31 December 2016

We were in a toy store looking for birthday gifts for friends. Alyson wanted to show me something in the next aisle. She grabbed my coat and started pulling. When she saw her daddy she told him, "I'm pulling Mommy because she's slow...."

30 December 2016

When the girls were playing, they were pretending to be Wonder Woman and Batgirl and to be fighting a bad guy. It was an epic battle.

Madelyn: Let's pretend he hit both of us.

Alyson: He hit me in both the heart and the butt!

29 December 2016

I just happen to notice on Facebook that tomorrow (30 Dec 2016) is National Bacon Day.

Me: Huh, tomorrow is National Bacon Day.
Alyson: Is tomorrow the next day?
Madelyn: Yes!
Alyson: I just wanted to know because I can't wait for bacon day!

28 December 2016

While eating lunch, Alyson observed, "If I was a grown up, and I wanted this, I would make it my own way, and I wouldn't need to tell anyone."

27 December 2016

We were stopping at Starbucks for lunch today so we were figuring out the girl's orders.

Tony: Aly, do you want the protein box with the egg and stuff you normally get?
Alyson: And apple and peanut butter and SALT!

26 December 2016

Tony took the girls to Target to return Alyson's slippers that were too small to the elves stationed there.

Alyson: Daddy, where are the elves?
Tony: They're working in the store and are dressed like the Target employees. They have red shirts and tan pants. There's one.

The entire rest of the way through the store, the girls kept pointing out Target "elves" by saying, "There's one!" every time they saw an employee.

Alyson seeing a Target employee as they were leaving: Is that a Target elf?
Tony: I don't know. It might be.
Madelyn: How will Santa get the slippers?
Tony: Don't worry. Santa and the elves will use their magic to make sure they get where they need to go.

25 December 2016

One of Alyson's Christmas presents was a Cinderella doll with a magic wand that makes the doll sing and the dress light up different colors.

Cinderella doll: Are you my fairy godmother? Wave your magic wand and my dress twinkles and glows!
Alyson: No.... I'm not your fairy godmother.
Doll: I've always dreamed of going to a royal ball. Have you?
Alyson: Um, no....

24 December 2016

While Alyson was opening a Christmas present this evening, she exclaimed, "If this present is great, I'll thank whoever gave it to me!" 

23 December 2016

Alyson was playing random "songs" for us on a toy piano.

Me, clapping when she finished a song: Yay!
Alyson: Why'd you say "yay"?

22 December 2016

As Tony left to go run some errands, Alyson yelled after him, "And don't get lost at the stores! You don't want to live there!"

21 December 2016

Alyson was looking at a picture on the back of a book of children holding presents.

Alyson, pretending to be the children: Thanks, Santa!
Alyson, in a deep voice pretending to be (pirate) Santa: Yo ho ho welcome!

20 December 2016

Alyson and I stopped in the grocery store to pick up a few things, including coffee creamer. While we were deciding which one to get, Alyson grabbed the purple bottle of Bailey's Macadamia Brittle and said, "I'm going to get Daddy the purple one! He has to have it!"

19 December 2016

First

As we drove past Guitar Center:

Alyson: Is that Target?
Me: No, it's Guitar Center.
Alyson: Can you buy guitars there?
Me: Yup and other instruments and music things.
Alyson: Like drums?
Me: I think so.
Alyson: Can you buy batons there?
Me: Like what conductors use?
Alyson: It's the thing conductors use to make people who use instruments go.

Second

During lunch Alyson must have been thinking about her "Princess in Black" books (which are awesome by the way).

Alyson: Is there a leader for the bunnies in the Princess in Black?
Me: I don't know.
Alyson: I think the cutest bunny is the leader, but they're all cute, so they're all the leader!

18 December 2016

Alyson went to a birthday party today at a My Gym. She had lots of fun. During one of the games they played, they were pretending that the Nerf balls they had were snowballs, and they were having a snowball fight. Instead of throwing the balls at other people, Alyson threw them at her own forehead multiple times.

17 December 2016

In the book Tony read Alyson for her bedtime story, the daddy bear was teaching the baby bear how to run fast to dodge rain drops and not get wet.

Tony: Do you think you can dodge raindrops like that?
Alyson: Not yet. I need to practice standing on one foot.

16 December 2016

Today was another very cold day, but not as cold as yesterday. Yesterday, Alyson and I sat in the car at the bus stop waiting for Madelyn. Today, before going to the bus stop:

Me: Aly, do you want to walk to the bus stop or drive and sit in the car?
Alyson: Walk!
Me: You just don't want to sit in your car seat, do you?
Alyson: Yup!

15 December 2016

Alyson got sick this morning, so we kept her home from school to rest and still be able to attend her preschool Christmas program this evening. (Her teacher agreed with this plan.) She went to Mom's for a bit, and then I left work early to have her home for lunch and a nap. I decided to take a nap as well. After Alyson woke up, she came into my bedroom.

Alyson: Do I have to sleep more?
Me, knowing it was almost when I would let her get up anyway: No, but what are you going to do?
Alyson: I'm going to play quietly in my room because I know you would like to get more sleep, so I'll let you. 

14 December 2016

While I was fixing dinner, I had the girls help me out by stuffing Christmas cards.

Madelyn, to Alyson: We're elves!
Alyson: Why?
Madelyn: We're helping Santa-Mommy with Christmas!

Madelyn went on and on about being elves and helping "Santa-Mommy". Eventually, Alyson got annoyed.

Alyson: Why do you keep calling her "Santa-Mommy"? She isn't Santa!

13 December 2016

When I came into her room to say goodnight, Alyson was hiding under her covers. I was pretending to cry because she ran away.

Alyson: Why are you sad?
Me: Because you ran away and I'll miss you.
Alyson: I'll never leave you. I'm not even old enough to live by myself yet.

12 December 2016

We had cous cous with dinner tonight. Alyson was very confused by it and asked, "Why is it called 'cous cous'? Is it made of duck?" We figured out that she thought we were saying "goose goose".

