31 December 2014

First

On the way to the National Aquarium today, we saw one empty car carrier truck get off of 95 and a full one get onto 95 at the same exit. We were discussing where the full truck may have been going. Madelyn offered up the suggestion that the truck might "take the cars to the zoo if it's warm enough."

Second

Talking about Calypso at the National Aquarium:

Madelyn: She only has one tail and three flippers.
Me: So she's supposed to have more than one tail?
Madelyn, confused: No...

30 December 2014

When I got home from getting my hair cut, Madelyn was very excited and exclaimed, "Your hair is just like mine now!"

29 December 2014

This morning while still at Nana and Poppop's, Madelyn asked, "Nana, can we go play in the sunshine room?" The sunshine room is the sunroom.

28 December 2014

Today can really be boiled down to "being crazy playing at Nana and Poppop's", but more specifically:

While playing Robot Turtles, the idea of the laser to melt ice walls was introduced. Evan, mostly jokingly, seemed confused about the concept. Madelyn declared:

"Don't worry! I'm going to show Evan how to use the lasers when it's my turn!"

27 December 2014

While stuck in traffic on 95 (big shocker there), I switched lanes to the "faster" lane, which meant it instantly slowed down.

Tony: Stupid Murphy. 
Madelyn: Why is it super grumpy?

26 December 2014

Madelyn: Why don't Aunt Becca and Evan have kids?
Tony: They don't want to yet.
Madelyn: Maybe Aunt Becca is growing a baby inside her.
Tony: No, I'm pretty sure Aunt Becca is not pregnant. They aren't ready to get married and have kids yet. They are busy with school and stuff.
Madelyn: Oh, you guys are retired from school.

25 December 2014

While eating dinner, we were trying to get Alyson to eat a bit of her beef, which Madelyn was actually eating.

Me to Alyson: You need to eat one bite and then I don't care.
Alyson: No!
Me: You can have more sweet potatoes if you eat a piece of beef.
Alyson: Yeah....
I moved the fork toward Alyson's mouth to put the beef in her mouth.
Alyson: No!
Me: Madelyn is eating it. Don't you want to try it?
Alyson: No!
Me: What if Madelyn feeds it to you?
Alyson: Yeah....
Madelyn started to bounce up and down in her seat in excitement.
Me: Will you eat it then?
Alyson: Yeah....
I handed Madelyn the fork.
Madelyn, moving the fork toward Alyson's mouth: Open up!
Alyson opened her mouth and easily started chewing the piece of beef. 
Madelyn: Good job, Alyson!
Me: Yay!
Alyson swallowed the beef and then she pointed at the empty spot on her plate where the sweet potatoes had been: More!

24 December 2014

While opening presents at Mom and Dad's this evening, Alyson was the first to open their "hoppers". The girls love to play with my exercise ball, and they had just seen it this morning when I did my workout, so I described it to them as "a smaller exercise ball with a handle." When Madelyn opened hers:

"It's a Doc McStuffins handle exercise ball!"

23 December 2014

Madelyn's Christmas song obsession for this year appears to be "All I Want for Christmas Is You." After reading a friend's status out loud today, Madelyn decided to make up a "new" song to the same tune and was belting it out all over the house:

"All I want for Christmas is thestrongestcoffeeandmaybeanap!"

It didn't quite work.

22 December 2014

First

Observations of a 5-year-old:

"If I were to marry Wyatt, my name would become Madelyn Smith because his last name is Smith."

She said something along these lines multiple times today about multiple kids in her class, even the girls "if they were boys".

Note: Last name changed.

Second

Dinner conversation:

Tony to me: The scallops are good.
Me: Really? Good! My goal was not to overcook them.
Madelyn: I thought your goal was to beat Daddy in a race.

21 December 2014

While putting away the silverware from the dishwasher, Madelyn's hands were "competing":

Madelyn: Whoever puts away the last piece wins!
Me: Who are you competing against? You're the only one putting away the silverware.
Madelyn: Right and Left. That's their names.
Me: Oh, so you're hands are competing.
Madelyn: Yeah. (after a minute) Right hand won because it got to put away the last spoon! But then Left was sad, but it's okay because they're going to share because they're brothers. 

20 December 2014

Madelyn got a Christmas card today from Bill and Amanda that had activities in it. One of the activities was a hidden picture search. She was having a hard time with it and put it down to go do something else. When she came back to it, I was impressed that she was suddenly able to find the pictures. Next thing I knew, she flipped over the card to look at the answers to see where the last one was.

Me: Hey, are you looking at the answers?
Madelyn: Yeah.
Me: That's cheating!
Madelyn: Why?
Me: You have to find them yourself.
Madelyn: Eh.

19 December 2014

Trying to figure out "brunch":

Me: We're going to see Bill and Amanda for brunch tomorrow.
Madelyn: What's brunch?
Me: It's the meal between breakfast and lunch.
Madelyn: So, we're meeting them for breakfast?
Tony: No, brunch.
Madelyn: So lunch?
Tony: No, brunch.
Madelyn: Lunch. Brunch. Hey! Lunch and brunch rhyme!

18 December 2014

While we were talking and cuddling before Madelyn went to bed:

Me: Just one more day of work and Grandma's and then two weeks off!
Madelyn: Why?

Too young to get it. ;-)

17 December 2014

Madelyn: Today at school we had a party for Jesus's birthday. We had star cookies!
Tony: Do you know why the cookies were stars?
Madelyn: Yeah, because of the star over the stable.
Me: Yup, it's the Star of Bethlehem.
Tony: It's also called the Star of David.
Madelyn: Why "David"?
Tony: Because Jesus is the son of David.
Madelyn: Is David God's nickname? 

