All Dressed Up

Lizzy, after I changed from jeans to sweats: "Where are you going all dressed up?"

Maybe in 2013 I should work on my fashion sense....or at least teach my kid what "dressed up" means.....

Best Note Ever

Lizzy brought this note from the school secretary home.
She apparently found some money and turned it into the office.
No further explanation necessary - other than Lizzy is awesome:

A Zoo

Brad and the big kids were getting ready to go to Wal-Mart this afternoon. Lizzy really wanted to go with.

Me: "Lizzy it's going to be so busy there. It will be a zoo. You don't want to go."
Lizzy: "Well now I really want to go. I want to see the animals!"

"Fix Me Up"

Just as I was pulling into the parking lot at work after my lunch break today, my cell phone rang.
It was the school.
Lizzy's eye was hurting her - she had complained four times before they gave in and called me.
The secretary put Lizzy on the phone with me.

Me: "What's wrong?"
Lizzy: "My eye just really, really hurts."
Me: "Like pink eye?"
Lizzy: "No, but it hurts. Can you come look at it?"
Me: "Um, I just got back to work. It's only two hours until school is out. Can you last that long?"
Lizzy: "I don't think so."
Me: "Did you have the school nurse look at it?"
Lizzy: "She's not here today."
Me: "Did the secretary look at it?"
Lizzy: "Yes. That's why she called you."
Me: "Are you sure you can't make it two hours?"
Lizzy: "I don't think so."
Me, getting frustrated: "Well what do you want me to do?"
Lizzy: "Can you just please come here and fix me up?"

How could I say no to that?
I turned around and drove to school (which I had just driven by ten minutes earlier on my way back to work).
When I got there, her eye looked fine.
Turns out, all she needed was a hug from her mom.
I'm so glad I took a long lunch and gave her that hug!

A Bad Dream

Lizzy, as she came running into my room very early this morning: "Mom, I just had a really bad dream."
Me: "Oh no. What was it?"
Lizzy: "That Mary didn't love me anymore."
Me: "Oh honey. That's ridiculous. Everyone loves you. You're sweet like sugar. And who doesn't love sugar?"
Lizzy: "People who are allergic to sugar don't love it."

Elizabef

Lizzy, while reading her paper in church: "Hey, my name is on here! Wait.. it should be an 'f' at the end, not a 'th', right?"
Me: "Um, why?"
Lizzy: "Because I'm Elizabef!"

Deep Thoughts

Lizzy, at bedtime, begging me to lay down with her: "I am never moving out."
Me: "Ok."
Lizzy: "So can you lay down with me? And start my CD over."
Me: "Ok."
Lizzy, hugging me: "I just can't let go."
Me: "That's awesome. But if you're never moving out, we have many years of hugs."
Lizzy: "Ok, but what if you die?"
Me: "Oh honey.. I don't think God is ready for me. There are a lot of things I still need to see. I need to see my daughter's get married, get great jobs, and maybe win a state championship or two."
Lizzy: "I wonder what I'll be when I grow up."
Me: "I think you'll entertain people in some way."
Lizzy: "Oh, like a nurse maybe!"
Me: "Um, sure!"

Bethle-town

Lizzy, looking at a Christmas book: "Look! They're in Bethle-town!"

Lizzy-cam

Here's a link to a video Lizzy made tonight. She stole Brad's phone and made this silly video. Don't mind her chapped face....apparently she has starting licking her lips :(

Lizzy-cam

Lowercase

Lizzy is learning to read.

She "reads" everything, even pop bottles.

She is also apparently learning to proofread:

Lizzy, as she studied the Mug rootbeer bottle: "Hey! The U and the G should be lowercase!"

Ah, a girl after my heart :)

"Butt"

Lizzy, grabbing a stick of fake butter from the play kitchen stuff: "Hey Mom, if you take the -er off of butter you get butt. Isnt' that funny?"

I'm so proud.

"No Thank You"

Lexi's friend Cara's dad loves picking on Lizzy. This was their conversation as we left the game tonight:

Jim: "Lizzy, can you come to my house?"
Lizzy: "No thank you."

"It's American!"

Lizzy, when Morgan finally sat down long enough to eat her supper: "Wow! It's American!"

