Twin Teeth

These two lost the same tooth on the same day! Are they twins or what?

Babysitter's Club

We have an official babysitter on our hands! CC has been a mother's helper several times in the past -- helping entertain kids at home while their moms get stuff done around the house -- but I told her she couldn't actually start working as a babysitter until she turned 13 and took a certification course.

 

Both requirements have been met, and she is ready and open for business!

Interesting note: the Red Cross class she took included a take-home CD of information. Like, a CD-Rom. Who uses those anymore?! We don't even have a CD drive on any of our computers! CC said the instructor recommended they go to the library to use a computer with a CD drive. Ha!

Glasses

Check out Little Man's new look!

I'm biased, but I think he looks great. He wasn't too happy about getting glasses. He says, "It's cool to be a nerd. But it's not cool to look like one." But once he tried them on for the first time, he looked around and whispered, "Whoa. That's amazing." And now he can't stand to be without them.

I'm sure it won't be too long before the girls have them -- they are related to me, after all. 

Swim Success

After much pleading from the kids, I finally took them to swim at the Y. It's not my favorite activity, because according to the rules of the Y, I have to be in the pool at all times with the kids unless they have yellow bands.

CC earned her yellow band two years ago. Sweet Pea couldn't let CC lord it over her anymore -- and she loves challenges.

She passed in about half a second. Thanks to all her swimming at Miss Alice's pool, she is a little fish. After demonstrating that she could float on her stomach and on her back, she was told to swim halfway across the pool. She swam there ... and then continued swimming all the way to the end. 

"You passed!" called the lifeguard. "Great job -- you didn't even need to swim that far!"

Sweet Pea flashed me her biggest smile. And then she swam all the way back.

Now if I could just get Little Man to earn his ...

Sweet Pea's First Sleepover

Last night, Sweet Pea had her first sleepover! She was invited over to Mia's house. 

This was the first sleepover for any Morrison child, and CC was quite indignant that she didn't get to go first. Ha!

Sweet Pea did fine, as I knew she would; MJ and I agreed that she's the least likely of our three to get scared and want to come back home. When we picked her up this afternoon, she was brimming with tales of pizza, movies, donuts and popsicles. Linda tells me that despite Mia having a trundle bed in her room, the girls decided to sleep curled up together in Mia's twin bed. Adorable!

Meanwhile, back at home --

Little Man: I can't sleep without Sweet Pea in my room!

Me: Buddy, what are you going to do when you're older and have your own room?

Little Man: I dunno. Have a statue of Sweet Pea?

Big Girl!

Our CC has been so grown up lately!

She has dangly earrings for the first time (courtesy of Julie's daughter Emily, who handed down about 30 pairs to her!):

And biggest of all, she is old enough to stay home alone for (very) short periods of time! Last week she did it for the first time, while I brought Sweet Pea to gymnastics. In advance, we rehearsed all the possibilities and what she would do, and went over the rules: no cooking, no going outside, no answering the doorbell. Everything went smoothly -- she colored while we were gone and wasn't scared a bit!

She's also been a great helper to me in the kitchen. She loves helping me cook dinner and setting the table!

First Reconciliation

Oh my God, 

I am heartily sorry for having offended you. 

I detest all my sins, because of your just punishments. 

But most of all, because I have offended you, my God, 

who are good and deserving of all my love. 

I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, 

to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.

Amen.

We're so proud of CC, who made her First Reconciliation last night. What a milestone! I reminded her, on our way home, that this was the first time she's chosen a sacrament. Baptism was her first sacrament, of course, but MJ and I chose that for her, because she was just a baby. But she willingly prepared for and participated in her First Reconciliation.

There were ten priests there, to assist with the hundreds of kids that were all making their First Reconciliations. "I don't want to go to a priest that's a stranger, Mommy!" she said. 

"That's the best way to confess!" I laughed.

But fortunately, she ended up with our own pastor, a familiar face. And despite having a last-minute case of nerves, when it was her turn she calmly sat down, feet dangling far off the floor, and began talking. Very softly. He leaned forwards, then leaned forwards more, then had to scoot his chair close enough to bump her knees. I giggled from the front row, watching an 80-year-old priest try to hear a nervous little 7-year-old.

