Down The Bennett Road...: July 2012

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Easter

We had an Easter egg hunt with our neighborhood. The girls had lots of fun!

Brooke's Birthday Dinner and Party

My baby is 3. Something seems wrong with this. We are out of diapers. Pull-ups. Swim diapers. All of it. This is super exciting, but also kind of overwhelming. Brooke is quick to remind me that she is "NOT A BABY". So, apparently, we are not only out of diapers around here, but babies as well. I secretly still whisper in her sleeping ear that she will always be my baby. This spunky, spirited, energetic, beautiful and life changing child is 3. The teeny tiny miracle that fought daily for her life is 3. The mighty body that proved doctors completely wrong is 3. The little heartbeat that brought tears to mommy's eyes every appointment is 3. The fighter that still shows us that "I'll show you" is 3. It is a strange thing. Kids growing up. Developing personalities. Experiencing the world. And I can say, with complete certainty, that my life will never be the same with this miracle in it.

"I miss all my friends."

Amazing Friends

Every once in a while, I get this feeling that I'm right where I belong. I have that feeling about our church and my Bible study. Our family has met amazing families there and I have felt more connected with the women than I ever have anywhere. I was still recovering from surgery on Brooke's birthday. I hadn't planned much for the day and was honestly just hoping that she wouldn't notice... I was attempting to throw a party for her a few weeks later (I wasn't really going to let her think we totally forgot about it!) My Bible study girls showed up that day with pizza, cake, gifts and lots of fun. It was a wonderful blessing for all of us.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Surgery and Princesses

I had to have surgery in April... It wasn't any fun, but my best friend came to visit and help out during my recovery. We had gotten tickets for Disney on Ice, so the girls went ahead and went with daddy and grandma. Casey helped them get all dressed up for the outing. They looked gorgeous and had so much fun. I was very sad to miss out, but I ended up having a good night hanging out at home with great friends.

An outlet for creativity or bad parenting?

I have been accused of being a bit too laid back on some things. "Creative projects" (as I like to call them) are sometimes these things. "Fun with food" (as I like to call it) happens quite often around here. For example, green eggs and colorfully decorated pancakes. No harm done... except for maybe the dye in the food coloring and the insane amounts of sugar and color dye # whatever in the icing... But it is all about the experience, right?

Dad's Night

Brynn's pre-k class had Dad's night. We have done this for a few years at this school. The girls always look forward to having him see their classroom and experiencing a "normal" day of activities. Brynn was super excited to be on a special date with her daddy!

Pathetic...

Apparently my last post was about Ainsley's half birthday... and I am currently getting ready to send out invites to her actual birthday. Yikes.

