Sensory

Poor Reese is having so much trouble with her sensory sensitivity lately.  Every time she needs to put on clothes, shoes, bike helmet, or seat belt, she has a complete melt down saying that it hurts.  I have spent $60 on underwear alone in the last 2 weeks, but everything hurts.

Part of me wonders if she's just exercising her control.  But then she chooses to pass up eating ice cream in the car because she has to sit with the seat belt in her mouth so it doesn't touch her chest.  That can't be just a control issue.

Getting dressed for tumbing and dance classes have been a disaster.  What's so confusing is she'll put on her dance leotard (including tights) just fine at Heather's house, but when I pick her up and we start driving to dance, she melts down.  For two weeks now, we've had to take off her tights when we arrive and she refuses to wear her ballet or tap shoes, so dances barefoot.  

Literally the second she walks in our house, all her clothes come off right by the door.  Her "birthday suit" is the only outfit that feels comfortable.

Maybe she's anxious about starting kindergarten, and this is her way of dealing with it.  We have been talking about school a lot lately, and I made the mistake of telling her we HAVE to arrive on time or she will get detention and have to talk to the principal.  Oops.  I was just trying to get across the importance of arriving on time -- something I know we'll struggle with.

Who knows what's causing her extra sensitivity, but this is truly exhausting for everyone.

Teachers

Reese and I were looking at her school website today, and found this picture of all the teachers.  We reviewed each person and the grade they teach.  Reese concluded by pointing to Mrs. Schutte's picture and saying "Right now, I'm dealing with this one."   What an interesting way to put it!

Ultimate Insult

The girls were arguing tonight, and Emmy delivered what appears to be the ultimate insult.  She called Reese a "rose breaker" over and over again, which made Reese cry.

Arguments

These two like to argue about everything.  Here are just a couple examples...

Emmy: "I see a puppy."
Reese: "I saw it first."
E: "No, I saw it first."
R: "No, I did!"
And on, and on.

R: "Emmy, this is how you do it."

E: "I know."

R: "No you don't."

E: "Yes I do's." 

Work It

I have been working out pretty hard lately.  Today the girls were not interested in going to kids club at the gym, so they helped me workout instead.

Click here for a video of our planks.

Christmas in July

Today was just like Christmas when we put batteries in the Barbie Dream House for the first time.  Who knew a doorbell ringing and toilet flushing could be so exciting?  Click here for a video of the girls demonstrating their "new" toy.

Leeo Relax

I really wish Leeo would learn how to relax with his new family.  Ha!

Dessert Display

While Daddy was gone playing baseball, the girls and I went out to eat.  They were losing interest in their meal until I told them to go check out the dessert display.  With some teamwork, they found lots of goodies.

Emmy immediately returned to her seat and ate the rest of her "healthy food" so she could choose a dessert.

Summer at Age 5

Click here for a video showing just a bit of Reese's awesome summer -- running through the sprinkler, hanging out with friends, and owning the neighborhood.  Oh, to be 5 again.

Volunteering

Now that that girls are a bit older, I'm enjoying volunteer activities.  Todd say too many volunteer activities and I should consider myself a professional volunteer. This morning Todd took the girls to the lake, so I...

• Worked on our school's upcoming gala securing a number of live auction donations(I was shocked how many organizations said yes!) and finishing the design for the registration website.
• Helped with decorating for Vacation Bible School at church.
• Created a new bulletin board for MOPPETS... just as Todd and the girls pulled into the garage at 10pm.

Like a Dragon

Reese told me today, "Can you believe Ellie told me that babies come out "down there" or they cut then out of your tummy!?!?"

Reese then asked me if babies REALLY come out of your "gina". When I told her yes, she looked horrified and asked me if it hurts. When I told her yes, she asked me if it hurts like a bee or a dragon. When I told her I guess like a dragon, she immediately declared "Well I am NOT doing that." 

But her denial was short lived as she started walking around the house with a doll under her shirt, and occasionally making pushing noises as she presses the doll out of her shirt.

Apple Pie

The girls were so proud of the apple pies they made with Grandma!  I guess all their practice playing the Strawberry Shortcake Bake Shop app is paying off.

Sand Volleyball

The girls were my biggest fans at sand volleyball tonight.  When the match was over, they raced onto the court to play too.

Pet Sitters

The girls LOVE pet sitting.  In fact, I think THEY would pay pet owners to be able to hang out with their pets.

Pizza Party

A little research for work and a lot of laughs at our homemade pizza party.

First, we decorated chef hats.

"Monkey C, Monkey G"

Then, it was time to pick out your pizza shape.  The kids selected a heart, heart face, butterfly, ice cream cone, fish, polka dots, cat, bear, bunny, and owl.

I'm not quite sure what shape this was supposed to be.  Looks like a Thanksgiving Turkey to me.  :)

Time to decorate.

Bake it!

All done and ready to eat.  Yum!

We even handed out awards at the end for the sauciest, thickest, most unique, etc.

Thanks for your help, kids!

Emmy and Logan

They might be 6 years apart, but these two are sure good buddies.