Abby, Zoë and Enzo

There have been many stages and phases that have proven very difficult for me since Abby and Zoë turned three.  Today, however, I just really really enjoyed my girls.  They had such good behavior today, they were kind, thoughtful, and pretty respectful.  We went to the store this afternoon and they were both just so well behaved and listened so well.  After having a snack in the carts, Abby got out.  Zoë happily sat in the back of Chris' cart for the entire shopping trip, until getting in the seat at the end.  When Abby got out and we started walking towards the food aisles, she grabbed right on to my back pocket, completely unprompted.  I didn't have to remind her to stay close or settle down, and then once we got to the produce and check-outs, both girls got to have their Dora lollipops in the seats.

Back at home, the girls played well together (for the most part anyway) while I did the dishes after dinner.  Then a big headache hit Mommy and I wasn't able to read to them while they had night time snack like I'd said I would.  They were disappointed but once they got down it was so sweet to see how considerate they were being of my condition - especially Zoë.  She tried so hard to use a whisper voice, remembering to go in the other room to say something to Daddy, who was making me a coffee with Abby (hoping the caffeine would help) instead of hollering from the living room, then she kept coming in to check on me in hushed tones, and even gave me her pony to rest my head on.  Daddy brushed teeth before bed and by then my head was feeling a little better so the girls and I snuggled up to read together.  Our Bible story was about the magi going to visit Jesus and bringing gifts, so this spurred a discussion about Christmas and Santa and all of those explanations of things to do with the holiday.  After this we read Charlotte's web.  I just loved having the girls sitting comfortably together in between my legs, leaning against my chest, listening and looking at the pages intently, even though most of the pages are just words.  It was truly a very enjoyable day of good behavior and sweet moments.  (Of course as I'm finishing writing this, it's bed time and three warnings have already been given for too much talking - but it's so much easier to deal with when the rest of the day went smoothly)

We went to Dover to trick-or-treat in Uncle Corey and Auntie Reanna's neighborhood again this year.  When we got to their house, Reanna wasn't home from work yet, but Corey and Uncle Tommy were there, as well as a handfull of people from their church.  When we walked in, a little girl named Riley, who was dressed up as Ariel, greeted us.  We also saw her little brother, who was in a flounder costume.  I got Abby and Zoë something to eat and then all dressed up in their costumes, complete with thermals underneath.

Auntie Reanna arrived home and changed as well, then the group of trick-or-treaters headed off.  Uncle Corey, Uncle Tommy, and Daddy stayed behind to pass out candy.  Not long into our adventure, two of the ladies Reanna teaches with caught up with us, one being Amanda, who has the twins Kally and Emma.  There had been a dress up thing at the center in which all of the classroom teachers dressed up to a theme.  Amanda had her Eeyore costume on, Caitlyn was Pooh bear, Kally was Tigger and Emma was Piglet, quite the cute bunch.

While walking around, Abby and Zoë wanted anyone's hand but mine it seemed.  First they had Auntie Reanna, sometimes Hillary, who was dressed up as Princess Buttercup (although the girls thought she was Fiona).  Houses with just a short walkway or a couple of steps I let the girls go up while we stood at the bottom of the steps.  If there were more steps then we'd go ahead and go up with them.  They were brave and had no problems with saying their "Trick-or Treat" or 'Thank-you's'

After a while I had to cut the girls off and tell them that it was time to go back to the house.  Most of the the others in the group were going to continue going around, but Amanda, Caitlyn and the girls were going to head back as well, so that made it easier on Abby and Zoë.  Auntie Reanna also told them that she'd keep their buckets and fill them with more candy as she continued on with the group.  Zoë went and grabbed Caitlyn's hand and as we were walking Abby said to me, "I don't have anyone's hand!" When informed that she was indeed holding a hand, mine, she still wasn't satisfied.  She got Amanda's hand and then was content to finsish walking back to the house.  When we got back, Uncle Tommy was in charge of the candy bowl, and the girls "tricked" him into giving them a treat.  We went inside and each of the girls were allowed to have one resees.

