Emma: 2, Madison: 1

I am talking about injuries here. So far, in their short little lives, they have had may bumps, scrapes and bruises. As far as potentially more serious injuries, Emma has had two: the time she rolled off the bed when we stayed at the Chateau Frontenac and the other day when she drove her Barbie bike down 3 stairs. Those of you who haven't heard the Quebec story, the girls were 6-months and John and I had treated ourselves to a stay at the Chateau, and breakfast by room service. We had placed a baby on each of the two beds. I remember glancing over at them before eating, to make sure they were ok, and they were. As we marvelled over tiny bottles of ketchup and orange juice in champagne glasses, we heard a thud and then a piercing scream. Before I could even wedge myself between the bed and the breakfast cart, John had lept over the cart, over a stroller and grabbed Emma, who's tiny body was wedged between the bed and the nightstand. She was just in her diaper, and she was so little! After about 15 seconds she stopped screaming and calmed right down. Not even a bump or a bruise. Mummy and Daddy were definately worse for wear!

The bike incident happened just last week. She likes to tool around on her Barbie bike between the family room and the front door. I was changing Madison when I heard this huge crash followed by the familliar cry of a child who is pretty hurt and/or scared. I ran over, leaving Maddie half-diapered, to find Emma under her bike at the bottom of the stairs leading to the bathroom (about 3 stairs). I was trying to figure out which hospital to take her to, but when I picked her up she calmed down relatively quickly. She stayed in my arms for about a half hour, just cuddling (pure bliss) and then she was back on her bike, the little trooper. She did have a bloody nose, but nothing major. Phew.

It's funny too because in general. Maddie tends to be the clutz of the two of them, but she hasn't had anything really bad, other than the time she flew out of the Princess castle and landed on her head. I have that one on video. She was pretty shaken up as well, and she had a bump on her head, poor thing.

Today we are going to Tynen's 4th Birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. The girls have been up since 6:30 (gross - yesterday they slept in until 8:30) so I am anticipating some crankiness. Hopefully they will be distracted by the kids and all the games!

Too Good To Be True

My friend Kelly came over today to pick up the co-sleeper that we used when the girls were little (she is due in May). We were talking about how guilty I feel for looking for a place to send the girls over the summer (part time, maybe 2-3 days a week). I feel guilty since I am home so I could take care of them, and I could save us some money at the same time. I said to Kelly "this long weekend has been great, the girls have been really good, I don't feel as drained as I did over March break." Well, I should have kept my big mouth shut for those of you who believe in jinxing yourself. It is 12:30 and I have been sitting here listen to the girls scream (and NOT in a good way) since 12:15. They are exhausted, having been up since 7:15 and we have been playing pretty physically (marching up and down the hallway, jumping in the Princess castle, dancing, going to the upstairs playroom and then back down etc etc). I know when they are tired, it isn't like when they were younger and sometimes I couldn't tell. I even asked them if they want to go for their nap. Emma nodded and Maddie grabbed her books and said "I alk" (meaning I want to walk upstairs). Their normal nap routine is to talk with each other and scream a bit (but the good, happy scream) and then they settle down and sleep. I have the monitor on but I turn down the volume until later. I could hear them through the walls, and at first it was the good scream, but then I could hear someone crying. I turned on the monitor and I could hear Madison saying "mummy, fall down" so I went upstairs to investigate. She hadn't fallen down, she was sitting up, and so was Emma. I gave Maddie her soother and I said "lie down, it is time for your nap." Emma threw her soother out of the crib and said "no, mummy want uppie." I stood firm as I know what the days are like when they don't nap, and they are much too young to be dropping their nap. I lay them both back down, adjusted their stufed animal placements, wrapped Emma like a sausage (she loves this and in the morning she says "sausage, want be like sausage") and I walked out. Well, all he!! broke loose. I think Emma might have lost her voice and potentially thrown up, which she does when she gets this worked up. They screamed and cried until I almost broke down and went in. I called John for support and he said to leave them in there until at least 1. As I type, all is quiet, so I think they are finally asleep. Let's hope! Sleep issues drive me nuts. No, nap issues drive me nuts. I have said it before, it's not the break (although as usual, I enjoy that part too) it's dealing with them all day when they haven't had a good nap. My girls obviously need a lot of sleep (just like John) and when they miss their nap, they are fine for awhile and then they crash and I have two kids who want to be carried everywhere all the time. They get totally whiny and cry, roll around on the floor etc etc. It's impossible for me to go to the washroom, make dinner, do anything when they are in this state. So I really need them to take that nap. It is always a crapshoot as to what decision to make. Do I bring them downstairs if they aren't sleeping? Do I let them cry for a few minutes? For how long? I think today John gave me the right advice. I almost went in to get them but I just turned on the monitor and all is quiet. Phew. Methinks sending then to daycare part time in the summer is going to be a good thing!

