Bear

For Christmas, Daddy and I got Legend a new bear to replace his old, ratty, stuffing-less mess of a bear which he has had since birth and is his favourite despite its faults.  It didn't start ratty or stuffing-less.  The new bear looks just like the old bear did when it was a new bear, just a little bigger and softer.

I hopefully present Legend with the bear.
He smiles and then scowls at it and turns his back away.
Legend - "I don't want bear. I want car!" He presses the siren button on the new car Cash gave him.

Me - "Legend, don't you like your bear?"
Legend, scowling - "That's Mommy's bear."

Daddy - "Legend, that's Legend's bear. That's Legend's bear for night-night!"

Legend turns to regard the bear. He slowly takes it from my hands, then unexpectedly clutches it to his chest.
Legend - "Sigh. Legend's night-night bear!"

He is sleeping soundly with bear in his arms as I write. The trade off appears to have worked (knock on wood).

I just wonder why he was scowling at me.  Maybe he thought I was bragging to him about my new bear?

Presents

Kayla is a very quiet, shy little girl... in public.  At home she is boisterous, out-going, extremely talkative, and confidant to the point of bossy.  She knows a lot of words for her age, but rarely pulls them out for strangers.

She notices new presents under the tree.

Kayla - "My papa's gonna give me those presents."

Me - "Oh really?"

Kayla - "Yeah. And Santa's gonna come on Christmas."

Me - "Are you excited for Christmas?"

Kayla - "It's gonna be fun! I'm gonna have lots of presents, lots of toys from papa. Lots of toys from Santa."

She points to the Christmas lights on the houses out our window.

Kayla - "Those are Kayla's lights. My daddy make them for Kayla."

Me - "They are very pretty aren't they?"

Kayla nods - "Uh-hun."

She is such a smart little barely two year old!  Although, "Papa" isn't her father. It is the name for her grandfather. She ends up calling any man with a big white beard papa. 

Dear Santa,

Congratulations on becoming a grandfather.  

A Happy Announcement

Legend has had his bath, his stories, his song, and has been tucked in bed and kissed sweetly good-night. Daddy and I close the door quietly behind us, tip-toe back downstairs and flop on the couches, glad for a day's end.

We hear Legend's door bang open, then slam shut, and then the stomp-stomp of toddler feet.

Legend pauses at the top of the stairs and yells down happily, "Hi Legend!"

No, honey, that is not quite the reception you will be getting just now. Try us in 10 hours or so.

A Modern Woman

In one hand, Kayla is predictably clutching her favourite baby doll tightly to her chest. 

In the other hand she has a toy hammer with which she is whacking the tool bench purposefully and with all her might.

She is becoming a modern woman. I'm so proud.

Hurt Bum

Legend topples off the ride-on car and lands on his bottom.

Legend - "Ow. My bum. Kiss it better?" He points his tushy in my direction.
I give his bum a little pat - "You're okay."

Legend - "My bum! Kiss it better, Kayla?"
He points his bottom in Kayla's direction, but she doesn't react.

Clearly, he is not getting his point across.

He rips his diaper and pants down in one swift motion and points his naked bum at Kayla.
"Kiss bum better?!"

I do not wait for Kayla's answer, and quickly pull his pants back up, and kiss his clothed bum to put an end to the issue.

How to Woo a Girl

Kayla arrives at the house this morning, to Legend's delight.

He runs up to her.
"Kayla! Kayla! Kayla here!
Kiss? Kiss Kayla? Kiss?"

He goes in for a smooch but Kayla hides behind my leg.
Legend - "Kayla kiss? Kiss?" He puckers his lips and holds out his arms for an embrace.

Me - "Kayla, do you want to hug Legend?"
She shakes her head no. Usually she is all for smooches, but not first thing in the morning.

Legend accepts the rejection gracefully. He starts dancing, bent at the waist, chicken-wing arms, and wiggling his torso back and forth, all while singing "Wooo-wooo! Woooo-wooo!" with every wiggle.

He sure knows how to charm the ladies.

Train Track

Legend has been asking for a train track every day for about two months.  He slips it in to casual conversation or demands one, depending on his mood. Yesterday, he mentioned wanting a train track 3 times.

He has two pieces of a wooden train toy in his hands. This train did not come with a track.
Legend - "I want to hook! Mommy! Help! I want to hook."
I hook them together.
Legend - "Mommy! I want a train track! I want a train track. Train. Hook. Track."

Later, we are colouring pictures of cars. Legend hands me a crayon and points to his paper.
"Mommy. I want a train track."
I draw a train track and and a train on it and Legend claps and yells "Choo Chooo!"
Kayla - "I want a train track too!" I draw one on hers too.
Cash - "I want a train track!"
Legend - "I want a train track more."

I am busy in the bathroom with Kayla, when I hear Legend yelling a bit frantically from the living room.
Legend - "Open! Open! OPEN!"
I find him trying unsuccessfully to open one of the presents from under the Christmas tree.
Legend - "Mommy! Help! Open! Train Track. I want it. Train track."
I'm not sure how he deduced that there was a train track in that small box. Pretty sure there are craft supplies in that one...

The awesome thing is that we bought him a wooden train table (complete with track and many trains, as well as cars, boats, and helicopters) for Christmas. This is going to be great.

What Kind of Legend?

Legend follows me into my bedroom this morning, just after having awoken for the day.  I visit with Legend's daddy for a minute, when Legend interjects.

Legend informs his daddy - "I'm an awake Legend."
Daddy - "You're an awake Legend? Did you have a good sleep?"

Legend - "I wanna be a downstairs Legend."
Me - "Okay, let's go downstairs then."

Every step, Legend sings - "Downstairs Legend."

Back Seat Screamer

We are driving the lovely drive along the lake by Peachland on our way to an early Christmas with my family.

Legend, in the back seat, suddenly screams - "Whoa! Whoa!"
There is nothing on the road.  I look back at Legend.

He is pointing out the front window with a panicked expression - "Watch out! WATCH OUT!"
I look back at the road, just to be sure, and find no danger there.

Legend, changing his mind about our predicament - "Wheeeeeeeeeeee!"

The car ride must seem like a roller-coaster in his little world... or he is just trying to psych us out.
I put my money on the latter.

Cookies

At a Christmas party, Legend stands in front of an epic plate of cookies.  He grabs a heart-shaped shortening bread cookie and munches happily.

Removing one of the top cookies has revealed cookies underneath, star-shaped cookies!
Legend reaches for a star cookie with his free hand, heart cookie in the other.
Daddy - "Legend, No. You already have a cookie. Eat this one first."

Legend tries to hand off his cookie to Daddy - "Here you go." And he reaches for a star cookie again.
Daddy - "No Legend. You have a cookie. You have to eat this one first, then maybe you can have another."

Legend tries to put his half-eaten heart cookie back on the platter so that he can have a star one instead.
A dozen adults in the room, watching the cookie temptation - "Oh. Nooo!"
Daddy catches the offending slobbered-on cookie. "You have to eat it first before you have another."

Legend puts the heart cookie up to Daddy's mouth - "Daddy's cookie."
Daddy relents and bites the cookie.

Legend grabs a star cookie victoriously, but turns to get the rest of his heart cookie back from Daddy too.

Not Cute

I am holding Legend in my arms, admiring my boy.

Me - "Legend, you are so cute!"
Legend scowls at me - "I'm not cute. I'm Legend."

No Night-night

Legend goes down for an early nap at 10:30 today.  He has been a grump all morning, so it is a relief he falls asleep so easily.  Usually, when he wakes up from his naps, he either yells out for me or starts thumping around in his room.

At 1:00, Legend opens his door and comes part way down the stairs, all on his own.
I meet him on the stairs.

Me, surprised - "Legend. Hi! You're awake."
He looks at me sleepily, and waves his hand to dismiss his bedroom. "Don't want night-night."
Me - "It's a little too late for that, honey. You've been out for hours."
Legend - "No hours. I don't want bedtime. I want snack."

I don't think he realizes he napped.

Babysitter

My boy does not cry when I leave the room.  When he refuses to leave the park or continue on a walk, the "'Ok bye-bye!' and slowly walk away from him" trick does nothing.  He is more likely to run in the other direction than worry about me being too far away.  He usually doesn't push me out the door though.

My husband and I are all dolled up for his work Christmas party.  The babysitter is here and we are all set to go.

Me - "Okay. Give me a kiss, Legend."
Legend obliges with a big, wet pucker.

Daddy - "Hug Daddy."
Legend gives his daddy a smooch too, then squirms out of his arms.

I half-step out the door and turn to give Legend one more "Goodnight, sweetie" and find the door swinging shut in my face.  I dodge backward with just enough time to see Legend's little arm pushing the door shut and to hear the slam.

Well, I guess he likes his babysitter.  I do too.  I hope she lasts.

Superman

Cash runs up to me, excitedly - "Wanna be Superman!"

This is a request for me to tuck a pillow case into the top of his shirt.

When Legend and Kayla see the game, they want pillow cases too.  The three supertots whoosh around the house. Legend flaps his arms to fly; I guess he isn't sure the cape alone can do the trick.

Cash suddenly stops beside me.
Cash - "Superman can't fly."
Me - "Yes, Superman can fly."

Cash shakes his head - "No Auntie. Superman can't fly."
Me - "Oh?"
Cash - "Look." He hops and reaches up, trying to will himself into the air.
"Superman's stuck on the floor, can't fly like a bird."
He pulls the cape off and drops it onto the couch.

Kisses for Cash Puppy

The tots have a game in which one of them pretends to be a puppy, usually Cash, and the other two hug and kiss him, call him, and pretend to walk him. Cash loves the attention, and Kayla loves to give attention even more.

Cash drops onto his hands and knees between Legend and Kayla. He sticks his tongue out to pant and adds the occasional bark.
Legend pats him on the head and gives him a hug. - "Cash puppy dog."
Kayla grasps Cash around the head and kisses him multiple times. -"Cash is my puppy Cash."

Cash enjoys it for a moment, but Kayla does not let go. She goes in for another round of kisses.
He ducks out of her grasps, and barks as he scoots on his knees down the hall.
Kayla chases after him - "Cash! Puppy! LET ME KISS YOU!"

She chases him down (Cash is a very fast runner, but not so fast on his knees).
She trips over his back foot, lands half on top of him, grasps around his head on her way down and drags his face down to her waiting lips.

Cash scrambles away.
Kayla looks at me, guiltily - "I kiss my Cash puppy."

Shepherds' Worries

We are at a Christmas play...

Shepherd Actor 1 - "I am so bored!"
Shepherd Actor 2 - "Me too! Wouldn't it be great if a bear or lion jumped out and we could fight it with our bare hands. We'd be heroes!"
Shepherd Actor 1 - "There aren't any bears or lions here any more. I am so bored!"

Here the shepherds break into a catchy little diddy.

