Monkey See, Monkey DO!

Business first:
1. I am going to update this blog with more consistency because I want to be able to read it to the girls later. (and because what kind of blog gets updated once a month?)
2. I am going to post pics soon, if the girls slow down long enough to let me :)
2. We are having the best summer EVER which is why I've been so slack- more on that later!


I've always tried to really listen when older moms talked. They know a lot of stuff, you know. Sometimes they talk about getting a picky eater to eat, the best way to bring down a fever (or not!) or tried and true ways to potty train. And I listen. What they always say is that the girls will grown up too fast, enjoy every moment, and to never put doing the dishes before reading books-- the dishes will wait but the memories will not. And I'm trying to listen to that, too. Most days go by so quickly that I don't spend much time THINKING, just a lot of time DOING. But this morning, I took time to sit, let the girls tear out every toy they own and just watched. Serah is starting to talk. Really, seriously communicate! I hadn't really noticed. But she was having conversations with her sister about who should take care of which doll, changing the baby's diaper and said she was sorry after she pushed her sister (which, in our house, is basically as good as not ever pushing her). They held hands, sang songs, chased each other, and laughed really really hard. It might be the best mom day ever.
I've also noticed that Serah wants to do everything just.like.sister. She says words MG uses, rolls her eyes at the same time (no, I'm not proud of this but it is super funny), and plays whatever game her big sister chooses. SO. I did what every red blooded American mom would do... I put panties on her and said "Look! you can go pee pee in the potty just like your sister!" and said a little prayer that the potty training was done. I do realize that (a.) she is still very young to potty train (b.) she won't do it until she is ready, regardless of the incentive (c.) it is wishful thinking to hope she will potty train herself in an attempt to be like her sister. BUT- I'm doing it anyway. Because if it works, I will have a good story to tell and I love telling a good story.

Mary Garland is a natural leader, so it's a good thing Serah likes to follow her around. I am just having to watch carefully what she teacher her...

Yesterday, I found Waffles (the little white dog) with a leash on, tied to the back door. Mary Garland was teaching Serah how to play puppy pound with 7 stuffed animals and one live dog. Tied to the door.

MG plays under the dining room table a lot. She calls it her "bird nest" and I'm totally fine with it. Last week, I found the girls in Mary Garland's bird nest... eating sugar out of the sugar bowl. It went something like this:
Mom: "GIRLS! What are you doing?! Mary Garland, you know better than this!"
MG: "What?! SERAH did it!"
Mom: "Serah can't reach the sugar bowl, you got it down."
MG: "Well, Serah told me to."
Mom: "Serah can't say that many words, Mary Garland."
MG: "Sure she can, she just doesn't like to talk to YOU!"

Serah is learning to talk, and has mastered most "signals" for communicating. MG is pushing her to the next level...
MG: "Serah, say 'acc-i-dent-ally'. That's what you say when you do something, but can't get in trouble for it. Say it. 'acc-i-dent-ally'. Mommy won't get mad if you do it 'accidentally'."

Mary Garland loves being a big helper, and has always enjoyed being very involved in rearing Serah...
MG: "Serah, pee pee in the potty. Do it! If you do it, you'll get M&Ms. And so will I. So do it NOW!"

Did that just happen? Forreal?

MG thinks my computer is broken because nothing happens when you touch the screen.

A lesson about those packing peanuts: If you are considering being a SUPER cool mom and letting your kids crush those things all over the den and play in the "snow", consider the following: (1) They are so light that when you sweep them, they run. (2) They clog the vacuum about every 25 seconds. I'm just sayin', think about it.

Mommy: Mary Garland! What the heck is that all over your wall?!
MG: It's the white paint, of course! Is it dry? I'll check.
Mommy: We don't have any white paint...
MG: Sure we do, the one in the blue tube!
Mommy: That is Serah's diaper yeast cream. All over the wall.

Tonight, the girls got to take a bath together for the first time in a while. It went like this:
Mommy: Who wants to get out first?!
(Serah hides behind MG)
MG: Well, I am playing. With Serah.
Mommy: Sooo, who should get out first?
MG: I guess you should...
Whomp whomp whomp.

The past few days have been pretty wild. I am hoping to get some new pictures up over the weekend!

MG's been thinking....

"Mommy, today is a BEAUTIFUL day. God must have put the really nice clouds out."


MG: "Mommy? Why do those people just run around our neighborhood? The grown ups, I mean?"
Mommy: "Well, they are running for exercise so that they can keep their body healthy."
MG: "hmmm... it's really hot. We should tell them about Stretch and Grow. They can come with me at my school. It's nice and cool there."


MG: "Can I sing the 'Jump Shake Ya Booty' song that I learned?"<-- she learned it from my 10 year old sister, who learned it from me... pay backs...
Mommy: "That's a funny, silly song to sing at home. But we shouldn't sing it at school or teach your friends. That one is only for home"
MG: "Why? God is EVERYWHERE. If he doesn't like it at school, why does he think it's funny at home?"

Serah's really starting to communicate too! So far, she says the typical "out, down, up, all done, cup, hi, bye, book, uh oh, and eww yuck". Additionally, she has picked up "Dangit, hi-ya! (while making a sumo wrestler stance) <-- my 10 and 12 year old brother and sister think this one is particularly hilarious), and "booty" (thank you MG...).

Serah is also learning that she doesn't have to talk to convey a message... When I walk into a messy room she immediately points directly at Mary Garland and grunts, just to be sure I know who is responsible.

What's with LITTLE hearts?

Why not "Little hands, BIG hearts"? The name was taken. Just kidding. I love that my girls are totally loving and totally forgiving- really I do. BUT- I also love how small their world is. That they literally live in the moment. That "I'm not playing with you anymore, EVER" is as hurtful as it gets. Except for "I want a NEW mommy! A NICE one", (<-- that one really stinks) but I digress...

Mary Garland recently expressed an interest in trading me in for her Nana (my mom). When I asked her why, she explained that Nana lets her wear lipstick and I don't. See? Tiny world, tiny heart, total preciousness. And those are the little moments that steal our great big, ever aching parent hearts, and melt them into puddles on the floor.

For years, Mary Garland has been the star of the Desai show. I must warn you, little Sweet Serah is quickly becoming little Spicy Serah. They make the best team. I am so excited to share the world according to these little sisters- it's too good to keep to myself!

The Blog is Back!

After a short stint with my old blog, I decided I was too terrified of someone stealing my totally precious children, so I shut the operation down. Now, after a serious break from blogging and Law and Order:SVU, I think that if I take the proper precautions I can safely share our stories with friends and family... so we will try again. Updates to come!