Easter Egg Hunt

Today we went to Jenn and Jeff's house for an Easter Egg hunt. When we got there Kaitlyn was glued to Dora on the tv. Emma was playing with their giant dollhouse, and she came upon one of the plastic eggs Jenn had hidden. She asked "what dis?" and the hunt was on. Emma found almost all of them before Katie could even start (she was still absorbed with Dora, I am really surprised my girls weren't as well). We finally convinced Katie that finding eggs was more exciting, and she was able to find a few as well. It was really cute because Jenn hid 21 empty plastic eggs of different colours, and she hid 6 chocolate eggs in and amongst them (so each kid would get two chocolate eggs inside the plastic egg). Emma found the first egg with the chocolate inside, and when she found the next one, she gave the chocolate to Katie. We were shocked. Emma loves chocolate (she takes after her mummy and her grandpa) but she went right over and gave it to Kaitlyn saying "here u go, here u go". Madison was only into opening and closing the plastic eggs, she never once went to look for one. She kept putting the chocolate in, taking it out, putting it in another egg, taking it out in true Maddie style. Emma found a third chocolate egg and gave it to Madison. We were so proud of her (and surprised) for sharing so well. She was cute, as she would find a plastic egg and then she would shake it. If it didn't shake she would say "it empty" and if it did she would get really excited as she knew there was candy in it.

After the egg hunt we had Easter cake and tea, and the girls played together and coloured. Twice Emma came running over to Maddie and said "hugs and kiss pease" and the twins would hug and kiss. Madison always pats Emma on the back when she is giving her a hug and Emma gives Maddie a huge bear hug with her arms around Maddie's neck. So cute!

This morning when I was drinking my coffee, the girls kept trying to drink it. I finally made them some tea, in a "mug" and when they drank it Emma said "mmmmmm, delicious" and Mads said "nummy." Then we did a cheers with our coffee mugs and everybody was happy.

The Love of a Parent

Warning: very mushy sentiments ahead, not for the uncorny! I love Emma and Madison - that is a given. But how can I really ever put into words just how much? It's imporssible to explain. I am struck with a feeling that is so powerful, often overwhelming, yet completely undescribable. It is more than love, and I know that I can never put it into words and they won't truly understand it until they have children of their own. I feel like I was meant to be their mum specifically. I know that sounds silly, and I don't normally think this way, but we are so well matched. I have ridiculous amounts of patience with them, (and I am not known for my patience). All I can do is continue to tell them how much I love them, shower them with hugs and kisses and hope that they always feel my love.

A Perfect Princess Party

Yesterday's celebration in honour of Emma and Madison's 2nd Birthday was a huge success. We had a ton of people, and especially a ton of kids. It was really nice. Last year we did not have as many kids at their party, so we were happy to have so many this time around. The age range was 7-years-old to almost 2.5-months (my nephew Makua). Their future husbands Kyle and Lee were there (twin boys, so it works out well). We also had my cousin Jenn's daughter Katie, and the following friends and their kids: Sondra and her gorgeous daughter Emily, Arlene and her pretty princess (who adores the kids and is a great babysitter) Emma (we call her Big Emma), Sarah and her cutie-pie Lily, Diane and Rick and their twins Gillian and Olivia, Cindy and her handsome little man Petyon, Nancy and Nick and their infant Jacob and my niece Tynen, who is a great big sister to Makua and a great cousin.

The theme of the party was a Princess theme (what else for my little divas) and Sondra got them these amazingly diva-ish Princess tiaras. They wore beautiful Gymboree dresses, and they looked gorgeous. All the kids were so well-behaved and they got along famously. Emma and Lee snuck upstairs to the playroom up there to get away from the noise and they played beautifully together. It was really cute. Elaine (Kyle and Lee's mom) would peek around the corner to check on them and they were sharing toys and reading books together quietly. We joked that years from now we will have to keep an eye on these two lovebirds! They are already sneaking off into rooms by themselves!

