Little Pip-Speaks: Volume 34

Being trapped blessed in a house for months with four kids, you overhear a lot of nonsense... Here's our latest round of quips (with a few doses of quarantine humor thrown in...)

Pip-speak #1:

Piper: Every time you say "government" I lose my mind and start thinking about unicorns because that is the most boringest word ever. 

Pip-speak #2:
Piper: If you really temper me I’ll tell you. But you REALLY have to temper me. 
Mama: What does that mean? 
Piper: It means annoy me so much I can’t stand it and I just give up and tell you. 

Pip-speak #3:
Piper: {when Alexa told me Target might close early due to current health concerns} Wait-she knows what’s going on? Like with the Corona virus? Well, she knows the news, so.... That is incredible. She is awesome. 

Pip-speak #4:
Piper: This quarantine is the worst. I hate it. I used to think someone saying “Hey, we’re having enchiladas for dinner” was the worst. But now this is. 
 

Pip-speak #5:

Mama: I know your siblings get on your nerves sometimes, but wouldn't it be worse to be an only child right now?
Piper: Yeah, because then you’d be even bored-er. 

Pip-speak #6:
Piper: I’m getting back in the bouncy house. It’s what the kids are doing these days.

Pip-speak #7:
Piper: {When I showed her an advertisement in a magazine} Why do they have commercials and avatars in mazagines? 

Pip-speak #8:
Piper: I might not be sick, but I’d rather be cautionate. 

Pip-speak #9:
Piper: I know how to say pigs in British: oink-ahs 

Pip-speak #10:
Mama: Aw man! I forgot my reusable bags! 
Piper: It’s ok. Everyone makes mistakes and you can save the planet next time. 

Pip-speak #11:
Piper: I am pampered!! I am pampered because you opened the car door for me! 
 
Pip-speak #12:
Mama: Whatcha doing? 
Piper: Oh we’re just turning my bed into a flying pirate ship. It’s easy. 

Pip-speak #13:
Piper: When I put my hair in a ponytail it looks like a Chihuilly art piece. 
 
---------------------------------

Finnish #1:
Fin: {with some slightly confused commentary on my secondhand shopping obsession} Did you have to rent these Christmas presents? 

Finnish #2:
Fin: Are you serious? Tell it to me in my eyes. 

Finnish #3: 
Mama: Do you know what my job is when Mr. Andrew gets engaged today? 
Fin: Being the ring burier? Reading the text book? The flower girl?

Finnish #4:
Piper: {when we were discussing how some people aren't quiet ready to be parents} But if she wasn’t ready to be a mom, why did she have a baby? 
Fin: Because sometimes you just love each other too much...well you can’t actually love each other TOO much. But when two persons love each other so much, a baby just happens.

Finnish #5: 
Fin: {stalling at bedtime} But my teeth aren’t ready to go to bed yet!

Finnish #6: 
Fin: What do the teachers do now that they don’t have a job? 
Mama: Well, they still do kind of...they have to send us stuff to do.
Fin: Yeah but they just send us what to do and they don’t have to be on their computers all day so they probably just send us stuff and then go play with their kids all day. 
Mama: Well, umm...yeah, they probably do. 
Fin: MUST BE NICE.

Finnish #7: 
Fin: {on the bouncehouse} I jumped so much I have to pee!
Finnish #8: 
Fin: How come everyone’s bootie waggles when they walk?

Finnish #9: 
Fin: {on social distancing at a nearby pond} Those ducks aren’t even trying to stay away from each other. 

Finnish #10: 
Fin: {regarding a cupcake} I drooled a little because it was so yummy. 
Finnish #11: 
Fin: We were pretending to be poor people. But Piper said we can’t be British. 
Mama: Because British people can’t be poor?
Fin: No. British people come from France. And France is very famous because they have the Eiffel Tower.

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 Miller Musings #1:
Miller: {looking around very seriously as he eats his lunch} Mama...we kinda can’t see our own eyes... 

Miller Musings #2:
Mama: Since we’re staying up so late you have to go to bed nicely. 
Miller: But is it ok if we be tired? Because I’m always tired after movies. 

