The Kiddos

It's been awhile since my last post AND since I've update everyone on the kids, so I thought I'd do both today. Though their ages are trying at times (little miss surprises me with her occasional tantrums and baby boy regularly gets into places he shouldn't), those moments are tempered by the playful, fun ones.

*Lately, Leah has been asking for a pet. This came from out of the blue (contrary to belief that I might have coached her. Though I do want a dog, I certainly don't want the added responsibility of one right now.)
  L: "Mommy, I want a pet."
  Me: "Oh, well, we'll see about that. What do you want?"
  L: "A cat."
  M: "Hmmm, you'll have to talk to Daddy about that. He doesn't like cats."
  L, considering that fact: "Well, does Daddy like dogs?"
  M: "Yes, Daddy likes dogs."
  L: "Then I want a dog."
 After our conversation, Leah repeated it with her dad. Of course, he was a bit surprised they were even having it. Since then, Leah has mentioned WHEN she gets her dog (not if). Hmmmm, she might have to wait awhile on that.

*Polishing the Floors, a Win-Win.
  Not sure how this started, but lately, the kids (thanks to Daddy) have become obsessed with cleaning the wood floors. Well, maybe not exactly, but they do love blanket rides. Leah wraps herself in the blanket, pretending to be a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. (Yes, she even emerges from her cocoon.) Although this is the usual scenario for her, she did modify it the other day; she loaded up the blanket with toys, and then pretended she was Santa, delivering toys down the hallway.
  Hunter loves lying face down during the rides. We're not exactly sure why, but boy, is it funny. Sometimes he'll turn over onto his back, which often means he's just barely lying on the blanket. Other times, he'll try to stand (obviously he doesn't get very far). Ahh, simple fun.

*Speaking of simple fun, notice the new "toys" in these photos. The kids loved playing in a box. They'd just sit in it. Not sure the allure of cardboard, but it kept them entertained. Course, I think the flashlights helped, too. Hunter will go to the drawer where we keep them, point, and say, "Light?" He loves walking around with them, but he especially enjoys playing with them in the darkened laundry room. Again, who knew such a simple tool would bring the kids such joy.
  Now, I realize Leah doesn't look too joyful in the box. That was her "Mommy, I'm making a sad face" for the photo. Hmmm, honestly, it looks like both of them aren't too happy. Almost as if I had locked 'em up.

*So the hubs might not like this photo, but it was too funny NOT to include. After church on Sunday, Hunter pulled out Leah's Ariel costume from the box of dress-up clothes and brought it over to me. Seeing no harm in indulging him, I helped him into it. That boy was so happy! He continued about his business (playing) while we made lunch. And when it was time to eat (and he had to lose the costume), he was NOT happy!
  Later that day, while Leah and I were at Awana, Hunter again "asked" to wear the costume, but Scott told him "no". That's not what Hunter wanted to hear: he threw a tantrum because he couldn't wear the costume. (I'm sure he's going to kill me one day when he sees this photo!)

*No photo for this tidbit, but I've noticed that Hunter has been learning how to play from Leah (as evidenced by the previous story). Leah likes to pretend she's Jasmine kitty, and Hunter has begun doing the same. At times, independently of Leah, he will drop to all fours, mew, and crawl over to me. Once he gets to me, he pulls himself up for a "kitty hug and cuddle". Satisfied, he'll then crawl away (or do a circuit and repeat). Too funny.