The girls got amazing presents, everyone is so generous. We got to play with all the new toys and read all the new books today, I have already sorted the clothes into what they can wear now and what they will wear in the Spring! So much fun! This morning I let them open their gift from me, backpacks and a dvd (101 Dalmatians) and Emma started singing "Happy Birthday" again. It's neat that they are aware of what the day is about, compared to last year. We thank everyone who came and hope they all had a great time!

Happy Birthday Baby Girls!

The twins turned 2 today ("Mach forteef" as they like to say). We had a pretty low-key day today as we are having their big Princess themed party tomorrow. They had their 2-year check-up at the doctor's office this morning. It was a pretty short one compared to the others. They just weighed them, measured their height and answered my list of questions. No needles, thank goodness. I don't know who is worse when they have to get shots, them or me! Emma did not want to be weighed or measured. She is still traumatized from her visit to the walk-in clinic when she had to get her ears flushed to check for an ear infection (which she had and was treated with antibiotics). So John got weighed on his own and then while holding Emma and we subtracted the difference. Maddie has gained a whopping 2 pounds since January, and is now 22 pounds and Emma is 25 pounds. They are perfect and healthy and were very well behaved today. We stopped a lot of traffic getting from the car to the appointment. The girls walk everywhere now, we only take the stroller on really long trips. We got home around 11:30 and they were quite tired in the car on the way home, so at noon we put them down for their naps. Flashback to Monday, when they didn't nap! I ran around doing errands and I got a call from John while in Walmart. Before he even spoke I could hear the squealing in the background so I knew they didn't sleep. John took them into see his old coworkers, while I cleaned the house for the party. They napped in the car for about ten minutes! They did really well considering they were running on empty, but they were very excited because Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. They are now sleeping soundly and I will update again tomorrow after the Princess Party! I just hope they nap tomorrow!

I gave birth to potty-mouthed strippers!

I am ashamed to admit that although I very rarely swear, I curse like a sailor when I am driving and someone cuts me off and then slams on the breaks. If you are going to cut me off, at least make sure you drive fast enough that I don't have to touch my breaks. Anyway, I digress. I became very aware of how much my little sponges absorb, when we were driving to the mall yesterday. John applied the breaks a little harder than usual when we came to a traffic light. Nothing too strange about that, until Madison (with her soother in her mouth) said what sounded very much like "F - CK GO"! John turned to me and said "what did she say?" I sheepishly said "I'm not sure." So he asked her to take out her soosie and then he said "what did you say Madison?" She took her soother out and yelled, clear as a bell "F - CK GO!" Yikes! It was really hard not to laugh, and we both did, but the third time she said it we explained that that isn't a nice word, and she can't say it anymore. I promised I wouldn't say it either. Now I know why my own mum said "sugar" instead of the other 's' word!

Not only do I have a potty-mouthed kid, but apparently I have a couple of exhibitionists on my hands. You may have read the story of Madison stripping off her diaper and jeans during her nap (mind you she didn't sleep so nap really doesn't apply). She sat in her crib in just her shirt. Well, when I when in this morning to get the girls, Emma was buck naked in her crib. She had taken off her sleeper and her diaper, and thrown them out of the crib and onto the floor, along with all of her stuffed animals and her two blankets. I said "Emma, why did you take off your jammies and your diaper?" she said "don't want jammie-diaper." They take after their Aunt Jill and their great-uncle Stephen in this regard! They love being naked!

Mummy dis fun!

Before I talk about today, I need to update what happened yesterday. So they didn't nap, I ended up going to get them after an hour and a half. I knew it would be tough, as they need their naps, but they were surprisingly good. They played in their Primess Castle by themselves (I was in the next room) for an hour. By 4:30 they started to crash and by 5:00 Emma was sound asleep on the couch and Maddie was sound asleep sprawled on her back in my lap. So cute, but I knew I had to wake them soon or they wouldn't sleep at night. I gave them about a half hour and then I woke them. Big mistake. They were wrecked! Crying, stumbling around, wanting to be picked up the whole time I was making dinner. You get the picture. When John got home things got a bit easier. Giving them a bath was a good way to keep them up until their proper bedtime. The bath worked wonders. They love bathtime. Things were great, until we saw the floaters (a.k.a. Maddie's poop) filling the tub! So out they came and i got them in their jammies as John dealt with the poop! heh heh! Glad it wasn't me! They managed to stay awake until 6:45 and then they were out like a light and I didn't hear them until 8:15 this morning. Talk about catching up on their sleep!