(Theology is hard. Explaining theology to a five-year-old is harder.)

16 December 2014

During their gingerbread house decorating party, all of the preschool kids were also eating their lunches. For most of the hour, decorating and eating went something like this:

We finished a section of the house we were working on.
Me: Okay, Madelyn, eat a couple bites of sandwich.
Madelyn glared at me and grabbed her sandwich: Humph.
She ate a bite or two and looked at me as if asking, is that enough? I would make her take one more bite, and then we would go back to happily decorating.

15 December 2014

During dinner, Madelyn couldn't fit her burger into her mouth.

Me, teasing: You just have to learn how to unhinge your jaw.
Madelyn: Did you know that monkey wrenches have things called jaws, too?

Um, okay then.

14 December 2014

After watching "Hercules" today, we were talking about various parts of the movie during dinner. Tony and Madelyn were talking about when Meg dies after a pillar falls on her. Madelyn made the observation that:

"A pillar is kind of like a leg for a building."

13 December 2014

While taking photos with Terry today, we attempted a photo with Tony laying on the floor, me on top of him, Madelyn on top of me, and Alyson on top of Madelyn. The photos didn't turn out very well because the entire time, Madelyn was yelling, "Alyson is too heavy! Get her off me!!!"

12 December 2014

Sick children are so much fun! Madelyn was at the point tonight where her body just wanted her to sleep. After being asleep for a bit, she half woke up and was moaning. Tony went up to see what was wrong. While he was with her, she starting singing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" pretty much in her sleep.

11 December 2014

On our last Sam's Club trip, we bought some orange chicken and ate it not too long after.

Me: What are we having for dinner?
Madelyn, remembering from a conversation yesterday: Chicken.
Me: What kind of chicken?
Madelyn: Orange chicken!
Me: We don't have any.
Madelyn: Yes, we do! We bought it at Sam's Club.
Me: But we ate it already.
Madelyn: Oh.

10 December 2014

Often the elves and reindeer hide during the day. There are times, though, when the "nap" during the day and don't play and hide. Today was one of those days. As soon as we got home and saw them just laying on the floor where they were left, Madelyn asked me in a slightly accusatory manor, "Why didn't the elves and reindeer hide today?!"

09 December 2014

As we were getting in the car to come home, Madelyn was telling me about some of the things they learned in school today.

Madelyn: We don't have dangerous things at school.
Me: What do you mean by "dangerous things"?
Madelyn: Like guns. We don't have guns at school.
Me: Oh, okay, like weapons and other things that can hurt people.
Madelyn: A gun is a weapon. And zombies. We don't have zombies at school because zombies don't have brains and you need your brains to learn.

08 December 2014

From the random Madelyn files:

Alyson was rolling around on the floor "talking" to her daddy on an old cell phone. She randomly laughed at something in her conversation. Madelyn asked her, "What's so funny? Did he say he was going to make a dispenser robot? (She laughed at herself.) That always makes me laugh in my dreams!"

07 December 2014

Madelyn, looking at the Finding Nemo plate her (leftover) cake was on: Why is Nemo black, white, and orange?
Tony: Because he's a clownfish and that's what colors they are.
Madelyn: Why is Dory black, yellow, and blue?
Tony: Because of the type of fish she is. You keep throwing me off because you're saying the colors the opposite that I would.
Madelyn: Huh?
Me: Normally, people say the color that is the most first. Like for Nemo, they would say orange, white, and black.
Madelyn: Oh. I was confused because my voice doesn't have hands to throw you off!

06 December 2014

This evening after Madelyn's birthday party she was opening her presents. As she was about halfway through and opening a gift from my coworker:

Madelyn: What? It's a package from zulily?
Me: That's just the box she used to wrap it.

Once she finally got the box open:

Madelyn: Mickey mouse! My favorite!
Tony: So we can just take back all of these presents?
Madelyn: No no no!

05 December 2014

During dinner Madelyn randomly asked, "Why did Jesus die for us?" As we were preparing our answer, she added to the question by singing over and over, "in Buuunnnnnnyyyyytown!"

04 December 2014

In the car on the way home, we were talking about months and what is in each month.

Madelyn: What's January?
Me: Well, you know two people with birthdays in January.
Madelyn: Caroline and Ellie!
Me: Okay, yeah, Caroline and Ellie. That means you know four people with birthdays in January. Who else?
Madelyn: Ummmm.... Aly?
Me: Yup. Who else?
Madelyn after being quiet for a while: I'm thinking!
Me: No idea?
Madelyn started guessing kids in her class.
Me: No. It's someone else in the car.
Madelyn: Aly?
Me: You already got Aly. Who else is in the car?
Madelyn: You!

(We had just had a conversation about January birthdays with her yesterday. Nice to see she was paying attention.)

03 December 2014

Alyson and Madelyn were pretending that a baby doll was taking a nap in the playroom, so the door was shut. Madelyn didn't want Alyson to put some toys away in the playroom because she would wake the baby, but she had been being loud herself in the dining room.

Madelyn: No, Aly, don't go in there! You'll wake the baby!
Tony: I'm pretty sure the baby is already awake since you've been so loud.
Madelyn: But the door to the playroom has been closed. 
Tony: And she probably already heard you.
Madelyn: No, it's a secret no hearing door to the playroom. She can't hear me!

