Startastic Picnic

Natalie: Mommy, we're gonna have a startastic picnic!
Me: What does startastic mean?
Natalie: It means you're on the moon, having a picnic!

Teachable Moment

Natalie awoke at 5:30 this morning complaining of a tummy ache. After questioning her, she told me that the only thing that would make her feel better was coming downstairs. We talked about the difference between the truth and a lie. Then she looked at me and said "Well, the truth is, I don't really have a tummy ache."

Calm Begets Calm

So I'm reading one of our myriad parenting books, and a phrase jumps out at me: calm begets calm. This is absolutely true, but sometimes you have to ride the wave of crazy to get to that promised land. During the ride, amidst wild, screaming tantrums, it's sometimes nearly impossible to maintain my cool. Hence, this simple phrase (which is absolutely true), isn't always simple. Fortunately, I keep reminding myself of the eventual payoff and will repeat this like a mantra to myself, especially on days like tomorrow when I have both kids all day long, all on my own.

(Is it bizarre that I still get a little nervous when I face 10+ hours outnumbered by them?)

Moody Monday

In the car, on the way home from school, we dropped by the library to return a DVD we borrowed and never watched. Natalie was nearly bereft, crying full out nearly all the way home. Here is a snippet from our conversation:

Natalie: Mama, don't talk to Zachary!
Me: Why? I like talking to Zach. He makes me laugh.
Zach: Hehehe.
Natalie: He makes me laugh, too. But I don't want to laugh. I want to cry.

And THIS is what it's like being the parent of a three year old.