Stress Dreams

Yesterday Lilly told that there was an incident at school where she didn't get to color while everyone else did. Apparently a boy took her seat. (The nerve!)  I know better then to believe that this was as big of a deal as she made it out to be because she is three and doesn't share all sides of the story. (although my momma bear instinct did flare up a bit)

That night while I was sitting in the girls room feeding Rosie and Lilly shouted in her sleep, "I want to color!" It's those kind of moments that make me realize how big she is. Having stress related dreams is to grown up for her if you ask me. But I can't protect her from everything- and crayon related stress isn't too bad. Sometimes, as a momma, I forget that my end goal is to raise happy, successful and well adjusted adults. Not an adult sized child. It is better to allow stress into her life so I can teach her how to handle it then to keep her stress free. And it's better to teach her to be in control of her own circumstances (Next time just grab your own chair and color! Don't wait for someone else to make room for you!)  then for me to get in a fight with this neanderthal boy's mother, right?








or should we go get our pitchforks?

Halloween

Oh hey! Halloween was a few weeks ago and I made some stuff for it. So I thought I would share. 

Lillian decided that she wanted to be 'Punzel so we based all of our costumes around her. Rosie was Pascal, Ben was Flynn Rider and I was Mother Gothel. My cheapskate heart rejoiced at the fact that the only newly purchased item in  all of our costumes was the yarn for Lilly's wig. Ben's vest was made from an old sweat shirt. Rosie's hat was made from my yarn/felt stash and my cape was made from a sheet. Everything else was in our closets and Lilly's dress was a hand-me-down.

I also whipped this gem up last minute for a "community helpers" parade at Lil's school. It is made out of one of Ben's old undershirts. I totally winged it and was shocked when it worked. This will forever be known as the Halloween when I learned to sew. 

Hope yours was great too. 

Baby Talk V.10

Lilly's imagination is in full swing these days and it is awesome. She comes up with some of the craziest stuff (like the above) and as hard as I try to be all "That's not polite! Don't talk like that!" I am secretly giggling inside. Here are some more fun things Lilly says:

- Cram-ra: She is trying to say camera. This refers to either the camera or the video baby monitor.
- Hanatizer: Hand Sanitizer
- I: Used in place of "me". Let I see. 
- Sprinkley: Sparkle
- Hambanger: Hamburger

I can only imagine the stories Lilly and Rosie will come up with together once Rosie starts talking. 
♥

Doodlings

Lillian has been loving preschool and I have loved being the mama of a preschooler. On her first day I wanted to leave a little note with her lunch but realized that I would have to get creative since she can't read (der). So I just drew our little family. Then her teacher told me that she used the note as a place mat so, naturally, I can never stop making them. My goal is to show her that we love her and it has been so much fun. Now let's see how long I can keep it up. Any bets? Ha. 

♥

The Mischief of Lillian Elouise & The Crayon

Last week Ben called me into the bedroom to see what Lillian had done. (Ruh Row.) Upon my arrival she confessed that she had colored on the wall.( Insert stern mama face.) I started to scold her until I saw what she drew. It was two people! Then I started to laugh/cry. I was so proud of her. (Insert confused toddler here.) 

Up until this point she had only drawn lines and the occasional circle. I was starting to become concerned (paranoid much?) because I saw other kids her age drawing figures. I eventually put my mom pants back on and told her how I was so proud of her drawings but preferred that she didn't do them on the walls. I started to make her clean it off which she actually enjoyed (fail) so I took the magic eraser from her and did it myself which made her cry (win?). 

I am one proud mama... I think.

( ♥ )

Baby Talk V.9

Well- she's not the baby anymore but Lillian is still the funniest girl I know. I love her tiny little brain. Here are some of the gems she has spit out recently:

• Incredible- She actually means acceptable. She uses it like this: "That is not incredible!" meaning my behavior. Yep.
• Puncuter- meaning computer. I totally encourage this one. It's so rare that she just straight up says a word wrong these days. So cute.
• Pennies- all money. Occasionally when she does something really great (like go potty all by her self including flushing and wiping without any help or whining) she gets a few coins that she can spend at the candy store. She loves her pennies and often makes them talk to each other before trading them in for a lollipop.

She has also asked me two questions about Rosie that left me teary eyed from trying to withhold my laughter. 

1. Does Rosie have a tongue?

2. Did Rosie have a shirt on when she was in your tummy?

I love her so stinkin much.

