Italian Ellie

Even though John and I do not have any Italian in our heritage-family-tree-thingee, Ellie has some Italian in her. Her Italian-ness is evidenced by:

1. She talks with her hands. If I hold her hands, she stops talking. Try it; it's kind of fun!

2. She is passionate about EVERYTHING. She loves her food, her stuffed animals, and her sister. She is very passionate about these things in her life. I pray she continues to be passionate about her sister.

3. She loves d.r.a.m.a. LOVES it...with a passion (see item 2). With Claire, I'm not worried about the pre-teen years, but Ellie...oh yeah, I'm having nightmares about it already.

4. She loves "basketti" and "beatballs". I realize that is a stereotype, but I love to hear her say it. It makes me giggle.

I love my little Ell-Bell.

Multi-language children

Claire showed me the alphabet in sign language. I was blown away! She is extremely smart. I don't know who I feel more sorry for....myself, her teachers, her friends, or future boyfriends.

Claire, the proud patriot

John is a good man. He will often get up early with the girls on Saturday so that I may sleep in. This past Saturday, John was watching the Olympics while Claire and Ellie were playing Legos in the dining room....where they have taken up permanent residence and decided to multiply. Anyway....John realizes that Claire is stuck in an endless loop of a song...what is it? The Star-Spangled Banner. Seriously. No lie.

Claire sang the first half of the first verse over and over...ad nauseum. My little American. So proud!

For all you singers out there who volunteer to sing the National Anthem before athletic events, but yet don't quite know the words (or tune) for The Star-Spangled Banner, shame on you. Next time, call Claire for help.

An afterthought about this topic: Carrie Underwood at the Super Bowl was pitchy. My friend Robb would have done it proud. So there. I'm just sayin'.

Foreign Languages

Now that Claire is reading (and writing!) and Ellie knows most of her alphabet, the girls have decided (apparently) that foreign languages are next. Claire is painting with Ellie. Claire finishes her picture and says "Voila!". Ellie, in her relentless pursuit to be like her big sister says, "Walla!" So cute. Seriously though, ask Claire to count to 10 in Spanish. She can do it.

Daylight Savings Time and Christmas Lights

Daylight Savings Time:

Con: By the time I pick up the girls after work, it is very dark.

Pro: I get to hear Claire and Ellie talk about the Christmas lights and decorations on the way home.

example:
Claire (pointing at a house): Look, they have white lights, Christmas trees, a sled, and a moose.

Mom: That is a reindeer.

Claire: Oh. (A few houses later) Look, there's Christmas trees and a rein-ga-deer. (I did not correct her - it was too cute.)

Susan Socks

Claire was upset yesterday afternoon, after her dad told her to go get her "Susan Socks". Claire was upset because she didn't know which socks were her "Susan socks". It took me a few minutes, but I finally figured out her dad told her to go get her shoes and socks. After explaining that, she just said, "Oh".

Claire is learning to read and I am screwed.

We have lived in complete bliss for 4 and a half years now. I could get away with telling Claire anything I wanted, but now....someone thought it appropriate to teach her to read.

Tonight I was rummaging through a drawer and Claire spotted a tin of Ginger Snap candy. She grabbed it and said, "This is mine." I replied, wisely, "Not it is not. Does it have your name on it?"...knowing full well that they are mine and did not have her name on them.

Turns out I was wrong. She replied, "Yes, they do. See?" and pointed to the brand name "St. Claire." Darn. She was right. She is enjoying a Ginger Snap candy right now, as a matter of fact.