A Day In the Life....

Today the living room was a mess. So I put Princess' things and Buddy's things in two separate piles to be put away. Buddy put his things right away. Princess left the room to play with other toys. I explained to her that if she didn't put her things away I would put them in a box and she would have to earn them back. She decided she wanted them in a box to see what kind of chores I would give her.

Buddy was talking to Grammy today about Hurricane Irene. She told him it was going to hit the Outer Banks and reminded him that is where we usually go to the beach. Buddy replies, "sometimes we go to the Outer Banks to get money for our hair cuts."

It Only Took 5 Years

From the time Princess was born, we did what she wanted us to do to get her to fall a sleep. She was the first born, so we didn't really know any better. We patted her butt. We rocked her. We sat in her room then would try to sneak out without waking her. She slept on a small bed on our bedroom floor. We did everything, except let her cry it out (actually we tried, but caved). The last 2 years, I'm guessing, I would have to sit in the hallway so that she could see me. I would read, crochet, do coupons, or something to keep me occupied. But honestly, I hated sitting there (and miss out on the great TV shows that were on). I used to say that in our house, the first born was going to be the "spoiled one".

Well, she turned 5-years-old in October. Then JD was born. I was still sitting in the hallway, usually holding JD or nursing him. Then I would have to get up to change him or put him to bed...something that would make me leave the hallway. Guess what?! After just a few weeks, she didn't need me in the hallway anymore. She would still like for me to be upstairs, but I don't always stay up and she is okay. THANK YOU, JESUS!!!

I'm not saying bedtime is perfect though. We still have her giving us excuses why she can't sleep yet...water, potty, needs recovered, etc. But I don't have to sit on the floor in the hallway. YAY!!!!

It only took 5 years....

Why Do Leaves Fall Off the Trees in the Fall?

Princess: Do you know why the leaves fall off of the trees in the fall?
Me: Can you tell me?
Princess: Because it gets cold, the trees shiver, and the leaves fall off the trees.

Happy Birthday to my Princess

5 years ago today, my princess was born. I can't believe how fast time has gone. She is not a baby anymore, not even a toddler really. She IS a little girl.

Lately she has become more interested in baby dolls and being a little mommy to them. She has one in particular whose name is "Flower" and she gets baths, fed, diaper changes, and sleeps in the cradle next to her. She will be a great big sister to her little brother due in 2 weeks. She is already a little mother to Buddy....doing her best to take care of him AND discipline him! She is very patient with him and is a great teacher when he wants to learn how to do something.

She is has a sensitive and servant's heart. This summer when her daddy was building beds, pantries, etc, she would always make sure he had a drink and check to see if he needed anything else. When at a restaurant, she is always concerned about someone if they are sitting "alone".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABBY!! I love you more than you will ever know.

Another Cute Story

Princess, Little Guy, and I were cleaning Little Guy's bedroom. Princess started looking at the walls in his room. Here is our conversation:

Princess: Mommy, when Little Guy was in your belly, you and daddy painted Little Guy's room.
Me: That's right! Do you remember that?
Princess: Yes.
Little Guy: I don't want to go in your belly. I will cry.
Me: I don't want you in my belly.
Princess: Why?
Me: Because I will cry. Little Guy is a lot bigger now and it would really hurt me if he was in my belly....and I would miss kissing and hugging, playing, tickling, and talking to him.

Messy Bed

I usually don't make my bed in the morning, but yesterday I cleaned our bedroom. (It looks empty now. Piles of clothes and dust bunnies really add to a room...seriously!) Since I have a clean room, I decided that I should make my bed. While I was making my bed Princess came in. Here is our conversation:

Princess: Did Daddy mess up the bed?
Me: Yes, every time you sleep in a bed it gets messy.
Princess: So, we should just keep it messy.

EXACTLY!!!! Why make the bed?

What's on Top of Your Christmas Tree?

