It's hard to believe that last post was just one week ago. And the cheerful, excited feeling of that day - gorgeous weather, time outside, happy family. Yeah, about that. That was one day. the rest of the week? Let's just say it wasn't all sunshine and roses. In fact, we had clouds, snow, and cranky children! I think everyone was glad to get back to normal routines today.

It wasn't all bad. Truly, it wasn't. And I think a lot of our troubles were due to bad weather and my lack of mobility. But, just for a moment, let's go back to last week. Look at the girls enjoying their lunch in the play house. See the love between them, no fighting, bickering, squabbling at all- right? Ahhh, that was a glorious day.

Abby used her time on the deck to practice her new favorite phrase, "UH-OH!" She found it hilarious to drop plastic dishes off the side of the deck and squeal "UH-OH" Maggie didn't really mind picking the dishes up, either. But, I'm sure that trick will grow old soon enough.

After Monday, the weather turned wet and cold. It was a true test of our newest experiment - limiting TV. I've been battling, especially with Katherine, about how much TV the girls watch. So, beginning last week we created a system of coupons, each good for 1 half-hour show, or, 1 half-hour of Wii play. Not knowing exactly how the idea would work, we started with 4 tickets a day. Truth be told, they have yet to run out of tickets in one day. (Their tickets automatically renew overnight.) And it's super cute to watch them think about if they really want to use a precious coupon for a show they don't care about, or should they save it for later? I think that after this second week, we'll bump it to phase 2, adding the idea of Earning the tickets, but we'll see. One battle at a time. So far I'm satisfied that they are not defaulting to "I wanna watch TV" or "One more show, Please, just ONE MORE!" every chance they get. They're playing together, reading together, and finding new activities to keep them busy. Unfortunately, with that increase in togetherness, came an increase in squabbling, bickering, and driving us crazy!

Katherine has been downright terrible for the last week. Just acting out every chance she gets, and challenging us every step of the way. I know I read somewhere that behavior changes in the second half of a year - and then after a birthday things seem to get better. If that is true, I can't wait for May 25! I'm ready for my sweet 4 year old instead of a beastly 3 1/2 year old! Friday night, as Chris was doing baths, she was fighting, not wanting her bath. Maybe she wanted me to do her bath (which I can't because I can't bend that way with my knee yet) maybe she was tired, I don't really know. What I do know is that she was kicking and splashing and refusing to stop no matter what Chris said or what distracting techniques he tried. He was being very patient and calm, but then she actually hit him, hard. He picked her up, soapy and wet, and carried her into our room for a "dark time out."

(in our house there is nothing more serious than "dark time out" it maybe in the laundry room or our bedroom, but there are no lights on, no communication, nothing to do at all except sit and think about whatever the offense has been.)

This was new, no one had ever been sent to time out while soaking wet. Now, before you call social services, it was less than 5 minutes, she had a towel, and she knew that all she had to do to get out was stop screaming, apologize to Daddy, and agree to take a normal, non-violent bath. She did, and the point was made. But really - what happened to sweet little Katherine? On Sunday, she was caught going into the street after a ball. That is a HUGE deal here. We've made it very clear, that no matter what, you NEVER go into the street for ANYTHING. She was brought inside and put int he regular time out chair (in the living room.) While Chris and I were talking in the kitchen, we heard the front door open. Katherine had decided she was NOT going to stay in time out, and she took herself right back outside. Oh, yes she did. She was immediately brought to her room, for dark time out/nap. No toys/animals/books in her bed, no CD music to listen to. It was very sad to hear her crying about it, but still, the point had to be made. And really - how gutsy is that, to walk out of time out? Sheesh!

Luckily for Katherine, she has had a few really cute moments this week. As she and I got comfortable before reading stories one night, she randomly announced "Mommy, I think people call underpants, underpants because they go UNDER your pants! But sometimes I wear a dress, a skirt, some shorts, (pause) But, I think I'll still call them underpants because it's a funny word."

And, I can't remember the context, but one night at dinner she asked if the "ladys and the mans" would be able to do something. Seems she's been taking a lesson from her Aunt Bridget! (If you're familiar with Geraghty Lore, you'll remember that Bridget had a quote during our England trip regarding "Man Dad." )

Actually her grammatical error is an excellent lead in to my Maggie stories from the week. Maggie has decided that it is her job to correct Katherine at every opportunity. In the story above it was a dramatic sigh, eye roll, and "Katherine, you say MEN, not Mans, Mans is NOT right!" She's just about mastered the dramatic sigh and eye roll. She's working on the injustice pout now. Her latest gripe is "But I'm ALMOST 6 1/2 years old, why do I have to......" It's a tough life for Maggie.

OK, this post has gotten incredibly long. But entertaining, no? Check out this picture Chris took of the girls near the Aquarium at Discovery World last week.

We found a deal for 1/2 price family membership and jumped at the chance. The museum is a bit "old" for them, but our membership gets us free admission to many other museums. And it comes with discounted parking in a prime location downtown Milwaukee! Seeing Lake Michigan at the museum, and spending time in an exhibit about the Great Lakes made quite an impact on Maggie. Sunday morning we had a few minutes to kill, so I drove past our old house and then through the park nearby. I pointed out that if they looked out the window they could see the Lake, and Maggie marveled, "Wow, Lake Michigan is so huge, I think it covers half of the whole Earth! I mean, It's like 121 inches big!" Ah yes, perspective!

And finally, Abby's latest news. She can open any cabinet door she finds. She has quite an entertaining technique that I'm trying to capture on video. But the bottom line is nothing is safe from her anymore! And she's smart enough to remove the child safety locks if they aren't fully engaged.

I also enjoyed watching her play with a little boy at Church yesterday. We had a few minutes while Maggie and Katherine were still in class, so I let Abby play in the nursery room (GERMS!) There was a 16 month old boy playing as well, and Katherine stood up to him like you wouldn't believe. First thing she did was scoot right over to him and basically yell (happily) but at full volume. I think it was her greeting. Then they played happily taking cars out of one box and putting them into another. But when Abby found the Elmo phone and Ronnie tried to take it away from her, she got right in his face, shouted some collection of syllables, and yanked it right back away from him. It was hilarious! Just look at the devilish look in her eye! Be afraid, be very afraid of Abby!

And so we survived Spring break. Today, everyone is back to normal routines. Tomorrow, I start physical Therapy to regain my full use of my knee again. Next week is Abby's birthday. Fun times!