Emily?

Thomas decided to sleep in this morning. That put us a little behind for leaving NV for Greenwood, where we were meeting up with Carol and her daughter Emily. I thought they understood which Emily - they made a lot of appropriate references. Then they started mentioning Curt, and Opie. Opie made sense as my cousin Emily has a dog named Opie. I think the Curt reference may be from Carol (Curt is Carolyn's sister).

Anywho... we had a great lunch with our friends and even caught a glimpse of one of their cats, DJ. They enjoyed stamping together. Emily was super helpful getting dolls unstuck from the shopping cart Veronica was driving. Thomas became attached to the singing Frosty the Snowman they had - didn't want to see it go. Eventually he kissed the whole group of those dolls on the way out. (Frosty, the Abominable Snowman, Rudolf and more!)


After a nap and some snuggles at our house, there was quite a celebration to see Daddy when he came home. It was so sweet to see how excited they were to see him (it had been 5 days).

Snow Angels

Of course a trip to North Vernon is not complete without a trip to the cemetery to visit Julianne and David's resting site. I was able to sneak out during nap time to find what looked like untouched snow all over the cemetery. I sat for a long time just enjoying the pristine white everywhere. Then, I was compelled to share a snow angel with my angels.


Later in the evening, Thomas started the Sign of the Cross on his own and proceeded to say a prayer that included Julianne, David, and Jesus. The both of them wanted to kiss the "sleeping babies" - Julianne and David - and then even called them by name. It brought sweet tears to my eyes.

The Envy of NV

On Thursday, Pa had a two hour delay for work and Gwamma didn't get called in to sub. What a fun morning!

We decided that since Thursdays are Daddy's late night during Session, we would make the most of our visit and spend another night. After nap time, Grandma, the twins and I trekked out for some shopping. Veronica and Grandma hit the grocery while Thomas and I did Wal-Mart. Thomas had a grand time discovering all that Wal-Mart had to offer. I gave him a couple items to hold. I found him talking to them. He'd hold them up to his face and say to each item, "No more games, OK?" I'm not sure where this comes from or what it means, but I caught him doing it on Friday as well.

We met up at the library and played with their computer games and checked out some new videos. (With Veronica not feeling well, she was in charge of our viewing pleasures. Grandma and I thought Curious George three times in one morning was enough and wanted to expand our horizons.)


Pa called and let us know he was going to the Senior night girl's basketball game. We decided that since everyone was doing well (and knew they wanted to see Pa) we would head straight there (without cash!). After sweet-talking our way in, we found Pa to bum some dinner (hot dogs!) money off of him. We sat across from the band at first. Thomas was mesmerized. He only moved between songs to inquire about why they'd stopped. Veronica, on the other hand, was a little annoyed by the volume. We moved to the same side of the gym as the band and the volume satisfied Veronica. Both kids enjoyed the cheerleaders and the game... so much so that they barely noticed their hot dogs!

On Friday everyone seemed to feel pretty perky. We enjoyed a morning of playing with Mommy's toys. Both Veronica and Thomas's imaginations are taking off with their play. They have conversations with their toys and between their toys. It is so much fun to watch.

The snow was still there but the temp was 46, so we headed out for some fun! We started on the riding toys. Thomas was quite interested in kicking down the shelves of snow on the borders of the sidewalk. That led him to the snow in Grandma and Grandpa's yard. There was only a thin layer of snow over a layer of ice (that was over another layer of snow). Thomas would pick up the pieces of ice and call them "fish". There was enough snow to build a small snowman. Thomas had a ball knocking Frosty down, building him back up, and then body-slamming him again.

Veronica enjoyed watching as long as she was in the safety of Grandma's arms (doesn't think much of walking in snow). Both kids were in awe of how many "Frosty"s there were around. (Every lump of snow was a Frosty.) Veronica had fun playing in the perimeter of the snow. She even branched out into the snow a little after we went back to the parking lot nearby and she saw Thomas playing on his self-proclaimed mountains.

The evening was enjoyed watching and signing along to some Sesame Street tunes with Mak and Pa.

Twice the Toddlerdom

Today I was going to watch Robert for Carolyn. We have a great exchange going. On weeks we do not have MOPS we trade off on watching the others kid(s). I was thinking about how she had things she needed to get done before her baby is due - and that got me thinking about our other friend who is due sooner. So, I called up Katie and told her to drop Kasey off. The more the merrier! So, instead of two two-year-olds in the house. It was Christen take on four!

Between Thomas's illness the week prior and all the snow keeping us in, I figured it would be great for the kids as well.

They really got along beautifully. The only problem was Veronica spiked a fever in the middle of it all. I knew something was up as she was not playing, just clinging to me (which made making lunch for 7 harder). I thought I was only trying to be a good friend but hopefully she hung on to me enough that she didn't pass it to our friends!



Veronica knew we were supposed to go to my parents tonight. She also knew it was after lunch. Before lunch I gave her a little Ibuprofen. After she had some food in her system she really perked up. As soon as she was finished eating, though, she went straight for her jacket. She put one arm in herself and then proceeded to attempt to zip up the jacket herself. Once she was in (with a little help). She practically kicked all our guests out. "I want to go to Gwamma's house." This was her mantra for about 20 minutes while we finished our visits, cleaned up lunch and loaded cars.

Gwamma (that's the first it's come out that way) was glad to be able to hold our little sickie while Mommy got a massage. Of course things only perked up more when Pa got home! We also had the pleasure of hosting a visit to our friend Jill. They had a great time showing off for her.