11 December 2016

Madelyn and Alyson were arguing about something in the playroom when we heard Alyson ask Madelyn, "Can you please be a good big sister?"

10 December 2016

First

This morning I was telling Alyson the plan for the day.

Me: Madelyn's birthday party is this afternoon.
Alyson, confused: I thought Madelyn's birthday was yesterday.

Second

During lunch, we were talking about punishments for some reason. I don't remember how we got on the topic.

Me, teasing Alyson: Do you need to be punished?
Alyson: No, I don't need to be punished! ...I don't actually know what that means.

09 December 2016

As we were finishing up dinner, Alyson decided it was everyone's birthday and went around saying, "Happy birthday, Madelyn! Happy birthday, Daddy! Happy birthday, Mommy!"

08 December 2016

During dinner we were talking about Christmas Eve dinner.

Tony: We're going to have lasagna.
Alyson: Do I like that?
Me: Yeah, it's pasta and sauce and cheese.
Alyson: I'm gong to wait and see what Paisanos looks like.
Tony: Wait. Did you just say "Paisanos"? It's "lasagna".

07 December 2016

When I got to Alyson's preschool to pick her up, the woman at the front desk told me, "I love you little one! She came around my desk today to tell me 'You have the same coat as my mommy!'" We actually had just realized this a few days ago.

06 December 2016

Give a little kid chocolate cake, and she will make a mess.

Mom: I think you've got something on your hand, Aly.
Alyson: It's probably just chocolate.

05 December 2016

When Alyson gets in the car, I take off her heavy coat before buckling her into her carseat. Once she's buckled I put the coat over her lap like a blanket. Lately, Alyson has been taking the hood and putting it backward up on her face while we're driving. She did that on the way home.

Me, after Alyson had been quiet for a few minutes: Did you fall asleep under there?
Alyson: No! Not yet!

04 December 2016

We went to the Maryland Women's Basketball game today. Here is a sampling of what Alyson said.

During the pregame warm-ups, one of the other team's players made a basket. Alyson got excited and exclaimed, "It went in!"

During the other team's player introductions, "Scary" Testudo was shown on the score board looking around. After it was off the board, Alyson wanted Scary Testudo back. (The was the basically the nose up of this.)

All throughout the game Alyson was looking and keeping an eye out for Testudo because she wanted to say hi every chance she got. She yelled to him whenever she saw him, which he couldn't hear.

After one of the foul shots, I teased Alyson because she didn't put her hands up and our player missed. She made sure to tell me, "Make sure I put my hands up when I need to!"

03 December 2016

While we were working on a grocery store list:

Tony, yelling back to the girls in the playroom: Are you guys going to want cucumbers for lunch this week?
Madelyn: Yes!
Alyson: Yes!
Me: Are you really going to eat them, Aly?
Alyson: No.
Tony: Then why'd you say you wanted them?
Alyson: I dunno.

01 December 2016

The girls started their Advent calendars today. I fill them every year with things we buy. Alyson's has multiple items that are too big for the compartments. In stead she has a note that says "See Mommy." Today was one of those notes.

Alyson: A piece of paper?
Madelyn: Open it up!
Alyson, trying to open it: A sticky note?
Me: What does it say inside?
Alyson: But I can't read!

30 November 2016

We got a delivery today in a box that was much larger than it needed to be. Alyson was playing inside it and told me, "I want to stay here forever."

29 November 2016

Alyson loves jumping in puddles. It rained today, so she made sure to put on her rain boots before we we went up to the bus stop to get Madelyn. 

Alyson, disappointed that there weren't more puddles: There aren't any puddles for me to splash in.
Me: They dried up some.
Alyson: But, puddles is my life.

28 November 2016

During preschool today, Alyson's class read the Elephant and Piggie book "Waiting Is Not Easy" by Mo Willems. We have that book, so Alyson picked it out for her bed time story. While Tony was reading, he got to a line that said, "Wait for it." He pulled out his phone, queued up his music, began reading again, and played "Wait For It" from the Hamilton soundtrack when he got to that line. Alyson realized what he did and laughed at him.

27 November 2016

We went to Auntie Julie's for our monthly dinner today. We got home a little early because of having things to do to get ready for the workweek. We already packed lunches and Tony was cooking bacon for the week.

Alyson: Are we having pancakes for dinner?
Me: We already ate dinner at Auntie Julie's.
Alyson: Oh yeah!

26 November 2016

Alyson was watching me put on make-up this morning and was very confused about what I was doing when I was putting on eye shadow. She asked me, "Why are you coloring?"

25 November 2016

After we got the boxes of ornaments out to decorate the tree, Alyson looked at them, pointed to one of them, and said, "I like the ornaments in here even though I can't see them."

After we finished the first box of the two, Alyson looked at the tree and stated, "We're done. The tree is full now."

24 November 2016

While we were watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a Macy's commercial with a Santa balloon floating around came on. Alyson was watching in awe and quietly whispered, "Santa, I love you."

23 November 2016

First

Tony was zipping up Alyson's coat and started being silly by zipping it up and down quickly to the music that we had playing. Alyson was concerned and yelled at him, "Don't do that! You'll waste it!" I guess her coat only has so many zips.

Second

Alyson was going to help me make dinner. I quickly checked the recipe on my computer that was in the living room. She was waiting in the kitchen, but then peaked into the living room to ask, "Aren't you going to help me fix dinner?"

22 November 2016

This morning after Madelyn went to school and while Alyson was home with Tony.

Alyson: When am I going over to Grandma's?
Tony: After lunchtime.
Alyson, every 10-15 minutes after that: Is it lunchtime yet? I'm ready for lunch because I want to go to Grandma's!

21 November 2016

Alyson was being silly all day today. Here is just one example. She got out some toys and said, "I'mma gonna be a duck playin' a drum!" And then started doing this (Sorry about the blurry photo):

20 November 2016

As usually, Madelyn was singing songs from "Hamilton" all day today.

Madelyn, singing: Pardon me are you Aaron Burr, sir?

Alyson: No! I'm Aly!