Shepherd 1, sarcastically - "You keep watch first tonight. Watch for bears and lions! Ha ha."

Cash yells excitedly, and even points and jumps (now here comes the action!) -
 "Watch out for bears and lions!"

Swear Warning

Legend, Daddy, Auntie Jody, and I are in the car on our way home from a Christmas play.

Legend - "Jody." (Pronounced Joji)

Me - "Say Auntie."

Daddy - "Say Auntie Jody."

Legend - "A bitch."

Beat

Legend - "A bitch!"

Me - "Oh! I think he is saying 'bridge'."

Auntie Jody - "Every time I visit, Legend picks on me! Last time I was Sushi, now..."

He'll get it eventually, Sis.

Social Skills

I take Legend out for a treat and to play at the Playplace at McDonald's. There are some other children there, three 10ish year old boys and 4 year old girl. Once the kids go into the play structure, I can only see glimpses of them every so often, but I can hear everything.

Legend - "Hi! Hi!"
Little girl - "Hi! Did you hear a ghost?"
Legend - "Ghost?"
Little girl - "Ahhh! Ghosts in here!"
Legend - "BOOO!"
They both scream and shoot down the slide.

Legend - "Hi! Hi!"
Older boy, unimpressed - "Uh, hi."
Legend - "Hi! C'mere!"
Older boy - "I don't want to."
Legend - "C'mere! Hi!"

Beat

Legend - "RAWR!"
All three older boys run out of the structure with Legend on their heals. They feign fear and run away from him, leaping over chairs and scrambling back into the structure. Legend follows.

Legend - "GrrrrrOWL!"
I hear shuffling and laughing.
Older boy, in a loud voice- "Attention all officers. Report to main slide."
Legend - "HA! RAWR!"
Older boy - "Mayday! Mayday! The perpetrator has attacked. Abort mission!"
They all come tumbling down the slide and out.

Legend is always happy to be the villain in the story. Should I be worried?

Time Out Tears

I have an old chair set up in a corner, designated for time-outs. It is an old, tacky, but very comfortable chair (nice and soft for those anti-discipline tantrums). Sometimes the kids choose to play on or around it, but it is mostly used just for time-outs.

Cash somberly climbs into the chair.
Cash, in a pitiful small voice - "I'm in time-out. I am bad. I have to go time-out."
Me - "Cash, you didn't do anything wrong. Why are you in time-out?"
Cash pretends to cry - "I didn't listen to Auntie. I am in time-out."
Legend marches up to him, points at him and grumbles in pretend anger - "Time out, Cash!"
Cash fake cries and looks to me for sympathy.

How is this a fun game?

Toilet Humour

Cash successfully uses the potty and asks for a sticker for a reward. He picks a little yellow troll from the Dora cartoon and we put it on the back of his hand.

Cash - "I got a troll sticker! I peed on the potty!"
Me - "Yes. Good job going potty, Cash."
Cash - "I peed on the troll!"
Me - "You peed on the troll? You peed on the potty."
Cash - "Yeah! I peed on the troll!"

Ew.


Legend has a #2 on the potty. He looks down at the fruits of his labour.

"Wiggle snake! Wiggles snake! Look mommy! I did a wiggle snake!"
Me, trying really hard not to laugh at him or look disgusted - "That's great Legend!"

Again, EW.

Knowledge of Dora Necessary

Legend is hiding behind the long curtain in the dining room.

Me - "Legend, where are you? Hm. I don't see Legend anywhere. Sneaky Legend! Where are you?"

Legend jumps out from behind the curtain.

Legend - "I'm sneeeeeeaaakkyyyyyy Swiper!" He advances on Daddy menacingly. 

Daddy puts his hand out to stop him - "Swiper no swiping! Swiper no swiping! Swiper no Swiping!"

Legend quickly turns back to the curtain. - "Oh man!"

Daddy - "That sneaky Swiper is always trying to swipe our stuff!"

Repeat.

Take note: If you yell "so-and-so, no swiping!" at some one three times before they mug you, it works as a magic charm. They can't swipe your stuff. Dora said it so it must be true.

Parenting Practice

Kayla, Cash, and Legend each have a baby doll. Well, Cash and Kayla have dolls and Legend has a bear. They rock their babies, sing to them, give them bottles, and tuck them in for night-night. 

Cash puts his baby softly down on a pillow.

Cash - "Here baby. Have a pillow. Go night-night."

He grabs another pillow and a blanket - "Here baby. Have another pillow. Be nice and comfy."

He tucks his baby in and kisses it on the forehead.

Cash looks up at me, feigning surprise - "Uh-oh! Baby is crying."

Me - "Is baby okay? Is he hungry?"

Cash - "No, he is not hungry. He is still crying."

Me - "Oh. Is he hurt?"

Cash quickly looks over his baby to see if he has a scratch or bump to kiss. He doesn't find one.

Cash - "Yep, he's hurt," he says, as he pushes the baby doll off the couch.

Nemo's Adventure

I am pretty sure Cash has watched Finding Nemo lately... We are in the car on the way to play group, when he launches into a play-by-play description of how he understands the movie.

Cash - "Got ate in a whale's mouth."

Me - "A whale? Huh?"
Cash - "That's a bad whale. Nemo wanna find his daddy."
Me - "Oh! Yeah, Nemo's daddy got eaten."
Cash - "Nemo stuck in the little water. He wants to go in the big water, find his daddy."
Me - "That's right Cash. And Nemo's daddy is trying very hard to find his son Nemo too. They miss each other."
Cash - "Yeah, Auntie. Nemo not in the water. He in a boat, going away."
Me - "Yeah, and his daddy tried to catch the boat."
Cash - "Nemo daddy got ate in the whale mouth. Bad whale."
Me - "The whale didn't mean to. He spit him out. He said 'sorry. Bye bye.'"
Cash - "He spit him out?"
Me - "Yep."
Cash - "Oh. That's right, Auntie."

Cash - "I have to eat the car, like Nemo in the whale."
Me - "You have to eat the car?!"
Cash - "I have to eat the car."

Right. I think we got a bit confused somewhere there.

Christmas Tree

Legend knows Daddy has gone to get the Christmas tree.
Legend - "Tree. In house? Tree!"

Daddy is outside sawing off some limbs and fixing it into the tree stand. Legend tries to watch through the window and lingers near the door.
Legend - "Daddy! Tree. House. Tree? Tree now?"

Daddy brings the tree, still wrapped tight with twine, into the house, ready to unfurl and start decorating.
Legend takes one looking at the skinny, pointy tree.
Legend - "Rocket ship! 5. 4. 5. 1." He tries to count down to blast off time, but there is no way I am going to zoom the tree around the house like I do with his other toys.
Daddy - "It is a tree, Legend."
Legend - "Rocket ship!"

We decorate the tree, and Legend is pretty into it.  He even helps Daddy put the star on top. But, we never can convince him it is a tree.

Legend - "Rocket ship! Wow! Rocket ship! 5. 4. 5. 4."
Me - "It is a Christmas tree, Legend. Can you say Christmas?"
Legend mumbles a weak attempt at the word, then sticks to one he knows.  "Rocket ship!"
Daddy - "Legend, it is a rocket tree!"
Legend - "Rocket tree."

Who says toddlers can't compromise?

Cowboys

The day before we take Cash and Legend to a Winter Wonderland fair, both boys are so excited to ride ponies.  Just before Cash leaves for the day, he makes sure we are still going tomorrow.

Cash - "Auntie, in...morrow we go ride ponies? We gonna be cowboys? And say Yehaw!"

Me - "Yes, that's right. We will go tomorrow. And you will get to see and pet lots of animals, see Santa, and make a Christmas card craft."

Cash - "See Santa? He bringing me lots of toys?"

Me - "Yes." I have trouble with the Santa thing, but I will go with it.

Cash - "And be cowboys riding ponies?"

Me - "Yes."

Cash - "Yehaw!"

The next morning we have a very similar conversation and the boys discuss horses and cowboys the entire 20 minute drive there.  Needless to say, we hit the pony rides first.  But, there was a bit of false advertising. There are no ponies. 

There are beautiful, large horses, including a clydesdale. 

Legend and Cash happily get their helmets, and wait excitedly with their hands on the fence, watching the horses do their laps with other kids on their backs. 

Finally the moment arrives when it is Cash and Legend's turn to have a ride. I walk Cash over to the gate and the volunteers bring a beautiful, old, golden clydesdale to a stop in front of him. Cash takes a half step back and grabs my leg.

The volunteer - "Okay big guy, do you want to ride this horse?"

Cash vigorously shakes his head no, and lets out a strangled squeak of fear. 

The volunteer has her friend bring a horse about half the size around - "How about this one?"

Cash nods slowly, unsure - "Okay."

We take him to the steps and get him up on the horse. He smiles for a moment, then the horse sighs and shifts its weight. 

Cash puts his arms out to me, fear in his eyes.

Me - "It's okay Cash. I will be besides you the whole time. I promise."

Cash - "No. Off. Off."

Volunteer - "You can do it buddy. Give the horse a nice pet, feel his soft fur."

Me - "Cash, you are a cowboy! Awesome! You can be a great cowboy! Ok?"

Cash - "Okay." 

After a few moments of riding, Cash begins to smile.

He tells the volunteer, "I'm not afraid of the horses."

Meanwhile, Legend is atop the clydesdale and loving every moment.

"Yehaw!"

A Compliment

I am all dressed up for a choir concert.

Me - "Cody, do I look okay?"
Cody - "Yeah, you look great, love."
Me - "I dunno. This skirt is a bit too big... Is my lipstick too garish?"
Cody - "No. You look lovely."
I don't really believe him and decide to go look in the full length mirror again. I turn to find Legend in my path instead.

Legend - "Wow. Cute! Cute! Mommy cute!"

Considering he has repeatedly told me the mole on my neck is "yucky", and that I am a "big" mommy, this is quite the compliment. I always know he is honest and he never holds back.

Shortly after this exchange, he tries to lift my "cute" skirt.

What Hurts?

Legend's schedule is completely off today because he woke up horribly early. I usually run a very scheduled home; it just makes life with tots run as smoothly as possible when everyone knows what to expect and when to expect it.  We have small routines built into everything, like going potty before we leave the house every day, or putting the sippy cup back in the exact same spot after every use. We also have an over-arching schedule of meal and nap times. It works... most of the time. Even good plans fail sometimes.

Legend is playing happily in the afternoon, rolling cars down the hallway, and playing a tag game with Cash, when suddenly he plops down on the floor and just starts to bawl.

I rush to him.
Me - "Oh Legend! Are you okay, honey?"
Legend pauses long enough to inhale and look pitifully into my eyes, before letting out another bawl.
I rock him and squeeze him.
Me - "Legend, what is wrong, my sweet boy?"
He looks up at me, tears streaming down his face. "I hurt."
Me - "You hurt? Oh no! What hurts? Where?"
Legend just collapses into me and cries.

