Not so merry and bright?

Opa took Nemesia out on a walk. As they were returning home, he said, "When we get back, you have to take a nap."

"But, it's Christmas!" she retorted, flabbergasted by his insensitivity on such an important holiday.

Accurate analysis of today's youth.

Auntie Kelsey: I'm going to Macaroni Grill to have dinner with my small group.

Mommy: Nemesia, you could fit in with Auntie Kelsey's small group, right? What do teenagers say?

Nemesia: Talk talk talk!

Nemesia: I want to go to Auntie Kelsey's small group to eat pasta!

Heartbreaker.

I was hanging out with Auntie Kelsey this morning in her room, when I spied Ni under the bed! I knew I could pet him if I just got close enough, so I scooted under there. Right when he was within reach, he leaped out and ran somewhere else! I wouldn't let myself get discouraged, though. I got out from under the bed and ran to his new hiding place under one of Auntie Kelsey's chairs.

"Wait, Ni, don't go," I pleaded. But that elusive kitty ran away yet again.

When Nemesia's Gets Older #217

"When Nemesia gets older Nemesia eat candy canes!!!"

Good Guys and Bad Guys

Opa began to give Nemesia a shower this evening, and as he washed her hair she looked up at him inquisitively and asked, "Are you a good guy?"

"What's a good guy?" Opa replied.

"Batman is a good guy." Nemesia states.

Quick thinker.

Mommy put me down for my afternoon nap, but I wasn't really that tired, so I climbed out of the crib and brought all of my stuffed animal friends with me. I was just about to leave the bedroom when Auntie Kelsey came over and poked her head in the door. I quickly flopped down on the floor and buried my head in my animals.

"Nemesia... what are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm supposed to be sleeping," I replied, matter-of-factly.

"Do you want to sleep in your crib?" Auntie Kelsey asked.

"Yes," I said, since I didn't really have any other choice. Gah! Foiled again.

Scenes From the Lives of Two-Year-Olds

Energy
"Eeeeeeee!!!!!!" Three voices rise in a chorus of delight as the twins, Ashley and Brooke, and Nemesia run amok, circling the kitchen island. Nemesia stops in mid-run, stoops down, and accessorizes. A moment later, she rejoins the fray with a bracelet and a purse in hand, because they are necessary to all fun.



Revealing Character
Ashley and Brooke are running around the house like hyperactive puppies when all of a sudden, bam! Ashley is on the floor, crying hysterically. Nemesia looks up momentarily, notices that an adult is coming to the rescue, and promptly returns to her toy, presumably thinking, "C'est la vie!"


Warriors
Laina and Justin come running down the stairs, with cloth tied around their heads and knotted in the back, each carrying a bamboo pole with supplies in bags tied on the ends.

"We're warriors!" exclaims Justin excitedly.

"We must climb up the mountain!" proclaims Laina as the pair run through the kitchen.

Nemesia is following closely and squealing, "Nemesia climb up the mountain too!", all the while toting a pink purse and a teacup.

A few minutes later, the duo becomes a trio and Nemesia is in warrior garb.

"Warrior Bear, Warrior Cat is running away," Justin (a.k.a. Warrior Dog) informs Laina.

"We...must...climb... the mountain!!" yells Nemesia/Warrior Cat.



Professions of Love
Everyone is sitting at the dining table enjoying dinner. Justin (five years old) and Nemesia (2.5 years old) are sitting next to one another, when Justin realizes that he has a confession to make.

"I have been waiting for days and days to see you," says Justin sheepishly to Nemesia.
Nemesia's voice drips with earnest sweetness as she replies, "I've been waiting days and days too."



Goodbyes
Nemesia is running around saying, "Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!!!" and giving everyone goodbye hugs. It is only after Justin and the twins are already out the door that Nemesia realizes she forgot something.

"Wait, wait! I haven't given Justin a kiss!" yelled Nemesia, distraught. She insists that Mommy take her outside, so Auntie Kelsey wraps a blanket around Nemesia as her Mommy heads out with her. Nemesia tells Justin that she forgot to kiss him. His response is one of immediate disgust.

"Ew!" he replies.

