Little Dx2

Don't know why these makes me giggle so.  Not much action, even less technique.

For Cousin D

Cousin D wrote to request some videos.  

And the classic too much haha leads to boohoo

Little corn have big ears

So, it is no secret that kids listen to everything.   I mean, B was no more than 15 months when she said, in what was her creepy clear baby voice “the campaign is heating up.” But we have been reminded of this time after time that you CANNOT talk over their head.  They hear it.  Even the boring stuff.  Examples:

We had an exchange student from Japan here when the earthquake hit.   For weeks after that, in the car the ladies (2,3 at the time) would always say “they are talking about Misato.  What are they saying about Japan?  Is Misato OK?”   One would assume that they block out the NPR b/c it isn’t interesting.  So not the case. 

Same thing happened when the world discussed Libya hourly.   Ms. A wanted to know why they were talking about Olivia on the raido.  What did they know about Olivia?  She was very excited. 

The examples abound for how these ladies listen to everything that is said.  My favorites are probably when B jumped out from behind the couch and yelled "Heeeeeers Peter Sagal."  Or, when A asked why on earth the radio know about TV when Terri Gross was talking to the guys who created Yo Gabba Gabba.

Just last week, little B was talking with big B.  Somehow they were talking about going to Jail. Little B informed the big guy* that “Kids don’t go to jail, democrats go to jail.”   Now who the heck has she been talking to?  He quickly corrected her on who he thinks should be in jail.

And, just to be sure I KNOW they they listen, she really got me the other day when I told Brendan that I had a dream where we got up, sipped coffee, ate beignets and read the coffee w/ no chores or kids.   The next day, Father’s day, I made café au lait and beignets.  At the end of that day, 18? 20 hours after my first comment, B asked me “why do you want to get rid of us? Why don’t you want us around for beignets?  They are delicious.” 

Heart breaking.  Kids hear e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.   They are always paying attention.   Good thing we are always discussing their cuteness, brilliance, sense of humor and balance. Right?

*not THE big guy.   

Video

Remember when I said there are days when we have forced poetry time?  Well, I referenced a video and you know what?  It does exist.  Through the magic of technology and brainstorming ways around non-standard video cords .... I bring you:

Anyone who comments on the mess in the background of the video gets banned from the site FOREVER. :)

Family structures

We talk a lot about loving whoever you want as long as they are nice to you.   You see, your number one job in life is to love yourself and be good to yourself.  Beyond that, if you decide to couple - you need to be sure that that person loves you and is as nice to you as I expect you to be to yourself.

So we talk about families with two mommies, a mommy and a papa, or two papas.   We even found the cutest book And Tango Makes Three at our local ECFE class.  It talks about two male penguins that... well - you should just come over and read the book. 

Two things about this lesson.  One, B was so excited when she came back to ECFE and saw the book.  She said "Teacher M, Teacher M - we have this book!  We have the same exact book at home!"  The teacher was very confused and said to me "I didn't think you would need that book at your house."  I politely said "I think everyone does" but naive me was still shocked that someone would think that only certain people would need books on "fringe" topics.

Secondly - I forgot to talk about more families than just the three options listed above.  Why?  Because I am dumb sometimes.   We were talking on Friday about Mother's day.  B was wishing everyone she saw a happy Mother's day.  This included a group of men playing volleyball.  She as confused why the men didn't answer her.  I explained that there was a day called Father's day - and we could wish them well on that day.  
B told me "I think everyone should celebrate mom's.  I am going to keep wishing them well."  
Ok Lady - do what you want. 
A few moments later, my sister said "I don't have a father." True.
B said "that's right.  You don't.  Why don't you?"
Oops - like I said - I am dumb, never thought to explain that.
Me: "there are all kinds of families, just like we have talked about.  Some with two daddies, some with two mommies, some with a mommy and a daddy and some with just a mommy or just a daddy.  All of those are great families."
B: ....
Me: "plus, my mommy is so great - she doesn't need a daddy for help."
B: "that's true.  Nana is great just as she is."
A: (who i didn't think was listening) "Nana is my Nana and I am happy I don't have to share her with a grandpa."

they grow up fast

Or so everyone tells me...

Apparently faster than I ever realized.  You see... B has informed me that she is pregnant.  She will be getting stretch marks on her belly soon so it looks pretty and decorated like mommy's.  Just what I hoped to share with her.  

