The Disney Influence

Princess-influence specifically. I don't know what else it could be! My little girl refuses to wear anything other than skirts or dresses, and she hates having her knees show. In the summer heat this is fine - she has enough of both to cycle through on a regular basis, and I love making her skirts to boot. She has pretty patterns, fun designs, skirts that are frilly and ones that twirl. I'm thrilled that she polices the length herself, not that I think it's a huge deal for a 3 year old, but it's a pattern I'll definately encourage as practice for later on.

The problem is that my princess of a daughter lives up in the cold north with me, and the warm temperatures are already starting to cool as we near fall. This become problematic because her majesty refuses to wear tights, shorts, leggings, babylegs, pants, etc. Basically if it touches her leg, no thanks! I have thicker materials to make her some "winter skirts" to wear with long sleeves and sweaters, but it would be nice if I could get her to wear something underneath.

I was such a tomboy as a child - this struggle is definately new to me!

There Might be a Little Room for Love Afterall...

One of my best friends has 2 sons, aged 5 and 6, whom we now make a weekly trek out to see. Tara and the 6 year old (my Godson) were somewhat betrothed from the start. Zack has always been kind and gentle to Tara. They hold hands at church, and they play gently and quietly (most times) at our playdates.

Nathan and Tara, on the otherhand... Well, Nathan one day informed us that he "just can't love Tara". And that summed it up best. Nathan and Tara are like water and oil. There's a communication barrier that just doesn't seem to let up, no matter how they grow and mature. Nathan and Tara will just never love each other...

... Until today. We've noticed Nathan and Tara are pretty happy to play when Zack's at school. This afternoon Nathan and Tara even spent time drawing while Zack played on the Wii. But they absolutely outdid themselves when we came in from playing in the yard - when Nathan signed "I love you" to Tara, and Tara said "I love you back".

To top it off, they HUGGED goodbye (which I don't think they've actually ever done.. Ever.)

Could this be a turing point? Could they end up lifelong friends? I don't know. But I do know one thing - maybe there is a little room for love afterall...

Belle of the Ball...

Right now my daughter is parading around in a recieving blanket tied around her waist, plastic princess high heels, and 3 necklaces around her neck. She just informed me she is going to the Ball with her husband and children.

We live in a land of make-believe right now. One moment she's a waitress taking my lunch order (and telling me to not even bother asking for a milkshake because we're all out, but I can have another diet pepsi while I'm waiting if I'd like!) then she's going to the ball to meet all the princes, then she's grocery shopping with her children but her silly husband keeps calling her on her cellphone!

She's my silly little girl :)

*Brushes the dust off*

Hello poor, neglected journal! The past few days was a bit of a breakdown as Toby's fussy periods grew exponentially, so I've decided to journal. I have opened up a specific journal for him - to track his waking and sleeping times, as well as his happy and sad times. Hopefully with it documented I'll be better able to figure out what's going on and what to do!

I don't know what this journal will become. I think it'll turn into "A Day in the Life" - who's doing what and how :)

Leave it to the 2 year old to ruin Christmas!

It took me weeks to finally gather up the drive and motivation to start on the pajama pants I was making for my mom for Christmas. 2 pairs made of really pretty, really soft fleece! Yesterday I finally got my butt in gear, and all but finished the first of the two pairs. Knowing that it was just an hour before my mom would get there to babysit, I carefully packed away the pattern and instructions, and hid the fabric. All the pins, needles, and supplies were safely stowed just as my mom came to the door. Tara shouted in excitement and rushed to greet her Grammie. My mom wasn't even 2 steps in the door when Tara exclaimed "Grammie!! Mommy making pajama pants for you!!!"

Greg told me last night that while I was going to be at my spa appointment this morning (yes ladies, be jealous! ;)) he and Tara were going shopping. They were going to Home Depot, Canadian Tire, and "another store". This morning Tara woke up in a cheery mood and I brought her back into bed with us. She gave her daddy and hug and told me "We go to Old Maybe today!"

Now, it's not that we're expecting our little girl to keep secrets well, or know when she should say what, but we totally weren't prepared for her to be such a little blabbermouth! *lol*

SHAMED!

So it was bad enough to get the hints from Christy and Amanda that I didn't update this nearly enough (well, I guess conversations starting with "If you ever updated your blog..." or "Hey Erie, did you know that the last time you updated your blog was..." aren't really hints, are they?) But now my "cyber-hip" Kate flat out called me out on her blog today... So I will update ;) (Yes ladies, call me out in person, meh. Call me out in cyberspace, and I will respond!)

What's new in my world? We've been gearing up for the holidays! The house is decorated, the presents are bought and wrapped (except for Greg's... I have no idea what to get that man!) and I actually know what we're doing when for each day of the holidays to celebrate with each family member :) Every morning Tara reminds me to "turn on Christmas" (the lights) and she's really excited about the tree and everything.

It's nice because at this age she still has no clue what's going on, but she can retain so much more. She doesn't know that the gifts under the tree are much more than pretty packages wrapped in bright paper, that they're toys and things for her to play with. She doesn't know who Santa is other than the iconic bearded man in the red suit. She doesn't have a wishlist, and I can even get away with shopping for her Christmas gifts WITH her (a luxury that I'll definately miss when it's gone!) We're trying to keep emphasis on Jesus's Birthday (though that has lead to confusion conversations of who's birthday is when) and we're building traditions for our happy little family :) I'm REALLY excited for Christmas this year!

I must end this update with one of my favorite Tara-isms to date... No, I lie - I have 2.

First is from Greg. He took Tara shopping about a month back to "Old Maybe" because they were having a huge sale on men's sweaters. As he was trying them on (just over his shirt) Tara kept ooo-ing and ahh-ing and exclaiming "That so cute!!". She apparently also sorted through the lower racks of hanging clothes stating "That cute! Oh, that not my size. That not on sale." ... BUSTED!

Second is from last week... Tara was waiting at the front door for me as we were getting ready to go somewhere. After a failed attempt of opening the front door (it was still locked), she turned to me and shrugged, stating "Probably I can't open the stupid door because it's stuck"... BUSTED again!!

Dear God, Thank you Jesus. AMEN!

Tara has started to pray. It started in the car on Friday. I was going to my doctor appointment and feeling anxious. I was on the phone to Greg, and when I hung up the phone, I heard a little voice say "Amen!"...

"Tara, are you praying to Jesus?"
"Yes mommy! I pray to Jesus. Thank you Jesus, Amen!"

... Her prayers have now extended ever so slightly. Today she was at the top of her little slide when she said

"Mommy, I want to pray to Jesus. Dear God, thank you Jesus. Amen!"

If we're supposed to approach God with childlike faith, I think I've gotten too wordy!!!