***She meant "it's a miracle!"

Just In Case

Lizzy drew this beautiful rainbow for me in church on Sunday:

Then she asked me how to spell "feel better", and proceeded to write "feel better" on the back.

Me: "Why are you writing that?"
Lizzy: "It's for you. Just in case you get sick. I want you to know I want you to feel better, even if I'm not home when you're sick."

New John's

Me: "Where do you girls want to eat? Let's just do a drive-thru quick."
Lexi: "How about Jimmy John's?"
Lizzy: "No, I like McDonalds."
Lexi: "Well I don't. Please can we go to Jimmy John's?"
Lizzy, with a big sigh: "Fine. We can just go to New John's."

**New John's is the lake we like to camp at, not a restaurant...although we generally have delicious food at New John's: hot dogs, smores..

Famous

Lizzy, upon finding a youth group newsletter in the gathering space at church: "Mom! You have to see this!"
Me: "What?"
Lizzy, shoving the newsletter in my face: "Look! It's Lexi! On the front page! How did she get to be there? She is so famous!"

"I'm so glad..."

Lizzy, as she got out of the tub and gave me a random hug: "I'm so glad you're my mom."

Spacey

Lizzy, after accidently dipping her chicken in her ketchup: "Oops! What am I doing? I guess I'm a little spacey today!"

Growing Up

Lizzy: "Mom, my jammies are getting too small."
Me: "I know. That makes me sad. I want you to stay little forever."
Lizzy: "I can't. I just don't know how and I don't think God wants me to be little forever."
Me, trying not to let her see the tears in my eyes: "You're right. You're going to grow up to be an amazing woman.
Lizzy: "And you'll always be my mom."

Ok... tears could no longer be hidden after that!

I hope...

Lizzy: "I hope you're still alive when I grow up, Mommy."

Heart melted.
I hope I am too!

Bloopers

Lizzy really should get the best little sister award today.
She was happy to help Lexi and Tess with a video homework assignment.
The bloopers are just too cute not to share!

Lizzy's Bloopers

Packed

Lizzy packed her own suitcase for our trip to Minnesota tomorrow.

Here's what she packed:

• a dress
• two tank tops
• a t-shirt
• one sweatshirt
• five pairs of underwear
• four pairs of socks
• two swimsuits
• two stuffed animals

No pants.

And about the swimsuits: she explained she thought she should take them, just in case it warms up.... afterall, Chrissy does live on a lake.

Lame Hug

Lizzy, after giving me a pretty lame hug: "Was that the lamest hug ever?"
Me: "Well, probably not the lamest one ever, but it was pretty lame."
Lizzy, hugging me again and planting a big sloppy kiss on my cheek: "There. That's the best I've got. But.. to make it better, it comes with a kiss."

Game Analysis

Lizzy to Lexi after her volleyball tournament: "You did good Lexi."
Lexi: "Thanks."
Lizzy: "Well, the first game you guys played bad. But then 'bam'.. you were great the rest of the games."

Cold Drinks

This is our new-to-us freezer in the garage, that looks a lot like a fridge.

We also have a small fridge for juice, pop and water in the basement.
After grocery shopping the other day, I asked Lizzy to put the bottles of juice away, and didn't think anything of it, until a few days later when I went to grab a bottle.
There were none in the fridge downstairs.
When I asked her about it, she insisted she put them in the fridge.

Lizzy: "They're in the fridge, like you asked."
Me: "No, they're not. Unless someone drank ten of them in two days."
Lizzy: "I put them in the fridge. The new one in the garage."
Me: "Lizzy, that's a freezer."
Lizzy: "Oh! Well, at least they're cold!"

Friends

Jake: "Lizzy, who do you play with at recess?"
Lizzy: "Sometimes I play with my friends, and sometimes I play with Hannah."
Jake: "Um, isn't Hannah your friend?"
Lizzy: "No. She's my cousin.. isn't she?"

**Hannah is not Lizzy's cousin - she is Jake's buddy's little sister, and Lizzy and Hannah have been friends since they were babies, so I guess if you're friends long enough, you become cousins :)

The Boss

Lizzy, on the phone with her friend Hannah, planning a sleepover: "Um, why don't you just talk to my mom. She is the boss of everything."

"I like your breath"

Me, eating a cookie and hugging Lizzy: "I love you."
Lizzy: "I like your breath. What are you eating?"

Busted.

