"Danger" is my middle name

Nora has taken to doing things like try to stand on top of the rocking trike she got for Christmas, while shouting "Look-a me!  Look-a me!"  Between them, I think our children are hoping we'll be on a first name basis with every physician at the local Children's ER.

In cuter news, Nora does a pretty good job of parroting both letters and numbers, getting a few in the right order all on her own.

Addy's latest goings on include settling in to a summer routine, which, for some reason it doesn't include sleeping in.  Lots of walking, lots of "Frozen," lots of plans for going to the beach.

"I plead the 5th"

Scene: In the car on the way home from school.

Miss C: How was school Addy?

Addy: It was good!

Miss C: How did you do with your lunch?  Did you eat all of your sandwich?  

Addy: Uhm... I think it would be better if you check my lunchbox when we get home.  

Perspective

Addy has been all about walking lately.  Walking around the house, walking to the car, while we're at church or shopping or grabbing a bite to eat, etc.  Last week was no exception.  We had gone out for dinner and she was quite determined to walk out to the car, then at the restaurant, back to the car, and from the car to the house when we got home.  We were, as you can imagine, happy to indulge her request.

We were walking (very slowly) back to the house after we got home from our adventure last week, Addy with her bright pink crutches and crazy bright knee splint, when a neighbor we've never met before walked past with his dog.  (We were walking right by the house, he was about 20 feet away near the street.)  He sees the situation and calls out to us "Well, that doesn't look very fun!" and keeps on walking.

First off, that's kind of an awkward first (and only) comment to make to a stranger and not a very friendly first impression to make to a neighbor.  If you're going to be an anonymous neighbor, at least be silent and anonymous.  Second off, she's smiling and has hot pink crutches.  Think for 2 seconds about the situation and I'm pretty sure you'll realize that she thinks she's having fun and this isn't just some temporary thing like a broken leg.  Third, even if she had broken her leg, which is about the only thing I can think of for him to assume, don't try to discourage her by telling her she isn't having fun.  Pardon my French, mais cela ne fait que vous regardez comme un âne.

What I wanted to retort back was a rather expletive-filled rant, blaming him and his ignorant attitude for the poor treatment of disabled people by our society and holding him personally responsible for perpetuating the situation.  The kind of thing that would put him to shame and make him beg for Addy's forgiveness and lead him to become a vocal advocate for disabled people everywhere.  Alas, I was unprepared to deliver such a tongue lashing.  Instead I turned to Addy and said, "What do you think?  Are you having fun?"  She looked up at me and grinned. "Of course I am!  I love walking!"

Quotable kid

[Scene: the breakfast table at the end of a long week that was short on sleep]

Addy: Mama, how are you feeling today?

Mama: I'm doing pretty good today, Sweetie.

Addy: I'm so glad.  I wanted to make sure you were having a good day today.

[Scene: the parking lot of WalMart]

Daddy: When you get tired from walking in the store, would you rather have your wheelchair or would you rather ride in a cart?

Addy: Uh, I'm not gonna get tired.

[Scene: the dinner table, after dinner]

Addy: I'm done with dinner.  Can we play?

Mama: I suppose we could play for a little bit.  What do you want to play?

Addy: How about Bear Toss?

Mama: Bear Toss?  How do you play that?

Addy: Well, first you get a bear.  Then you throw it.  That's what "toss" means.

Efficiency

Nora's latest trick is that when she wants to throw a fit, but doesn't want to put all the effort into actually getting upset and making tears, she will whine about whatever is upsetting her, point at her eyes, and say, "Eyes cryin'!"  Kind of a "Just use your imagination and pretend like I'm truly upset.  You can picture it, right?"