On Christmas morning the kids and I were sitting at Grammy and Pappy's house waiting for all the Christmas fun to begin. The kids were looking at all the ornaments on the Christmas tree. Here is our conversation:

Little Guy: Why does Grammy have a star on top?
Me: Some people put stars on top of their tree, some put an angel. We have an angel. Grammy has a star.
LG: What does Aunt Becky have on her tree?
Me: I'm not sure. I can't remember what they put on top of their tree. Princess, do you remember what Aunt Becky has on top of her tree? (because if anyone would remember, it would be Princess)
Princess: Hmm? I think a pirate.
Me: A PIRATE?
Princess: Yes. I think a pirate. It has a feather.
Me: Oh, maybe an angel. Sometime angels have feathers.
Princess: No. A pirate.

So there you have it. Aunt Becky has a pirate on top of her Christmas tree.

Fall Fun

The kids and I took advantage of this nice fall weather and had some fun this week.

First we played in the leaves. We don't have many leaves in our yard, so we asked the neighbor if we could play in her leaves.

Then we went to a local lake, fed the ducks and had a picnic lunch.


Take advantage of this fall and play outside with your kids.

She Is So My Daughter

We are working on this potty training thing with Princess. She is doing great with pee. I have been rewarding her with candy and a sticker for her sticker chart after she goes.

Well since Halloween, WE have been eating A LOT of candy! Today I decided that the kids and I will only have 3 pieces total today.

Princess pees on the potty for the 3rd time today:

Princess: I peed 3 times today. I get 3 stickers and 3 pieces of candy.
Me: No. You can have 3 stickers and 1 piece of candy.
Princess: Why?
Me: We've been eating too much candy.
Princess: I know the fun way. We can switch. I will have 1 sticker and 3 pieces of candy.

Hmm? Wonder where she gets her smarts?

The Beloved Pacifier

We started telling Princess a couple months ago that when she turned 4, she was going to throw her pacifier away in the trash. So on her 4th birthday, I told her no more pacifier. I said, "when you are ready to throw it away, let me know and we will do it."

Quiet time came and she wanted her pacifier. I told her "No, you are a big girl. You don't need it." She would cry off and on for it. During her quiet time, I was chatting with Classic Mama on Facebook. I told her what was going on. She suggested going to Build A Bear and putting it in a bear for Princess. What a great idea! When Dave got home, I told him. He also liked the idea. As soon as we ate supper, we were off to the Build A Bear store. Princess picked out Hello Kitty to put her pacifier inside. Princess seemed a little sad, but was okay about the whole thing. I almost cried though, but knew I had to be strong for her.

THEN BEDTIME CAME :( oH mY wORD! Crying, Screaming, Reaching for the door, tossing herself all over the bed. WOW! I laid in bed praying and singing with her during this whole time. She did this for about 45 minutes and then just "passed out"....for about 3 hours, then it started again! I think I was up with her 3-4 times that night. (Dave was up with Little Guy each time too.)

The next night was better. She cried for her pacifier for a couple of minutes and then once or twice in the middle of the night, but that was it.

The next night she asked for her pacifier, but no crying.

She seemed depressed for about a week. I finally took her out just the 2 of us and spent some time doing what she wanted. I made the time all about her and that seemed to do the trick. She is her happy little self again. Once in a while, she will ask for her pacifier with a smile on her face.

Favorites

On Princess' 4th birthday, I asked her what her favorites are. Here is her list:

Place to eat: McDonald's and Chick Fil A
Ice cream: Peanut Butter Cup
Movie: Strawberry Shortcake movie
Book: Thanksgiving Blues Clues
Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Food: French Fries
TV show: Franklin the Turtle
Season: Fall
Color: Purple and Pink
Holiday: Easter
Snack: Teddy Bear Graham Crackers

It will be interesting to ask her this list next year.

Makes THIS Mama Proud...

Can you see what this bag says at the top of this bag? You read it right. CVS.

