Misheard, Misspoken

My neighbor told me today that she misses getting updates on funny kid sayings, so here's a list of recent Cami-isms. Some of these are not unusual mispronunciations, but there are a few things unique to Cami.

Traditional Cami's Version
Animal Animal
Enemy Emeny
Yogurt Your gut (we're practicing to correct this one -- she can say "Yo, Gertrude")
Lightning McQueen Lightning the Queen

April Flowers Bring May Showers?

April brought flowers to our house -- tulips & daffodils that Cami & I have planted over the past two years keep coming back -- and, of course, sweet baby Rose.

Then May brought rain several times this week. Cami & Graham took advantage of the puddles when they were available. . .and created unique fashion statements.

Salutations

Jason was just keeping Graham occupied while I was nursing Rose by showing him something on the computer. As I came out of the bedroom, Jason closed the laptop saying, "Say 'Bye, bye.'"

Graham reached for the computer, "No, I want to say, 'Hi, hi!'"

This Little Piggie. . .

We have a family rule that sometimes helps us out when Graham decides to go for a solo run: when you go outside, you must be wearing shoes.

Yesterday, Graham took advantage of an open front door to escape to the porch. Jason, trying to get Graham back inside, asked, "Graham, what are you wearing on your feet?"

Graham looked down at his bare feet, looked back up at Jason, and replied, "Toes!"

Stats

Baby Rose got dressed up for her 1 month doctor's appointment. When we were trying to put her into something that is easy to get out of, I realized she's the perfect size for her 3-month onesie that our dear neighbors gave her. But after that outfit became soiled, we defaulted to a really cute 3-month outfit that Tricia & her family sent as a surprise welcome to the world gift two weeks ago. (BTW, Tricia, the crying is not a reflection of the outfit -- even Jason commented on how cute she looked.) The doctor stats confirmed the clothing choices:

Age: 1 month, 1 day
Weight: 12 pounds, 5 ounces
Head Circumference: 14 inches
Length: 24 inches

Am I surprised? No. Did I get some of the details wrong on her passport application last week? Yes. Will she look anything like her passport photo when we actually leave? Maybe. . .but only barely.

Camera Challenged

This past week began without any of us having much on the schedule. This coming week will be a bit different, though, because Jason has graduation ceremonies on Wednesday & his elder sister Cindy has graduation ceremonies on Friday or Saturday. That means Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Ted, Auntie Cindy, and Auntie Sharilyn will be here to witness the official transformation to Dr. Jason, Ph.D. Then Jason will escape New Jersey with Cami & the rest of the family for beautiful Ithaca where they all get to witness Cindy's transformation to Dr. Cindy, Ph.D. It'll be a busy, but wonderful week -- one with lots of photo opportunities. I'm torn about sending the camera to Ithaca, though. Photos of the graduates & Cami with her cousins or documenting four days of Rose, Graham, and me spending time together? I don't know.

Cami's Craft

Cami has become really good at coming up with her own projects, dhings that display a talent for visual arts that I can't begin to come close to. It's been an especially helpful skill lately. Two weeks ago, she decided to paint her rocking horse. It's not going with us to England, so I didn't see any reason not to. And the photos makes me happy.

Further Photos

More photos, as promised. I feel like I should be documenting these photos with significant commentary. But Rose is still a newborn; admittedly, she's wearing 3 to 6 month clothes, but she's only going to be four weeks old tomorrow. So, she spends of her time eating, sleeping, or being mauled by her siblings. Not much more to say.

Baby Photos for Grandmas

I have been a major slacker about downloading photos to the computer & then uploading them to the blog. So, time to play catch-up with baby Rose. But it's late, so two will have to do for now.

What are you doing at 9:18?

Cami & Jason just had this conversation.

Jason (in his bathrobe): Why don't you take your bath after I leave?

Cami: But I want to do it now.

Jason: I need to get ready to go. I have to meet someone at 10:30.

Cami: What do you mean?

Jason: Even though it doesn't look like it right now, I do have a job.

Cami: It's because you're not dressed.

Logical Fallacy, Anyone?

Jason was putting aluminum foil up over the kids' bedroom window this morning (we do this every summer to block out the sunlight that wakens Graham well before 6 a.m.) and Cami wanted to help. Trying to dissuade her (frightening how often we just want a job done instead of letting our kids help & learn -- I'm terrible about this), Jason told her, "It's harder than it looks."

Her response, "It doesn't look harder than it looks."

Rice, Rice, Baby

I often forget how much Graham loves rice, so I was surprised when he requested rice for supper. Conveniently, there was some leftover rice in the fridge that was ready to reheat. He surprised all of us when, toward the end of supper, he picked up the rice bowl & ate from it directly. . . it looked like he was drinking cereal milk from a bowl four times as large as his face.

Jason dryly asked, "What do you think of that rice?" The bowl lowered enough for a pair of brown eyes to look sidelong at Jason, "Yum."

Compliments

Graham came into my room this morning around 6:30, climbed into bed, and (after cuddles & kisses) announced, "Cami is bootiful. I am hansome. You are bootiful. Baby Rose is hansome."

Brunch Baby

Cami had a brunch date with her friend Kathryn this morning during which she she said, "Excuse me, may I have some bacon? It's my favorite kind of pork."

Validation

I frequently wonder if I spend too much or too little time with my kids. I think there's often too much quantity without enough quality. . . that's when we frustrate each other the most. But I also recognize that I often am somewhere else during the mundane moments, using bath time to wash dishes or read blogs or tidy up the living room.

So, with the intention of working on my "needs to be done" list near the kids, I cleared out a shelf in the bathroom cupboard during baths. As Cami was almost finished, she said, "Mom, I want you to go to school instead of Dad."

I guess it's hard to imagine one's mom being anyone other than "Mom." She wasn't there when I was a student, when I worked in an office, did volunteer work, or taught university classes. She needs to see me out making a life independent but not disconnected from the role I've taken on since she came into the world.

So, when we go to Leeds, I have an even greater motivation to sit in on classes at the university. I want to be taking classes for my own growth. To study art & drawing & color, because I want to. I regret that I only studied literature because I am naturally good at it & chased the "Easy [for me] A." I didn't pursue the ideal of a "liberal education." But beginning in September I can educate myself in ways that I want to, without any obligation & without any grades. I'll study things simply because they interest me & I'm not good at them. And it will all have a bonus: Cami will see that my life didn't end with motherhood -- and it'll be fun to hear her ask, "How was school?"