THE GIRLS' QUOTE BOARD

"I did drive my teachers crazy today." (Brooke, age 2 1/2 after preschool)
At Ainsley's 6 year well check the doctor asked her what 2 foods she eats the most. She replied, "Bread and candy. Lots of candy. I am my mommy's worst eater."
"Wow, are you really going to wear that today?" (Ainsley, age 6, when I walked downstairs in a strapless sundress)
"We don't learn about Jesus in kindergarten. I bet that makes God really sad." (Ainsley, age 6)
"Walmart is my best place." (Brynn, age 4)
"I not wear my dress in the Butterfly Room." (Brooke, age 2 on her first day at school)
"Don't worry, mom, I won't ever lose my love for you... not even when I am 15." (Ainsley, age 6)
"It's ok, mom. I forgive you." (Ainsley)
"You NEVER let me do what I want... or eat what I want!" (Ainsley during a total fit)
"My Pops went to Bethlehem" (Ainsley) "Yeah, well, my mom went to Vegas!" (her friend)
"No, mommy, no." (Brooke)
"But why can't I have a pet elephant?" (Brynn)
"I don't see how the t-rex is so scary if he only has 2 fingers! That doesn't sound too scary to me!" (Ainsley)
Brooke counted to 12!!! (at 22 months)
"Look, I made manna ice cream!" (Ainsley, holding out a plastic ball on a stand)
"Mommy change diaper. Mine." (Brooke)
"Pants off!" (Brooke 22 months)
"Why are American Girl dolls so much money if they are just plastic and stuffing?" (Ainsley)
"Do people have to be married to have a baby or can anyone have a baby?" (Ainsley)
"It will be fun mom because after we play we will all go out drinking." (Brynn)
Brooke really likes that she gets a sticker when she goes potty so now she goes in the bathroom, takes off her diaper, pees all over the floor and then yells "STICKER!" She is so proud!
"Dora. Backpack. Swiper. Boots." (Brooke, 21 months)
"big booger" (Brooke, age 21 months)
We had communion during family worship today and when handed the bread Ainsley said, "This isn't the kind of bread I like. I'd rather a donut."
Ainsley on the way to school- "When I am 5 1/2 I'd like to ride the bus alone. Don't be sad that I am getting so big. I will still be your kid... well, at least until I'm a grown up."
‎"God is always with you. You don't need to be afraid." (Ainsley, age 5)
Me- "what should we get daddy for Christmas?" Ainsley- "How about 3 girls that obey. He would like that best of all because he is always asking for that."
Me- "what should we get daddy for Christmas?" Ainsley- "How about 3 girls that obey. He would like that best of all because he is always asking for that."
"Just sign me up to be one of those Operation Christmas Child kids. They still get presents even when their parents don't buy them anything." (Ainsley's response when her and Brynn were fighting and I told her that it was not too late for us to cancel Christmas)
"I won't be your little sister anymore." (Brynn to Ainsley when they were arguing)
"Vampire" (Brooke, age 20 months)
"Elephant" (Brooke, age 19 months)
"Ainsley is 30 minutes tall and I am 80 minutes tall" (Brynn, age 3)
When I pointed out the jail as we drove by, Ainsley said, "If all the villains are already in jail then I won't have anything to do when I grow up and become a musketeer."
"Daddy Punk" (Brooke, 19 months)
"diaper" (Brooke, age 2 days shy of 18 months)
"Mom, will you miss me when I'm a Musketeer?" (Ainsley, age 5)
This morning Brynn said to Ainsley, "You have 2 choices... that's it. Your red cowgirl boots or your new tennis shoes. Which shoes are you wearing to school?"
Jesse asked Ainsley why her bottom was red after getting out of the bathtub to which Ainsley replied, "Because I have been sitting on it all day, Dad!"
"So God and Jesus work together to make the earth healthy?" (Ainsley, age 5)
"Up Mama" (Brooke age 17 months)
"Mom, you are a punk. I love you." (This was the last thing Brynn (3) told me before she fell asleep!)
Ainsley-"Is dad smarter than you?" Me-"No." Ainsley-"I kind of think he is because he is taller than you and knows what choir means."
"Whobody" (This is Brynn's famous word... ex: "Whobody will be at the swimming pool with us?")
"Stinky" (Brooke's new word!)
"Hold your horse!" (Ainsley to her sisters whenever they are not being patient with her... "horse" singular. I love it!)
While pushing her doll in the stroller, Brynn says, "Bye everybody. I am going to Jimmy Johns for a turkey sandwich and then Sonic because I am really firsty!"
"What'd you said?" (Brynn)
"Check out this cool move!" (Brynn every time she does a new stunt!)
"So, when we eat turkey for breakfast and lunch, it used to be alive? It was alive and then it died... (long pause) and then we eat it?!?!" (Ainsley after seeing a turkey farm on tv)
"Can I have some more of those veggies? They are so yummy!" (Ainsley - I about passed out!)
"Dada" (Brooke age 1)
"Why you so happy mom? 'Cause I love you?" (Brynn 2 1/2)
"I think God put a big lightbulb on the sun to make it even more hot to melt all of the snow and make it Spring." (Ainsley age 4 1/2)
"I am happy right here." (Brynn age 2 1/2)
"Come this way." (Ainsley) "No, go this way. (Brynn- while pushing the doll stroller) "But I am the daddy." (Ainsley) "Me mommy. Me boss. Daddy go to work." (Brynn) "Can I hold the baby for a minute?" (Ainsley) "No. Me mommy. Me hold baby. Daddy go to work." (Brynn)
"I don't think I am comfortable performing in front of people." (Ainsley said when we were discussing her being in a fashion show. When I told her that the kids that are in it get a treat bag, she decided that she is in fact comfortable!)
"I make you happy!" (Brynn- totally out of nowhere!)
"My baby hungry. Eat my boobies." (Brynn, as she pulls up her shirt and makes sure that the doll's mouth is on her boob!)
"It is a good thing you guys go to school today!" (Mommy to the 2 big girls after an especially stressful morning)
"Yeah right, mom! I don't think so!" (Brynn's response to mommy asking her to put her shoes on. I'm so glad that the speech therapy is helping!!!)
Dad- "Ainsley, do you want to try a hamburger for dinner?" Ainsley- "No, gross. I won't ever eat anything with boggers in it!"
"Mama" (Brooke said Mama for the first time today!!! While I was changing the grossest diaper, she looked right at me and said it!)
Ainsley' teacher told me that they were getting ready to act out the story of the Good Samaritan and Ainsley yelled out, "I want to be the Good American!" The teacher thought it was so cute that they let her be the "Good American".
"I am really famished! What does that mean again?" (Ainsley)
Ainsley wanted to drive by and see the outside of where her kindergarten will be, so we drove her by. She looked at it and said, "Gosh, that is really ugly."
Ainsley just diagnosed Brynn with "back-itis-ee" which means "your back hurts so bad every day that it never goes away". I thought that was actually quite intelligent... sad, but intelligent. (Brynn has been complaining about her back hurting...)
"Eat Girl Scout cookies all gone!" (Brynn says with a mouth full of cookies... after we had looked all over the house for her. She had hidden inside the walk-in pantry and eaten as many cookies as she could before I found her!)
"The more you eat, the more you poop!" (Ainsley announced in the middle of dinner)
When I opened the blinds early Monday morning (MLK Day), Ainsley pulled the covers over her head and said, "BUT, MOM, IT IS A HOLIDAY!" (She sounded exactly like I would have when I was about 15!)
-"God, our Father. God, our Father. Where is pinkie? Where is pinkie? Once again, once again. We ask Him for His blessings. Here I am. Here I am!" (Brynn, age 2)
- "Oh Mom, you are nothing to be afraid of!" (After I told Ainsley I would turn into a monster if she did not start obeying me)
summary of the last 3 nights' conversations in the car with Ainsley: 1. How do people die and get to Heaven? 2. What is your most favorite word? 3. Why can't we buy other people?
I just made Ainsley really mad because I would not let her play the "shooter" game at Bass Pro. She looked at me and said, "Well, it's ok because Daddy lets us play when you are not with us!" She then instructed me to stay downstairs while they went upstairs...I didn't so she didn't get to play.
In the acting out of the Christmas story w/ the nativity set, Ainsley decided it was much more efficient for the shepherds & wise men to ride on the angel's back to see Jesus... that way they were not so tired from walking so far.
Ainsley's wish for Thanksgiving is to have a baby brother... She wants to name him Tree House (first and middle name, not Treehouse). She has also requested that I not "lay in bed the whole time he is in my tummy" like I did with Brooke because she really missed me. She was really disappointed when I informed her that there would be no more babies...