has anyone seen kate?

compwiments

When it comes to original compliments, Audrey can't be beat.

Yesterday when I finished getting ready for church she said, "Mom, you look really cute, and (she paused as she searched for just the right word and then said it with great emphasis) . . . styling.

Tonight at dinner when I asked if she liked her chicken stew, she said it was, "Really good. Kind of . . .    Grandma."

Thanks, Audrey!

eskimo

This is Audrey, prepped and waiting for her Eskimo kiss. 

Why are her eyes so tiny?

                                                                   

wish you were here

Lauren was a little weepy today about Kim being out of town. When I went into the girls' room to check on them I found her like this . . . 

She'd gone into our armoire, picked out one of Kim's golf shirts, put it on, stuffed it with her blankie and, apparently, found a way to feel much better. 

Sweet dreams, Snuggle Bug. 

two hoop circus

Ella and Lauren did a hula hoop show tonight. The cash register was set up at the top of the stairs. I chose my seating -- floor or sofa -- and was given the appropriate Memory tile, along with a ticket with a number and letter, and a tape name tag.

I took my seat and the announcer (Ella) informed the audience (me): "Welcome to the Hula Hoop Show! Please turn off all of your automatic devices." She glared at me, then shifted her eyes to my phone.
"Let's pretend I did."
"Okay . . . Also, babies must be on your lap at all times, for their safety." I pulled Kate onto the sofa. "And, please, do not try any of these tricks at home. We're trained experts."

Ella performed the right-handed lasso twirl, followed by the left-handed lasso twirl, then the double-handed variety and several quick switches from hand to hand. Very impressive. While she performed she gave step-by-step instructions, which were actually very good, and occasionally added, "FEAST your EYES upon ME!" It was awesome.

When she finished her routine she announced, "And NOW, Lauren is preparing her A-MA-ZING stunt!" She leaned toward me and whispered, "Don't worry, it's not dangerous." Lauren fearlessly took the stage and performed her daring feat -- hula hooping bareback.

It was all so classic. I love these girls and their shows. I wonder how long they'll go on, and hope I'll use every one of my season tickets.

singing time (out)

Ella made some crafts after school today -- a leafy crown and flaming crepe paper scepter for an "Autumn King" costume for Lauren's giant bear, if you're curious -- and Audrey destroyed them. Tore them up for no apparent reason. After a serious talking to, offering an apology, and being put in time out, she sat on the stairs and cried. After several minutes I heard her belting out a familiar tune (I'll try to do justice to her pronunciation):

"I am a chiwod of God/and he has sent me hee-yah/Has given me an oothwy home/ with pawents kind and dee-yah." She yelled, "DO YOU KNOW THE WOODS TO DAT SONG?!"

I called back, "Yes, I do. Why are you singing it right now?"

"So that you can REMEMBA the woods and REMEMBA that you supposed to be NICE to me."