I start worriedly checking him over, and I feel his forehead for a fever.
Then it dawns on me.
I pull him away from me so I can look into his eyes.
"Legend, are you hungry?"
He pauses his wail for a moment, considering.
Legend nods - "Uh hun. hungy."

He eats an apple and is the picture of happiness for the rest of the day.


Wow. He could have just asked for an apple...

What is a Toy?

The boys are being a little too loud and a little too rambunctious at the lunch table.  They are rolling their cups back and forth to each other and yelling about it.

Me, my voice hushed to get their attention - "Legend and Cash, we are quiet at the table please. Stop playing with your cups; they are not toys."
They stop.

Cash - "Cups are not toys?"
Me - "No, your cups are for drinking, not playing. They are not toys." I deliberately place the cups upright on the table.
Cash - "Oh. Cups are not toys. Hm."

He thinks for a moment, while Legend has gone back to munching on his lunch.

Cash - "Is sandwich a toy? I play with sandwich."  He nods, like he has figured it out.
Me - "No, sandwich is not a toy. You eat your lunch properly please."
Cash - "Sandwich is not a toy?"
Me - "No. Eat up please."

He considers my request.

Then he reaches over and grabs Legend's sandwich triumphantly.
"Legend's sandwich is a toy!"

I am certain his look of triumph is because he knows he has done well to push my buttons.  He is a smart (and tricky) cookie.

Batman vs. Superman

Cash holds up a small Batman toy.

Cash - "Superman! Fly!"
Me - "That's Batman."
Cash - "Batman."
Me - "He has a cape; can he fly?"

Cash, drops the toy - "No, Batman walks."

Very true. I'm impressed he knew the superhero lore that well, though sad I ruined his fun.

You Okay?

Legend likes to play this game in which he pretends a toy falls and hurts itself, then he picks it up, asks if it is okay, and sometimes kisses its bump better. It is one of his more gentle games, a nice contrast to roaring like a monster and chasing Cash and Kayla around the house.


I am changing Legend's diaper.
Legend - "Ouch. Wee wee hurt."
Me - "Oh, sorry Legend. Did I hurt your wee wee?"

Legend looks down at his bits - "Are you okay, wee wee?"

Thinking like a man already.

Risky Business

Taking the tots to play groups is always a risk. Their behaviour can be so unpredictable, especially Legend's. They can seem perfectly happy at home, but as soon as we get to play group, they become tyrants or babies. Or, they can be horrible at home, and the change of scenery brightens their whole day. Or neither, or both.

They keep me on my toes.

Today, Legend is in a great mood, chattering all the way to play group. We arrive and Legend immediately runs to one of the big cars, the most prized toy there. Two children try to get a turn, but he scowls at them and slams the car door shut. He crosses his arms, "Hrrumphs", and puts on the most miserable demeanor possible. He seems to think it entertaining to put on a grump. I take a deep breath and brace myself for a rough morning.

Then this little ginger haired girl, a bit older than Legend, confidently strides up to him in the much-coveted car. She opens the door to the car and Legend slams it shut and gives her his best scowl.

She says something to him, which I can't quite catch in the din of toddler play, but her body language says it all.

The tilts her head sideways, bobs her hip, and returns his scowl with her goofiest smile. Legend hops happily out of the car, lets her in, and politely closes the door for her. "There you go. Thank you. Bye bye!"

For the entire duration of play group thereafter, Legend is the most cheerful he has been at a play group in months.

I wish I knew what she said to him.

Brotherly Love

We are all ready to go to play group this morning, Legend and Kayla in their car seats in the back, and Cash in his car seat in the front passenger side.

Me - "Everybody ready for play group? Let's go!"
Cash - "You ready back there, Legend?"
Legend - "Uh-hun Cash."

Cash - "I love you Legend, back there in the seat."
Legend - "Uh-hun. Thank you Cash in seat."

...As opposed to when they are out of their seats?

Sick

Legend - "I want want want want go park!"
Me - "It's too dark and wet out, Legend. The sun never came out today."

Cash, logically - "Is sun sick?"
Me - "Uhh...Yeah, the sun sick."
Legend, worried - "Sun sick? Oh. Mommy sick?"
Me - "No, mommy isn't sick. Is Legend sick?"
Legend - "Not sick. I'm ok."

Me - "Oh good. Cash, are you sick?"
Cash - "I am not sick; I have pants."

Of course. How silly of me.

Hummers, Jeeps, and Mini-Coops

We take Legend to Toys R Us to go Christmas shopping, and we inevitably find ourselves in the back of the store where they have all of their battery-powered ride-in cars, the really big, awesome ones.  Legend has his pick and crawls into a red mini-coop. Good choice.

He turns the wheel and laughs.
"Vrooom! Beep! Beep!"

To his left is a black Hummer and to his right is a pink Barbie jeep. He points to the Hummer.
"Where's Cash? Cash's truck! Where's Cash?"

He zooms down the road in his carefree little mind for a minute, then notices the pink car.
"Kayla's car truck. Where's Kayla?"

He calls for his friends, as if they might appear from around the corner simply because he wants to play with them.

Me - "You'll see your friends tomorrow, my goose. Let's go this way."
He hops out of the car and happily meanders down the aisle.

Big Mommy

I am holding Legend in my arms on our way to the bath before bed. He snuggles into me.
He suddenly pulls back and squeezes both of my boobs, one in each hand, before I can stop him.

"Big mommy."

Uh... thanks? Let's not "compliment " mommy in public, okay? At least he didn't pat my belly when he said that.

Boyfriend's Sweater

Like a girl curling up in her boyfriend's too-big sweater, Kayla loves it when she gets to wear something of Legend's.  I loaned her a pair of Legend's sweat pants once because she got hers very messy and there were no extras in her bag. She showed up the next day with them still on. She refused to take them off for bed, or to change the next morning.

I put Legend's outgrown boots on her to take her out in the wet grass. She was so excited she happy danced and bounced. "I have Legend's shoes!"  She bawled when I made her take them off when we came inside.

There have been many other articles of clothing. The story is always the same, but I really hope it isn't this time.


I grab one of Kayla's diapers from her bag and ask her to meet me in the bathroom for a change.
She slowly dawdles into the bathroom.
I am in auto-pilot mode as I quickly change her diaper and help her to stand back up. I am just about finished wiggling her cute, chubby thighs into her tights...

Kayla - "Legend's diaper!" She looks down, thrilled that I accidentally grabbed one of Legend's diapers (a different brand, but luckily the same size as hers), and left her diaper sitting on the counter.

Uh-oh.  I hope she lets her mommy take it off later...

A Father and Son Moment

Legend is sitting on his daddy's lap, watching the last few minutes of Land Before Time 2. He loves his dinosaur movies.

Daddy - "Legend, can I tickle you?"
Legend agrees to it - "Uh-hun tickle you."
Giggles ensue.

Daddy - "Legend, can I bite you?"
Legend smiles- "Uh-hun bite you please."
Daddy play bites Legend's belly, and Legend belly laughs uncontrollably.
That is the best noise; it lifts the soul.

Daddy - "Legend, can I tickle you under your arm?"
Legend - "Uh-hun tickle arm."
Both father and son are full of giggles and smiles.

Daddy stops and hugs his boy - "Whew! I love you, Legend."
Legend puckers his lips for a kiss - "Mmmmmwaa."

Legend can be quite accommodating.


I've got it all. My life has its difficult moments: I use up all my daily allotment of patience every day, I get sick more often than the average adult, we sometimes have trouble making ends meet, but I have everything that is important. My family and my work are both amazing to me. I've got it all.

Superman to Supermom

The boys are wearing pillow cases tucked into the top of their shirts, running around the house. They are Supermen! They fly; they fight blue monsters (I don't know why they are always distinctly blue); they are really strong and really fast.

Then Kayla arrives for the day. She comes bearing two baby dolls and a lamb stuffy.

The boys forget their capes and world saving responsibilities, and suddenly become soft, loving parents of new babies.

They rock their babies, sing to them, and put them to bed. They bring them smaller stuffed animals, tuck them in, and kiss their foreheads.

At least the boys are well rounded, and Kayla is too.  After a while of mommy-play, the boys remember their capes, and Kayla places her baby gently on the couch and asks for a cape so she too can save the house from monsters.

Me - "Go Supermen! Go Wonder Woman!"
Legend - "Superman!"
Kayla - "I am Super Kayla."
Cash - "I am Wonder Woman!"

Ok, sure. Why not?

Some Mouse

It is time for an afternoon snack for the tots. Legend and Kayla are munching away on cheerios and orange slices, but Cash is not hungry. He decides to sit at the table with his friends, but he doesn't want a snack.

Kayla - "Don't want cheerios, Cash?"
Cash - "No. I don't want it."
Kayla - "Ok. Want something else?"

Cash, indignant - "I don't want some mouse! That's yucky!"
Kayla - "Something else is yucky? Not hungry?"
Cash, really mad at her now - "No Kayla! Not gonna eat some mouse!"

I guess that theory of the tots being able to understand each other even when I can't is out.

Kiss Crazy

Kayla loves to smooch. When I am holding her, she will often kiss me repeatedly, as many times as I will allow. She gets annoyed that I give her the cheek instead of my lips.

If I am not careful, she'll give me a long, romantic smooch right on the lips. She even holds the back of my head so it is hard to dodge, and I don't want to hurt her feelings.

I love all the snuggles and smooches - it makes me feel loved - but sometimes, enough is enough.


I am sitting on the floor, having just changed Kayla's diaper. She stands up, eye to eye with me, perfect position for smooches.

She pulls my face to hers and plants 6 or 7 kisses on my cheeks, as close to my mouth as I will allow. I can't make progress buttoning her pants with her in my face, and I have had quite enough kisses.

As she attempts to pull my face in for a second round...
Me - "Stop. Thank you Kayla. That's enough kisses now."

She does her best to resist for a moment.
I quickly button her pants and make to stand up.

Kayla kisses the air a couple times then yells at me - "Let me KISS YOU!"

No means no, Kayla!

Hang Up

Nana is on the phone and wants to talk to Legend.

Legend lets Daddy put the phone to his ear.
Legend - "Hi Nana! Nanaaaaa! Train. Choo choo. Nana."

Daddy - "Say love you."
Legend - "Love you."
Daddy - "Say see you later."
Legend - "Later."
Daddy - "Say bye bye."
Legend - "Bye bye."
Daddy - "Say love you."

Legend pushes the phone away from his face, looks at it, and presses End perfectly, hanging up the call.

I guess when he says "bye bye", he means it.

Napkin Need

We are at a restaurant and Legend takes too big of a bite of lunch. Ketchup drips off his chin and onto his jacket.

Legend - "Oh no. Dirty."
He and Daddy both search the table for a napkin.