John is home today, so we took the girls to Tiny Tots, an indoor playground in Newmarket. We walked in and Emma said "Hi guys" to the other kids. She went up to everyone and said hi - it was really cute. Maddie was a little shy but then she got going and they ran around going up and down the slide for an hour and a half! I was tired just watching them! It was nice because last summer when I took them, it was really hard as they were a lot younger and not as independent in their play. Today, they would run through the tunnel and up to the top of the slide all by themselves. When Emma got to the top she would say "Mummy, watch me, I right here." Maddie would get to the top and said "one, two, free, bumblebee." We only had a minor injury, when Maddie hit her face on the slide at the bottom. She cried for a bit and then she "shook it off!" When we sat down to eat lunch, Emma turned to me and said "mummy, dis fun." Maddie had a mouthful of noodles and she said "hmmmmm, fun!" Very successful and when we came home for their nap, I didn't hear a peep! They were zonked! What a difference a day makes!

Nap Nightmares

Some of you might remember the nap he!! I went through last year around this time. Emma dropped down to 1 nap the week of her first birthday, while Madison took 2 naps until 14-15 months. So for 2-3 months I had to put Maddie down early enough so that her second nap coincided with Emma's only nap of the day, because boy did I need the break! Well, today on the way home from a visit to Aunt Sue's work, the girls were almost falling asleep (this is at 11 a.m when they had only been up since 8 a.m). It was all I could do to keep them awake until we got home. But once we got home it seems they got a second wind and it wasn't until 12:30 that I ended up putting them upstairs for their nap. I was in the laundry room and I could hear them jumping up and down in their cribs, while practicing for some kind of screaming contest (a good, happy scream, but a loud one nonetheless). I figured they needed some down time before sleeping. Well, an hour and a half later and they did not take a minute of a break. Towards the end, their happy sounds turned into cries as they called "mummy, where are you?" I got a bit stressed trying to decide if I should leave them for a bit hoping they will eventually sleep, or do I go to get them knowing I will have crabby girls for the rest of the day, and early sleepers, meaning they would be up early tomorrow etc. It's a lot to think about! I decided to go up as they did not sound like they would sleep anytime soon. Emma was sitting there with all of her toys on the floor and her feet sticking through the crib rails (she can get herslef out if she wants to). I picked her up and got her sorted and i looked over at Maddie. Her crib was empty too and she was sitting there in just a t-shirt. Yes, she had pulled off her pants and her diaper (they were on the floor with the rest of her stuff) and was sitting there grinning ear to ear. "Maddie" I asked, "Why are you naked?" "Cause." Alrighty then! They are now jumping in the Princess castle (of course) and they seem happy (for now)! Let's hope the mood continues until bedtime!

Nap Nightmares

You may remember last year at this time (and throughout the summer) the stress I went through over naps. Emma dropped from 2 naps to 1 the week of her first birthday. Maddie kept two naps most days until she was 14-months. So for two months I struggled with putting Maddie down for her first one, early enough so that her second would coincide with Emma's only nap, because boy did I need that break in the day. Anyway, I have incredible sleepers, and I will never say otherwise. Last night we tried to keep them up until 7:30 so I can have a sleep in on the March Break. They didn't last much past 7, so off to bed they went. This morning I heard them well after 8 (yahoo). We went to visit Aunt Sue at work, and on the way home (around 11) it was all I could do to keep them awake. Emma was doing the head nod while I said "Emma, what's your favourite colour" etc to try and get her to stay awake. Maddie had her books in place so I kept tickling her to keep her awake (while trying to drive). When we got home, I didn't think they were tired, they must have gotten a second wind.

Day 2 of the break (not counting weekends)!

