March and Michael Jackson

We also hit Odysseo and visited the horses

So March ended up being the weekend of field trips, all of them containing moments we will look back on and laugh...but at the time left Chris and I wondering "Is this REALLY happening?"

The first of these happened at Experience Music Project.  They had a Lego show going on that we
thought the kids would really enjoy, and they did....for about 5 minutes.  After that we wandered the museum and happened to be passing by Sky Church when Michael Jackson's Thriller video came on.  Lily was *very* insistent on staying and in a fit of nostalgia we agreed, found a spot, and hunkered down.  I clearly remember when Thriller came out - it was a huge deal, but not at all scary to me (and I was a *very* easily frightened kid) - but seeing it with Lily it suddenly seemed a whole lot more terrifying.  A few minutes in she was clearly freaked out, so we scooped her up along with Matteo (oblivious) and headed out.  For the rest of the weekend, every time she needed to use the bathroom she made up some excuse why she needed me to go with her (can't reach the toilet paper, had a question for me, etc).  Finally I asked her to tell me the truth - why didn't she want to go to the bathroom alone?  The emphatic, teary reply:  "I'm scared of Michael Jackson!"  Maybe it makes us terrible parents, but it took *everything* Chris and I had not to burst out laughing.  Not at her fear, mind you, but the statement itself.  Wow, never thought I'd hear that one.

When not upset about fries, Matteo built
some impressive structures

The next weekend we decided to go to Bainbridge for lunch and a visit to their Children's Museum.
Despite the terrible rain it was shaping up to be a good day - the kids loved the ferry, Chris found a primo parking spot, and were quickly seated at our favorite restaurant.  Then disaster struck.  Matteo was clearly getting tired and needed something to eat, but when his fries arrived, he decided he wasn't interested.  I decided to show him how delicious they were and ate one.  Mistake.  BIG MISTAKE.  For the next 30 minutes he expressed his horror and indignation: "Mama did it...she ate my fry...I want my fry back!!!!" and on and on.  People stared, Matteo cried, I was a monstrous villain and fry thief.  I would have done just about anything to make it right, but there was no way I could give that fry back, much less in its original condition.  A trip to the toy store and Children's Museum eventually snapped him out if it, the incident will forever be known as "Fry-gate" and there are now strict rules in place regarding eating Matteo's food unless offered by Matteo.  Very strict rules.

Lily at Seattle Playdate.  That outing was
too traumatizing for me to write about.
Avoid if remotely germo- or claustrophobic.

The next weekend was the Preschool Prom fundraiser - always a hit with the kiddos.  That event was tear-free, but could have ended badly.  It was the end of the event and Chris had gone to pull the car around (again, torrential rain) while I paid for our auction items.  I realized Matteo was wandering waaaay down the hall, so I enlisted Lily's help, asking her to "drag her brother back here."  Again, big mistake.  I looked down the hall a moment later and I see Matteo lying on the ground, Lily hunched over, grasping a limb as she dragged him down the hall.  I can't really fault her for listening to me and doing as I asked....just wish it hadn't been so....literal.

This month they've also added a few new quirks.  For Matteo this means his new affinity for walking with his hands in his pockets, staring at the ground when he is told he cannot have something.  I have no idea where that came from, but it sure is sad/cute.  James Dean has nothing on this brooding boy.  For picky Lily it is a newfound appreciation for spinach.  I sautéed some up for dinner, and to my shock she tried some "leaves" before we sat down, came back for seconds, ate more at dinner, then asked for some "yummy leaves" as a bedtime snack.  Dang.  I really, truly hope this is something that sticks.  And finally there was the medal.  Chris and I have always been against getting "participation" awards and feel like kids should earn trophies, not expect them simply for showing up.  Lily's gymnastics school did just that - they handed out medals to all the kids at the end of this

Unrelated to field trips - check out the cute
napkins Chris draws for Lily

session.  Lily looked at is quizzically, asked me what it was for, realized everyone got one, and lost all enthusiasm for it.  Chris and I didn't say anything - she came to her own conclusion and informed Chris when she got home that "it wasn't for anything" and wasn't a "real" medal.  I was delighted - I want her to always value her achievements and not expect kudos simply for turning up.  Without prompting, I think she feels the same.

And of course in the midst of this are the funny things they had to say:

Matteo: "Turn down music....it hurts my ears!"
Beyond ironic as he yells 90% of what he says

Chris: Do you know how much daddy loves you?
Matteo: More binkies please!

Me: No more scary stories, they frighten you too much
Lily: It's a phase

And to wrap up it - picks from the Children's Museum - the first and perhaps last time they will willingly pose together: