TINWTFAL Day 7: Make Believe

A few months ago in a thrift shop on mercer island I found the Cinderella story for 99 cents. And that folks, has been the best use of 99 cents the history of mankind has ever known ("Like anyone could even know that"). Since purchasing that one priceless fairytale, a whole world of princesses and story telling has opened up in our home.

If you were to pick any day, rain or shine, and sneak into our home looking for Liv, this is most likely how you would find her. Dawned in an old tattered slip, wand in hand, princess shoes on, necklace or bracelet wrapped around her neck and arms to accessorize, reciting the Cinderella story. The only thing missing from her outfit in this picture, is her beloved tutu from Grandma Brown, because it just had to be washed.

I aspire to one day sew her some sparkly dress ups that actually fit her, and more resemble a princess than a kid in a raggedy slip, but for now I can be content in the fact that she doesn't even know the difference.

We have read the Cinderella book so many times now that Olivia is able to recite parts of it word for word.

"Coming Step-mother!" I often hear her shout.

Or

"Come now, dry those tears" (spoken by the fairy godmother to Cinderella in the book).

Or

"If you find something suitable to wear". I think she likes using the word suitable, it makes her feel grown up. :)

It's also fun to hear her paraphrase certain scenes in the book.

For example, Liv's very favorite page in the book is when Cinderella's ripped pink dress gets turned into a beautiful ball gown by her loving fairy godmother:

"And her turned a pumpkin into a carriage. And the miceies into horses. And Cinderella into a beautiful, beautiful princess. And her was so pretty, and she had on a light blue sparkly gown, and a blue necklace, and a sparkly head band, and sparkly glass slippers, and her was ready to go to the Rella Ball".

Or this

(Which I'm really considering sending into the Walt Disney publishers as an alternate ending to their happy tale:

"And her and the prince got married in the temple, and then they went home and put on their pull ups, and put on their jammies and went to bed".

"And they lived happily ever after".

Ahhh.

Would that I could freeze that idea for like 15 or 20 years. . . ;)

The best part of this make believe world, or shall I say the worst part, is that we often get to be included in the show. I say worst speaking for myself of coarse, because I get to be the lucky one who always, and I repeat, ALWAYS gets relegated to being the wicked step-mother. What can I say? I guess I'm a natural at it. Just as I'm sure the villain on most Hollywood flicks aspires to one day being the hero, I too aspire to some day be the Gus Gus or even dare I wish it, the Fairy Godmother.

It's OK. It is, because truly, if I was the crazy master-mind-Cinderella-director, I can't say that I would put me as Gus Gus either. Who would when you've got a little doey eyed Warner to fit the role so perfectly.

Well, I'm sad to say the week of Liv is over. I have loved taking special notice of the little things that she does everyday that make Liv who she is. She is such a happy part of our life, and ads so many laughs and smiles to my days.

She really is a doll. She truly is sassy. She is so smart. She's even independent, but she's also sweet. And she is undoubtedly one of the most precious blessings in life.

And yes, Momma Brown, Warner will be receiving equal time. :) So stay tuned. . .

TINWTFAL: Day 6

THe picture has nothing to do with what I'm abou

TINWTFAL Day Five: Sassy Frass

This weekend we had a little getaway. . . I'll post about that at another time. It was a three hour trip. Much of our time in the car on the way down there was spent playing the "I'm thinking of an animal game".

Olivia's ability and techniqe at playing this game has progressed quite nicely. During her first try, just after being introduced to the game this is what she said

"Mom, Dad, I'm thinking of an animal that has wings, and is very pretty and its called a a a butterfly."

"Now, tell me what it is".

"Hmmmm. . . let me guess Liv, is it a butterfly?"

"Yes!"

After a few rounds she started to use some more strategy and here is one she came up with that truly stumped me.

"Mom, I'm thinking of an animal that is mean and scary and has no arms or legs".

Me- "A bee?"

Liv- "Nope"

Me- "A fly"

Liv- "Nope"

Me- "Sheesh Liv you got me".

Maybe you are all smarter than me and have already guessed it.

