Making the Most of a Virus

Ainsley has come down with a virus. It involves running a fever and having a headache, for the most part. She's been laying around this morning, which is difficult for a child who is usually on the go. Solution: make yourself a bed in your ball pit. That way you can play with your toys and promote healing at the same time. Oh, and watch a movie about Baby Jesus while your at it (hence the doll in the ball pit.)

Animal Atlas

Bennett has decided to create her own "Animal Atlas" book. Above is the first entry...the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. We are in the process of finding a fact about this creature to write down, because an animal atlas really should contain some facts about the animals. I'm pretty sure her next entry will be an Albino Crocodile because she already knows a fact about it. She's just trying to figure out how to draw one!

Collision Course

So, this has to have been one of Bennett's best ideas ever...stack up several cardboard boxes (that we'd been saving for friends who are moving) and drive full-speed at them on the Barbie trike. Oh, and wear your bike helmet, of course! A near roll-over...
Little Sister behind the wheel, or should I say, handlebars...
Check out the spectator seating on the right...
Ainsley doesn't pack much punch, even at full speed. Here she is about to topple one box off the top, which was about all she was capable of.

Specs

I don't know if the appropriate exclamation is "How cute!" or "Yikes!"

Real-Looking Fake Kitten Meets Daisy

Bennett's real-looking fake kitten tagged along to Grandpa and Grandma's for an evening around the campfire over the weekend. She (Bennett tells me that calico cats are almost always female) had the good fortune of meeting the neighbor's horse, Daisy, while there. Daisy did not seem to be very impressed with the kitten. She looks as though she's about to eat the cat, but rest assured...Daisy and the kitty are on opposite sides of the electric fence. Bennett would never truly jeopardize the the life of Real-Looking Fake Kitten. I'm pretty sure that this kitten was the best $5.99 we've spent on our child, as far as toys go.

Intro to Gelato

We took the girls out for gelato the other evening while on a roadtrip. It was their first experience with this treat. Bennett enjoyed hers but was slightly disappointed with the flavor she chose. Ainsley was not the least bit disappointed. I do wonder if she got more gelato in her mouth or on her face and shirt. I think we may have to kiss the shirt goodbye. I don't know if any amount of stain remover can salvage it. Oh well, every now and then it is great to see a tiny kid all trashed out in exchange for a great, fun experience.

An Artist Is Born

This morning, Ainsley took me by the hand and told me to come to the dining room to see what she had drawn in her "journal." Usually her sketches consist of a smiley face and the letter "A" but I was pleasantly surprised to see the above sketch. Of course, I had no idea what is was at first. But, she pointed to each item and explained that she had drawn the window, couch and pillows in our living room. Of course! I was so pleased to see this picture, and I am very excited to watch her begin this stage of "drawing" rather than just scribbling!

Close Call

I took Bennett, Ainsley and a cousin to a pond to feed some ducks this afternoon. When we arrived, we were greeted by one duck, one swan and at least 50 geese. My gut said "stay in the car" but like a fool, I unloaded the children and we began what soon became a bird feed to remember. Within 30 seconds of exiting the car we were surrounded by hungry geese. Mr. Swan was making his way across the pond toward us. We continued feeding until one feisty goose started coming right at me. He did not show any interest in my bread, rather he just kept coming at me. I started freaking out, which in turn caused small children to start freaking out. I quietly told them, "Get back in the car." They were frozen in fear as the geese were swallowing them up. Each command to "get in the car" became louder until finally I yelled, "GET IN THE CAR!" They all three piled over top of each other through Bennett's door and booster seat. I climbed in the passenger side over Ainsley's seat in the front because the feisty goose wouldn't let me in on my side. It was a moment of panic. We then proceded to feed the rest of our bread to Mr. Swan through slightly cracked windows, as he had finally made it across the pond to where we were. You can see him in the picture below. We will not soon return to feed the "ducks" unless there are only ducks present in a quantity less than five.

Love Notes

School has gotten off to a tearful start this year, as many of you know. Things are definitely improving, but I am certainly on Bennett's mind while she's away. Every day she brings home a note that she has written to me while she's had free time at school. Sometimes it features a drawing of her looking sad with a thought bubble above her head that contains a picture of me and a heart. Sometimes it is just text as seen in the examples above. Either way, the message is the same...she always loves me and misses me. That's good for a mom to hear, and I'm glad that she's getting better at expressing this with little to no tears!

Camel Rides

Grandpa was giving free camel rides the other night. The next day I saw him putting his knee brace on. Sorry, Mr. Camel!