14 August 2017

Alyson cut her lip today slightly. After she finished her dinner, she asked for dessert.

Me: What do you want?
Alyson: Umm...
Me: Does your lip still hurt?
Alyson: No.
Me: You should have said, "yes".
Alyson: Why?
Me: Because we still have popsicles. Wouldn't a popsicle feel good on your lip?
Alyson: Yeah.
Tony: So, does your lip still hurt?
Alyson, thinking and smiling: YES!

06 August 2017

Madelyn is curious every month when it's a full moon and if the mood has a special name. She noticed the clock and Mom and Dad's had the moon completely filled in.

Madelyn: Is it a full moon?
Dad: Is it completely filled in?
Madelyn: Yeah.
Dad: Then it should be.
Madelyn: I wonder what the full moon will be called if it is a full moon.
Alyson: A circle moon.
Me: Not every full moon has a special name.

04 August 2017

First

The dragon at the mini-golf course at Broadway at the Beach was torn down and they were doing construction in the area. Alyson was not please. While we were walking to "Dinosaurs: The Exhibition" she pouted, "I think dragons are better than dinosaurs."

Second

We passed a woman with a puppy who wanted to play. The woman was making sure the dog didn't jump on the girls. After we passed, Alyson said, "I would like a dog if it's as tame as an ant."

03 August 2017

While on the beach, Alyson asked to go potty. It wasn't a big deal, but I honestly didn't feel like walking up to the restrooms with her.

Alyson: If you're mad that I have to go, don't blame me, blame my body.

Me: Nope, I'm not mad. Don't worry.

02 August 2017

One of the holes at the mini golf course we went to had a pirate mannequin trapped in a dungeon. While we were playing that hole, Alyson announced, "I'm actually happy that person is in the dungeon because then it can't get me." (She knew it was all pretend.)

01 August 2017

While we were on the beach today, Alyson randomly turned to me as asked, "Mama, is 100 bigger than 14?"

31 July 2017

Alyson was looking at a coupon book for touristy things to do in the area when she suddenly announced, "I REALLY want to go water skiing!"

30 July 2017

The girls were playing in the waves. They were sitting at the edge of the water and rolling over when a wave came in. Madelyn would "grab" Alyson as part of their playing to keep her from being washed away. We suddenly heard Alyson tell Madelyn in all seriousness, "You saved my life!"

29 July 2017

While we were walking on the beach this evening, Alyson happily exclaimed, "I forgot the ocean was so wet!"

28 July 2017

While in the car this morning, Alyson was talking nonstop as usual. Whatever she was talking and thinking about got her on the topic of ghosts. She rambled on, "Ghosts aren't real, but we could walk through ghosts if they were real because they're like air. Maybe ghosts are real, and we don't know it because they are the air." That's deep and thoughtful for a four-year-old.

27 July 2017

I was laying on the couch for a little bit before fixing dinner this evening. Alyson came in from the playroom, walked over to me, and put her head down on my stomach hugging me.

Me: What's up?
Alyson: I'm just hugging you.
Me: Okay.
Alyson: Can I climb on you for mommy cuddles?
Me: Sure.

She laid there for a minute or two.

Alyson: Do I have to close my eyes?
Me: No....

After another minute or two:

Alyson: Can I get up now?
Me: Sure. You're the one who decided to lay here.

25 July 2017

While Alyson was outside playing, she came up to me and said, "Ninja girl! That's my name because I'm a ninja and a girl."

23 July 2017

Tony and I are in a Harry Potter themed running club. Madelyn also runs some of the races and contributes miles to the House Cup competition. We're all part of the Ravenclaw House, whose mascot is an eagle. To encourage out members, we often say, "Fly, Eagles!"

While on the highway today, we went under a bridge. In the fence on the bridge, someone had written "Fly, Eagles! Fly!" using cups.

Tony, upon seeing the fence: We're trying!

Me: Ha!

Madelyn, because she has to know everything (7-year-old Ravenclaw): Trying what?

Me: Daddy and I know what we're talking about. We get it.

Alyson: Well, I don't!

22 July 2017

Typical four-year-old. Alyson got out of the bath and was drying herself off as she was singing at the top of her lungs, "I'm drying off my butt! I'm drying off my butt!"

21 July 2017

Me: If you are good tomorrow, Daddy and I have something fun planned.
Madelyn: Oooh! What?
Me: I'm not telling.
Alyson: Are we going to Myrtle Beach?!

19 July 2017

During dinner, I looked over and saw her mouth was covered in sour cream.

Me: You're messy!
Alyson: This is a yummy dinner so I'm supposed to get messy.

17 July 2017

While playing with LEGO, Madelyn dropped a bunch of pieces. Alyson informed Madelyn, "You have butter hands!"

16 July 2017

The girls had been putting away laundry today. When I was helping Alyson get ready for bed, I found two clips from a hanger for a skirt on her floor.

Me: What are these doing here?
Alyson: We took them off because we needed the hanger.
Me, putting the clips on a shelf in her closet and pulling an empty hanger off the rod: You could have just used this hanger.
Alyson: Eh, oh well.

15 July 2017

This morning, Alyson found a soft bristled baby hair brush that we didn't really need to keep anymore.

Alyson: We could keep it because what if I have a baby?
Me: That will be a while.
Alyson: Yeah, because I still have to have lots of birthdays.

14 July 2017

After we got home today, the girls were helping me clear the area around our freezer that is being replaced tomorrow. I gave Alyson two placemats they use for Playdoh and asked her to put them in the playroom. The next thing I knew, she showed up with a booklet of stickers. 

Alyson: If I'm good and helpful and do a good job can I have a sticker when I'm done?
Me: Sure.
Alyson: Yay!

After we were done:

Alyson, grabbing the stickers: Okay, did I do a good job? Can I have a sticker?
Me: Yup.

She excitedly picked a bunny that was the same color as her shirt.

13 July 2017

Madelyn was working on the computer in the living room doing some of her summer homework. The computer is a Mac Mini hooked up to our television. Alyson repeatedly was getting in her way or was distracting her. The last time she walked between Madelyn and the screen to come as me something, Alyson crouched down and said, "I'm trying to not get in your way!"

12 July 2017

During dinner tonight, Alyson wanted to ask her daddy about his job. She had been asking me earlier, and I made sure she remembered to ask him. She confused him, though, when she asked, "What does it take to take care of robots?"

11 July 2017

Alyson wanted a popsicle after dinner. She has wanted one for days. I was trying to get her to elaborate and describe what she wanted.

