I'm the entertainer

C had musical camp this week and his troupe performed "The Little Red Hen."  Despite his masterful singing, dancing, and stealing in the role of a fox, he is not the entertainer.  The show was stolen by Lil E, who would loudly cheer "Yay!" at the end of each of the numerous songs.  After the first few times, the audience would laugh after each of Lil E's cheers and the kids on stage would giggle and comment to each other.  Big brother, of course, was on stage egging her on.  Sly fox that he is.  First the hens would sing, inviting the other farm animals to help in a task.  Lil E cheers.  Then the cows would sing that they wouldn't help.  Lil E cheers.  Then the cats would sing that they wouldn't help.  Lil E cheers. Crowd laughs.  Then the pigs would sing that they wouldn't help. Lil E cheers. Crowd laughs.  E & T are laughing so hard they are crying.  M tries to climb over a chair.  Then the foxes would sing that they would steal the hen's food.  Lil E cheers. Crowd laughs.  Then on to the next task and the next round of animal responses...  At the end, T admitted that it was probably her genes triggering the public displays.  I replied that at least Lil E was cheering at the proper time. 

Before the show, a girl next to C provided entertainment by continually trying to kiss him.  C's response was to try to get a camp counselor to intervene to protect C from the mad kissing bandit (ironic twist, since he was dubbed the "Vietnamese Valentino" during our stay in Hanoi).  Note that he didn't leave and get another seat by the boys (with whom he was sitting earlier).  I pointed out the amusing scene to T, who then added fuel to the fire by running over with a camera to record C and his girlfriend (the one to his left).

C has had a summer full of camps.  At Discovery Place, he's attended Dr. Seuss camp, Dinosaur camp, Lego camp, and has done lots of creative projects.  Right after school, he attended Cub Scout camp where he got to go fishing (catching one fish), canoeing, BB gun shooting, archery, etc. 

Thanks to T wanting to learn a second language, Lil E has become intrigued by Baby Signing Time videos over the last few weeks and is learning some signs (as are C and M).  She's also increasing her spoken words, best illustrated a few days ago during breakfast when she instructed me to "Get up!" to get some food for her.  She now calls M "Me-Me".  She loves to try to pet "Beh-Beh" and will chase our 16 year old, geriatric feline around the downstairs. C, alas, is still called "Ma Ma." She also loves to see the rabbit that frequents the backyard.  She'll sit on the potty frequently and often goes.  One of the potty seats has Sesame Street characters--including her favorite, Elmo--so we've figured out that when she says "Elmo" she wants to sit on the potty.  She frequently requests to go outside to blow "Ba-buhs."

Lil E's still not eating much; therefore, T is still nursing to provide her with much needed calories and nutrition. Nursing a toddler is quite a show, in itself - involving twisting acts of contortionism, black belt worthy karate kicks, poses that would make a yogi master proud. T is a "card carrying member" of the FTNC (Freaky Toddler Nursing Club).

M enjoyed swimming so much at Shawnee, she frequently asks to go.  In fact, she has dubbed herself "Water girl."  Another upside of our upcoming move is access to the community pool.  She is very interested in family relationships, checking to make sure that I am Mommy's husband rather than her father.  She constantly asks who my father is, who my mother is, etc., etc (asking T the same questions).  She is doing extremely well with potty training and rarely has accidents in her pullups.  In fact, it has been quite a while since she has wet her diaper at night. She is in "I'll do it myself.  I don't need your help" mode, particularly when it comes to putting on shoes and getting buckled in the car sheet.  Any button or switch on any devise will be pushed, especially light switches (and in the opposite way of your actual need).

Since returning from Shawnee, E or T have been alternating days at home with the girls (while C is off to camp).  Most of the time, the girls play well together. However, there are times when M unlocks her inner WWF warrior princess mode and attempts to use finishing moves that would make Jake the Snake, Hulk Hogan, Rick Flair, the Rock, or Stone Cold proud. Fortunately, our "Nature Girl" can hold her own against her big sister.