Crafting is Hard

There are some days I can see the developmental gap between Lyla & Max shrinking before my very eyes. I am grateful for those days & it makes my heart feel full when they get along so well. Then there are days like today. We were working on a craft project involving glue, already a foolish idea on my part. Foolish because toddlers like to be in charge and when they aren't allowed to be in charge of something like glue it can get ugly real quick. Alright, so I was pleased as Lyla followed instructions carefully and went into full concentration mode. She was in the zone. Meanwhile, Max got all emotional and had a meltdown because I wouldn't give him "five glue!" He tried his hardest to communicate the issue, but apparently mommy failed to understand and/or comply with his "five glue" request. Oy! Today I am reminded that Maxwell is still very much a two year old and the 17 month age gap between them is still worlds apart. Good thing he's cute!

This is how I take out my aggression on Max during his spurts of twoberty.

Babysitting 101: By Lyla

I'm posting this video to give some of our far away family a glimpse into Lyla's talkative nature. I've mentioned before her tendency to ramble, but it seems to be occurring more & more often lately. She came up with this random idea that she is now old enough to start babysitting. She even planned a date night for us. She was convincing me of this for at least ten minutes before I thought to record it. In the video she is talking about Max and our baby friend, Gianna. I'm not sure how the baby got tossed into the equation, I just rolled with it.  

The video runs a bit long, as she wanted to discuss this topic f.o.r.e.v.e.r. So I don't blame anyone for not wanting to watch the entire thing. It's definitely one of those videos where you start to wonder if the parent knows they are obsessed with their child. And yes, I am well aware of my insanity. When did the most basic human functions become so remarkable & entertaining to watch!? [ <-- Spoiler: January 4, 2012] My grandma sent me a text yesterday saying how much she loved a voicemail I left her because she could hear Max breathing in the background. Yes, breathing, people. I would say it's safe to assume I'm not the only obsessed person. Ha!

Postscript: Lyla announced later the same day that she better wait until she is four or five before she starts babysitting. She is a funny funny girl. I think she forgets she is only three, I know I do. 

https://youtu.be/arsWphz-Xj4

Life Is Swell.

We packed a lunch and escaped to the park to give our ears a break from the endless noise of football. Lyla stopped when she noticed Max was struggling to carry his lunchbox while also holding her hand. She said to him, "Oh here Max, let me help you," as she took his lunchbox to hold it for him. It was such a sweet moment. That little boy holds a tender spot in Lyla's heart, always revealing her caring, nurturing side. There is no denying that motherhood has its ups and downs, but it's moments like these that I will cherish forever. 

In an effort to entertain myself, I had no problem finding time for a photo shoot on football Sunday...hehehe! These kids are pretty cooperative these days when it comes to my doorstep picture shenanigans. I'm not sure if they are mocking me or just want it to end as soon as possible. I don't really care either way because I'm getting some pretty cute faces out of it. The last couple photos show their version of a "game face." 

Technically these events happened last Sunday, but this weekend was equally as hilarious. Belly laughs for days. It's remarkable how much free entertainment they provide. They really are getting funnier day by day. I love my little people. I'm a lucky momma. 

The Hooligans

The weather has been cooler in the mornings and evenings, making it so nice for playing outside. We have been loving it. The kids played in the backyard for so long on Sunday that I had to keep checking to make sure nobody was injured or dead. They finally came in after nearly two hours and the first thing I noticed was the stinkiest smell coming from both of their tiny bodies. Bath time was definitely necessary. I asked Lyla what game they were playing for so long and she informed me they were playing airport. No further details were provided. Lol.

They are the funniest little people recently. Our brother-in-law, Jarem, is in town from Idaho and stopped by for a few hours on Sunday to watch some football. Lyla talked his ear off for so long that I was beginning to feel bad for him. She gets in these moods sometimes where she just talks and talks and talks and talks. I find my ears zoning in and out when she gets in these excessively chatty moods, often looking at the clock wondering how much longer she could possibly keep it going. Kirk admitted to bailing on Jarem for a few minutes only because he needed a break from Lyla. The fact that he was hiding from his talkative daughter made me giggle. 