Me: What popsicle do you want?
Alyson: The kind with sticks!

Me, laughing along with everyone else: All popsicles have sticks.

Madelyn: Someone write that down!

10 July 2017

Alyson was trying to show us that she could dribble a basketball. She would get two bounces in and lose the ball. In her frustration, she blamed the ball and told us, "Sometimes it's stubborin!"

09 July 2017

I fixed coconut pecan crusted cod for dinner tonight. We made Alyson try it before letting her have any ketchup.

Alyson: It's good but...
Tony: You still want to douse it in ketchup?
Alyson: Um, yeah.

07 July 2017

When Disney takes over your four-year-old:

Alyson, singing: I know everybody on this island is so happy on this island.
Me, singing: I know everybody in this house is so sick of that song.
Alyson, exasperatedly: UGH!

05 July 2017

The girls had swimming lessons today. Alyson's bathing suit is a skirt and shirt that look like a t-shirt with elbow length sleeves and skirt. She can get away with wearing it out with no problems. Instead, she decided to shove her skirt into the biker shorts she had been wearing and put her dress on over her bathing suit. She came downstairs and told me, "It's okay if my bathing suit is showing a little bit." I wish I had gotten a photo.

04 July 2017

While the girls were in their room this morning:
Madelyn: Help me! I'm falling off the bed!
Alyson, sounding quite unimpressed: You'll be fine. You'll not die. [Madelyn falls.] See? You didn't die.

03 July 2017

Alyson was asking everyone about our hair colors when we were kids during dinner.
Alyson to Grandpa: Was your hair light brown or dark brown?
Grandpa: Medium brown.
Alyson: So half dark brown and half light brown?

02 July 2017

Where we are staying right now is a gated community with a guard only letting in residents and their guests in. There is one security guard that we don't like because he is very unclear if he is waving us through or not. Tony and I were complaining and Aly piped up with "How about someone else do that job?"

01 July 2017

Alyson was sitting on my lap, and I was teasing her by pretending to nibble on her arms and shoulders.
Alyson: Don't eat me!
Me: But you're tasty, even when you're covered in sweat and sunscreen.
Madelyn: It's just seasoning and dressing.
Alyson: Yay! I'm a salad!

30 June 2017

Four-year-olds, okay, people, can be so random. 

Alyson, yelling to Grandpa immediately upon entering their house this morning: Don't mess with Maui when he's on a breakaway!
Grandpa: What???

29 June 2017

Typical four-year-old?

When Madelyn's piano teacher was leaving, Alyson went up to her, hugged her, and then clucked like a chicken while flapping her "wings". She then proceeded to go around the house for a minute acting like a chicken.

27 June 2017

This afternoon, I was trying to motivate myself to go outside and water the gardens.

Me: I need to go outside and water.
Alyson, very matter-of-factly: Then go outside and water.

26 June 2017

During dinner of chicken, noodles, and edamame:

Me: Guess what was released in the UK twenty years ago today?
Madelyn, looking at me like she knew she was being silly: Chicken?
Alyson, following her sister's lead: Noodles?
Me: Um, no. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!

25 June 2017

On the way to Home Depot, we were listening to the "Moana" soundtrack in the car. While "How Far I'll Go" was playing:

Alyson: What does "that voice inside me" mean again?
Me: Moana kept having a nagging feeling that she should go out to sea.
Alyson: What does "nagging" mean?
Me: It's when someone asks you over and over again to do something because you don't do it.
Alyson: That doesn't sound very nice, and it sounds bossy.

24 June 2017

Before heading downstairs this afternoon when the sun was shining in her room:

Me, seeing light coming from Alyson's room: Is your light off?
Alyson, looking in her room: I can't tell if my light is on because it's so bright in my room!

23 June 2017

For dinner tonight, we had left over tacos. The girls had quesadillas with black beans on the side. Alyson likes having plain Greek yogurt to dip her quesadilla in. At one point, she started putting a little yogurt on her spoon and then getting some beans. Suddenly, she realized, "Oh, I know! I can put my beans in the yogurt and make them yogurt beans!" Whatever it takes for her to eat it, right?

21 June 2017

The first time we met Brian Biggs, Headmaster of Hogwarts Running Club, we met him at a Starbucks. Today, we were helping him deliver socks to homeless shelters. When Tony was buckling Alyson into her car seat, she asked, "Are we going to meet Brian at Starbucks?"

20 June 2017

During dinner, Alyson observed, "We're having a very carroty dinner! There are carrots in our salad and as a side!"

19 June 2017

It always surprises me when the four-year-old remembers something the seven-year-old can't for the life of her.

Me, after a neighbor texted saying she was going to stop by and return a drill she borrowed last Friday: Keep an eye out for Ms. Lindsey for me.

Madelyn: Who?
Alyson, with the "I can't believe you don't remember" tone: You know! Ms. Lindsey! She borrowed Daddy's drill!

18 June 2017

This morning:
Alyson, to me: Happy Father's Day!
Madelyn: But she's Mommy, not Daddy.
Alyson: I know, but I can still wish her a happy Father's Day.

A little later:
Alyson, running up to her grandma: Even though I know you are not a daddy, I can still wish you a happy Father's Day, so happy Father's Day!

17 June 2017

We had crab cakes during dinner:

Tony: Yummy crab, right, Aly?
Alyson: Uh huh! How I know is because I cleaned my fork off!

16 June 2017

On the way to "Grandma's second house" today:
Alyson: How much longer until we get to Delaware?
Me: I don't know, but we'll be at Grandma's second house in about two hours.

After we crossed into Delaware:

Tony: Hey Aly! We made it to Delaware.
Alyson: But where is Grandma's second house? I don't see it.

15 June 2017

Alyson was being very stubborn about packing for the weekend. She only wanted to pack what she wanted and not the things I told her to pack. She had packed a blue and white dress and was arguing over which shoes she was going to wear with it.

Me: Pack your white sandals to go with that dress.
Alyson: But my dress shoes are black and black is close to blue!

13 June 2017

In the car on the way home after I picked up Alyson this afternoon:

Me: What did you do today? Did you go outside this morning?
Alyson: No. Grandpa said it was too hot, but he was WRONG.

Well then. The four-year-old has spoken.

12 June 2017

Alyson had painted a picture in school of a sunflower. She requested that I take it to work and hang it on my desk so that it looked like it was growing from the floor. I took the picture in today, hung it up, and texted a photo of it to Tony to get her approval. Tony showed it to her and asked if she approved. Alyson responded, "Uh huh! Yup!" while enthusiastically nodding her head.

