Who, me?

Sure, sure, I'm standing in Piper's dresser. And yes, all the pants Mama just folded are now lying on the floor. And, of course I climbed on top of the dresser to get these sunglasses and cotton balls to help fill the drawer back up. But you think I made the mess? I blame the cat, myself. Really, Mama, just because you were changing Piper is no excuse for not watching that darn Smokey.

Pictures you'll never see

The first picture you'll never see: In the middle of a morning of potty (Kyla), puke (Piper), and pajamas (Mama hadn't been able to change yet), I was changing Piper for the second time. I heard a crash and a cry. Suspecting Kyla had fallen off a chair reaching for more crackers, I hurried to the kitchen. No Kyla. But still a lot of crying. I looked down the stairs, and sure enough, Kyla was sprawled flat on the tiled floor, with her ride-on airplane crashed on the floor next to her. The scene suggested she had been riding on it when it went down the stairs; had she been pushing it, I don't think she would have ended at the bottom.

The second picture: Of course, Kyla was crying her heart out and Piper was going at it, too. So I rocked Kyla close to me and then draped Piper over Kyla's back. This calmed both the girls down immediately and we all snuggled there for a while. They were darling, especially Kyla, who, when I moved Piper over my shoulder, whimpered and patted her own back until I put Piper on her again. I wish I could have taken a picture of the girls, but my hands were full.

Oh Crap! (Or, How I Was Had By the Potty)

Kyla went pee in her potty yesterday and pooped in it (kind of) today! For all the time Kyla sits on the potty, it was a statistical certainty that she would have accident eventually. And as soon as she peed, she said, "Uh, oh." Cute.

But I realize that I am being held hostage by the potty. Kyla simply tells me she wants to sit on the potty, and of course I say yes! However this is what I realized today.

Kyla says: Potty!
Mama thinks: Oh! She wants to pee or poop in her potty! I wonder if she's caught on.....
Kyla thinks: I want to have Mama's full attention for hours while she reads me book after book, feeds me salty crackers and gives me cups of water. I could do this all day! I hope she doesn't catch on....

Morning

Kyla borrows Piper's binky and a bottle to feed Dolly. Notice the unique anatomical structure Dolly must possess to drink from her eyeballs. (The other day, Kyla sat on my lap while I was nursing Piper, and lifted up her shirt and place Dolly over her belly button.)
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Piper sleeps in later than the rest of us, except for Smokey Why-Denise-hasn't-strangled-yet-no-one-knows Cat, who voluntarily keeps her company.

A Sunny Day!

Playgroup was at my house this time, and the kids loved the wading pools and sandbox. Here, Jacob, Isaac, and Kyla relax in the pool. Aubrey enjoys having the jacuzzi to herself.

Even Piper gets a little wading time.

Daddy begins indoctrinating Piper

Piper enjoys browsing the web with Daddy as bedtime draws nigh.

Film Festival Highlights

The lack of clarity on the camera's video mode matches perfectly my lack of talent. However, here are a few "outtakes" of the girls on laundry day.

"I Do All My Own Stunts"...

...declares Kyla's T-shirt. Here, she proves that by riding the whale at the Alderwood indoor playground. I often get comments: "How old is your daughter?" "Is she going to be okay?" "She's fearless, isn't she?" It's usually the dads who are most concerned. Often, I hear the underlying message, "Are you sure she should be doing that?" Yeah, Kyla is fine. In fact, I love her fearlessness and am quite content to step out of her way and let her be who she is.

T'was the night before Mother's Day....

And Daddy has Piper signing her own card for Mama.

Piper and the Big Bear

Kyla shares a soda

So, technically, it's an orange juice, and it's not so much sharing as fighting for dominance, but Isaac and Kyla are having a picture-worthy moment.

(Thanks to Susanne, Isaac's mother, who took the shot.)