19 November 2016

Typical interaction between them while in the car on the way home from seeing Santa today:

Alyson, yelling: Ow!

Tony: What are you guys doing back there?

Madelyn, sounding guilty: Playing!

Tony: Why does playing sound like it involves hurting Alyson?

Alyson: Madelyn didn't hurt me. I hurted myself.

18 November 2016

While listening to "The Schuyler Sisters" from the "Hamilton" soundtrack, during a part where only females are singing:

Alyson: Who's singing?
Me: Angelica.
Alyson: This isn't King George singing because it doesn't sound like King George.

17 November 2016

Alyson was a little board during Curriculum Night at Madelyn's school. She was sitting near the bookcase in the classroom and started looking at books. After about eight books:

Alyson: I'm tired of looking at books.
Me: Okay, then sit their quietly.

After less than a minute, she pulled out another book to look at.

16 November 2016

During dinner, I was complaining to Tony about something at work.

Me: One, he had -
Alyson, cutting me off: TWO!

15 November 2016

First

Me: What do you want to get Grandma for Christmas?
Alyson, looking around the kitchen: A bib because she always makes a mess!

Second

During dinner, Alyson was telling us about her day. She said, "I read a book all by myself! I remembered it all. I didn't need any help. I'm so magical!"

14 November 2016

Me: What do you want for lunch tomorrow?
Alyson: The same thing I had today, but no cucumber and no popcorn. And, I want different jelly.
Me: Okay, so you really don't want the same thing as today. Which jelly do you want?
Alyson: Peas.
Me, confused: You want peas for lunch?
Alyson: Yeah, peas.
Me, still confused: Like green peas?
Alyson, laughing: No, the jelly that's a different flavor and looks orange.
Me: Oh, you want peach jelly!

13 November 2016

After dinner, Alyson had a green Dum-Dum Lollipop.

Alyson, opening it: What flavor is this?
Me, looking at the wrapper: Its "mystery" favored.

Madelyn, after Alyson had tasted it: So, what flavor is it? Apple?
Alyson, thinking: It tastes like Mystery!

12 November 2016

While on the way to the grocery store:

Me: What veggie do we want with dinner tonight?
Alyson: Coconut!

11 November 2016

On the way home from dinner, Alyson saw the moon and yelled, "I see the moon! It glows in the dark!"

10 November 2016

Multiple times today, Madelyn and Alyson got into arguments. For the most part, neither of them did anything wrong, they just disagreed on something. The one who was mad would announce being mad and storm off to another room, such as the play room, and shut the door. She would stay there for a while playing or doing whatever else by herself. Finally, she would come out and act like nothing happened. At least it was quiet!

09 November 2016

After Tony finished reading Alyson her bedtime story tonight, Alyson said, "I like that book because it doesn't have any bad guys in it. The red girl had a bad wolf in it that only liked to eat little girls."

08 November 2016

When I picked the girls up today, they were coloring. Alyson wanted to hang some pictures in their hallway, but messed up the tape. She said, "Uh oh, my getty-ohs!"

07 November 2016

During dinner, Alyson looked at me very seriously.

Alyson: Did you go to work today?
Me: Yes....
Alyson: What did you do at work today, Mommy?
Me: Um, some paperwork and checked some stuff.
Alyson: Is that all you remember?
Me: I talked to people.
Alyson: Oh, okay!

06 November 2016

Before we left Mom and Dad's house after getting the girls, they needed to make their beds.

Me: Why don't you go make your bed? Make it a race!
Alyson to Madelyn, who was already in the room starting to make her bed: I'm going to give you a head start!

05 November 2016

I called Alyson over to sit next to me on the couch to look at something.

Me: Sit down, cuteness.
Alyson: Yeah, 'cause I'm cuteness!

04 November 2016

I was carrying Alyson upstairs to get ready for bed.

Me: Are you holding on tightly?
Alyson, adjusting her arms and legs a little tighter: It's like a piggy back ride, but not because I'm on the front and not the back.

03 November 2016

Alyson was dancing to a basic drumbeat playing on the keyboard this afternoon. She looked at me, yelled, "This is my robot dance!", and started doing a pretty good robot.

02 November 2016

I called Alyson into the kitchen.

Me: Hey, Als!
Alyson: You like calling me "Als".
Me: Yeah, is that okay?
Alyson: Yeah.
Tony: What is Daddy's name for you?
Alyson, after thinking: I don't know.
Me, getting ready to open the oven door: Watch out, Boo.
Tony, after Alyson didn't catch what I called her: What's Daddy's name for you, Aly-boo?
Alyson: I don't know.
Tony: Really, you don't know, Aly-boo?
Alyson: Oh! Aly-boo!

01 November 2016

During dinner, Alyson looked at me with squinted eyes and seriously and matter-of-factly said, "You look blurry."

31 October 2016

While we were trick-or-treating at one house we went to:

Person at the house holding out a bowl of candy: What would you like?
Madelyn: Can I have a Kit Kat? Those are my favorite!
Alyson: Can I have a Kitty Kat?

30 October 2016

We were listening to the "Hamilton" soundtrack in the car because that's all the girls want to do know. The song sung by King George called "You'll Be Back" came on, and Alyson said, "King George is crazier than me!"

29 October 2016

During dinner, Madelyn's sweet potato fries were making a "V" on her plate.

Alyson: What letter is that?

Madelyn and Tony both held up their hands with the sign for "V", which is holding up the index and middle fingers in the shape of a "V".

Alyson: Two?

28 October 2016

Alyson came into our room this morning while she was getting dress and was talking nonstop. She looked at me and exclaimed, "I'm a talking mess because I won't stop talking!"

27 October 2016

While we were all talking about our days during dinner:

Tony: Did you go outside to play today?
Alyson, thinking: Hmmm... I don't remember.

Oh, three-year-olds.

26 October 2016

I reminded Alyson that we had to go to Madelyn's school after I picked her up in the afternoon.

Me: We'll have to leave quickly when I come pick you up because we need to go to Madelyn's school, but guess what.
Alyson: What?
Me: Madelyn's teacher said you could see her classroom!
Alyson, jumping around in circles: Yay!!!!!

