Fathers

(UGH. I can't get this picture to rotate!)

 Happy Father's Day to the man who set the gold standard for fathers.

And also, the one who showed me he could live up to it.

Conversations with a Toddler

Me: We're going to have to pick up some of those sticks that blew off the tree tomorrow.
Aubrey: Yeah. We have to pick up sticks. But Grandma can't pick up sticks. Grandma is too old to pick up sticks. Her arms will get sore.

..

Me: Aubrey, can you pick some of these toys up please?
Aubrey: Yeah. I have to pick up. It's my job.
Me: It's your job, huh? Well it seems to me like you do a much better job making messes than cleaning them up.
Aubrey: Yeah. I got to make messes. It's my job.

...

Aubrey: (running in circles and singing at a bridal shower) I don't know why Sylvia cries. I don't know why Sylvia cries.

...

at the doctor.
Aubrey: Oh no. I better sit on this chair before Dr. Julie (Maguilli) steps on me.
Aubrey: Dr. Julie - this is my baby sister. Her name is Sylvia. And this is my mom. And I Aubrey. You need to listen to my sister's heart. You need to check her out. She is my baby sister. I love my baby sister.
Dr. Maguilli: How old are you, Aubrey?
Aubrey:  I two!
Dr. Maguilli: Good job. Can you hold up two fingers on your hand.
Aubrey: (starts to count Sylvia's fingers) One. two. three.
Dr. Maguilli: You can count too! You're smart, Aubrey
Aubrey: I know. I count Sylvia's fingers. She's my baby sister.

Conversations in Marriage

Me: So, I have to work late on Monday. But I was thinking if I ask your mom to do swimming at 7 maybe you could bring Aubrey?
Martin: I can't really handle going any farther than home with both of them on my own.

Point taken.

Martin: Whoa! Look at you! You got groceries!
Me: Yeah. I didn't really go too crazy. I just spent $42.
Martin: Wow. You got a lot more with $40 than I would. If I went to the grocery store with $40, I'd come home with eggs and have a bunch of beef jerky hidden under my truck seat so you couldn't see it.

Me: Okay, how about we each put a kid to bed and then we can reconvene and watch Arrested Development.
Martin: That sounds like an idea.
Me: Okay. You take Sylvia and I'll take Aubrey. Make sure you change her diaper before you put her down.
Martin: Oh really?? I want Aubrey.
Me: Really??? Ok fine..
.....minutes later, Sylvia is in her crib and Aubrey is crying that she wants to bring her potty seat to the upstairs bathroom and she doesn't want Martin to come downstairs with her to help her get it and she thinks she needs to go poopy and she wants to read stories.
Martin: Ok, I was wrong. Can you do Aubrey.....PLEASE!