11 June 2017

Random dinner conversation:

Alyson, to me completely out of the blue: We have a boss. It's you and Daddy.
Madelyn: Our boss is whichever adults we're with. Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Julie, Aunt Gina, Uncle Matt....

The conversation continued about who would be their boss depending on who they were with at the time.

10 June 2017

While we were at the grocery store today, Alyson was telling me something when an announcement came on over the loudspeaker. When the announcement was done, Alyson angrily told me, "Mommy, whoever was talking, he just interrupted me!"

09 June 2017

This afternoon, Tony and Alyson went to the library and just happened to see Aly's boyfriend playing in the fountain outside.

While in the library, Alyson kept asking, "Can I go back outside and talk to [boyfriend]?"

Once they were back outside:
Alyson: I really wish I could play in the sprinkler.
Tony: Do you have your bathing suit on?
Alyson: No, but I still wish I could.

She played in puddles on the outside of the fountain while her boyfriend played in the fountain.

08 June 2017

After I got home from chaperoning Madelyn's field trip, Alyson and I went for a run. It was hilly and pushing 35+ lbs in a jogging stroller is no joke. We got home, and I took a shower. Before we went to get Madelyn from the bus stop, Alyson and I were talking about going to Habit Burger for dinner and walking there. Alyson told me, "Good thing you won't be exhausted from the run because you took a shower to get the exhausted off." If only it worked that way.

07 June 2017

Before Tony's plane left the airport, I had Aly record and send a message to him that simply said, "Bye, Daddy!"

Text message Tony sent back: Buhbye Aly-boo.
Me, showing Aly the message: Daddy said, "Buh bye, Aly-boo." Do you see the work "Aly" in there?
Alyson, reminding me of the song "Oh Yeah" by Yello: Oh yeah!

06 June 2017

After dinner, the girls came outside to "help" me plant the last flowers. They ended up playing instead. Alyson was running away from Madelyn and laughing and screaming when Madelyn tagged her. Madelyn yelled, "Freeze! Now you have to stay frozen." How exactly does freeze tag work with only two people?

05 June 2017

Today was Alyson's last day of school. They had a little awards ceremony before pickup, which is around lunchtime. Immediately after I walked into the classroom and over to where she was sitting, Alyson said, "Mommy! Where's Madelyn?"

04 June 2017

Alyson put her breakfast dishes in the sink and then came to me with a very concerned look on her face.

Alyson: Why did you take the sink apart?
Me: It's just the stopper for the drain. It's out so that the strawberry scraps could go in the disposal.
Alyson: And then the strawberries can go to the ocean!

03 June 2017

We had to stop at Mom and Dad's before heading to the grocery store. The girls didn't know this part of the plan.

Madelyn, realizing we were a couple blocks away from their house: Are we going to Grandma and Grandpa's?
Me: Yeah, we need to do something for them real quick.
Alyson, excitedly recognizing where we were: Yeah! We are going to Grandma and Grandpa's because I recognize that this is the way to go!

02 June 2017

We had burgers and salad for dinner tonight. The salad was a mix of things we had around and included baby spinach, mushrooms, cucumbers, strawberries, and feta cheese.

Me, calling to the girls: Come get silverware and whatever dressing you want.
Madelyn, upon seeing the salad: FETA!!!!
Alyson, also looking at the salad: STRAWBERRIES!!!!

Glad I could please.

01 June 2017

We had pancakes for dinner tonight. The girls know that if we have pancakes, they shouldn't even bother asking for dessert because they won't get it.

Alyson: Let me guess. I shouldn't even bother asking for dessert because we're having pancakes and pancakes aren't even healthy!
Madelyn: The pancakes aren't so bad. It's the syrup. If we were having just plain pancakes, that would be healthier, but not healthy healthy. 

31 May 2017

I trimmed Madelyn's fingernail tonight because they were getting "dangerously" long. Alyson was confused about why hers weren't getting trimmed.

Alyson to Tony: Why do you not need to cut my fingernails?
Tony: Are your fingernails long enough to need cutting?
Alyson: Well, uh, nnnnoooooo....

30 May 2017

Alyson was pretending to give a concert and was singing songs. Mom started to sing her own songs while Alyson was singing. Alyson pouted and told her, "Don't do that! Sing in your head only!"

29 May 2017

Madelyn was being impatient about the Memorial Day parade starting this morning.

Me to Madelyn: Patience, young grasshopper.
Alyson: She's not a grasshopper!

28 May 2017

The girls were playing with LEGO while Julie was over. We were talking and not really paying attention to them, when suddenly we hear Alyson say, "I'm going to pretend. Pretend is better than real!"

27 May 2017

The girls and I planted flowers in the front yard today. We have a lot of worms and roly poly bugs in our gardens. Everyone time we saw one while digging, Alyson would yell, "Worm! Roly poly!" It was so often that she sounded like she was stuck on repeat.

26 May 2017

At Mom and Dad's, Alyson was playing with a propeller toy that you spin in your hand and make fly. She sent it flying across the porch and then danced over to where it landed singing, "Oh yeah! I won! It crossed the finish line and didn't even touch the finish line! Woo hoo! Oh yeah!"

25 May 2017

Alyson: Do you want to know what my favorite part of our field trip was?
Me: Sure.
Alyson: Riding the school bus there!
Madelyn, slightly jaded sounding: You'll be able to do that every day when you start kindergarten.

24 May 2017

Alyson has a little piece of paper with the Hufflepuff crest on it. 

Alyson, looking at the paper: Go skunks!
Madelyn: That's a badger.
Alyson: No, go skunks!

22 May 2017

After preschool Alyson was telling me all about the new toy truck they had in class. 

Alyson: [Boyfriend] was playing with the truck all day! He played with it for six hours!
Me: Wow, that's impressive since you aren't in preschool for six hours.
Alyson: Okay, he played with it for two hours.

22 May 2017

As soon as Becca and Evan's wedding ceremony started, Alyson immediately asked me, "When are they going to kiss the bride?"

19 May 2017

In the car on the way to North Carolina, the girls were playing a rhyming game.
Madelyn: What rhymes with bus?
Alyson: Cuss!

18 May 2017

Alyson demonstrated her imagination pretty well at Mom's today. She pretended she traveled to Canada. When she got there, she had to put stickers on herself to get in.

Mom: Did you get mailed to Canada?
Alyson: No... A fairy sent me, and it only took a second!