The girls slept in until 8:15 this morning! I heard them at around 7:45 but they didn't say "where mummy?" until 8:15, so I got a chance to slowly wake up. I often stand outside their room for a few minutes before going in because they are so cute the way they talk to each other. They are still throwing everything in their cribs on the floor. When I go in they say that their friends are "down dere." I ask again "where are all your friends?" and usually Emma will respond with "look. down dere." So funny. Here are some cute things that the girls have been saying or doing in the last few days. I may have written some of these already, I didn't re-read my last post. Today at the mall, we went to pick up their Princess dresses (we are having their 2nd birthday party on Saturday, and it is Princess themed, what else)! As I was paying, Emma said "bye now lady" to the store clerk. Madison laughed hysterically at this. She thought it was so funny, so Emma took her cue and repeated it over and over. After each "bye lady" Emma would look to Maddie to make sure she was laughing (sure enough, she was). What a ham! Good thing the clerk thought they were adorable! On our way out, we stopped off to look at the Easter bunny. It's like Santa, you can sit with the bunny and get your picture taken. In the past, the girls (esp. Emma) have been quite nervous about giant animals, and they keep their distance (remember Emma with the Panda at the Royal Winter Fair)? But this time, they wanted to go sit with the bunny. We weren't dressed for pictures, and they had very messy faces (not to mention their hair) but the employees said they can just go and say hi if they want. There wasn't a line up, so off we went. They were very good with the bunny - blowing kisses, petting him and offering him their snacks. When it was time to go, WW3 broke out and it was all I could do to get them both back in the stroller. It was then I remembered why I don't let them out in the first place! If I had one baby, I could manage. But with two, no way. So we left the mall with both of them crying "bunny, bunny no bye-bye, want bunny." I said we could go later in the week and I will try not to break that promise!

Yesterday John made us our weekly Sunday pancakes. When he asked if the girls want pancakes, Emma said "yummy, I love pancakes." After eating them she said "delicious." Madison just grinned! It occurs to me that I am often telling stories of things that Emma says. She is a lot more chatty than Madison. Madison gets there in her own time, but Emm'a vocabulary is really advanced at this point. I try to balance out an Emma story with a Maddie story (you know one day they will be comparing) but sometimes it's not easy. I am sure it will even out eventually.

Day one of March Break and I would like to go back to work please!

It's official! Being home with two toddlers is definately more exhausting than a classroom of 30 11-year-olds. Our day started at 6:30. Yes, 6;30 a.m. Now, I wonder how it is that during the week when I wake them up for "school" (daycare) I often have to actually wake them up at 7:15 and they are never awake before 6:45 which is when I get up. Yet on the first day of March Break, they are awake before I would be on a regular day. I don't get it. It's not even a weekend, as I know they sometimes plot against me to be up earlier on Sat. and Sun. It's a Friday. Must be an evil twin plot. Now of course I would rather sleep later than 6:30, but what really gets me is that I KNOW they will be cranky monsters and it will be a long day. And I was right. Emma had two time-outs for hitting Maddie and another one for hitting me. Madison threw all of her toys against the wall and threw one of her famous tantrums. They turned over their bowl of Cheerios, spilling the cereal and the milk all over the floor because they wanted a lollipop for breakfast, and not Cheerios. They fought over what movie they would watch, they screamed at each other (and me) over a toy phone. Emma had a 20 minute tantrum because I wouldn't let her have a lollipop until she had 3 bites of cereal. She had the first two and then she dug in her heels. So stubborn! I refused to back down and that led to the marathon tantrum. Oh, and did I mention this was all before 9:00 a.m. I wanted to cry. I had visions of spending a week with my girls playing in the snow, watching movies, and playing together. If today repeats itself, that is not going to happen. But, on the upside, they had a 3 hour nap which gave me 3.5 hours to myself (they talk and play in their cribs for half an hour after they wake-up). When they got up from their naps they were completely different people! So happy and a joy to be around. Let's hope they get enough sleep and my break is filled with happy days and happy daughters. If not, I will have to petition to have the school open in July and August so I can work through the summer! Kidding (sort of)!

Smart Girls!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am always pleasantly surprised when I learn the girls know something new. I have been trying to teach them that they will be 2 on their next birthday. They know the number 2, but they have yet to respond when I ask "how old are you?" So today, as I was changing Emma for bed, I said "do you know you will be 2 on your birthday?" and she said "Mach fourteeth." My jaw must have hit the floor. I picked her up half-dressed and ran her to the kitchen where John was making bottles. I asked "Emma, when is your birthday" and she said again "Mach fourteeth." John was just as thrilled. Then Maddie ran in saying "fourteeth, fourteeth.!" This is the result of Julie, their daycare provider. She has taught them their last name, and their birthday (and many other things as well). We played for a little bit and then they went to bed. It's now been an hour, and I could hear something that sounded like one of them crying. So I bounded up the stairs and stopped outside of their room in time to hear Maddie running her finger up and down her lower lip making that sound, and Emma laughing and saying "Maddie, funny." John and I are down here now listening to them scream (but a happy one) and laugh. At least they aren't crying!

