Growing in Bursts, master builder

It's amazing how kids grow in bursts. Big Bro (4.5 yo) had a big burst this Thanksgiving break in his Lego building skills that I wanted to share. Here are his creations that he built all by himself:

Crocodile with moving mouth

Jail with bad guy

Horse merry-go-round that really spins

Helicopter with ladder. Looks just like the one in the Lego game app we have.

Snowplow dump truck

Super strong snowplow

Frustrated by losing the "mistletoe" (missile) on his Dino-helicopter, he built a new one out of Legos.

Not to be totally outdone, Lil Sis made her own creation too:

Fleeting First Snow Fun

Last Friday it snowed for the first time.today it's snowing again! But last week it was fresh and new. The kids had just eaten lunch and were having a little downtime watching a show. I was at my computer typing up a blog. I glanced out the window and saw the skies were dark and there were light snow flurries.

Kids!" I announced, "it's snowing! Let's "go outside before it stops. We can finish the show later."

The kids looked out the window and squealed with glee. Then we all jumped into action to get on our boots, jackets, mittens, and hats to go out into the flurries.

They ran around the yard excitedly, mouths agape to catch the flakes on their tongues.

They turned their boots into snowplows to collect what ever was sticking to the ground. Then they reached down and ate it. Lil Sis sampled the flakes that landed on her swing. Big Bro followed suit.

We admired the flakes as they landed on Pepper and played for as long as the snow fell. 

Then the sun came out and the snow stopped. We went inside for hot cocoa at Big Bro's request, and made a bowl of popcorn to eat while we finished the show. 

When the show was done we looked out the window and all the snow had already melted. There was no trace of the magic that had just happened. But we knew and it was such a great start to winter.

Fart Jokes

I was raised in a house occupied by all women. Manners were important, please, thank you, no intentional rude noises, etc.

Nevertheless, one thing my family always thought was hilarious growing up, and even still today, is fart jokes. 

Yes, fart jokes (and actual farts) would have us laughing, sometimes to the point where tears crept to our eyes. 

I remember one Christmas when my brother-in-law let one rip during a fancy dinner, we laughed and laughed as he turned a brighter and brighter shade of red.

Lately my kids have discovered fart jokes and bathroom talk. They enjoy putting the guilt of a fart on whoever is around even if the noise came from a chair or toy or the accuser's lips. 

You tooted! No you tooted! [Giggle, giggle].

Today they started with a round of fart jokes while I was making dinner. Being the responsible adult I am, I figured I better stop it before it got out of hand. "Hey you guys," I called to them. "That's bathroom talk. If you want to do that go to the bathroom."

Usually that ends it. But this time they stopped and started whispering to each other and ran off to the bathroom. They turned on the fan, closed the door and I could hear them talking and laughing.

I pressed my ear against the door to confirm my suspicions. Yep. Fart jokes.

"Do cows fart? Yup!" [Giggle giggle].

"Do snakes fart? Yes!" [Giggle giggle].

"Ew, there's a fart over there!" [Giggle giggle].

I returned to the kitchen smiling. They were having sibling bonding time over fart jokes. Together, shut in the bathroom, and making full use of Mommy's bathroom talk loophole. They were so happy, and so was I.

Or at least until the next morning when they started yet again.

The Great Elsa Ploy

Since holidays are always more fun with kids, I am thinking about Christmas. For me, it's incredibly early to be thinking a Christmas in early November. However, with kids I do need to start planning ahead. Doing last minute shopping Christmas week just won't cut it.

My kids are really into the movie Frozen, just like so many little kids these days. One night I went shopping on Amazon on my phone to start making a wish list. I found Elsa and Anna dolls from Disney. There were single dolls and there were sets that included both sisters. The prices range from $25 for one doll to $50-$70 for two dolls or a tiny set of sculptured figurines for all five main characters (Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and Kristof). My husband, understandably, was disgusted by the prices.

Then I remembered that someone said there were Frozen dolls at Costco for $15. I had seen them when I went week or two ago but didn't buy any since the kids were with me. Plus that was before Halloween so I definitely wasn't thinking about buying Christmas presents. There was a good chance that the dolls sold out. 

Nevertheless, I thought Lil Sis and I could go check. We went to the toy aisle and I didn't see the princesses where I had seen them weeks earlier. Looking down the aisle I saw there was a display of Disney princesses. They were the "toddler" versions of the princesses with bodily proportions more accurate for very young children. Totally appropriate for Lil Sis.

There was just one Elsa doll left. No Anna dolls, but plenty of Belles, Cinderellas, and Rapunzels. I hesitated. Does Lil Sis really want this doll? Would she like something else better? Then an old couple pulled up behind me with a shopping cart. I overheard them say, "Here's some Frozen stuff! I know Frozen is on their list…"

That decided it. I snapped up the last Elsa doll and hid it in my coat. Luckily Lil Sis was looking at another toy at the time. I called to her and we went down the next aisle. I was grateful for her two-year-old lack of observation and suspicion. She didn't care that I now had a box shaped jacket. 

We looked at other toys and I made the mistake of suggesting we go back to look at the dolls one last time. As she browsed I took a picture of the Elsa doll to send my husband to get his opinion on whether I should buy the big Elsa doll or the little figurines of both Anna and Elsa.

Lil Sis had been looking at toys again but turned around and caught me in the act. "Big Elsa is in your coat!" she giggled happily.

Now that I was caught, I thought I could at least get verification of whether this doll was the right choice. "Is big Elsa your favorite?" I asked. "Yes." She answered. I showed her all the other choices again but she still insisted on the big Elsa doll.

"Good." I replied feeling a little panicked. Now what?

"We can ask Santa to bring you big Elsa!" I suggested enthusiastically.  "But for now I have to put her back."

Lil Sis was visibly upset. I secretly re-stuffed Elsa in my jacket and hoped that she wouldn't notice (again) even though she now knew something was up.

I led her by the hand up to the registers. I put Elsa, still under my coat, on the cashiers conveyor belt. "Hey, Elsa's under your coat!" Lil Sis said.

"No, I had to put her back." I answered.

Lil Sis responded with cries of I want big Elsa! I handed her my smartphone to soften her disappointment.

Thankfully, the cashier has evidently seen this scenario before. she saw the item under my jacket and immediately said, oh this must be a secret purchase. She only lifted a tiny flap of my coat so she could scan the doll, and wished me good luck. The guy manning the exit door was also experienced with secret purchases and was very understanding when I showed him my receipt and my jacket wrapped around a box.

Lil Sis fussed all the way to the car "I want big Elsa!" On the one hand felt terrible for making her sad. On the other hand I felt secure that I had made the right doll purchase and relieved that I had pulled off the great Elsa ploy.