bad ladies

The girls watch movies they probably shouldn't. They have seen Snow White many, many times, Sleeping Beauty a handful, and the beginning of 101 Dalmations until Calla started saying "No bad lady" at the appearance of Cruella Deville. Which begs the question: Why do so many classic Disney movies feature women as being either purely pure or purely evil, and nothing in between?

So we've kind of put the an end to all this. Now Sound of Music is their favorite, and I think Nazis are a much more appropriate villian, although we never really get that far as all the good songs the kids like are in the first half.

The girls are becoming wonderful little people, full of words, frustrations, happiness, curiosity and laughter. They drench the bathroom during baths, smack each other's bottoms, pour water into each other's cups, and wash their plastic frogs. And big changes are afoot: They now eat at a little table, moving on from high chairs, which Calla really hated (she's so tall I think it was really uncomfortable for her). Calla very often says "please", Esme barks out orders. Esme loves milk, Calla loves juice. I just bought a new juicer and Calla will drink just about anything, including beet juice. Esme makes a face, and shakes her head "no."

We're going a a road trip this weekend to see my family in Pennsylvania. We're staying with my mom in her tiny condo, which should be fine for one night. The girls haven't met 2 of their cousins, which is kind of pathetic given that we only live 2 hours away, but better late than never. Me, I'm looking forward to eating cheesesteaks, fried chicken and pizza from the same place that used to deliver to us when we lived in Newtown Square twenty-five years ago, taking the kids to the state park where I used to run to collect pine cones and acorns, and just being in the town where I grew up.

some new things:

The kids get a glass of milk and two straws before bedtime, and they sit at their table, sipping.

Honey is a big favorite - they have it at night and on their toast in the morning

Oatmeal bar. Oatmeal bar. Oatmeal bar.

Esme loves, loves, loves her baby now. Takes her everywhere, tucks her in, shushes us when baby is asleep.

Esme won't wear anything but dresses. Calla will wear anything you put on her.

Esme will only wear diapers with Cookie Monster figuring prominently. And she won't just listen to any music on Pandora. I had to buy the soundtrack to the Sound of Music.

Calla loves it when I sit on the couch so she can lie on me, sucking her thumb. She a great cuddler.

The girls can climb up ladders at the playground now, with mommy hovering closely.

Esme tells Myrna every time she arrives that mommy has to go to the doctor. I think this is her making sense of my absence.

Calla likes to park food in her mouth. Olives, dried apricots stay in the gob for hours.