the deuce

kids say the darndest things

2012-02-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

We were playing a game in the car. The girls wanted me to name a Disney movie and they would name the villian.

Daddy: 101 Dalmations?
Sophie: Cruella!

Daddy: The Little Mermaid?
Lucy: Ursula!

Daddy: Mary Poppins?
Sophie: There's no bad guy in that one.
Daddy: What about their dad?
Lucy: Um, he was just misunderstood.

bowling

2012-01-22T10:18:00.000-08:00

Can you guess who doesn't like bowling?

Lucy Danger

2012-01-20T22:52:00.000-08:00

All I asked her to do was smile.

and now they are four

2012-01-19T09:41:00.001-08:00

Christmas

2011-12-25T13:57:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

Lionel

2011-12-18T14:51:00.000-08:00

Lionel the Lion is Lucy's best friend. Lucy takes Lionel everywhere. But, as attached as Lucy is to Lionel, we often find Lionel abandoned in a pile of clothes, or left in the car, or stuck in a box. It's never Lucy's fault of course, Lionel is just hiding. He's pesky.

Lucy is Lionel's mommy. Alea is Lionel's sister. She lives in Santa Barbara, she drives a car and is going to be a grown-up lion soon. There are many Incredible stories about Alea and her exploits. If you have ever done anything, chances are, Alea has done it, too. Lionel has other brothers and sisters including Jessica, Carol and Darth Vader. We are not supposed to be scared of Darth Vader because Lucy says it is spelled different, but I don't know how to spell it.

Lucy wants to be a lion tamer when she grows up.

Purty

2011-12-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

Purty is Sophie's best friend. Purty is the mother to many puppies like Jelly Bean, Chocolate, Brownie, Vanilla, and Marshmallow. She has a husband, Pongo, but unlike the movie, our Pongo is not a Dalmation. Purty has comforted Sophie many times, especially on car rides and when she is not feeling well.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

2011-12-11T16:16:00.001-08:00

Last night we went out looking at Christmas Lights. We drove around a corner a saw a huge display of lights.
Lexi: Oh - my - GOODNESS!!!
Sophie: Di - a - RRHEA!!!

We have no idea...

Disneyland 2011

2011-12-08T07:43:00.001-08:00

We fooled them real good with a big surprise.

Sushi

2011-11-09T08:59:00.001-08:00

Sophie loves her sushi. She is working on her chopstick skills.

Princesses

2011-10-31T22:26:00.000-07:00

Halloween!

Our Trip to Reno

2011-10-30T00:33:00.001-07:00

Princess dance class

2011-10-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Young Toughs

2011-10-28T01:01:00.001-07:00

Young toughs of the pumpkin patch.

Ice Cream

2011-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

When you are three years old, having a blue tongue is like finding $20 in an old pair of pants.

2011-09-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Deuce absolutely loved helping me wash the car. Too bad nothing they did actually resulted in getting the car any cleaner.

Contra Loma

2011-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

With cousins and friends at Contra Loma.

Bookstores

2011-08-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

The girls ran loose at the used bookstore. Turning a corner, there was Sophie, browsing through a book like an adult.

We visited a magazine store in Davis. Lucy immediately found an Archie and Jughead comic book and sat quietly, slowly turning each page and looking at all the pictures.

Firetruck

2011-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

On a trip to the Walnut Creek park we stumbled on an open house of firefighters, police, and paramedics. The Deuce loved sitting in the firetruck and chatting up the firewoman.

Western Railway Museum

2011-08-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

A trip to the Railway Museum was just what we needed. While the parents thought the museum lacked content, Sophie was entranced and Lucy had fun. The hour-long ride on a train left a huge smile on Sophie's face.

Bath-time Fun

2011-08-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

Sophie: Daddy, do you remember when Lucy was little and she pooped in the tub?
Daddy: Yes, that was funny.
Sophie: Well, it wasn't funny for me!!

4th of July

2011-07-07T22:50:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday America!

Pismo Beach

2011-06-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

They loved The Cracked Crab. Why? Because they could draw on the tables!

When our server came over Sophie pointed to a big, multi-colored, squiggly thing she drew and explained that it was a platypus. She told a story about it and where it came from and that it's name was Rose.

Later, Lucy showed our server a very small circle she drew. "It's a red hula hoop."

Pismo Beach

2011-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Deuce really wanted to get their cousins a snow globe. Of course when we got there, Sophie said, "Mommy, I want this one for me!"

Pismo Beach

2011-06-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I never actually said, "Let's take the girls to a bar." We just ended up there somehow.

Pismo Beach

2011-06-11T11:57:00.001-07:00

Pismo Beach

2011-06-10T14:14:00.001-07:00

Sophie and Lucy loved playing in the sand at the beach. I'd like to apologize to the hotel for bringing a great deal of that sand back with us.

Lucy's Camera

2011-05-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Lucy's camera.

As you can see, she loves her baby lion, Lionel.

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

2011

2010

2009

2008

ballet

2011-03-30T00:13:00.000-07:00

Ballet

2011-03-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

First day of ballet wasn't entirely smooth.

picture from the past

2011-03-18T09:40:00.001-07:00

Sleepover with Cousins, October 2010
Sophie still in diapers, Lucy still in nose.

cutest thing ever...

