have a vegetable garden in my yard. And eat something that I produce from it.
22. Enter and win a contest or competition. I'm not thinking sweepstakes or lottery here. Something that involves some sort of effort. I'm just not sure what. And I know the "winning" part might be putting the cart before the horse, but it's my list, so I can say that. I mean, I'm not going to enter a contest I think I would surely lose, right?
23. Nurse my children for a year. So far, we're almost there, but I'm not sure we'll make it much farther with this one. But 8 months is pretty darn good in my book, whenever it stops I'm going to make it count. :) If you asked me what I was most proud of in my life, my greatest achievement, this would probably be it. And yet it sits here at number 23....
24. Have a vase full of flowers sitting on my kitchen table, that grew somewhere in my yard. And not just for the "free flowers", although that would definitely be a plus!
25. Find a creative photography project, and see it through to completion. Big Belle has a scrapbook, of her first 11 months. Clara Belle has...a bunch of pictures in envelopes. 25 Baby Belle has...well, hopefully our computer files are well backed up.
26. Study a historical period in great depth. I'm envious of people who are "experts" in a field. Especially a particular field of study. While I probably will never be known as an expert in a field, I think it would be really cool to be known as someone who knows an extensive amount about a topic. I love history, so I'm figuring those two goals would go well together.
27. Get another degree or certification. Probably goes with number 26.
28. Go somewhere with Chris where he has to wear a tuxedo. I have yet to figure this one out. When I first met Chris, he wore a suit to work everyday. Since we have moved down here and he switched careers and works outside, obviously no suit. And while I think he looks dashing in his golf shirts....Also, seeing as we eloped to the beach, there was not much need for a tuxedo. So we need to have a black tie event to go to. Before one of the Belles gets married...and we're paying for it all.
29. Take pictures from a hot air balloon. I suppose this one should be "fly in a hot air balloon", but it's not so much the thrill of being in one that would be the best part, but the possible pictures available to take from a flight.
30. Order a meal in a foreign country in that native tongue. Seeing as I have no desire to ever travel to Mexico, I am excluding taco, burrito and the like.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Weather at Night
"Thoughts Upon
Sleeping With the Windows Open"
Hush
Breeze
Trees High-Fiving
Faster
Cooler
Windy
Drip Drip
Rain
Cool
Smell
Full Gutters
Loud
Softer
Softer
Softer
Fresh
Cool
Peaceful
Good Night's Sleep
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
FYI
I just had to pop in to let you know that I was just informed from Clara Belle that:
"damnit is a bad word we aren't supposed to say. Only you, right?"
I promise, I really don't swear that much. I'm getting a complex!
"damnit is a bad word we aren't supposed to say. Only you, right?"
I promise, I really don't swear that much. I'm getting a complex!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Worthy of Framing!
For 7 1/2 months now, I have tried repeatedly to get good pictures of the three of them. I did get a couple at Christmastime, but since then not a one. I don't know if it is the matching outfits, the early morning Sunshine, the quiet woody background or what, but I am so excited about these photos, I am going to get at least one in an 8X10 for a frame. Even ClaraBelle was smiling...genuinely!
Again! More smiles!
It's almost eerie....
Yes, she's on a table. Don't judge.
Look how cuuuuute she is!
(You can't see how fuzzy her hair is...it reminds me of
Teddy Bear fur....)
Praying?
Hopefully for her mother to remain sane,
because after the past couple of days
she's going to need to pray really hard
that I don't lose it with her!
And Big Belle, whose toothless grin is made that much
more weird by the next tooth dangling precariously by it's
root. I wish it would just fall out already.
Thanks Grandma, Papa, and Auntie Danielle for the outfits!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Oh Baby!
Phew. Sorry. Betcha' thought I'd never return. Alas, I am back. Trying to set aside the trauma that began last week, we turn to happier times.
Baby Belle EATING! She is in the snacking phase...for her real meals she still enjoys, well, me. But true to the Noll/Norris clans -- she's a snacker! She's collecting quite a repertoire of snackable items, but her favorites so far seem to be those little Puff things that dissolve, Cheerios, and as of today: Graham Crackers!