Miller Musings #3:
Miller: There are three animals that steal soft shell turtle eggs: monitor lizards, honey badgers, and bamboos. 
Mama: What’s a bamboo? 
Miller: It’s like a monkey, but different. It’s actually called a...ba-bam! 
Mama: You mean a baboon? 
Miller: Yeah!! 

Miller Musings #4:
Miller: {after Dustin's grandma died} We can’t send Mom-Mom cards anymore because there’s not a mailbox that can send to her. There is only a Santa mailbox 

Miller Musings #5:
Miller: These rolls are so good!
Mama: I know! I could eat about 17 of them!
Miller: I could eat 'til the end of the numbers! 

Miller Musings #6: 
Miller: Mom, what’s a balloons least favorite type of music? You have three choices- pop, rock and roll, or ocean sounds.

Miller Musings #7: 
Miller: {regarding our family bike ride} I wanted to keep up with the girls because I didn’t want to get lost. Because then I wouldn’t have anything to eat and I would shrink. And maybe die. 
Miller Musings #8:
Miller: I’m not going to have a baby when I’m a grown up because I’m gonna be a dad, because boy kids grow up to be dads and girl kids grow up to be moms. But when I’m a grown up, I’m going to have to buy my own money. And not even just from my doggie bank. I’m going to need a lot more than that.

--------------------------------- 

Dynamic Duo #1:

Piper: Do you ever think that this Corona thing will extinct us? Like dinosaurs? 
Finley: Piper has a point there. Because then if we were extincted, we’d be dead. 

Dynamic Duo #2:
Miller: {discussing what happens when people pass away} So she’s floating on a cloud? 
Fin: Maybe God wraps his big long arms in a hug around all the dead people to make them happy. 

Dynamic Duo #3:
Miller: Are these poison ivy or pollen? 
Piper: It’s clover.

Dynamic Duo #4:
Mama: {commenting on a really nice neighbor boy} That kid is just the sweetest. 
Piper: Yeah, he was raised properly. 
Fin: The first words out of his mouth are pure flowers. 

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And because sometimes the things that come out of our mouths even catch us by surprise:

Parental Point #1:
Mama: Snack cups are not hats. We have talked about this.

Parental Point #2:
Daddy: Please don’t get your tears all over the wall 

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Little Pip-Speaks: Volume 33

These kids crack me up on the daily, so I've been collecting some of their best quotes for an end of the year edition of: 


Pip-speak #1:
Mama: What’s the sitch?

Piper: Here’s the sitch. Every night I’m gonna fill up my water bottle because I have NO standards. I have NO standards for leftover water. 

Pip-speak #2:

Mama: {Whistles} Bet you didn’t know I was a whistling superstar!

Piper: No! Because last year you were really bad, so I just assumed you were still as bad as last year.

And you said that so I’m not just saying that.

Pip-speak #3:
Piper: {seeing a gay couple on a baking competition} G’mi do you know what that means?
G'mi: Ummmm, no...?
Piper: It means they can make their own wedding cake!” 

Pip-speak #4:

Piper: Since my class is SO talky, we’re never gonna get a dance party.

Pip-speak #5:
Piper: Mama, where are my clean socks? Because I already wore my favorites so all that’s left are my unfavorites. 

Pip-speak #6:

Piper: Mom, you haven’t even had your dinner yet? And we’re on our third helping? This is why they have Mother’s Day. 

Pip-speak #7:
Mama: What do you want for your birthday?

Piper: Well, I don’t want a Bitty Baby anymore. Well, I do. I just don’t want anyone to have to spend $60 for one. I want SANTA to get it for me so no one has to spend money. Unless Santa has to buy it??!

Pip-speak #8:      
Mama: Our house is 17 years old.

Piper: Stay cool, house! Because you’re in high school. Or college. I don’t know!

---------------------------------

Finnish #1:

Fin: Halloween is about love. 
Mama: Really? Why? 
Fin: People take their time off from just going to sleep to give out candy for a little bit.  

Finnish #2:
G'mi: {Seeing Fin crying on the playground} Do you want to go get in line with your friend?  
Fin: No, because then I’ll get in trouble. And then I will have to cry for two things and right now I only want to cry for one.