2011-03-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

smile if you love carousels

2011-03-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

movie night

2011-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

they grow, don't they?

2011-01-29T15:28:00.000-08:00

Nap time, January 15

Bed time, January 15th

Nature Walk

2011-01-23T16:30:00.001-08:00

Our nature walk was brought to a sudden and complete halt when The Deuce discovered a hole that needed filling.

chocolate doughnuts!

2011-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

potty

2011-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

It was cold in there so Lucy brought a blanket.

art

2011-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sophie loves to draw and color. She was particularly proud of this work.

kids say the darndest things...

2011-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

A conversation as we drove by our local shopping center.

Mommy: Girls, remind me to get my dry cleaning.
Sophie: Hey! There's your dry cleaner right there. It's attached to Save Mart!
Mommy (laughing): Yes, it's next to Save Mart.
Lucy: It's attached? With Scotch tape?
Mommy (laughing): No, not with Scotch tape.
Lucy: Magnets?

Birthday cupcakes

2011-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Three Years Old!

2011-01-09T10:29:00.001-08:00

the cinema

2011-01-01T20:07:00.001-08:00

Today The Deuce went to the movies for the very first time. We saw Disney's Tangled. The Deuce loved it. They ate popcorn and drank apple juice. Sophie sat very close to me through the whole movie. Lucy had to go potty with mommy and talk. Lots of talking. She claimed she couldn't whisper.

kids say the darndest things...

2010-12-28T00:07:00.000-08:00

Sophie: Mommy, let's watch Fantasia.
Lexi: No, you've watched too much tv. Let's spend time together.
Sophie: But we can spend time together and watch tv! please?

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T12:49:00.001-08:00

Xmas cookies

2010-12-19T20:04:00.001-08:00

kids say the darndest things...

2010-12-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

Lucy: Daddy I went poop in the toilet!

Sophie: Lucy, I want to see! I want to see!. Oh, it's cute.

Thanks

2010-11-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

I know what I am thankful for.

memories

2010-11-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

Many people who have read this blog have said The Deuce will love reading it when they are older. I think they may be right. The Deuce will be able to read about stories when they happened, not just an exaggerated, fabricated, faint memory.

Here's one that happened just yesterday:

Dear future Sophie,
Yesterday you wanted up on my lap. You got up in the chair with me and got all snuggly (which you don't often like to do.) We sat there together talking about your day. About shoes and Minnie Mouse and Lucy dancing. It was all very cute. You leaned your head back on my chest and relaxed. We sat there together loving each other. Then you reached up and pulled a big booger out of your nose and wiped it on my thigh.

Trick or Treat

2010-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Belle and Ariel

pumpkin patch

2010-10-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

pumpkins!

2010-10-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

picture time

2010-10-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

2010-09-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Disneyland

2010-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Disneyland

2010-09-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Carousels remain their favorite ride.

Disneyland

2010-09-13T08:25:00.001-07:00

Morning Jokes

2010-08-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

No morning around here is complete without a well-balanced meal, an invigorating shower and some clever jokes at the breakfast table. This particular morning we just focused on the jokes.

Farmstand

2010-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Farmstand

2010-08-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

New Playhouse

2010-08-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Butano State Park

2010-08-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Daddy: "Sophie, did you like the redwoods?"
Sophie: "No Daddy, they are green woods."

4th of July

2010-07-31T01:59:00.000-07:00

Sophie's New Shoes

2010-07-29T23:38:00.000-07:00

nicknames

2010-07-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

The Deuce love their nicknames. Often, you will refer to them by one name and they will correct you with the name they are currently going by. Here is a list of the current names:

Lucy Danger Sodapop Biscuit Ariel Fuzzy Merissa Morris

Sophie Periwinkle Lollipop Muffin Flounder Booboo Beth Morris

mute button

2010-07-09T23:48:00.001-07:00

Sadly, it didn't work.

5th of July

2010-07-08T00:12:00.001-07:00

July 5th isn't really a holiday but we treated it like one.

We had spent the night in a hotel in Davis which the girls dubbed, "the brown Kon Tiki." The Kon Tiki was the motel we stayed in in Pismo so why not call all hotels Kon Tiki?

We started the day off right with a visit to Putah Creek Cafe. The Deuce loved it.

We wondered if they would be hungry for lunch so soon after their breakfast. Rather than worry we just had ice cream sundaes which were eaten without complaint.

The day's festivities ended at home when we decided they needed more sugar if they were going to properly celebrate Independence Day. Lucy and Sophie went about devouring little slices of the berry pie we picked up earlier in the day. Happy Birthday America!

4th of July

2010-07-06T01:16:00.001-07:00

You can't tell but it was over 100 degrees in Davis.

The Deuce remained happy despite the heat.

