Meet Sissa

In case you're wondering where the picture is, we don't have one. Why? Because I'm writing about a girl who is not actually real. Well, I've never actually seen her, but she is as real as could be in Kyri's eyes. Let me introduce you. Here is a look at Sissa.

Yesterday when we were driving to the store we saw a train. This is the conversation that took place:

Kyri: "Sissa drives a train."

Me: "Sissa drives a train or rides on one?"

Kyri: "Sissa drives a train. She has trains at her house!"

Me: "She has trains at her house?"

Kyri: "Yes! 2 trains!"

Me: "Wow! Does she ever let you ride on her trains?"

Kyri: "Yes, she let me ride on her trains. Her mommy holds me when I ride the train."

Me: "That sure is nice of her to let you ride her trains! And her mom holds you? What a nice mom!!"

Kyri: "Yep!"

Later in the day Kyri told me that Sissa "lives in Kaysbill with her mommy and daddy." And she has "blonde hair", just like Kyri! And her mom does it in "ponies".

Sounds like a real cute girl!!

Then when we were playing in the kids bedroom this is what took place:

Kyri: "Here you go, Sissa, here's a toy for you. (Then to me) I gave a toy to Sissa!"

Me: "Sissa's at our house?"

Kyri: "Yes. Right there. She's playing with that toy."

Clearly.

Kyri: "Her mommy and daddy are at our house."

Me: "Her mom and dad are at our house right now?!"

Kyri: "Yes. (Mumble Mumble)......chatting with them!"

Me: (not wanting to be rude to our guests) "I'm chatting with Sissa's mommy and daddy?!"

Kyri: "NO. I'M chatting with Sissa's mommy and daddy!"

Phew.

A few minutes later:

Me: "Kyri if you [don't listen] (I don't really remember what happened) then Sissa is going to have to go home!"

Yes! Sissa is going to help me discipline! Perfect!!

Kyri: "OK. Sissa's going to go home now!"

Really?

Darn.

Nice to meet you, Sissa.

See ya tomorrow.

A Walk Around The Block

Yesterday was such a nice day we decided to go for a little walk. It started out with Kyri pushing her baby in her stroller, but this (see picture) is how it ended and both kids were SO good and happy the whole time! On our walk we saw a dog (fenced in its yard). We stopped for a few minutes so Kyri could talk to the dog. When we finally continued on with our walk Kyri said, "We're going to keep walking. Don't worry bout us, puppy! Don't worry bout us!" She found that stick along the way and was determined to figure out how to push her stroller and hold the stick at the same time. At one point she was not holding her stick and we had to turn around and look for it. I really can't wait for more nice days...and more fun walks!

Kyri's been saying some pretty funny things lately. She likes to abbreviate, if you will. And just so you know, she has been coming up with these all by herself. Gary and I definitely do not shorten words as such. Here's a look into what we've been hearing:

I need to go "stinks" on the "pot"

I need a "tish"...for my nose

I'm gonna put my "jams" on!

(if we correct her on any of these, she gets real mad!)

And lately she's been talking about "someone" named "Sissa". I have yet to meet this person, but it sounds like Kyri is having a real good time at "Sissa's house"!

She keeps us laughing and we are grateful she at least has an imagination!

Kyri loves to get into G's crib and they will play together for a long time in there. Lately, though, Kyri has been jumping in the crib. The other day we told her "no jumping on the bed!" and she said, "I'm not jumping, I'm just bouncing!"

Oh. OK, then.

This empty box was our entertainment for a good hour the other day. After I was too tired to push both kids around in it, Kyri decided she wanted to push Graysen around. As you can see by the look on his face, she did not disappoint.

Kyri's names for Graysen lately: Baby or Babes

Oh Happy Day

Gary and I have a tradition for Valentine's Day. Every year we attend Jazz Night on the USU campus. This was our 5th year in a row!! It is always around Valentine's Day and so it gets Gary out of trying to come up with something romantical, which we all know (and if you didn't you do now) is a very hard thing for him to do. :)

Jazz Night consists of live Jazz music, a delicious dinner, and dancing. We are anything but good dancers, but we dance to nearly every song and pretend we are the best swing dancers in the room! This is our annual date, so we look forward to it for a whole year and always find it worth our time and money!

Well, isn't this the perfect couple?

Ann Marie and Joe (and I will feel really bad if I remembered his name incorrectly)

Ann Marie started Jazz Night and is in charge of it every year. And what a success it has been! It benefits the Larry Smith Jazz Scholarship (aka it helps those students who are there performing the awesome music)

Although I have been friends with Ann Marie for several years it seems like now-a-days this is practically the only time we ever see each other. It makes for some good catching up!

It was such a fun night! Thank you for the perfect Valentine's gift, Gary. I love you!!

To find out more about Jazz Night go to: http://music.usu.edu/jazznight.aspx

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When Kyri gets in trouble this is often what you hear:

Me: "Kyri Ruth!"

Kyri: "Awen.......Kyri Rufe Awen!"

It's really quite cute. But today this is the conversation that took place:

Me: "Kyri if you don't come [do this] you're not going to get any books before your nap!"

Kyri: "Kyri Rufe Awen!! One.....Two......Three!"

She clearly knew what was coming next, so she just helped me out.

So, now how do I discipline?

And when we ask Kyri what Graysen's full name is her response is usually: "Graysen Daddy Rufe Awen." At least she knows that Daddy's name is in there...somehow.