Finnish #3:

Fin: {eating M&M's} The browns just taste like plain chocolate. The colored ones are magical.

Finnish #4:

Fin: {after church} G’mi, where are the delicious donut holes everybody’s talking about? 
G'mi: Finley, aren’t you supposed to say "Hi, G’mi. How are you?” 
Fin: I can’t. My mind can only think about delicious donut holes right now.

Finnish #5:

Fin: Everybody thinks red and green are the only Christmas colors, but aren’t ornaments all different colors? Why can’t they just share the love?

Finnish #6:

Fin: {sitting in the car, trying to "meditate"}

Piper: I know how to MEDITATE, Fin! Ohmmmmm. Ohhhhmmmmmm.

Fin: Stop it! I’m trying to focus! And I can’t when you make that NOISE!

Finnish #7:

Fin: {handing me the playing cards} Can you skeedaddle them? Like- do a bridge?

Finnish #8:  
Miller: I love to share.
Fin: Well that’s one thing I’m not very fond of.    

Finnish #9:  
Fin: I like Jimmy John's because it has the word G’mi in it and I really like G’mi.

Finnish #10:  

G'mi: {putting helmets on the kids to ride bikes} Miller's head must be bigger than yours because his fits.
Fin: His head cannot be bigger than mine. He does not know as much as I do.

Finnish #11: 

Fin: Mama, how do you say that word: fashion consultant? Will you be my fashion consultant? 

Finnish #12: 
Fin: Miller, I can wear my Minnie shirt and you can wear your Mickey shirt and then we can play "marry".

Finnish #13: 

Mama: My mom used to be a 2nd grade teacher at at that school. But not anymore.

Fin: Because she’s too old for that.

Finnish #14:  

Fin: {to me when I came to tuck her in} I knew you were home. 
Mama: How? 
Fin: When I was in my bed, I heard jingling {the bracelets I always wear} and I knew mommy was home.

---------------------------------

Miller Musings #1:

Piper: Why does Iron Man have that thing on his hand?

Miller: Oh. So he can pew.

Piper: Pew?

Miller: {makes gun noises} Pew! Pew! Pew!

Miller Musings #2:

Miller: {teaching a Halloween saying} First you say trick or treat. Then you say smell my feet.

Mama: Yeah, and then you say: "Give me something good to eat."

Miller: And then you say thank you!

Miller Musings #3:

Miller: {picking out his jammies} Sorry Mom. Sometimes I just havta take forever.

Miller Musings #4:
Miller: {scheming about something} Let's plan up a deal...

Miller Musings #5:

Miller: {explaining the Easter story} And Jesus was in a tube. A tube is something with a bunch of rocks and the BIGGEST rock covers the cave. And his friends comed over and they all ate a fish.

Miller Musings #6:

Piper: {reading a caption in a book} bell pepper.

Miller: That’s a short name for tomato!

Miller Musings #7:

Miller: {while driving by a big forest} That looks like a jungle!

Mama: Yeah! What do you think lives in there? Tigers?

Muller: Yeah, and all scary things...

Mama: Like snakes?

Miller: Yeah. And sharks!

Miller Musings #8:

Piper: Miller, you know, the Easter bunny works just like Santa!

Miller: Yeah. The Easter bunny is all white, just like Santa’s beard!

      

--------------------------------- 

Dynamic Duo:

G'mi: Christmas is about being kind.

Fin: No- it’s about love and sharefulness.
Miller: NO- it's about Jesus' BIRTHDAY! 

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Little Pip-Speaks: Volume 32

I've been doing this series nearly five-and-a half years (pretty much since Piper started chattering!). Sometimes I can't believe how many quips I've jotted down, and sometimes I feel like I could record them all day and still not capture the full hilarity of their nonsense As they've gotten older, their mispronunciations have become fewer, but their goofy innocence remains. And their unique takes on...well, pretty much everything...keep me giggling (and occasionally cringing). Piper is starting to have her own real perspective on the world, Fin has a humor all her own, and Miller....we'll he's just a nutball (a very enthusiastic nutball). Here's a collection of quotes from the last few months- outta the mouths of my babes.