Before Daddy can grab a napkin, Legend finds the packaged sugar container.
He pulls a sugar packet out and dabs at the ketchup.

Legend - "Oh no. Broken."

If anything occurs that in unfavourable to him, Legend says it is broken. It works.

Grumps

Legend is very ill. He woke from a very long nap crying and vomiting. He is lying on the couch in a pitiful daze as we wait for the Tylenol to kick in.

Kayla wakes from her nap in a grump. She sits beside Legend on the couch, glowering at the world and continuously brushing her hair on and off her face.

Cash is last to rise and wakes up from his nap "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed" and ready to play. 

Cash hops across the living room, grabs a toy, and leaps onto the couch between Legend and Kayla.

He plays with his toy happily, so happily that he starts laughing to himself.

Legend pushes Cash away from him with his feet.

Cash wiggles closer to Kayla and keeps laughing.

Kayla scowls and rebukes him - "It's not funny, Cash."

Duet

Legend comes out of the bath with an (unrecognizable) song in his heart. He lies on his towel singing random words.

Legend - "Wa-ter, mommy, lala, stop, lala..."
Me - "Stop! In the name of love! Before you break my heart. Think it Oooooverrr."
Legend - 'Oooooveerrrrr!"

Me - "Yeah! Sing Legend. Stop!"
Legend - "Stop!"
Me - "In the name of love! Say Love, Legend!"
Legend, giggles - "Love."
Me - "Before you break my heart."
Legend puts his hand to his chest - "Heart."
Me - "Think it Ooooovverrrrr."
Legend, with back-up singer hand motions and everything - "Ooooovverrrrr."

Legend - "Wait! lala lalalala."
Me - "No, it's Stop!"
Legend - "Wait! Wait! Stop! Lalalalala..."
Me - "In the name of love."
Legend - "Love."
Me - "Before you break my heart."
Legend - "Heart."
Me - "Think it..."
In unison - "Oooooovverrrrrr." We got it. We're awesome.

Legend, loving it - "Wait! lalala!"
Me - "Not wait. Stop!"
Legend - "Stop!"
...

Pretty sure we would have kicked butt at karaoke, or at least fit in with the drunks.

Flight

Cody received a box from his parents full of old toys from when he was a kid. He gave the age appropriate ones to Legend, which included a Buzz Lightyear action figure from the first Toy Story movie, a toy eagle that balances on your finger tip (or used to before the tots got to it), and a toy car. 

Legend monopolizes the Buzz Ligthyear all day. He has seen the third movie, so he recognizes the character and knows that this guy can fly. He races down the hall and through the kitchen, Buzz held high above his head, and sometimes crashing into the floor.

Legend - "Vrooooom! Up high! Fast! Fall down! Are you ok? UP HIGH!"

Cash grabs the eagle toy.

Cash - "Auntie! Bird flies up high too! Legend! Bird flies too!"

Cash takes off after Legend down the hall, soaring and dipping.

Kayla looks around for a flying toy; she wants in on the game. She doesn't see anything that will work. 

Kayla runs up to me and shows me the car she has been idly carrying around. 

Kayla - "This car flies too, Auntie. This car flies today."

Me - "Yes of course it does! It is a flying car! Go Kayla!"

And my three peas race on together, pausing only to make sure everyone is okay when one of the toys plummets to the floor. 

A Series of Unfortunate Events

None of what you are about to read is funny at all.

The boys know it is a play group day. They have asked six times about it, and also about where Kayla is. I have no idea where Kayla is. She and her mom are so late I start to think that I got mixed up about the schedule and maybe they are not coming. I text Kayla's mom and get the boys and our bags all ready to go in the mean time.

I get an inconclusive text from Kayla's mom about not having very good cell service, but she doesn't answer my question about when to expect Kayla. I decide to get the boys in the car anyway.

I finally get a text saying she will meet us at play group, but we are already 15 minutes late. We head out.

After about 3 minutes of playing nicely, Legend pushes a little boy off of the play structure because he is in his way. Legend gets an immediate time-out. 

I turn around from having a talking-to with Legend, to find Cash with a suspicious smile.

Cash - "Poop."

Me - "You have to go potty? Let's go quick."

He turns around to head to the bathroom and I see that we are already too late. 

Legend is in time-out for about ten minutes because it takes a while to clean up Cash. Surprisingly, Legend stays in the time-out chair the whole time. He is very apologetic when I finally get back to him. 

Legend - "Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Mommy. Sorry. Play now?"

I swallow my guilt to try to keep consistent - "Legend, remember no pushing. Be gentle."

Legend - "Sorry. Sorry. Sorry."

He immediately goes and rips a toy out of another child's hands.

This is just the beginning to the day.

I think, just like how dogs can smell fear, tots can smell stress. They see an advantage in the game and they take it. 

First one to lose their cool loses the game. 

The Sun

I took the boys to the park after nap time today.  It had to be a quick trip because the sun is setting at 4:30 these days and the boys woke up at 3:30. We couldn't waste that sunshine.

The sun dips behind the hills.

Me - "Cash, we have to go home now. It will be dark soon. Can you climb in the stroller please?"
Cash - "Okay Auntie."
Cash climbs obediently into the stroller.
Me - "Great listening, Cash. Thank you!"
Legend witnesses this and begins a tantrum. He doesn't want to leave the park yet; he never will.

Me - "Legend, come here please. It is time to go."
Legend stomps and whines.
Sigh


Me, with feigned astonishment - "Legend! Where is the sun?!"
Legend stops his display and looks up - "Where sun? Gone!"
He puts his hands up and shrugs his shoulders.
Me - "The sun went night-night. He is really sleepy. It is going to get really dark and chilly out soon."
Legend - "Oooh. Chilly." He pretends to shiver.
Me - "Let's go home before it gets too dark and chilly."
Legend nods - "Uh-hun."

To my astonishment, he walks calmly to the stroller and willingly climbs in. I cannot over-estimate my shock that this little story actually worked.

It's proof he is growing older and is able to understand and believe my lies.

The Blame Game

I smell something...

Me - "Legend, did you poop?"
Legend - "No poop."
Cash - "Kayla pooped."

Legend walks around behind Kayla.
Legend - "Bum? Poop? Kayla?"
He bends down and sniffs Kayla's bottom.

Legend nods- "Kayla bum poop. Uh hun."
Kayla, screeches - "NO!"

Poor Kayla, getting blamed for a sneaky toot.

Where does Beef come from?

Cash is looking at a book with pictures of farm animals in it.

Cash - "Look, Auntie. A cow!"
Me - "Yes, a cow."

Cash - "Moooo!"
Me - "That's right, Cash."

Cash points at the cow - "Eat hamburger."
Me - "The cow eats hamburgers?"
Cash - "No. It is hamburger. Yummy."

He's not a farm boy, so I am not sure where his extensive knowledge comes from, but I guess he knows all the important things you need to know about cows now.

The end

I am trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to read my text book for Business Management class.

Legend pushes a toy into my hands - "Play."
Me - "I need to read now, honey."

He wanders off to play for a little while.

Legend appears by my side again and points to my book.
Legend - "Story?"
Me - "Not a very interesting story."
Legend - "Another book?" He fetches his sing-along book, climbs onto the couch beside me and puts the book over mine.

Me - "I have to read this book right now. Why don't you look at your book beside me."
Legend nods- "Uh-hun. Book."

He looks at his book for a few moments.
Legend - "Look! A dog." He pulls on my sleeve.
Me - "Yes, a dog. I am reading about environmental contingencies."

Legend hops off the couch and tosses his book on the floor - "No story."
He toddles off to play with a toy train.

A few moments later, he pulls my book out of my hands and slams it shut.
"The END!"

I guess I can catch up on my school reading later.

Attitude

After a fun time at the pool...

Cody - "Let's put your shirt on, Legend."
Legend waves his arms in self defense - "I don't want shirt. No."

Me - "Legend, sit down so I can put your shoes on please."
Legend - "I don't want down. No shoes."

Me - "Let's put your jacket on, Legend."
Legend - "No. I don't want jacket."

Legend stomps and fusses. He is uncooperative because he doesn't want to leave the pool and now he is getting mad about it.

Me, in my mom voice - "Legend, you need to watch that attitude."
Legend - "I don't want attitude."
Cody - "Me neither."

Use your words

Legend reaches for a toy that is up on the piano, just out of his reach.

Legend whines - "Uh uh uh!"
Me - "Legend, use your words."

Legends nods - "Words!" with the same inflection as 'please'.

Penguins make me happy

Cody, Legend and I are in the mall stopped at a strange toy kiosk. The cashier tells Legend to wait and sets up a bizarre toy that consists of little penguins climbing up stairs and sliding down a slide. The penguins slide to the bottom of the stairs and start climbing again... forever. It is cute but inane. 

Legend stares at the toy for a few moments, transfixed.

Legend - "I am happy."

Well, that was easy. 

Back Seat Driver

On the way to play group today...

Cash - "Red means stop, Auntie."
Me - "That's right, Cash. That's why I am stopped."

The light turns green.
Cash - "Go, Auntie!"
Me - "I know, I am going."

I turn my blinker on.
Cash - "Turn! Turn! Turn now, Auntie."
Me - "Yes, Cash. I am turning."

At another light, the left-turn light turns green, but I plan to go straight.
Cash - "Go, Auntie, Go!"
Me - "Not yet, Cash."
Cash - "Green means go. Go now, Auntie."
My light turns green and I begin to drive.

Cash - "Good Auntie. Green means go."

Reunion

Today is the first day Cash and Legend have seen each other since I got sick 9 days ago.

Me - "Legend, guess who is here!"
Legend squeals - "Cash! Cash!" He runs to the door.

I open the door to find Cash and his mom, Barbara. Legend is so excited he rushes up to them and blocks the door.

Legend, as I pull him backward to let Cash in - "Hi! Hi! Hi Cash! Hi! Hi! I'm Legend. I'm Legend! Hi! Hi!"
Cash stays silent and half-hides behind his mom's leg.

Legend continues, inexhaustibly - "Hi! Cash! I'm Legend! Hi! Hi! Hi!" He shouts and waves in Cash's face.
Me - "Cash, can you please say hi to Legend?"
Cash, quietly - "Hi."

Then off they run into the living room to make up for lost play time.

FYI

Hi everyone. You may have noticed that I am late on some posts. I apologize. I have been, and continue to be, very ill. I caught the real deal Influenza and it has laid me flat. I have therefore not been caring for any tots, not even my own. Legend is spending a few days with his grandparents in hopes that he doesn't catch this plague. I will resume blogging as soon as I am well and have the kids again.

P.S.  GET VACCINATED!

Costumes

Legend is very excited to see mommy's cat face and ears, and to put on his dinosaur costume.

Legend - "Tail! Teeth! RAWR!"