Old

Me, giving up on looking for a closer parking spot: "We can just park here. We're young. We can walk."
Lizzy: "Well I'm young. You are old."

Rock Star

Me: "Should I wear this scarf? I'm just not sure it looks good."
Lizzy: "Yes. Wear it. You look like a rock star."

God Time

Lizzy, as we pulled up to church for Faith Formation class: "Well, here we go. It's God Time now."

"Don't do that"

Lizzy, when I put my hand on her shoulder to guide her across the busy parking lot: "Please don't do that. It looks like I'm in trouble."
Lizzy, when I moved my hand to her arm to guide her across the same busy parking lot: "Um, don't do that either. It still looks like I'm in trouble."

Vacation

Me: "Um, why are the Barbies upstairs? Isn't your Barbie house downstairs?"
Lizzy: "Yes, but they're on vacation."

A+

Lizzy, while watching Lexi put the finishing touches on a homework project: "Wow. That is just awesome. You are going to get an A+ for sure. Again."

The Sniffles

Me: "Lizzy, you're blowing your nose a lot today. Are you feeling ok?"
Lizzy: "Yeah, I just have the sniffles. But you have the coughs. I sure hope I don't come up with that."

Crushed

Lizzy likes to go to Lexi's volleyball games and Jake's football games because they each have teammates with little sisters her age. She has another friend she doesn't see very often, but could tomorrow.

Me: "Lizzy, do you want to go to Jake's football game tomorrow and see Hannah or to the Buddy Walk and see Addison? They are at the same time, so you have to pick just one."
Lizzy: "Oh boy. I have no idea what I will choose."
Me: "You don't have to decide right now."
Lizzy: "Good. I have no idea what to do. I want to go to the Buddy Walk, but I'm scared Hannah will be crushed if I skip football."

Pajama Day

Lizzy: "I can't wait for pajama day."
Me: "When is that?"
Lizzy: "Friday I think. But one question - do you have to comb your hair or can you just go with your hair all snarly? Because it wouldn't make sense to wear your pajamas to school but then have your hair looking all fancy."

Future Dentist

I had a pretty big cavity filled last week and Lizzy is very concerned about it:

Lizzy: "So Mom. How's your tooth feeling?"
Me: "It's ok I think."
Lizzy: "Can you chew on that side yet?"
Me: "I tried and it kinda hurt, so I haven't really chewed much on that side."
Lizzy: "That's normal. When I had my tooth filled I couldn't chew on that side for a long time. But then in like ten days, poof... it didn't hurt anymore. You'll be ok."

Lunch Time

Me: "How come you guys never ask me to eat lunch with you at school?"
Jake: "You should come. I want you to eat lunch with me. Come tomorrow at 12:25."
Lizzy: "No, eat with me!"
Me: "Lizzy, what time do you go to lunch?"
Lizzy, with a "man my mom is dumb" look on her face: "Lunch time."

Cool Stuff

Lizzy loves to listen to the big kids and me talk, or any adults talk.
She says it helps her fall asleep, so she always asks me to leave her bedroom door open when I tuck her in.
This was our conversation tonight as I tucked her in:

Me: "Good night Lizzy. I love you."
Lizzy: "I love you too."
Me: "I'll leave the door open so you can hear Lexi, Jake and me talking."
Lizzy: "Ok. Just please talk about cool stuff."

Like a Girl Scout Cookie

This is my new favorite coffee creamer:

It really is the best.
If you haven't tried it, you should.
Even Lizzy loves it.

Lizzy, smelling my cup of coffee: "Oh I just love this. I wish I could have some."
Me: "Oh honey you can't have coffee. Your teacher would kill me."
Lizzy: "Well I don't want to drink it, I just want to smell it. It smells like a Girl Scout cookie!"

Man Up

Lizzy, after hitting Jake: "Oh, man up!"

Line Leader

Lizzy: "I get to be line leader today!"
Me: "What does that mean?"
Lizzy: "Well, I lead the line. And everyone has to look at the back of my head."

The Heart Rule

Me: "Lizzy, have a great day at school. And be nice."
Lizzy: "Of course. I'll follow the Heart Rule."
Me: "The what?"
Lizzy: "The Heart Rule: be kind to everyone."

I love kindergarten :)

Literally

Jake: "Did you memorize your lunch number yet?"
Lizzy: "Nope. But I was confused when they said 'punch your number in'. I thought we were going to really punch our number. Like literally punch it."