And this was included just to give Baby Belle an early fashion tip.
Baby Belle,
I am sorry.
You seem to have inherited my waxy ears;
your fuzzy hair leads some indication that perhaps
you may sport some waves upon your head;
and you can't wear white. Especially in a bathing suit.
I apologize, some day when you can appreciate your English heritage,
perhaps you will find this endearing. More than likely however,
you will not. I think you will get some sunblock and a nice
hat for your birthday.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
In the Loop
Things continue to be crazy here...full of uncertainty and worry, as my school -- and Big Belle and the other Belle's future school -- is on the chopping block for closing, and my job is "not guaranteed" along with everyone else's at my school. We have had tons of media coverage (for our small town and small school) and have an incredible amount of parent support as well as some very talented and eloquent parents helping us out.
I'll expand more upon this later, but if you are interested here is a link to an article from our local newspaper. There are several there, so if you'd really like to read more just look, but I thought this was a particularly well put article.
If you also interested, here is a blog created by a parent, and there is a link there for a petition -- how cool is that? a web petition! go figure -- if you're interested. I have not signed it yet. As a faculty member looking to stay employed, I am playing it very very safe. But anyone else who wants to keep a great school, if I do say so myself, open then sign away. :)
I'll update more tomorrow. There are happier things that have happened as well.
hint hint...26.2!!!!
I'll expand more upon this later, but if you are interested here is a link to an article from our local newspaper. There are several there, so if you'd really like to read more just look, but I thought this was a particularly well put article.
If you also interested, here is a blog created by a parent, and there is a link there for a petition -- how cool is that? a web petition! go figure -- if you're interested. I have not signed it yet. As a faculty member looking to stay employed, I am playing it very very safe. But anyone else who wants to keep a great school, if I do say so myself, open then sign away. :)
I'll update more tomorrow. There are happier things that have happened as well.
hint hint...26.2!!!!
Today we will see 11-20 of the Life List. Some of these things could be easily accomplished. How fun it will be when I actually get to cross something off the list!
11. Spend a long weekend on Mackinac Island. Seeing as we are a 14 hour drive away from MI. And Mackinac is about a 10 hour drive away from home in MI, I see this as about as challenging as making the Germany visit.
However, I am hoping someday to do this. Mackinac is such a neat place, but I think you really appreciate it more the older you get....
12. Have a family reunion.
13. Turn my master bedroom into my "dream" bedroom. We're getting close!
14. Hike some of the Appalachian Trail. I'm not sure I really want to sleep over night on the trail though. I'm way too worried about bears. And murderers. So I'm thinking day trip(s).
15. Cook a whole chicken in the oven. I know. Mom, stop rolling your eyes. It's just that I don't get it. Granted, I haven't tried. But when you can buy a rotisserie just as easily, it seems silly to put forth the effort. I do make a splendid Beef Wellington -- so that should make up for this ridiculous lack in culinary effort.
16. Make a dessert from scratch. Like a cake or something cool. With real ingredients. Nothing boxed. Just once, just to see if I can do it.
17. Figure out the perfect smoothie recipe, and eat one (drink one?) regularly. I know I know, again, I must sound like some dolt. But every time I try to make one, I just never like it. A lady at work I know makes an awesome one, but she just throws things in here and there, and I've tried that...with unhappiness. I'm going to have her come over to my house and make it. Maybe I'll video her while she does it....
18. Go camping with the whole family. Our favorite campsites are for sure in Michigan. The one time Chris and I went down here (pre-children) we didn't really care for it, but I think it would be fun to do with everyone. I think Baby Belle needs to be a bit bigger though, so this might be a couple of years....
19. To have less than one month's paycheck in debt at any one time, except the mortgage. I read this on someone else's Life List, and really liked this idea. We do not have a lot of debt at all, but are still paying off maternity bills, etc., and I just can't wait to try to make this goal a reality.
20. To teach my children simple phrases in many different languages. I love doing this with my students, and they love it too. I just need to get on the ball and start it at home!