Later, Kayla comes to the door. She looks very pretty in her traditional Indian clothes. I bring out Legend's old dog costume I found in the closet the night before.

Me - "Legend, you were a dog last year. Look at your old costume." Oops.
Legend freaks out. He wants to be a dog instead.

Legend - "No 'saur! Dog! Woof! Dog! No 'saur!" He starts stripping, but the costume gets stuck on his feet. He tries to run away from the costume, but does a face plant in the hallway.
After those owies are kissed, he still wants to be a dog.

Me - "Legend, the dog is too small."
Legend - "I want dog!" He whines, nearly tantrums.
Me, shrug - "Okay, I guess we can try it on you."

I put the dog on him, but can't get the hood on.
Legend - "Ouch. Off. Off."
So we take the dog off.
Legend - "Dog! I want dog! On!"
Sigh
Me - "Legend, the dog is yucky, dirty, yucky." I lie.
Legend - "Yucky? Yucky! No dog!"

Me - "Want to be a dinosaur?"
Legend - "Yay! 'Saur!"


We finally get to the play group Halloween party, a little late now. Cash is already there with his mommy. Cash and Legend take one look at each other and immediately want the other's costume.
So, the mommies facilitate a trade.

There are also spare costumes at the party.
By the end of the party, Legend has been a dinosaur, a dog, a pirate, a turtle, and a lion, and I have been a very busy mommy-cat.

Priorities

Me - "Legend! I love you!"

Legend - "I'm hungry."

Auntie Sushi

Legend's Auntie Jody came for a visit this evening.

Auntie Jody and I are discussing what our plans for the evening should be and what we should have for dinner. We can't decide between sushi or Red Robin's.

Me - "Legend, do you want fries or sushi for dinner?"
Legend - "Sushi! Where is sushi?"

Me - "Well, I don't have any sushi here. I was just asking what you want to eat."
Legend, points at Jody - "There's sushi!"

Me - "No, that is Jody. Auntie Jody."
Legend, still pointing at his Auntie - "There's sushi."

Me - "That is not sushi. That is Auntie Jody."
Legend glares at me and screams - "SUSHI!"


We decide to go to the park for some outdoor fun before we go to dinner.  After a while, we start to get hungry.

Auntie Jody - "Are you hungry, Legend? Do you want to go get dinner?"
Legend nods - "Uh hun. Dinner."

Me - "Let's go get sushi."
Legend immediately points to his aunt - "SUSHI!"

Pumpkin

The other day, the tots and I made Jack-o-laterns. I cut off the tops and the tots dug out the innards. Then they painted their pumpkins and I cut faces into them, much to their delight. They were very pleased and proud of their pumpkins and were excited to show their respective parents.

Two days ago, Cash's dog ate his pumpkin.  His parents were afraid to tell him and were hoping he wouldn't bring it up.

Today, we are on a walk around the townhouse complex in which I live, and we come across some Jack-o-lanterns. The tots are very excited to see them, especially Cash.

Cash - "Pumpkins! Pumpkins! Auntie, where is my pumpkin?"
Me, deep breath, brace for impact - "Well, Cash...Your dog ate your pumpkin." Fake smile.

Beat.

Cash bursts into laughter.
Cash - "My dog ate my pumpkin?!" More laughter.
Cash - "Legend, my dog ate my pumpkin!" More laughter. "Where is Legend's pumpkin?"

Me - "Legend's pumpkin is at his house. The dog didn't eat his pumpkin. You are going to get a new pumpkin   tomorrow."
Cash - "Get a new pumpkin? Yay."

Me - "Yes, and you can paint it and put a face in it with mommy and daddy."
Cash - "Okay, Auntie."

We walk for a little while in quiet. That went well, I think.

Cash suddenly bursts into laughter again. "The dog chewed my pumpkin!"

Best reaction ever.

Socks

Legend is the official sock-puller-offer. Cash and Kayla will ask me to take their socks off, but I feel that is something they can learn to do for themselves. I have shown them how numerous times, so now I just say, "You want your socks off? Okay, take them off then."  They have stopped asking me. Now they ask Legend.

Cash walks in to the house this morning and, almost immediately, wants his socks off.
Cash - "Legend, I need help. I want socks off."
Legend smiles proudly - "Okay." He pulls the socks off Cash's feet, and laughs, victorious.
Cash - "Thank you, Legend."
Legend nods - "Uh-hun."

Kayla - "I want socks off too, Legend!"
Legend - "Help? Socks."
Kayla - "Yes."
Legend - "Okay." And he pulls her socks off too, pulling her across the floor by the foot as he does so.
Kayla - "Thank-you Legend."

The tots giggle as they run down the hall in their bare feet.

Birthday Presents

It is Kayla's birthday, and we are having a little party for her with some play group friends. It is time for her to open her presents.

Kayla sits down on the couch with all the other children around her, and is given a present to unwrap.

Cash - "My present? Another one?"
Me - "Today is Kayla's birthday, so all the presents are for her. On your birthday, you will get all the presents."

Legend, upon realizing none of the presents are for him, runs bawling down the hall.

Kayla gets another present.
Cash - "Where's mine? I want one."
Me - "Sorry, Cash. Today is Kayla's day so the presents are for her. You will get presents on your birthday. Do you understand?"
Cash - "Okay, Auntie." He sits quietly and watches Kayla open her gift.

Legend comes into the living room, and bawls, just to make sure I have heard him.
Me - "Legend, honey..."
He runs away from me, down the hall, to bawl some more.

Kayla is given one last present.
Cash - "Kayla's present, Auntie? Where's Cash's?"
Me - "All the presents are Kayla's. It is Kayla's special day. Understand? You will have a special day soon, okay?"
Cash, a little sad - "Okay, Auntie."

Legend comes into the living room.
Legend, pointing at Kayla's final present - "Mine!"
Me - "It is Kayla's turn to play with that toy, Legend. You will get a turn later. Do you want to read a story or play dinosaur's with mommy?"
Legend - "NO!"

He runs away again. He needs a long hug and talk to work through this one.

It must be difficult to be as selfish as a toddler.

Surprise?!

Preface: In order to add some extra incentive to potty training, Cash was given a new, inexpensive toy (surprise) every time he had his BM in the potty. He hasn't been given a new toy for potty success for a couple weeks now.

We have Cash late tonight, so we take him grocery shopping with us. He sees a Cars toy he would like.

Cash - "I want the surprise! I want it."

Me - "Not today, Cash."

Cash - "Yeah, I want the surprise!"

Me - "Nope."

Cash - "I have to poop in the potty first?"

Hi

Kayla does not like confrontation at all. If I scold her a little too hard (which is nothing more than saying her name in too deep a voice, or having an angry expression), she bursts into tears. She used to just put her head down and refuse to make eye contact if I said her name when she knew she was doing something wrong. It is an extreme contrasts from Legend who seems to enjoy being defiant, head-on.

Kayla has a new tactic now, which I actually like much better. For example:

At lunch time, Kayla keeps taking food out of her mouth and dropping it on the floor.

Me, in my serious mom voice - "Kayla..."
Kayla knows a scolding is coming. She puts on the cutest smile she can fake and looks me right in the eye.

Kayla, overly-cheerful - "Hi!"

It works every time, I have to admit. That is okay, though, because she stops the behavior anyway. It is win-win, really. We get to skip the part that is unpleasant for both of us.

Kiss it Better Jokes Never Get Old

Preface: Legend thinks having someone kiss better a scratch or bump is loads of fun. He loves kissing other people's pains, and he complains about old scratches to make whomever will listen feel sorry for him and kiss it better.

Legend is in the tub for his evening bath. I lather his bottom in soap.

Legend - "Ouch."
Me - "What hurts, Legend?"
Legend - "Ouch. My bum."

Me - "Really? Did I hurt your bum?"
Legend - "Ouch. Bum hurts."
Me - "I'm sorry."

Then he flips over onto his knees and points his bottom at me.

Legend - "Kiss it better?"

Not likely, my dear.
But he insists, so I kiss my hand and pat his bottom.
He nods.

Legend - "Thank you. Better."
Me - "Oh good. You're welcome."

I'm Stuck

We are in the car on our way to play group.

Legend whines - "I'm stuck! Out!"

Cash, very serious - "Auntie, I'm stuck too."

Kayla laughs- "I'm stuck too!"

Me - "Yes well, you should be stuck. We have to wear seat belts in the car."

Cash - "...in the car?"

Legend - "Help! I'm stuck!"

Kayla - "I'll help you, Legend." She pulls on his hand. "I can't do it."

Cash - "I'm stuck too!"

Legend - "Help!"

Chicken

At supper time...

Me - "Want to eat some chicken, Legend?"

Legend - "Bock bock."

Why does that seem like a really gross thing to say?

Boat Box

Legend climbs into an empty diaper box.

"Boat. Arrrrrr. Pirate!"

Then he grabs a dragon stuffed animal and uses the tail as a spy scope.

Legend - "Eye. Arrr. Boat. Water. Fish. Pirate. Arrrrr!"

Boxes always make the best toys; they are so versatile. 

Cake

Legend is crying mostly because he isn't feeling well, but also because he doesn't understand why Daddy and Mommy are so busy not playing with him.

Me - "Legend, we are getting ready for a party! It is cousin Joselynn's birthday party today. Your cousins will be there, there will be toys and games, maybe some balloons, some cake..."
Legend - "Cake?"
Me - "Yes, and Uncle Darcy and Auntie Ashley, and cousin Lena..."
Legend - "Cake? Party? Cake?"

Me - "Yes Legend, there will likely be cake. That is why we are so busy. We have to get ready to go. I am wrapping presents for Joselynn..."
Legend - "Party. Cake. Let's go!"

Me - "We will go to the party very soon, but not yet."
Legend bursts into tears again.

Pre-party nap time.

'Saur-izing

Legend is fanatical about dinosaurs. So much so that he inserts them into any conversation; he just adds 'saur onto the end of any other word. I am certain it makes the word that much better.

Getting into the bath:
Legend - "Watersaur!"

Sitting down to lunch:
Legend - "Hungrysaur!"

Playing with toy vehicles:
Legend - "Trrrrucksaur!"

Playing with Kayla:
Legend - "Kaylasaur!"

Watching a cartoon:
Legend - "Dorasaur!"

Looking at Mommy:
Legend - "Mommysaur!"

That last one is my favourite. He actually very rarely says dinosaur. Go figure.

Epic Dinosaur Battle

Legend and Cash each have a tri-ceratops, I have T-Rex, and Kayla has some other weird dinosaur that has big, curly clawed toes. We are having an epic battle in which the dinosaurs wrestle and try to push the other out of the owner's hands.

I let Cash's dinosaur defeat mine, and Cash gloats a little, then I have my T-Rex jump up and flip his tri-ceratops out of his hand. I give my best evil laugh.

