Mother's Day

The plan for Mother's Day was to spend some time with my mom, my brother and his family and our aunt Tommie. Then we were going to go spend some time with Karl's mom. However, my kids tend to get struck with holiday sickness. This time it was Annika's turn. She began having a stomach ache and fever on Saturday so we scrapped all of our plans.

Instead we spent a quiet day at home. Alexandria brought me breakfast in bed and a card she and Elizabeth had made. She did this all on her own which was so thoughtful. Then she made me a photo frame out of popsicle sticks and glued a picture of her and the other kids inside it. It was sweet! I also got a nap with Ian which made me happy. So the day didn't go quite as planned but breakfast in bed and a nap? Can't complain too much about that!

The ultimate insult in the Dains' household right now is...diva. Ian thinks it is the worst thing you can call someone. He gets upset at the girls and yells "Stop it...diva!!" or "No don't! You diva!" Annika in particular finds this term horribly offensive. To the point of tears.

Maybe you had to be there...

Elizabeth is getting very vocal about her likes and dislikes.

Yesterday I was scrubbing the kitchen floor and she decided to stand right were I was cleaning and play with the tupperware. I didn't say anything to her, just put the tupperware back and picked her up and moved her over a bit. She told me "No no baby!" and gave me a smart pat.

Today she and Ian were playing while I was in the kitchen. I heard a scuffle and her start to cry. She came running in the kitchen and told me something unitellgible.

"What happened?" I asked

Still crying she said "What happen..." then she began crying harder and gesturing wildly and said "No no mine!"

Translation: Ian took her toy away from her. Her first official tattle. She is getting so big.

Sigh...

Elizabeth decided to help herself to the jar of peanut butter:



And did I mention last week she fingerpainted with caramel dip on the living room carpet?

Brownies wee no more...

Does anyone else remember that song "Brownies Wee, gay and free, just as happy as can be..." I know Chandra, Toddie and Mom do. Tonight was Alexandria's bridging ceremony for Girl Scouts (she bridged from brownie to junior.) She got a lot of patches and we had a great dinner. But it must be said: Me alone with 4 kids + buffet dinner= :( But all in all we had fun though and Alexandria was excited about all the badges she earned.





Annika was particularly touched by the candle lighting ceremony and had to wipe away her faux tears. Silly girl.

I walked in the living room yesterday and discovered Ian playing with a ball of my yarn. When he saw me he startled, threw the yarn down and said quickly "I was just making a sweater!"

So unfair...

Life has been unfair for Annika. Her friend Kira invited her over to spend the night. The mother and I never spoke about it, it was just the two seven year olds arranging this over the phone. Annika told me that Kira would either be at the skating rink or Chuck E. Cheese, so could we please just drive to both and look for her? That got a big no. This did not make Annika happy. Finally a few hours later Kira called and wanted to know where Annika was. I talked with her mom and cleared that it was okay and took Annika over there. When I picked Annika up today she was mad. Why? Because Alexandria told her we went to the park while she was gone. How dare we go somewhere without her!