02 December 2014

On this rare occasion, the girls had a different dinner from Tony and me. Their dinner was ready about 10 minutes before ours, so they started eating. At the end of dinner when I was almost done (about three more bites, and Madelyn had maybe three or four bites left:

Madelyn: I'm going to be the winner! I'm going to finish first!
Tony: That isn't too impressive when you had a ten minute head start.
Me: I'm almost done. You better hurry up if you're going to win.

Madelyn frantically started getting her food into her mouth as fast as possible. I kept eating at the same pace, but then slowed down for the last bite to let her win.

Madelyn: Yay! I won!
(Me, under my breath: Nope, I think I won.)

01 December 2014

As we were finishing up dinner, I was telling the family about a silly conversation with my supervisor, whom Madelyn loves. Her response was:

"Oh, Ms. Cat! She's a crazy person! (and then deadpan serious) Tell her that."

(Now, if only she knew that I had to go rescue my supervisor at work around 8:30pm because she locked her keys inside a controlled access room....)

30 November 2014

While figuring out what to have for dinner, we decided to ask Madelyn what she wanted between two choices.

Tony: Madelyn, for dinner, do you want tilapia...
Madelyn, cutting him off: NO!

29 November 2014

Part of Christmas decorating always includes playing with the Fisher Price Nativity Set and the Santa that dances and sings "Christmas Rock". At one point, Madelyn had everyone in the Nativity watching the dancing Santa:

"The people from Heaven are just staring at Santa because they don't understand him."

28 November 2014

After playing "puppy dog" with Nana, Madelyn asked on the ride home:

"Can I play 'puppy dog' with Nana when I see her again? I hope she has dog toys at her house to play with."

27 November 2014

When the "Red Hot Mamas" came on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with their shopping carts, Madelyn turned to Tony in excitement:

Madelyn: Daddy, do you recognize those walkers?
Tony: Ummm.... No.....
Madelyn: They look like GG's!

26 November 2014

When it started snowing:

Me: Hey, it's snowing!
Madelyn: Yay! Can I go play in it?
Me: Nope. The snow is really wet, and it was raining a lot and it's really wet outside.
Madelyn, pouting: Aw, nuts!

25 November 2014

As we were cuddling/playing before bed tonight:

Me: So, sleep in tomorrow, okay?
Madelyn: Why?
Me: Because we don't have to go anywhere, and I want to sleep in.
Madelyn: Okay, I won't get up until "five thirty M".
Me: Um, "five thirty M" isn't a time. If you mean "5:30AM" please do not get up that early. Let's go for more like 8AM.

(And, we all know she'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning.)

24 November 2014

Madelyn got the hiccups during dinner. After a brief period of not hiccuping:

"I think I don't have the hiccups anymore!" ...Hiccup! "Ugh!"

23 November 2014

After seeing Santa today:

"I didn't recognize Santa because of his hat, but I recognized him from his white gloves."

Apparently, plain, white gloves = Santa.

22 November 2014

Looking at the leash for Aunt Gina and Uncle Matt's dog:

"I want to try to put the leash on Della. But, I don't want her to lick me!"

21 November 2014

We were walking back to the car after dinner and a quick stop into Carter's, and as we passed each parked car, Madelyn yelled, "Snow!"

20 November 2014

Tonight for dinner, the girls had dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. Madelyn took her brontosaurus, held it upside down so that it was on it's back, and declared, "Look! It's a turtle!" A turtle stuck on it's back, I guess?

19 November 2014

Telling us about showing off her ribbon wand during sharing today at school:

Madelyn: I showed everybody some tricks, but I don't think [teacher] liked it because I think I hit her with it.
Me: Did you hit her with the ribbon or the hard part?
Madelyn, after thinking for a few seconds: I think I hit her with just the hard part.

18 November 2014

After Madelyn's nose stopped bleeding, she wanted to call talk to Grandma to make sure that she knows what to do if it starts bleeding again tomorrow. While on the phone:

Me, to Mom on the phone: It was gushing blood.
Madelyn: It was like a waterfall!!

17 November 2014

Over and over and over while doing her homework (yup, my pre-K girl has homework), she just kept singing, "Australlllliiiiaaaaa!!!" at the top of her lungs. I asked her why, but I still have no idea.

16 November 2014

While at Target today, we were looking quickly in the "One Spot" section (the cheapo stuff that's only $1 or so). Madelyn declared that she was looking at the "junk toys."

15 November 2014

We went to Sam's Club this afternoon, which of course meant there were free samples as we shopped. After Madelyn finished a Little Smokies sausage in a sauce made with strawberry jelly:

Madelyn: Yum! That was like a honey hotdog!
Me: Have you ever had a honey hotdog?
Madelyn: No.

14 November 2014

Madelyn being her normal, silly self:

"Arf! Arf! Moo! Moo! I'm a dog, and I'm pretending my voice changed."

13 November 2014

Lately, after Madelyn has brushed her teeth and is getting into bed, she insists that I have to stand next to her bed, she takes of her slippers, stands on her bed, and throws them over my head toward her shoe basket. Tonight when she wanted me to come stand there:

Madelyn: Mommy, I need you to come be my insistent.
Me, walking toward her: You want me to be what?
Madelyn: My insistent.
Me: Think about what word you want.
Madelyn: Huh?
Me: You want me to assist you?
Madelyn: Yeah.
Me: Then, you want me to be your assistant.
Madelyn: Ooooohhhh! Assistant!

