20 questions with Alivia

Had to keep the fun going ... even as their mom, I'm curious how they'll answer the questions.

This is the world according to Alivia - lover of all things furry; current nurturer of four painted lady chrysalises; and preschooler who needs luring away from the art center. Her answers provide a glimpse of her love of nature (except spiders) and her humor.

1. What is your favorite TV show? :: "Hannah Montana"

2. What is your favorite movie? :: "The Princess & the Frog"

3. What is your favorite food? :: "Those chocolate things for breakfast" (nutritionally-void chocolate-filled breakfast crepes that she'd eat every day if I'd let her)

4. Who is your best friend? :: "Miss Rachael" (her preschool teacher)

5. Who is your favorite singer? :: "Lady Antebellum"

6. What is your favorite song? :: "You Belong with Me" (by Taylor Swift)

7. What is your favorite book? :: "Encyclopedia of Animals"

8. What do you want to be when you grow up? :: "A cowgirl"

9. Would you rather play outside or inside? :: "Outside"

10. Would you rather swing or slide? :: "Swing"

11. What's better - swimming in the pool or bike riding? :: "Swimming in the pool"

12. Chocolate or vanilla? :: "Chocolate"

13. Would you rather have a cookie or candy? :: "Candy"

14. How do you like your marshmallows roasted? :: "A lot" (read: really toasty and crisp)

15. Where is your favorite place to go? :: "To the mall"

16. Which do you like better - bubblegum or chocolate chips? :: "Bubblegum"

17. What are you scared of? :: "Spiders"

18. What makes you happy? :: "Ladybugs"

19. What makes you smile? :: "Froggy" (her stuffed frog lovey)

20. What makes you sad? :: "When daddy doesn't give me what I want." (not that she's a daddy's girl or anything)

Tooth dejavu

Nine days after tooth number one came out, Alena came home from school with a small red box.

Inside was lost tooth number two. Apparently, if your tooth comes out during carpet time in kindergarten, off to the nurse's office you're sent to get one of these little treasure chests for tooth safe keeping.

We knew a second tooth was on its way out, just not that it was so close to making its exit.

Coincidentally, one of Alena's classmates lost a tooth shortly after her's came out. Who knew Friday morning in Mrs. Bonner's kindergarten classroom could be so exciting?

These days

It's as if the heavens have opened up and poured down smiles, running bare feet and the start of summer tans. To say sunshine and warm, breezy days have been gratefully welcomed is an enormous understatement.

Our biggest complaint is that bedtime comes too soon and behinds have to be wedged off swings. There's simply not enough hours in the day for all the bike riding, sliding and squealing that needs to be done.

Our yard has come alive with brilliant blue robin eggs hatching in a nest, a pair of visiting mallard ducks and alfresco dinners allowing us to enjoy it all. The kids notice the perfect blue skies, and belt out Taylor Swift tunes while flying through them, carefree.

Among the group there's a monkey who could climb UP any slide she crosses paths with; a nature lover who spies every bug, bird and dandelion; a swinger who is self-powered high above us all; and an explorer who inspects garden hoses and lawn equipment.

Oh summer, we've missed you.

Tooth tricks

Now you see it ...

and now you don't. (Any tooth able to perform that feat is long overdue for removal.)

Alena lost her first tooth and left us anticipating the tooth fairy's inaugural visit to our house. She's been wiggling the sucker for weeks and totally creeping me out with it. I, for one, was glad she finally let the resident extractor take care of the job.

She's now awaiting the 20 spot she thinks the tooth fairy might leave. Let's hope she's not too disappointed with singles.

*As a footnote, others in the house who have yet to loose a tooth were in a limbo state of awe and repulsion at the whole ordeal. Each one claims they will not allow the pulling of any loose teeth they may possess in the future.

20 questions with Alena

For inquiring minds out there ... here's a little interview I conducted with Alena. It's what's inside the mind of a five-year-old who loves music, journaling and school. A snapshot of her as a kindergartner.

1. What is your favorite TV show? :: "Wizards of Waverly Place"

2. What is your favorite movie? :: "High School Musical"

3. What is your favorite food? :: "Oranges"

4. Who is your best friend? :: "Jada"

5. Who is your favorite singer? :: "Taylor Swift"

6. What is your favorite song? :: "I Need You Now" (by Lady Antebellum)

7. What is your favorite book? :: "The 'We Help Mommy' book" (read: Eloise Wilkin Stories)

8. What do you want to be when you grow up? :: "A teacher"

9. Would you rather play outside or inside? :: "Outside"

10. Would you rather swing or slide? :: "Swing"

11. What's better - swimming in the pool or bike riding? :: "Pool"

12. Chocolate or vanilla? :: "Vanilla"

13. Would you rather have a cookie or candy? :: "A cookie"

14. How do you like your marshmallows roasted? :: "Sometimes burnt, sometimes light"

15. Where is your favorite place to go? :: "Kings Island"

16. Which do you like better - bubblegum or chocolate chips? :: "Bubblegum"

17. What are you scared of? :: "Trace when he is mean."

18. What makes you happy? :: "Love"

19. What makes you smile? :: "Happy people"

20. What makes you sad? :: "Mean people"

Easter fun

A little relaxing.

Many smiles.

Lots of happiness.

Friendly competition.

Small surprises found.

Well disguised stalkers

If some crazed kidnapper ever wanted to secure one of our kids, all he or she would need to do is rent a cute costume. Our kids become mascot stalkers on the turn of a dime. They'd be lured anywhere by a big, fake head.

Kings Island's Scooby Doo has had to peel himself away from them. Several weeks ago it was Mr. Red Legs at a local carnival. Today, well, it was the unsuspecting Easter Bunny. He received no less than six hugs, ten high fives, two nose taps and three kisses.