TDY Day 30: It's all downhill from here

Well, the girls and I have made it to the halfway point. One month down, one to go.

The good news is that a second surge of reinforcements have arrived (in the form of Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Colin), so we should be in good shape for a couple weeks.

Maybe having additional help will allow me more time to spend on the girls' hairstyles (though the 1980s sideways pony tail was a specific request by Lily).

TDY Day 24: Secret recipe

While I was making dinner, two elves began pilfering items from the lower kitchen cabinets. This is what I found when I went to investigate:

In case you're wondering, they were making strawberry cake. Wait, no, lemon cake. (Whatever flavor, you can be sure it wasn't chocolate.)

TDY Day 22: She's just saying

After Amalia went down, Lily and I spent the evening playing card games and watching the Olympics.

Watching the two-man bobsleds:

• Me: Look at how they run and jump into the sleds. Why do you think the second guy puts his head down?
• Lily: Maybe he's afraid.

Lily setting up the Memory Match card game (laying out all the cards on the table):

• Me: You're going to have to move that paper to make room for the cards.
• Lily: You don't have to freak out.
• Me: I'm not freaking out. I'm just saying you'll need to move the paper.
• Lily: You're totally freaking out.

TDY Day 21: To each her own

Well, it was a lovely week with my mother in town. Now it's back to a few more days of girl time until Andy's parents arrive next Friday.

Amalia bundling up indoors with her mittens and my mother's headband.

Lily calls these her Spidergirl glasses. They're from yesterday's Pre-K Valentine's Day/Mardi Gras party. (Pay no attention to the piles of recyclables overflowing in the background -- there's still too much snow in our alley for trash pick-up. Maybe next week.)

And finally, overheard this evening just after Amalia got hold of Lily's Go Fish card game, ripping the box and the instructions and spewing cards all over the dining room:

"You're too much, Amalia. I still love you, but you're really too much."

I wonder where Lily gets such language.

TDY Day 18: Grandma Sitter

Things are somewhat returning to normal. Today was Lily's first day back at school after a 10-day unscheduled vacation courtesy of Snowmageddon 2010. And I was never so happy to be back at work. Grandma Carol stayed home with Amalia.

The never-ending joy that is Hide and Seek. This time, Grandma was the seeker.

Amalia leaving a clue as to her whereabouts.

Here I am!

And this is what Amalia looks like after a day with Grandma.

No, we had not just rubbed her head with a balloon.

TDY Day 16: We be bobsleddin' man

Now that my mother is in town, there is someone who can take pictures of the girls enjoying the snow without my having to stop and think to do it. (Not to mention having to take my gloves on and off.)

Her visit also means that I can take one girl on the saucer at a time without leaving the other child to her own devices.

Criss-cross applesauce.

Uphill both ways.

Amalia's turn.

I don't think Amalia knew what to make of the snowman (we can't take credit for him -- he was already at the dog park where we went sledding).

Lily gettin' chummy with Frosty.

Building a snow divot.

TDY Day 14: Reinforcements have arrived

Grandma Carol flew in yesterday, much to my relief and the girls' delight. Below are some pictures she took during a walk with Amalia and Lily. And then one I took of her playing Princess Old Maid with Lily. Is this what they mean by respite care?