Homework

Lizzy had this paper for homework.

Her answer to number three (and the hearts she dots her i's with) made me giggle:

Magical

Lizzy, waking up after a tough night sharing a bed with Morgan: "I don't want to sleep with Morgan anymore."
Me: "Why not?"
Lizzy: "She is just too tough to sleep with. I don't ever get any sleep."
Me: "Well you should see how you two sleep. Every time I check on you you're both in some weird positions - feet in each other's faces or falling out of bed."
Lizzy: "Yeah. I don't know how we do it. We must be magical."

Phone Call

Lizzy, on the phone: "Hello? Oh hi. Yep she's here but I'm not really sure she wants to talk to you."

**The phone was for me - it was my mother-in-law! And yes, I took the call!

Oh Susanna

Jake: "We learned a new song at band camp today.
Lizzy: "Yeah! He can play that one song about a guy who has something on his knee and he's from a different town."
Jake: "Um, do you mean 'Oh Susanna'?"
Lizzy: "Yeah, the guy from a different town."

My Fans

Jake, after Lizzy said something funny: "Now THAT'S a Lizzy-ism!"
Lizzy: "No, it isn't. But I do wish I could meet all my fans."

Pinch Me

Me: "Lizzy, your friend Addyson is going to be at daycare today! You haven't seen her for a really long time!"
Lizzy: "What?!?! Somebody pinch me!"

Booster Seat Butt

We spent much of today driving - from daycare to band camp, to the post office, to Healthways, to the salon, back to Healthways, to our house, back to band camp.

Lizzy and Morgan were pretty good passengers, until our last trip:

Lizzy: "Are we ever going to sit somewhere else? I've been in this booster seat for all day. I've got booster seat butt!"

Customers

Lizzy was helping Lexi water the neighbor's flowers and got a little wet.
Lizzy: "My panties are all wet!"
Me: "Just take them off and get in the van. Let's go home."
Lizzy, misunderstanding, takes her panties and her dress off and climbs into the van completely naked. It was only a two block drive, so Lexi and I didn't say anything and just let her ride home in her birthday suit.
Lizzy, as she jumped out of the van and into the house to find clothes: "I sure hope there are no customers here!"

Naughty House

Lexi and Jake babysat the little girls for me last night so I could catch up with some old friends.
I was gone for two hours, max.

Lizzy, as I walked in the door: "Finally. You're home. Welcome to the naughty house."

I didn't even ask.
I just sent them all to bed :)

Future Olympians

Lizzy, as we drove by a tennis court: "Huh. I bet those people are practicing for the Olympics."

It's all good

Jake is gone for seven days for Boy Scout Camp. I am already missing him, but I guess I'm the only one.

Me: "I sure miss Jakey."
Lizzy: "I don't. I don't have anyone to fight with, so it's all good."

"The nicest thing I've ever done"

Lizzy gave Morgan her old purse (which was actually Lexi's old purse).

Morgan gave her a big hug.

Lizzy: "Wow! That was nice. I think that was the nicest thing I've ever done for Morgan!"

What Firemen Do

Lizzy, as we drove down Expressway: "Hey, there's the fire station."
Me: "Well, there's the mall."
Lizzy: "The fire station is much more exciting than the mall."
Me: "Really? Why?"
Lizzy: "Well, firemen rescue cats. And sometimes they put out fires, but mostly they rescue cats after dogs chase them into trees."

Just Sayin'

Madonna: "Ok, now you kids have to find all the animals. It's a scavenger hunt. You should find 15 animals."
Lizzy, with her hands on her hips: "15?! That is way more than 10!"
Lizzy, realizing the others were giggling at her: "What? I'm just sayin' that's a lot!"

Fantastic

Lizzy, looking at the petition I've been carrying around, trying to get people to sign: "Wow! You got a lot Mom! That's fantastic!"

FYI - I really haven't gotten a lot, but I met my goal of 15 :)

Sweaty Guy

It was hot today, even in our house.

Lizzy to Brad at supper: "Hey Sweaty Guy.. can you pass the tomatoes?"

Terrible

Lizzy, overhearing Jake and I talking about the shooting in Colorado: "I was watching that on the news. It is so terrible. It means there are not so many people here anymore... but, the good news is, there are more people in heaven now."

