Sisterly Love?

Boy oh boy was I not prepared for how girl plus girl equals bicker, bicker, bicker, fight, fight, fight.  These two love each other.  I know they do.  Deep down.  In fact, I often see evidence of this mutual affection at least a couple of times per day.  But in between these pleasantries, there is a lot of arguing.  And what they argue about would be comical if it wasn't so annoying.  For example:

Natalie was playing with her Snow White doll.

She rested it on the arm of the chair for a minute.

Audrey snatched it.

Natalie screamed as if Audrey had burned her

with a hot fireplace poker.

Natalie then began to cry.

A lot.

"Audrey took Snow White, Mommy! Get her back!"

...cry, cry, cry.

Audrey had no intention of giving Snow White back.

Not when she was getting a reaction like that out of Natalie.

When asked nicely to return the doll to her sister

she, without hesitation, said, "No."

I finally intervened on Natalie's behalf

and retrieved Snow White from Audrey.

This made Audrey furious.

She began to scream and cry as if she, too, was being burned 

with a hot fireplace poker.

Natalie played with Snow White for a few more minutes

and then moved on to other things.

I saw Audrey playing with Snow White a few minutes later.

I hesitantly brought this to Natalie's attention.

"Um, Natalie, I see Audrey playing with Snow White."

"That's okay," she replied calmly. "She can play with her now."

Are. You. Kidding. Me????

I have intervened far less since this transpired.

 Unrelated to the Snow White episode, Audrey refused to smile for the camera.

 Natalie is much more cooperative...when it comes to the camera.

In other news, the fort has expanded.  There is now a neighboring vacation home fort under the olive tree that resembles a bug tent.  I personally think Audrey got too comfortable in the original fort so Natalie felt the need to establish an alternate location for the occasional escape. 

The Dentist Is In

Natalie had a dental appointment this morning and has now become obsessed with all things teeth. 

She had a great time at her appointment.  We went to a new pediatric dentist and they did all the right things to win over our girl... movie star sunglasses to wear and a movie to watch while getting her teeth cleaned, a Cinderella toothbrush, a trip to the office treasure chest for being such a big kid, and a pink balloon and princess sticker on her way out the door.  What's not to love?

All the way home she read me the letters on the free magnet that was in her dental goodie bag (did I forget to mention she got a goodie bag, too?  This place is all about buying the affection of children and  it works!).  She knew how to spell "dentist" by the time we reached our neighborhood. 

When we got home she decided to play dentist.  And guess who her patient patient was?  Yes, our little Audrey.  Little Audrey who was so miserable at her first dental appointment 6 months ago that I didn't even have the energy or desire to have her seen today along with Natalie.  I decided to just let her enjoy the dental office today as a spectator (and, of course, she also got to visit the treasure chest, get a goodie bag and collect a balloon and sticker on the way out...so, she's sold!) so that next time at her actual appointment maybe, just maybe she's doesn't emit piercing screams.

 She was a model patient for her sister.

 Audrey showing off her clean teeth...and her 3 day old temporary hand tattoo.  Lovely.

 The busy dentist even makes time to pose with her patient.

 Natalie also made a sign for her new practice.

Apparently kids are treated for FREE at her establishment.

Not sure what magnet she read the word "free" on because I assure you Dr. Goodie Bag was not free.

She even gave Audrey a gift from the treasure chest...a little doll that already belonged to her.  Audrey didn't care.  She hugged it, cradled it and showed it off like it was brand new.



The Club

This is a corner of our yard that Natalie has claimed as her club.  Some days she calls it her Dinosaur Exploring Club.  Other days it's just known as her Adventure Club.  Today it was just a house.  And tomorrow it will probably be a castle.  It's anything she wants it to be and she's not afraid to tell you if you've guessed incorrectly.

 Corey even made a flagstone patio floor for her club corner so it is a little more comfortable and a little less dusty.  

Natalie eats her lunch out there on the days she doesn't eat lunch at school. She decorates it with flowers and branches. She colors out there. She plays with her Barbies and princess dolls out there.  She'd sleep on this little patio if we let her. She's even asked me to make a curtain to hang from the tree above that she can close for privacy.

And this is the box that has become a permanent fixture in her club-of-many-names corner. Yes, when it NEVER rains, you can have a box stay good as new in your backyard for months on end. When she's tired, she retires to her box bedroom and takes a fake nap for a few minutes. Audrey is usually always invited to join her for box sleeping. This makes Audrey very happy. She loves to be invited anywhere by Natalie...even to an empty box. And fake napping for a few minutes? That's her kind of sleeping!

So, the "club" has become a big part of our life around here.  When it gets hot, I imagine she'll ask for a shade structure to cover it.  And I imagine her father will think of something!