25 October 2016

Alyson and I were walking around the park during Madelyn's soccer practice. We got to the end of the sidewalk, and a car was stopping at the stop sign there. Alyson responded, "Aahh! A car! Cars can't drive on the sidewalk because it's too bumpy."

24 October 2016

This doesn't really need an introduction. Preschoolers singing songs they learn in school are just cute.

(Unfortunately, I can't load the video because it's too big.)

23 October 2016

After Tony finished reading Alyson "Amelia Bedelia Goes to School" as her bedtime story:

Tony: Do you have any silly teachers like Ms. Edwards?
Alyson: No, but [boy in class] is silly.
Tony: Are you also silly?
Alyson, after thinking: Yes.... [boy in class] and me are silly.

22 October 2016

While we were saying good night tonight:

Me: You have your sports class tomorrow, so you'll see [friend in her preschool class].

Alyson, in a tone of correcting me: You mean that I "should" see him. He might not be there.

21 October 2016

When the girls were cleaning up before bed, Alyson stopped cleaning and looked like she was done.

Me: Is everything cleaned up in the living room?
Alyson: Probably.

20 October 2016

When we got to Madelyn's school this afternoon, we cut through the grass from the parking lot to the sidewalk. I was a bit ahead of Alyson.

Me, holding my hand out and looking back: Come on.
Alyson, trying to run: I can't run very fast! All of this grass is slowing me down!

19 October 2016

Madelyn was mad at me for not letting her play on the iPad, so she was crying in the playroom. Alyson was at the kitchen table working on a dry-erase writing book. Alyson told me completely seriously, "When I'm done, I'm going to go ask Madelyn to stop crying because I'm getting annoyed."

18 October 2016

Before bed Alyson informed me, "[Boy at school] is silly like Amelia Bedelia. But, I'm not silly like Amelia Bedelia because I'm a silly goose. I can't be a goose and Amelia Bedelia!"

17 October 2016

Alyson was heading to her room to change into her pajamas. She ran into her empty room and yelled, "BOO!" Then, she came back into the hall where I was and told me, "I scared my room."

16 October 2016

When Tony said good night to Alyson:

Tony, as he tucked her in: Good night.
Alyson: Make me an Aly-burrito until Mommy comes in!

He tucked the covers under her and made her into a burrito.

Me, as I went into her room: You wanted to be an Aly-burrito! Yay! Aly-burritos are tasty!

I pretended to nibble on her as she untucked herself and pretended to nibble on my nose.

15 October 2016

On the way home tonight, we noticed the huge full moon. Alyson wondered, "Is the moon following us? Now, it's hiding from us because I can't see it behind the trees!"

14 October 2016

Around 10:30 this morning, Alyson helped Mom make some Jell-O for their dessert tonight. Just about every half hour after that, Alyson impatiently asked her grandma, "Is it time for dinner yet?"

13 October 2016

While we were waiting at the bus stop, Alyson was watching a butterfly. For a few seconds, she lost were it went and called out, "Butterfly? I love you! Where are you? There you are!!!"

12 October 2016

As we drove away from preschool:
Alyson: I have mail in my bag.

Me, having already looked into her preschool tote bag to see what was in it: I saw you had some papers.

Alyson, indignantly: I HAVE MAIL!

11 October 2016

We often have interesting dinner conversation.

Alyson: How do you die?
Me, not sure how to answer: What do you mean?
Alyson: How do you die?
Me: Do you how your body stops living or what can make you die?
Madelyn: Or do you mean how do you dye something to add color like when people color their hair and not passing away?
Alyson: Yeah! How to add color! How do you dye?
Madelyn: Okay, you can dip things in colored water.
Alyson: Okay!

Only sisters understand each other this way.

10 October 2016

Alyson loves cuddles, but is usually too full of energy to sit for any length of time. She had been a bit fussy and not acting quite right this afternoon. She sat next to me on the couch, put her head down, and in a minute was snoring through her stuffy nose.

09 October 2016

During her sports class this morning, Alyson suddenly realized that her friend from preschool wasn't there. Just last week she was proud that she knew his name. She asked me, "Why isn't that boy from my class, what's his name, here?" Oh, the memory of a three-year-old.

08 October 2016

Alyson was trying to decide which toy she wanted to sleep with. She chanted, "Eeny, meeny, miny, mo. Ketchup tiger by a toe. If I holler, let him know. Eeny, meeny, miny, mo."

07 October 2016

While we were walking, we saw a lot of dogs. Alyson started talking about how much more she likes cats than dogs, "I like baby cats. That's why I call them kittens!"

06 October 2016

The girls and I were having a dance party after we got home today. The best way to describe Alyson's dancing at one point was "uncoordinated three-year-old slowly twerking". She yelled out, "I'm shaking my butt!" Then, she turned so that her back was to us and continued shaking her butt while yelling, "Everyone, shake your butt!"

05 October 2016

After leaving preschool Alyson informed me, "I know the name of a kid in my class! It's [girl's name]! I didn't tell you I knew [boy's name] because I know you know that I know his name." The boy is also in her sports class on Sunday and then play together for large portions of the class.

04 October 2016

It was pretty buggy at the bus stop with little gnats flying around. I was holding Alyson when a bug flew to my face. She tried to swat it away while yelling at it, "Bug, go away! Stop bugging Mommy!"

03 October 2016

Alyson talked non-stop today, so it is really hard to pick one thing she said. She definitely did a silly thing this afternoon. We were taking things out of a big box from Soap.com. There was a two-pack of toothpaste that came as two separate boxed tubes. Alyson asked me where they go, and I told her our bathroom. When I came upstairs later, I found that she had put one box at my sink and one at Tony's.

02 October 2016

The logic of a three-year-old: "The reason the sun comes out during the day is so that we can see outside."

01 October 2016

After drinking some apple cider this afternoon, Alyson informed me, "Mommy, that was the best apple cider! It filled my whole body up!"

