Happy 2nd Birthday, Haddie!

Haddie came screaming into this world two years ago and so much has changed in those two years!  She is an independent, strong-willed, funny little girl and we are so happy she is ours!

On her first birthday, she was cut-off from nursing. Done. No more. Happy Birthday To You!

On her second birthday she was given a seat at the dining table. No more high chair. 

I think two is going to be a good year! 

Blizzard Day Fun!

What happens at the Fluge house on a storm day?  We build a big, awesome fort!

Other happenings:  

• Somebody split their lip open in a trampoline accident.
• Somebody almost fainted.
• Somebody pooped their pants in the closet.
• One person got fully dressed.
• Awesome fort was demolished by lunch time.
•  Other, less severe, injuries.
• Somebody "thought this was going to be the best day."

How to Potty Train a Grizzly Bear

'No. 1'
Step one: Bribery with chocolate. 

'No. 2'
Step one:  Sense when the bear has to make a stink.
Step two:  Capture bear.
Step three: Escort bear to what the humans call a 'toilet.'
Step four: Distract bear from noticing the human contraption it is sitting on. (This may last anywhere from 10-45 minutes).
Step five (the mistake): Believe the bear does not have any 'movement' and set it free.
Step six:  Notice bear is missing. Go on bear hunt. You will find a big one. A big stinky one.
Step seven:  Reassess bear potty training plan.

The Hair

This is the first time I've seen Haddie with bed head. Wish I could show a 360 degree view! 

Haddie

Haddie will be two in one month! Can't believe it, she doesn't seem that old. 

Haddie is constantly copying her sisters every move and word, although her speech is still a lot of jibberish that only a few of us can translate. 

When she's not copying, she's destructing something, harassing the dog, putting [other people's] hats, coats and shoes on, or, most likely, picking fights with Stella. 

Stella

Little Stella Jo is in her fourth month of preschool. There were a few rocky months in which she (and me, too) had trouble separating at drop off time. Tears were shed and she didn't want to go back. I almost pulled her out, but then things started to turn around and now 'school' is the highlight of her week. 

We have said that Stella is going to be our forever co-dependent child, probably calling her dad to help her put gas in her car when she's older. She is very resistant to change of any type. Which is why I was so surprised to see her eager to pick out her clothes for preschool by herself and dress herself with no assistance from me. Here she is in the track suit she picked out for today.

Sami Skates!

I finally put Sami in ice skating lessons. Feels like something I should have done before kindergarten, but first grade isn't too far off. I remember trying to teach her at age 3 1/2, just at the small rink by the school. I hadn't been on skates myself and was pregnant with Stella. Needless to say, we didn't go back after that first day.

Today was the last day of Beginner Level ice skating and Sami passed with flying colors. On to Level one! 

Shopping trip fun

Stella, Haddie and I had to make a Target run this morning after Sami went to school.

Haddie did some version of this (mostly screaming, didn't sound much like crying) the entire time. You know how you feel like everyone around you is watching and judging and criticizing?  Ya, me too. 

Back-to-School Night!

Sami had Back-to-School Night tonight, met her teacher, found her locker, and is ready to start FIRST GRADE on Thursday! 

Things I've learned as a mom

In no particular order (and to be continuously updated):

1. Spill-proof sippy cups are not spill proof after being in the hands of a toddler for 5 seconds.

2. Doing a thorough, on-the-knees, deep clean of the bathroom usually means that within 24 hours someone will pee, poop and/or puke on the floor.

3. If my house is 'clean,' it is from 10pm-6am.