#stuffLilydoes

It was bath time and I had assembled the stuff we needed to bathe the babies. I hollered for them and Theo came running in (he loves baths). Lily wasn't far behind, but she stopped, surveyed the room, then left again. I figured I was going to have to chase her, but first was going to get Theo undressed before he had a conniption.

Before I had a chance to finish, Lily came back bearing a cup. She gravely handed it to me with a "cup" and then held up her arms for me to take off her shirt.

I use a cup to rinse their hair. I'd gotten the diapers, clothes, washcloths and towels, but I'd forgotten the cup. And she'd noticed.

#stuffTheodoes

We were all sitting on the couch reading books and Avy asked for one really long one.

Me: "Sorry sweetie, I actually need to get dinner started."

At that, Theo hops up and runs into the kitchen. I'm expecting starving whines  but meanwhile...

Avy: "What's for dinner?"

Me: "Food."

Avy: "What kind of food?"

Me: "Good food."

Avy: "But what food?"

Me: "Food from the kitchen." (I get these questions a lot)

That's when I heard the clanging. I look over at the dining room to see Theo carefully placing silverware at every seat. Seriously.

#stuffElliesays

After a rousing game of "who's lying" I was trying to explain the difference between lying and exaggerating to the girls. They were nodding along and then...

Ellie: "But Mom, I haven't exaggerated in many years!"

Uhhuh.

#stuffAvysays

I have a breakfast of rice, mushrooms, avocado and poached eggs every morning - it's fabulous. However, sometimes I don't notice that I'm low on rice before the morning. This morning I was cooking it in the rice cooker and it was taking forever.

Me: "Come on rice! Cook faster!"

Avy: "Mom, you're silly. Rice doesn't talk."

She's got me there.

#stuffElliedoes

Theo is definitely a Momma's boy, and this is never so evident as when I need to use the restroom. Even if I don't tell the kids, as soon as he hears the door click he comes screaming down the hallway to wail outside. Which was exactly what happened: I heard his siren-wail start in the living room and zoom down the hall to outside my door. And then, through the door...

Ellie: "Don't worry Mom. I got it."

And in just a moment, Theo's crying stops. Magically. Um.... what?

I open the door and there is Ellie sitting on my bed with Theo and Lily, surrounded by toys.

Ellie: "I distracted them! They're not sad anymore!"

Then she picked up all the toys, put them back in the box she'd brought them in, and carried it back into the living room.

Kid, you're hired. And I'm retiring.