17 May 2017

We had something new for dinner tonight, which of course meant that Alyson was struggling with the new part. 

Alyson, after not having eaten much: I'm full.
Tony: Can you eat two more bites?
Alyson: If it's three bites I will!

16 May 2017

When we left Mom and Dad's, Alyson was upset because she was carrying both her lunchbox and her backpack.

Alyson: I don't want to carry my lunchbox! It isn't fair!
Me: Why isn't it fair?
Alyson: Because I'm carrying two things and you're carrying no things.
Me: But, those are both yours, so it is fair.

She huffed away toward the car.

15 May 2017

Alyson's class brought home permission slips for their field trip today. They found out they would get to ride a school bus to the location. Alyson ran up to me waving the permission slip begging, "Mommy, can I puh-lease ride the school bus?!?!"

Later, she told her grandma, "And, I'm going to get to ride a school bus while I'm still in preschool and still only four!"

14 May 2017

While we were at Home Depot picking up plants, Alyson saw some pine trees and declared, "The pine trees are so porcupine-y!"

13 May 2017

Alyson was drinking some water from a water bottle and choked a little.

Me: Are you drinking that the right way or playing with it?
Alyson: I'm drinking the right way! It just went down my throat wrong. It's supposed to go straight [traced her finger down her neck], but instead went this way [drags her finger across her cheek and and down the side of her neck].

12 May 2017

When Madelyn got home from school, she had "something" in her backpack she wanted to sneak upstairs.

Madelyn: Okay, Mommy, don't look at the stuff I'm bringing upstairs.
Alyson: Let me guess: Valentine's stuff!

11 May 2017

There was a spider in the house, which led to a discussion about how spiders are good because they eat the bad bugs. Alyson commented, "Spiders don't eat bees because they make honey for us." I guess bees aren't bad bugs. 😁

10 May 2017

Alyson came out of the bathroom, walked up to Madelyn, and shoved her hands in Madelyn's face. She said to Madelyn, "If you don't think I washed my hands, smell the soap on them!"

09 May 2017

During dinner today, we let the girls know that we would go to the Healthy Kids practice session tomorrow if they were good. 

Me: It's completely informal. It doesn't count for points and times won't be recorded.
Alyson: So, I can run as fast as I want or as slow as I want!

08 May 2017

When I showed Alyson the photo of Madelyn from the 5K this weekend, Alyson excitedly noted, "That's Madelyn! She's ahead of everybody! She's in front of everybody I don't know!"

06 May 2017

On the way up to Frederick today for the 5K and Kids Fun Run, Alyson was so excited. We had been talking about the race and medals for the last few days. Alyson told Madelyn, "Hey Madelyn, you still get a medal even if you don't win the race! You just have to finish the race!"

05 May 2017

As we were leaving Mom and Dad's today, Alyson was very specific on how they were supposed to say good bye to her.

Alyson, pointing to Mom: See you later. [pointing to Dad] Bye. Okay?
Alyson, pointing to Mom: See you later.
Mom: See you later.
Alyson, pointing to Dad: Bye.
Dad: Bye.
Alyson: Now, we'll switch it. [pointing to Dad] See you later. [Pointing to Mom] Bye.
Me: Okay, let's go.

04 May 2017

Alyson's bedtime story was one of the "Princess in Black" books for the gazillionth time. She is finally familiar enough with them that she knows what is coming up next. The basic story line is that the Princess in Black is a secret superhero who fights monsters from Monster Land.

At one point in the story, the Big Blue Monster is looking up through the hole up out of Monster Land that leads to the goat pasture. He is trying to remember why there is the rule that the monsters are not supposed to go up there. He can't remember and gives up on thinking and goes up to eat some goats anyway. Alyson commented, "The reason is because of the Princess in Black!"

At the end of the next chapter, the Duff the Goat Boy hears a pony neighing. Alyson tried to tell him, "That's the Princess in Black!"

03 May 2017

When we left preschool today, Aly told me all about her troubles with her boyfriend:

Alyson: Whenever we have stuff to do with partners, [boyfriend] always wants to be my partner. And, whenever I sit down, she sits right next to me even if I tell him I don't want him to. He won't stop!
Me: You can try asking him nicely again, and if he doesn't stop, you can tell your teacher.
Alyson: I tried asking nicely! He doesn't listen. I'll just have to tell my teacher.

Sorry, sweetie, but [little] boys just don't listen.

02 May 2017

While running today Madelyn wasn't really happy to be out. Alyson was perfectly happy to be along in the jogging stroller as usual.

Me to Madelyn: After your race on Saturday, you can take a break for a week or two.
Madelyn: Oh, yay!
Alyson, pouting: No! Then I won't get my roller coaster rides. Hmpf.

01 May 2017

Alyson was eating her dinner perfectly fine until Madelyn asked if they could have dessert tonight, and I said no.

Alyson: I'm full.
Me: Would you still be full if you were allowed to have dessert?
Alyson: No.

30 April 2017

On the way to Healthy Kids Running Series today, Alyson was playing something by herself in the car. I overheard her say, "You can play it on Mondays and Thursdays and Saturdays and the next days."

29 April 2017

As we were driving to the University of Maryland today, we drove past IKEA. Alyson recognized the sign, but couldn't remember what it spelled or what the store name was. Madelyn was trying to give her hints.

Madelyn: What store has ice cream?
Alyson: The ice cream store?
Madelyn: Well, yes, but no. It also sells furniture.
Alyson: Oh, IKEA!

28 April 2017

Tony picked up dinner tonight. The options had been pizza or Modern Market, which has salads, sandwiches, pizza, and other items. The girls chose macaroni and cheese from Modern Market.

Me, as Tony came in with the food: You got pizza.
Alyson, panicking: But I wanted macaroni and cheese!
Me: You got macaroni and cheese. Daddy got a pizza for himself.
Alyson: Oh, that's okay.

27 April 2017

When Alyson and I left her preschool, we pulled out of the parking lot at the same time as her boyfriend and his grandmother. We ended up stopped at a traffic light, but separated by three lanes of traffic because of the size of the intersection.

Me: Oh, there's [boyfriend]'s grandma's car.
Alyson: Where?!?!

Alyson saw their car as the windows started to be put down. Our windows were already down.

Boyfriend, yelling from the car and waving: Hi, Aly! (Note, he says her name "Ahwy".)
Alyson, waving and struggling against the car seat straps to see: Hi!

They kept yelling and waving even when other cars pulled up between us. All of this was made even cuter by the fact that both kids are in car seats and all you could see in the windows were little hands frantically waving.