Pip-speak #1:
Mama: Is that food on your face? Or a freckle?
Piper: A freckle.
Mama: Oh- I wasn't sure. Is that new?
Piper: I guess so? I didn’t put it there!

Pip-speak #2:
Mama: We're going to lunch at 101 Beer Kitchen.
Piper: Again with the beer places?!

Pip-speak #3:
Mama {Inquiring on the "daycare" she was running for Fin and Miller while I took a shower}: How was your baby daycare? Did you have a lot of babies?
Piper: Oh, I only had two, but they were two handfuls.

Pip-speak #4:
Piper {seeing a dog that looks like my sister's dog}: That dog is so cute. He looks like Yona. Should they marry?

Pip-speak #5:
Mama {explaining a prom dress charity event}: If they pick a dress they love, but you don’t, you’re not supposed to say anything because all that matters is that they are happy.
Piper: You’re great at that! 
Mama: At lying to people and pretending I like things? 
Piper: Yeah! I’ve see you do it to babies? 
Mama: What?! 
Piper: Yeah, like when a baby gives you something and you say “Oh, that’s great!” Even though it’s not.

Pip-speak #6:
Mama {about Alexa}: She never listens. She does whatever she wants.
Piper: She’s a ROBOT! And I don’t think she’s that good at speaking

Pip-speak #7:
Mama: We need to let your teacher know you’re going to miss school because of Disney.
Piper: Yeah- I’ve been trying to tell her but since we’re learning about penguins there hasn’t been time.

Pip-speak #8:
Piper: I know how to make Rice Krispie treats from the bottom of my heart! You melt the marshmallows until they’re sticky, like for 40 minutes at 40 degrees...

Pip-speak #9:
Piper {about me}: She’s so much more than just a fun beautiful girl. She’s a MOM. That’s what she is.

Pip-speak #10:
Piper: I don’t ever want to wear high heels unless I’m gonna be the mayor; something really important.

Pip-speak #11:
Mama: We got called about another foster about today, and they didn't pick us, again.
Piper: Aw man! Who's hogging all the babies?!

Pip-speak #12:
Miller: We’re almost to Grandpop’s house. Is Grandpop gonna be there?
Piper: Yeah! Because he doesn’t have a job! You know how G'mi doesn’t work anymore? But she still makes money somehow? Like, a little?...Kinda...?

Pip-speak #13:
Piper {carrying the nativity stable on her shoulder}: I’m a teenager! 
Daddy: Why?
Piper: Because I’m carrying a beat drop on my shoulder!

Pip-speak #14:
Piper: I’m going to live in Ohio forever because there is other scary stuff in other countries. Like rattlesnakes.

Pip-speak #15:
Piper: I’m trying to learn to sleep without stuffed animals. Because that would be weird if I was a grown-up with them. And I am almost ten you know.

Pip-speak #16:
Piper: Can I tell you a funny story of what happened when we were in math centers?
Fin: What is a math center?
Piper: A math center is where teachers put you when they need a break!

Pip-speak #17:
Mama: Do you know how many stomachs does a cow have?
Piper: Four! One for water. One for grass. One for...umm....super yummy grass. And one for the milk to go in. 

---------------------------------

Finnish #1:
Mama: We got a call about a foster baby today but they found another home to take care of her.
Fin: Aw. I really wanted to meet someone new!

Finnish #2:
Fin {to Miller, in a parking lot}: If you just ran off and the car didn’t see you, you would turn into a street pancake.

Finnish #2:
Fin {trying to find the loose end of the toilet paper}: Are you really gonna play this game with me?

Finnish #3:
Fin: Mama, let me tell you a secret! But plug your other ear so it doesn’t fall out.

Finnish #4:
Daddy {helping her with a boo-boo}: It’s going to feel better I promise.
Fin: I don’t take promises without a pinky!

Finnish #5:
Fin: We can watch television, Miller. Television is like an old, old, old TV.

Finnish #6:
Fin {way before my birthday}: I just want to tell you about your present!
Mama: Tell bunny {her favorite stuffie}. He can keep a secret.
Fin: Yeah, bunny will keep his ears shut.