11. Spend a long weekend on Mackinac Island. Seeing as we are a 14 hour drive away from MI. And Mackinac is about a 10 hour drive away from home in MI, I see this as about as challenging as making the Germany visit.
However, I am hoping someday to do this. Mackinac is such a neat place, but I think you really appreciate it more the older you get....
12. Have a family reunion.
13. Turn my master bedroom into my "dream" bedroom. We're getting close!
14. Hike some of the Appalachian Trail. I'm not sure I really want to sleep over night on the trail though. I'm way too worried about bears. And murderers. So I'm thinking day trip(s).
15. Cook a whole chicken in the oven. I know. Mom, stop rolling your eyes. It's just that I don't get it. Granted, I haven't tried. But when you can buy a rotisserie just as easily, it seems silly to put forth the effort. I do make a splendid Beef Wellington -- so that should make up for this ridiculous lack in culinary effort.
16. Make a dessert from scratch. Like a cake or something cool. With real ingredients. Nothing boxed. Just once, just to see if I can do it.
17. Figure out the perfect smoothie recipe, and eat one (drink one?) regularly. I know I know, again, I must sound like some dolt. But every time I try to make one, I just never like it. A lady at work I know makes an awesome one, but she just throws things in here and there, and I've tried that...with unhappiness. I'm going to have her come over to my house and make it. Maybe I'll video her while she does it....
18. Go camping with the whole family. Our favorite campsites are for sure in Michigan. The one time Chris and I went down here (pre-children) we didn't really care for it, but I think it would be fun to do with everyone. I think Baby Belle needs to be a bit bigger though, so this might be a couple of years....
19. To have less than one month's paycheck in debt at any one time, except the mortgage. I read this on someone else's Life List, and really liked this idea. We do not have a lot of debt at all, but are still paying off maternity bills, etc., and I just can't wait to try to make this goal a reality.
20. To teach my children simple phrases in many different languages. I love doing this with my students, and they love it too. I just need to get on the ball and start it at home!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Ugh
Another ugh title.
Crazy things are happening in my world right now. But that's for another day.
Have you followed that link to follow the eagles? If you haven't, I encourage you to watch. One of the eggs have hatched, and you might be lucky enough to see the parent feeding the eaglet. It is amazing. These eagles are totally wild. Literally.
Let me know what you think!
http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html
Crazy things are happening in my world right now. But that's for another day.
Have you followed that link to follow the eagles? If you haven't, I encourage you to watch. One of the eggs have hatched, and you might be lucky enough to see the parent feeding the eaglet. It is amazing. These eagles are totally wild. Literally.
Let me know what you think!
http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The LIFE List
Presumably based on the movie The Bucket List, which I am too lazy to search and provide a link for, there are a million and one "Life Lists" floating around in CyberSpace. I became semi-captivated with the idea. Not so much from a "Bucket List" point of view -- things to do/accomplish before I die -- but more from a goal stand point. I set out on this mission to come up with 100 things for my Life List, and quickly realized what a big number 100 is. That's a lot of things! And I suppose it doesn't help that I am already well into the 30s...in fact, that other number is slowly coming up the walk to knock on the door...and so many things have already been accomplished. I really had to dig deep to think of things after passing number 56 or something like that.
While creating this list, I didn't want to have a lot of silly things on there like "go skydiving", "learn to water ski", "climb a mountain", etc.(silly for me, that is, not others). I have chosen extremely realistic things, mostly just to remind myself of things that I have a passion for, and to keep goals to remind me what I want to work towards. And to always have something to dream about, especially in those moments when I feel down and out. This is my Life List. My family is included in many of these, but have not suggested anything.
There is a page above where the Life List will be kept, but for the next couple of months every Sunday I'm going to try and post approximately 10 items from this list with explanations. This might totally not interest you, in which case please don't read them. It's my blog, I want them here. Thank you. But I encourage any one to maybe set aside some time to put some things down on paper -- or Cyberspace -- and see what you can come up with. I admit I had some help from other Life Lists. I didn't steal other people's ideas, but some of their thoughts reminded me of things that I like and would like to do. I'm not a "think on the spot" type of person, so I really needed some help to dig deep into the recesses of my brain for this. With all of that being said, here are the first 10!