12 November 2014

The conversation as we were getting dinner on the table:

Madelyn: I want the purple plate!
Me: What? You wanted a plate?
Tony: No plates here.
Madelyn: But I need a plate for my tortellini!
Tony: Nope, we're going to make it float and you have to eat it out of mid-air.
Madelyn: But, Daddy, you don't have the magic to make it float! You would need to be in space to make it float!

11 November 2014

We went for our usual walk after dinner this evening. Because it has been dark now, Madelyn has been taking my headlamp to use as a flashlight. Usually she just carries it. Tonight, she tried putting it on at first.

Tony: Are you trying to be Cyclops?
Madelyn: No, I'm not a cyclops.
Me: Do you even know what Cyclops is?
Madelyn: A one balled eyed monster.

I guess she showed me (if you ignore the X-men reference).

10 November 2014

Madelyn got out a roll of Scotch tape to do who knows what with today. She brought it into the living room and tried to put it up high out of Alyson's reach while saying:

"Aly, don't play with this because I'm afraid you might get cut by the tape espenser."

This was after leaving her scissors on the floor that Alyson grabbed, of course.

09 November 2014

When Madelyn says good night to Alyson every night, she says, "Good night, Princess Aly." Tonight while walking back to her room after saying good night, Madelyn proclaimed:

"We're going to be princess for a very long time until the family dies."

I paused and looked at her with a bewildered look and she quickly followed with:

"Just kidding!"

08 November 2014

Alyson kept asking "what?" or "why?" in response to everything Madelyn said. Madelyn got fed up and complained to us:

Madelyn: Alyson keeps saying the same thing over and over!
Tony: Pot, meet kettle.
Madelyn: What?!
Me: It means that you do the same thing.
Madelyn, to Alyson: Pot me kettle!
Alyson: Whah?

Over and over like this:

07 November 2014

After baths tonight, I had Madelyn try on her Christmas dress from last year to see if it will work for one set of Santa photos we're doing in two weeks or if I have to rush out and find something for her. I also had her try on a pair of Hello Kitty pajamas I found mixed in with Alyson's stuff.

Madelyn: Isn't this bow adorable? I want to go show Daddy.
She ran off to Alyson's room where Tony was.
Madelyn: Look, Daddy! Isn't this dress and bow adorable?
She came back in to try on the PJs.
Madelyn: I love these Hello Kitty pajamas! They are so adorable!
She then decided to wear the "adorable" pajamas for bed tonight.

06 November 2014

Madelyn's latest knock knock joke during dinner:

Madelyn: Knock knock.
Me: Who's there?
Madelyn: Bacon.
Me: Bacon who?
Madelyn: Bacon comes from a pig when you kill it.

Then, she kept muttering her "amazing" joke to herself while eating.

05 November 2014

Madelyn had another accident last night after a little over a week of dry nights. Tonight, as she was getting into bed:

Me: Is tonight going to be night one?
Madelyn: Yes! I want to be good. I'm not going to forget to get up and go potty.

04 November 2014

This is a sign of how much Madelyn did not like dinner last night. She was looking through the Giant ad to find pictures of things that start with "A" to cut out for her alphabet journal. Before she got started cutting:

Me, starting to cut out a recipe in the ad: Let me cut this recipe out first.
Madelyn: What's that for?
Me: This is the chili we had last night.
Madelyn: You're not going to serve us that again, are you?
Me, trying not to laugh: No, Daddy and I had the leftover for lunch because we liked it.

03 November 2014

An example of how Madelyn and Alyson interact with each other quite often:

Madelyn: Knock, knock.
Alyson: Ding, ding.
Madelyn: Raspberry.
Alyson: Oh.

02 November 2014

First

In the car listening to Disney music again as usual, Madelyn must announce the title and movie for every song that plays:

"This is 'You'll Be In My Heart'. We haven't heard it in a while and it's my favorite song from what movie is it from again?"

(She has not actually seen Tarzan yet.)

Second

In the car on the way home from dinner after seeing Frozen on Ice, Alyson made some sleepy sounding mumbly noises.

Madelyn to Alyson: Are you awake?
Tony: No, she's talking in her sleep.
Madelyn: She's awake and talking in her wake.

01 November 2014

While playing in the playroom, Alyson started yelling something over and over that sounded like "eye".

Madelyn, yelling to us in the living room: I think Alyson wants ice!
Tony: Did she hit herself?
Madelyn: I don't think so.
Tony: Did you hit her?
Madelyn: Um, no, I don't think so!

31 October 2014

Looking into a clean, empty dish on the kitchen counter:

"Hey! What's in here? Uh! Why is it empty?"

30 October 2014

A Toys R Us catalog came today. Madelyn grabbed it right away to start looking at it.

Madelyn, pointing to a page of Minecraft toys: Daddy, are these real things in Minecraft or just toys?
Tony: They are things in Minecraft, but those there are just toys.
Madelyn, pointing to a spider: I want that spider. I'm going to throw it on the floor and pretend it's dead. [pointing to other things on the page] And, I want that, and that, and that....

And it has begun. How long until Christmas? :-P

29 October 2014

First

As we were pulling away from the house this morning:

Madelyn: When are we going to sell our house?
Me: We're not planning on it.
Madelyn: Why not?
Me: Because we would have to find another house and move. Don't you like our house?
Madelyn: Yeah, I like our house, but could we take the iPad?

Second

Madelyn was coloring Halloween pictures today after we got home.

Me: Why don't you draw a ghost?
Madelyn: Ghosts are white and white doesn't show up on white paper. I know! I'll draw an orange ghost because if a ghost fell in orange paint it would be orange.