Finnish #7:
Fin: Oooh, I know why they have movie theaters! It’s so that people who don’t have enough money for a TV can go there to watch things!
Piper: Fin, I think movie theaters are even more expensive than a TV.
Mama: True. But you’re right, Fin, not everyone has a TV. We’re especially lucky because we have two!
Fin: Yeah! I bet we’re the only people in our whole neighborhood who have TWO TVs!

Finnish #8:
Fin: How come Jesus didn’t get presents on His birthday? 
Mama: He did!
Piper: Oh yeah, from the kings!
Mama: They brought Him gold, frankincense (which is smell good stuff), and myrrh (I’m not actually sure what that is).
Fin: I think it’s gel. For His hair. Like daddy!
Piper: I don’t think so.
Fin: Well He is a king. So He needs to look handsome.

Finnish #9:
Mama: Would you want to own a bakery?
Fin: No. That’s too hard. In my life I don’t want to do anything hard. I don’t want to have a job. I just want to be a mom. 

Finnish #10:
Fin {playing house}: I had a baby. But it’s not a foster care one. It’s just a regular one.

Finnish #11:
Mama: I got the most beautiful fabric to make a quilt for a friend's baby boy.
Fin: But it hasta be a he stuff.

Finnish #12:
Fin: I’m going to live in our house when you’re dead. Because I love it. And I love it so much I’m still gonna be sleeping on my underbed. {the bottom bunk}

Finnish #13:
Fin: When Miller grows up he’s going to get married to a girl. But I’m already grown up!
Mama: So are you ready to get married?
Fin: No, but I am ready for a phone!

Finnish #14:
G’mi: What game would you like to bring to our house to play with Papa?
Fin: Either one that I’m good at or one that I kind of cheat at.

---------------------------------

Miller Musings #1:
Miller: To turn me three I hadta have my supa hero birfday first.

Miller Musings #2:
Mama: Should we get this cookie dough?
Miller: YES! 'Cuz when dey maked, dey gonna be SO GOOD.

Miller Musings #3:
Miller {from the bathroom, nearly every day}: I’m presenting youuuuuu...I'm presenting....a BIG poop!

Miller Musings #4:
Miller {seeing a van with stick figures on the back windshield}: I saw a car that had all the persons from Chef Mickey. But they didn’t have their stuffed hats on.

Miller Musings #5:
Miller: Mom, I’m a very scary animal. I’m a vampire bat. And these are my wings, so I can hug you. That’s my power, Mama. To hug people.

Miller Musings #6:
Piper {seeing the Country Bear Jamboree characters at Disney}: Well, I know those are just people dressed up as bears.
Miller: What if we meet a bear dressed as a guy!?!

Miller Musings #7:
Miller {carrying a lunchable and two stickers}: Mama I’m too heavy of stuff!

Miller Musings #8:
Miller {while eating}: Mom, do you know why I’m rubbing my belly like that? Because it’s so good.

Miller Musings #9:

Miller {trying to practice a somersault on the stairs}: I can't do a tall, small, roll lika ball on the steps.
Mama: No, it's not safe, is it?
Miller: Nope, it's because there are all these lumps, so I can't do it. 

Miller Musings #10:

Miller: Who’s God?
Mama: God’s the one who made us all. He’s the one we pray to and say thank you.
Miller: You mean the mailman?

Miller Musings #11:

 Miller {when he wakes up}: You know who wants to see me?! MOM DOES!!

--------------------------------- 

Dynamic Duo #1:
Fin: When you grow up you’re gonna be an old man. And you’ll have wrinkles and old hands.
Miller: No I won’t! I’m gonna be a big boy!

Dynamic Duo #2:

Fin {Showing me her nails}: That's my biter. And my nose picker.

Piper: Yeah, Pointer’s always the nose picker, because Thumb is too big. See? {unsuccessfully sticks her thumb up her nose}

Dynamic Duo #3:

Miller {looking at the artificial tree in our kitchen, after Christmas}: Why did we get a new tree?

Mama: We didn’t. I just redecorated it.

Piper: Most people don’t get to decorate for New Years. We’re so lucky!

Fin: It’s like a party in our house! 

P.s. If you want to fangirl over our chatterboxes, you can check out the last round...or the whole series of silliness.

