Tooth Fairy needed, STAT!

Guess who walked in with a bloody gap looking like the world's youngest MMA fighter? Goodbye front tooth, hello money.

Going rate at our house: $1, though Facebook parent friends say we're way behind on this. I say we're echoing the post-recession U.S. economy.

Summer! Finally

Wallingford festival!

Courageous conversations: preschool edition

Ava, musing while I do her hair: "I really love [classmate]. But sometimes I have to take a break from her."
Me: "Yeah?"
Ava: "Yeah, like when we're playing and we can't agree on something for playing together and I just tell her and the teacher about my feelings and that I'm taking a break. Then later I can go back and we can figure it out."
Me: "Wow. Telling her about your feelings: that's a great way of handling it without getting angry or yelling at her or something. That's very mature. Some adults can't do that."
Ava (incredulous): "Wh-wh-what?! Some adults can't?! But they're TRAINED to do that!"
Me (cracking up): "Yeah, not all of them."

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Dylan celebrated by getting as close to heaven as he could climb.

We tried to meet our in-laws but went to the wrong church. Any Easter service is better than none. Can I get an amen?

What Saturdays are for

Lovely Saturday: final school visit for Ava, errands, and leisurely afternoon of story time, trains, and dress up.
I'm so accustomed to being on the run on weekends that I feel guilty sometimes when I let go of the schedule or the "should dos'" and just enjoy being with everyone without a task list.
Turns out when I do, the kids enjoy it too. Must remember to do this actively instead of by default. This article backs up my thinking: The Benefits of Family Downtime. Now go forth and do nothing!

5 year old logic

Ava: Your cookies are so good you should work at a bakery! And take me to work with you. Then I can work at a bakery when I grow up!

Me: Okay, but you'll have to get up pretty early. Bakers start work at like 3 or 4 in the morning to make all that yummy food.

Ava: Okay, well since I can't tell time, you'll have to wake me up and take me so that I can get there and everything.

Preschool story time

Two bundled up kids getting their nightly story. After 5 years (for Ava) it's still an occasional favorite. I live this age.