it's naptime. Teresa is in her room. there are LOUD kathuNKS. I walk down the hall and ask what she is doing.

"climbing on the table and JUMPING!" says she.

but of course.

we went to TRU this morning to get Teresa more challenging puzzles. I'm beginning to think going from 3 piece puzzles to 12 piece puzzles is not challenging enough!! she's breezed through the firetruck and airplane and boat (each with 12 pieces). now onto the motorcycle. I did get one 24 piece puzzle... wonder if that will be of interest?! or are we going straight to 100 pieces? or more?

anyway, I may return the other 12 piece sets I bought given the speed she seems to have mastered these!

"Mama, will you do the peepee dance?"

"Yes, after you put peepee in the potty."

imagine the sound of liquid hitting a plastic container
imagine mama singing and dancing


Mama does a lot of dancing these days - diapers are only for naps and bedtime!! yippee!

I want to go Rock Climbing!

Last weekend was our annual Memorial Day climbing trip to Joshua Tree, and Teresa had a great time! We were working up to it for a few days beforehand, although we may have played it up a bit much, since she didn't nap for 3 or 4 days straight. The trip down was a bit challenging, as Owen cried quite a bit and Teresa wanted to read lots of books. Teresa managed to do a little bit of actual climbing, although it was dfficult to find much that was approachable for her, so she ended up spending alot of time "exploring the desert" (i.e. digging in the sand) often with her new found friend Valerie. Overall she did very well camping, and managed the hot weather well. I think we're all looking forward to playing in the tent again... :)

The highlights:
"Can you put your climbing harness on?"
"Momma is climbing high! Good Job Momma!"
"Momma I caught a bug!" (A half-squished quarter-sized beetle, which she proceeded to show to us as it twitched in her hand)
Playing in the Vanagon with Deb
Showing Valerie how high she can jump.
Jumping on the air mattress in the tent while taking her 'nap'.

After coming home, I asked her who she remembered from the weekend an she responded "Valerie brought back my shovel" (which had been left at the climbing area).

And, last but not least, this morning she had conjured up a song, the words of which were something like "Rock Climbing, Rock Climbing, Rock Climbing, Rock Climbing...." (etc... you get the idea...)

Mama, "Teresa, we're going to the meatball store today."

Teresa, "no Mama, it is called Costco."

"Teresa, should we change your diaper? it smells like you have a little poop."

"No, mama, it's a big poop."

helping owen

yesterday after teresa got up from her nap, she discovered owen on th e floor in the livig room, just kick'n it in a onsie. She departed to his room and brought him back a snuggy. I turned aroud to find her again in his room opening drawers so asked what she was after - socks for owen.

i handed her a pair and she proceeded to put them on him best she could (not half bad!).

mama's favorite words

librrrirry
strawbirrry
bobanas
dues (plural of do)

'just one daddy'

Teresa often asks for things, such as reading a book or singing a song at bedtime or naptime which mom and I love to do for her. In order to give her what she wants but avoid her dragging it out for ever, we often say 'OK, but just one (book/song)'. Hence, this is a phrase she hears alot, and uses as well (often with an added finger for emphasis... Where she learned that, we're not sure: certainly not from us!)

The other other day, after a little potty accident, I told her I would go get fresh panties while she sat on the potty. Her response(with the finger for emphasis, of course: "No daddy, just ONE please!"

Raggedy Ann

Gramma ad Gramp gave Teresa a Raggedy Ann doll and book for Christmas. The book gets mote play time than the doll (of course, its my book worm tractor loving daughter!). This morning she asked me to tie her to a kite - she was Raggedy Ann! We called Daddy and asked if we could use his kite and tie Teresa to it - but he said it wouldnt work, he needs to get a bigger kite! So until he gets a bigger kite, Teresa and I play pretend kite flying. She tells me she's way way up high with the airplanes.

Pee!

We sat and sat and sat......
.......and got pee!!

poop!

today we had poop! in the potty!

of course immediately following we had MORE poop in the panties and after cleaning that up had peepee in the panties but... Life is a dance! one step forward two steps back.

Our little Climber

Teresa is testing out her harness for Mem Weekend climbing... She
is ready to go!

No pants! OK, no underpants! That's how Teresa went to daycare today. We'll see what the report is at day end!! I sent 5 pairs of pants in case of accidents, as well as diapers incase she decides she wants them!!

Teresa emerged from her nap today in new duds... over top her longsleeve dark pink top she wears a shortsleeve light pink top with ruffled cap sleeves. And over her black and pink ballerina pants she has a aqua blue swim diaper wrapped around her knees/lower thighs. The look is completed with her turtle shoes.

Her turns on the catwalk are limted by the swim diaper but she is not bothered by this concession to fashion.

Of course her hair is in her favorite style of late - bed head.