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Operation: Corral the Chaos

One of my unofficial resolutions for this year (and every year, really) is: Get Rid of All of Our Junk or at Least Organize it, But Actually, Yes, We Should Probably Just Get Rid of All of It

Sound familiar? Yes...for me a need/desire to clear out the clutter has been pretty much constant since...well, probably forever. I'm repeatedly astounded by the amount of stuff we've amassed, and constantly overwhelmed by the need for a better organizational system. And though the abundance of things isn't new news around here, surely the issues have multiplied since we added three children to the mix (no, they actually have nothing to do with most of my pack-rat ways, but they sure do have hoards of their own, so I feel entitled to shift at least some of the blame on them,)

We've gone through all kinds of mini-cleanups over the years, Kon-Mari'ing a closet here and there, purging a pantry or clearing out the garage...But the battle I'm currently losing? Toys. OH the toys. They're everything, and everywhere. Under beds, under furniture, underfoot...

Unfortunately, I didn't take any official "before" shots, but I trust you can imagine what it looks like to have stuff pretty much in shambles. Just in case you need a reference though, here are some throwback pics of some babies that might have grown up way too fast (oh...with some toy nonsense in the background): 

(This gratuitous baby shot illustrates except for how dang cute he was...)

Ok, you get it. We had a bins of toys overflowing with big items shoved behind them, strollers "parked" willy-nilly, and a bin of balls housed in the living room because we'd run out of floor space in the playroom perimeter. Not shown, are my children's beds, which each held approximately 26.4 stuffed animals a piece,

We needed a solution.

The good news is, I had an idea. The space between the wall and the cabinets in our playroom was perfect for our two bins of toys, but we were wasting precious vertical real estate. I thought if we could do some sort of hanging storage, we could take advantage of that space, and free up more room below to shuffle the toys around a bit into a system that made a bit more sense, and allowed a bit more wiggle room in the actual room.

I scoured Pinterest, sure that they'd have the answer, but didn't find anything that matched my vision. I wanted a hammock, but not the traditional triangle net type that I kept finding. I needed something a bit more custom to fit the exact spot we were working with. In my head, I imagined a simple system with rods and fabric, to form a sling. I figured some tension rods and a piece of fabric would do the trick, so after a quick pillowcase prototype assured me this idea was just simple enough to work, I whipped up the read deal. And low and behold, it worked...So now I pass on to you my latest organizational pride and craft joy- a DIY toy hammock:

Genius, yes? 

Ok..if not genius at least satisfyingly effective, right?

Because we had already cleared out as many stuffed "friends" as possible, this holds the core group of BFF's that our kids just couldn't bear to part with. We still have spots in beds reserved for the very special lovies, but this is a spot for the rest of the menagerie. And with them out of the way (but low enough that the girls can still reach them to play, and maybe even put them away!) we had room in the bins below to devote to dolls and balls (and whatever else these kids choose to amass).

And the best part is that the how-to couldn't be easier.
It just requires two tension rods, and one piece of fabric. The size of your fabric will depend on your space, but from side to side, it should be about 1" longer than the width of your space (to allow for hemming on both sides). The depth will vary too, based on where you're placing it, but with our 15" deep bookshelf, 19" of fabric worked well to allow enough swag to form a "pocket" for the animals without being so deep that little guys got lost. Whatever your "depth" is, double that, so you can make it one continuous loop. (so my piece was 39" total- 19"x 2 with an extra inch for seam allowance).


Once you have your piece cut, fold it in half lengthwise, and sew together to form the loop. Then make a 1/2" hem on each end to finish it off. Slide the tension rods in, and fit them to your space, adjusting the placement as needed. Done!

You do need to make sure the tension rods are tight, so the weight from the toys doesn't cause them to slip (this is part of the reason we chose to store stuffed animals here vs. dolls or something heavier). If you wanted to, you could use regular dowel rods with cup-hook brackets on each end, but I liked that this was a flexible solution. We can keep it as long as it works, and adjust it if needed. We could also add one on the other side of the cabinet (and park strollers underneath), or even do another level above this one (for toys they don't need to access constantly, but still can't live without? For top-tier stuffies?)