(It's important to note these really are in no particular order. Some of the later things are just as important as the earlier ones, some even more so.)
LIFE LIST 1-10
1. Record for the blind.
2. Become conversational in German (once again), American Sign Language, and maybe either Spanish or Italian.
3. Teach/lead a high quality preschool program.
and, on the opposite spectrum:
4. Teach a college class.
5. Visit Germany with Chris -- just imagine Christmastime, snowfall, small town with snow covered trees and candles in windows...your typical Christmas picture.
6. Rent a cabin in the mountains.
7. Rent a place at the beach where there is nothing to do but enjoy the sun, sand, ocean and those we came with.
8. Become a published author. Preferably a book I have written.
9. Visit the New England states.
10. Take Chris to Las Vegas. He's never been, and I think everyone needs to visit there once in their life, just to see it. It really is a spectacle. While not a vacation spot I would necessarily choose, especially with young kids, it's a fun weekend away.
So that's the first 10. Pretty simple and basic. And honestly, very realistic. Well, maybe Germany is a stretch. If you come up with some of your own, feel free to leave a comment, I'd love to read them.
While creating this list, I didn't want to have a lot of silly things on there like "go skydiving", "learn to water ski", "climb a mountain", etc.(silly for me, that is, not others). I have chosen extremely realistic things, mostly just to remind myself of things that I have a passion for, and to keep goals to remind me what I want to work towards. And to always have something to dream about, especially in those moments when I feel down and out. This is my Life List. My family is included in many of these, but have not suggested anything.
There is a page above where the Life List will be kept, but for the next couple of months every Sunday I'm going to try and post approximately 10 items from this list with explanations. This might totally not interest you, in which case please don't read them. It's my blog, I want them here. Thank you. But I encourage any one to maybe set aside some time to put some things down on paper -- or Cyberspace -- and see what you can come up with. I admit I had some help from other Life Lists. I didn't steal other people's ideas, but some of their thoughts reminded me of things that I like and would like to do. I'm not a "think on the spot" type of person, so I really needed some help to dig deep into the recesses of my brain for this. With all of that being said, here are the first 10!
(It's important to note these really are in no particular order. Some of the later things are just as important as the earlier ones, some even more so.)
LIFE LIST 1-10
1. Record for the blind.
2. Become conversational in German (once again), American Sign Language, and maybe either Spanish or Italian.
3. Teach/lead a high quality preschool program.
and, on the opposite spectrum:
4. Teach a college class.
5. Visit Germany with Chris -- just imagine Christmastime, snowfall, small town with snow covered trees and candles in windows...your typical Christmas picture.
6. Rent a cabin in the mountains.
7. Rent a place at the beach where there is nothing to do but enjoy the sun, sand, ocean and those we came with.
8. Become a published author. Preferably a book I have written.
9. Visit the New England states.
10. Take Chris to Las Vegas. He's never been, and I think everyone needs to visit there once in their life, just to see it. It really is a spectacle. While not a vacation spot I would necessarily choose, especially with young kids, it's a fun weekend away.
So that's the first 10. Pretty simple and basic. And honestly, very realistic. Well, maybe Germany is a stretch. If you come up with some of your own, feel free to leave a comment, I'd love to read them.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Call her up!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Family Portrait
For a quickie self-timer on the table picture, I don't think this turned out too badly. I think it's going to be quite some time before I get a picture that has more than 2 people in it with everyone actually looking, happily, at the camera at any given time. But I'm done trying, because it's going to be a heck of a lot more fun to remember how much work each picture was, and remembering those personalities.
PS -- Not a good picture of me. This is in a room at the church, not my living room, and the priest just came in the door to greet us, that's what Clara Belle and Baby Belle are looking at.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
It Just Rolls Off the Tongue
BooBooDam(n)
Or rather, that could be:
"BOOBOODAM(N)!"
