Mother's Day Outing

Today I took Tenley to Castle Park in Riverside while Mommy got to have some alone time at home for Mother’s Day. I figured since she had to work tonight that the least we could do was to leave her alone all day.

Tenley has talked about Castle Park for more than a year now. Every time we drive by on the freeway she yells, “There’s Castle Park. Am I big enough to go there?” They have lots of fair type rides that are perfect for her and I got her an unlimited bracelet for the rides. She went on the carousel, castle taxi, the train, flying airplanes and the tilt-a-whirl. The tilt-a-whirl was for bigger kids so I had to go with her on that one. Turns out that the tilt-a-whirl is almost too much for me these days but Tenley giggled through the whole ride and wanted to go again and again. After the ride was over while I was looking for my stomach, Tenley decided it was time for cotton candy. Let’s see, little breakfast consumed, no other food in our system…yeah, cotton candy sounds good.

After the cotton candy kicked in we went on all the rides two more times each. She was a real dynamo and was bitterly disappointed to find out she was too small for the log ride. I told her not to worry, there’s always next time!

Cinco De Mayo

Tenley celebrates Cinco de Mayo at El Torito!

Rules for Walking

When going for a walk there are rules. Rule number one, you must look cute. Not too hard to do when you have a ballet skirt, inside-out shirt and sandals on.
Rule number two, you must stop and look at every flower on the way. Rule number three is you must stop and pick-up whatever you can off the sidewalk. Tonight that rule was applied to a dead palm tree branch. She carried it proudly all the way home and put it in the planter for our lizard because he might like to play on it.

Conversations with a 3 1/2 year old

Tenley: Can we make cupcakes?
Daddy: Ok.
Tenley: Are they ready?
Daddy: We haven’t made them yet.
Tenley: Can I crack the eggs?
Daddy: No.
Tenley: Why not?
Daddy: Because I don’t want egg all over the floor, counter, the dog or you.
Tenley: but I will be careful. I promise. I love you Daddy!
Daddy: Thank you, I love you too but you’re not going to crack the eggs.
Tenley: Are the cupcakes going to yummy?
Daddy: They will be if you don’t put that salt in them. Put that down now.

Time passes as the cupcakes are in the oven…

Tenley: Are the cupcakes ready yet?

Do you get the theme yet? This goes on for the entire 20 mins of baking and cooling.
Finally we are eating dinner and she finishes all her rice and says I’m done.

Tenley: I have too much food in my tummy. I’m done.
Daddy: Then I guess you are too full for a cupcake?
Tenley: No, I need a cupcake right now.
Daddy: Not until you finish your chicken.
Tenley: I don’t like chicken, I like cupcakes.
Daddy: If you don’t eat your chicken you will not get any cupcake.
Tenley: Oh you mean this chicken (pointing at her plate)…I love chicken.

I know those of you with 3 yr olds have had this very conversation many, many times. The best part was while she was eating her cupcake she noticed I had one too and said, “Can I have your cupcake too?”

At least she’s consistent.