26 April 2017

Right before dinner tonight while the girls were cleaning up their toys:
Alyson: Can we clean up the playroom again tomorrow? It's getting messy today.
Me: You can clean the playroom whenever you would like.
Alyson: Good because it needs it.

They just cleaned the playroom yesterday, and it was a struggle to get them to do it, so okay!

25 April 2017

Once again the play room was a mess, so I made the girls clean it this afternoon. I could have heard her wrong, but I swear I heard Alyson complain to Madelyn and say, "Mommy just ruined my day." I told them to see how much they could surprise Daddy with how clean they got it. Now, the really funny thing is that a few minutes later, Madelyn was playing in the playroom and not cleaning. Alyson then said to Madelyn, "Come on, Madelyn! Mommy wants us to clean! We need to surprise Daddy!" Whatever works for motivation, right?

24 April 2017

While I was buckling Alyson into her car seat to leave Mom and Dad's this afternoon, Alyson was being whiny.

Me: Use your words.
Alyson: But then I'm going to run out of words!

22 April 2017

While at Evan's first birthday party, Alyson was playing with both baby dolls and her younger cousins. Before bed, she told me, "I had fun playing with the babies today." I'm not sure if she meant the dolls or her cousins.

21 April 2017

While helping with packet pick-up for Healthy Kids Running series, Alyson stood in front of a portable air conditioning unit, bent over with her butt pointed at the vents, and said, "Put your booty right in front of here!"

20 April 2017

During dinner we were discussing the plan for tomorrow.

Me to Madelyn: During packet pickup, you'll need to babysit Alex. Do you think you can handle that? Ms. Kaitlyn says that she likes to get into everything now.
Madelyn, excited: Really? Sure! I'll make sure she stays near the adults and doesn't wander off or get into anything she isn't supposed to. I'll be sure to watch her the ENTIRE time!
Alyson: I'll keep the baby away from the adults so that she doesn't chew on their pants.

19 April 2017

While at restaurant night for Madelyn's school, Alyson randomly told someone we were talking to that she is allergic to pollen. On the way home, Alyson informed us, "You guys know that I'm allergic to pollen, but people who don't know me don't know that. You know me because I'm part of our family."

18 April 2017

One of Madelyn's classmates has pink eye. Madelyn's best friend is a typical boy who comes up with absurd stories about thing.

Madelyn: [Best friend] said that one way you can get pink eye is if someone farts in your face.

Me: Um, no. You can't get pink eye like that, and why would someone fart in someone's else's face anyway?
Alyson, confused: How can you fart in your face? Your face is in front, and your butt is in back?

17 April 2017

We walked home from Mom and Dad's today. On the way home, we passed a house with a dog statue on the front porch.

Alyson: What type of animal is that?
Me: It's a statue of a dog.
Alyson: Oh, I wasn't sure if it was real.
Me: It's just a statue.
Alyson: But how do you KNOW?

16 April 2017

The girls got money in some of the eggs my dad hid at their house. Both girls decided to keep the money at Mom and Dad's. After dinner, we heard the ice cream man coming around the neighborhood.

Alyson: I want to buy ice cream!
Me: No.
Alyson: Why?
Me: Because I said so.
Alyson: But I have money!

15 April 2017

Madelyn and I didn't run yesterday because we have both been sick. This afternoon, I was checking to see if she wanted to run or not.

Me: Madelyn, do you want to go run?
Madelyn: No!
Me: Why not?
Alyson: She doesn't want to get any exercise.

14 April 2017

Alyson was watching Tony get dressed this morning.

Alyson: What's that you just put on your skin?
Tony: Deodorant.
Alyson: Yogurt?

13 April 2017

During dinner, we realized that all of the food we were having started with "P". Tony started playing with Aly to see how many starting letter sounds she could identify of things on the table. At one point, Alyson stated, "Plate doesn't start with potato because potato is a food!"

12 April 2017

Before leaving Mom's something was said that Aly instantly had a (smart-ass) logical answer for.

Mom: She has an answer for everything, and it's logical.
Me: Yeah, it's scary.
Madelyn: What's scary?
Me: Your sister.
Alyson: I'm not scary!

10 April 2017

The girls and I got our hair cut this afternoon. After Alyson was finished, a woman working there was sweeping the hair off the floor. Alyson noticed, pointed to the floor, and excitedly told Madelyn, "That's my hair on the floor!"

09 April 2017

Tony made lasagna for dinner tonight. Madelyn helped him. When Tony put in the basil, he accidentally put in too much. (It still tasted good anyway.)

Madelyn, running in to the living room where Aly was: Aly! The lasagna is going to have extra pizza plant!
Aly, excitedly clapping her hands: Yay! Yum!

08 April 2017

While in the car, Madelyn was pointing out different cars.

Madelyn: When I'm old enough to drive, I want a convertible Honda.
Alyson: When I'm old enough, I want a taxi. I want to get money for driving people around.

Mom, sound familiar?

07 April 2017

Alyson was sitting on Aunt Bev's lap saying good night to her. Her hands were positioned with one on top of each of Bev's breasts. As Alyson got up, she pressed down and exclaimed, "These are soft!"

06 April 2017

On the way home this afternoon, Alyson kept saying "Gesundheit" over and over even though no one had sneezed.

Alyson: Gesundheit!
Me: No one sneezed.
Alyson: The tree sneezed.
Me: You're silly.
Alyson: I was made to be silly. That's how God made me.

05 April 2017

Alyson loves being in the jogging stroller when Madelyn and I run. Today, though, you would have thought she ran along with us. As she got out of the stroller when we got home, she complained, "Oh, my legs hurt... from sitting in that jogging stroller the whole time!"

04 April 2017

When we got home today, Alyson of course noticed the new DVD sitting on the TV stand. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" came with some other stuff and I left it out. Alyson demanded, "What IS this movie and WHERE did it come from?"

03 April 2017

Alyson may have a problem with salt. She can usually be found licking it off her food. Tonight, we had some honey-butter creamed corn with dinner that mostly tasted like honey.

Alyson: I love the corn. What's in it?
Me: Honey, butter, corn, cream cheese, and a little bit of salt and pepper.
Alyson: I love the corn because I LOVE SALT!

02 April 2017

When we left Mass this morning, the dogs at the humane society across the train tracks from the church parking lot were barking. Alyson announced, "Those dogs are saying, 'Someone adopt me!'"

