Audrey loves to watch Giada. Yes, prefers this cooking show over Sesame. Over most things actually. But, Giada doesn't cook the most healthy of foods. Salt, butter, mascarpone cheese, and liquor. Core ingredients in most of her dishes. Audrey knows we try to eat healthy. She will comment that I wouldn't like a certain dish when she hears Giada adding another unhealthy ingredient. And she tries to tell Giada thru the TV to not add more unhealthy ingredients.

Audrey is such a big help with Ian. Truly. And they are best buds. Last week, she realized that she could reach Ian in the back seat to be able to share snacks with him. He LOVES this.

We were on our way home from running errands yesterday, and Audrey was to be sharing a snack with Ian. I heard a lot of complaining from Ian, and I checked to make sure she was sharing with him.

Are you giving Ian some of those Goldfish, too?

Well, yeah. But salt isn't good for him. So, I'm licking it off before I give them to him.

Poor Ian!!!

While asking for calamine lotion to help relieve bug-bite related itching, I asked her where she got the bug bites from:

Well, when I was two, I got them for Christmas.

Memorial Day weekend

We had a great holiday weekend. Apparently Audrey needs to hike in the woods more often though b/c when we finally got to our destination of a state park, Audrey announced that it looked like a really big mall!! She was a real trooper during the hike and often wanted to be the line leader. She didn't mind being the caboose with mommy a few times though either. She also loved her first pony ride on the horse who wouldn't tell her his name...

She also got to go for a dip in the pool with Ian. Of course Ian wasn't too sure why he was sitting in a large bath outside, but once he warmed up to the idea, he loooooved splashing his sister, much to her chagrin. Last year's swimsuit still fits so it was an all around cheap weekend!

We had a beautiful day for a trike ride in the park. Our local park is getting a makeover, and we've been eyeing the cool new playground equipment that is being installed. For Monday though, we did laps around the park. Avoiding the geese. And their poop. And playing some hopscotch. I hadn't done that in a few years. Audrey reminds me how much fun it is to be a kid!

Audrey and I were at the grocery store this weekend. She sat in the cart, which I parked next to a basket of dollar toys, while I searched nearby for something from our list.

(Looks quite pensive) Mommy, are those toys for bad kids?

Um, no.

Well, daddy said they are for the bad kids. The bad kids get those.

I could not stop laughing. Audrey learned the truth and will not soon forget it. Busted, daddy!

For Aunt Christy

Audrey had soooo much fun making this for Aunt Christy! Such a ham!

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful fourth Mother's Day with Audrey. Eric held down the fort while I got to sleep in a bit, and then Audrey greeted me with a nice hug and kiss and a 'Happy Mother's Day!' before showing me the gift wrap she designed. She later said without prompting how much she loved me! Priceless. We headed out for a nice brunch, and Eric and I enjoyed the nice, quiet meal as Audrey inhaled her oatmeal and pancakes. We later enjoyed dinner in after some fun on the swingset. Audrey even pushed me on the swing for a bit! I had forgotten just how much fun it is! It was my turn to read to her and say prayers, and we sang our traditional, 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes'.

My little girl, who wore her Cubs pajamas to bed, then ended Mother's Day with the following.
Mommy, we shout "Go, Cubs, Go", right?

Well, I don't like the Cubs, so no, I don't. I like the Cardinals.

With a very serious look, she answers: Well, that's okay, mommy. We're all wrong sometimes.

By next year, Audrey will fully understand baseball standings. And that will indeed always sway her to the right side...