30 September 2016

While at Target today, we bought Alyson's Cinderella Halloween costume. She wanted to put it on when we got home. It's big and poofy and glittery. After a little bit of wearing it:

Alyson: Can I take it off now?
Me: Why don't you wait until Daddy gets home so that he can see it? He's almost home.

A little bit later as Tony walked in the door:

Alyson: Look, Daddy! I got a Cinderella dress! Can I take it off now?

29 September 2016

When we got into the car after leaving Mom's the windshield was covered in raindrops. As I started the car, Alyson asked, "When are you going to turn on the up and down squeaky thing and clean the window off?"

28 September 2016

First

While we were at the bus stop this afternoon, there was a little dog that thought it was a big dog yapping madly at the big dogs going by. Alyson observed, "Wow, that's a hyper dog."

Second

Filed under three-year-olds are random: During dinner Alyson asked, "Why is it not good to eat a house?"

27 September 2016

During dinner, Alyson randomly started reminiscing about her last birthday party: "Remember at my Doc McStuffins birthday there were so many people that some people were sitting up there [points to the bar] and I was sitting in my chair over there and Grandma cleaned me up. I don't remember if Madelyn was borned yet or not."

26 September 2016

The little girl is not so good with names yet. As we were leaving preschool:

Alyson: I know one of the girls in my class's name!
Me: What is it?
Alyson: It's [inaudible] or something like that.

25 September 2016

During dinner, Tony jokingly asked the girls if they wanted Brussels sprouts this week. Alyson wasn't really paying attention, but had an opinion: "Do I like that? I don't want it. What are you guys talking about?"

24 September 2016

On the way home from Julie's this evening as the sun was setting.

Madelyn: Is the sun the brightest light?
Alyson: No. Light is the brightest light.

23 September 2016

After Tony put some hydrocortisone on one of Alyson's monster bug bites, Alyson informed us, "Bug bites need to heal because they're like scrapes, only bumpier."

22 September 2016

Alyson was showing Madelyn her shape picture from school. On it, she had glued shapes to make a house. Next to the house was a circle with a rectangle on top of it. Alyson told Madelyn, "That's a tree, but I decided I didn't want to make it like a tree, so I did it upside-down." Well, okay.

19 September 2016

Before she went to bed, I talked to Aly on FaceTime since I'm in Boston (well, actually Google Duo, but same idea). When we were ending the call, she actually hugged and kissed the phone to say good night to me.

18 September 2016

Alyson was excited when she figured out what we were having for dinner, and ran to tell Madelyn while yelling/singing, "Pancakes we are having! Oh yeah! Oh yeah!"

17 September 2016

We rode bikes today around our city to visit some parks. We have a bike "trailer" for Alyson that attaches to the back of a bike and is essentially like pulling a carriage. The trailer was attached to my bike, and was pretty heavy with Alyson and our picnic lunch in it. As we were going up a hill:

Alyson: Why are we going to slow?
Me: Because you're heavy.
Alyson: Really?

16 September 2016

I was sitting on the bench at the dining room table and Alyson was sitting on the floor with her head on my foot.

Alyson, teasingly: I'm sitting on your foot!
Tony: No, you're laying on Mommy's foot.
Alyson, sitting up and starting to move: Fine! I'll sit on her foot!

15 September 2016

On the way to Mom's after preschool, Alyson was asking me random questions like when I last got my car washed. She was impressed that I could answer the question and told me, "You have a better remembery than me."

14 September 2016

During Madelyn's soccer practice, Alyson and I went to play on the adjacent playground. Alyson was slowly walking behind me.

Me: You coming?
Alyson: I'm just walking slowly so I can fix my necklace because I wanted some privacy.

13 September 2016

Alyson would not hold her head still this morning while Tony was trying to do her hair.

Tony, trying to explain to Alyson why she needs to keep her head still: When you turn your head, I have to start over with your ponytail or half ponytail. That's why we ask you to keep your head still, not because I am a big meanie head. Am I a big meanie head?
Alyson: No! You're not a meanie head!

12 September 2016

Alyson and I went for a walk after dinner and after Tony and Madelyn left for CCD. While on our walk, we saw a dead animal (squirrel or some other rodent) on the sidewalk.

Alyson: What was that?
Me: A dead animal.
Alyson: Dead animals are part of nature.
Me: Yup, animals are part of nature whether they are dead or alive.

She then went on listing everything she saw that was part of nature such as leaves, trees, and plants, but not cars.

Alyson, when we got home: Well, we did find one think about nature - a dead animal!

11 September 2016

Tony had taken Madelyn out to get soccer cleats after dinner. Alyson had had a cold and was a bit cranky, so I stayed home with her to give her a bath and get her to bed. Tony usually reads Alyson her bedtime story. When it was story time, I took the top book off of the pile closest to the rocking chair as per Alyson's orders.

Alyson, as I put the book on the pile after we finished reading it: No! It goes on that pile.
Me, as I put the book on the shorter, farther away pile instead: Okay then.
Alyson, giving me a lecture: This pile is the books we haven't read. That one is the ones we read. If it's a long book, I only get one book. If it's a short book, I get another book. But, if it's two short books, I get another book. But I don't get two long books. When we're done this pile we get new books for the pile.

10 September 2016

During dinner after giving thumbs-up to her food:

Alyson, giving me two thumbs-up: Two thumbs-up for you, Mommy, because I love you!
Tony: Does anyone else get thumbs-up?
Alyson, giving two thumbs-up to Tony: You get two thumbs-up because I even love you, Daddy.

09 September 2016

Alyson was getting ready for a little screen time on an old iPhone. It had been asking about doing an update, but I hadn't been doing it before she started playing because you can't keep a three-year-old waiting for something like that. Alyson tapped the button on the notification before I even noticed it.

Alyson, showing me the phone: Um, Mommy, what is this?!?!
Me: Oh, you started the update. You're going to have to wait a few minutes.
Alyson: A few minutes? Like one-hundred minutes?