28 October 2014

Talking about going into a haunted house with zombies:

"Besides, I'm not afraid of zombies. I'm only afraid of mascots."

27 October 2014

When I got to Mom and Dad's today to pick up the girls, they were outside playing with their grandpa. After a little bit, Madelyn tried coming in the back door, and I went to help her.

Madelyn, as she came running into the house: I HAVE TO GO POTTY!!!!!

She ran back to the bathroom and stripped off her jacket as she went. After she was settled for a minute in the bathroom, I went back to check on her.

Me: Are you okay?
Madelyn: Yeah.
Me: Did you have an accident?
Madelyn: No. Can you pick up my jacket?
Me, looking down at her jacket that I was practically stepping on as it sat where she dropped it at the door: No, you can get it when you come out.

A few minutes later, Madelyn came into the living room without her jacket.

Me: Where's your jacket?
Madelyn, running back to get it: Oh yeah!

She would have had to walk on her jacket when she came out of the bathroom and she still didn't pick it up at first.

26 October 2014

While playing outside at the Barbieri's house this afternoon, Madelyn grabbed a bucket and shovel from the play toys and walked away singing to herself:

"I'm gonna dig a beach! I'm gonna dig a beach!"

25 October 2014

We had edamame with dinner tonight. Madelyn likes to take the edamame and hold it a little out from her mouth and pop the beans into her mouth.

Madelyn: Mommy, watch!

I looked up to see her getting ready to pop a bean into her mouth only to miss and bounce it off the tip of her nose.

24 October 2014

In a rare turn of events, we were able to go to the park for a half hour or so after we got home today. While there, Madelyn declared with no discernible context:

"Today is not a day in the office."

23 October 2014

Talking about not remembering some of the details from the Maryland Women's Basketball games last season while on the way home today:

"All of the old basketball games got pushed out of my brain."

22 October 2014

While playing with Alyson:

"This is gonna be a magic kiss. You won't be able to feel it."

21 October 2014

After Alyson started drinking her tomato soup during dinner:

Me, sarcastically: At least she doesn't like it.
Tony: Yup.
Madelyn: But she does like it. Why do you keep saying that people don't like things when they do?
Me: It's called sarcasm. It's to be funny.
Madelyn: But it's not funny.
Tony: It's adult humor. Kids don't understand it.
Madelyn: Kids should understand it if it is kids and adult family burritos.
Me and Tony: What?
Madelyn: I was being funny! It's kid humor!

20 October 2014

First

As we were getting food on the table for dinner, Madelyn asked Alyson:

"Is anybody in this world as amazing as I am?"

Second

While getting ready for bath:

Madelyn: When are we going to have another baby?
Me: We aren't planning on it.
Madelyn: Why not?
Me: I think our family is good just the way it is. Plus, where would another baby sleep?
Madelyn, running to a large blank wall in the hall that is the other side of our closet: You could put in another room here.
Me: But that's where our closet is.
Madelyn, turning around to the wall of her room: You could put in a room here.
Me: But that's your room.
Madelyn, going to the only wall left in the hall which is opposite of a small closet in our room: You could put in a room here.
Me: That's were the other closet in our room is.
Madelyn: Oh.

19 October 2014

For her last race in the Healthy Kids Running Series today, Madelyn's bib number was 45.

Tony: You're 45!
Madelyn: No! That's not the number I'm grown up to!

18 October 2014

To continue with things she will hate me for when she's older:

While Madelyn was going potty before bed, she yelled out to me:

"Mommy! I fell into the toilet water!"

(She didn't fall completely in and didn't really need any help. I just advised her on how to clean herself up.)

17 October 2014

I stayed home with the girls today, so I opted to do my workout during Alyson's nap, partially because Madelyn wanted me to, partially just to get it done. Here are a few of her comments during my workout:

While doing dumbbell step-ups, I was at first using the ottoman because it was the closest thing to the recommended height. As soon as I stepped up: "Mommy! Why are you standing on the furniture?!"

While doing an exercise called "Dead Bug" that looks like what it's named after: "That's funny, Mommy!"

Finally, with my first negative pull-up: "Wow!"

16 October 2014

Okay, she's going to hate me later in life for this one, but it was the funniest thing she did all day (that I know of).

As Madelyn was leaving our room after putting her dirty clothes in there, she stopped, bent over a little and stuck out her naked butt, farted and said to me, "What? I farted." She then ran off into her room after almost running into our door.

15 October 2014

Madelyn often sings "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" by Fall Out Boy after hearing it. She never gets the words right. Today, Alyson decided to sing along as well.

Madelyn: Let 'em oh ho ho. Let 'um oh ho ho. Let 'em oh ho ho. Fire!
Alyson: Ah hoooooo!!!!

14 October 2014

Talking about when to have all of our leftovers for dinner the rest of the week:

Me: We could have tacos tomorrow, the chicken sausage pasta on Thursday, and the pork again on Friday.
Madelyn: No!!!
Me: Why not? You like the pork.
Madelyn: Oh yeah.

13 October 2014

While playing with Tony and Alyson today:

"Aly, I'll be the mommy and you be the big sister. Daddy, you can be the babysitter to watch the other baby. You can feed her a bottle and give her naps. Here you go! I can't wait to go on a walk without that loud and noisy baby that I hate hearing her screaming...."

12 October 2014

While on the way back from swimming class, we were listening to the "Wicked" soundtrack in the car. "Defying Gravity" came on.

Madelyn: "Defying Gravity"!
Alyson started laughing at who knows what.
Madelyn: Defying gravity is not funny. I would never try to defy gravity.

