Cuteness

After breakfast this morning, AJ asked, "Mom, could I please have some pure white paper so I can draw lots of beautiful pictures for everyone?"

She entertained herself quite happily that way for most of the morning. The picture above is of AJ and M&M at the park. I love the "beautiful snow-capped mountains in the distance."

Meanwhile, M&M read aloud to herself and/or Baby E from a book of short stories we got at the library Tuesday night. In two days, she read straight through all nine stories, from "The Poky Little Puppy" to "How the Turtle Got Its Shell."

It is really cute hearing a 4-year-old do all the different voices in "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and explain the pictures to her baby sister.

Baby E was in a good mood despite her poor sleep and tummyache last night, and diarrhea today. I still haven't figured out whether it's the teething, an illness, or something she ate causing the tummy trouble.

As I was taking my medicine this morning, she told me "dood dob!" and clapped for me. Tonight she started wiggling in her chair to the music playing in the background, grinned at me, and said, "I datze." [Translation: I dance.]

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Later, she headed downstairs and I said, "Where are you going?" and she said, "Di doll." I said, "You're going to find your doll? Where is it?" She looked at me like I was being silly and pointed as she surfed on her tummy down the steps, "Down decks."

She's been asking to use the potty a lot lately, shaking her little fist and saying "otty!" I bought training pants for her today . . . we'll see how soon we end up actually using them.

All in all, it was a fairly peaceful day. I was able to get a few chores done and prepare lunch without too much trouble.

This afternoon I really needed to go pick up Baby E's prescription, but I was worried that if I waited until after nap time I would be starting dinner late. I really have to start cooking a meal 2 to 3 hours before we want to eat it now.

Luckily, our babysitter happened to be available. So I had her come over for an hour to sit with the kids. Even though it was only an hour and I just got the prescription and a few groceries, it was really nice to be out of the house--and by myself, too!

I can't remember the last time I left the house for something that wasn't absolutely necessary, and even necessary errands can feel like a mini-vacation these days. Just that little break helped my mood considerably.

The two older girls didn't get to bed quite as early as I'd hoped, but they were settled down to go to sleep by 8:00.

Baby E and I just finished sharing a smoothie made with strawberry and grapefruit--not unlike a non-alcoholic strawberry margarita in flavor. She didn't like it much--too tangy or too cold--but I did. Mmmm.

She and I will both be going to bed soon. I was going to try to make some kind of crackers or snacky-crunchy thing tonight, but I think that will have to wait.