The same crazy day, Max was creating his own madness. I was making dinner when I heard him throwing the Barbie car against the carpeted landing on our stairs. It went on for a few minutes, when I finally approached him and asked him to please stop. He wasn't really doing anything wrong, it was just very loud and repetitive. He continued a few minutes later and I approached him again to ask what the heck he was doing. He gave me the most hilarious look and said, "Hulk Smash." I wish there was a way to describe this moment better, definitely had to be there. His expression and tone of voice was perfect. I laughed so hard that I decided to let him continue being Hulk Smash. It was obviously an important mission. 

Then my last funny story happened at bedtime, no surprise there. These kids always try to work the system at bedtime. Anyway, we had already tucked both of them in when we heard the inevitable open of Max's door. It's his new thing to exit his bedroom and then run back in whenever he sees someone coming up the stairs. It's cute...until it goes on until 10:00 pm. He eventually crawls back into bed and goes to sleep without asking for assistance, so that's nice at least. I'm sure it's just another superhero mission in his mind. 

Anyway, on this particular night we heard some unusual noises, so Kirk went upstairs prepared to give the typical "get back in bed" lecture. He found Lyla & Max both standing near their own doorways, whispering across the hall. Big sisters get blamed for everything, so naturally Kirk questioned Lyla first. She replied that she just wanted to see Max one more time before bed. She must have sensed her dad's heart swell a bit, because she followed that remark by asking if Max could sleep in her bed. Kirk complied, against his better judgment, under the condition that they must stay in bed. They agreed and seemed so excited. We heard them talking for awhile longer and eventually there was silence, but when I went to check on them before taking myself to bed Max had returned to his own room. I can't say when or why. I'm realizing there is a lot that goes on that I have no idea about. Regardless, I'm so thankful these two hooligans have each other. 

Photo Reel & Football Talk

It's been an exciting week! We've been celebrating birthdays, feeling the fall time spirit with lots of baking, exploring at gymnastics and most importantly, preparing for Kirk's fantasy football draft. [giggle] I like to tease Kirk about being a super football nerd, but the truth is I enjoy the football season as well --- mostly because it gives me an excuse to stuff my face full of food all Sunday long! I have a lot of fun making game day treats and it helps keep the nagging at Kirk for watching endless hours of football on Sunday at a minimum. The obsession with sports seriously boggles my mind sometimes, but he would likely say the same thing about some of my interests. Anyway, we had a small gathering for Kirk's football draft and somehow Lyla was really stoked about it. Although Kirk is quite the convincing salesman on all topics, I still made an attempt to explain to Lyla it really wasn't her kind of party. The following day her remark about the party was as follows: "I don't really like draft parties. Parties are supposed to have more sugar." Sadly for her, the only thing this party had was an abundance of meat. 

Please prepare yourself for dorky family football jersey photos in the near future. We do it because we love Kirk. In the event you do see me in a football jersey, please note that I have no shame in my poser status. I always ask Kirk for a few Texans stats before making a grocery store run because it's literally the only thing strangers want to talk about around here. Texas loves their football and I thought becoming a resident of Texas might ignite the fan girl in me, but three years later and she has still yet to be discovered. Lol. Let the games begin!

Making Memories

My original intention was to give Max some incentive to start using the toilet, only because he seems more disinterested in it now than he was six months ago. He is intimidated by the word "toilet" these days, so I might be doomed. The toilet has transformed from a miniature swimming pool to a torture device in a matter of months! So. I designed a sticker chart for him, without even thinking about the fact that Lyla would want one as well. <- Dur. Maxwell was really pumped about the idea because I told him if he filled up his chart I would take him to the toy store, however he has yet to earn any stickers. He isn't understanding the long-term reward concept. And the instant gratification of a sticker isn't good enough. Ha. Lyla, on the other hand, understands the concept quite well. She has earned three stickers on her self-invented chart and I'm unsure how it even happened. She is a manipulative little devil. Let me explain...