Princess went her daddy the other day and asked, "How do you spell CVS? Does it have an 'O' in it?" I'm not sure who actually wrote it on the bag, but it was all her idea.

My 4-year-old is already beginning her great addiction to CVS. I LOVE IT!

Princess Turns 4!

Today is Princess' 4th birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRINCESS!!!

New Bed for Princess

Since June of last year, Princess has been sleeping on a box spring and mattress set on the floor in front of her crib/toddler bed. We finally decided to buy the bed frame and change her crib/bed into the double bed.

The night we made the change, we let her sleep in our room. When she fell asleep, Dave and I got to work.

When Princess woke up the next morning, we showed her her new room. She smiled for at least an hour. She couldn't get the smile off of her face if someone paid her.

On a side note, Princess used to wake up in the middle of the night (every night!) and sleep on a cushion in our room. Since she has a new bed, we told her she has to sleep in her own room. She is doing very good with this. She has only gotten up a couple of nights and needed covered up or music turned on and then she is okay. :)

Marco...

The other day we were swimming in my in-laws pool. Princess has become quite the fish this year. She wanted to play a game. So I told her, "I will close my eyes and say 'Marco'. Then you say 'Polo' and I will try to find you." She was in a floaty thing and her daddy was pushing her around.

So we start. I said, "Marco."

She replied, "Pull-up."

Sketchers

Last night I bought a pair of Sketcher sneakers for Little Guy. This morning I asked Princess if she wanted to see Little Guy's new sneakers. Of course she said, "yes!"

I showed them to her. Here is our conversation:

Princess: "They look just like Sketchers."

Me: "Like what?"

Princess: "Sketchers."

Me: "Where did you learn about Sketchers?"

Princess: "On tv." Then she proceeded to tell me about the commercial.

Now she is asking me to buy her a pair of Sketchers.

I guess Sketchers must have good marketing.

School

I've been wanting to put Princess in some sort of structured class for a while now. She is also always talking about going to school. I took her to a dance recital at our church. Afterwards I asked her if she wanted to go to school to dance. She said, "yes and painting too!" She LOVES to paint. A week or so later, I asked her, "if you had a choice to go to school to dance or to paint which would you choose?" Immediately she said paint.


Dave asked around at work and found a place down the road from us (we pass it all the time, but never really noticed it) called the Art Center. They have camps during the summer for all ages. Last week I enrolled Princess in the "Preschool Painting Camp". Check out her first day on her blog.


I was nervous because I didn't stay in the room with her. I wanted her to do this without me...part of the reason I wanted her in a structured class. She did great. She did not cry or even ask for me. I am so proud of her. This is a big step for her.

While she was in class I made Little Guy have a photo shot. He didn't cooperate very well, but I got some good shots of him. Enjoy.

Today Was a Nice Day For...

Walking on rocks...

Smelling the Flowers...

Playing on the sliding board...

and looking for birds.

(or drinking from your binoculars?)

Just One Scoop Please

This is a story that my in-laws have told over and over again, so I thought maybe I should write it down.

About a month ago, we were at Grammy and Pappy's house (my in-laws). We were just sitting around visiting and watching tv.

Princess: Grammy, I want ice cream.

Grammy: Okay.

Grammy leaves the room to dish out the ice cream.

Me: Princess, tell Grammy that you just want one scoop of ice cream.

Princess: Why do I only want one scoop? (Grammy & Pappy thinks this is the funniest line.)

Me: Because that is all you need.

Princess to Grammy: Grammy, I just want ONE scoop.

Grammy: Are you sure that is all you want?

Princess: Yup, just one scoop.

Grammy: Okay.

If only she listened that well all the time....

Princess Talking to Mary

This is a "phone conversation" that I over heard right before Christmas. Of course I only heard Princess' side of the conversation.

Princess:

We will be there in a couple minutes.

Okay, Mary.

What do you want for baby Jesus for special?

Oh, okay, socks.

Special Princess socks?

OK, we make 'um.

Oh, Joseph? Okay

Bye.