11 October 2014

While on our walk after dinner:

Me: Do you want to go this way?
Madelyn: Yeah, I want to go this way past my boyfriends' house!

(Her "boyfriend" is one of the boys in her preschool class who happens to live three houses away from us. We think the feeling is mutual.) 

10 October 2014

As I was saying "good night" to Madelyn:

Me: What are we doing tomorrow?
Madelyn: Ballet. And then Sunday...
Me: We have church and swimming and your race.
Madelyn: Yeah.
Me: And then, we'll go see Aunt Gina, Uncle Matt, Lauren, Jon, and Baby Andrew.
Madelyn: Yeah! That's what I was talking about! I want to see Baby Andrew!

09 October 2014

During dinner after chugging her entire cup of milk:

"I love milk even though it's healthy."

08 October 2014

When we got home today, Madelyn asked something I never thought I would hear come out of her mouth:

"Can I not have screen time today?"

Usually, she's asking just the opposite and getting mad at me when I tell her no iPad and to go play.

07 October 2014

One of my coworkers was eating dinner at our house tonight. Part of the conversation:

Kristine: I'm a little slow on the uptake.
Madelyn: Yeah.... Wait! What does "uptake" mean?

06 October 2014

During dinner:

Me, after Tony tried the catfish: What do you think?
Tony: It's pretty good.
Me: I think it's a little bland.
Tony: Yeah, the crust could use more flavor.

I got out the Old Bay, sprinkled some on my fish, and handed the can to Tony since he was reaching out for it.

Me, after eating a bite: That's better.
Tony: Yeah, that's pretty good. (To Madelyn) Have you tried it yet?
Madelyn: No. I don't like catfish!
Tony: You haven't even tried it.

We got Madelyn to eat a bite.

Madelyn, after swallowing it and making every disgusted face possible: I don't like it.
Tony: What don't you like about it?
Madelyn: It's a little bland and the crust could use more flavor.
Tony: Did you enjoy parroting what Mommy and I just said?
Me: Why don't you try some Old Bay on it?

Madelyn begrudgingly let Tony put a little tiny bit on and then ate a little piece.

Madelyn: It's too spicy!

05 October 2014

From the list of random things she says:

While getting dressed after baths tonight and putting on her panties:

Madelyn: We're going to have a wet panty party!
Me: Um, no, let's not.
Madelyn: Why do parties have to have names anyway? I know! Let's have a slumber party!

04 October 2014

While in the car:

Alyson: Beep beep!
Madelyn: Don't say "beep beep"! We want to be a good sport, and that isn't what good sports do!

03 October 2014

While trying to explain to Madelyn where Germany is:

"Is it a country in your back yard?"

02 October 2014

While on our walk after dinner, we walked by a family out in their front yard, including a child who is about 18 months old wearing only a diaper.

Madelyn: Why is that baby naked?
Me: That baby isn't naked. He's in a diaper.
Madelyn: Well, why is he in a diaper?
Tony: Because he doesn't want clothes on?
Madelyn: But he needs clothes!

01 October 2014

We went for a walk after dinner this evening. As we were walking, we heard what sounded like a real rooster. (I am not going to be a happy camper if that thing wakes me up in the morning.) For the rest of the walk, Madelyn kept yelling, "Cock-a-lock-a-doooo!!!" She complained when we told her it was normally "cock-a-doodle-doo".

30 September 2014

Today after we got home some people came over. Madelyn had some stickers that she wanted to share with them. She put one on her shirt and gave one to Alyson. After that, she went around to everyone and asked, "Do you want a sticker for your shirt?" She was confused and didn't understand why all of them said no.

29 September 2014

We had asparagus with dinner tonight. In the course of the meal, Madelyn went from outright declaring that she does not like "expairagus", to reluctantly trying it, to liking it, and finally back to deciding that she doesn't like it. Typical.

28 September 2014

On the way home from swimming class, I was asking Madelyn about what she wanted for lunch. She opted for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Me: What type of jelly do you want?
Madelyn: Strawberry jelly. I love strawberry jelly. I"m going to have strawberry jelly on every sandwich except grilled cheese and ham and cheese because strawberry jelly does not taste good on those.
Tony: How do you know? Have you tried it?
Madelyn: No. It just doesn't sound like it would be good!

27 September 2014

From the list of conversations that you wish weren't happening:

Madelyn: Why aren't there just girls?
Me, making sure I heard her question correctly: Why aren't there only girls?
Madelyn: Yeah. Why are there girls and boys?
Me: Well, because there's an equal chance of a baby being a boy or a girl.
Madelyn: But why?
Me: Because there has to be a boy and a girl for there to be babies. Plus, wouldn't it be boring if everyone was a girl?
Madelyn, accepting that answer: Yeah, it would be boring.

26 September 2014

While I was fixing dinner, Madelyn was standing at the kitchen counter playing with some plastic beakers and pipets that she got from my work way back on Take Your Child to Work Day.

Madelyn: I'm making a potion that turns every bad guy into smoke.
Me: Into smoke? What about a potion that turns bad guys into good guys?
Madelyn: Yeah.... That's what I meant....

25 September 2014

For her class, Madelyn has a weekly assignment to complete pages of her Alphabet Journal. To complete it, they need to find pictures or draw or otherwise fill it with things beginning with the letter for the page. We were working on it when we got home today. This week's letter is "M".

Me, as we were looking through some ads from the newspaper for things to use: Do you see anything that begins with "M"?
Madelyn, looking around: No....
Me, pointing to some meat: What's this?
Madelyn: Steak.
Me: And what is steak?
Madelyn: Meat... MEAT STARTS WITH "M"!!!!

