Digging a Ditch

Quite a few weeks ago now, we had ordered some pizza at Costco to take to Josh’s parents house before painting more than two dozen eggs for Easter. We had enough time, so I went to this little kid clothes store while Josh took the manly route and went to a surplus. The store was having a blowout sale, so I was doing some stocking up on skirts, dresses, tank tops, and flip flops (“Not flip flops MOM, they’re chanklas!”) for summer.

Olivia spies a swimsuit she wants. It’s the one thing we don’t need for summer since she already has two new swimsuits from relatives and also fits in Bea’s hand me downs – about 3 of them. She didn’t need another one. There was a play area in this store, so the girls wandered over there and Olivia told me to “hold the swimsuit, please”. And then they played and I went to the check out. I didn’t get the swimsuit for her.

When we were walking back to pick up the pizza from Costco, Olivia says she wants to hold her swimsuit. That’s when I say I didn’t get the swimsuit. And she looks mortified. But, she doesn’t believe me for some reason and asks to have it again when we get to Josh’s parents. I tell her the same thing. She just looks confused.

The next day she asks for her new swimsuit, and I don’t know what happened, but I told her we left it at grandma’s and that she could get it the next time she’s there. I figured it was likely that she would forget. I didn’t remember that I was dealing with Ms. Fashionista** and that she might never forget any item of clothing that was hers. And she hasn’t – even after three weeks now. Every time she mentions that swimsuit being at grandma’s and how she is going to get it the next time she is there, I kind of do an under the breath “mmm hmmm” knowing full well that there is no new swimsuit there for her.

I should never have said that to her because those kids, I swear they remember everything you tell them now. You can never make promises and not follow through. And you sure has hell can’t say that some treasured item that child thought you bought them is at grandmas. It looks like I am going to have to make a cheap swimsuit purchase in the next couple of days because the girls are headed there this weekend. Why couldn’t she just believe me when I told her that I didn’t get it? That’s right...they only hear what they want to hear.


**Ms. Fashionista in an oldie, but goodie, photo last July. Notice the paisley pants paired with the tie-dyed shorts, and the shirt with stars with a blue jacket with butterflies. Who said that you couldn’t put a print together with a print with yet another print? Olivia makes her own rules, and no one challenges them.

Santa Cruzin

Last weekend we took off and went camping down in Santa Cruz. The weather was summerlike, and we took our chances on getting a campsite. It turned out that all of the beach camp spots were taken, but nestled in the redwoods (and only about 10 minutes to the beach) we did find a really nice campsite. The girls had a blast, and after we set up our tent, we headed down to the beach for a good 3 – 4 hours. The girls made some friends and shared their beach gear. Back at the campsite we had roasted marshmallows. It was the perfect little getaway being just about a half hour from home.

Husbands

"Mommy, why do you have 2 rings on your finger?"

Bea asked me this while we were in the car last Friday.

"Well, one is when daddy told me he loved me, and the other one he gave me when we got married," I said.

"Oh. Will I have 2 rings someday?"

"I'm pretty sure you will. Do you want to marry a prince?"

Bea scruntches up her face in disgust.

"Well, then who do you want to marry?"

"I want to marry someone just like daddy..."

So sweet.

And then there's Olivia.

"Olivia, do you want to get married someday?"

"Yeah. I want to marry a KING."

This is when I look at Josh. We both laugh. And I can't help but say, "is it any surprise that she wants to be the queen bee?" Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The Week

Crazy week in these parts. We had not one, not two, but three of us down for the count with some sort of sick. When Bea woke up in the middle of night last Sunday barking like a seal (I thought those croup days were behind us), I knew that we would be in for finding some back up care on Monday (i.e. grandpa). In the morning when I was putting on my face in the bathroom, she came in and looked at me and did this big sigh and then says, "mom, are you going to work today?" I told her I was and she said, "Awwwwww." So, I just asked her if she wanted me to stay home with her and I couldn't even believe the look of happiness that swept over her. I asked her if instead she wanted to go to grandpas, and that was a no. I'll have to admit that she didn't have to twist my arm that much to get me to stay with her.

Our day together was a blast, and even though she was sick, I know she enjoyed the one on one time. Josh called us numerous times throughout the day and he thought we were just partying it up...I wouldn't say that, but our day was so busy. We first watched some cartoons, and then I took her down to my work so I could pick up a few things. She drew all over my white board and was pleased as punch to be at my workplace (I wish I had that attitude sometimes). Then we came home and while I did a work call she put together some beads. We then headed to the grocery store for some food shopping. After that, we watched part of a movie and laid down for awhile. Then it was a few rounds of Elefun. And then we colored. By that time it was four, and I think she grew tired of me because she asked to go to daycare. WHAT? Okay, I don't think she was bored of me, per say, but she missed all of her friends and all of the activity and all of the interaction with others. I can't say I blame her because I like the fact that she thrives in a social atmosphere and loves being around so many people, and for this I am glad she has the daycare. I can't believe how hard it was to entertain a four year old all day by myself (with no sister or dad around), but I do have to say how easy it was being with one child instead of two.

When we went to pick up her sister from daycare was probably the best moment of the day...how they hugged each other and said how much they missed each other was so sweet. But, then not ten minutes later they were already over it. Anyway, here she is with the beads she put together (which ended up being a present for Josh):


I wasn't feeling so great on Monday, and on Tuesday I definitely wasn't well. I bypassed any sick days for the week and struggled to make it through work. Still not well on my end, and have now come close to losing my voice completely. Olivia has something, probably the same as Bea...Needless to say, they are both taking medicine now.

On Friday night, my brother flew in for a whirlwind weekend trip. I hope that we didn't wear him out too much because the girls can be pretty exhausting. We're just getting him ready for his first little girl, due this August! I can't wait to spoil my new niece. It was so nice having him here with us, and while not all that exciting, he did get to see the girls in action. On Saturday, we went to our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.



With a 10am start for ages 3 and under, and a 10:15 start for ages 4 and over, I'm glad we sent Bea off with the little kids, because the hunt was over in about 5 minutes. They never got to the big kid event because there was nothing left to find(maybe they weren't planning on a high turnout):


Bea loving the Easter Bunny (you can see my brother and Olivia there in the background):


Olivia was definitely apprehensive about this whole bunny thing:


And of course we hit up In-N-Out:



Good times.