fall out

Yesterday morning Ella rushed into our bedroom and announced that she'd lost her second tooth during the night. And swallowed it. "Will I still get money from the tooth fairy?"

"I think so," I said. "Just leave her a note."

This morning Ella rushed into our bedroom again and held out a brown piece of paper scrawled with yellow crayon. It read:

Dear tooth fary, I swalod my tooth. Love, Ella

I lowered the paper to find Ella staring at me with heavy brows. "I left a note for the tooth fairy and I didn't get any money."

"Strange," I said, as nonchalantly as I could. "Maybe you should put it under your pillow again tonight and see what happens." She took back the note and left the room.

A moment later she was back, hands on hips. "Mom," she declared, "I know who the tooth fairy is, and the tooth fairy is YOU."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because Steffi swallowed her tooth, and she did a test and put a secret note under her pillow and she didn't get any money. And I tested YOU and I didn't get any money either."

It was over. I gave up gracefully.

"Well, you figured it out, Ella," I congratulated her. "Just don't go talking about it on the playground. The other kids need to figure it for themselves." Unfortunately for Lauren, who had witnessed the whole thing, Ella had figured it out for her, too.

Post-edit: Today when the subject came up Lauren said matter-of-factly, "Well, the Tooth Fairy heard what Ella said, so she isn't bringing her any money." She shrugged. "You have to believe."

motivation

For some Saturday fun, we decided to take the girls to the brand-spanking new indoor pool at a nearby high school. I reluctantly donned my swimsuit for the first time in months, and had just decided to set aside my insecurities and have a good time when Ella and Lauren walked into the room.

"WOW," Ella said. "Your swimsuit looks great."

"Really great, Mom!" Lauren said, then added, "But it looks like maybe it's hurting you a little bit on your legs and your armpits." She winced a little out of sympathy. "And you sure have really big leg muscles, Mom." She poked at my thigh with one finger. "Hmm. I almost think it's like a rhinoceros."

life imitates art

A few months ago, Ella read a chapter book featuring a small, furry and fictional pet that, when distressed, makes the sound, "Meep!" Lo and behold, now when I catch Ella making a mess, deliberately disobeying, or distracted from something she should be doing, she emits a quiet, "Meep." It seems to be such a reflex, it is hilarious. But you won't see me smiling! At least, not when she can see me.

wiped

Last night I gave the girls a little review of bathroom etiquette. As I helped Lauren wipe herself with the proper technique, I heard Ella say, "It's really hard, Lauren. That's why I haven't done it in years!"

how do I love thee?

This year I decided to start celebrating Valentine's Day on February 1st. Every night before I bed I told the girls one thing I loved about them. I was surprised they didn't always appreciate my selection ("I think Lauren's was better than mine," or, "Why did you say that?"), but I enjoyed it. And I think they felt the love.

This is the complete list for each of them:

Ella, I love . . .

1. that you're such a good helper

2. your beautiful hair

3. that you're a wonderful big sister

4. that you're such a good reader

5. your style

6. the sweet cards you make for people

7. the excited way you talk when you're telling a story

8. that you do your best in school

9. your optimism

10. your big hugs and kisses

11. your smile

12. that you're a great golfer

13. your gorgeous eyes

14. that you're always so much fun

Lauren, I love . . .

1. your little laugh

2. that you always say thank you

3. your sparkly eyes

4. how you share

5. that you are so brave

6. that you say such wonderful prayers

7. your spunk

8. your cute bum

9. the way you think about other people's feelings

10. your sneaky look

11. how when you're not sure of something, you say it and then ask, "Right, Mom?"

12. the way you fall asleep anywhere

13. your dimple

14. that you say "I love you" so many times, every single day

Audrey, I love . . .

