Field of dreams

Today's theme was no theme other than getting out and about. I would have loved to have spent the day wandering the Cincinnati Zoo, but remember the dry, gorgeous 70 degree weather we're lacking? So, I let the little ones make the call.

I suggested a trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center's Children's Museum and was met with blank stares and no enthusiasm. Okay, next idea.

Over breakfast the girls decided a trip to ride Nemo and a visit to Papa's work was what they wanted to do. Fair enough, we can do that. I'd be willing to bet you could offer them abundant candy for the rest of their lives along with more Disney movies than they could ever watch, and they'd still pick a single trip to ride the little aquatic-themed three-seat carousel at the mall.


First up, Cincinnati Mills Mall and the "Nemo ride." After three turns on the carousel I had to cut my bunch off as there were two other mothers whose children were patiently waiting their turn (note Alena's less than thrilled expression faced with this scenario). Thinking ahead, I had driven through the bank and gotten a roll of quarters. Had the other small riders not been waiting, my little riders would have burned through the rest of the roll with seven additional rides.

The only thing that tops a Nemo ride for Alena and Alivia is a Nemo ride followed by a trip into the adjacent "Claire's" store. Yes, I'm a sucker, so "Claire's" was next

Amidst all the lip gloss, jewelry and little purses, we settled on two pairs of Hello Kitty sunglasses. They each need another pair of sunglasses like they each need another hole in their head, but sunglasses are less messy than lip gloss in the hands of preschoolers, so I gladly obliged their choice.

A quick spin around the Bass Pro Shop to look at the fish, bear and moose and we were packing up for the Hoosier state. A drive through McDonald's for happy meals, which ALWAYS make the girls happy, and we were ready to share lunch with Papa before heading off to work with him.

When first walking into the toolshed where Papa keeps all the tractors and other farm equipment, I wondered if our visit had been a mistake. The girls were hesitant that one of the enormous tractors would start up and Alena found many things to be "dirty."

After a short tour, though, Papa finally coaxed them to climb into a tractor cab with him. From that point, he probably wished they had remained timid. They had their behinds in a John Deere or two, a 2870 Case and an International Harvester combine. And upon planting their butts in each, there followed about 3,000 questions.

Trace and Alysse also took in all the sights, but were most happy driving a little John Deere Gator that just suited them.

Once we returned home, the remainder of the day was spent playing and reading books. Really, could there be any better finish? Oh, yeah, only a story about how Papa plants corn and beans each spring and then hopes for rain and sunshine to make them grow so that he can combine them in the fall ... told repeatedly while getting your hair put up in rollers.

Darlings, you look marvelous

Beauty was the theme of the day around here. Anything girly, outlandish and crazy fit into our painting up, dressing up, dolling up fun. The day's highlights are best told with the photos below.

Decisions, decisions: "Which crown will best match my Steelers outfit? Maybe I could wear them both."

Hot Mama Red: Cover your eyes Old Grandma ... we got all hussied up with our bright red nails.

Is Kiss looking for a new member?: "I wonder if I bat my fake eyelashes too if it would speed up the polish's drying time?"

Is Barnum and Bailey hiring?: Eyelashes and costume combined, she could make a wonderful clown/performing tiger hybrid.

Hands off: "Buddy, you better not lay a hand on my compact."

Wishful thinking: "If I say bibbity, bobbity boo loud enough will it all go away?"

You want me to do what with this?: The gritty, apricot face scrub I thought the girls would at least find intriguing was met with a reaction more closely resembling disgust.

Curly-q dreams: After showers, we rolled the girls' hair hoping for some morning curls. Let's just hope I'm not removing hair rollers at 2 a.m.

Totally Hollywood and "They're baaaaack"

Today was a split theme, let's start with the "They're Baaaaack" part.

"They're Baaaaack"

Yes, my lovies were back at the doctor's office today. I'm not sure this qualifies as "out of our normal routine" anymore, but it took up half of our day, so it gets half-theme status.

I've learned, if I have any inkling that something might not be right, make an appointment, or in this case four. Despite 76 doses of amoxicillin, I wasn't convinced all ears were well.

While the percentage of under-the-weather ears improved from 62.5% to 50%, Alena got the short end of the stick with both right and left ears infected today, instead of just the left ear infection she had last week. Alysse held steady and has another 10 days of antibiotic coming her way. Two steps forward, one step back, I suppose.

Totally Hollywood

Movies are a treat in our house. So, declaring today "movie day" made Alena and Alivia just giddy.

Perhaps once every three or four weeks we'll take in a movie at home. If I'd allow it, Alena would watch three movies a day. When she gets on one of her "movie asking days" my standard response is "we can't rot your mind too much." Most of the time I'm of the opinion that there are far too many other things we can occupy our time with rather than letting little minds rot in front of the television.

The chance to watch two movies - "Charlotte's Web," Alivia's pick and "Cinderella," Alena's selection - was simply mind boggling. Add to the mix popcorn and movie candy and they literally hit the jackpot.

To bring a little drama to life, we also reenacted a scene from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The girls love to offer a bite of the poison apple and then give a kiss to wake Snow White. I can't even count how many times I've had to pretend bite, fall to the floor and wait for a kiss to come my way. You'd think they'd bore of it, but not yet.

The performance also includes a brief appearance by Squawky Dwarf and the absence of Drooly Dwarf, who was fixing things with his toy screw driver.

A brief interruption

Theme week is being briefly interrupted for Alysse's first hair cut. "The messiest," as Alena sometimes refers to the youngest of the drama queens, now has a bit less hair into which she can smash scrambled eggs, applesauce and Oreos. She was actually quite the cooperative little beauty.

Who are you?

Owls were the theme of the day as we kicked it off with two new owl songs during breakfast. New songs easily learned by preschoolers always make for smiles from pancake-filled mouths.

A school day for Alena allowed Alivia and I some time to whip up a loaf of WHO bread* this morning. Coming out of the oven shortly after lunch, it turned out surprisingly well (especially since I gave it a second punch down before popping in the oven ... another reason you shouldn't read recipes and try to have a phone conversation at the same time). Considering our picky eaters asked for seconds, I'd call it a success.

We also spent some time completing a couple of owl crafts (which Alena thoroughly enjoys) while talking about owls (which Alivia thoroughly enjoys). Such simple projects can yield terrific results and beautifully proud smiles.

*This idea and recipe came from a blog by Amanda Soule that I absolutely adore. One can only dream of being so wonderfully creative, patient and insightful.