The Big Bad Wolf

So while VF was sick she spent a fair amount of time watching cartoons.  Since Netflix has some Silly Symphonies on it right now, I took advantage and showed her some of the old ones from my childhood.  She saw the three little pigs, in three different short shows.  Of course the big bad wolf made a big impression.  During the first show while the wolf blowed down the stick house and the piggies ran she cried out "That wolf wants to eat those piggies!" "He's hungry." And when practical pig held the door to the brick house open she said "Over here, come in my house and be safe!"  So she was definitely getting the idea of the plot.

As with most things it then became a game.  Daddy or myself would play the wolf, and she would be the princess piggy running away to her room. While we blowed the door down she would hide. Well last night Daddy was the wolf, and she was hiding in her room.  JA was up on VF's bed just playing with her feet and socks.  The wolf came in and looked around, not finding VF though he went over to the bed and started to eat JA.  VF didn't waste any time, she leaped from her hiding spot crying out, "No not my Jovi! Not my baby sister!" She put her hands up by her face turning into a lion. "ROAR!" And that lion chased the wolf right out of there.

It's a pretty good time.  Meanwhile, VF isn't just pretending the princess part.  Aunt Alicia sent up a Sleeping Beauty dress for her, and she has worn it every day since.  Thanks Auntie. 

Finally, regarding her being ill, she has an ear infection. She is on antibiotics.  Of course it is between us having health insurances due to S switching jobs, and policies not being allowed to start mid month.  We ended up ahead though, because health insurance is $926 a month. And the Dr. visit, and medicine without insurance was only $100.  This whole health insurance thing is quite the racket, and it's pretty ridiculously priced.  Next year we will give Obamacare a try and see how it is priced for us.

My lovey girl

J was lying on the floor under her new toy crying.  She'd had enough of it I guess.  I was wrapped up and couldn't get to her that minute.  VF went over to her got down next to her and says "Don't cry.  I'm here.  Mommy's here.  Fletcher here.  Jovi here.  It all ok.  Let me help you play!"  Does it get any sweeter?

An amazing Friday

V was sharing the happy all day on Friday, so here are our stories.

On the way to school I gave her a bowl of O's to eat. The bowl I used is the one with the plastic flap lid that helps discourage messes.  I had bought it for J because it was on sale somewhere.  Now V had seen this bowl used by friends at different playtimes.  Well you would think I had just handed her the toy of the year.  "I have one of these?" "Holden has this bowl!" "Just like my friends!" Yep, the kid was over the moon because of a bowl.

When I went to pick her up from school Ms. Sophie had this story for me.  Walking from the playground back to the school there was a huge gust of wind.  V and her 4 friends were lifted off the ground and were about to be swept away! Dylan exclaimed "I'm in the sky!" Ms. Sophie envisioned the incident report stating that she just couldn't save them all.  She jumped to action. She had Veda and Izzy each grab a leg. She put Ethan on her back. Then grabbed the last to kids and held them each under an arm.  Then she braced against the gale and carried them all into the school.  Hooray!

Once in the car V asked: do you know where we are going next?
Me: um. . . home?
V: nope, the bank! it's Friday!
Yep, she is keeping track of the schedule now.  Of course we had to go home first to get the monies to take to the bank, but we did make it to the bank for her Friday popcorn.  At the bank while I was making the deposit I turned to see her pulling the kiddie chair across the sitting area.  When I went over I asked why.
V: to get taller, taller, taller.
M: why do you need to be taller?
V: to get up there? (pointing)
Not sure how she knew, but sure enough there was a bowl of candy up there.

Let's see.  When we were home she took a moment to show J how her new toy works.  (See picture) Thanks for sharing it with us Black family!

Later after her nap she found a piece of a chair that was waiting to be put back in. She tried to do it with her fingers, but it didn't work.  So she started looking through drawers.
Me: What are you looking for?
V: I need a screwdriver.
Well, I wasn't going to get in the way of her completing this task so I helped her out.  I got the screw pushed in and barely had time to grab my camera before she started using the mallet to tap in the cover.

 

It was a really great day.  V has been sick since with a fever of 102. So that is why I am late getting this posted.  Poor kid just gets to stay in bed watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Netflix cartoons all day.  

Watch Out - She's Hitting the Road!!

Thanks to a kind neighbor Veda has received not one but two new modes of transportation!  I gave them a wash (spiderwebs, shudder) and they are ready for the road. The car could use a fresh coat of paint - luckily I know someone handy with a spray can.  You up for some refinishing on your next visit Nea? The tricycle doesn't need a thing, just for Veda to get the hang of steering!  She rode up and down the sidewalk a bit, learning her boundaries, and oh yes, Jovi was out there with us too!  Can't leave her behind, she loves to be on the move in her slings!  Oh yes, and notice Veda's hair.  She wanted five ponytails today, so five is what she got!

VF's First Poppy Seed Roll

It's kinda a family recipe - or at least a family snack.  I think my father's mother was the first one to make it as a regular thing.  For me at least it has always been a snack that my Tia would bring with her when she visited.  Or make ahead of time for us when we visited her.  A couple years ago in Colorado she gave me a tutorial on how to make it, so today when we were looking for a yummy treat VF and I decided to make one up.

VF was an eager helper, as always, and she helped poor all the ingredients into the bowl.  The whole while she mixed with a fork she was eager to get her hands into the dough.  Toddler like however as soon as she was able to start kneading with her hands she didn't like it because they got sticky.  We worked through it though.  After the dough picked up a bit more of the dusting flour and after I pointed out to her that her handprints appeared in the dough she was once again on board with helping out. 

While the dough rested she greased the pan (all by herself) and opened the can of poppy seeds.  "Black ball seeds" as she called them.  She tasted a few and declared them to be yummy.  So we rolled out the dough together, and after I spread the seeds out on it she licked the spoon clean.  Another wait for it to rise, and then into the oven they went.  She helped keep an eye out for it to turn golden brown, and gave a shout when it was ready.  I think it could have used a bit more time, as the inside was a bit gooier than I prefer, but overall I think it was a pretty successful job.

As for JA, she was here too - mostly just laying about.  Babies - they just sleep the day away.  Now if only she would do the same at night!