01 April 2017

Sibling rivalry about everything, right? Tony went up into the attic to see if he could find something. Alyson stood looking longingly up at the bottom of the ladder.

Alyson: When will I get to go up and look in the attic?
Madelyn, almost taunting: Daddy has already let me climb the ladder and look in before.

31 March 2017

After dinner I laid down on the floor next to the girls. During dinner I had mentioned that my shoulder hurts and asked them to massage it since they actually like doing that.

Madelyn: What are you doing?
Me: I thought you were going to massage my shoulder.
Madelyn: Oh yeah!

The girls got the massager thing, Alyson walked around me, sat on my back, and started using the massager on the top of my head.

30 March 2017

During Madelyn's piano lesson today, Alyson decided she wanted to play piano as well. Right before Mrs. Rackey left:

Me: Alyson, did you have something you wanted to ask Mrs. Rackey?
Alyson: Yeah. Can I play piano, too?
Mrs. Rackey: Sure you can.

Mrs. Rackey, Madelyn, and Alyson then discussed how Madelyn can get her first piano book and start teaching it to Alyson.

After Mrs. Rackey left, Madelyn and Alyson came excitedly into the kitchen.

Madelyn: Alyson and I came up with a plan! In the mornings, I'll go practice piano and then I'll teach Aly! She'll get to learn piano, too!

29 March 2017

While we were out running, we took an out and back route. On the way back, we passed a woman we passed on the way out.

Alyson: Why are we passing her again?
Me: She probably did like we did and turned around.
Alyson: She's probably going back home, but her home is back behind us, not in the direction we're going to our home.

28 March 2017

While we were eating dinner:

Alyson: Do I have to eat any more?
Me: Why don't you want to eat?
Alyson: I'm full.
Tony, dividing her broccoli in half (about three pieces per pile): You haven't eaten any broccoli. Eat this much.
Madelyn, done with dinner: Can I have a cookie for dessert?
Me: Okay.

Madelyn got a cookie. Alyson ate her broccoli and then all of the rest of her food.

Alyson: I'm done! Can I have a cookie?
Me: You just finished all of your food so that you could have a cookie, didn't you?
Alyson: And I was really hungry!

Right, kiddo....

27 March 2017

Alyson and I went for a walk before heading to the bus stop. On the way, she picked a dandelion.

Alyson: Dandelions are my favorite flowers.
Me: Why are they your favorite?
Alyson, smelling the dandelion and practically pushing it up her nose: Because they smell so beautiful!
Me: Your nose is all yellow now.
Alyson: How do you know? I can't see it.
Me: Well, I can.

26 March 2017

I was away Friday and Saturday. Originally, I was going to come back today, but I decided to come back last night. The girls didn't know. I expected them to find out this morning when they woke up. Alyson came into our room after she woke up and walked right to my side of the bed like she knew I was going to be there.

Alyson: Can I play? My clock says that it's morning.

Me: Are you surprised to see me?
Alyson: No. When my clock said morning, I got up and looked out my window to see if it was really morning. I saw your car, so I knew you were here.

25 March 2017

Madelyn: Are we having dinner at Grandma's?
Tony: Nope.
Madelyn: What are we having for dinner?
Tony: Surprise.
Alyson: Yay! I love surprise dinner!

24 March 2017

When Alyson was leaving today to go to Grandma's, I was saying good bye to her since I won't see her until Sunday.
Me: I love you. Have fun!
Alyson: You have fun at the place wherever you are going with Aunt Becca!

23 March 2017

While FaceTiming Aunt Becca:
Alyson: I can't wait for your wedding!
Becca: I can't wait either! Well, actually, I can wait.
Madelyn: Well, you're going to have to wait because the wedding isn't for a while.

21 March 2017

When I got to Mom and Dad's after work to pick up Alyson, they were playing in the living room bouncing a balloon around. Alyson was running around hitting the balloon to them while laughing hysterically. She yelled to me, "This is good EXERCISE!"

20 March 2017

Me: Okay, Aly, time to go up for bed.
Alyson, sounding disappointed: Really? Already?
Me: Yup. I just need to finish putting this bowl away.
Alyson, suddenly happy and excited: Okay! Let me go get my things and go upstairs!

Wait? What?

19 March 2017

Alyson got to see her "boyfriend" twice this weekend. His family came to Mass this morning and sat right behind us. They don't come every week, but are trying to, and were there for Christmas. (The kids know each other because they both go to the preschool associated with our church.) The poor kids, especially the "boyfriend" were upset that they couldn't sit together. Later in the day, Alyson asked me, "Why did [boyfriend] and his family come to our church? Do they go to our church? Have you seen them there before?"

18 March 2017

While in the car:

Alyson: Mama, what toys did you have when you were little?
Me: Dolls, LEGO, balls, bikes, stuff like that.
Alyson: Did you have a car seat?
Me: Yeah, when I was really little.
Alyson: What color was it?
Me: I don't remember. Grandma might remember.
Alyson: We'll have to ask Grandma when we see her next time since we can't just go to her house right now to ask her. But, we could text her!

She forgot about it by the time we got home, and we never texted Grandma the question.

17 March 2017

During dinner, we were talking about plans for tomorrow. Madelyn is going out with her godfather (and still doesn't know what the surprise outing is) and Alyson has a playdate with her "boyfriend".

Madelyn, teasing: Aly and [boyfriend] are going on a date to plan their wedding!
Me: People don't go on dates to plan their wedding.
Madelyn: Then what do they do?
Me: Get to know each other better.
Alyson: Yeah! We're too little! Kids can't marry each other!

16 March 2017

When we got home, Alyson ran up to the porch and didn't see me get a huge empty box out of the back of my SUV. When I got to the porch with it, she was so confused and asked in disbelief, "Where DID you GET that HUGE box?"

15 March 2017

Before we left Mom's today, Alyson was complaining that she was hot. Mom was teasing her and told "Hot" that it was nice to meet her

Due to the cold temperatures, wind, and snow and ice everywhere, we drove to the bus stop this afternoon to wait for Madelyn's bus instead of walking. I had the car off because it was plenty warm enough in the car, but it wasn't too warm.

Alyson: I'm hot.
Me: I'm not.
Alyson: Really? That's not your name? What's your name?

14 March 2017

While watching "Beauty and the Beast" today, Alyson made a very astute observation about Gaston: "That boy isn't very nice."

13 March 2017

Alyson was being in an ornery mood this afternoon. When we were getting ready to go up to meet Madelyn at the bus stop, I held her coat for her to put it on, trying to get her to do what she was supposed to do. I briefly caught a mischievous look on her face as she was about put her arms in the wrong sleeves so that her coat would be on backward. 