08 September 2016

On the way home this afternoon:

Alyson: When are we going to have a play date with [old neighbor]?
Me: I'm not sure.
Alyson: Do you even know where they moved to?
Me: I know about where, but not the exact house.
Alyson: Maybe their house has a gingerbread front door!

07 September 2016

When Madelyn was in preschool, she would answer the "What did you do today?" question with, "I played and played and played until it was time to go home." Alyson has heard about this a few times. After I picked her up from her first day of preschool without parents there:
Me: What did you do today?
Alyson, starting to giggle: I played and played and played until I was done!

Oh, that little trickster! 

06 September 2016

Alyson was bored at the bus stop while waiting for Madelyn and decided I needed a leg accessory.

05 September 2016

When I got home from my run this morning, I noticed a scrape on Alyson's chin.

Me: How'd you get that scrape?
Alyson: What scrape?
Tony: The scrape you just got while playing with Madelyn.
Alyson: Huh?

Turns out that they were playing with their new wooden shields maybe an hour before I got home. Madelyn got a little too into it and accidentally hit Alyson in the chin. Good thing it didn't phase her at all.

04 September 2016

Alyson was really tired when we left the Renaissance Festival today. She was fighting sleep in the car. When I noticed that she was finally asleep and was about to say something to Tony, she realized she had been caught. Alyson jerked her head up and fought to stay awake the rest of the right home. I told her that she could go to sleep if she was tired. Her response was, "NO!"

03 September 2016

Alyson was being really silly during lunch.

Me: You're acting really crazy, silly goose!
Alyson: I think I was born way crazy!

02 September 2016

This afternoon, Alyson came with me to the bus stop to wait for Madelyn as usual. Tony, who took today off from work, stayed home to work in the garden a bit. While we were at the bus stop, Alyson decided she was thirsty and wanted her water. We can see our house from the bus stop, so I texted Tony to ask him to meet Alyson in front of the house. When I gave Alyson permission to head home, she was so excited that she started to gallop away. I yelled to her to make sure to check for cars at the driveways, knowing fully that none of our neighbors were home and would be backing out of the driveways. Alyson galloped to the first driveway, stopped quickly, deliberately looked both ways, and galloped on. She did that at all three driveways she passed on the way home.

01 September 2016

The girls were up a little earlier than necessary this morning, so they were playing in Madelyn's room until we got up. Tony went to get them.

Tony: It's time to stop playing and get ready for school.
Alyson, excited about her first day of preschool came jumping out of Madelyn's room chanting: School! School! School! School!

31 August 2016

We had salmon tonight, which the girls like, but I fixed it a slightly different way this time because I was tired of having it the same way every time.

Alyson, after taking a bite: Thumbs down because I don't like this on top. [She pointed to the seasoning.]
Me: It's just seasoning with sweet red bell peppers and...
Madelyn: Does it have herbs like pizza plant?
Me: Yup!
Alyson: I love pizza plant! [She excitedly tried another bite.] Double thumbs up!

She then went on to eat all of it, go figure.

30 August 2016

During dinner:

Madelyn: I like strawberry dressing and salad and chicken.

Alyson: I like nature.

Huh? What?

29 August 2016

Profound thoughts from a three-year-old: "I know that when I'm as big as Madelyn I'll still be Alyson, right? I'll just be bigger."

28 August 2016

When we were walking through a parking lot:

Alyson: Why do the cars have fake crabs on them?
Me: The Maryland Crab magnets? Because Marylanders like crabs.
Alyson: I don't like fake crabs. I only like the kind you get eat because they're yummy.

27 August 2016

The dress Alyson was wearing today was a little too big on her. While she was playing, she told us, "This is a little big on me. That's why it keeps falling off my elbows [pointing to her shoulders]. But, it's okay because I'll grow into it!"

26 August 2016

The girls spent the night and Mom and Dad's last night and are spending the night again tonight. They must be having lots of fun because around 4pm, Alyson asked her grandma, "Is it time to go to bed yet?"

25 August 2016

I stayed home today for Madelyn's Open House for school this afternoon. Before lunch, we went to the park and then for a walk on a path through the woods. I had Pokemon Go open on my phone to track the distance, but wasn't actually playing. The battery saving mode was on and my screen was black. Suddenly, Alyson yelled, "I just saw a pokie ball!" I was so confused about what she was referring to because she said it exactly like "Pokeball".  Turns out she was talking about the seed pods from a Sweet Gum Tree.

24 August 2016

When I got to Mom and Dad's to pick up the girls, they were dressed up and having a Halloween party. Madelyn was wearing a super hero cape and a mask. Alyson was wearing a tutu.

Madelyn: Do you recognize who I am? Did you know it's me? What about her?
Alyson: Yeah, do you know who I am?

Um, yes, kiddos.

23 August 2016

When we were outside this afternoon, I picked a raspberry for each girl. A few minutes later:

Me, near the raspberries: I have another one here. Who is it for?
Alyson, who was standing right next to me: For me because I'm right here!

22 August 2016

When we were deciding on what to have for dinner with Mom and Dad tonight.

Me: Didn't you guys have spaghetti today for lunch? Do you really want Noodles & Co.?
Madelyn: They have other stuff like salads and sandwiches.
Alyson: They have company stuff!

21 August 2016

Alyson was sitting on my lap and cuddling with me during Mass this morning. She lifted her head off of my shoulder, looked me straight in the face, and whispered, "I love..." She paused slightly, and I thought she was going to say "you, Mommy" because she does that often and she was saying it the same way. Instead she finished the sentence with, "... Jesus."

20 August 2016

A couple of weeks ago, the girls went to DC with Aunt Gina and Uncle Matt. While there, they were at Union Station. As we pulled up to the arrivals at BWI to drop off Tony this afternoon:

Alyson: This is where we went with Aunt Gina and Uncle Matt!
Me: No, you went to Union Station in DC. That has trains, not planes.
Alyson, as a bus went by: There's a train!

19 August 2016

Alyson was questioning lyrics in "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten when it came on in the car.

