This is Why

Bed-dancing:

and beauty salon:

We're talking 45 minutes of hair brushing and fixing, my most favorite thing ever. Malan did my hairs while Jane told me her best jokes. Heaven.

This is why I had children, and this why I ordered girls.

Ready for a Change in the Weather

A record heat wave in the east may be to blame for recent strange behavior at our house.

Yesterday Jane introduced us to her first and brand new imaginary friend, "Smacky." Smacky's parents, coincidentally, are named "Ate" and "Aleb."

A tidbit of one of our conversations...

Me: "Jane, no hitting."
Jane: "It was Smacky."
Me: "Tell Smacky not to hit your sister, please."
Jane: "Smacky won't listen. Smacky is bad."

Smacky, as you can imagine, has been spending a good deal of time on the time-out stair, and Jane has been kind enough to keep him company there.


In other news, Olivia has been bringing me pairs of underwear from the girls dresser multiple times each day and begging for me to put them on her. Ready for potty training? Ha, wouldn't that be nice. But yesterday when I put them on over her diaper she went boneless, bawled, and tried to yank them off. Then I took them off and handed them back to her and she hit herself in the head with them repeatedly. When I got the message, she was very pleased indeed:

This girl refuses to wear her lovely headbands or sun hats for even ten seconds but these beauties lasted all afternoon. Maybe it's genetic.
Even the ever patient Malan reached her limit yesterday. After having several of her pieces of artwork scribbled on by captain underpants, she posted the following notice and refused audience with the offender for several hours:

We could really use a cold front and some rain around here.

I Temporarily Resurrect This Blog to Bring You...

Jane's birthday.

Jane is so very grand.

But her birthday morning was not. Her first gift of the day was waking up with the nasty virus I had over the weekend. I found her moaning in bed with teary eyes and a burning fever.
After getting her medicated and settled on the couch for the day she told me, in the most pitiful little voice, "All I want for my birthday is a towel to dry my tears."

Oh, man.

So we got her a tiny towel and situated ourselves near her on the couch for a day of book reading,PBS watching, and shaved ice eating. And thanks to a thoughtful Grandma Diane, Jane spent a happy hour or two singing along to her newly beloved musical Hallmark princess card. Hallmark, I could just kiss you. Grandma, I will. . .next time I see you.

After an outfit change or two, and a nap or two. . .

. . .Jane rallied, put on her new birthday dress from Grandma Michele, and tea-partied until dinner with her lovely new dishes.

Fading fast, but not too tired for cake.

Jane makes a wish. . .

Oh sweet Jane, we're so sorry you had to be sick today. But like you always do, you made the most of things and it was a beautiful, memorable day.

I know i tell you this so much, but you are so very special. You have such charm and charisma, so much determination. You are inquisitive and vivacious and loving and so very lovable. You are such a bright light in our family and I simply love you more than I can say.

Happy Birthday sweet girl.