Tattle Tale

Abbie's preschool teacher informed me that Abbie doesn't eat much for lunch or snack. That's disappointing because she doesn't eat much for breakfast either, and I was hoping she'd make up for it during the day. At least I know why I can't keep her out of the snacks when she gets home.

I Hate Mondays

The kids are still getting used to being in preschool all day. The boys have adjusted well, but Abbie is still having issues. I've heard that a good day for a toddler is any day that's like the one before. So as the week progresses and she gets used to being in preschool, she tolerates it better. But then the weekend comes and staying home all day throws off her routine. That's when we start over.

Abbie screamed wildly when I dropped her off at preschool today. Fortunately the teacher was ready with a fish-themed art project when I needed to leave.

Dinosaur Roar

Mommy has been watching dinosaur videos with the kids recently. Consequently, the boys can identify quite a few dinosaurs. Not just the easy ones like "T-Rex" either (although "T-Rex" is still the default name of any unfamiliar dino). Tonight Ian correctly identified "triceratops" while watching a video.

Yet these same boys wandered up to me earlier, Tory carrying a toy hippopotamus and Ian with a rhinoceros, and both exclaimed, "ostrich!"

Hop on Pop

In my civil procedure class today, we were trying to determine which state had jurisdiction in the case of Gibbons v Brown.

"Where is Mr. Brown?" the professor asked us to gather facts concerning domicile.

Without warning, or permission, the following starts running through my head:

"Where is Brown?
There is Brown!
Mr. Brown is out of town.
Brown came back.
Brown came back with Mr. Black..."

No Goal

I took Abbie to soccer practice tonight. She sat on the sidelines with me and screamed for 45 minutes straight. Maybe she's not ready for organized sports.

The Easy Button

I dropped the boys off in their daycare room this morning. They helped me hang up their coats and backpacks, and wandered off to play with a tub of trucks. I snuck out while they were distracted.

I dropped Abbie off in her daycare room this morning, and that's been a little more difficult. She's been in the habit of screaming from the time she wakes up until the time I walk out the door of the preschool. I helped her hand her coat and backpack while she protested the entire time. I walked her into her room as she continued protesting. I walked her to the bookshelf and encouraged her to pick a book. She rifled through the offerings, and settled on a Strawberry Shortcake book. She sat with it at a desk, turned to me, and said "bye."

I snuck out without another word.

Free!

While driving home from the grocery store this afternoon, something caught my eye. It was a large, brightly colored piece of plastic with a sign proclaiming "free." As I cruised past, it looked like a piece of toddler playground equipment.

I hit the end of the block, and turned around. As I drove past again, it seemed to be in good shape. It was missing a slide, but the kids would still have fun climbing it.

I turned around in a nearby driveway, and parked next to it. As I broke it apart so it would fit in my trunk, another car stopped next to mine. This car had a trailer hitched to the back, ready to load a couple other freebies sitting next to our new toy. Good thing I stopped when I did.

Every Parent Needs One of These Stories

Scene: Mommy just came home from work. Abbie and Ian run under her feet and start fighting over a toy bus that Abbie may have stolen from Ian.

Mommy: Abbie! Just give him the damn bus!
Abbie: No! I don't want to give him the damn bus!

A Perfect Storm

Our local McDonald's currently has McRib sandwiches for me, and Star Wars Happy Meal toys for, um, the kids. We may be visiting more often than usual over the next couple weeks.