24 September 2014

Madelyn brought home a painting from school. Her explanation was something like this:

"That circle is on the diving board and jumping off. And the blue rectangle is the pool. This part is missing (pointing to the top right of the rectangle) because the water splashed out and is up here (pointing to the blue streak at the top)."

23 September 2014

Madelyn has yet another cold. We put Vicks on her feet last night to help. As she was getting ready for bed tonight, she asked me:

"Are you going to put wax on my feet again tonight?"

22 September 2014

When we got home today, I had the girls to try on their winter coats and some other jackets to clean out the closet a bit and figure out what I need to get them. Madelyn was snapping up her rain coat after a lot of complaints, asking for help, and saying she couldn't do it. After she got two snaps or so:

"I can't believe I'm a natural at snaps!"

21 September 2014

We were at the table discussing something about a length of time (unfortunately, I don't remember what). Madelyn put her hands up like you would to show how big something is, and asked:

"Is it going to take this long?"

Sorry, Sweetie, but time isn't measured like that.

20 September 2014

After Madelyn woke up from her nap this afternoon (Gasp! She actually took about an hour and a half nap!), she came outside to where I was cutting some Styrofoam for a project.

Madelyn: What is all of this on the patio?
Me: You slept so long that it became winter and snowed.
Madelyn, dead serious: You have got to be kidding!

She then played with the Styrofoam "snow" and declared that she wished it was really winter so that she could play in real snow.

19 September 2014

While listening to Disney songs in the car, a song from "Toy Story" came on:

Madelyn: Is "Toy Story" a Disney movie?
Tony and me together: Yes.
Madelyn: What's so Disney about it?

18 September 2014

As we were getting into the car after Alyson and I got Madelyn from preschool, Madelyn was commenting on how hot it actually got this afternoon:

"It's almost as hot as a grill with ten thousand hot dogs on it!"

17 September 2014

Toward the end of dinner:

Me: You're going to go up and take baths when you're done with dinner.
Madelyn: Why? We take baths on Sundays.

(And at least once during the week....)

16 September 2014

We went for a family walk today after dinner. Tony was messing with Madelyn and would run past her. Every time she would yell:

"Daddy, this is not a race! This is a parade, and I'm supposed to be the leader!"

15 September 2014

(This one isn't particularly funny, it's just typical of Madelyn's way of thinking.)

Due to a family emergency, Madelyn has had a substitute teacher since Thursday. The teacher so far has actually been her teacher from last year. There is another teacher who may also fill in this week while Madelyn's teacher is out.

Me: Did you have Mrs. K again today?
Madelyn: Yup!
Me: Do you know who you have for a teacher tomorrow?
Madelyn: Mrs. K.
Me: Did she tell you that?
Madelyn: No, but that's who we've been having.

(So, obviously, Mommy.)

14 September 2014

While playing with her milk cup at dinner:

"Look! My milk got stuck to my lip. It makes a good decoration. Just kidding!"

13 September 2014

Multiple times today, Madelyn came up to me while Tony was right there and loudly whispered something along the lines of:

"Don't let Daddy see the sign I made for him. I want to surprise him."

12 September 2014

While trying to figure out dinner:

Tony: Do you want ravioli?
Madelyn: No, I want pasta.
Me: Do you want spaghetti?
Madelyn: No, I want pasta.

11 September 2014

Tonight we met Nana and Aunt Bev for dinner. Madelyn was looking at some photos on Nana's phone. She came across a photo of Uncle Jimmy's stomach.

Madelyn: That looks like Daddy's tummy.
Nana: That's Uncle Jimmy.
Tony: Why does my tummy look like Uncle Jimmy's?
Madelyn: Because it's hairy like Daddy's tummy.

10 September 2014

I picked Madelyn up from school today, which involves a 10-minute wait in the car while the rest of the school is dismissed. Across the Metro and train tracks is a "doggie daycare" that got Madelyn talking about pets.

"If I get a pet, I'm going to name in 'Familidy' because that's a name I made up."

09 September 2014

Madelyn telling me about her day at school on the ride home from Grandma's:

"We made a movie, but it's a play not a movie. And it's called Fire Chief Madelyn. I get to be the fire chief. And at the end of all the words [the credits], there's a silly part. Fire Chief Madelyn and Madison fight a cardboard fire with cardboard water from a cardboard fire hose. And our teachers are the audience. No, wait, our old friends from last year are our audience."

And this went on and on until we got home.

08 September 2014

After watching the Ducktales opening theme remade with real ducks and then the real opening theme, Tony and I were in the kitchen and heard Madelyn singing in the living room:

"Ducktales! Whoo-ooo!"

07 September 2014

We met friends at a park today to play and have a picnic dinner. When we were getting ready to eat, everyone except for Tony and Alyson were at the picnic table. As I was walking toward them to tell them we were going to eat, I hear Madelyn at the table behind me:

"Where's Daddy? Tony!!!!! Tony!!!!!!!"

06 September 2014

First

Madelyn and Alyson were sharing animal crackers in the car on the way to the grocery store. Madelyn was telling us how many she had:

"Alyson gave me three! The last one was in her mouth, but she gave it to me. It's okay since we're both sick. We share our germs."

Second

On the way to the car to go to dinner, we were talking about how hot it was outside and Tony running tonight. Madelyn's take on it:

"I don't think this will ruin my entire life."

05 September 2014

During dinner, Tony and I were talking. Madelyn raised her hand to ask something.