Candy Cane

Today we did several rounds with Play-Doh. Veronica gets quite excited about "cupping" (cutting) it - the only time she uses a knife! They both love making "sketti" (spaghetti) with the Fun Factory. Veronica finished before Thomas the last round. While we were in the bathroom washing her hands, we heard Thomas hollering, "Candy cane! Candy cane!" We went out to discover Thomas very proud of his latest creation.

He made one for himself and one for Veronica.

Candy cane.

P.S. It is nice to get away from the 's' alliteration on the titles. I didn't realize I'd done that on the last half dozen titles. Still have alliteration - but maybe it's my first step in breaking away!

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

"Sissy. Sissy. Wake up, Sissy!"

Ah, Thomas is getting back to himself. That was the first sign of life out of the two of them.

The morning went alright. I think I'm going to have to slowly wean them from the TV. They got quite used to it was Thomas was sick. We did have some great playtime with the train set in the morning though. Thomas fell asleep at the table during lunch - he's still got some endurance to regain. That gave Veronica and myself some time to read and play together. She even got to wave at the mailman and was quite interested in where he was going next. Even more interested when it was our neighbors!

After we all took our long-overdue naps, we spent some more time without TV! Hooray - it may go easier than I though (I just doomed myself, I know). More trains. A lot of play just the two of them - between the two of them! I heard them once while they were pushing their strollers:

T, holding a bag: "My camera is in this bag. Let's take a picture."
V: "My phone is in that bag!"

I'm glad they are watching stuff I enjoy, when we do these TV marathons though. They are addicted to Mary Poppins now. (They even say it with Bert's cockney accent!) They beg for the puppets (Muppets) but complain that the larger, monsterish Muppets are scary. They got over their fear today and enjoyed Steve Martin and Carol Burnett with the Muppets.

I must say, however, I'm almost all supercalifragilisticexpialidocioused out.

Snow Styles

We found out today that our kids have fairly different snow styles. Well, we kind of already knew that as even with a light dusting on the ground: Thomas is excited to walk in the snow, and Veronica prefers to be carried.

Let me back up a little first. Yesterday, we tried for a low-key morning until I had to get my haircut. Judson was at work, so I dropped them off with him to take them to lunch. (We thought getting them out of the house a little may be necessary since they'd been cooped up all week.) After lunch, Judson took them home to nap. Apparently, this was not on their agenda (again). Veronica just didn't do it. Thomas was on the fringe of feeling better, so he didn't wipe out, but he wasn't happy to be awake. Judson got the all-too-infrequent-these-days pleasure of holding Thomas as he fell asleep. Veronica was cooperative and worked on her bag lady routine. (She piles as much as she can on top of her stroller. Then she unloads it carefully, only to reload it in the exact same configuration. Then she pushes it around the house and starts over.)

Judson told me to stay out after my haircut. (I think he's scared I may turn into some psychopath from being locked in the house all week with a sick kid and his sidekick.) I had a wonderful lunch with my friend Kay and then spent the afternoon painting pottery. My dad called while I was painting. They were heading back from the Jeffersonville wrestling sectionals (Red Devils are champs!) and offered to just keep driving north to get Judson and myself out of the house together! Oh joy! (What wonderful parents I have!)

Veronica had begged Judson to take her to Target. My kids have a grand fascination with the place (which makes shopping easier!). In fact, at an art show, they saw a large canvas with a bulls eye painted on it (larger than them!). Both were drawn to that piece. There interpretation: "Target." We decided the easiest course of action would be for all parties to meet at Target. Judson was there for a while first, shopping and trying to get them to eat. I found them in the gardening section. Both toddlers were out of the cart. I must say, my husband is my hero as this worked for him. I would never even try it as I am certain they would not cooperate like that for me. Nevertheless, it was a hoot to watch them explore the things on the shelves. They were really very good about it; pulling one thing off at a time, asking what it was, and then returning it to the proper place. (Respect and reverence for Target?) When we knew Mak and Pa were close we headed toward the front of the store. The dollar bins were mesmerizing to them. So much so, that Thomas ignored Mak and Pa when they came in and Veronica ran with a frightened face to Judson for comfort! Once they realized that meant they didn't need to leave Target and could play with their beloved grandparents, they were all squeals and giggles. (And so were Mommy and Daddy as they got to have a date!)

This morning we got ready for church. All was well until about half way through the service. Thomas needed a drink. Well, I've always only brought water to church. He desperately and inconsolably needed milk. Judson took him home while the rest of us made it through Mass. Veronica asked frequently about him. We found that he was missing her too.

Both kids seemed interested in trying the snow again. (I was excited that I could redeem the lack of snowman from the previous snow disaster.) However, yet again, Thomas (the poor, not completely well soul, I keep reminding myself) had a complete meltdown as we tried to get ready to go outside. Once outside, however, his mood was considerably lightened.

Thomas dove right in once he saw us building a snowman. He threw himself into the snow over and over, finding any and every way to fall in it he could. Veronica was not so sure she wanted to be in the snow, but was enjoying it from the sidewalk. Eventually, she wanted to get closer to "Frosty" and the fun took off even bigger!

Thomas enjoyed being pulled in the sled.

Veronica took some persuading, but decided she was interested in trying to ride on her belly... completely flat. She rode like that for quite a while!

After some snow fights in the alley. Veronica pulled the sled. "Let's go, Fwosty!" she said.

We settled down to some lasagna for lunch and what was the best nap they'd had all week.

After the nap, Veronica and Thomas played together super closely. Even holding hands through the house. They had some of the most give-and-take conversation I've ever heard between the two of them. I think they'd missed each other through Thomas's illness. It's so nice to see my favorite pair best friends back to their routines!