The Potty

It should be noted that Adeline is completely potty trained.  Yes, I said it before but I want to make sure and document that she verbalizes when she needs to go. I thought this would take at least a two to three months to come into place for her but she is already there. With the exception of Christmas day, both girls are accident free and I couldn't be more happy about it. Rarely do I have make a potty stop in a store and they are fantastic about holding it during long car rides etc. The potty training burden has been lifted!!!

Here is today's potty talk. . .

A: I need to poop

I help her on the potty

A: It is too hard Mom

Me: You have to push hard Adeline

Obvious pushing is observed

A: Where is it mommy?

Pushing coupled with interesting sounds

A: Oh, that is poop gas mom. It's in there (pointing in the toilet).

Laugh

A: It's funny mom.

A: Poop is too hard mommy.

Off the potty she goes until 15 minutes later when she completes her task. After, she runs into Alex's office. . .

A: I poop Alex.

Daddy: Yeah

A: Alex, know what?

Daddy: What Adeline?

A: I potty.

86 Days of Planning

That is as far back as my memory goes when thinking about Savannah's start to plan our anniversary.  One day it just popped in her head to plan her mommy and daddy the celebration of life time. "I can see it all in my imagination mommy." Not only did she see it in her head, she worked, and worked, AND worked until she made it a reality. Each week, sometimes each day, she would ask how many days to go until our anniversary. She never lost focus which is exactly what I thought would happen. How can six year old stay pepped up for something that won't happen for 86 days?


Here she is the night before with all the decorations up and presents ready.

Savannah crafted, created, and organized. She had a list ready for the things she needed, some of which she said I could buy for her. Everything was simple and mostly handmade. Savannah instructed us to go to bed early or stay in the office the night before because she needed to do some "work" downstairs. With the help of Grammy and Papa, our house was transformed by my Sweetie Pie's works or art/love. She even had games which were pretty complex. We had a scavenger hunt with clues she had written long ago. My favorite was a bag of hand cut confetti that she dropped down on us. Mixed in were little white hearts and whoever found the hear that said, "I love you," won the game. Creative! We had cake that evening by the light of the jar candle she crafted for a present. I got a book (because you love to read mommy) from the Dollar Store (she is economical too) and daddy received a hand made book called, "How to Draw." She took the time to illustrate each step of each thing she was drawing. You can kind of get the idea in the pictures below. Here we are being presented our gifts.  The last picture is of the cake she had for us.  Since I never blew out candles for my birthday, she felt it only appropriate to put them on our anniversary cake.

I have to say it was the best anniversary ever. Alex and I were both bleary eyed when roused from our beds early that morning by a very anxious and happy girl. Soon, we were in awe with teary eyes. Savannah is absolutely the most amazing, loving, and compassionate girl I know. I am so very lucky to live my life with her!  This will always be an anniversary to remember.

Tidbits

Savannah - My brain is sick and sleepy.  I need go to the doctor.



S - Why are you packing the girls' lunches?

Me- Because there is a two hour delay and they will be at school during lunch time.

S - Does that mean I have to eat dinner at school?



S - Lila is your music girl and I am your artist.  When I grow up, I will teach you how to make beautiful crafts Mommy.


Told to me by a parent of one of Savannah's classmates. . .

My son tells me that Savannah is the only kid in the class that hasn't gotten into trouble or yelled at.  (I seriously doubt there is a lot of yelling going on in the Friends school)

Two of Hearts

Lila's First Dance Class

This girl is so musical and inclined to dance that both her daddy and I thought it almost NECESSARY to enroll her in a dance class. We figured it would fuel her musical talents.

To my surprise, Miss Grace broke down with big and blue, teary eyes during her first 15 minutes of the class. Not to worry, she found a friend and grabbed her hand (even though they were supposed to be dancing in personal space). Luckily, Miss Laura picked up on Lila's need for hand holding and had the girls form a circle while completing the Freeze Dance. Soon, Lila Grace was all smiles, vocal, and participatory as ever. I was very proud! She woke up the next morning asking to put on her dance outfit so she could go to, "Dance school with Miss Laura."

Fly Eagles Fly. . .

Guess who came home from her first Eagles Day at school singing the Eagles fight song? Lila has no clue who the Eagles are, but might be able to identify a football. Nonetheless, she enjoyed hanging out in Savannah's old Eagles wear - purchased by their very generous Papa

Snow, You Either Love It or Hate It

That pretty much sums up my girls.  As most know, we  had record snowfall this December.  It gave us an opportunity to bundle the girls (not my favorite) and try them out in the snow. Lila, as mentioned before, loved it. She spends at least 80% of her time eating a snowball out of her cupped hands. Savannah is rambunctious and much more of a willing participant with regard to sledding and general craziness. Adeline, well, as usual, she is a different story.

So how does a child with sensory issues register snow? Only they know but I am guessing it falls under the, "This is rocking my sensory world," category. Snow will most likely be an uphill challenge for Adeline. Not only is snow a different sound and texture under her feet which also puts her more off balance than usual, it is accompanied by cold temps and wind (most of the time). The moment Adeline heard we were going to go out and play in the snow (let's not even tell her that I held her out of her school Christmas party so we could work in a family snow day) she would exclaim, "I don't like snow, I don't want it!" Bundle her we did even though she fought the snow pants and growled the entire time I was dressing her. Once outside, she didn't want let down and would only not freak out if she was standing on the solid ground of the garage floor. We did eventually get her to emerge. Adeline loves snowmen and I was determined to make one with all three of my girls. I should note that the snow was fine and powdery so there I was with a watering can watering down the snow so we could pack it and roll it. Once we had a decent size snow ball I asked Adeline to help me pat it. She slowly walked out of the garage but remained on the side walk. She finally gave in once the head was on and I was still prodding her to help pat the snow. Gingerly she stepped across the snow (three or four feet across the yard) and reached out and said, "Pat, pat, pat" while she patted the snowman down. As long as she was focused on the carrot nose, or getting the buttons to stay on, she did okay. And, as usual, once in the environment for ten or minutes, her stress level dropped. That is not to say she wants to play in the snow ever again. Adeline will be the first to tell you that she wants to stay inside.

I wish with all my heart, that she could enjoy these experiences like her other two sisters. It takes all of my encouragement and creativity and Adeline's determination and courage in order for her to participate in such activities. Nothing is ever easy for The Belle. . . or so it seems.

(don't be mislead by her happy demeanor in the pictures.  It took A LOT of effort to get her to smile!)