We got off to a slow start Monday morning, as opposed to all those school days when we were up and at ‘em by 5 minutes to 9 (school starting at 8:40). I took hooligans 1-3 to Fort De Soto for a run/walk/bike ride. When Florida is gorgeous, it is gorgeous! But we really need to get out earlier to avoid heatstroke. Sally was pretty cheerful; three miles in midday May sun is almost as bad as 10 in the snow, uphill both ways.
We stopped at the Visitors Center for a painless science lesson on shells, turtles, fossils and the power of information. Susan, looking at the baby octopus specimen in the mason jar, said, “He needs to wake up.” I said, “I don’t think he’s going to wake up any time soon.” Very upset: “Yes he is going to be wake up!” The ranger thought we should humor the loud 2 year-old and agreed that he would wake up after a long sleep. (What are they teaching at ranger school these days?)
Sally has been sorting our seashells at home and identifying them according to the 25-cent postcard we got at Walmart. The ranger showed us a big haul he was labelling, and Sally pointed to some big cockles, saying, “We’ve got a cockle at home that’s littler than this one.” The ranger said that she wasn’t pointing to a cockle, and got out a brochure so she could make a correct identification. Oops — it sure was a cockle — the ranger had his scallops and cockles confused: an easy mistake to make. Sally was gracious in accepting his apologies (while inside Mom was cackling and reminiscing about her own childhood skirmishes with authority — I hope Sally retains her humility and is a better human being than Mom).
Some cute pictures:
At Cresent Lake Park. I think Spot’s hat has a nice Roaring ’20s flare.
Finally got Sally to smile (sort of). Also note how she arranges her people before bed. It’s always a different assortment of dolls/horses/barbies, but she’s very exact in how she lays them out.
mm-hmmm. Just want to eat her up.
You can see how seriously we take breastfeeding at our house.
Sally “nursed” her babies a lot when Susan was born. This time she hasn’t been as interested.
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love that avery is a little mini-shannon. more than 1 example in this post. looks more like tom, though. if she inherits half your good qualities, she’ll be set for life. (i’ll pray she only inherits a few of the bad ones. although, that’s probably why i like you.)
I love those cheeks! And Callie’s dress, where did you get it? Jessamine will often offer “nursies” to her dolls and stuffed animals, but she wants ME to nurse them. She did ask me the other day why she doesn’t have nursies herself, is that a normal thing for a 21-month old to wonder about?
How wonderful! I love that she knew her shells (and I agree what is with that ranger just outright lying to kids??).
Great pic’s of the little ones, by the way
I love your pictures! I love how Lucy has something in her mouth almost all the time, like Zac too. Does she suck her thumb or take a binky? I like binkies the best because you can take them away!
Tara–if we were perfect, we’d probably be boring (hope that isn’t sacrilegious).
Marie–Callie’s dress is one that Avery got from Auntie Liz who got it on sale at the gap 5 years ago. i didn’t really like it that much when Avery wore it, but it’s one of my favorites to put on Callie.
that’s cute that she wants you to nurse them — i wonder if that’s an age thing that she sees you as the nurser but hasn’t transferred that “mommy” capability to herself yet. does she “mommy” her dolls is other ways? (does she change their diapers or ask you to do it?) i think Jessamine’s interest is completely normal and healthy. Callie (31 months) calls them “boo-boos.” and Avery says “boobs” then “oh, sorry, i mean your breasts” (big guffaw, almost like a dorky teenage boy).
Gladis–i wish i could sign her up for some private Mad Science tutorials! i’ve always been good on setting the literature example, but science (as fascinating as it is) just doesn’t lie around on every flat surface (actually, i’m sure it does, but you know what i mean).
Marcy–yes, lucy def. has the oral fixation. no binkies or thumb, though. i think thumb-sucking looks adorable, but my three daughters (just doesn’t ring like “my three sons,” does it?) were/are all into the mommy-as-pacifier thing.