Last year when Chris went to Africa he brought home elephant souvenirs.  Four cute little black elephants that were actually made in Africa.  Small note, the souvenirs from Paris were made in China.  Anyway, since that was probalby the only time in his life he will be going, not so easily replaced.  Needless to say, Aftin loves taking them off the shelf and playing with them.  She has been told more than a lot not to play with them because they are slowly breaking.  The other day, I said they had to stay on the shelf.  Then I found her...

She found "boxes" that she could climb up to reach the elephants and play with them on the shelf.  I guess at that moment I didn't tell her not to play with them, they just had to stay on the self.  I guess she obeyed and kept them on the shelf...

just another day's work

When I hear Aftin say "mom, the babies made a mess" it cannot be a good thing.  So I brought the camera and found this.

caught in the act and the attempted get away

 trying to play the innocent bystander just stacking her cans



notice, once caught, laci tries to put the cereal back

This was the first time Laci and Paige reached and pulled something off the tabel.  This is the last time I left breakfast out.  Seriously, just another day's work!

So what is the right age for a Barbie?

This is exactly what it looks like, a TWO year old with a barbie doll.  Her very first and her very own.  What isn't exactly as clear is the smug little smirk on this little girl's face.  I have a feeling she knew from the very beginning what she was doing.  After many, many trips to the toy department, she had it picked out, planned out, and soon to be carried out.  She knew mom and dad always veered her in the opposite direction down Barbie Doll Aisle, she knew that 2 year olds don't get Barbie Dolls and 3 isn't old enough either, maybe not even 4 or 5 at our house, but little did mom and dad know...

There is a beginning to the story, a very long beginning, which will be skipped. Just know, potty training and Aftin and mom not a good subject and will hopefully one day be erased from memory.  We were finally able to settle on a beautiful, pink potty.  We had it down.  It was down so good that loading it up in the Sienna for excursions was all too convenient and NORMAL!  No, that's not normal.  It shouldn't be anyway.  I have to say it, I have a little too much patience for Aftin.  One day, that patience ended.  Basically imagine the worst thing that could happen did happen, and don't settle on a small incident.  It was huge!  So huge that the beautiful, pink potty was retired for an equally beautiful Dora Toilet seat and a new battle ensued.  Battle?  Excuse me, Raging Battle.  I was yelled at, beat up and greatly disliked because pink potty was no longer available.  Aftin HAD to sit on the Big potty.  And she didn't.  Pink potty came out of retiremnt.  She was winning.  All too vivid memories kept me determined.  One day Aftin and I found ourselves once again in the toy department and there it was.  The most beautiful cupcake Barbie we had ever seen.  So beautiful it left Aftin speechless and motionless.  She had to have it.  I had to have her sit on the big toilet.  "Aftin, if you go home and go potty on the big toilet we will come right back and buy this Barbie for you."  This little girl, who I could NOT bribe with ANYTHING marched right out the store, went right home, and sat on the big toilet and did her business.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!  So we got back in the car, drove right back to the store and bought the Barbie.