I don't know that Shark Tank is going to be breaking down my door wanting to finance my display of ingenuity, but I was pumped that a half hour of work and about eight dollars in supplies (the quilt fabric stash keeps on giving!) lead to something that so dramatically improves the function of this space.

And one project tackled means we're one step closer to total organization domination. Or at least one step further from being buried alive by our own possessions. I call that a win. Now...on to the basement. See you all in 3 years...

P.s. Let me know if you attempt a version of your own. While I still work to get our place in order, I'd love to live vicariously through the clean spaces of others!

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What a trip

They say there's no such thing as a vacation with kids. Well, do you know who they are? Me. I am they. And hear me say to you: there's no such thing as a vacation with kids. 

We just got back from 4 days in Philly, and while I would call it many things (a trip, a visit, a whirlwind adventure!) a "vacation" would not be one of them. Because though it was actually quite lovely (in pockets...at times...) I'm fairly certain people sleep on vacations, so by that criterion alone, our weekend was disqualified. (I would argue that the true hallmarks of a vacation are returning tan, fat and happy...maybe even with a bead or two in your hair...but that seemed like an impossible dream at this point, so I was willing to set the bar low:  I would have settled for just fat. But alas, my kids wouldn't even let me hit the breakfast buffet in peace...)

So no. This weekend was most definitely not a vacation. But it was a trip. 

As with most endeavors these days- there was good, there was bad, and there was ugly. Sometimes all of them within a matter of minutes. There were points when I contemplated, seriously contemplated leaving at least one of the (screaming) children on the side of the road. But somehow, mercifully, there were just as many moments when I wanted to stop time and bottle up their exact essence right now because they're each just too perfect (and funny, and adorable) to comprehend. And then they'd scream some more and I'd be back to my plan of leaving them at the nearest service station to fend for themselves. You know. Just til they're 18 or so. (Don't worry...I'd never actually abandon my children. And if I did, it'd be at one of the really nice rest stops with an Auntie Ann's. I'm not a monster.) 

Traveling with kids is memory making on warp speed...it's highs and lows jammed back-to-back too fast to make much sense of them. You're laughing and crying, and yelling, and hugging, and when it's all over you look at each other and promise you'll never do this again, simultaneously knowing you absolutely will. It is yin and yang. Bitter and oh so sweet. 

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Catching chicken nugget throw-up in a towel, confirming our suspicions that yes, Fin does indeed get carsick. 

Glimpsing in the rear view mirror to see sisters sharing their toys and helping calm down their baby brother. (and maaaaaaybe taking a Dramamine induced nap).

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Turning a 4.5 hour trip into 6, due primarily to the longest rest-stop lunch in history, inclusive of one water bottle related tantrum, and no less than four separate bathroom trips. 

Catching up with old friends, chatting, laughing, and staying up way past our old-lady bedtimes. 

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"Sleeping" sandwiched between two little bodies, striving to keep everyone quiet enough to avoid waking the baby before the sunrise. 

Organizing glee-filled races to press the "excavator!" button (again, and again).

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Nursing a sick baby at 2pm, while my lunch sits juuuuuust out of reach. 

Getting snotty, but heart meltingly sweet snuggles from the fever-stricken baby. 

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Seeing the clock strike 11pm, and 2am, and 6am (and maybe a couple hours in between).

Watching Piper swim a lap around the entire pool by herself (with a little help from her floaties). 

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Running out of discipline options at bedtime, putting Fin in the bathroom for (yet another) time out. 

Laying next to her afterwards to try to talk about being a better listener, and having her rub my arm with her jelly's ears as a silent form of apology.

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Packing everything we could possibly need for an day spent a family's house, and realizing we didn't 
bring a pack and play for naps, and oh...we're also out of diapers.

Watching Dustin's family embrace the girls and seeing them play with their cousins like they've known them forever. 

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Accidentally bringing up religion and politics, in one very ill-conceived attempt at conversation.

Holding hands with the girls after a long day, telling them, "I love you little people.", and hearing Fin, with all the sincerity in the world reply, "I love you too, Mom. And you love me. And I love you too."