"BooBooDAAAAAMMMM(n)"
or, when you whisper really quietly, but not too quietly so as people might not hear you -- because you definitely want them to hear you -- that would be
"booboodam(n)"
oh, and remember, since you have a slight southern twang, I suppose it could be:
"bu bu daym(n)"
Just remember, you've been told to stop saying it. So you must of course say it loud ONE MORE TIME, and then whisper it incessantly. Because then, your mom starts laughing. She can't help it. You're funny. BooBooDAMN funny as you might even say, if you were witty. And since she isn't sure whether you are swearing, or whether you are just saying a funny word, she isn't sure how to handle this. Because surely if she makes a big deal out of a bad word, that is only going to encourage you. You are "The Two Year Old" after all.
And then you say it again:
"BooBooDam(n)". And mommy asks you to stop. And she might even threaten soap. In. Your. Mouth.
And your response?
"But I really really want to say BooBooDam(n). I like it. I really want to say it mommy. BoobooDam(n)."
So naturally you just have to whisper it, a couple more times, soft and low. And then, because you have a feeling there might just be a little merit to this soap threat. You give another "BooBooDam(n)" shout out to the world...
and then it's over.
Or rather, that could be:
"BOOBOODAM(N)!"
"BooBooDAAAAAMMMM(n)"
or, when you whisper really quietly, but not too quietly so as people might not hear you -- because you definitely want them to hear you -- that would be
"booboodam(n)"
oh, and remember, since you have a slight southern twang, I suppose it could be:
"bu bu daym(n)"
Just remember, you've been told to stop saying it. So you must of course say it loud ONE MORE TIME, and then whisper it incessantly. Because then, your mom starts laughing. She can't help it. You're funny. BooBooDAMN funny as you might even say, if you were witty. And since she isn't sure whether you are swearing, or whether you are just saying a funny word, she isn't sure how to handle this. Because surely if she makes a big deal out of a bad word, that is only going to encourage you. You are "The Two Year Old" after all.
And then you say it again:
"BooBooDam(n)". And mommy asks you to stop. And she might even threaten soap. In. Your. Mouth.
And your response?
"But I really really want to say BooBooDam(n). I like it. I really want to say it mommy. BoobooDam(n)."
So naturally you just have to whisper it, a couple more times, soft and low. And then, because you have a feeling there might just be a little merit to this soap threat. You give another "BooBooDam(n)" shout out to the world...
and then it's over.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Baptized
This weekend we were finally able to have Baby Belle baptized. We were supposed to do it a couple of weeks ago, but flu was running rampant. Evidently we weren't the first or last to have to reschedule, and the minister who was originally supposed to do the ceremony actually had the flu yesterday and one of the other ministers did it. No matter however, because it was a wonderful time. All of the girls were exceedingly well-behaved, we were most impressed and received a lot of Kudos about how good they all were.
Pre-ceremony, pre-gown.
The best we can do of the three of them. One of these days....
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A Lesson in Parts of Speech
Poopy
Diaper
Baby
Read in list form, these words are just random things that those with young children do not even think twice about. They just...are.
Poopy-diaper-baby.
Read the words like this, and they take on a whole new meaning. In fact, they really deserve more oomph:
POOPY-DIAPER-BABY.
And, for added affect...
"POOPY-DIAPER-BABY!!!!"
DO YOU GET WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS? You see those little marks I've added? Those quotation marks? Oh yes, because NOW these words reflect their true standing in my world. They are a direct quotation from your favorite two year old and mine.... And while I tried sooooooooooo hard to tell her that it was not nice to call names, blah blah blah blah blah, when I found out exactly what she said I couldn't stop myself from laughing.
And I tried.
I pursed my lips together,
I cleared my throat, and choked back a giggle,
but it still came out.
I mean come ON, that's some funny stuff! Especially from the same little person who REFUSES to be potty-trained because she WANTS to be a baby!!!!
Next time I'm mad at one of them, I might even whip this one out. Even though I'm sure that's setting a bad example, and maybe even setting them up to call names in the future which will someday surely rival that of Poopy-diaper-baby, but at the same time I see how this could be a huge stress reliever. Try it sometime. Let me know how it goes.