♥

First Day

spaced out // re-focusing // genuine smile // proud girl

Yesterday morning Lillian Elouise walked through the door to her first pre-school class and didn't look back. I am so proud of my brave little girl. When I picked her up she told me that she "didn't have ANY fun!" then smiled the whole way home. Faker.

I did pretty good too. I didn't shed any tears (got them all out the night before) and managed to go grocery shopping. I did however have a mini panic attack when I realized that for the first time my parenting skills are going to be public. The teachers and other moms will see through Lilly's words and behaviors what kind of parent I am. I imagine her teaching the other children to call their behinds "butt cheeks". The teachers will know we taught her that! And what if I've missed something major! What if I pack her the wrong kind of lunch?! What if she doesn't have the right backpack or shoes?! I want her to be liked and I want to be liked as well! 

Thankfully, I was reminded that the expectations/standards I have placed on myself are just that. MINE. The other moms may not be as crazy as I am (hopefully) and probably aren't even looking at Lilly's shoes. Everyone has a first time going to school. I have a great kid. I am a good parent. We will get through this together. 

Did you have a first timer this week? How was it for you?

♥

More Birthday Pictures!

 Because I know that is how we all want to start our Tuesday. Happy Birthday Pictures! It was such a good day. 

 

 

Today is Lillian's first day of pre-school so I need all the happy I can look at. More on that later.

♥

Cool kid is cool

She really is the coolest kid I know. 

♥

Life lessons at the beach.

Towels? Check. 

Chairs? Check. 

Umbrella? Check. 

Snacks? Check. 

Swimsuit? Swimsuit... nope.

That's right. Last week we went to the beach, with our car packed to the gills, and forgot Lilly's suit. As a mom- I have developed this need to be the most efficient/effective I can be at all times. I can literally lose my mind over wasted time. I have trouble just relaxing and going with the flow. So when I asked Ben where Lilly's suit was and his face went blank- I almost lost it. No suit. At the beach. Without a swimsuit. 0_o

Ben suggested we just let her swim and play in her tee and panties. I'm pretty sure I stared at him for a good minute before I said ok. Did she look a little ridiculous? Yes. Did I have to swallow my pride? Most definitely. But here's the deal: who cares?!? She was happy. She was safe. Who cares that she wasn't in a swimsuit? (besides me...) 

I could have let this get to me. It could have ruined my day. Thank God that my emotions are not in control of me (most of the time). We all had a great day and I managed to take another baby step towards responding to surprise situations like a normal human being.

♥

SOS: Dresses all around

Stepping out Saturday actually Sunday on a Tuesday. I have a new baby. I don't have to follow "rules" like days of the week. For church on Sunday Lilly, Rosie and I all managed to look nice at the same time so I decided we needed to record the event. These pictures may all look the same but there are some very subtle/funny differences.

1. Lilly and Mom are smiling genuinely. Rosie is starting to lose it.

2. Lilly begins to space out. Mom is feeling the stress of Rosie crying. Liberty joins. 

3. Lilly is no longer present. Mom tries to shush Rosie.

4. Lilly returns due to the excitement of noticing Liberty is in the picture. Mom has readjusted Rosie and is genuinely smiling over how awesome her life is. (I really really love this craziness.)

♥

ps- Mom, Lilly and Rosie are wearing head to toe Target. It's a sickness.

Photo an hour

My very wordy self wants to say lots about the below pictures but that kinda negates the whole point of letting the day speak for itself via the pics. So instead I will just ramble about rambling and really say nothing. Yeah.

Here is a photo an hour from Saturday.

 8:00am Breakfast.

9:00am Rosie's breakfast.

 10:00am Early morning dance sesh to Lilly's favorite (one direction).

11:00am Dora games on the 'puter.

12:30pm Rosie's lunch. 

 2:30pm Headed to a birthday party.

 3:30pm Face paint!

 4:30pm Ice cream!!

5:45pm Making dinner for Lilly and Ben.

 7:00pm Red lips for my dinner date.

 8:30pm Much needed girl time (and Thai food) with Amy.

10:00pm Rosie's bedtime snack.

I hope you had a great weekend too.

♥

Honey Badger Mom & LillyPup

Yesterday while at Target Lillian decided that she was going to be a puppy and crawl on the floor THE WHOLE TIME. I started to tell her to get up and walk like a big girl but then I didn't. I decided to take the Honey Badger route. Honey Badger Mom don't care! My kid isn't hurting anyone (besides possibly herself) and yes I did scrub her little hands in the bathroom on the way out. Yes that is my 2 year old crawling on the ground and barking. Go ahead and stare Target patrons! Honey Badger Mom don't even care.