Hello Kitty saves the day

for about a year now, we have struggled over brushing Skye's teeth. fits, tears, gagging, spitting, screaming, twice a day, every day. but now, no more!! thanks to this:



yes, it is a Hello Kitty battery operated toothbrush. now, Skye wants to brush her teeth 3 times a day! i never imagined i'd see the day, but she loves this thing. no gagging, no screaming, no fits. now, it's, "time to brush my teeth!" and rushing to the bathroom. i just hope this lasts!

a note about the whole soccer mum thing from previous entry - no, i don't think i can ever qualify to be one. i'm just too disorganized and never prepared enough. i identify more with the Kate Winslet character at the beginning of the movie "Little Children" who is rummaging around in her bag, looking for a snack for her daughter she never packed. i always seem to be that mother who has to borrow this or that from another mother and deal with the guilt of not being prepared. but the big bag does give me some hope of becoming more prepared!

Bag Lady

i've never been one to lug around big bags, but now with two kids, it has become my life. when Claire was born, a friend sent us a gift - an LL Bean "Boat and Tote" bag. to my eyes, it was enormous - could i really fill this thing? i thought i could put Skye in it and carry her around.



but this boat and tote is truly a lifesaver. i lug it around EVERY day, to the pool and back. it can hold EVERYTHING! two large towels, Claire's robe, swim suits, goggles, sunscreen, diapers, toys, snacks, lunch, water bottles, plastic bags... how could i survive without it? i suppose i would have come up with some thing. i've seen some very creative big bags. huge sacks from the cleaners, ikea bag (stolen?). so, i have become a Very Big Bag Lady. i feel like it is the beginning of becoming a suburban soccer mum, something i never envisioned myself becoming! well, at least i still don't drive a van, but there is something great about a big van and being able to pile everything/everyone into it.

Sisters

yesterday, Skye was being really sweet to Claire, so i said to her, "Skye, you're a really great big sister." Skye said very sweetly, "yes, i know." on such days, i feel hopeful about the future of our girls. i know not all siblings get along and have close relationships, but i do hope our girls do. i guess i'm trying my best to foster it, but i know most of it is beyond my control.

i watched "my neighbour Totoro" the other day, sort of previewing it for Skye. i decided it's a little mature for Skye and will wait another couple more years to show it to her. but i loved the sisters and the relationship they have in the movie. and the little sister does remind me of Claire in some ways.

here's a recent shot of the very tanned sisters!

after a week long break, swim lessons started up again. when we were at the pool yesterday, i checked to see when they would be and who Skye's instructor would be. big mistake. it was a guy named Tucker. Skye looked at me horrified. she didn't say anything, but later in the evening, she said, "i'm too tired to go swimming tomorrow." i had to think fast. how to get her to the swim lesson without having a meltdown?

Skye smiled with relief to see the storm clouds rolling in and to hear the thunder this morning. i called the pool to see if they had closed, but they were sort of standing by to see if it would clear up. half an hour before class, the sky cleared up. Skye refused to go to the pool, so finally i said, "Skye, let's at least give this guy a try - who knows, he may be a great teacher and if he is, you'll miss out. and if you don't like him after today, we can switch to another teacher." that got her out of the house. at the pool, she grabbed my leg and refused to let go. and it didn't help that the other girl in Skye's group was screaming her head off and holding tightly to her mother. poor Tucker! but the coordinator was great. he took us over to another teacher, Hannah, and asked Skye, "will you go in with her?" Skye smiled and jumped right into the pool. honestly, i'm not sure Hannah looked any more friendlier than Tucker, but girls will be girls.

Claire is busy cruising around. not quite stable on her legs, but nevertheless, is happiest when she's standing. the other day at the pool, she grabbed the side of the pool and stood up (in the wading pool)!

Happy 4th of July

i've never celebrated 4th of july before, i'm afraid. i didn't grow up with it and there never was anything exciting about it. well, that was until we got here. it seems every neighbourhood has their own 4th of july party and ours is no exception. my neighbour across the street was the organizer this year and got us kind of excited about it. the kids have a parade around a block and they come out with bikes, scooters, wagons, decked out in red, blue and white. Skye wanted to take her scooter, so she and i spent the morning while Claire napped, decorating her scooter. see photo below. i unfortunately missed the parade, sending Skye and Phil off - Claire ended up taking a 2 hour nap and missed most of the celebration. we made it in time to watch Skye play some games (run by older kids in the neighbourhood) and win prizes. it was actually kind of fun with all the neighbours out and milling around. but after a while, it was so hot, we ended up at the pool to cool off!

but the festivities sure do take a toll on the kids. too much excitement/stimulation. Skye was cranky for most of the afternoon and into the evening and i could hear through our open window one of our neighbours trying to get his kids home to bed and one of his sons crying at the top of his voice, "but i want to stay!" yes, it was time to be home.

hope you had a fun 4th of july!

Breakfast Club

Breakfast from slkim and Vimeo.

Rough night

this is what the girls looked like today after a wakeful night. notice how the cloth is still stuck in Skye's mouth. there was a moment last night when all four of us were awake. Claire woke up with a stuffy nose and refused to nurse back to sleep and was crying inconsolably. Skye was up saying she was too hot. none of us got a good night's rest. but the girls took a nap in the middle of the day.

other than that, we're doing great! Claire (another difference from Skye) loves that nasal suction bulb thing. Skye used to scream every time i stuck that up her nose when she had a cold. Claire sort of leans in to it and shivers slightly when it sucks out her snot. it's really cute. i think she finds it relieving.

we love the summer in Madison. the days are quite beautiful. lately, Sunday evenings, we've been packing a picnic and heading out to a park on the lake and meeting up with several other families. the kids play on the park, we sit on blankets and enjoy food and company. i'm beginning to understand why no one goes away for the summer here. makes sense to go away for the winter.