Me- "What is it Liv?"

Liv- "Its a snake!"

Obviously.

Well today was her best ever.

We went to ikea to look at kids rugs. I love that place usually, but this morning I had already been to another store and by the time I finished checking out at ikea my kids were melting down big time. They were hungry and tired. When they finally calmed down a little, from the backseat of the car I heard a really pouty voice say "Mom, I'm thinking of an animal".

Me- "Ok Liv, tell me about it"

With her head held low and a frown on her face Liv said "I'm thinking of an animal that is bery bery grumpy and likes to eat hot dogs".

It was a dead give away I'm afraid.


Me-"Is it you Liv?"

"Yup".

Things I Never Want to Forget About Liv DAY 4: Perching

This is how I found Liv as she was learning her keyboard letters this morning (thanks to Brad for creating Jane Robot). I love how she is just perched there. She often gets herself in these little perching positions, which after about 30 seconds would make my legs ache and shake, but not her, she could perch all day. (Sorry for the princess underwear, I think its time for some new clothes).

Things I Never Want to Forget About Liv DAY 3: A Short Video

From the Mouth of My Babe from Jessica Brown on Vimeo.

TINWTFAL: Day 2

One of the funniest things that Liv does is her pee dance. And yes, just like it sounds, it is the dance she does when she has to pee. Going potty, like I'm sure it is for most of us, is just a nuisance that interferes with daily living. Liv likes to put it off as long as possible. I think the dance she does is her bodies way of alerting her it is really time to go.

Today, Olivia stood below me, looking up at me with her big excited eyes, as she patiently and eagerly awaited the otter pop that I was ripping the top off to give her. As I was embarking in this task, Olivia started to do the pee dance. Her toes began to go up on their tiptoes, she squatted, just a little, and danced from foot to foot. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. Standing on one tiptoe only for a millisecond before depending on the other one to hold her weight up. I started to laugh and said "Liv do you need go potty"?

Liv- "No"

Dance dance.

Liv- Snort.

"Actually I think maybe I do"

All I heard and saw then was two little chubby legs running towards the bathroom.

Things I Never Want To Forget About Liv: Day 1

As I was tiding up after the kids went down for a nap today, I stumbled across this little doll gently tucked in with a pillow under her head. I smiled as I thought of all the times I had watched Olivia tuck in her dollies, her princesses, and even Warner. And all though this is nothing out of the ordinary, this is the type of thing that in twenty years when Liv is all grown up I may not remember. So, this week I am going to post one thing every day that Olivia does or did or said. Pretty much its the things that I never want to forget about Liv. It may just be a picture, it might even be a video, but it will be something to share, and something to remember about Liv.

Toothy Grin

Isn't he just a playful little puppy? I asure you he is.

Chard anyone?

Included in this weeks Terra box of veggies came some Red Chard from San Juan Bautista, CA. I had heard of chard, but never seen or tasted it before. While I was unloading groceries and entertaining kids, Jaron whipped up this absolutely delicious meal (recipe below from this weeks Terra newsletter).

As it turned out, it tasted as good as it looked. I was mightily impressed with my man, as well as the chard.

Yum I tell you. Yum.

Bacon and Swiss Chard Pasta
1 pound linguine
12 oz bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2 inch slices
1 very large red onion, halved, sliced (about 6 cups)
1 large bunch Swiss chard, stemmed, chopped
1 T balsamic vinegar
3 T extra-virgin Olive Oil
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook linguine in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid (Jaron didn't do this and it was still great). Meanwhile, cook bacon in heavy large pot over edium heat until beginning to crisp, about 10 minutes. Trasfer to paper towels to drain. Drain all but 2 T bacon drippings from skillet. Add onion and saute over medium high heat until softened, about 7 minutes. Add Swiss chard and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add pasta cooking liquid to skillet. Toss until chard is wilted and tender, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle vinegar over; cook 1 minutes. Add linguine and oil to sauce in pot and toss to coat. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with bacon and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. From Bon Appetit, May 2008.

And just because it made me so happy to see this outside the other day I'm going to post a picture of it.