I'd like to buy a vowel.

Audrey got to stay up a little later than usual last night since it was my night to put her in bed but I was busy prepping dinner for tonight. The television was left on following the evening news, and I heard only the sound of Wheel of Fortune. When I realized how quiet it was in the living room, I got suspicious, and asked Audrey what she was up to:

"I'm watching the news!"

I let her know that the news was over and that she was instead watching Wheel of Fortune. I figured I would hear some kind of pretend play or blocks being dumped out soon enough, but I still only heard Pat Sajak. I again grew suspicious and went to see what Audrey was really doing.

This was one of those times I *really* wish I would have had a camera on hand.

I found Audrey sitting on the couch, with one hand propping up her head and the other using two pillows as an arm rest. She had a cup of "coffee" on top of her arm rest.

"Say L! Say L!"

(Contestant says M)

"No, say L!! Now say Y!"

Needless to say, we *had* to wait until the next puzzle was solved before she would head upstairs for bed...

I'm not sure what the scarecrow did, but whatever it was, a redhead apparently decided a timeout was needed...

Little Ham

I vaguely remember a time that I couldn't get Audrey to take a picture for anything. Not so these days. She wants to open the camera bag. Clear things out of the way. Make certain there's a clean face. Lots of saying, "Cheese!" Such a little ham!

How I love thee

I am consistently amazed at just how much Audrey adores Ian. I just can't believe that she is so accepting, and loving, and interested in this little boy who has turned her world upside down. But she is all of that. She dotes on him. Cares for him. Always remembers, on her own, to kiss him good-bye and good night. When she and Eric arrive home from school, she comes barreling through the door, of course excited to see me, but also to see what Ian is up to. She always wants to know his whereabouts. Tonight when she arrived home, she immediately asked where Ian was, and forgot to give me any kind of welcome as she was worried about how he was doing after his shots. She is much like a Tasmanian devil when she enters the room as Ian often has a startle response as this happens, but he smiles from ear to ear when Audrey is in view.

So.proud.of.this.little.girl.

Another dinner conversation

We've had to have many conversations about not being bossy. And about who's in charge. And who's in charge of who. And who they are NOT in charge of.

A: "Daddy, you need to eat your peppers on your plate!"

Me: "Audrey, you need to eat your peppers on your plate!"

A: "Mommy, stop being bossy!"

We're still working on the who's in charge part...especially the who's in charge of who part.

What's that they say about psychologists' kids???

"It's okay. It doesn't matter. We'll just deal with it."

and

"Just take a deeeeeeep breath. A few deeeeeep breaths."

I'll categorize this one under one of the many things I never thought I would do...

Eric overheard Audrey yesterday having her stuffed animal Grover participate in circle time. Of course Audrey was the teacher; Grover, the student. When I got Audrey up from her nap today, I found her talking with Grover and Big Bird, who were each propped up against her bed rail. I didn't ask at the time what she was doing as I wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather and an asleep Ian to get some outside time alone with Audrey.

When I was putting her in bed tonight, I asked her what she was up to with Grover and Big Bird when I had gotten her up from nap.

A: "They were doing circle time."

Me: "Oh, what were they doing during circle time?"

A: "Well, they weren't standing up."

Me: "Are you supposed to stand up during circle time? I thought you sat down to listen to the teacher."

A: "Well, they are supposed to stand up."

Me: "Do you stand for all of circle time at school?"

A: "Only for the Pledge of Allegiance. Grover and Big Bird are supposed to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. But they can't stand by themselves!"

As my little girl was almost to tears telling me this story, I offered to hold Grover and Big Bird in a standing position, with their hand over their heart, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Things I never thought I would do.

But so worth it.