Nemesia doesn't know what to do, so she leans as close as possible, purses her lips, and goes "Mwah!", while Justin leans as far away as his car seat will allow.

"Goodbye Justin! Goodnight!" says Nemesia.

saving Albertson's

At church.

Today we went to church! It was so great because we got to ride a space shuttle. Once we arrived, it was a bit of a let-down, since there were just a bunch of tall people walking around with coffee. Then, Mommy and Opa took me to the two-year-olds' room. I practically jumped out of my boots from the excitement of it all! There were toys everywhere, organized in colored bins.

"Nemesia play with the toys? Please?" I asked politely. Evidently, I had to be labeled first. But then, freedom! The door was swung wide open, and I almost hyperventilated due to the many options within my wee grasp. Not very far away was a small slide. It captivated my attention, and it was all I could do not to trample the children in my way to get to it.

About an hour later, Mommy and Opa came back for me. I excitedly told Mommy about how I was building the Taj Mahal with my Legos, but I'm not sure if she understood me. Yay for Legos!

last breakfast

Mommy, Daddy, and I went to Victor's 1959 Cafe for brunch today as a family since Mommy and I will be flying out to San Diego tomorrow!

winter wonderland

flying in the snow

Mugging, a family business

Look out, Speed Racer!

When I was little, I used to say, "When I get older I'm going to drive a RACE CAR!!"

I must be older, because here I am, driving one of those speed demons! How wonderful are the privileges of age.

You know it's passion when it's more important than Target.

I love to play the piano! Daddy asked me if I wanted to go to Target, but I said no, because I wanted to make sweet music! Ah, the feeling of the keys under my wee fingers. Now if only my feet could reach the pedals...

lil' gardner

keeping busy inside

outside with Grandad and Daddy

flying with Daddy to Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hair. (Not the musical, the actual stuff on one's head)

I got my first haircut today. Mommy made a big deal about everything. She picked a haircutting place that was especially for kids like me, and she brought along the camera. I was genuinely worried that she was going to cry. I couldn't articulate my concern to her, but if I could have, it would have sounded something like this: "Mother, I am perfectly capable of sitting in a chair and allowing a lady to snip off my chestnut curls. You musn't worry about me, and it really is not an indication that I am growing up, so there is no need for misty eyes."

The lady was very nice, and she let me choose two hair-bands for my pigtails. I chose a really pretty blue one, and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to find another that matched. Thankfully, there was one at the bottom, so I fished it out. The lady was impressed because I chose two hair-bands of the same color. I was confused by her reaction, though. After all, aren't they supposed to match? Who in their right mind would choose a blue hair-band and a green hair-band? Or, Sophie forbid, a pink hair-band and a blue hair-band?! I cringe at the thought.

Top-notch vocabulary education.

I learned a new phrase today! I heard it from one of those "Bee Movie" toys that talks when you squeeze it. The bee said, "That's a little weird!" Mommy told me that it was Serry Jeinfeld's voice, or something like that.

Later on, Daddy said something funny. I couldn't help but laugh. Then I said, "Daddy, that's a little weird." Mommy's face scrunched up they way it does when she's trying not to laugh. Heehee! I guess I'm just hilarious or something!

Care Bears!

Today Daddy and I went to the laundromat. We were there for FOUR HOURS. Talk about a lot of clothes. The thing is, Mommy and I need to have variety! Daddy just wears grey.

So, there were lots of little boys and girls there, and I made sure to introduce myself to every single one. They were all very nice, but there was one little boy in particular to whom I became quite attached. We talked and played together. In the laundromat, there was one of those toy dispensers. Inside, I saw this wonderfully adorable pink Care Bear! I repeatedly exclaimed, "I like that one!" until the little boy realized what I was hinting at. He must have been enthralled by my cuteness, because he went to his mother multiple times to acquire enough quarters to get the pink Care Bear. Needless to say, I was quite impressed. We didn't end up getting the pink Care Bear, but out of the six toys we purchased, the little boy gave me a blue and a green Care Bear.

