The Power of Prayer

The other day Kenly was playing with a set of Melissa and Doug horses that Pops got her for Christmas. She named one of the horses Molly. She was playing in bed while I was sitting in the recliner. This is how the scene unfolds.

K: Mommy, Molly's foot is hurting. That's why she is holding it up.
Me: I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope Molly's foot feels better.
K: I think I should pray for her foot.
Me: I think that would be a really good idea.
K: (Kenly closes her eyes, folds her hands and begins to mumble under her breath.) Dear God, Please help Molly's foot to feel better. Amen.
Me: Kenly, that was really sweet of you to pray for Molly. God likes to hear our prayers.
K: (filled with great enthusiasm) Mommy, Molly's foot feels so much better.
Me: That is great. Prayer really does work.
K: (raising one hand toward heaven) PRAISE THE LORD!

Augusta, Advenutre, and A Lesson Learned

In October I also got a hankering to head home to Georgia. Every once in awhile, I just need to head H-O-M-E to get some loving. Kenly and I packed up to go to Augusta for a long weekend. We had a good time playing with Nana and Papa and Uncle Travis and Aunt Carrie. Kenly pulled a fast one on Papa, and it lead to many a laugh at his expense. Papa and Kenly were playing with the train set that circles the village while Nana and I got ready for the day's adventure. After getting ready, I stripped Kenly to her underwear and tried some clothing on her. I left her with Papa in only her undies to get some clothes for her to wear. I was gone for maybe two minutes. When I came back to the dining room, Papa was reassembling the train set and Kenly was missing. I said, "Where is Kenly?" Papa told me she was with Nana. I had just left Nana, so I knew Kenly was AWOL in the house. I heard a noise in Nana and Papa's bedroom. In two minutes time, Kenly was able to climb in the garden tub in the mater bathroom. She took Papa's bathing suit and water shoes off the faucet. As I rounded the corner, I heard water running. I walked into the bathroom to find my daughter sticking her head under the faucet while standing the the tub in only her undies.

I said, "Kenly, what are you doing?"
She looked up at me like I was stupid and exclaimed, "I'm taking a shower."

So, later in the day we made Papa stand next to this sign. The lesson learned=Kenly is faster than a blown fuel hydro. (That a comparison made especially for my daddy.) I found the experience humorous. I know it could have been bad, but it wasn't. Kenly told Papa a fib and then went exploring. We had to have a long conversation about doing what you say and never getting in a tub without an adult present.

Nana and Papa treated us to an adventure at a dairy farm near their house. I've since forgotten the name of the place (that's what happens when I wait forever to blog). We could have spent the day there exploring the slides, playgrounds, corn pits, hayrides, and corn mazes. Kenly really enjoyed herself, but she refused to ride anything pulled by a tractor. She was genuinely afraid, so we explored other options instead.
Kenly and Papa raced rubber duckies in water trough.
Kenly rode some strange swinging contraption.
She spent a good deal of time digging in the dirt with a huge shovel. She had such a good time doing this that I see a kid sized shovel and rake in her near future.
She also spent a good deal of time playing in the corn pit.

She nearly fell asleep at one point, so we had to move her on to some faster paced attractions.
Since she was terrified of the tractor, I figured we had a no chance at getting her on the jumping pillow. Boy was I wrong. I thought we would never convince her to stop bouncing. She didn't have a shred of fear except for the time my grip failed and she nearly bounced and rolled to her doom. All was forgiven and we started bouncing again.
After awhile, I needed a break, so Nana took over on bouncing duty. Papa even got on for awhile to see if he could make Nana squeal with a huge bounce. He succeeded.
Later in the weekend Papa took Kenly to see a few ponies and llamas that live near the house. I think Kenly was plotting a way to take one of these ponies home. This was before her riding adventure with Aunt Carrie. If her obsession continues, I'm sure there will be a pony in her future. We won't buy it, but I know a Mops and a Pops who will be "chomping at the bit" to make her wish come true (pun intended).

