Quiet Time

Every morning before Abbey heads to school, she takes a moment to swing her backpack, then drop it on the ground a few times, and just gear up for the day. I wonder what could be going through that head of hers. Could it be who she will play with on the playground, or which book she will read that day? Will she have pretzels or crackers at snack time? Or is she just trying turn her pink backpack black? These may seem like trivial decisions to an adult, however, they are a big deal to a Kindergartner. It is wonderful and sad mixed into one emotion watching her grow up so quickly. Lucky for me she still has a big kiss for her mama just before the bus comes.

Flexibility

How does she do that? How does she do that with a smile on her face? This is one of those moments that I watched my little girl in awe.

Taking The Nuk Away

Baby Bell has been nukky girl since I can remember. She looked so adorable with her nuk in her mouth that I never thought about the day when I might need to limit it. With her second birthday fast approaching I thought it was time to take the nuk away. Cold turkey was the best way I thought. Nope!!!! Ellie was not having it. So, like many other parents out there, I just succumbed to the notion that she would be four and still running around with a nuk in her mouth. Recently, she has been chewing on her nuks, putting holes in them, so I knew it is time for change for safety reasons. Change is a good think as long as it subtle. I have been limiting it to quiet time and bed time. While I will not go on long car rides without a nuk, she doesn't automatically get to have it either.

I have noticed that she is using it less and less. She is talking more, but this was never a problem because she has the gift to gab. I thought I was making progress. Score! Point for mommy. Then I noticed something even worse..... She is a thumb sucker. And that, I can't take away. Mom scored a point, but Baby Bell has won the game.

Surviving The Winter

There is not much going on here in the time frame after the holidays through the beginning of March. This tends to be the coldest time of the year here in Wisconsin. My main objective during this time is how to survive cabin fever. One of Cari and Ellie's favorite activities is going to the local gymnastics center. They can run, jump, yell, flip, and tire themselves out in the comfort of the indoors. Then go home and take a good nap. It is a weekly event (sometimes more than once a week) for the babes and I. Miss Abbey thinks it's not so fair that she doesn't get to go with her sisters to gymnastics.

The other day, Abbey had a day off school and was able to enjoy open gymnastics with her lil' sisters. They all had a blast, and took a good nap when they got home. Even "the one who is too old for naps."