We begin this month’s blog with funny stuff the kids have said. They’re constantly growing up, of course, but the language gives insight into thinking that was blocked off to us before.

Pip: Lorelei, how many more strawberries do you want?

Lorelei: 123456789!!!

Me to Lorelei: Are you going to eat some of your chicken?

Lorelei: No. It’s too yummy.

(also happened with bacon????)

Moriarty: Sometimes, when I’m washing my hands, I like to open the mirror, so instead of seeing myself, I like to go-over the assortment of that stuff *gestures at contents of medicine cabinet*

Pip to Lorelei: Are you mad that you’re sleepy?

Lorelei: yes…(whisper) no sleep no sleep

Me to Moriarty: Humans can't make babies with chickens... Their DNA wouldn't work like that.

Moriarty: *thinks for a minute* and the chickens would run away from me.

And not, funny, but an exhausting new phase, ‘why?’ *pointing to the rubber base of my insulated water bottle”

Lorelei: What is that?

Me: That’s a rubber thing to protect it; Lorelei: why?

Me: in case it falls down; Lorelei: why?

Me: i don’t want it to break; Lorelei: why?

Me: i like water; Lorelei: why?

Me: i get thirsty; Lorelei: why?

Me: i’m a mammal; Lorelei: why?

Me: evolution; Lorelei: why?

Me: primordial ooze; Lorelei: why?

Me: big bang; Lorelei: why?

Me: …; Lorelei: why? why? why?

Something is definitely happening with her developmentally. Almost all kids go through a more trantrummy phase around this age but her language skills are so good we can almost always help her get what she needs, avoiding the frustration that leads to tantrums. So, she’s been pretty chill for a 2 year old. Until last week. She’s started freaking out before even asking for what she wants. Like she thinks we can read her mind. We’re spending a ton of time saying "Lorelei, I don’t know what you want. Please use clear words”. It’s exhausting. When Moriarty went through brain leaps he usually got more cranky; either that or when he was sick. Her recent lack of fuse has lasted more than a week so I’m leaning toward brain leap. Maybe SHE’LL be able to read minds in another week! You never know.

There were concrete positive milestones. Moriarty has officially finished Kindergarten and will be going to first grade, in person, on Sept 1. We had a celebration with balloons and a big sign. We’ve gone shopping for school supplies and he has a lovely Paw Patrol backpack to match his Paw Patrol light-up shoes and Paw Patrol face masks. He’s set. We’re all very excited. Lorelei also starts pre-school that day. She’ll be going back to the Montessori pre-school they were at before lockdown. I’m nervous about Covid exposure, but thrilled about the social opportunities for both of them. She’ll get to make friends that don’t want to control every thing she does or game she plays. He’ll get to be loud and wild without me there!

We drove out to Idaho to see Pip’s parents again. This time his sister and her family were able to come at the same time and Moriarty had his first s’more. We got to play in the lake and enjoy the views. Lorelei had her very first ice cream at an art fair. It was wonderful to have no agenda and just enjoy family. We also had a long lovely visit from Lisa Francine, my aunt, who has also been Moriarty’s reading teacher all year. She reads to Lorelei too over zoom so those 3 were already close buds when she got here. It was amazing to see her love my babies; it helps fill that space my mom can’t.

One last milestone that might not seem like a big deal, but was to me, is that Moriarty took care of his needs without even asking/telling us. We were all out on the porch and he was going to get some mac and cheese from the kitchen. He couldn’t find it, so instead he made himself a sandwich: pepperoni and turkey on bread (cut in half with a butter knife - he told me before I asked). Him prepping food isn’t new, but he didn’t come ask for help, he didn’t come complain he couldn’t find the mac & cheese, he just took care of himself and then came back. This is stuff we’ve been building the foundation for for 6 years, and then one day he just does it. :-)

New Photos Here password “mal”