Aubrey just begged me to take her to the bathroom so she could look at herself in the mirror (that's the only mirror we have). She was wearing her too-small-for-her-head hat and a bathing suit, and she really needed to see herself. So I took her, and she was all smiles. After a while, I asked if we were done, she responded with "No."

Hmmm....

Big bro moment

We imposed a new rule on the kids: they're not allowed to stand on the armrest or backrest of our couch. They like to do this, and it always riles us up. So everytime the rule is broken, they get a little spank. Well I did so to Aubrey because she hasn't gotten the rule yet. It was just a reminding slap on his fat thigh, it didn't hurt (enough) but she also ignored it as she kept at it.

Meanwhile, Gerard is looking at me a little upset and grudgingly says, "Don't spank Aubrey. Aubrey's my sister!" I think this is his phase.

Last week, he said something similar. We were in my paernts' van on the way home from The Little Bits' show, and Aubrey had just fallen asleep in the carseat. My dad turns from the passenger sear to see if she was awake, so he says "Aubrey? Are you awake?" And next to me in the last row of seats was Gerard, who whispered loudly to himself, "Don't wake up Aubrey, she's my sister!" I don't think my dad heard that but I was laughing my A off.

A couple of times already, I've heard him shout to other kids at the playground that Aubrey is his sister :)

Aubrey talks in her sleep!

Late last night, I got into bed and shortly after, Aubrey started shouting "Mine! Mine! Mine! MIIINE!" and I thought something went wrong. I looked at her, and she was all asleep.

I did learn early this morning that yesterday, she and her brother bickered all day. That explains it.

But well, before I dropped her off with grandpa and grandma (Gerard stayed home to be with his paternal great grandma), Aubrey didn't want to leave anymore. She was having a lot of fun wrestling with her brother on the couch.

Kids.

Potty

Potty training is a little inconsistent, but Aubrey still does remember what to do when she needs to go and I happen to take her. It is quite early and I'm really proud that she's even racked up potty points already. On the other hand, her bro refuses and insists on being a baby.

Aubrey's new achievement

Our little girl has picked up polite manners, largely due to her big brother :)

He had been trained to properly ask for things he wants by saying, "Please may I have....." except his version is "Excuse me, please may I'm have...." (Yes, he says excuse me, and I'm). A lot of times, he doesn't remember to be polite so whenever he demands for something, we remind him what he must say to get what he wants, and he obliges.

Their dad also implemented this with Aubrey and she is also saying it. So far, I've reminder her to say it instead of crying for it. She has asked, "Please may I go up" and "Please may I have milk."

Reactions

It's funny how the brats' reactions are so REAL!

On Friday, we were at Borders and without our knowing my brother and his family were there. My sister in law spotted us from behind, and tried to grab Gerard by surprise. He reacted by hitting and kicking and making it hard for her to grab him. I was impressed... knowing that's how he'll react when a stranger grabs him makes me a bit at ease. Now we just have to foster this and make him stronger. Of course, auntie wasn't a stranger afterall but it was an instinctual reaction and I'm glad to know he has it.

And then today, Sunday, ever my girl Aubrey started panicking. Apparently her doll got stuck on the frame of her old bouncer. I told her not to panic, but well, it's in her... she treats her dolls like babies. I would panic too if my baby got stuck and I couldn't get her out.

As of late, Gerard has been insistent on buckling himself into his carseat.
Well, guess who's been insistent TOO??!?

Yes... the girl. She learned how to buckle herself in. Yay for narrow age gaps! Learning is so much easier. However, it's practically like having twins. Double the trouble, that's right.