She heard about Max's chart and was eager to start her own, but I couldn't think of any ideas that were worthy of earning stickers. I finally told her I would only agree to a sticker chart that earned her a sticker each time she slept in her own bed through the entire night. She usually comes to our bed early in the morning, which I actually enjoy the snuggle time but admittedly wake up feeling better about life without a Lyla foot in my face at 6AM. It can make that last hour before I have to rise a little rough. Anyway, she agreed to those terms but immediately changed her mind the following morning. She claimed it would be too difficult to sleep in her own bed all the way until the sun comes up. I told her that was the point, yet she continued to follow me around all morning while talking, brainstorming of other ideas for her chart. Meanwhile, Max still has yet to use his --- the whole reason for the dumb chart in the first place! Then she came up with this wild idea that she would earn a sticker in the event I ask her to do something and her immediate response is "okay mommy".  The first thing I did was laugh and the second thing I did was tell her heck no. I explained that her response to me asking her to do something should always be agreeable and that her attempt to arrange this little deal proves that she already knows that. She proceeded to convince me in her own words, really, that this would make my life so much easier because her saying "okay mommy" ultimately results in less arguing with a three year old. I  refused to agree to her shenanigans, yet she assumed to believe that she was now earning stickers for complying with her mother's most simple requests. I guess I should have been more clear about my answer being "no" but I'm pretty sure I just kept laughing at her. 

Later that day we were in the kitchen and I noticed as she wandered over to the ice machine attached to the fridge. It's usually Max's job to cause havok when it comes to the ice/water dispenser, plus I know Lyla is well aware that it is broken anyway. I watched her hand move towards the button, with an obvious smirk on her face, she said, "Can I push this ice button?" I gave her a puzzled look followed by a simple, "No". And as she responded with a quick, joyful, agreeable, "Okay mommy!", I knew exactly what she was up to. She caught my smile and tossed her hands up in the air while saying, "Oh my gosh! I just got a sticker!" She proceeded to find the sheet of stickers and apply one to her chart. We both laughed at her antics as I explained, once again, that I had still not agreed to the terms of her made up sticker chart. 

Anyway, I thought this entire exchange was hilarious. I couldn't believe she had the mind power to stage that whole thing. It boggles my mind how smart she is sometimes, too smart for her own good. She has already mastered the art of manipulation. Thinking back, today was a funny day overall. Lyla and Max have been playing really well together lately. Max idolizes her, basically kneels and obeys to her every command. I was listening to them play house and Max had to bounce back between the "dad" and "boyfriend" several times before the game concluded. They were both cruising around the house with baby dolls secured tightly in their arms, Lyla doing most the talking. I'm not sure where these plots are coming from, but Lyla has been on a roll. Anyway, back on track. Today after a long session of the siblings playing pretend together, Lyla looked at Max and confessed that she was going to take a bath without him. Max instantly expressed disappointment because they always bathe together. Lyla took a big sigh as she explained to Max that she wanted to take a relaxing bath. Then she looked at him and said, "Do you know what a relaxing bath is?" Before he even had a chance to answer, she told him, "It's an alone bath." She was sweet to him and even called him "little buddy" when she broke the news, but it's no surprise that Max didn't take it well. Poor fella. 

My last Lyla story of the day comes as I was putting her to bed. We already shared our goodnight session together, but I re-entered her bedroom for one more goodnight after putting Max to bed. Kirk was still in her room and I crawled onto the opposite side of her bed. Lyla looked right at me and said, "Mom, I really love you but can you go away?" What the heck!!!! I laughed some more at this ridiculous adult-child I've been given and left the room with an [Ace Ventura Voice] "alriiiighty then." She started yelling my name a few minutes after finishing her alone time with dad. She had to go potty, of course. I escorted her to the bathroom to take care of business and waited outside. I had been waiting for quite awhile, so I went ahead and opened the door. She was still sitting there, with that same little smirk on her face, and said, "Umm excuse me! I'm using the potty." The polite thing would have been to knock, obviously. Hint: She didn't go potty at all. She is a weasel. Ha. She has been cracking me up lately. I'm in trouble with this one!

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