Diaper
Baby
Read in list form, these words are just random things that those with young children do not even think twice about. They just...are.
Poopy-diaper-baby.
Read the words like this, and they take on a whole new meaning. In fact, they really deserve more oomph:
POOPY-DIAPER-BABY.
And, for added affect...
"POOPY-DIAPER-BABY!!!!"
DO YOU GET WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS? You see those little marks I've added? Those quotation marks? Oh yes, because NOW these words reflect their true standing in my world. They are a direct quotation from your favorite two year old and mine.... And while I tried sooooooooooo hard to tell her that it was not nice to call names, blah blah blah blah blah, when I found out exactly what she said I couldn't stop myself from laughing.
And I tried.
I pursed my lips together,
I cleared my throat, and choked back a giggle,
but it still came out.
I mean come ON, that's some funny stuff! Especially from the same little person who REFUSES to be potty-trained because she WANTS to be a baby!!!!
Next time I'm mad at one of them, I might even whip this one out. Even though I'm sure that's setting a bad example, and maybe even setting them up to call names in the future which will someday surely rival that of Poopy-diaper-baby, but at the same time I see how this could be a huge stress reliever. Try it sometime. Let me know how it goes.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Don't Miss This!
I wanted to share this and keep forgetting! This has been occupying my computer time. I even have it up on our Smart Board at school to watch during some lessons. It is safe to say that I am addicted to this cam.
Follow this link to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens Eagle Cam. The cam is active from 6am to 9pm (but when it is dark you can't see the eagles. duh.) and if you read the moderator comments you will learn a ton, PLUS you can see when they last turned their eggs (there are 3 in the nest) and when they do a nest swap.
These bald eagles are totally wild. They are not banded or tagged. This nest is in a Loblolly Pine tree -- the tree is 100 feet tall and the next is 80 or 90 feet up, I asked the question on the comments section -- and there are 3 different camera operators that take care of the comments and the view.
As I said, I'm completely addicted to this, and in awe. I saw a bald eagle in the wild once for sure, and I think one other time. It was amazing. Enjoy!
Follow this link to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens Eagle Cam. The cam is active from 6am to 9pm (but when it is dark you can't see the eagles. duh.) and if you read the moderator comments you will learn a ton, PLUS you can see when they last turned their eggs (there are 3 in the nest) and when they do a nest swap.
These bald eagles are totally wild. They are not banded or tagged. This nest is in a Loblolly Pine tree -- the tree is 100 feet tall and the next is 80 or 90 feet up, I asked the question on the comments section -- and there are 3 different camera operators that take care of the comments and the view.
As I said, I'm completely addicted to this, and in awe. I saw a bald eagle in the wild once for sure, and I think one other time. It was amazing. Enjoy!
Read this post then wash your hands
Well here we are, past the halfway point of this week. I'm looking forward to the weekend. The week has already seen another ear infection and a case of pink eye. No matter what we do here, we just can't seem to shake the germs! It's crazy.
In two weeks Big Belle and I will be on our 3 week break from school (yay year round school!) and I can't wait. We will have the usual closet cleaning/clothes rotating, spring cleaning and the such, but will hopefully find some time to relax a little as well. We're still enjoying beautiful spring weather, and the couple of days in the 80's (yup, I said 80s) brought out the Bradford Pear trees, the scarlett or saucer magnolias, and a few other things. Allergies are in full bloom too, but amazingly my allergies are nothing down here compared to what I suffered with most of my life in the mitten state. Big Belle and Clara Belle so far seemed to not have escaped some allergies however.
Enjoy these few pictures from our outing this weekend. I know they aren't the best focus, I just haven't had time to play around with the settings which I think I played around with once and need to reset.
Not the photo of the three of them I wanted, I had a better vision, but still cute.
Baby Belle enjoying her woody surroundings.
What was that? A wood nymph?
No Baby Belle, it was just the wind tossing nature.
Are you sure? I saw something...it was magical.
And here it is.
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