Doesn't the pony have freakishly blue eyes? I'm not sure I've ever seen a horse/pony with blue eyes. I was stunned.
She does look like a natural with her foot up on the fence.


Papa even made her wish come true...she wanted to touch the sign.

We did go over to Travis and Carrie's land for a picnic before taking Kenly to ride Zsa Zsa. She looks a little tuckered out in this picture.
On Sunday she dressed up in a new lady bug outfit and shiny red shoes to go to church. The necklace she is sporting was once mine. And how do I know that she's got Papa wrapped? She's playing with his antique firetruck.
We had a blast in Augusta. Nana and Papa were also great to come to see us in early November while I did my civic duty--serving as a juror in criminal court. An experience...a true experience. Now if I can get Halloween pictures posted, I'll be "caught up."

Playing Catch Up

The Brand family has been out adventuring for most of June and part of July, and since we don't have a laptop, blog updates have been impossible. So, I decided to blog a few cute things before I crash tonight.

You know you've been traveling a bit too much for your 23 month old when you have this conversation...

Me: Kenly, do you love your blue couch and your Veggie Tales?
Kenly: (said with great enthusiasm) Uh-huh. I love my home-home. We made it!

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On July 14th, I was taking a nap when I heard Kenly announce through the monitor that she had a poopy. I hopped up and expected to deal with the muddy task right away. I put her on the changing table only to discover a bone dry diaper.

Me: Kenly, you don't have a poopy. Your diaper isn't even wet.
Kenly: I made a toot. Just a toot. More is coming.
Me: Do you have to poopy right now?
Kenly: Uh-huh.

So, I promptly put her cute little tushy on the toilet. She sat there straining to make a pee pee. Nothing. We started talking and laughing. She identified everything in the bathroom--towels, conditioner, shampoo, soap, pelican,....and then I heard a strange noise. I looked up, and well, I saw the poop leaving her hiney. She was so proud. I was over the moon. I did the craziest poppy dance in the world and sang her praises the rest of the night. I let her wipe her yaya, and I did the dirty work.

When she got off the toilet, I told her to look at what she made.

Me: Kenly, look. You made a poopy in the big girl potty. Yeah!
Kenly: I made a poopy. (reaching into the toilet) I get it out.
Me: No! We don't take poopy out of the toilet. Poopy is yucky.
Kenly: I flush it?
Me: Sure you can flush it.
Kenly: (over the sound of the flushing toilet) Bye-bye Mr. Poopy.

After we washed hands and celebrated some more, we went to the kitchen for a treat. Kenly got to eat a red Tootsie Pop, or a candy balloon, as she likes to call them.

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Kenly's imagination has kicked into high gear in the past few weeks. She'll grab one of her purses, load it with goodies, and throw it over her shoulder with flair. Then we'll hear a conversation that goes something like this...

Kenly: See you later. I going bye-bye. I'll be back.
Me: Where are you going?
Kenly: Shopping.
Me: What store are you going to?
Kenly: Walmart.
Me: What are you going to buy?
Kenly: Baybanas (which is Kenly's adorable pronunciation of bananas)
Me: Be careful. Have fun.
Kenly: (After she's left the room for about 20 seconds) I back.

OR

Kenly: See you later. I going bye-bye. I'll be back.
Me: Where are you going?
Kenly: To the dentist.
Me: Oh. Why are you going to the dentist? What will they do?
Kenly: Count and tickle my teeth. See you later.
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I adore the stage Kenly is in right now. It is full of drama and tantrums, but it is so full of love and wonderful surprises. I love to see her learn each day. I love her sense of humor, and I love to watch her wonder at the smallest of things.

I like to hear her giggle at her own toots. I love her fierce attachment to me. I'm thrilled by her "reading" ability. I don't even have to do anything but turn the pages of several of her books.

Most of all, I love it when she throws her arms around my neck and says, "I love you so much." Her voice is so full of emotion and passion she sounds like she could burst, and my heart floods.

Life is wonderful.

How do I know she's a faker?