A - went flower picking last night.  She decided that the bouquet was so beautiful that she would use it for her wedding.   I asked her when it would be.  Tonight.  Of course.  Who are you marrying A?  R.   Daddy is too tall to dance with and R will be just right.  

Two minutes later Nana asks - A - who are you marrying?  A: Mommy. 

Not sure what lessons we are teaching in our house, but apparently one can be pregnant at 3 as long as they marry by 2. 

I wonder what R is thinking of getting into this week?  Drugs? Stealing?  I should never have let them leave the house. 

Forget the internet

Hot off the press from day care:

B: I like to be Superwomen sometimes.

Kid: Who is superwomen? Is Superwomen a Girl or a VERY BIG girl?

B: I am not sure, we have to check the magazines.

Now I have to figure out what the heck she is reading in her free time...

Nursing. Yep, nursing

So, I have some stories, but they involve nursing and talking about boobs.  So... if you aren't up for that - try this photo on for size.   It is the "tatoo" B wants to put on the car.  She saw a car with skulls all over that.  She indicated that that might be OK for Kassie, but she wants one with a princess sniffing a flower.  Feel free to look away after the photo if you need to. 

Ok, warning aside - R is the funniest lady.   She really likes to nurse, but at some point, she decided that she was the boss.   For whatever reason, I had a hard time keeping up this go round.  It could have something to do with the fact that I have been non-stop pregnant and/or nursing since July 2006.  Perhaps the bod is tired?  Or the fact that she is smaller and has never eaten as much as the other ladies.  Who knows.  All I know is that there wasn't enough for the little lady. 

At times, she would keep poking me and signing "more milk" as she is eating.   Smart ass.

Even A likes to get in on the action when we are discussing nursing.  I was feeding R when she was very small and A came over and looked at me and opened her mouth with a smart smile on.   "Me too momma?" Nope.

One time that really cracked me up, as we were deciding if we were going to stop or not - she caught me changing.  As soon as I took my shirt off, she put her hands over her head and started to cheer like a frat boy.   Apparently we weren't done.  

Well, just this week R caught me in bed and lifted up my shirt.  She pinched me and said Milk.   We have not been nursing for a few months.  I told her that there was no milk in there anymore.   Smart lady that she is, she turned to her papa and asked for a glass of milk.  I thought whew, no drama.  Well, once she had the sippy cup, she brought it over and tried to pour the milk back into my nipple.   Clever girl. 

I just had to share that the ladies are super clever and can tell jokes even w/o words.  All three can make you laugh with their troublesome eyes.  They know they are up to mischief.  I just thought I would have a moment or two before they learned to give the look.  I wonder who taught it to them?  :)

Walking changes everything

Our middle has always been the snuggliest baby we have.  She still would sit for hours in my arms just to nuzzle and cuddle.  I am not going to argue with that.   This disposition lead her to be less than impressed with our decision to have baby #3.   We knew this, but her increased vocabulary has given us a few supporting clues.

First, when we told A around February that we were getting an exchange student to live with us and we were going to pick her up, she told Brendan "Not another babyyyyyyyyyy."  Whew, she sure was pleased with the woman that came.  College age, could read, write and did not steal any lap time from her.

Then, as R transitioned into a walking and talking baby, A said "R is a toddler.  That is much better than baby.  She can now come with me to daycare."   Huge step because I have been talking about this potential transition (B to school, A and R to daycare) for approximately 8 months.  Two months ago it became a possibility.   

Well, R has been walking for at least 4 months with her first steps falling around Christmas time.  She is a complete trouble making machine (as I hear is typical for third children in this family).  We have a bar height table.  She crawls right up on that bad boy.  She enters her cars Dukes of Hazard style and prefers to stand on things that rock, swing or have wheels.  A particularly likes this spunk. 

Last night,  the girls were supposed to be SUPER tired.  They went swimming and all gave it a full workout.   They were whiny and hungry in the car and really mellowed out with a huge imagination bedtime story in the car.   Well, hunger won out.  We had dinner #3 at 8pm.  Then the fun began.

B and I were taking care of some business. The other two could be heard giggling and running.  R would run into the room and sure enough here comes A chasing and imitating her walk.  R found that hilarious and tried to walk in a completely different way.   A would mimic and run away.  In and out, shutting the door between each appearance.   B was so very patient, she would hear them coming and crack the door and welcome them back in.  This happened for about 15 minutes.  Running, playing, laughing.

