Brad's Daughter

Lizzy, after a very inappropriate burp, followed by a very inappropriate fart at the supper table: "Oh, excuse me. I am definitely Brad's daughter. I burp and fart just like him."

In the Wild

Lizzy, as we were driving back to Bismarck from the farm: "I wish my grandparents lived in Bismarck."
Me: "That would be nice, but if they lived in Bismarck they wouldn't have farms for us to visit."
Lizzy: "True, and they couldn't have all those cats."
Me: "True."
Lizzy: "Well, maybe they could if they lived in the wild part of town."

Loose Tooth

Every mom has her limits. My limits are teeth and toenails.


They gross me out. 

But I'm about to suck it up and pull Lizzy's tooth, even though it's totally disgusting.

Normally I'd make Brad or Lizzy's teacher pull it, but Brad is gone and school is out until Tuesday. Meantime, her tooth is hanging by a thread.

I posted a picture on Facebook and Instagram, looking for suggestions to get the tooth out. Lots of great ideas, but as I read them to Lizzy and encouraged her to try them, I realized it's never going to happen.

Lizzy: "No way. This is way to serious to be messing around with tricks."

Big Sister Blues

For some reason, Lizzy is just now wishing she didn't have a baby sister.
She talked about Morgan a lot today, and even asked me why we even had her.
The latest conversation:

Lizzy: "Can't you just give her back?
Me: "No! She's almost four years old. I think the return policy has expired."
Lizzy: "Shoot. That just ruined my day!"

A Lizzy Day

Today, I had a rare, and much needed, Lizzy-Day.

We went to the parade,

swimming lessons, 

out for lunch, 

and to the playground at Moses.

This was our conversation as we left the restaurant:

Me: "That was nice. We'll have to do it again."
Lizzy: "Yeah. Like maybe in six years."

I'm not sure if that meant she didn't enjoy it and doesn't want to spend another day with me for six years, or if she just thinks it will be that long until it's just the two of us again.....

"Ready to BLOW!"

Lizzy, waiting for the Keriug to warm up so she could make a cup of hot chocolate: "It's ready to blow!"

***As you can see in the picture, it was actually "Ready to BREW" :)

Talented

Me: "I like your hair, Lizzy."
Lizzy: "Thanks. Red Auntie did it."
Me: "Well it looks very nice."
Lizzy: "You know Red Auntie. She is talented."

Job Opening

Lizzy: "Subway is hiring."
Me: "What are you trying to say? 
Lizzy: "I read it on that sign."
Me: "So, you want me to work at Subway?"
Lizzy: "No. I was thinking Lexi should get a job."

Random Act of Kindness

Last Night:
Lizzy: "I need to get up early tomorrow to make coffee for Mrs. Hart."
Me: "Um, why?"
Lizzy: "I just want to do something nice for her. And I asked her all kinds of questions. She likes coffee. Starbucks coffee. Do we have Starbucks coffee? And I need to make a little gift tag to put on her coffee cup."
Me, thinking she would forget by morning: "Um.. ok."

This Morning:
Lizzy: "Ok, so where's the coffee and a cup? And can we make the tag pink?"
Me: "You're really going to do this?"
Lizzy: "Yes. She's a great teacher. I want to say thank you."
Me, bursting with pride: "You know, I think this is called a 'Random Act of Kindness'.. you're doing something nice without being asked."

Walking into School:
Lizzy, carrying Mrs. Hart's coffee: "I just feel so good about myself right now!"

Proud Mom moment. Just when I think I'm not teaching my kids anything, and that they don't listen, they prove me wrong. So fun to see Lizzy present the coffee to her teacher, apologize that we didn't have Starbucks coffee, but it's Hawaiian instead, and watching her beam with pride that her teacher was thankful. 

Life with Lizzy is good!

Making the coffee

Lizzy's note :)

She's so excited to surprise her teacher!

The Meow News

Lizzy has to read a book to us every night (first grade is hard work!)
I love how she reads with so much expression - of course, she was reading in a very good newscaster voice.... until I started recording..... still cute though :)

Happy, Happy, Happy

I found this note on the kitchen counter today:

Not a baby

Me, after Lizzy gave me a high five: "Ouch!"

Lizzy, rolling her eyes: "You can't trick me with that stuff because I'm not a baby."

**Mom is officially no longer funny.

Road Rash

I told the girls last night that today was going to be a stay-at-home day because all the rummage sale traffic was giving me road rage. 

This was our conversation this morning:

Morgan: "Where we going?"
Me: "Nowhere."
Lizzy: "We are not going anywhere because Mom has road rash."

Corn Harvest

A few months ago, Lizzy came home from the zoo with a couple of kernels of corn in her pocket. Her dad told her to "plant" them in the rock garden in the front of the house, never thinking they would grow. 

Well guess what?

Lizzy's corn: July 17, 2013

They grew.

Lizzy's corn: August 5, 2013 (Jake is 5'4")

They actually grew really tall, and attracted a lot of attention from the neighbors, who are used to asking what the Kerzmans are doing now.

And they produced several ears of corn!

Lizzy's corn: September 4, 2013 (harvest day)

So, Lizzy decided the corn needed to be returned to the zoo.

We made arrangements to meet the zoo director and return the zoo's corn.

Lizzy  marched up to the admission office and announced: "Hi, I'm Lizzy. Terry is expecting me."

And he was...Terry, the zoo director, let the girls feed their corn to the animals, and even talked with them about what goats like to eat.

What a fun experience, and a lesson: don't bring corn home from the zoo!

Thanks to the Dakota Zoo for making Lizzy's day!

Start the day out right

Me: "We need to clean your room and the basement before we go anywhere today."
Lizzy: "Nooooo! Haven't you ever heard you're supposed to 'start the day out right'? That is NOT starting the day out right!"