But a minute later he blessed her, and she came skipping back to me with a huge smile. "I feel so light and happy, just like my teacher said!" she exclaimed.

We came home and celebrated with a little cake. Congratulations, CC! I can't believe how big she's getting. Now, full steam ahead towards her First Communion!

Toothless

Last Wednesday, CC lost her second tooth. And this time I was there for the momentous occasion: the kids and I were in the middle of reading bedtime stories, all piled on CC's bed, when she yelped and showed us the tooth. 

She's a jack o'lantern just in time for Halloween!

This time, despite the tooth having been loose for almost a month, the Tooth Fairy was not prepared with gold coins (clearly she's slacking). MJ encouraged me to just give her some bills, but I love the idea of the dollar coins. Fortunately several of my neighbors came through for me, so after running around the neighborhood in my pajamas, CC's tooth fairy loot was ready.

First Tooth

Finally, after ten interminable days, this tooth decided to come out! MJ and I had no idea it would take this long, but we're glad it's finally out. CC was getting to be a bit ridiculous about what foods she could eat, and how to brush her teeth, and even how I should rock her at night with a loose tooth.

Everyone was in bed yesterday evening, and all of a sudden we heard CC knocking at her door. I went up to investigate, and there she was, standing proudly with tooth in hand.

She was nervous about the tooth fairy getting too close while she slept, so she hung her tooth fairy pillow on her doorknob instead of putting it under her pillow. And not on the inside doorknob, either -- on the outside. I'm sure the tooth fairy was more than happy to complete this transaction in the hallway.

This morning, CC was thrilled to see that there were two gold dollar coins waiting for her in lieu of the tooth. We took her to Dollar Tree, where she picked out a rainbow-colored tiara and a little play cosmetics kit.

Tonight, after we put everyone to bed, we relaxed on the couch, relieved the tooth saga was over. Then we heard CC yelling in her room. MJ went up to investigate. After a few minutes, he came back downstairs. 

"What did she want?" I asked him.

"She has another loose tooth."

First Day of Preschool

Sweet Pea and Little Man had their first day of preschool today, and they were really excited. All three kids were dressed, fed and in the car with packed lunches and bags by 7:40 am (a new record) because the twins had their annual checkup at 8. We were on time, the appointment went well, and we dropped CC off at school before heading to the preschool.

Today was the first day I dropped CC off at the front of the elementary school and let her walk in by herself. She's been begging to walk in alone since preschool, so she was beaming as she waved goodbye to us and trotted into the building.

At the preschool, Sweet Pea and Little Man calmly hung up their bags, hugged me goodbye, and walked into the classroom. I watched them for a few minutes through the one-way glass, and they stood on the side for a while, taking it all in. Then Sweet Pea reached back for Little Man's hand, and they walked to the puzzle table and began playing.

And I went to Costco. And then to the grocery store. And then I came home to an empty house -- for the first time in 5.5 years -- and put all the groceries away. And ate lunch in silence. It was a little strange. But I was excited to pick them up and hear all about their day.

Sweet Pea says her favorite parts of the day were going to the playground and playing with little horse figurines. She made "lots" of new friends but couldn't remember their names. Little Man loved the play kitchen, and ate everything in his lunch.

Success! And I can't believe that I'll be home alone four mornings a week. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it's a strange feeling right now!

CC"s First Day

Hello, elementary school! 

Last night, CC carefully set out her entire outfit for this morning, down to her socks and shoes. She was already fully dressed by 7, when she's allowed to come out of her room.

And as if this day isn't momentous enough, she woke up with a loose tooth. This girl has to stop growing so fast!

This morning, as we walked her to her new classroom, she was all smiles. No hint of nerves. She couldn't wait to tell her teacher about her loose tooth (and confirm that it won't get lost if it falls out at school).

I'm excited to hear all about her first day. I'm sure she had a blast! Because of the staggered entry for kindergarteners, she won't go again until Friday. It'll be perfect for her to have a few days to process everything that happened today before starting in earnest. 