Finally A stopped R and said "thanks for being so funny.  Kiss me."  Then she said "get to bed so we can rest and do this again tomorrow.  I love you sister."   Whew.  R has finally earned her sister merit badge.

Gross

Ok, I will not go into details, but we had an incident in the car where I didn't believe a baby who said she was sick.  Turns out, that is a bad gamble. 

It was a moment when I thought "oh Michelle... some days you are right about not being able to make it through certain moments." 

I thought, I panicked and then I got to work.   Brendan said he wouldn't have had an issue with the mess.  I did.  I wanted to cry.  Instead, we improvised, we cleaned, we praised everyone who didn't cry about it. 

Woohoo, parenting is glamorous.   Oh, and the car is now stocked with paper towels, baby wipes, Lysol and rubber gloves.  You will not catch me unprepared again dear folks.

And I am sorry...

I really do mean to post, but every time there is a long break it is because I planned to put up a picture or a video.   This time it is/was Ms. A saying a poem.  I cant stand how cute it is.  Perhaps some day you would see it.  But I won't hold out on other stories just because I am incompetent...

It is important to note that should you come to dinner at our house, it is possible that you would be asked to say a poem.  Have one at the ready.  At times we all get shushed and only people who have poems prepared can speak. 

I try to incorporate sound teaching advice

So I was in the break room at work the other day and came across an article for one of the child development classes that was discussing how kids don't just intuitively "get" race.   Everyone talks about raising kids in a global culture and hoping that they will just be "color blind." 

Great in theory, but not in practice.  Kids notice everything.  They see that one person's skin is a different color than theirs.  Heck, my ladies are concerned with who has the same eye color as they do.  B was very calmed the day that I came home with my hair straightened.  Now I "had hair like her and Auntie Elizabeth."  They are comforted by familiarity. 

One day at an appointment,  B and A were chasing down these two boys from Somalia.  B called to them.  She thought she knew them.  They were similar, I guess, to two kids in ECFE.  In that they were about the same age and from the same country.  But these kiddos were definitely not the ones she was thinking of.    Bam.  My smart, super observant kids - the ones who would notice if you parted your hair on the different side of your face - suddenly think all black people look the same. 

That was all the push I needed.  We started to talk about race.  I am not great at it, it is actually a very weird conversation to have.   I don't know what to say or how to say it, but I guess this is good practice for the birds and the bees...?  Whatever.   We look at books and talk about people who are different colors, we talk about our friends, our neighbors - whoever.   Super.  I am doing my part. 

Enter a day in the community.  We head off to take Auntie to swimming class.  We are at Oxford pool which is at Jimmy Lee Recreation center in the Old Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul.  It is a beautiful center with a great pool and fab resources.  I think I only had the big two that day.  We signed Auntie in and were waiting in the commons area.  It was us, Hi Ho Cherry Oh! and about 12 5th graders.  Now, that is a party.   The 5th graders were... being 5th graders.  They were chatting, arguing and talking back to each other.   B went right over to them, looked up (but not too far that tall duck) at them and said "you stop that sassy talk right now."  All heads turn to me.  What the heck? The rec center guy shook his head and said "little lady has a lot of nerve standing up to a group of black kids like that." Time for a change of activity.

We move into the gym where there is a volleyball game in progress.  Jimmy Lee vs. Miriam park.   Now, if there was going to be a race divide across teams, this was certainly going to be the game.  I went in with the thought that the game would be just as eye opening as the basketball game was.   I guess it was - but in a totally different way.  You see - junior high volleyball is boring.  One person hits - maybe someone hits it back.  Then it stops.  Then we start again.  Not so interesting. 

There was a mom there that was joking with me about the Miriam Park girls looking like they were college students.  I laughed and said "maybe so.."  It took me an inordinate amount of time to figure out that she figured I was a parent of the other girls.  Clearly not a parent on her team.  I felt a little dumb.  Then B came into the conversation.  She of course picked up just where the conversation left off.  She informed the woman that "she was black."  Duh right?  I was nervous about where she was going.  And she kept going: "you are black and that is ok."  The lady looks at me.  "We are all the same on the inside you know.  You and I are both beautiful."  I was a little tense.  Yes, this is what I said - but I didn't really think it would be spelled out in such a public way. 