1. your chunky thighs

2. your little ponies

3. the way you scrunch up your nose when you laugh

4. that you're such a great sleeper

5. that you love books

6. when you put your head on my shoulder

7. that you can keep up with your sisters

8. the way you make a "mmmmm-wah" noise with your kisses

9. hearing you sing to yourself

10. the way you laugh when you get exactly what you wanted

11. your rosey cheeks

12. the way you always look like you're about to tip over when you walk

13. the way you say "mama"

14. your stink eye

xo

lullaby

Audrey is always happy to go to sleep. Bedtime usually goes something like this:

I give her a binky and her furry blanket.

I give her a kiss and say, "Night, night. I love you."

I lay her in her crib, and watch her snuggle her blanket around the sides of her face.

I walk to the door and, just about the time I reach for the knob, I hear a tired, little sigh.

I close the door and watch her through the keyhole (sometimes I do love old houses) as she strokes and pats her blanket, then drifts off to sleep.

It's that easy.

Too easy.

And so, I'm sad to say, I haven't always given Audrey the love and attention that I gave the other girls at bedtime. I resolved this week to change. Now I hold her in my arms, and she puts her tired head on my shoulder, and I hum "I Am a Child of God" in her ear. And she hums back.

It's the sweetest, most meandering melody you have ever heard.

Sometimes she keeps humming to herself as I kiss her and say, "Night, night, I love you," and lay her in bed, and walk to the door, and hear her sigh . . . and listen to her lullaby through the keyhole.

cover girl

We've been snowed in lately, so we've kept extra blankets and pillows around just for fun. No one loves them more than Audrey.

If she wants to sit with you and read a book, she'll bring you the book, and then pull and tug on a big, fleecy blanket with all her might until she gets it to your feet. Then she climbs onto the couch, plops herself on your lap, and reaches past your knees. You pull the blanket up over your knees and her feet, and fold it down over her chest. She sighs and puts her hands on her lap, and then -- and only then -- is she ready to read.

She loves to read! Her favorites are Where is Baby's Mommy? and I Love You Through and Through. Five times each. Or else.

lindsays

Today as we were sledding Ella looked at me and said, obviously quite impressed, "Mom, when you're wearing your snow clothes you look like one of the famous skiers. And I think her name is Lindsay!"

"Lindsay Vonn?"

"Yes! Lindsay Vonn."

"Thanks, Ella."

Made my day. Who doesn't love to be told they look like an olympic athlete -- ski pants, parka, hat, dark glasses and all?

comediennes

Tonight at dinner Lauren began, "Knock, knock." I decided to oblige her.

"Who's there?"

"Interrupting cow."

"Interrupting c . . .

"MOOOOOO!" She laughed. "See? I interrupted you."

Ella joined in. "Mom, why was six afraid of seven?" then whispered, "Don't answer." I shrugged my shoulders. "Because seven EIGHT nine! Get it?" I got it.

Lauren's turn again. "Mom, why did the cow cross the road?"

"Why?

"Because he didn't want to be in a joke anymore!"

"That' pretty good, Lauren," I said. "Did you make that up yourself?"

"No. Grandpa maked it up. He's so funny."

"Which grandpa?" Ella asked. Lauren looked at her quizically.

"My own."

"Which one of your grandpas is it?" Ella persisted. Lauren looked to me and whispered,

"What are their names again?"

"Humble?" I offered.

"Humble! That's right."

essay question

Ella's homework question was, "Would you like to ride in a hot air balloon?" This was her answer:

"I would not be duliatid. Wye not? I woulb get ari sick!"

I convinced her to at least consider the possibility (and fill the page, per the instructions), so she added:

"If I did, I woulb see my scoolh anb my house anb my nabrhod and the brd's. I wnbr how the clouds would feel?"

progress report

Time again for Lauren's preschool progress report. Ms. Lynn writes:

"When I think of Lauren I think 'spunky.' She is tiny and sometimes quiet, but she has a lot of positive energy and knows her own mind. She cooperates well with other children and is well-liked at school. She is bright and curious and easily finds ways to be productively engaged while at school. Developmentally, she is right on track."

Well done, Lauren!