Cash bursts into tears.

Me - "It's okay Cash. Pick him up, let's battle!"
Cash - "Oh, okay." He stops crying, picks up his dinosaur, and puts his game face on.

We wrestle the dinosaurs, and roar. It's battle-mania. (And nobody is getting hurt!)

It is a little too intense for Kayla though. She periodically comes over and gives me a kiss on the cheek while I am battling the boys. I have to say, it throws me off of my game a little. It throws Legend off too.

Legend, in the midst of battle - "Hi!"
He stops the fighting and has the dinosaurs embrace and kiss, just to make sure the dinosaurs have no hard feelings.

Pillow

Legend and Daddy are play wrestling/snuggling on the couch. Daddy is lying on his back and Legend is rolling around on top of him, tickling, snuggling, wrestling and giggling.

Legend stops the shenanigans and cuddles into Daddy's belly.

Legend - "Big pillow!"
Me - "Ha! That's rude."
Daddy frowns at us.

For Adult Eyes Only

We are doing a Halloween craft, with fall coloured paints and pumpkin and ghost cut-outs.

Cash - "I want a fuck."
Usually his pronunciation is quite good, so I am a little confused. I look around the table. Nothing there rhymes with fuck, and he isn't pointing at anything.

Me - "What do you want, Cash?"
Cash - "I want a fuck, please."
Me - "You want a frog?"
Cash - "No, a fuck." He is getting annoyed at me now.

Me - "You want a clock?"
Cash - "No Auntie. I want a fuck now please."
I am really confused, and starting to wonder if he picked up a bad word somewhere.

Me - "Maybe, a truck?"
Cash - "Yeah, a Frrrrrruck." He remembers, finally, to hold that R.

Laundry

Me - "Who wants to help Auntie with laundry? Who wants to help Mommy with laundry?"
All three tots come running into the bathroom, like it is a big privilege to do laundry.

I hand each one a piece of clothing from the washer and ask them to put it in the drier. They scramble to get the most clothes from me and eventually shoulder me out of the way and do it all themselves.

Kayla - "I am helping!"
Cash - "I do laundry!"
Kayla - "Thank you for helping, Cash."

How Applicable is "Kiss it Better"?

Legend is very ill today.  He has been running a fever all day, has a runny nose, head ache, and sore throat. He has reached the age where his complaints make it into words so I know what is bothering him. This is much better than him crying and me having to try to figure out what is wrong through trial and error, but sometimes, even though I know what hurts, I still can't do anything about it.

Legend opens his mouth wide and points inside - "Ow. It hurts."
Me - "Aw, does your throat hurt, baby? Take a drink of water."
Legend takes a sip, but puts the cup down immediately.

Legend - "No water. Ouch. It hurts." He points into his open mouth again.
Me - "Aw, I am sorry, honey. The water will help. Have a drink."

Legend pushes the cup away - "Don't want it. It hurts. Kiss it better?"

He opens his mouth as wide as he can and moves his face toward mine, trying to give me a clear shot to kiss his throat better.

Pool

Legend and I arrive at the pool.

Legend - "Oooh! Big water!"

And that is how I know his obsession with The Land Before Time series has gone too far.

Library

Me - "Legend, do you want to go to the library?"
Legend - "Wheeee. Slide?"
Me - "There is no slide at the library. Want to go to the library?"
Legend nods - "Uh-huh."

So we get our shoes and coats on, get in the car, and drive to the library. As I am getting Legend out of the car, I remind him where we have gone.

Me - "We're here, Legend! We're are going to the library now."
Legend nods - "Uh-huh."

We walk into the library and over to the kids' section.

Legend, shakes his head and waves his hand to dismiss the books - "No books. No books. Nah uh."
Legend marches back to the door - "No books. C'mere. Let's go."

Perhaps we should have gone to the park. At least he knows what a library is now.

Spike Bite

Legend is chasing me and his friends with Spike the dinosaur.  The dinosaur keeps "biting" us, and we all yelp and run away. It is a great game.

Legend holds the dinosaur up to Kayla's arm - "Spike bite!"
Kayla, done with the game, admonishes Legend - "Don't bite Kayla! My Kayla. My Kayla!"

Too Late

Kayla is really hyper today; there is no chance of a nap for her.  She and I play and cuddle for the 2.5 hours that the boys sleep, and finally they wake up at about the same time.

Me - "I am going to go get Cash and Legend. You wait here please Kayla."
Kayla - "Yay! Cash! Legend!" She jumps up and down and claps.

I go upstairs and get the boys.  In the two minutes I am upstairs, Kayla decides she is sleepy now. 
When the boys and I get downstairs, we find Kayla curled up on the couch.

Legend is happy to see her and runs up to her - "Kayla!"
Kayla - "I nap now. Go away."

Really? After 2.5 hours of opportunity, now you want a nap?  Too late girly.

Doctors

Legend comes upon a toy stethoscope at play group today. He puts the ear pieces around his neck and puts the end on my chest, and pretends to listen.

Me - "Thump thump. Thump thump. Can you hear my heart?"
Legend nods, very serious - "Uh-hun."

Then he puts the end of the stethoscope on my ear, then my other ear. Then he sticks out his tongue and says, "ahhh," so I do the same.

Legend tries to hide his smiles; he is a serious doctor.

Then he puts the end of the stethoscope on my forehead. Then on my cheeks and chin. He nods, satisfied, and hands the stethoscope to Cash.

Cash does the same routine as Legend. My heart, and all parts of my face get checked out.
Me - "Your are checking out my face a lot; do I have a skin condition?"
Cash - "Auntie's sick."
Me - "Oh no! Can I have some medicine please?"
Cash hands me a little cup from the kitchen toys.
I pretend to drink - "All better."
Cash - "No all better."

Cash bends down and puts the end of the stethoscope on my feet.
Cash - "Auntie's feet are sick."
Me - "Oh no! Can I have some medicine please?"
Cash nods and grabs the cup again.

He puts the cup on my foot so that my toes are inside the cup. He does the same to the other foot.
Cash, very seriously - "Auntie all better now."

Good thing I had two very professional doctors to fix my sick feet.

I Can't Do It!

We are on a walk on the paths by Mill creek, and Kayla decides to follow the boys on the exploration of the brush around the path.  By the time she reaches the point the boys were when she set out, the boys are long gone around another bush.

Kayla does her best to work up a boy-manipulating tear, but can't quite spit one out just yet.

Kayla - "I am stuck."
Me - "Come on Kayla, you can do it."
Kayla - "I can't do it!"
Me - "Yes you can. Just move the little branch aside and come back to the path."
Kayla glowers at me - "I CAN'T do it!"

I give her one more encouragement and leave her to her own devices for a minute, hoping she will muster up some independence.  She just stands there.  Sigh

Me - "Cash, can you go help Kayla please? Take her hand and bring her over to the path, okay?"
Cash, eager to be a helper, especially if it involves his sweetheart - "Okay Auntie!"

Cash walks easily through the grass and holds out his hand to Kayla.  Kayla takes his hand coyly and lets him lead her out.

Kayla - "Thank you Cash." Then she grasps on to my leg like she never intends to let go again.
Cash - "You're welcome Kayla." Cash hops up and down and looks at me for praise.
Me - "Thank you Cash, Kayla's hero." He inflates a little before he runs back into the brush.

Who says chivalry is dead?  Kayla sure plays the damsel in distress well.

Light Switch

Cash comes to the door in a wave of drama this morning. He refuses to take off his shoes and is very upset that his mom is leaving.

His mom tries to calm him, gets his shoes off with a struggle, and even runs to the car to grab a toy to distract him. Cash bawls and yells, "Mommy," as I pry him off his mom's leg and she escapes out the door.

As soon as the door clicks shut, the tears cease, just like a light switching off.

"Coat off, please. Go play now."

As Cash runs happily into the living room to play with Legend, I am left kneeling on the floor by the door, coat in hand, and mouth agape.  What just happened here...?

Sleepy Grizzly

We are at the wildlife zoo near Kamloops for the second time in two months (the place is that awesome).  Legend is exhausted from the day and we are on our way out of the park.

The last enclosure before you leave the park belongs to an old, gnarled grizzly bear. The bear was napping when we went by the first time, but now he is getting up for a stretch.

Legend has all but passed out on Daddy's shoulder, arms limp and eyes closed, so I don't try to make him look at the bear. He is spent.

A crowd has gathered to watch the bear stretch and yawn. We are all quiet, in awe of the massive animal.

"Raaawwwwwwwwwrrrrrrrrrrrr!" breaks the silence.  Legend has suddenly awoken and is as impressed with the bear as we are; he just expresses himself differently.

Train

Auntie Jody makes the mistake of finding a game Legend loves.

Legend comes up behind Auntie Jody and puts his hands in her back pockets. Auntie Jody starts to "Chuga Chuga" around the house. Great Auntie Cindy joins in behind Legend, and Legend just beams. Best Game Ever.

The aunties eventually get tired of the game, or tired of bending over, but they are not off the hook that easily.

Throughout the rest of the evening, Legend periodically demands, "C'mere," and waves the aunties over to continue the game.

The aunties, exhausted but endeared, comply. Over and over again.

Where's Mommy?

Cash struggles to open the fridge door.

Me - "What are you looking for, Cash?"
Cash - "I'm looking for Mommy."

Me - "Mommy is not in the fridge. She is at work."
Cash - "Mommy is not in the fridge?"
Me - "No, she is not in the fridge."
Cash - "Okay."

He wanders off into the living room to play with toy trains.

Woof

Legend points at Cash - "Puppy!"
Cash - "I am not a puppy!"

Legend - "Woof Woof. Puppy!"
Cash, very patient - "I am not a puppy. I am Cash."

Legend - "Shash."
Cash - "No. Cash."

Legend - "Shash. Woof woof."

Story Time Conversations

Daddy and I are reading stories with Legend before bed time. Legend points to the mommy Kangaroo in a Winnie the Pooh book.

Legend - "Tail. Dinosaur!"
Me - "That's a kangaroo."
Legend - " 'Saur!"

Then he points to a deer in a nature book.
Legend - "Moo!"
Me - "That's a deer. They don't really say anything..."
Legend - " 'Saur! Rawr!"
Me - "That's a deer."
Legend - "Quack quack."
Me - "Sure, deer can quack. Why not?"
Legend -  "Saur! Meow! Duck! Woof, woof!"

Okay, now we're getting really confused...

Boo

We made Halloween party invitations today.

I show the tots a sparkly foam ghost to stick on their cards and ask, "Do you know what a ghost says?"

They look at me silently for a beat.

I jump and yell - "Boo!"

All the tots start, then giggle. (There was a risk Kayla would cry, but she was in a good silly mood so it worked out.)

Later, Uncle Cody comes home from work. Kayla is very excited to show him the card she made.

Kayla - "Come see, Uncle Cody!"