Heaven

Lizzy, when she realized I bought a big box of Hot Pockets: "It's like being in heaven!"

Oh My Gosh

Neighbor lady to me: "Jody, I love your hat!"
Me: "Haha... this is my 'oh my gosh it's too hot to fix my hair' hat."
Lizzy: "Yeah.. and this is my 'oh my gosh I'm sweating' hair-do!"

Exercise

We went for a bike ride tonight.;

Two words:

Epic.

Fail.

First Brad had to fill all our bike tires with air, then Lizzy's bike chain fell off.

That's not normally a big deal, but her bike had a piece of pretty pink plastic covering the chain... I eventually had to send Lexi home to get some tools so I could take the plastic and the training wheel off to fix the chain. Then, when I finally fixed the chain, it fell off again when Lizzy started pedaling.

So, we walked her bike home.

Lizzy, the eternal optimist, as she walked and ran beside her bike for several blocks: "Well, this is still good exercise!"

Summer of Saving

The kids have caught onto the "Summer of Saving" theme, and are doing great at not asking for stuff.

Yesterday, after the funeral, Lizzy's $2 flip flop that she's been wearing everyday for the past three months broke. Lizzy was a blubbering mess.

Me: "Lizzy, it's ok. It's just a shoe."
Lizzy: "Yes, but I didn't want it to break. Because it will cost money to buy a new one. I wanted to wear these forever. We need to save our money so we can get a new deck."

FYI, I fixed the flip flop, and saved a grand total of $2 :)

Push-Down Button

Lizzy, checking out Tess' new scooter: "Mom! Look at that. Her scooter has an on and off button and even a push-down button!"
Me: "What's a push-down button?"
Lizzy: "You know that thing that makes it stand up."

Push-down button = kickstand!

Born To Be Funny

Lexi, giving Lizzy a taste of her Hot Pocket: "Just try it, and if you like it, I'll make you your own."
Lizzy, hesitantly taking a bite: "Hmm... it's interesting. But good. I like it."
Lexi, giggling: "How did you get so funny Lizzy?"
Lizzy, shrugging her shoulders: "I don't know. Guess I was just born to be funny."

"I mustache you a question...."

Lexi and Lizzy were a little bored between customers at Lexi's booth today - but they kept themselves entertained...

Make sure you click on the link below for the video. You will laugh out loud. I promise.

I "mustache" you a question....

Germinator

I think Lizzy watches too much Phineas and Ferb:

Lizzy, looking at Jake's germination project: "Wow! Look at the germinator!"

Treats

Lizzy and I stopped by a friend's office on our way to t-ball this afternoon.

He gave her a can of coke.

When we left, Lizzy took a big swig of pop and said: "This wasn't so bad after all. We should stop at Jim's office every time I need a treat."

Ah-Mazing

Lizzy, to Mary after her first session of Itty Bitty Baseball: "Mary! Baseball was ah-mazing!"

Free

Me: "Lizzy, I'm so glad you're 5."
Lizzy: "Why?"
Me: "Because you're fun. And because I don't think I could do the Lizzy baby years again."
Lizzy: "What do you mean?"
Me: "You were a tough baby."
Lizzy: "Oh, that's because I wanted to be free. Free from my mom!"

Named 7

Lizzy: "What does five and a half mean?"
Me: "It means you're half way to your next birthday."
Lizzy: "Like you're half way to six?"
Me: "Exactly. That happens with every age."
Lizzy: "So, after five and a half, you have six, then six and a half, then the next birthday is named seven....then seven and a half...."

Spy Light

Lizzy, while wearing a flashlight/spotlight thingy around her head: "Check it out, this is my SPY light."

Brown Hair

Lizzy, while I washed her hair: "Why do I even have to wash my hair?"
Me: "You were swimming. If you don't, your blonde hair will turn green."
Lizzy: "Maybe we should dye my hair brown then."

Supportive

Just as we were leaving the YMCA daycare for Lizzy's last night of soccer, Morgan had to "potty".
I took her to the bathroom, and Lexi offered to take Lizzy to soccer.
A few minutes later, they were back, and Lizzy was giving Lexi a dirty look.

Lexi: "She won't go. She wants you."
Me: "What's the deal?
Lizzy: "I want you to go with me Mom. For you're more supportive of me than Lexi is."

