Peek-a-boo

Charlotte became a Big Girl this weekend. She moved into her Big Girl bed (and immediately started sleeping better and waking up happier). She also decided that it was time to be potty trained (during the day, at least). We were outside socializing with the neighbours yesterday. She tapped Mummy and said, "I go potty!" Mummy was not immediately responsive and continued chatting with the grown-ups. So Charlotte improvised and began pulling down her trousers and diapers. Today at daycare, she kept her diaper dry and pottied like crazy.

She and Claire performed a magic trick for the camera:

The danger of reading hardbacks in bed

Daddy enjoyed the pleasures of fried bologna and Louise's company at lunch today (much to the latter's pride and delight). After lunch, he read a few books to Louise and her friends. Louise has decided that this should become a Friday tradition.

Daddy did not visit Louise's younger sisters (think Schroedinger's Cat, but instead of a dead cat, think screaming and crying two year-olds). But they apparently had a good day anyway:








































And we don't yet know what bruises will be on Charlotte's face when she wakes up from her nap:

Must be witches...

They float! Or they're ducks...

Louise continues to do well in her swim lessons. Her sisters are doing well too. Yesterday, whilst wearing arm bands, Claire jumped in to 3.5 ft of water. She did not want to be caught, so her head went under, her head came out, and she happily doggy paddled. Charlotte is arguably more advanced (and knows fear), so she jumped into Mummy's waiting arms, then paddled solo for 15 feet.

Louise has had a busy social weekend. She played with her bffs (or at least for the next 15 minutes), Alex and Asha (our next door neighbours) several times. She also attended her classmate Brady's 4th birthday party (after getting her hair done, as one must do before a big party). Mummy and Daddy also socialized with A&A's parents, staying up way past our bedtimes to establish Alex's suitability as a future partner (okay, we didn't arrange a marriage, but we did have a great time).

Misplaced courage

Louise's upper gum has been hurting, and at dinnertime, she agreed to let Daddy help her brush her teeth. When the time came, however, she said sadly, "I've lost my Brave. But I know where it is, and I can get it in the morning."

Today she stated her educational goal for the next year: she wants to learn to write "Atherton." She also drew a self-portrait:

Good week

It has been a good week so far. We've had two days where all five Athertons sat at the table, ate dinner, and conversed for at least 5 consecutive minutes.

Louise continues to use her very best listening ears (pink) at swim lessons and seems to be picking things up well, having fun, and making friends (picture below).

Claire has come up with a new game to play with Mummy: "Sneaky Goose." It consists of sneaking up on someone (with varying levels of stealth) and kissing and tickling them. Lots of fun for all players!

Charlotte is also getting better with the idea of sharing. "Mine and Louise's," she'll say, holding one of Louise's things away from Claire. We think she's learning from Louise's example. Not even Michelle Bachmann would call Louise a Socialist, but the majority of the time when her sisters pick up one of her things, she'll say, "That's mine. But it's okay, Mummy - she can play with it."

Louise is very excited by the prospect of a Sleep Over at Katie's. On Saturday, the whole family will head south to Morrisville. We'll swim in Katie's neighborhood pool, eat pizza, and kiss Louise goodbye before four of us return home. Louise says she will sleep: "I'll pretend to be an animal so I can sleep." Pretending to be a polar bear usually works well.