Me, cutting her off from putting her arms in wrong: No, put it on the right way.

Alyson gave me a look that said "How did you know that's what I was going to do?" and put her coat on the right way.

Me: You were going to put your coat on the wrong way, weren't you?
Alyson: Yeah.
Me: I thought so. I saw that little brain working.
Alyson: I have a little brain because I'm little.

12 March 2017

Alyson was being a whiny pain in the butt this morning. She was whining as we walked to Target.

Tony to Alyson: Whine, whine, whine.
Me, making a joke for Tony's sake: Aly, you're too young for wine.
Alyson: No! I'm not too young to whine!

11 March 2017

Before a local high school's performance of "All Shook Up" this afternoon, the musicians were warming up. Alyson was asking me about the instruments.

Alyson: I want to play the trumpet and drums at the same time!
Me, joking: You want to invent a drum trumpet?
Alyson: I don't even know how!

10 March 2017

Madelyn and Alyson were playing on the iPad and iPhone, respectively, after school today. They were both playing the same game, but it's a little advanced for Alyson. Just about every 5 seconds, Alyson would say, "Madelyn, can you help me with this?" or "Madelyn, how do I do this?" or "Madelyn, can you do this for me?"

09 March 2017

While out running today with Alyson in the jogging stroller, Alyson got mad and Madelyn and me for not running faster and having walking intervals. At one point I purposely started running faster, and Alyson put her hands up and yelled, "I'm on a rollercoaster!"

08 March 2017

A 7th grade boy who meets his brother at the bus stop wasn't at the bus stop today. Alyson loves this boy because he's actually really good with her and plays with her while we wait for the school bus. One thing he does every once in a while is sit on the split rail fence of the house at the bus stop. Since he wasn't there today, Alyson decided to sit on the bottom rail of the fence herself and said, "I'm trying to be like [boy]!"

06 March 2017

I asked Alyson to move her preschool bag from where it was on the floor to where it is kept in the corner. She started pushing it along the floor with her feet and explained, "I'm using my feet as a bulldozer."

05 March 2017

While Tony and Alyson were walking to a store from where they parked:

Alyson as they passed a wall with square bricks and bricks with the corners cut off so that they were something between octagons and squares: These are squares and... some other shape.

As they walked in a crosswalk with bricks in a Herringbone pattern: These are rectangles!

As they walked on the sidewalk: These are squares!

When they came to a walk like the first: It's squares and that other shape again!

04 March 2017

As we were sitting down to dinner at Julie's today, Alyson looked at her plate and declared, "This is probably going to fill up my tummy for good."

03 March 2017

The girls were supposed to be cleaning the playroom, but it sounded like there was more playing going on than cleaning. Tony went back to check on their progress.

Tony: Are you cleaning or playing?
Alyson: Madelyn's not cleaning.
Madelyn: You do't always have to stick the blame on me.

02 March 2017

Alyson's entire preschool class received copies of The Cat in the Hat today for Dr. Seuss's birthday. After she got home today, Madelyn was reading it to Alyson but being silly about it. Alyson was getting tired and fed up with Madelyn and very sternly said, "It's time to close the book now, Madelyn! I want to do something different!"

28 February 2017

Madelyn and I started Couch to 5k for he today. I ran with Alyson in a jogging stroller I'm borrowing. It's safe to say that Alyson had fun. During one of the run intervals, she put her hands up and yelled, "Wheeeeee!"

27 February 2017

The girls were playing after dinner with some stuffed animals. They "found" an orphaned baby and were talking about it.

Madelyn: The baby's name was.... Mama Lucia.
Alyson: And the baby's name is, um.... Baby.... CiCi!

(To those not familiar, Mama Lucia's is an Italian restaurant and CiCi's is a pizza buffet.)

26 February 2017

I was on one side of a dining room chair cleaning up some papers. Alyson was on the other side.

Me: Can you throw these away for me?
Instead of going around the chair, Alyson started to climb over it.
Me: Why don't you go around?
Alyson: Because I want to go over.
Me: You like making your life difficult.
Alyson: I like life difficult.

Well, she is four, so yes.

25 February 2017

When we left the grocery store, I picked Alyson up from the cart she had been trapped in because she wasn't listening and carried her to the car. I was carrying her pretty high and mostly up over my shoulder just to be silly.

Alyson: Am I heavy?
Me: No, not at all.
Madelyn: Am I heavy when you pick me up?
Me: Nope, I've been lifting weights.
Alyson: Can you lift Daddy?
Me: Ha! No, I can't lift Daddy.
Alyson: You need to lift more weights then! Like 17,000 weights!

24 February 2017

While getting dressed this morning, Alyson needed help snapping her pants. As usual she came into our room without a shirt on yet to get help.

Alyson: Can you help me?
Me, bending down: Sure, but you need to pay the toll.
Alyson: But I don't have any money right now.
Me, planning to blow a raspberry on her belly for her toll: You don't need to give me money.
Alyson: But I want you to have money.
Me: I already have money.
Alyson: But I want you to have MORE money.

Can't really argue with the kid on that one.

23 February 2017

While Madelyn and Alyson were FaceTiming with their aunt Becca this morning:

Madelyn: I'm already learning division in my iReady! Fourteen divided by two is seven!
Becca: That's right! Good job! Aly, what's two plus three?
Alyson, using her fingers to count: Five!
Becca: Yup! Good!
Madelyn, to Alyson: What's seven plus seven?
Alyson: I don't know.
Madelyn, to Alyson: What's two times seven?
Alyson: I don't know. 

22 February 2017

Before leaving for Madelyn's basketball practice, I picked Alyson up to say good bye and good night to her. When I put her back down, she was leaning back into my arms and not standing up straight.

Me: Stand up straight so that I can put you down.
Alyson: But I am down. My feet are on the ground.
Me: But if I let go of you, you are going to fall.
Alyson: But I'm already on the ground!

21 February 2017

I was teasing Alyson and trying to get her to go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Alyson, standing on the stairs: Tickle me!
Me, pretending to be a monster: I'm gonna get you!
Alyson: Well, that's what I want.

Touché, kid, touché.

20 February 2017

Tony was working on his Spanish lessons in DuoLingo right after dinner. Madelyn and I were talking about their "My First Science Textbooks" about protons, neutrons, electrons, and atoms.