Good bye, Julie!

Next week, CC starts kindergarten. And the week after that, Sweet Pea and Little Man start preschool. My life will change tremendously, because for the first time in almost 5.5 years, I will be without kids for a good portion of each week. It's a strange feeling.

Stranger yet was saying good bye to our babysitter, Julie. She's been coming to the house at least once a week since the twins were about 6 months old. She's come to their birthday parties and CC's ballet recital. We've gotten to know her daughter, Emily. And the kids are closer to her than they are to most anyone. But with so much free time on my hands, I just won't need a sitter anymore.

So this week was Julie's last week. I cried! And CC got a little teary, too. Fortunately we'll still see Julie during Christmas and summer breaks from school, and for occasional babysitting throughout the year. But we're still sad that we won't see her every week.

Drivin' On

Now that the twins are four and CC is five, don't you think it's time that they were facing forward in their car seats?

They do, too. We've talked about it off and on over the last year or so, and I've always said that I'd turn them around when Little Man and Sweet Pea were four. So the morning after their birthday, I got up early and switched the seats around. And I didn't tell them. When it was time for us to run some errands, I casually told them all to get in the car. 

And then I followed them into the garage with my camera recording a video of their reaction.

Which I will not bother posting here. Because it just consisted of them saying, "Oh, you turned our seats around."

I was so underwhelmed! And, apparently, so were they.

But once we got in the car and started driving, they were amazed. "MOMMY! WE CAN SEE WHERE WE'RE GOING! MOMMY! WE JUST WENT THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT!"

I can't wait for them to start criticizing my driving.

For the record, CC is now behind the passenger seat, where it will be easiest for her to get in and out for kindergarten carpool. And since preschool carpool is on the driver's side, it works perfectly.

Biker Dude

Little Man's been riding really well on his pedal bike Santa brought him for Christmas. He's been able to ride it for at least a month now, but I wasn't able to get a video of it until my parents were in town last weekend. Look at him go!

(I love that my dad's shirt is adorned with the girls' hair bows!)

Direct Link: https://youtu.be/24edNVcJGa4

Daredevil

Little Man has been getting braver and braver in the pool, even though today was only the third time we've been swimming this year! I am half-excited, half-terrified of what he'll be doing by the end of this summer.

Today's big milestone: the diving board. He must have jumped off 20 times! This is the first time he's had the nerve to take the plunge. I love how you can hear CC cheering for him so loudly at the end.

Direct link: https://youtu.be/4CJrpX4FXF8

Little Fish

So, look what happened this past weekend:

CC learned to swim! (direct link: https://youtu.be/10umE96z7gE)

Alice was hosting another of her fun Sunday afternoon pool parties, and as we were getting sunscreened, packed, and ready to go, CC announced that she didn't want to bring her floatie because she was going to swim "like a big kid."

MJ and I rolled our eyes. Considering CC didn't know how to swim, and Alice's pool is 4 feet deep at the shallowest end, leaving her floatie at home didn't seem like a good idea. I hid it at the bottom of my tote bag, under the beach towels, so CC wouldn't see it. I was sure she'd want it within minutes of getting in the water.

When we arrived, CC got right in the pool, asked to swim to me, and SPLASH! In she jumped, and kicked frantically until she made it to where I was. I was thrilled she was actually willing to give this a try (all summer, CC has been reluctant to put her face in the water). But she kept telling me to back up further and further, until she was coming up for air several times in order to make it to me! Before we left, she was swimming the entire width of the pool. 

I don't know what made CC do this. She hasn't taken any swim lessons, short of the introductory sessions she had with Alice last year. We haven't been pushing her to do it. She just decided she was going to swim, and voila. She swims.

MJ reminded me that it was the same way when she learned to ride a bike. She decided on her own that she wanted to do it one day, and that was that. We have quite the determined little one on our hands!

Two Wheelin'

I know, we're at the beach. But right before we left, something BIG happened that I had to share!

