Famous Words of Alison

It seems that Alison has had a communication explosion in the last few weeks. She's gone from talking in 4ish word sentences to complex 9+ sentences, some that ramble a bit, a lot like her dearest mom.

We've been in Portland now for three weeks helping my sister Nicole, who is studying in a PhD program here, and her baby Martin, though often I wonder how much help we can possibly be (like right now, I think my kids are scattering somewhere around $15 worth of laundry quarters in the closet while I pretend not to notice that they aren't taking a nap as I type this up) . <-----case made for above point

Today we called Daddy on the phone. Usually the kids whisper quietly to whoever they are talking to, hardly saying anything besides uh-huh. I don't understand it at all since during every other moment of their lives they are extraordinarily loud (certainly not limited to their loud exclamations at church, coffee shops, buses, libraries, funerals,...). The only exception to volume loud is when I convince everybody to pretend they're fish, and until today, when they are talking on the telephone. Ask Baby Martin who is sharing his studio apartment, he'll vouch for me, they are REALLY LOUD, even when we make them hang out in their bedroom the closet.

Today, Alison's conversation with her Dad went like this.

Alison: HI DADDY!
[pause]
Alison: WHATCHA DOING!?!
[pause]
Alison: MY RYAN, HE HAS A PENIS. [extra emphasis] (yes, she's been referring to her parents as Ryan and Auwlee)
[pause]
Alison: Yeah, hippopotomuses, giraffes,... (lots more talk of zoo animals)

The conversation went on for maybe 5-10 minutes. Nicole and I were dying of laughter. The penis has been one of the favorite conversation topics lately, mostly because, brace yourself, you may not believe this, BABY. MARTIN. HAS. A. PENIS. Yup, boys have penises and daddy is a boy. I can't wait until she tells all her friends at nursery.

Got to run, the twins are shouting at each other, which in most instances I could ignore and stay in my happy place, except the second most favorite word, (after penis,) poop keeps coming up.

Visitors In Salt Lake City

My Mom (Gma) and my Aunt Christy and her daughter (my dear cousin) Victoria came for a visit a few weeks ago. We enjoyed the visit and the kids were delighted to have Tori around to play with. (I loved having Tori around to play with. There is nothing as sweet as a nine-year old to keep 2 year olds awestruck and occupied.) Here are the kids reading their new books with Grandma. She brought Horton books, --Hears a Who and --the Elephant. They are new favorites, thank you.
Tori brought the twins bunnies for Easter (thank you!).
One day we ventured to the Children's Museum here in Salt Lake. It was fabulous. I have to apologize to everybody that has been telling me this for a year that I have been ignoring. This is Stuart looking at the ball exhibit.
Alison went shopping.

I love that both Stuart and Alison are starting to play within groups of children now. They follow some sort of child play etiquette and seem so small again.
Alison loved the wind tunnel. She would gather all her little papers up and then carefully watch them fly away one by one as she fed them into the wind.
Stuart helped build and test some very amazing ball tunnels on the magnetic wall.
Tori within the little play area.

Picking apples at the farm.
Love those chickens.
Alison and Tori both loved riding the horse. I didn't catch a photo of Alison because I was next to her trying to pry her little hands off the saddle so the other kids in turn could have a turn.
Completely exhausted (all five of us, Aunt Christy and I included).


Tori and I were also able to spend some quality time sewing. She made some fabulous capris from a cherry print we found at Piper's Quilts and Comforts. She sews on a darling Singer Featherweight. It sews marvelously and makes a girl happy.
Modeling those pants. Perfect.

Monday Morning Chocolate Croissant

Nicole snuck out bright and early this morning and brought this home, along with a very scrumptious bran muffin. It is a very large chocolate croissant.

uh, huh.

Portland

Love at first sight.