Thankfully, the woman rolled with Ms. B.   She said "yes we are.  That is totally true."  Whew.  We are all the same on the inside.   If this has taught me anything it is that I need to practice now for the sex talk.  I am so not ready!  Oh well.  At least we have the concept down now that a) everyone is different - they should be who they are and b) who they are is beautiful and we should respect that. 

Earthquakes

Did you hear the news?  There was an earthquake in Japan.  This probably wouldn’t have been HUGE news to our babies in ordinary circumstances.  I mean, what is the context?  Why would we show them that kind of devastation?  But, these were not ordinary times. 

We hosted an exchange student for a month.  From where you ask?  From Japan of course.  So, in the AM, the girls caught wind of the earthquake when Brendan informed Misato.  They learned a little about that, enough to bring to day care and ask more questions.   

Well, this must be a difficult position as the provider.  The kids clearly had some insight into this catastrophe.  They want to know more.  She knows that we teach the girls about all kinds of things.  So – what was she to do?  Show them more photos. 

This resulted in the girls coming home keyed up.  Totally nervous, and interested and confused.  B came in saying “there was an earthquake in Misato’s hometown.”  Over and over and over again.  And again.  I have never seen anything like that from her.  Running, screaming, nervous.  I tried to push it off.  I tried to just say “no B, it isn’t her home town.  Her country, but not her town.”  I repeated this several times – back to back, countering her chant with my own.   After about 5x, I realized it was silly.  

Attempt #2.  I sat down.  I said B- tell me your questions or concerns.  She said “It was in Japan!  I need to see a map.” So we got out the easel and drew a map.  We showed her the difference.  A little calmer, she said “what about her family?”  Great- we discussed the family, friends… everyone was OK.   

Then she said “There WAS AN earthquake” still hyper, and then said “but everyone we know is ok.” 

Deescalated.  She gave Misato a pat on the arm and moved on.  On the way out of the room she said “thanks Mom, it helps to know all the information.” 

It is always hard to take the time.  I find myself trying to reason with the children, trying to explain the logical reason why things are the way they are.  And then… when that doesn’t work it hits me.  They aren’t old enough for that.  They need to be listened to instead of talked to.  When I remember how to be a good parent, it works smashingly.  Thankfully, toddlers give you that extra step of time to be able to try the second technique.  It will probably be different with three teenagers.   Oh…2021.  How I fear you.

Drama Queen

It could be said for any of our lovely ladies, that they have a bit of a flair for the stage.  Even young R will flop down into a sobbing heap of sadness when she doesn't get one more cookie to fill her belly.  I have seen her cry like her sisters attacked her and stole her favorite toy.  Problem being?  Her sisters are nowhere near her.  

Well - we were having melt down mode with baby #1 the other day.   It all started when Ms. A got up to use the potty.  And by got up, I mean woke up in the middle of the night to request assistance.  You see- I had just told her that that was the expectation.   It dawned on me that perhaps the reason that we had made no progress on the through the night dryness was because A didn't know the expectation.  That appears to be true - each night since then, she has gotten up and asked for help.

Well, I was so happy at this turn of events that I gave her a 1/2 of a mini snickers bar.   CANDY?! yes - I don't know why.  And once the events started to unfold after that, I really can't tell you why.   B- dead asleep hears the sugar hit her sisters tongue and races out of bed.   She reaches the bathroom and says "I can pee for candy."   Trying ... trying... finally, small success.  "Candy!" she demands.  What a weird system. 

I rolled my eyes and offered her the other 1/2 of the snickers.  Flop. Cry. Sob. Yell. "idon'twannaeatthatkindofcandy."  Ugh... A fight of my own design.  Why?WHY? WHY!? I try a gummy, or a couple of M&M's but the monster was already out of the bag.  There would be no appeasing her once she crosses the ledge.   Brendan got a cold wash cloth and started to wipe her tears. 

And do you know what she said next?   I am still in disbelief.  She told me “Mom, I am only 3 years old.  I don’t know how to handle this stuff.  You need to teach me how to handle this kind of a situation.”   What?  Three.  That is right – three years old and asking for help in such a magnificent way.