I also played with a baby. She was in a rolling baby chair, and she looked so bored! I just had to do something to get rid of the tedium. Then, I had this fabulous idea. I grabbed onto the back of her rolling baby chair and pushed her at high speeds through the laundromat. It was so exciting, and exceedingly diverting.

Poor Daddy. He didn't have anyone to play with.

Congratulations!

Nemesia crawls into the bed where Mommy and Daddy are sharing morning cuddles. She flings herself down in what might otherwise be considered a full body slam, her arms opened wide to hug Daddy.

"Good morning, Nemesia!" Mommy says.

Daddy mumbles an incoherent greeting.

Nemesia leans over and kisses Mommy, who is both taken and delighted by her daughter's show of affection. Noting her mother's sudden happiness Nemesia leans down and kisses her again.

"Congratulations!!!" She says to Mommy as she pulls back, her hands held up high in celebration.

So little time!

Tonight after Daddy had brushed his teeth to get ready for bed he came out of the bathroom, turned out the light, and noticed that the light in my room was on. Curious, he came in, but I wasn't in my bed. Ha! I fooled him!

Unfortunately, my hiding place behind the rocking chair was not concealed enough, because he found, me reading my books, within two seconds of discovering that I was missing. He was surprised that I was awake, considering that it was quite late at night. Even though I was very, very tired, I just had to stay up a little bit more. There are so many books in the world, and I only have so much time to read them! I can't wait until I can choose my own bedtime.

"Nemesia take your picture?"

Nemesia runs up to Mommy, her hands on either side of her face with her thumb and index fingers positioned in the shape of circles across her eyes, "Nemesia take your picture?"

Mommy gives a little nod and Nemesia, with the brightest of smiles, snaps her fingers open and closed with a little "Chht" sound.

Leopards abound, or the release of Mac OS X

Daddy dressed me up as a leopard, because that's what the new op-er-a-ting system is called. We went to the Apple Store together, and everyone there took pictures of Daddy and me with their iPhones - how silly! Later Daddy said that my picture was shown at one of the regional Apple meetings... I'm not entirely sure what that means but Daddy seemed very proud.

success on the potty

presents for Daddy

Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat

Halloween party!

Mommy and Nemesia are driving to a Halloween party! Nemesia is in her Curious George outfit, Daddy will be the Man in the Yellow Hat, and Mommy is Miss Maggie. In the back seat...

Nemesia: What's that noise?
Nemesia as her stuffed toy George: It's the stroller.
Nemesia: That's right, George!

How imaginative.

Question? What question?

Mommy: Joseph, Batman could beat Samurai Jack any day.
Daddy: No! Samurai Jack has amazing samurai powers! He is far superior to Batman.

(Mommy glares at Daddy)

Mommy: Fine, let's ask Nemesia.
Daddy: Fine.

(Nemesia is laying on the changing table)

Mommy: Nemesia, who is better, Batman or Samurai Jack?
Nemesia: Um...

(Mommy mouths "Batman" behind Daddy's back)

Nemesia: Um, can Nemesia eat cheese, please?
Daddy: First, answer the question - Batman or Samurai Jack?

(Mommy mouths "Batman" more frantically)

Nemesia: Um, can Nemesia read a book?
Daddy: Okay.

(Mommy and Daddy have been foiled by Nemesia's superior evasion tactics!)

coloring

Nemesia finishes coloring a picture from her Disney Princess's 'Wonderful Princess World' book and says proudly, "Its beautiful! Its *gorgeous*!"

"imagination is more important than knowledge"

Nemesia wanders into the living room holding her screwdriver in hand, licking the top of the handle.

"Nemesia, what are you doing?"

"Nemesia's pretending to eat ice cream!"

a little later...

Scooting along with one foot atop a plastic bin cover that she shuffles across the carpet Nemesia turns to her mother and says, "I'll be back in one moment... Nemesia's pretending to skateboard..."

and a little later than that...

Nemesia waddles into the kitchen as her mother is found washing dishes, the same plastic bin cover tucked between her legs. Noting her mother's curious gaze she answers without having been asked, "Nemesia's pretending to ride a bicycle..."

today's reading requests

Halloween preview

I'm a monkey! I'm George!