Even Better

Me: "Lizzy you are being so sweet."
Lizzy, with a dramatic sigh and an eye roll: "Oh, just wait until tomorrow. I'm going to be even better."

People Are Crazy

Lizzy, when the country song "People Are Crazy" came on the radio: "Hey Mom! This song is for you... because you say God is great, you love beer, and you do think people are crazy!"

If you've never heard the song, those are the lyrics to the chorus.. here's a link to the song:

"People are Crazy"

The Rules

Lizzy, after seeing a police car speed by us, with lights and sirens on: "I wonder what happened. Maybe there is a robber. Or somebody didn't follow the rules."

Remembering Things

Lizzy led us on what we thought was a wild goose chase for Lexi's iPod. Lexi had left it on the dock in her room while she and I went to the store. The little girls stayed home with Brad. When we got home, Lexi's iPod was not on her dock. Lizzy insisted Morgan took it, and Morgan confessed, but couldn't remember where she put it. As we searched the house, Lizzy remembered that while Lexi and I went to the store, Morgan had been carrying around a green purse and thought the iPod was in there. After searching two green purses, Lizzy found the iPod, and earned an apology from Lexi:

Lexi: "Wow Lizzy. I'm sorry I doubted you. You really did remember."
Lizzy: "Yep. It's good to remember things, and to have a parent who actually watches us kids, not plays in his garage, right Dad?"

Apparently Morgan had gone into the house, rummaged through Lexi's room and gone back outside without Brad noticing! Oops!

This Much Fun

Lizzy, after a weekend at the farm, a stop at Salem Sue, Petrified Wood Park, and a swim: "Mom! I had no idea summer vacation was going to be this much fun!"

Advice

Me, as Lizzy stumbled into my bedroom way past her bedtime: "What do you need?"
Lizzy: "I need some advice."
Me: "Um, ok. What kind of advice?"
Lizzy: "Sleeping advice."

Tropical Fruit

In the rear view mirror this morning I could tell Lizzy was eating something. I had a hunch it was some candy she had stashed back there a few days ago.

Me: "Lizzy, you aren't eating Skittles for breakfast are you?"
Lizzy: "Well, they are tropical fruit!"

So Much To Know

Mary, after spending more than ten minutes answering Lizzy's questions: "Lizzy, why do you ask so many questions?"
Lizzy: "I don't know... but there's so much stuff I want to know about!"

"Born for This"

Me: "Lizzy, I'm sorry. You're going to be a few minutes late for swimming."

Lizzy: "That's ok. I was born for this."

Me: "Born for what?"

Lizzy: "For being late!"

Knock Yourselves Out

Lexi: "Lizzy, can we have some gummy worms back here?"
Lizzy, throwing the package to the back of the van where Jake and Lexi were sitting: "Sure. Knock yourselves out."

Dandelions

Lizzy, upon seeing a field of yellow: "Wow! Look at all those dandelions!"
Me: "Um, that's canola Lizzy."

Oops. Guess it's pretty obvious she's not a farm kid.

It really was a pretty sight though.. I can see why it caught her attention!

Kindergarten Songs

Lizzy is loving Jumpstart, or "school" as she calls it.

I'm really not sure what she's going to do when this week is over and she has to wait until the end of August to go to school again!

This morning, one of the kindergarten teachers stopped me to tell me how much Lizzy has grown up, and what a joy she is to have in class. Talk about a proud mom moment!

Before bed, Lizzy wanted me to record her singing a few of her favorite kindergarten songs, to send to her teachers.. you know, for brownie points :)

I thought I should share them here too. Enjoy!

Kindergarten Songs, Take 1

Kindergarten Songs, Take 2

Kindergarten Songs, Take 3

Kindergarten Songs, Take 4

FYI

I've been trying really hard to lose some weight, and my kids have become my diet and exercise Nazi's:

"Mom.. don't eat that!"

"Mom, did you exercise yet today?"

It's annoying, yet kind of sweet, and surprisingly motivating.

Today, I was visiting with a friend I haven't seen for several months and she asked if I'd lost weight. I said yes, a little, but I'd like to lose a lot more.

Lizzy didn't say anything... until we got to the van:

Lizzy, to me: "Oh, and Mom, FYI.. you're still fat."

Ouch.