I hear Kenly wake of from nap today. Imagine a whine that starts low and builds in intensity.

Through the monitor I hear: Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. MOOOOOOMEEEE. She starts to whimper as if something is truly wrong. MAAAAAMEEEEEE!

I hop up in a sleep induced haze because I too have been napping and rush into save my daughter from whatever peril has befallen her.

I swing open the door to discover the source of her pain, and....

Kenly's face brightens. A smile spreads from ear to ear and she says, "Hey Mommy."

A Beautiful Mess

Adam's birthday was March 16th. I wanted to make him a card he couldn't forget. Enter finger painting. In the past, we have used finger paints to capture Kenly's growing hands and feet, but never have we turned her loose with finger paints. What fun are finger paints when they are all controlled and orderly? So, after Adam left for work, I stripped Kenly down to her diaper and turned her loose with the finger paints. At first she was hesitant. She rubbed the paint into both hands like lotion. Then, with one small stroke of her hand against the paper, she was hooked. She screamed, "EXCITED!" I couldn't keep up with her requests for more paint. She'd say, "More Mommy. More Peeze." After painting the paper became old hat, she decided to paint her body. By the time she was done, she had finger paint from the top of her head to her belly button. When all was said and done, I toted my little work of art to the tub for a scrubbing. We used her masterpiece as a small part of her Daddy's card, and he loved it.



I love that her hands are all blurry in this picture. She's painting her stomach so furiously that she's all a blur.






We used what was left of the finger painted masterpiece to make some Easter cards that might be coming to a mailbox near you.
Who knew I could be so crafty with a little time on my hands?

Wordless Wednesday--Happy and I KNOW it!

If you can ignore my singing, this video is just precious.

Hair Bows

Normally when I put a hair bow in Kenly's hair, this is the result. A hair bow stays in place for an average of 30 seconds if I am lucky. I should know; I've been trying since Kenly grew enough hair.
So, you can imagine my surprise when Kenly looked up from coloring, discovered her hair bows hanging on a ribbon, and demanded to wear one and then two and then....well, see for yourself....



And now...she only wants to wear the purple and yellow hair bows. With everything. Only Kenly can pull off that color coordination. Just for proof, here are a few more bow shots. I can hardly believe my eyes.

One Little Monkey Full of Wonder

Kenly discovered this music box on Friday, and she's been a huge fan ever since. Today while we were coloring, I had to leave the lid open so she could watch it and listen to the music. She'd get mad and say, "Open. Peeze." And so, we'd listen to the magical music box once again, and again, and again. I see a battery change in the near future. I love how you can see her fighting not to touch the twirling figure skaters. The one finger touch has been challenged repeatedly with the music box.



Kenly has also taken to jumping on the bed. It appears that 8 Little Monkeys, a book about jumping on the bed, has taught Kenly very little. I love my little monkey. She makes the jungle fun.

Mistaken Identity

Today Kenly and I ran our last Christmas errand. I can't say I'm sad to have crossed everything off my list. Kenly has been a great shopping buddy. While we were out and about this morning, I went to the allergist office to get my weekly allergy injection. In the spirit of the season, they put up a beautiful Christmas tree with bright red glass ball and golden bead garland. You can imagine how fascinated Kenly was with this brilliant spectacle. At first she was concerned.

Kenly: (Looking for the firetruck she normally plays with) Truck?
Mama: The truck must have been put up to make room for the tree. Isn't it pretty?
Kenly: (with genuine concern) Truck?
Mama: It is not here sweetheart. Would you like to look at the pretty tree instead?
Kenly: (noticing the tree) Ooooohhh!
Mama: Remember. We use one finger. Be gentle.
Kenly: (touching a red ornament with attempted gentleness) Apple.
Mama: (laughing) No baby. Those are ornaments....glass balls.
Kenly: (with conviction) No. Apple.
Mama: Whatever you say.

