Trying Hard to RAISE ANGELS

I was on my way upstairs after making lunch for the kids when I noticed a strong cologne-like scent hovering in the air. As I turned the corner, I could see the kids at the top of the stairs looking like this...

When I asked Maya what had happened, she said "Daddy's hair projects!" And indeed, it WAS daddy's hair proDUCTS! I had used the Redkin paste to spike Declan's hair the night before but accidentally left it on the ledge upstairs. I should have known better because there is absolutely nothing that can stay on that ledge for very long before the kids get their hands on it.

I have been trying to teach Maya that boys can take their shirts off but girls must always keep their shirts on to hide their boobies. So I was pleasantly surprised when she decided to cover herself while she was watching TV a few days ago....

I was reading the Cinderella storybook to Maya before nap time one afternoon and when we got to the page where the fairy godmother turns the pumpkin into a golden coach, Maya very seriously exclaimed "Cinderella needs close door quick! She let the bugs in!" I am happy to see that some of what I drill into my kids' heads is actually getting through to them. I am also a little happy to see that they are almost as ickified as much as I am about bugs. (And YES I just made that word up. Feel free to spread it like wildfire:)

Declan can find his belly button now. It is quite common for him to lift up my shirt (even in public) to find MY belly button too. He calls it a Bebe. He is starting to form more words now. It still sounds a little slurred at times but we get the gist of what he is trying to say. He is very much a follower. Everything big sister does, he does seconds later. Sometimes I joke and say it is like having twins in our house. When Declan gets bored or sad about something, he slugs his shoulders and pouts off. When he gets angry, he has been known to hit his head against a wall or slam a football helmet over his sister's head. He started jumping up and down in his crib a few months ago, so after my mom left we decided to dismantel the crib and try him in his big boy bed. He slept in it for about 6 hours before falling out. He is now in his play pen until we have enough energy to devote to this major sleeping transition in his life.

Maya is still adjusting to her new FREEDOM. Now that there is no plastic knob on the inside of her door, she thinks she can come and go as she pleases at bedtime. Things seem to have gotten a little better since my mom has left and there are no big distractions. You see, this sweet little girl is the biggest socialite I have ever met. She needs to be with people all the time. If someone comes to the door, she has to be the first to see who it is. If we are at the park, it doesn't take her more than a minute to make friends. She is, at least right now, a leader.

Declan is our little politician. Whenever we stroll through a store, he says hi to EVERYONE! Sometimes he even blows kisses. I am just waiting for the day when he starts handing out his business cards.

So that is a brief summation of the stage the Williams' kids are at in life. For the most part, they are in the TERRIBLE TWOS - testing mommy and daddy. But there are wonderful moments of fun and laughter too. My mom once told me that I will probably never remember the rough times as a mom - just the good ones. And the good ones are the moments that I will cherish forever.

Speaking of my mom, we had a wonderful visit with her. Here are some fun photos from her 2 week visit in Oregon...