They kept cheering, "Happy Birthday America!"

kids say the darndest things part 3

2010-06-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

Daddy: "C'mon get in your crib."
Lucy: "It's not a crib, it's a cage!"

learning

2010-06-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

caring

2010-06-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Now that the Deuce are two and a half they are learning a new emotion, caring. No, not for each other. They love to care for Trixie, the dog. Unfortunately, Trixie is too big and pushy for them to do much more than pet and blow kisses. They do talk about Trixie a lot and how they love her. Lucy calls Trixie her hairy sister. This morning they fashioned hats, coats, and shoes out of play dough for their toy Trixies.

sleepover

2010-05-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

The cousins, Pork Chop and Tater, spent the night for a little sleepover. I think it may have been one of the most boring sleepovers ever. They played and ate pizza and watched a movie, but when it came time to go to sleep, they actually went right to sleep. We were expecting lots of shenanigans, monkey business and hi jinks. Too much running around, I guess.

time machine

2010-05-27T00:51:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe they were once this little.

kids say the darndest things part 2

2010-05-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

Lexi: "Eat your edamame, it's good for your digestion."
Sophie: "No Mommy, it's good for my poops."

kids say the darndest things

2010-05-14T00:14:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago we sat down to read The Deuce some bedtime books. They were thrilled when I pulled out Peter Pan because, although we had read it every single night for nearly two months, we hadn't read it recently. They love Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, John and the Lost boys. They especially love Princess Tiger Lilly and Tinkerbell. They do not like Captain Hook nor his henchman Smee, as Sophie says, "No. No like."

So I'm at the part of the story where Captain Hook and Smee deceive Tinkerbell and trick her into revealing Peter Pan's hiding place and then lock her in a lantern. This is always upsetting to Sophie and Lucy but on this night Lucy says something that we are certain we heard clearly. We don't know where she picked it up (though neither of us claims innocence) and we can't imagine how she knew that it was in fact the perfect use of the word (though not for a two year old.)

"...Tinkerbell marched to the map of Neverland and traced a path to Peter's hidden house. "Thank you my dear," said wicked Captain Hook and he locked her up in a lantern cage , while he went off to capture Peter Pan!"

"Bastards!" muttered Lucy.

Happy Birthday Emily

2010-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Lucy

2010-05-12T01:47:00.000-07:00

Sophie

2010-05-11T01:46:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T01:40:00.000-07:00

2010

2009

2008

Dear Mommy,

We run because we know you will chase us.
We cry so you will console us.
We scream because we love your attention.
We hug you so you will hug us back.
We get dirty so you will bathe us.
We go to bed willingly so you will read to us.
We love to travel because it is you taking us.
We kiss you because you kiss us back.
We love you because you love us so much.
Happy Mother's Day, Mommy.

Vacation

2010-05-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Vacation

2010-05-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Vacation

2010-05-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Avila Beach

Vacation

2010-05-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Avila Beach

San Luis Obispo/Atascadero

2010-04-28T09:42:00.001-07:00

The Deuce made their first visit to a zoo. We learned that they prefer their animals animated. They did like the meerkats. But Sophie did not like when the parrots squawked at her and Lucy discovered she really, really does not like snakes.

Everything was made better when we visited Frank's and had hot dogs with ketchup, or in Lucy's case, ketchup with hot dogs.

Pismo Beach

2010-04-27T09:33:00.001-07:00

We have found it is better when they are separated.

We starrted out the day eating some really tasty cinnamon rolls in a really filthy cafe.

Lucy kept shouting, "We're Number 10!!" with great enthusiasm every time she got excited. I couldn't figure it out what she was talking about until I remembered a small detail from our drive down.

The view from our hotel.

Pismo Beach

2010-04-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

Round Valley bridge

2010-04-25T00:34:00.001-07:00

Sophie was thrilled after she got to be up close to a horse. She skipped and jumped all the way across the bridge.

Round Valley

2010-04-24T00:27:00.000-07:00

We took The Deuce on a nature walk at Round Valley Regional Preserve. They loved the looking and petting the other visitor's horses, seeing a frog and throwing rocks.

Baby Ryan

2010-03-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Baby Ryan came to visit today. The Deuce weren't quite sure what to make of him. They haven't been around any babies so small and they didn't really see him as a peer. They did recognize their old car seat and wondered why he had it. When it came time for a photo, Sophie wouldn't even get near him.

It was wonderful to see little Ryan. He was a long time coming and is already so loved by so many.

Snow: 1st time

2010-03-09T01:15:00.001-08:00

Snow from Trevor Morris on Vimeo.

N and O

2010-03-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

Sophie's Favorite Letters, N and O from Trevor Morris on Vimeo.

a walk in the hills

2010-03-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

a walk in the hills

2010-03-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

"Sophie don't step in that."
"Why"
"It's cow poop."
"Cow poop?"
"Yes, cow poop."

And then she sings.
"Cow POOP! Cow, cow POOP! Cow poop poop!"

a walk in the hills

2010-03-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

We have had so much rain the past few weeks. The girls were eager to get out and run so we headed to the hills right behind our house.

Birthday

2010-02-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Birthday

2010-02-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Birthday

2010-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Birthday

2010-02-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Birthday

2010-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sophie and Lucy love Elmo. Lexi made them very happy with their own Elmo cupcakes.