Halloween planning

ML: Mommy, what are you gonna wear for Halloween?

Me, cringing because I hate dressing up: Um . . . I don't know. I don't really have any ideas for a costume.

ML: I have an idea!! You can be a turtle!

Me: A turtle! That's a good idea.

ML: And Daddy can be a kangaroo!!!

* * * * * *

I have no idea where she comes up with this stuff, but I loveloveLOVE it.

Music and lyrics by Mary Lawton

This morning Mary Lawton made up her first song. We were in the car, and I could kick myself for not pulling over to record it. It was a nice little tune.

How do we get to the farmy farm?
How do we get to the farmy farm?
How do we get to the farmy farm?
[repeat]

I love this kid.

Marching band

In the car on the drive home from work/school: "Mommy, when we get home I'm going outside to do marching band and you're going to take my picture."

And that's just what happened, except Daddy took the pictures.

Curious

Recent questions from the short person:

Can dogs eat grass?

Can dogs eat leaves?

Can dogs eat napkins?

Do ducks have toes?

Car conversations

Continuing the series, although this wasn't really a conversation--just an observation by my girl as a commuter train passed us.

ML: When I was boing, we rode the Martha train.

Translation: When I was born, we rode the Marta train.

More translation: When you were pregnant with me, we rode Marta every day.

Full of suggestions

Lately Mary Lawton's thing is to preface everything with "maybe." "Maybe I'll wear my pink shoes." "Maybe I'll have milk." This was today's morning chat over breakfast.

ML: I want some more French toast.

Me: The French toast is all gone. We don't even have any bread that I can use to make more French toast.

ML: Maybe you can buy some more at Publix.

Me: [biting cheeks] That's a good idea. I can buy more bread at Publix.

ML: Maybe I can go with you.

Me: [trying to contain laughter] That would be fun. You do like going to Publix.

ML: Maybe I'll wear panties.

Me: [not even trying] Maybe you will.

Car conversations

Continuing the series . . .

ML: What's that, Mommy?

Me: A garbage truck.

ML: It's not a garbage truck!

Me: It's not? What is it?

ML: A dump truck.

Me: Ok.

ML: It's not a dump truck! It's a garbage truck!

Another story

A story she told me on our ride home yesterday.

Mary Lawton: I rode the bus to school.

Me: Oh, you rode the bus to school. What color was the bus?

ML: Pink.

Me: Who drove the bus?

ML: Daddy.

Me: Were any of your friends on the bus?

ML: Eleanor, Devon, and Gavin.

Storyteller

Saturday, May 7, 2011, at the breakfast table:

ML: I saw a baby!

Me: You saw a baby? Where did you see a baby?

ML: In the sky!

Me: Wow! In the sky? What was the baby doing in the sky?

ML: Flying!

Me: You saw a baby flying in the sky? That's amazing. What was the flying baby wearing?

ML: Pink!

Me: Where was the baby going?

ML: I don't know.

Car conversations

The series continues...

ML [digging in her ear with her index finger]: I got somethin' in my ear. I get it out with my finger.

Me: What is it? Wax?

ML: No. It's pancakes.

Car conversations

The series continues...

[We were without electricity for about 32 hours after the storms earlier this week. This was on the ride home the day power was restored.]

Me: Guess what? They moved the tree out of the road and fixed the power. The lights are back on at our house.

ML: And the TV!!!


um...maybe somebody's parents need to limit her tv time a little more.

I love this kid.

Said this morning, just over 2 weeks before she turns 2 years old:

"I have a boogah in my nose, Mommy."

Car conversations

The series continues . . .

ML: Mommy, wus dat?

Me: That's a car dealership. They sell cars. If you have enough money, you can buy a new car. Do you have any money?

ML: No. [pauses, thinking.] I have yipstick.

Not even 2 going on 22

Mary Lawton knows our names and lately is referring to us by our names. Things like: "Hey, Jiffer. How you doing? You ok?" A couple of weeks ago all 3 of us were at Target, and Mary Lawton was off with her daddy. I heard a familiar little voice calling, "Jiiiifuuuur! Jiiiifuuuur! Weh ah you? Jiiiifuuur! Weh ah you?" I was sure Sweet LJ put her up to it, but he promised he didn't.

Yesterday she said to her daddy: "Hey, boy. Hey, how you doing?"

Car conversations

Part 4 in the series . . .

The scene: Pulling out of a gas station on the way to work/school

ML: Dow! Dansee!!

Me: You see a cow dancing? Where?

ML: Church.

Car conversations

Part 3 in the series...

The scene: Passing the turn off that we take once a week to go out for a pizza dinner.

ML, in a singsong voice: da uddah way! da uddah way!
Me: What happens if we go the other way? What will be there?
ML: Pizza.

Car conversations

Part 2 in the series...

Tuesday, September 21
The scene: Mary Lawton and I are in the car driving away from daycare.
Me: We're going home now.
ML: No home!
Me: You don't want to go home?
ML: No.
Me: Where do you want to go?
ML: da uddah way

Car conversations

I've been enjoying the conversations Mary Lawton and I have had on our drives home lately.

Tuesday, August 10
Me, noticing that Mary Lawton has taken off one of her shoes. She has only done this once or twice, ever: Did you take off your shoe?
ML: Yes.
Me: Can you put it back on?
ML: No.
Wednesday, August 11
ML, said in a sad voice: Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daaaaaddeeeeeee, etc.
Me: Where's Daddy?
ML, after thinking for a minute: Home.

Thursday, August 12
Me: What's your name?
ML: [points to self]
Me: Is your name Mary Lawton?
ML: No.
Me: Is your name Shorty?
ML: Yes.