Madelyn: How do you say "neutron" in Spanish?
Alyson: Maybe you can ask Siri?

19 February 2017

We bought Madelyn a new bike today because she outgrew her old one. The new one doesn't have training wheels, so we went to the park for her to practice with Tony. Alyson is now riding Madelyn's old bike that has training wheels.

Me, to Alyson: You're getting pretty good at this. Maybe you'll get good enough to take the training wheels off before Madelyn can ride her bike by herself.
Alyson: And then I'll teach Madelyn!

18 February 2017

Today we needed to get onto I-270 to go somewhere. We generally call it, "270". Just before getting onto the highway, I closed the windows.

Alyson: But I wanted my window open!
Me: We're getting onto 270, and we'll be going too fast to have the windows open.
Alyson, after a couple minutes once we were on the highway: Are we on the number yet?

17 February 2017

Alyson got a free small Slurpee coupon as a Valentine from a classmate. Madelyn did not know about this because the coupon stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's for Grandpa to take her sometime. She used her coupon today. It was Alyson's first Slurpee, and I don't think Madelyn has ever had one, but they have had similar things.

Alyson, excitedly to Madelyn: Guess what! Today Grandpa and I got a Slurpee from the Slurpee place!
Madelyn: The what?
Alyson: The Slurpee place! I got a banana one from the place!

16 February 2017

Alyson has been sick with a cold, so every night is a pretty consistent routine of Vick's, honey or other cough syrup, and blowing her nose with or without saline. Tonight we opted for saline because she sounded so congested.

Alyson, covering her nose with both hands and crying and yelling: No saline!
Me: Do you want to help me and hold the bottle?
Alyson, suddenly much happier: Okay.

15 February 2017

Alyson has her classroom Valentine's Day party today. This evening she was showing Tony all of her Valentines from her classmates. One of the few names she recognized was "her boyfriend's". She saw the card from him and excitedly proclaimed, "I know who this is from! [boy's name]!"

14 February 2017

While trying to get Alyson to leave Mom's this afternoon:

Alyson: What's for dinner?
Me: I'm not telling you. It's a surprise. Put your shoes on.
Alyson: I'm not putting my shoes on unless you tell me what's for dinner.
Me: Well, then you're going to be disappointed because I'm not telling you. One.
Alyson: No! Tell me what's for dinner, or I'm not putting my shoes on.
Me: Two.

Alyson gave up and took her shoes over to my dad to have him put them on. Sorry, kid. You're the second child. That isn't going to work.

13 February 2017

This morning, Alyson saw that I was going to take one of her pictures to work to hang in my office.

Alyson: Are you taking that to work?
Me: Yup, I'm going to hang it on my wall.
Alyson: How are you going to hang it?
Me: Probably with some tape.
Alyson: Or you could glue it.
Me: No, I'll probably get in trouble if I glue it to the wall.
Alyson: And you might get a time out at work.

If only punishments for adults were that simple.

12 February 2017

I tried a sample of a new protein shake today. It really wasn't good, but I drank it anyway. It was vanilla flavored, but was green colored because it boasts to contain two servings of greens. Eventually, Madelyn decided to be adventurous and taste it even though she knew I didn't like it.

Alyson, after Madelyn drank some: What does it taste like? Grass?
Madelyn, after drinking some water: Yuck! No. It just doesn't taste good.

11 February 2017

During Madelyn's basketball game today, we were keeping Alyson busy by asking her to find letters on a big sign. Once Tony made it through the alphabet with her:

Alyson: I want to do more letters!
Tony: But we're done. We finished the alphabet.
Alyson: But I want more letters!

10 January 2017

Tony gave Alyson a new cough syrup this morning after a horrible night last night. It ended up working, but Alyson was not a fan of the taste and declared, "I did not like the taste of that AT ALL!" I had to get her to chug it and chase it with some water when she took it later in the day.

09 February 2017

Tony was sitting in Alyson's room in her rocking chair that is in the corner. He had a dark hoodie on with the hood up.

Me: You look kind of creepy sitting in the corner there.
Alyson: Especially in the dark. You actually looked like a "bampire".

08 February 2017

Alyson had been playing in Mom and Dad's basement before I got there to pick her up this afternoon. She came upstairs right before I got there and started taking off her shoes while Mom was telling her to leave them on the whole time. She got one off when I opened the front door. In a panic, she took off running down the hall with only one shoe on.

07 February 2017

I was teasing Alyson and threatening to catch her. Once I did, I was carrying her around. She didn't seem to mind, though, and randomly said to me, "I want to touch the ceiling!" So, I held her high enough to touch the ceiling.

06 February 2017

As Alyson walked past me, I grabbed her to hug her. I trapped her legs with my legs and had my arms wrapped around her as she was facing away from me.

Tony: Are you trapped?
Alyson: No! If Momma let my arms go and I got my legs out I could get out if I just stepped out like this and...
Madelyn: That sounds like you're trapped.

05 February 2017

Madelyn was looking at some books I brought home that we're going to donate to her school. Alyson wanted to play and frustratedly yelled at Madelyn, "Madelyn, stop looking at books and let's play the game!"

04 February 2017

First

While at Stride Rite getting Alyson new shoes, she pointed to a pair of black and orange ones targeted toward boys and told us, "I don't like this shoe because it's too boy-y."

Second

While Alyson and I were in the bathroom at the mall, she noticed the large recessed shelf above and behind the toilet.

Alyson, pointing at the shelf: What's that for?
Me: It's a place to put your bags from shopping.
Alyson: Or babies.

03 February 2017

During dinner, I was telling everyone about the lunch sale / bake sale / yard sale we had at work today.

Madelyn: Where did you go for lunch?
Me: We got sushi and then came back and bought dessert from the bake sale.
Alyson, excited: Well, where is dessert?
Me: In my belly.
Alyson: Awwww....

02 February 2017

Tired four-year-olds cry at pretty much everything that doesn't go their way. After about the fourth or fifth time that Alyson was crying over something in about a half hour:

Me: Aly, is it hard being four?
Alyson, crying: YES!!!!

01 February 2017

As usual, Alyson was being stubborn about her putting on her coat when I came to pick her up.

Me: Put on your coat, Alyson.
Alyson, looking around but purposefully not looking at her coat: Where is my coat? I don't see it.
Me: It's right in front of you, and you know it.
Alyson, reaching for her sunglasses: Oh! Here's my coat!
Me: You silly goose. Those are your sunglasses! They won't keep you warm.
Alyson, after tucking her sunglasses under her chin: I'm so warm!