Face the Facts

Yesterday, Will & Olivia spent a few hours at my Dad's house. It's been a year since they have seen each other and everyone was looking forward to spending time together.

They had a great time jumping on the trampoline, playing with his Cocker Spaniel, playing REAL drums and they even went over to the nearby elementary school to play on their jungle gym. While at the school, Will looked at my dad and said, "Your face is different than last time I saw you. I was really hoping it would have stayed the same."

That's an understatement

Amy's Dad is a hobby taxidermist. I remember hanging out in her basement surrounded by various stuffed creatures: deer, fox, bears, elk, moose, etc. Kind of creepy, yes, but also kind of cool - in a creepy way. Well, Papa Marshall has since built a shop next to their house for his hobby and moved all of his "acquisitions" to the shop. At one point, Olivia went into the shop with Grandpa, scanned the large building full of large, life-like animals and announced, "This is a weird room."

Grandpa's Little Helper

Last night we got to spend some time with my good friend Amy at her parent's house. Will & Olivia quickly made themselves right at home and made fast friends with all of the visiting cousins. They also adopted Amy's Dad as "Grandpa."

"I need a drink of juice, please," Will pestered.
"Oh, sorry. I don't think we have any juice," replied Amy's Dad.
"Yes, you do," insisted Will, "here, I'll show you." Will opened the door to the fridge and sure enough, there was some juice.
"See!" he said.
"Well, what do you know, I DO have juice!"
Amy's Dad poured Will a class of juice and handed it to him. Will took the class, smiled at him and said joyfully, "You can count on me - Grandpa!"

Little Miss Independent

Olivia is growing up right before my very eyes.

Yesterday, she climbed up to my mom's desk, started pushing keys on the computer and informed us, "I have some important work to do. Please be quiet while I do my work."

Today, she got on one of my mom's pianos. After I helped her get settled, she said, "Okay, go away. I need to play my special music."

A Hairy Tale

Today we took the kids to Bear World. While riding the train, I was sitting behind Olivia and dared to staighten out her hair.

"Stop it mommy! Stop it!"
"I'm just playing with your hair."
"Well, my hair is NOT a toy!"

Them's fightin' words

Tonight, while cuddling with Will & Olivia after a long day in the sun, both of them wanted to lay right by me in the exact same spot. I tried unsuccessfully to get them to compromise.

"Olivia, I really don't like you guys fighting over me like this."
"But mom, that's what kids do."

Photographic Memory

My mom has an engagement picture of Phil and I downstairs by her computer. When Will saw it he said, "I really need to draw a couple pictures of my dad, so I don't forget what he looks like."