It wasn't too long before the rest of the group arrived back and Reanna showed Abby and Zoë all she'd collected for them.  Pretty soon it was time for teeth brushing, pj's and heading home.  Once at home, the girls got to dump their buckets out on the floor and check out all of their treats.  There was only a small amount that we had to trash and then Chris let them each choose a candy they wanted to set aside to enjoy tomorrow.

It's been a while since we went over to Reanna and Corey's house, so we decided to have a Sunday dinner with them today.  We actually arrived to their house before they did, which Abby and Zoë thought was funny.  They didn't mind waiting, as they pulled out some books, played with legos, and ate some of Reanna's tasty cereal.

Abby was miss helper in the kitchen this evening.  She helped stir the black beans and diced tomatoes and garlic together in the pot before Reanna turned the stove on.  Then she helped grate some cheese and tear the lettuce.  Abby  kind of had an attitude of 'know-it-all', which was funny to watch.  She just exuded this confidence and self-assurance with what she was doing.  She was firm in her position of kitchen helper... Zoë chose to hang out with Uncle Corey, who was reading her books.  She tried to come into the kitchen a couple of times, and one time actually succeeded in pulling up a chair and helping with a task, but it was short lived and she was back to the books in no time.  Although, both girls did get to equally share the job of setting the table.

The girls enjoyed our burritos, and especially the lime flavored tortilla chips that we had along with it.  We all enjoyed the 'haystacks' (with added small pretzel sticks) that Reanna had made for her Sunday school class but forgot to bring.  After dinner the girls were big helpers again, with clearing the table, and then they got teeth brushed and jammies on... Auntie Reanna of course had to be the helper of these tasks.  Both of the girls were bummed that we couldn't spend the night, but I were consoled by the fact that we plan to go back Tuesday for trick-or-treating!

The time seems to have flown by, it's already been a month since Abby and Zoë had their surgeries.  In that short window of time between their throats being pretty much healed and getting this persistent cold, we really did notice a difference... especially with sleeping.

Unfortunately there is this virus we're dealing with.  I'm actually wondering if Zoë has croup or even whooping cough.  I'm actually leaning towards whooping cough due to her symptoms and the way things have progressed, even though she's up to date on her immunizations... it wouldn't be the first time I've heard of an immunized kid getting get.  I'm going to call the pediatricians office to talk to a dr. or nurse tomorrow if things don't improve.

Abby was drawing pictures today and she brought one to me that she said was her on the beach with the sand, sunshine, sky, and ocean.  It was clear to see the picture, then I noticed letters at the top: "MooMeee"  I asked Abby to explain those to me and she said that she wrote "Mommy" and then sounded out her attempt... it was very cute to get a glimpse at her thought process.

Actually, it was the store brand 'medicated chest rub', but it worked all the same.  The girls are both having coughing, worse at night of course.  Zoë's is sounding bad, so we finally did our Wal-Mart shop for the week and picked some of this up.  I've never been a fan of "cough syrup" or things of the sort, and voted only to use them at night along with trying other "natural" remedies.  With all of the new research out about these things being ineffective and even dangerous for kids under six years old, it's just reiterated trying out things that are more natural remedies.  It has also brought out some new ideas from different internet sources.  That being said, I came upon a tip to put the vapor rub on the feet and then put socks on and it was supposed to significantly reduce, if not eliminate night time coughs.  I tried it for nap, and it really did work!

Abby is still having cold symptoms, a low grade fever, and was complaining so much this morning about her legs hurting.  I decided to call the Doctor's office again and they had us come on in.  We all went this time, and Zoë got a quick check at the end as well.  Again, we were told that it's a virus and if the fever stays around 99 or 100 degrees to not treat it.  We also got a prescription for some acetemetophen with codein to help sleeping at night.  Surprise, surprise, Zoë is in the early stages of whatever Abby has.