Me: Yes, Madelyn?
Madelyn put up her finger as if to say "wait a second" and quickly chewed what was in her mouth.
Me: Why did you raise your hand if you weren't ready to talk?
Madelyn just shrugged her shoulders and kept chewing.

04 September 2014

Before class today, Madelyn saw an elderly gentleman at school who helps out with the big kids' lunches. She knows him from last year. They said hi and he gave her and another one of the kids hugs.

Madelyn, running over to me: Mommy! That's Mr. Fred!
Me: I know that's Mr. Fred. Did you know that Mr. Fred only lives a block away from us?
Madelyn: Really?
Me: Yeah, and when I was little, I used to play with his granddaughter.
Madelyn: Really?!
Me: Yup. Can you guess what her name is?
Madelyn: No....
Me: It's Melissa.
Madelyn, looking at me in disbelief: But that's you!

03 September 2014

During the Open House for Preschool today, Madelyn's teacher used the bell they use for getting the kids' attention to get the parents' attention so that she could let us know a few details. Madelyn seems to still be well conditioned from last year. She finished up what she was doing and sat on the rug for circle time. The teaching assistant had to go up and tell her that she didn't need to sit down and could keep playing. We need to get ourselves one of those bells.

02 September 2014

Madelyn picked out a shirt to pack for her change of clothes that has to go to preschool, and put it on the floor with a pair of shorts where I already had a pair of jeans ready to pack.

Me: Is that what you're wearing tomorrow?
Madelyn: No! Tomorrow I have to wear something "fashion-wear".

("Fashion-wear" is her latest obsession. Haven't figured out where this one is from yet.)

01 September 2014

Grandma started winking at Madelyn, so she winked back with one eye. Grandma then winked with the other eye. Madelyn tried to follow suit:

"I just can't wink with this one! It keeps blinking instead of winking!"

31 August 2014

While watching "Diaper Dance" in the "Baby Signing Time" DVD in the car on the way home:
"You're naked but you're not completely naked because you have a diaper on."

30 August 2014

We saw some dolphins swimming by the beach today. Madelyn was very excited:

"Wow! I didn't know there were dolphins at this beach!"

Also:
Somehow convinced Madelyn to go on the Sea Dragon at Funland. She loved it until about halfway through. Then, she wasn't so sure. Of course, when we got off, she declared it "the best ride ever."

And: 
Madelyn said we couldn't just have ice cream for lunch today because ice cream is sugar. 

Finally:
Madelyn was up and in her bathing suit around 6:30 this morning.

29 August 2014

Madelyn was packing up some toys to take to the beach. She was going on and on about their "new baby sister," her Baby Belle doll. She decided to pack the doll and started to stuff the doll into the bag head first. 

Me: You're putting your baby sister in head first?
Madelyn: She likes to go head first into things...but not into the pool.

28 August 2014

We got home, Madelyn put their lunch boxes on the kitchen counter, and grabbed (and ate) a cherry tomato from the bowl on the counter. Yup, that's my girl.

27 August 2014

We had some Buffalo wings with dinner tonight. I gave Madelyn a small piece from one of mine to try, but it didn't have much hot sauce on it.

Madelyn: I like it! Can I have one?
Me, in disbelief: Okay.
Madelyn after touching the wing I gave her to her tongue: Ah! It's hot!
Me: Peel the skin off and then eat it.
Madelyn peeled a piece of skin off and put that in her mouth.
Madelyn: Hot!
Me: I didn't mean for you to eat the skin!

26 August 2014

Before bed, I was being silly and laying on Madelyn's bed. I was laying on my back with my butt and up on her bed and my legs and feet off of the bed with my feet flat on the floor. Madelyn decided she was going to climb up my legs/me to get up on her bed. I braced myself and started making a grimacing face. Madelyn noticed and tried to reassure me:

"Don't worry. This will only hurt a second."

25 August 2014

Dinner tonight was cheeseburgers, mac and cheese, and green beans (yeah, super healthy, I know). This really isn't one of the girls' favorite meals (they don't really like burgers), but it was what we were having, so there. Anyway, after taking a bite of everything:

Madelyn: This is my favorite meal ever!
Me: Better than pancakes?
Madelyn, thinking: This is my less more favorite meal than pancakes.

24 August 2014

First

Lately, Madelyn has been pretending that Alyson is her daughter. Today, she announced as she was looking at a little picture with Baby Jesus on it:

"My daughter's nickname is Alyson, and her real name is Jesus. I'm pretending Jesus is a girl."

Second

Madelyn and Alyson were going around pretending to talk to someone on a toy phone (well, really Alyson was going around yelling at Madelyn every time Madelyn took the phone from her). Madelyn told whoever it was "bye" very abruptly and then explained to me:

"I hung up with them because they're some boring people to me."

23 August 2014

Madelyn watched "The Little Mermaid" today for the first time. She was doing fine with it until Prince Eric almost married Ursula. At the part when Ariel turns back into a mermaid, she lost it and started crying and panicking. We had to pause the movie to get her to calm down. When we asked her what she was afraid of and she finally calmed down enough to answer us:

Madelyn: She turned back into a mermaid!!!!!
Tony: Is the movie over yet?
Madelyn: Almost!
Tony: But is it over yet?
Madelyn: No!
Tony: Then you need to keep watching and see what happens.
Madelyn, calming down: Okay....

We started the movie back up, and she watched, but still got (understandably) upset and scared.

When the movie was over:

"I liked it! And, I didn't even get scared!"