Cleanliness is overrated

I love a clean house. Rarely do I have one, but I love it. I love the feeling of walking through a room, not having to stop to pick a tissue, out of place toy, random shoe, underwear or other such item. I love the smell and the way it relaxes me. It's a joy, and I indulge in it. Therefore, when I get to have the euphoric high of a clean house, nothing irritates me more than finding something little that I skipped over.

For example, just this week I swept, mopped and wiped of every surface in my kitchen. I stepped back to take a look at my masterpiece and smiled. I turned to walk away and CRUNCH. Immediately my heart sank. "Why" I wondered. Seriously, where did the mysterious crunchy object (that haphazardly ended up in the CENTER of the kitchen) come from? Seriously, I was in awe at how this tiny object had not been seen by my meticulous vision. Craziness or a conspiracy, I'm still trying to figure it out!

(This is NOT a photo of my kitchen...it's too messy!)

Toddler Talk Revealed

All mothers have the ability to understand semi-clearly what their own toddler is saying. Although undecipherable to virtually everyone else, this jibberish makes complete sense to the mother of said toddler. Here are some of my favorites, from my own kids:

First, here are the ones that even a stranger could understand.
They include:

"NO! NO! NO!"
"PooPoo!"
"ByeBye"
"Mommy"
"Daddy"
"Thank You!"

Here are the ones that require true, parent insight:

"Croutch" - the pocket on the tummy of a Kangaroo, courtesy of my 3 1/2 year old
"Chuckie" - Cookie
"MoeMoe" - More
"Jush" - Juice
"Shoo" - Shoes
"NihNih" - Night Night
"BaabBaab" - Clap Clap
"Aaaasheee, Weawwdu?"- Ashlee, Where are you?, spoken by my son anytime his twin sister is out of his eyesight
"Bubbie do!" - Bubba did it! Spoken by my youngest daughter when she tattles on her brother
"Nnnnack!" - Snack
"Pish" - Fish, as in Goldfish snacks
"Beebees" - Baby
"Beebees" - Brinkley (our dog)
"BeeBees" - Bear Bear, my youngest daughter's "Lovey" a Blue Bear
"Bubbies" - Bubba, what my youngest daughter calls her twin brother

My all time favorite (to date) of mine is my youngest daughter, Ashlee, saying the name of each person in our family. I say them first and she repeats. It goes something like this:

Mommy: "Ashlee, say Mommy."
Ashlee: "MeeMee"
M: "Say Daddy."
A: "Daddy."
M: "Elizabeth."
A: "Buzzie" or "MeMe."
M: "MeMe"
A: "MeMe"
M: "PawPaw."
A: "PawPaw."
M: "Say, Lucas."
A: "Bubbie!"

Never, not once has she actually said "Lucas!"

If you have never been around a toddler or toddlers enough to be fortunate enough to decipher jibberish, I hope this gives you some insight. It is delightful, frustrating, hysterical, nerve-wracking and joyful all bundled into one. Lucky for us, we use sign language as well. Otherwise, the "BeeBees" could pose a serious threat!