Everybody Hugs!

A few things stand out today that I can write about. At daycare drop-off this morning as I was bringing them from the car to the house, Emma saw a bird and she got all excited and yelled "birdie - hi birdie!" Then the bird flew over the roof and out of sight and she said "uh oh, mummy, birdie gone. Why birdie gone? Come here now birdie!" I guess she will soon learn that try as she might she cannot control the birds. Then she reacted to what sounded like an owl (but probably wasn't) and she said "what dat?" and I explained that it is the birds talking, and that she will have to ask Grandpa what the bird is saying because grandpa can talk to birdies. She said "grandpa birdie?" No Ems, grandpa is not a birdie, but he can talk to them!

Maddie went all day without a nap. She was super tired when I picked her up at daycare. Emma went through a similar phase a couple of months ago. When Madison is tired, she is usually pretty tantrum-y and irritable. But today, she was beyond tired, to the point where she was quite obedient! Usually she wants to put on her own jacket (which is great), walk to the van on her own, and play with the van hook before settling into the carseat. Today she barely lifted her arms while I put her jacket on, she wanted to be carried to the van and she flopped right into her carseat. I thought for sure she would fall asleep in the ride home. She didn't, but her eyes were very glazed and droopy. She did very well and made it all the way to 6:30 before collapsing in my lap. She was even super cuddly with John, which she hasn't been for awhile. Emma was a loving sister. I told her that Maddie was tired and she needs to rest. Emma went and found her two books for her (the ones she sleeps with) and said "night night Maddie." When we go upstairs to put them to bed, after we go through the kissing ritual, Emma says "Hugs everybody" and we all hug one another twice. They are usually pretty quiet but tonight I could hear Emma saying "Maddie seeping?" and Maddie wasn't responding, so I think Emma got her answer!

And then it happened...

This morning the girls didn't call for me until almost 8:30. Pure bliss. I know they woke up around 7:45 as I heard them. They spent the next 45 minutes jumping in their cribs. I could hear the crib moving quite vigorously (at one point I thought they had both jumped out) and then I would hear Emma giggle and squeal and say "Again Maddie, Again!" When I finally went in to get them, all of their animals were on the floor and Madison was jumping up and down much to Emma's delight.

Later on in the morning, the girls, Sue and I were playing in the Princess castle. Well, we were sort of prisoners in it as we couldn't leave without facing the wrath of the twins. The princess castle has pictures of various princesses (Cinderella, or Cindela-la as they call her, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine etc etc). At one point Sue asked them how many princesses there were. Madison was busy organizing her play food, but Emma said "one, two, free, four, fie, six, sewen, eight." Sue and I stared at each other. It just sort of happens. You teach them things and you are never really sure if they get it or not until all of a sudden they can count to eight and you thought they could only count to 4. The same thing happened with Maddie and her colours. While Emma calls everything blue, Madison can identify blue, yellow, pink and purple. When you ask her what colour her soosie is, she pulls it out of her mouth to check and consistently gets it right.

On the way home in the car the other day, they were eating their Princess snacks. Emma must have dropped one in her carseat because all of a sudden she said "uh, oh, Cinde-lala where r u?" I have mentioned before that I am struggling when getting them into their carseats. Thanks to a wise woman I work with, I have a new plan. I let them have one Princess fruit snack a day. I would always give them these on the way home from school anyway. Some days they would be asking for them at 8 in the morning, but I held my ground and told them they must wait until after "school." So, now I give them their snacks as I am getting them into their seats. It saves me a heck of a lot of struggle, and it is something I am giving them anyway. Genius. Pure genius.

I am sick today and have a touch of laryngitis, so of course my voice sounds very strange. The girls are so sweet, they keep coming over to me and saying "mummy sick?" and I squeak "yes, I am sick" to which they respond "uh-oh, you ok? What happeen?" Emma even came over to me and said "skinamarinky I wuv you." That made me feel one million times better. As I type this they are playing in the Princess castle together giggling, and saying "hiya" and "here you go" to each other. They did have a conversation about poop that they understood, but I didn't. That's probably a good thing. Well, I am being summoned back into the Princess castle (Madison is saying "come, come in now." Gotta go join in the fun!