Mom moment

Evelyn and Jonathan were playing "horse and driver" just now. Evelyn had put the "reins" (a Christmas ribbon) around her neck and Jonathan was holding onto the two ends behind her as they ran around the house. Sierra quickly came running over and instructed them to put the ribbon under Evelyn's armpits rather than around her neck, so that she wouldn't choke. Then she looked at Jonathan in disbelief, "Daddy, you should KNOW that. You're much smarter than that!!" In fact, we never say that to her so I'm not sure where she came up with that, but I could hardly keep from laughing out loud!

Ski Patrol

We went skiing up on Mt. Baker yesterday for Christmas Eve. We made our way up a trail that had a gradual incline away from the parking lot, so that when we got to the turnaround point, it was downhill all the way back to the car. We were pushing it a bit timewise to get back to the car by sundown, and Evelyn had picked up on the urgency. I could tell that she was quite worried, and was determined to get back before it got dark--she was really exerting every bit of energy she had to stay on her feet and when she got so exhausted that she just couldn't continue, she'd ask to rest, but literally five seconds later she'd say, "OK, let's go!" and start off again.

When we got all the way back to the car (she and I got back way before any of the rest of the group) she was still really worried about everyone since it was already dusk. After she had caught her breath in the car, she said, "But Mommy, what about the troll?" (Her favorite Xmas book here at Nana's has been a book about a Norwegian girl who outsmarts a band of five trolls on the mountainside). I told her I didn't think there were any real trolls on the mountain, that the troll book was fictional. With all earnestness, she said, "But mommy, the SKI Patrol! You said the ski patrol was going to come!" And here I had forgotten all about The Skeepa Troll!

On a roll, on the cello

Since it usually takes a bit of negotiating to get Sierra to actually do a measure or phrase 10 times in her cello practice, I was thrilled when after the tenth rep she shouted out AGAIN!! and we just kept going until she was satisfied with how it sounded.

Then in the car yesterday we were listening to the pieces from Suzuki Bk 2, which she hasn't started yet. On one of the pieces she was listening very carefully and at some point she said, "Oh! Do you have to do a circle bow at the end of each phrase?"

Way back when I was a kid....

Sierra: So, when you get to be five years old or older, then you're pretty much grown-uppy.

Safety first

I have the habit of buckling my seat belt as I pull down the driveway. This totally freaks Evelyn out, so she has started insisting that I buckle my seat belt before I move the car at all. In fact, anytime I leave the house now--even if she's not coming with me--she'll stand at the door shouting admonitions to me as I head for the garage.

I want everything I see

Ev: I don't have a nightgown and I really want one.

Me: Do you want that to be on your Christmas list?

Ev: ...... Yes! .... and a computer, and a phone!