So I did.  I helped.  We talked about it – we had examples and we went back to the scene of the crime.  The candy-geddon 2011.  She looked in the bucket (still candy from v-day) and found three gummy hearts.  You know, the ones I offered her earlier.  And what did she do with those hearts?  That lady gave one to herself, one to her father for “making such a big fuss” and one to me “because I taught her a good lesson.”

What a kid.

Decorative flags

So... my mom puts out seasonal decorative flags.   I personally don't like them, but the girls LOVE THEM.  B came up to me very upset and said that "Nana put out the St. Patrick's flag."  Now, I thought this would be the highlight of her day.  This particular flag has been her favorite every time she finds the stash of flags.  I was certain it was happy dance time. 

I took one look at her face and knew I was wrong.  "But she didn't celebrate presidents day with a flag."   Here is where I could say "Let's buy her one."  Instead - I asked her what we should do about it.  She quickly came up with a plan.  Here it is:

We are going to make her a flag.  Because presidents made flags when they made the country.
We are going to make her an American flag with pictures on it.  Whose pictures I asked?

"Her Angel Babies.  Because any of us could be president some day." 

Connections

It is so amazing how easily the girls make connections with the people in our lives.  Obviously, we hope we are surrounding the kids with great loving influences.  I love to hear them ask to go hug Nana, or call their Grandma and Grandpa because they miss them.  These are givens.   This week, I have caught conversations about people who are in our lives that we don't see as often as we want.

B asked if she could have the stickers and sticker charts.  I asked what she was working on that she wanted to keep track of.  B informed me that she needed to make a sticker chart for Leslie because Leslie is a good person that needs a sticker chart this week.  I didn't argue.  I let her go and she sang a song about "Leslie, Leeeeslie.  Leslie is nice.  Leslie is a teacher.  Leslie needs a sticker.  Leslieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."

In another conversation, A asked if it was spring yet.  B said no, you will know it is spring when it is kick ball time.  A said, if it is time for kickball, then it is time to see Sarah.  Then, in her sweet baby voice she said "where is Sarah?  I need a hug from her."    She is right, Sarah is a good huger and great fun. 

We get questions about Alice, Michelle's special friend (Deirdre), and even Olive the dog and her fantastic family.  It is so sweet that they know their family, they know the friends they see all the time, but they even have strong connections to the people we don't see as often as we would like. 

Thanks to everyone for helping us raise wonderful girls who know they are loved. 

Hosting an exchange student

So, we decided with babies that are 3,2 and 1 we had some free time.  I guess.  So we decided to host an exchange student.  No really.  We did.  We are.  Strange.

It is great - it is a lot of fun and our student is great.  She is funny, smart and willing to deal with a lot of crap.  A lot. 

We have hosted an exchange student with 1 baby, with 2 babies and now with three.  It is so interesting how something like this experience, really puts into perspective how our lives have changed.  It is a short visit for these students, so you tend to run through the same list of activities.  Wow have they gotten more difficult.

Your energy level - it is sapped.  If you are me (I know many of you are thankful you are not), you have to make every day exciting for the student.  They came all the way here, spent good money - it has to be AWESOME.  Making every day for 30 days awesome is a daunting task.  Making everyday for 30 days awesome with kids - man... who made this plan? 

I get up early to see the kids.  I stay up late to take her to concerts or events.  On my ride to work today I was trying to figure out if my iron was low or my vitamin D off.  Really?  I think it is just a bit of fatigue from being "on."   Shoot - this wasn't supposed to be a discussion of my physical state.

I had a few key observations:

R - Loves people.  She welcomed the exchange student and allowed herself to be held by her day 1.   It is pretty funny though - 18 year old girls aren't always so comfortable holding the babies.  Especially one that weighs about 1/3 of her own body weight.

A-  Thought we were picking up a new baby.  I feel really bad about this.  I normally do a very good job of explaining the situation and the plan to everyone.  We said we were picking up someone to live with us for a while.  We didn't explain that she was an adult.  We didn't explain that a while was a pretty short time.  On the way to the airport A was furious.  She told me she didn't want a new baby.   Sorry lady.  Didn't mean to stress you out.

B- She was the only child that remembered an exchange student.  She was very curious to talk to her about China.  Ignore the fact that our student is from Japan - she wants to ask her how to say various things in Chinese.  ARGH!  She did tell me that she wanted me to explain all words to her "like she was learning English from another language."  She informed me that she was an international student, and studied all languages and that when I explain words or concepts to Misato I am "clear, and detailed and it helps me understand the meaning."   Really?  You are going to comment as a 3 year old on my teaching style? 