Alyson: What's a brain?
Me: It's what's in your head that you use to think.
Alyson: Like think of what you want to do and think of where you want to go and think of what you want to eat like pancakes because I like pancakes. 

18 August 2016

As a reward for not sucking her thumb since Sunday or Monday, I painted Alyson's nails today. I told her that if the polish on her thumb got messed up from her sucking it, I would take the nail polish off and not put anymore on. While they were playing, Alyson scratched some of the polish off of one of her nails. She came running to me to tell me, "I messed up my thumb, but I wasn't sucking on it!"

17 August 2016

Alyson was in our closet with me this morning while I was picking out a shirt. 

Alyson: I want to see what type of panties you have on.

Before I could say or do anything, she reached out and pulled my pajama pants down a little.

Alyson: Oh! I like those!

16 August 2016

During dinner:

Alyson: I love everyone in the family, even Aunt Gina and Aunt Becca and Uncle Matt.
Tony: What about Evan?
Alyson, thinking: Evan? Who?

15 August 2016

After I picked them up, the girls and I went to Carter's to get some new school clothes and take advantage of sales. While we were there, Madelyn found a shirt she wanted that said, "BEST BIG SIS". 

Madelyn, in typical of course this is true fashion: Hey, Aly! Do you think I'm the best big sister?
Alyson, confused and not sure how to answer: Why?

14 August 2016

As we were putting the girls down for bed, a thunderstorm started. 

Alyson: What if the thunder is too loud an scary?
Me: You can just tell that thunder that if it's hungry, it should eat something and not be so angry.
Alyson, laughing hysterically at me: Mommy, that's so silly! Thunder can't eat!

13 August 2016

Madelyn asked why a house had the sign for an alarm company outside of it. I explained that it was to keep away people breaking into the house. After the entire conversation:

Me: Now, don't you go trying to break into a house!
Madelyn: I won't because that 's wrong.
Alyson: I'm not either because I'm not strong enough!

11 August 2016

During Madelyn's VBS program this evening, Alyson was intently watching. One of the characters in the skit left the stage. After the kids sang a song, he came back. Alyson was thrilled and blurted out, "Oh! He's coming back!"

10 August 2016

Tony and I were discussing what food was available for the kids for lunch tomorrow.

Me: The cantaloupe is all gone, right?
Tony: I gave them the rest yesterday, so it's gone if they ate it all.

Me: I'm not sure how much they finished.

Alyson: I know how much. A lot was finished.

09 August 2016

While playing, Alyson had to use the bathroom. She came running into the living room.

Alyson: Mommy, I have to go potty!
Me: Well, get in the bathroom and go.

She ran into the bathroom, and then started laughing after a couple minutes.

Me: What are you doing in there? Did you go potty?
Alyson, coming out of the bathroom holding her shirt with her shorts still pulled up: Mommy, I got carried away and accidentally took off my shirt!

08 August 2016

We had salmon for dinner tonight, which we have every couple of weeks or so.

Alyson, looking at her plate: What's that?
Me: Salmon.
Alyson: What's salmon? Do I like salmon?
Me: Yes, you like salmon.
Alyson: Oh, okay.

07 August 2016

While the girls were out today having fun with Aunt Gina and Uncle Matt, Tony and I put up white vinyl lattice over the chicken wire fence around the garden. After the girls got home:

Tony, walking with Alyson to the porch to look at the garden: Can you see what we did today?
Alyson: Yeah. 
Tony: What did we do?
Alyson: It looks like you... watered the garden?

06 August 2016

Alyson can't pronounce leading "f" sounds properly. While we were in the car:

Madelyn: Say "fish".
Alyson: I'm a wishy. Blub, blub!

05 August 2016

Alyson had been dancing over and Mom and Dad's today.

Mom: I asked her were she learned it and she said ballet, but that she hasn't taken ballet in a long time.
Alyson: That's because I'm taking a break for summer.
Me: Do you want to take ballet again? You didn't seem to like it before.
Alyson: Yeah!
Me: Do you want to do ballet or "all the sports"? ("All the sports" refers to a class that covers a different sport every two weeks.)
Alyson: Why can't I do both ballet and "all the sports"?

04 August 2016

Alyson: We had muffins today!
Madelyn: They were banana chocolate chip.
Alyson: They were mmmmm and tasted mmmmmm!

03 August 2016

The girls were upstairs getting changed into their pajamas. As I came up the stairs, I hear Alyson yell from her room, "I'M A WOMAN!" I go to her room to see her with her shirt stuck on her head like a veil and her skort still on.

02 August 2016

Before bed, Tony and I put some saline in Alyson's nose to help clear it out a bit since it's stuffy from her cold. At first she fought us.

Me, after Alyson calmed down and was fine with the saline in her nose: Do you need some more?
Alyson, perfectly calm and content and even smiling a little: Yeah.

01 August 2016

This morning Alyson noticed a dress that Madelyn put in her closet yesterday. The dress was too small for Madelyn, but we weren't sure if it fit Alyson yet.

Alyson, excited about the dress: I want to wear that one!
Tony: You can wear it if it fits you.

Tony went to get dressed while Alyson started getting dressed.

Alyson, running through the hall to our room with the dress on: DADDY! IT FITS! I CAN WEAR IT!

31 July 2016

Alyson was hugging my legs while I was fixing dinner.

Alyson: Where did the hair on your legs go?
Me: I shaved when I showered earlier.
Alyson: And that got rid of the hair?
Me: Yup.
Alyson: Is it gone forever?
Me: Nope. It'll grow back.
Alyson, sounding disappointed: Oh....

30 July 2016

First

As we were leaving the condo this morning to come home, Alyson said, "Bye bye, condo. See you in a long time again. I'm going to miss you condo. See you next year!"

Second

When a new song came on in the car on the way home:

Alyson: Is this "Hallelujah"?

All three of us: Yes.

Alyson, grabbing her stuffed dolphin: Dance party!

29 July 2016

Tony and the girls built a sandcastle this morning on the beach. Both girls put sea shells on it for decoration. 