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I could go on forever, highlighting tiny snippets I never want to forget (mismatched flip flops, unbridled enthusiasm over Fruit Loops, searching for duck logos on every hotel surface), and mini-nightmares I'm thankful are already fading from my mind (the whining. oh the whining. SO MUCH whining). This weekend was the full spectrum:  the absolute worst...the holding puke in your hands, strung out to your wit's end with complaining, bleary-eyed exhaustion, worst. And the absolute best...the childlike wonder, heart might burst, memories for a lifetime best.

It wasn't a vacation. But it was a trip. 

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Best songs for little ears (with big opinions)

For the last year or so, every car ride taken with Piper starts with two little demanding words: "MY MUSIC!" It's typically quickly followed with the nicer version (usually/always prompted by us...): "We listen to my music please?" And so we oblige, and crank up "ToDleR Jamzzzz" (ok. Just a kids themed Pandora station.

How did we get here? I ask myself.

Before I had kids....well actually....before I had a 2.5 year old, I sat firmly on my high horse of parental control. I didn't see any reason that having kids meant succumbing to kiddie music. A friend of mine told me every car ride with her family was met with the demand for "Julia Music"! What in the world is Julia music? I inquired. Duh. It's what their 3 yr old, Julia, calls kids songs. I scoffed, thinking (and probably saying, because I have no sense of when to keep my mouth shut) Well that will never be me. We listen to what we want. Piper doesn't have to even know about kids music. She'll just learn to love what we love. Kids shouldn't run the show, you just have to be smart about what you expose them to...

Um. Wrong.

We try to play "good" (our opinion anyway) music for the kids....But toddlers are smarter than I imagined. Somehow they know. They just intrinsically know about kids music. Piper heard it at school, or on a show, or at church...And she knows the difference between these little ditties, and the stuff we tried to raise her on. We've tried to expand her tastes, and take turns with radio controls, but
she knows what she wants. And she wants peppy, catchy, and made just for her (regardless if it makes my ears bleed). And I don't mean to paint myself as some musical purist, or a hipster tastemaker...I pretty much jam on some top 40 and various other guilty pleasures. But even to my pop-lovin' ears, kids music can be pretty painful. (And don't get me started on recordings of actual kids singing. I know it's supposed to be precious and irresistible...But I just can't tolerate it. I mean...unless it's this adorableness.)

So all that to say...We're on the hunt for some tolerable music geared towards kids. And thankfully...we've found some stuff we can work with...or even enjoy. And just in case you've found yourself in the same rockin' boat  mini-van, I thought I'd share some of our favorites: 

We started a toddler station on Pandora...Every song isn't a guaranteed winner, and it's still fairly repetitive, but we're working on it, and it's getting better. From a few song seeds, we've discovered all the above albums, and have at least a short list of our favs: 

Give a Little Bit by Renee & Jeremy
So hipster. So good.

A Place in the Choir by Terri Hendrix
Like riding Splash Mountain in heaven. Love.

Willoughby Wallaby Woo by Raffi
Raffi is like the Elvis/Beatles/Jesus of children's folk songs. Plus the song has names that rhyme with Dustin and Fin, so we're all in.

Three Little Ducks by Julie Frost
We teasingly mock how she oversings on this one, but she's still so obviously talented, and the style isn't refreshingly not cheesy.

This Little Light of Mine by Elizabeth Michell
Such a beautiful version of a classic. Love her voice.

Goodnight by Laurie Berkner
If you have kids, you know about Laurie Berkner. Fact. (or it is now...) Her stuff is a little cliche at times, but this song is just the sweetest, and has become part of our bedtime routine (with Piper yelling out other animal suggestions for new verses...anything to postpone actual sleeping). 

If All of the Raindrops by Laura Doherty
This song just makes me happy. So very happy. 

All I Want is You by The Vespers
Also so hipster. Also so good.

Shortnin' Bread by Caspar Babypants
A million kids songs. All with adorable album cover art. 

So that's what I know...But really I want to hear from you! What should we be listening to? What artists have you discovered who bridge the toddler/adult music gap? Do you have tips on getting your kids to listen to non-terrible stuff?

P.s. Check out my actual favorite kid's album, or read about how I'm so not a lyrical genius.
Oh- and we're working on another station specifically for lullabyes, which you can listen to here. It's pretty much 98% songs by The Piano Guys, and I'm ok with that.

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