She is talking about this time we were driving to St. Paul and this old lady passed me at a crazy clip.  I said "I just got dusted by an old lady."  Misato asked "Dusted.  What do you mean by dusted?"  B giggled - she thought that sounded funny too.  I explained - in my own way what I thought is meant by dusted.  I said going fast, driving on a dirt road, the plume of dust that gathers and then covers your slow moving vehicle.  B loved it.  "Dusted.  Dusted.  Mom got dusted by an old lady."    And then the request - "please explain every world like that to me.  I want to know why it means what it means."  *sigh*

So anyway - here we are - hosting a student.  We are going into what looks like on paper to be the busiest weekend of the year.  I am excited. I am scared.  I hope I will be standing by Sunday evening. 

For the record

I got lots of questions about what and how we are teaching religion.  The answer is sadly - we don't.  Not because we aren't religious - just hasn't be on the top of our list.   We take them to church.  Well, I should say took.  This winter has been tough for that.   We talk about religion as it comes up.  Holidays and the like.  But as far as I can think back in my mind - we haven't taught religion in a formal sense.

This is what makes the previous post so curious.  She really does have a strong sense of who God is and what he wants from her.  Interesting. 

I almost fell off my bike laughing when thinking about this same young lady.  We were talking about the manger, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  In this moment, she was pretending to be Joseph, her sis was Mary.  They were playing - fun times. 

HOURS later - I try to get her dressed.  She FREAKS out.  I was so confused about why the heck she was angry - I was putting on her favorite dress.  Instead of pushing on - I asked her - Why are you angry?  She told me "Jesus would not be proud of his father if he wore a dress."  Ha!  I told her that I knew Jesus loves people just as they are and if Joseph wanted to wear a dress- Jesus would be cool with it.  She calmed, dressed and said "good to know." 

Watch out for that one

Sometimes it just makes you think...

1) She told me that when she was swimming in my tummy, angels found her and directed her which way to go and that she should not be scared.

2) She told me she would be a priest.  A biting one.  But a priest nonetheless.

3) She told me her and God were working on a plan.  He was going to tell her the final details in her sleep soon.

4) She told me that nothing fun happens in church.  When she is in charge, it will be fun and informative.

5) She told me that she will fix her Nana.  Jesus and Mary and B have a plan on how to make it all OK.

6) She tells me regularly that she sees angels and they help her and comfort her.

7) She told me a long time ago, when she was older, before she got young again, she was Chinese.  She didn't pray much then.   

7) She told me that Jesus loves me.

Again.  Just makes you think.  

They grow up

Even if you don't want them to.  Ms. R knows everything.  She is a very clever little lady.  I am not kidding.  Show her something - she can do it.  It is in a way that really - really reminds you how much we associate language with intelligence.   This lady can sign, she knows what she wants and she can already annoy and manipulate her older sibs.   I have caught her stealing a toy, falling down on the escape route and then getting close enough to the girls to make it look like they took the toy from her and she should get the sympathy.  Tricky lady. 

Yesterday - she made me laugh so hard.  She was wearing tights and pants.  We were going to a party, so I stripped the pants fast and pulled on a dress.  Apparently, I didn't explain the plan very well.  She came over to me with the pants in hand.  She gave them to me and started to move her foot.  That girl was trying to show me that she intended to step into the pants.  Why wouldn't I hold them open?  Why the heck did I take away her pants?  It was cold darn it.  Step.  Step.

It was so cute, so smart.  I am sure if she would have removed the pacifier, she would have said: "Dear mom, you forgot to put my pants back on.  It is winter and I would like to respectfully request to have my pants put back on.  Thank you for your consideration."  I was laughing.  It was so clear what she wanted.   I pointed it out to Brendan and then continued with my packing.   We were late. 

Suddenly, A nice pat on the back of my leg.  Pat pat... are you listening.  I turn around.  R is there.  The pants in hand again.  Here goes the leg kicks.  Step Step.  She patted me, then the pants, then her leg.  She was really trying to tell me that she wanted those darn pants. I stopped.  Informed her that she was in a dress, and it was ok to run without pants.  She looked down, shrugged and allowed me to take her out pants-less.

The first of many times that she will note that she knew more than her mom did.