Madelyn, putting her shell on the castle: It's a Pokestop! For pretend.
Alyson, putting a shell on the castle and perfectly mimicking her sister: It's a Pokestop! For pretend.

28 July 2016

For dinner tonight, we went to the same Calabash restaurant we went to the past two years. Last year when we were there, we discovered that Alyson really likes crab. Then entire time we were walking to our table, she kept asking, "Is this the place where I found out I like crab?" And then when we were getting food, she kept asking, "When are we getting crab? Can we get crab? Why aren't we getting crab?" Yes, we got crab legs, and yes, she ate a lot of it.

27 July 2016

First

Broadway at the Beach has a museum called Wonder Works. The building looks like it is upside-down. When Alyson saw it, she asked, "Why is the building right-side down?"

Second

While we were walking on the beach and the girls were gathering sea shells, Tony and I were admittedly playing Pokemon Go. Alyson wasn't carrying her shell bucket anymore, so I had that in one hand and my phone in the other.

Alyson: Hold my hand.
Me: I can't. I don't have any free hands. Go ask Daddy.
Alyson, angrily to Tony: I want Mommy to hold my hand.
Tony: Mommy doesn't have any free hands to hold your hand. She's holding your bucket.
Alyson: She could put her phone in her pocket.

26 July 2016

We had pancakes for breakfast this morning. I made pancakes that were twice the size that I normally make, so the girls split the first one. Madelyn was done by the time the second one was cooked. Alyson was not happy with the thought of Madelyn getting more pancakes than her, "Hmph! Then I will have one and you will have two! Hmph! Did you know that two is more than one?"

25 July 2016

While playing out in the waves, and particularly hard and difficult to time wave hit Alyson and I pretty hard. She was spitting out water and seemed a bit shocked from the wave.

Me: You okay? Do you want to get out of the water?
Alyson, starting to laugh: No!

Typical Alyson.

24 July 2016i

During dinner:

Alyson: What is Daddy allergic to?
Tony: I'm not allergic to any foods.

Alyson: But what are you allergic do?
Me: Daddy isn't allergic to any foods, but he's allergic to holly.
Tony: And holly isn't food.
Madelyn: But it has berries!
Me: But humans don't eat them, and we're humans.
Alyson: Daddy is, too?

23 July 2016

First

While in the car on the way to Myrtle Beach:

Alyson: Woah! Wow! Look! That [radio antenna] is so tall! It almost goes up to the sky!
Madelyn: Is that a skyscraper?

Second

Alyson was counting in the car. She needs some work on pronunciation after thirty-nine: "Shorty. Shorty-one. Shorty-two.... Shishty. Shishty-one. Shishty-two...."

Third

When we were finally getting close to Myrtle Beach, the little girl who can't read yelled out, "That sign we just passed with the people on it said we're close to Myrtle Beach!"

22 July 2016

While we were out for a walk, Alyson wanted to be carried on my shoulders. After putting her up there, she wasn't too pleased with my messy bun pushing into her stomach and complained, "I think it'll work better on your shoulders when you have a different kind of hair."

21 July 2016

Alyson came into our room this morning while trying to get dressed. She was naked and holding her panties that were inside-out.

Alyson, handing the panties to me: I put them on wrong and then took them off and now they're inside out. Can you fix them for me?
Me, after fixing them and handing them back to her: Here you go.
Alyson, turning around quickly, starting to run, and running straight into a clothes basket that was there: Thanks! Ooof!
Me: You okay?
Alyson: Yeah. I need to pay attention....

20 July 2016

Alyson was sort of listening to Tony trying to get her to do something. Really, for a three-year-old, she wasn't doing too bad, but she wasn't really listening. She asked him, "I'm good at paying attention to you, right?"

19 July 2016

Recently, the girls saw the episode of Phineas and Ferb when Candace gets turned into a fly. Before dinner, a fly was buzzing around our kitchen. Alyson noticed it and wondered, "Maybe the fly was a person who turned into a fly."

18 July 2016

While on a walk, we passed by some little dogs pretending they were big dogs. They were running around and barking at us like little dogs tend to do.

Alyson: Why are those doggies barking?
Me: They're trying to show that they are dominant, that they are in charge.

Alyson: I love doggies because I love the way they act. But, I don't love doggie kisses.

17 July 2016

The girls were playing in the playroom when we suddenly heard Alyson yell, "There's too many pages in this book!" Tony and I instantly thought that that didn't fit in with our family.

16 July 2016

During dinner tonight at Auntie Julie's, Alyson was avoiding the veggie sushi for the most part and eating some baby carrots that we gave her instead. Normal people bite the end of the carrot. Three-year-olds bit the middle, like an apple, and create a "phone" that they then hold up to their ear. After biting it again, the phone breaks, the parts are eaten, and the process is repeated with another carrot.

15 July 2016

During dinner we talked about the possibility of going to the farmer's market tomorrow morning. Alyson got very excited and said, "We've never been to the farmer's market in a very long time!"

14 July 2016

Alyson was playing with her food during dinner, when she said, "I almost put my fork in my dip instead of a cucumber! My fork is too long to be a cucumber!"

13 July 2016

After dinner, we went on a walk to hunt Pokemon. The girls actually love doing it. For those who don't know, when you find a Pokemon, you need to "throw" a Pokeball at it by flicking the ball at the Pokemon on your phone screen. When we came across a Pokemon, Alyson begged to catch it. Instead of throwing the ball, she dragged it over top of the Pokemon and let it go. Great problem solving, but not how the game works.

12 July 2016

While the girls were getting ready for bed, Tony was collecting the trash cans from their rooms to take out the garbage tonight. Alyson kept yelling in a silly voice, "I LOVE TRASH NIGHT!"

11 July 2016

We had some raw veggies and Dill Feta Greek yogurt dressing with dinner. Alyson was being a typical kid and didn't want to try the dressing.

Alyson: What's the green lines?
Me: Dill.
Tony: It's an herb like your pizza plant. [Pizza plant is what she calls basil because the one at the store had a pizza on the name tag thing.]
Alyson, getting excited and trying it: Oooh! I love it!