Cody looks at the card - "Wow, great job Kayla! Look at the stickers and the ghost!"

Me - "What does a ghost say, Kayla?"

Kayla smiles - "Boo!"

Uncle Cody jumps and pretends to be scared. Kayla thinks this is awesome.

She chases Cody around the house with her card, "Boo-ing" Cody and laughing at his yelps. 

Suspicious Soy Sauce

Legend loves Soy Sauce, maybe even more than ketchup.

Tonight at dinner, Legend points at the soy sauce.
"More?"
Daddy pours a reasonable amount over Legend's rice dish.
Legend - "Thank-you," and takes a bite.

Legend - "More?" He points to the soy sauce again.
Daddy sprinkles a tiny little bit on Legend's rice.
Legend - "Thank-you," and takes another bite.

Legend - "More?"
Daddy takes the lid off and pretends to sprinkle some soy sauce on Legend's food, but doesn't tip the bottle quite far enough to let any out.
Legend, suspicious, stares at daddy for a moment, then takes a bite of food.

Legend - "More?"
Daddy pretends to take off the lid and shakes the bottle vigorously over Legend's food, trying a slight of hand trick.
Legend points to the bottle, "Off. Off." You forgot to take off the lid, Dad.
Daddy has been caught. He takes the lid off and plans to try the not-quite-pouring-it trick again.

Legend turns his head and moves in close; he makes sure tricky daddy actually pours sauce on his rice.

I used to joke that parenthood is 10% slight of hand, but we will have to be magicians to keep that rate up now.

Helper

Legend and Cash enjoy a very silly game in which they lay on the floor and back up so that their legs are under the couch. Then they yell, "Help!" The game is that I or preferably Cody, if he is home, then take them by the hands and pull them out dramatically.

Kayla keeps ruining their game. They yell help, and Kayla seems to believe them. She rushes over and takes their hands and pulls, with no result.

Cash - "No, Kayla. Help, Auntie!"
Kayla - "Help? Here you go Cash." And she grabs his hand again.

Cash stands up, anticlimactically.

Kayla - "There you go Cash. I helped."
Cash mumbles - "Thank you, Kayla."

It is nice that he humours her.

Stuck

Legend is denying his nap today, probably because he has been sleeping so well at night since we got him his new bed. I try for quite some time to get him to go to sleep because life is better for everyone involved if Legend gets his nap.

I hear Legend thump around, playing, and bouncing on his bed. I go tuck him back in. I hear him talking loudly and animatedly. I find him "reading" a story to himself. I tuck him back into bed. I re-tuck him at least six times.

Then I hear, "Help! Stuck! Stuck! Mommy! Help!"  This is the first time he has ever called be by name from bed.

I find him with his legs trapped, straight down, in the little gap between the bed, couch and wall.

I lay him back in bed and he says, "Thank you."

But, I still hear him running and jumping around, so I think maybe I will give up on nap time for him today.

Play group

Cash is dropped off at my house this morning and one of the first things he says is, "Going to play group? I want to go to play group please."

Monday is a play group day, so we all load up into the car (a bigger feat than it may sound), drive across town, spend two hours at play group, and load back up into the car for the drive home.

On the drive home, Cash turns to me and says, "Going to play group now?"

Was he expecting something else for play group? Or, maybe he just wants to go back already? I am hoping for the latter.

Wow

On a lap around the hall at a wedding reception, Legend finds himself behind the bride. She is resplendent in one of the most beautiful wedding dresses I have ever seen. 

Legend whispers - "Wow."

The bride moves to the side to speak with a guest, and her dress swooshes and shines.

Legend says more loudly - "Wow!"

The bride turns and looks down at Legend as he mouths another, "Wow." She smiles, charmed, and gracefully moves on. 

I hope he is that speechless to the beauty of his own bride one day. 

Dinosaurs get Owies too.

Legend and Cash growl and chase each other, each with a toy dinosaur in hand. The dinosaurs collide in epic battle, and the T-Rex falls to the ground.

Cash frowns as he picks his dinosaur up off the floor.

Cash - "Legend, you hurt dinosaur's foot."
Legend - "Oh no! Ow ow."
Cash - "Kiss it better?"

Legend tenderly kisses the outstretched dinosaur's leg.

Cash - "Thank you Legend."
Legend approximates "You're welcome."

Then the dinosaurs throw concern for fellow dinosaurs, manners, and language to the wind and are back to being growling, beastly enemies.

Princess

Kayla cries out, bottom lip jutted out improbably, because Cash stole her toy.

Cash immediately gives the toy back to Kayla and Kayla does her best to look cute, clutching the toy to her chest and leaning demurely against the couch.

Cash smooths Kayla's hair and kisses her on top of her head. Legend is a little jealous, and weasels in front of Cash to give Kayla a kiss.

Cash and Legend take turns kissing Kayla and smoothing her hair until she shoos them away.

She has got them wrapped around her little finger - already a master of womanly wiles.

Help Legend

We are at a park that has a platform high up and apart from the other platforms, with a big, twisty, yellow slide. It is meant for older kids that are able to climb up there. Cash insists he wants to go on that slide; he is a slide connoisseur.

I help Cash on top of the platform. Legend sees this and insists that he go up too. Legend has shown to be a little nervous with high places, and only starting to really enjoy slides, but he is adamant. I don't yet realize how bad of an idea this is.

Cash runs up to the slide and immediately plunges down it, happy as can be. Legend slowly approaches the slide. Many children pass him as he inches. He gets to the the slide, looks down, and says, "Uh-unh. No." He shakes his head, waves his hand, and calls, "down?" He won't come back over to me, where I can lift him down. He is stuck.

Cash is already asking to be lifted up to go down the big slide again.

I lift him up and say, "Help Legend go down the slide, Cash."
Cash - "Ok. I help Legend."

Cash runs past Legend and yells, "Legend, down slide! Come on!" He is gone again down the twisty slide, and back to my side before Legend can even yell out another, "No!"

Me - "Cash, please hold Legend's hand and bring him to me."
Cash - "Ok Auntie. I help Legend."

Cash runs past Legend, vaguely reaching for his hand on his way by. Okay, plan B.

I awkwardly climb up the narrow made-for-little-people ladder, duck onto the platform, and bring Legend over to the slide.

Problem: the slide is a closed tube, too short for me to sit and hold Legend to slide down. The platform is too high to ease him down to the ground. I am no where near dexterous or strong enough to carry him down the little ladder. How do I get my kid down?

I pretend I am going to ride down the slide with him on my lap, which he is okay with.

Then I push him down the slide.

Don' worry; he lived, but he bee-lined it to the other side of the playground as soon as his feet touched the ground.

Cirque du Soleil

I have my textbook open on my lap to a page that, oddly, has a picture of man and a woman from Cirque du Soleil in very elaborate, feathered costumes, holding each other in a very convoluted but graceful embrace.

Legend comes over to look at my book. He points emphatically at the Cirque pair.

"Oooh. Mommy. Daddy!"

I don't know whether to be offended or flattered.

Pee-a-thon

Kayla loves the potty a little too much. While the boys nap the afternoon away, Kayla spends most of her time on the potty. Sometimes she just hangs out, sits and plays with a toy or reads a book, but sometimes she goes on a pee-a-thon.

Kayla sits on the potty and tinkles, a tiny little bit, then hops off and points at it.
Kayla - "I did it! Auntie look. Kayla peed!"
Me - "Good job Kayla! Do you have to pee more?"
Kayla - "No."

So I clean out the potty and put it back together and before we can pull up her pants, she is back on it.
She tinkles, just enough to make the blasted music play, leaps up and points.
Kayla - "I did it. I peed!"

Me - "Good job Kayla. Are you all done?"
Kayla - "No."
Me - "Ok, sit down."
Kayla - "No. I peed."
So I wash it out again, and she plops back on it immediately, and pees a tiny little bit...

Repeat 16 times. 

Eat It

Legend has found a throat lozenge wrapper and it is suddenly his new best toy. He brings it up to daddy's face, opens his mouth and nods, asking daddy to eat it. Daddy shakes his head no, and Legend giggles and insists further that daddy eat it.

Daddy opens his mouth and Legend puts the wrapper in it, with a squeal of laughter. Through slight of face, Daddy ejects the wrapper while pretending to swallow it.

Legend is convinced, and his expression becomes one of worry. He looks into daddy's mouth with a concerned frown and a small voice.

"Uh-oh. Gone."

Ferris Wheel

Legend and I are at the fair, and Legend keeps pointing to the Ferris Wheel. He looks at me, pointing, smiles and nods, like he does to ask if he is allowed to do something. Preface: Legend gets scared on top of slides because it is too high up and I am not too keen on heights either; I do not think this is a very good idea.

I distract Legend with the train ride, which he loves; the Merry-go-Round, which he loves for the first few laps then wants off (I think he got too dizzy); and the Monster Truck ride, which gets him in touch with his manly side.

He points, smiles and nods at the Ferris Wheel again. So, I ask the man running it whether he will stop it if Legend panics and he says yes, so we get in line. Legend is really excited; the last time I went on the Ferris wheel, I was the one asking to get off after one round.

We get on and wait. And wait. We were the first on and this ride takes a long time to fill. Legend happily talks about all the things below, the rides we just went on and other kids. He seems happy even though we are so high up, when suddenly we swoop around and up. The ride stops just as suddenly and our seat rocks.

I catch my breath, and try to swallow a little leap of fear. Legend hears me, and looks at me with wide eyes. Why is mommy afraid? Should I be afraid?


I swallow, and smile, and point out the car ride below. I just about blew it there, but he relaxes when he sees I am not scared anymore. Little does he know, that I actually am a little scared, more so because he is with me. It is not just my life in the hands of a hung over attendant and a rusty old ride.

But I hear fear is learned, so I just keep smiling. Legend enjoys his ride, but thankfully does not ask to go a second time. When we get off he starts dancing to the ride music and pointing at something else. I am shaking, just a little. I am such a wimp.

Goodnight Bear

Legend has had the same bedtime routine since he was 5 months old: Bath, Body lotion, Teeth, Story, Song and cuddle, then bed. The older he gets, the more reliant he seems on his routine and on his special blanket and bear.

Tonight, I pull his blanket up so it just touches the left side of his face, just how he likes it. I lean down and kiss him and say "Goodnight", like every other night in the last year and a half. But tonight, he is not satisfied.

"Bear", he says, in a pitiful little voice. He struggles to get bear under the blanket with him. So I tuck bear in too, and give Legend a second kiss goodnight for good measure.

"Bear. Kiss."
Me - "Goodnight Bear." Kiss. "Goodnight my little man." Kiss.


A perfect little moment to finish a perfect, fun mom and son day.

Dora Brain

Legend points at me and smiles sweetly - "Mommy!"
Me - "That's right. I am mommy." I love it when he gets this right.

