Happy to Be Outside...Even in the COLD!

Millie's Cute Sayings

It's amazing how cute a toddler can be. She makes us laugh everyday! Here are some of her latest phrases:

• A lot of double negatives, like, "Do you can't catch me?" and "Did you didn't tickle me?"
• Referring to nail polish "Do only Millie's don't touch this?"
  
• After hearing my explanation of the difference between toenails and fingernails, she said, "Oh! You have a good memory, Mom!"
• I'll say something like, "Millie, I think it's time for a nap." She'll quickly reply in the same tone that I used, "I hink not!" and continue to argue about it for awhile.
  
• She's picked up on the phrase, "Oh, that's in...stirring!" as a good comment to something I say
  
• Without fail, when I spray hairspray on her hair, she'll say, "a yittle bit more...a yittle bit more...a yittle bit more."
• The other day when I let her use my lipstick, she held it up and said, "Oh, that's nice of you to share with this, Mom!"
• I'll say something like, "Millie, do you want to come sit in this chair?" and she'll say, "No...but thanks for aksking!"
• "Oh...my...gosh!" "Oh my goodness!" "Oh my darlin'!"
  

What Big Sisters Are For

Date Night Is NOT Supposed to be Like This

Why do we have to keep re-learning this lesson?

We had a good reminder that we need a date every week. Thanks, President Coleman! It was my turn to plan our Friday night date. "Let's just take the girls with us to dinner...It will be fun for them to get out" We've tried and failed with that before, but they are so much more grown up now.

China Star sounded good. Never been there before. They had beautiful big fish for the girls to look at. Everything went well until we had to sit at our table. Luckily there weren't many people there yet. The girls were squirming, screaming, and begging to go see the fish again. The water and wantons keep them happy for a few more seconds, but we quickly gave in and went to visit the fish tank again. This is where Paul and I actually got in a quick "love you so much...so glad to be on a date with you, sweetheart!" conversation (which turned out to be the only conversation we got with each other).

The food came and we sat down to eat. Gracie ate a little. Millie didn't like it--big surprise? We tried all our tricks to get her to eat, but with no success. Paul held Grace and tried to keep her happy while still managing to eat. My task was to keep Millie sitting down and somewhat quiet. The restaurant had a lot more people now. Millie kept leaning over to the table behind us. I thought that was harmless until she said loudly for all to hear, "I need to go poo-poo!" (over and over). Then there was more whining, crying, and a loud plate crashing down. I was SO happy to finally be leaving that place and SO embarrassed by our children.

Maybe this is why we struggle with date night. So, I've realized we either need to get a babysitter, get take-out, or go to Arctic Circle where the girls can play while I enjoy my hubby. Any other suggestions?

First Day in the BIG Nursery

We've experienced some rough drop-offs to nursery the past few months, so we were hoping she would grow up quick when she switched to the "BIG Nursery" class.

So, we talked about it for weeks, getting her excited for the switch. She loves the cute little potty in there, so that was the main attraction pulling her in.

On the big day, she got her hair curled like a princess, and she got to wear her beautiful new Sunday dress.

And as you can see from these pictures, it was a good day!



After nursery, we asked her what she learned about. She said, "Jesus." So I asked, "what did your teachers say?" (referring to the lesson) and she replied, "Millie, your hair is so beautiful! I like your pretty clothes."

It's true that we remember compliments and kind words.

Gracie Girl

Is 16 months old
Has a cute blond mullet
Still has some baby fat
Decided to walk on Christmas Eve
Has a bull-legged strut
Is teething in 4 places this week
Jabbers on and on to anyone who will listen, all the while shaking her head and pointing her finger
Makes a new friend each week in Relief Society, and probably disrupts the entire class
But if someone says "hi" to her, she usually makes a mean face and gives a rude grunt as if to say that she only wants to be held by her parents
Is a "daddy's girl" through and through
Whispers the word "dadda" with wide eyes, as if to beg for him to come home
Loves to read a book, cuddle, dance, wash her face, and watch shows
Can't get enough time talking on the phone
loves animals, music, and dollies
Is a treasure in our family.

One Way to Get My Mind Off It...

Migraine
All day long,
Long, long day.
Shades and curtains closed,
Wish my eyes were closed.
Meds don't work,
But some work must go on.
The girls don't understand,
But they don't mind all the TV.
No dinner on the table,
But nothing sounds good.
I'm glad for the reminder that
Most days I don't have a
Migraine.

This is not Millie...

It's "PRINCESS" Millie now...

For a long time there, people would call her a princess, and she was clueless as to what they meant. But thanks to a great Christmas gift from her cousins, and some bargain shopping by mom, she is now prepared to be a princess at any given time.

But there is a very good aspect of this new transformation:

"Princesses are always NICE!"

We remind her every day about this little fact. Most of her bedtime stories evolve around a Princess Millie who loses her crown, looks for it, finds it, and decides to be nice to others.

Isn't it fun to be a girl?