Magrilless

Maggie has recently gotten interested in what things are made of. We’ll sit playing, and the endless questions begin. “What’s this made out of?” “Plastic.” “What’s this made out of?” “Metal.” “What’s this made out of.” “It’s called ceramic. It’s actually sand.” “What am I made out of?” “Skin and bones.” “What are you made out of.” “Just like you, I’m skin and bones.” And then with a consoling pat on my knee, “One day you’ll be plastic, Mommy.”

Things that light up Maggie’s life lately: Parties — any mention of a party and she is at the door with her hat on, telling us to hurry up, even if she is pantless, shoeless, and diaperless. Christmas lights — the one strand we haven’t taken down (it got kind of wrapped up in her bedtime routine) will always get plugged in if Maggie is in our room. Bargaining — if we tell her she can have a stuffed animal in bed, she pipes up with “one two three four!” Chasing Eliza — I prefer when this happens in the backyard (so does Eliza). Legos — we’ve long-term borrowed some from friends and it is pretty much the one activity that will pull her out of a tantrum or funk or “I’m so hungry” refrain. Lotion — if I hear a crash from the other side of the house, I pretty much know she’s pulled down the basket in the bathroom to get at the lotion; and then she helps us all get super moisterized.

We celebrated Gretchen’s 31st by going up to Ouray (an 1.5h drive to the north of us). We spent the weekend hiking, sleeping, and generally eating good food. It’s nice to feel like we live in the middle of nowhere even though there are an abundance of beautiful places close by (that also feel like the middle of nowhere).  🙂

Anyone who wants to move to Ouray can have us as house guests whenever you want. Whatta town!

As promised, the video of Mags singing the ABCs backwards. She does pretty great until the last three letters. And at the very end what she says is “Next time won’t you sing in my Lexus.” You know, to rhyme with “Now I know my ZYXs,” if she’d sung it that way. She’s asked me for a long while to sing it backwards for her, but I didn’t know she could do it herself until about a week ago when I heard her doing an alphabet puzzle and singing to herself. Pretty neat!

We’re still in the “May I?” phase, which I’m loving. But we’re also entering the “naptime and bedtime are a struggle” phase. She’s doing her darnedest to find ways to procrastinate, even sinking so low as to ask for teeth brushing before naps. And more and more often she’s skipping the nap altogether. She stays in her room, but she talks and talks and sometimes she’ll get out of bed to get some toys. And then there is one cranky kiddo around here. Not to mention one cranky mama too. I’m beginning to fear the end of the napping era. But still, when she does fall asleep, it’s for 2 or 3 hours. How can it be that you need that much extra sleep only 2 times a week? Didn’t anybody explain logic to this child?

I have not forgotten what day yesterday was. But we are experiencing technical difficulties. So. Rest assured Mags et al are good, fine, healthy, etc. Just without a proper technological contraption for satisfactorily posting this week. Hopefully all will be remedied soon, cuz I have video of Maggie singing the ABCs backwards to show y’all. How’s that for a tease?