Comparisons

If you were constantly discovering new foods, how would you describe them?

Ariel told us last night that her oven roasted turkey tasted like apples.

The burritos we had for lunch - stuffed with leftover ham hock and black bean soup, cooked down to a thick, savory sauce - smelled like flowers.

Tonight's French toast tasted like ice cream.


I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Kids are for Laughing

A few weeks ago, Ariel woke up and hurried to the breakfast table, where she found leftover cornbread.

Ariel: Mmmm! Yummy cornbread! It's yummy!

Me: It is yummy!

Ariel: Mmmm, yummy! [suddenly serious] W-we eat cornbread with our mouths, an-and not with our bottoms.

I honestly have no idea where that came from.

****************************************

Ariel and I were sitting in the big armchair, and I was squeezing her tightly. Realizing that a lot of my weight was on her, I readjusted.

Ariel: Where are you going, Mommy?

Me: I'm not going anywhere. I'm just trying not to squish you. Are you squished?

Ariel: No! I'm not playdough!

A Baby Song

She likes praise, cont.

Me: Good job using the potty, Ariel!

Ariel: Tank you, Mommy. Tank you for clapping me.

One Year Old

Felicity's first birthday was last Saturday, the 9th. It was a lot of fun!

I really wanted to make the party something special, so I came up with the idea of decorating the table with ribbons and photographs.


I also hung ribbons from the chandelier and from Felicity's high chair, and I used a doll cradle to hold her gifts. I thought the final look was very cute. It was also cheap - each spool of ribbon was only $1 at Michaels!

We wanted to do a traditional cake for Felicity's birthday, and frosting cakes has never been my strongest skill. But, after a couple hours of fiddling, I came up with this:


Dan's sister Heather came up from Salem with her family, which is always fun! My mom, dad, and youngest brother came, as did Navi and Luna. Rae Ann also stopped in for a few minutes to give Felicity her gift. She was also kind enough to take a few pictures and videos!






Felicity's first attempts at cake eating were hilarious! She can be such a dainty little thing!



Eventually, she got the hang of it.




Felicity got some great gifts! Books from Aunt Heather, a cute outfit from Aunt Heidi, pretty bowls from Auntie Rae, crayons from Navi and Luna, and a soft doll from Mommy and Daddy.



Oh, and Grandma gave a wonderful gift as well - she brought snacks for the party! Then, because she loves to outdo herself, she also brought two DARLING outfits for her, which I'm already trying to wrestle stains out of. That child...

Enough is enough!

Me: [singing] Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea...

Ariel: Mommy? You all done?

Me: Do you want me to be all done?

Ariel: Yeah.

Me: Oh, okay.

Ariel: Uhhh you uhhh sing uhhh.... lots of days!

Me: I sing lots of days? I sing a lot?

Ariel: Yeah! You sing a lot!

She likes praise.

Felicity was fussing in her high chair, so I pulled her out, set her on the floor, and gave her a sippy cup.

From the other room, Ariel ran in, gave Felicity her favorite stuffed bear, and ran back as quickly as she'd come.

"That was so nice of you Ariel!" I praised. "You gave Felicity her bear!"

"Huh?" Ariel called.

"You brought Felicity her bear! That was so nice! You made her happy!"

"What, Mommy?"

"I said that was so nice of you to bring Felicity her bear! You made her happy!"

"Huh?"

"Never mind!"

It was quiet for a moment. Then:

"More, Mommy?"

"More?"

"More, Mommy?"

"More what, Ariel?"

"More 'make her happy'?"


That little booger could hear me all along!