Smarty Pants

Kenly amazes me EVERY day. I can't believe how fast she is learning new words. Believe it or not, we got these flashcards out for the first time yesterday, and I promise I didn't quiz her all day yesterday. She knew about 12 of the 36 cards already. I was flabbergasted. If you want to know why she sounds like she's clearing her throat at one point, it is because I just showed her a pig card. She makes a pretty realistic pig noise when she gets it "just right."

Sniff Test

Adam and I were enjoying a dinner before I ran out to Bible study a few weeks ago. I was giving Adam the daily update so there would be no surprises or questions when I left. In the middle of all of this, Kenly started clamoring to get down from her high chair. She'd eaten well, so she got down to play. We continued our conversation.

Adam: Has she had her reflux medicine?

Me: Yes

Adam: Does she need Tylenol tonight before bed?

Me: No. I think she's feeling a bit better. Oh...be warned. She's eaten a ton, and she hasn't had a poop all day.

Adam: Great!

About this time, we hear a strained groan coming from the corner. Kenly is in cop-a-squat stance, gripping a chair for support. She is turning purple. Adam says, "I think it might be poop time."

She walks across the kitchen to the baker's rack, resumes the stance, and proceeded to turn beet red.

I say, "I think she's done Daddy, but you should check to see if she was successful before you walk across the house. She's fooled me a few time."

Adam picks her up, sniffs her hiney, and says, "All I smell is blueberry."

In the daily run down I forgot to mention that she had about 30 blueberries with lunch.

I peer in her diaper, and all I see is blue.

It was a two man job that required my assistance even though it was my night off. :)

1-2-3

Today I was on the toilet when Kenly decided to pay me a quick visit. She opened a bathroom drawer, which are off limits, and scooped out a bottle of eye drops. Since I was indisposed, I asked Kenly to return the eye drops immediately. Here's how the whole thing played out....

Mama: Kenly, put those eye drops back. They are not for you.

Kenly: (Giggling) Runs from the bathroom with the eye drops. Stands and looks at me from the full length hall mirror.

Mama: Kenly, you need to put on your listening ears and put the eye drops in the drawer and then shut the draw.

Kenly: (Giggling) Shaking her head no.

Mama: Don't make me come over there (said from the toilet). I will take them away. I'm going to count to three. One.

Kenly: (Smiling) Two

Mama & Kenly: Three

Mama: Hauls her lily-white behind off the toilet to get the eye drops all the while trying to keep a straight face instead of falling to the floor in peals of laughter.

...and she's not even 16 months old. Boy do I have my work cut out for me.

Laugh of the Day

So this morning I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but not without provocation. Kenly had a rough night. I held her from 11:00-12:40, and she was really pitiful. It broke my heart. She'd get to sleep and then wake up crying or whimpering. When she wanted to get in her bed, I put her down. I collapsed into bed around 1:00 and then heard her crying again at 4:30. I gave her a second bottle and some Tylenol and then went back to bed at about 5:30. She was a noisy sleeper until 6:30 when she woke up screaming due to a horribly large gas bubble that she burped in my face as soon as I picked her up. You gotta love gas.

I say all of this to let you know I was in a mood. I looked rather zombie-like, and I was speaking in monosyllables.

Kenly was going 90 to nothing around my feet playing a purple keyboard that Nana and Papa gave her. She was creating a rather dissonant, deep, Halloweeny sounding song. Adam looked at her and said, "That's a beautiful song you're playing. What's it called? "

He paused for a moment and said, "On Mommy's Last Nerve."

I died laughing. You know my husband is good if he can make me laugh before 7:00AM and after the night we had.

Tiger Woods and Heartbreak

Since Kenly is so talented, we thought she should try her hand at putt-putt while visiting Nana and Papa in Tennessee. She looked like a natural carrying her golf ball and putter. She stepped up to the green. Papa taught her how to hold the putter. They sent the ball rolling and....

Kenly's heart broke. Her beloved yellow golf ball ran away.

She cried some more....

The she wailed a little longer. There were even tears. As soon as the beloved yellow golf ball was in hand again, her heart healed and life was good again.

I guess she won't be a golf prodigy after all. Can I be thankful now?