Thursday afternoon, I took the kids out for a walk. CC begged to use her "big girl bike," a hand-me-down  from the girl across the street. CC can't ride it by herself, but I reluctantly agreed to hold the bike upright down the street and back so she could practice.

"I'm going to learn how to ride my bike all by myself today, Mommy," she said. I just rolled my eyes. CC has long mastered the skills to ride a bike, thanks to her balance bike, but every time she gets on the big-kid bike, she dissolves into hysterical giggles and demands, "Hold on tight! Don't let go!"

Of course I let go. And she kept going! By the time we returned to the house 10 minutes later, she was making U-turns, starting and stopping with ease, braking. I'm sure by tomorrow she'll be popping wheelies.

Congrats to my big girl! What an accomplishment!

Diaper Free!

Well folks, I've been wanting to make this announcement for quite a while now: SWEET PEA AND LITTLE MAN ARE POTTY TRAINED!

It's a massive step! Over the past months, as the vestiges of babyhood have, one by one, disappeared from Casa Morrison (cribs, sippy cups, high chairs), this one has loomed over me. This enormous, overwhelming, insurmountable obstacle. But we finally just held our breath and charged headlong into the chaos.

Sweet Pea was a snap. She was so motivated by tiny bits of candy, that for the first few days, she did nothing but sit on the toilet and chug water. Little Man took longer to catch on, but just as I was about to throw in the towel and try again in another few months, he had a breakthrough.

It's been ten days since we started. Ten days of no diapers at all, not even during naps or at night. They've done great. This past weekend, we even had several family outings with no accidents: a baseball game, church, dinner at a restaurant.

And I'm thrilled to say that yesterday was our first accident-free day! Sweet Pea and Little Man both woke up dry in the morning. They used the bathroom at the children's gym we attend. They both took long naps and woke up clean and dry. They played all afternoon, taking bathroom breaks as necessary, just like big kids. Yes, I had to remind them -- often -- but that's okay. I'm so proud of them! And I'm relieved that the hard part appears to be over.

And for some comic relief, here are some amusing things overheard in our house recently:

"If you need help getting on the toilet, don't ask Mommy. Ask me." (CC to Sweet Pea)

"Only one person on the toilet at a time!" (Me)

"There's no pee left in my penis." (Sweet Pea)

Freedom

Take a look at this:

NO BABY GATES!! Yes, our children will now be free to go upstairs or downstairs at will -- the horror. But I realized recently that Little Man and Sweet Pea are extremely good on the stairs, and there's really no reason to have gates anymore.

No more obstacles when I'm trying to bring the laundry upstairs or down. No more tears from kids who've run face-first into open gates. No more screaming from someone who wants to go up or come down, or (god forbid) got stuck in between.

Phase II of baby-item-removal at the Morrison casa is complete. (Phase I was the transition from sippy cups to big-kid cups, which is going well.) Phase III will be potty training ... coming soon to a blog near you!

No More Cribs

This weekend we decided to take the front rails of Sweet Pea and Little Man's cribs off. They are in "toddler beds" now, loose in their rooms to wreak havoc.

We've tried to make things as safe as possible. We took the glider chair out of the room, because they like to climb on it and rock violently. We took the floor lamp out, lest one child knock it over and brain the other. We took the garbage can out. We prayed.

We're on Day 3 now. And they're staying in bed!! Well, mostly. Little Man occasionally throws his stuffed bear on the floor, just so he can get out of bed to retrieve him. And yesterday, while I was watching a football game and not paying attention to the monitor, Sweet Pea somehow smuggled about 20 books into her bed.

But still, I'm shocked that they're doing this well. Most days they have even napped! Clearly someone must have sneaked in their rooms Friday night and brainwashed them -- that's the only explanation.

In the last few days, Sweet Pea and Little Man have talked about little else. "New beds!" they yell when it's time for naps. "No out bed!" Sweet Pea will tell Little Man from her bed across the room, nodding seriously. "Stay bed!" Little Man reminds her. And then they both fall over laughing.

These kids, I tell you! Endlessly entertaining and adorable. And, as evidenced this weekend, clearly able to shock me to my core. Thank the Lord!