Legend points to himself - "Daddy."
I point at him - "Legend."
Legend - "Legend?"
Me - "Very good! Legend!"

Legend points to me again - "Baba."
Me - "No, Mommy."
Legend points to himself - "Backpack. Yum yum yum yum."
Me - "Delicioso!"

His little mind had circled back to Dora already.

Batman

Cash is playing with Batman on a motorbike. He has Batman zoom around and around the coffee table, then stop on the couch beside me.

"Wait, Batman. Wait." He scolds.

Then off he goes again.

Pie

Cash and Legend are playing happily in the back yard, when Legend turns to me and approximates the word "hungry".

Me - "Are you hungry Legend? Do you want a snack?"
Legend - "Hungry. PIE!"
Cash - "PIE!"
Me - "I don't have any pie. I can get you something else..."
Cash and Legend - "PIE!!" Giggles ensue.

The boys continue to yell, "Pie", and giggle at each other until I show up with oranges and granola bars.

Whoa! Pee!

Legend has been a keen observer of all the potty business his friends have been doing lately, and finally decided to give it a try himself.

He sits on the potty and smiles, like it is a big joke. Then he gets up and puts his bear on the potty.
Me - "Yay! Bear peed on the potty. Good peeing bear. Legend, can you pee on the potty?"
Legend nods and trades places with the bear and I hand him a book for the wait.

After a minute or so, he starts to pee. He is so surprised or excited that he leaps up, drops the book on the floor, and turns to look in the potty. The problem: he is still peeing. I turn him and position him quickly back on the potty and the little potty music plays.

He is so proud of himself, he goes and fetches Kayla to show her his success.

Pretty good for a first try, with only a book as casualty.

Stickers

Kayla had a great potty success so she got to pick two stickers to put on her hands, and one star sticker for the potty success poster.

She picks a dinosaur sticker first, then a car sticker for her other hand.
Me - "Yay Kayla. You pooped on the potty. You get stickers!"
Kayla - "A dinosaur, a car. I love it!"

She goes and sits down on the potty again.
Kayla - "I want stickers. I love it!"
Then she just hangs out on the potty for a while, waiting for her luck to hit, I guess.

Apparently this reward method is working well for her.

Pretty

Kayla is sitting on my lap and I am brushing her hair. Cash comes and sits beside us on the couch.

Me - "Kayla, you have such pretty hair. Doesn't she, Cash?"

Cash nods and smiles bashfully - "Kayla has very pretty eyes."

Kayla flutters her eyes and turns her head away coyly.

Aw, toddler crush.

Moon

The moon was bright in the sky this morning, a shining white half disc on crystal blue sky. The tots noticed it right away.

Legend points to the sky - "Moon!"
Cash looks up, points - "Look at the moon!"
Kayla also points - "Auntie, look!"
Me - "Oh wow. Look at the moon in the sky."
In unison, all three tots exclaim, "Wow", and continue pointing.

They eventually go back to running around and climbing the slide, but every couple minutes, one of them stops and points at the sky. The other two see what the one has started, and all three end up pointing at the moon and saying "Wow. Moon!"

Still Working on it

Cash and I are having a conversation about planes when Legend walks up, pats Cash on his chest, and says "Mommy". 

Cash is deeply offended, he curls his lip into a snarl and glares at Legend.

Cash - "I am NOT mommy! I am NOT Mommy, Legend. I am Cash!"

Legend, just to stoke the fire - "Mommy!" 

Cash looks like he might cry, so I step in to calm him and correct Legend. They go back to playing, but not together. Cash is clearly not talking to Legend right now.

And I thought it was important to me that Legend gets the mommy thing right. 

Bear, meet Dinosaur

Legend has a favourite bear. It is already flat and no longer soft; it looks like road kill, but Legend loves it and sleeps with it every night.

I am tucking him in to bed tonight and Legend has his bear snuggled into neck when he spots a little blue dinosaur stuffy on his floor. He is really into dragons and dinosaurs as of this week for some reason.

Legend - " 'Saur!"
Me - "Oh, does dinosaur want to go to bed too? Ok." I hand him the dinosaur and he throws his bear to me. Who needs a bear for protection when you have a dinosaur? But, a moment later he changes his mind so I put bear back into bed with him.

Legend picks up his bear, snuggles it, wiggles the dinosaur and roars.
Then he puts their faces together and makes a kissing noise.

I guess bears and dinosaurs can work (and play) together just fine.

Learning about Mommy

Legend has been saying "Mommy" a lot lately, which makes my heart soar. He has been mixing up which one is Daddy and which is Mommy, but he usually gets it right and I would rather be called Daddy than nothing at all.

Today I pick Legend up and hold him in front of me.
Legend - "Mommy". And my heart fills to bursting.
Then Legend looks down at my cleavage, pats my boobs and says - "Mommy."
I laugh and bring his chin up to look at my face. He looks down again, pulls open my shirts, grabs my boob and happily yells - "Mommy!"

Apparently he has figured it out.

Sprinkler Beat

On a walk this evening, Legend and I come across a yard with one of those sprinklers that tick-tick-ticks slowly one way than quickly back the other way.

Legend stops dead in his tracks as soon as he spots it, then he points at it and nods, his way of asking if he can go see it. I say no because it is chilly out and he shouldn't get wet and it is also in someone's yard. Legend continues to watch enraptured.

Suddenly, Legend breaks out into dance, bobbing and wiggling to the beat of the sprinkler.

He's got good moves, but I don't really care for his taste in music.

No Sleeping

Legend had an exciting more today including an hour in the play room at the H20 while mom and dad worked out (he had so much fun he didn't want to leave), and then we hit the farmer's market. He tried out the big blow up slide and went in the bounce house; he tried out some tasters at different stands; and he got his groove on to barn animal songs at a kids' booth.

We put him in the car to drive the 5 minutes home, and his eyes start rolling and his head starts bobbing almost immediately. We don't want him to fall asleep before he has lunch and mess up his routine, so we tickle him and talk to him, trying to keep him awake.

Legend's head bobs.
I tickle his belly - "No sleep! No sleep! No sleep!"
Usually this cracks him up, but today he only manages a sleepy smile and closes his eyes despite my tickling.
At a red light, Cody turns, pokes Legend and yells - "Legend! Don't sleep! Wake up!"
Legend barely opens his eyes, smiles, and his head bobs again.
He really can't keep his eyes open, but he just keeps smiling at us when we poke him and yell at him.

If the car ride were even one minute longer, I am certain we would have lost him to dream land, but we make it home. I open the car door and he looks at me lazily, then turns his face away and closes his eyes.

I guess it is nap time.

Cool Dude

Cash has an important evening in front of him, so just before his daddy comes to pick him up, I get him dressed up in a snazzy little man's outfit.

As I pull the collared grey shirt over his black t-shirt that reads "Talk to my Agent", Cash looks down at himself and nods.
He says - "I'm a cool dude! Nice shirt. I'm a cool dude."

And he's right. He looks sharp and is better dressed than my husband ever is.

Legend gets in line

At the park today, there is a large day care, 14 three year olds and 2 adults. The park is a long walk from my house, with no other parks close by, so we stay even though it is really busy and the tots meet some new friends and have fun.

After about 45 minutes, it is time for the day care group to head back for lunch. The women instruct the children to line up on the grass and sit on their bums. About half of the children ignore the women and have to be instructed 3 or 4 times before they obey; a couple children never end up obeying.

Legend obeys immediately. He runs over, gets in line and sits down on his bum with his hands neatly in his lap, looking expectantly at the day care woman.

The woman looks at Legend, laughs and says, "Good listening, friend."

Cash copies Legend's actions so that he can get some praise too and I have trouble convincing them to come away from the line. They are pretty sure they are going to get a sticker, or a game or song if they just sit and listen for a second. They likely remember when they once got stickers at the Energy plex because they included themselves in a gymnastics class line up.

Mommy/Auntie Kate is going to ruin everything.

Baby Dolls for Boys

Cash and Legend each have a dragon stuffed animal. They chase each other and roar like dragons.

Then, the game shifts. They both go sit on the couch and snuggle the dragons.
Legend - "Baby."
Cash gives his dragon kisses, so Legend does too.
Cash lies the dragon on it back- "Give a bum change."
Legend lies his dragon down, kisses it and says - "Night night."

Then the boys hop off the couch and start chasing each other again, back to dragons being dragons and boys being boys. It is nice to see their sensitive sides.

A Perfect Moment

Kayla says, "Watch me!" So, I turn to look at her and I realize she is actually talking to Cash, not me, which is a great interaction to see.

Cash stops and looks at her - "Ok Kayla."
Kayla jumps and flops onto the big bean bag chair.
Cash - "Good jump. My turn."
Kayla - "Ok Cash."
Cash jumps and they both cheer.
Kayla - "My turn!" She jumps.
Cash gets ready for his turn, but Kayla is still on the mat. He teases her - "I am going to jump! 1,2,3 Go!" But he doesn't jump on her. He smiles at her. They laugh, and she rolls out of the way for him to jump.

This little story may not be funny or seem cute to you readers, but I had to share it because I am just so proud of my tots for using their words so well and playing together, as opposed to alongside each other. My job in this moment is only to make sure they are safe; they are learning and practicing awesome social skills, including jokes, right now all on their own. LOVE IT!

Pig

It is very difficult to feed the tots pasta, granola bars, fruit and cookies, and basically feed them until they refuse to eat a single bite more; then throw away or store their left overs; then eat asparagus. But I have made peace with it, put a little salt on it, and sit down to enjoy my diet meal instead of consuming the entire contents of the fridge which I feel much more inclined to do.

Kayla walks over to me, looks at my plate, snorts and says, "Pig."

Not the encouragement I would have preferred.

Noses say Honk

Legend pokes Daddy in the nose and practices a good word, "Nose!"

Cash grabs Uncle Cody's nose and says, "Honk."

Mommy

I was so delighted this morning when Legend exclaimed "Mommy! Mommy!" and pointed at me. That was the clearest time he has ever said mommy.

A few moments later, the doorbell rings. We rush downstairs to find Kayla has arrived for the day. Legend runs up to her, points at her and says, "Mommy!"

My heart sinks a little as I try to tell him, "that's Kayla. I am Mommy."
He pats Kayla on the shoulder. "Mommy."

Damn, I thought we had it for a minute there. No such luck.

Bubble blowing technique

Kayla is quite good at blowing bubbles, and I don't think anyone could be cuter while doing so.

She leans forward and puckers her lips, like she is leaning in for her first kiss. Take into account her big brown eyes, beautiful brown skin, and sweet little sun dress and I wish I had my camera. A picture of her blowing bubbles would win any Cutest Baby contest.

Today she is leaning forward, trying to blow through the hook just right, but can't seem to get it this time. So, she sticks out her big, wet tongue and licks it instead.

Picture perfect.