Once Upon a Dream

While Big Sister has been starting to use the potty, we will sing a few songs together or read the potty book (Once Upon a Potty - I totally recommend it!).  While I was changing Cupcake's diaper tonight, Big Sister was behind me and singing to herself in the mirror:

"I know you, I walked with you....I know you and saw you in the mirror"

I think somewhere there was the word dream mixed in.  Her favorite songs for me to sing to her anytime we are singing are "Heigh Ho" from Snow White, "Once Upon a Dream" from Sleeping Beauty, and "Cinderelly" from Cinderella, of course.  I find it really interesting, since we only own Sleeping Beauty, and I think she has only watched the other two once in her life.

Lazy Day

Why is it that the house seems to be so messy on Sundays?  It's like I dread that someone will unexpectedly drop by because it would be so embarrassing to have someone see it in its current state.

It's probably because I use the excuse of not doing chores and things seem to simply pile up.

And up.

And up.

So here's my idea - drop by anytime, but if it's Sunday, please give me some notice!

Peace

It's nice and quiet here...I'm listening to the keyboard as I type and the laundry tumbling in the dryer. 

That's all - two sleeping girls.

Bliss!

I Need Help

We are trying not to seem as desperate as we feel.  Tooty, who is almost 3 1/2, is still not too interested in learning to use the potty, and it's starting to become pretty frustrating.  We are playing it cool, and adjusting routines and trying to make her see how great it is to wear panties and not a diaper.  Part of the problem is she's stubborn and isn't interested, another is that she hasn't ever really cared too much if her diaper is wet...she'll asked to be changed when she's poopy sometimes, but it doesn't always seem to bother her. 

So what do we do?  Do you have any gems of wisdom in this area?  A book suggestion we should read?  A reward of some kind?  We have already told her that she can't go to school until she learns to go potty all the time and not wear a diaper, but even as much as she wants to go to school, it hasn't changed anything.

Any and all advice is appreciated!

Words

So far in Tooty's life, she hasn't said anything that was mean or bad...super innocent, and we like it that way.

Tonight as she was getting up to the table, we were talking about something.  I wasn't in the greatest mood, and her reply to our conversation was, "Stupid." 

She didn't say it like she was calling me stupid, and I wasn't sure if that's what I heard or not, so I asked her what she said.  And she repeated, "stupid".  Since that is not a word that we use much around here, I wondered where she had heard it.  And after asking her, I received the place: at school.  Said with complete belief. 

I still don't know where she heard it, but it sure wasn't at school!

It's Been a While

I made a cake for my father-in-law's birthday.  If you want more detail, head over HERE to my craft blog.

A Little Too Early...

During breakfast on Sunday morning, Tooty was telling me what she wanted her birthday cake to be. 

Pink cake.  Pink frosting.  Pink candles.  4 of them. 

Did I mention that her birthday isn't until the fall?

Don't forget the pink sprinkles.

She also showed me how big it was going to be...good thing I have a 13" round cake pan!  But luckily by the end of the conversation, it ended up being only about 8" round and 2 layers tall. 

I told her I thought that sounded like a good plan.  And I will admit I was surprised (although maybe I should have seen it coming?) when she told me this morning (as I was trying to convince her to go back to bed because it was still dark outside) that she was ready to make her pink cake.

It might be a long winter/spring/summer!

Christmas at Stanley Pie

What did we do this season?  I'm sure you've been dying to find out.

Watched Santa in the light parade

Helped grandma in the kitchen...many times.  

 And now I ask mom every meal if I can help her, too.  Which is good, and I try to let her at least get out a dish or something.  I don't want to discourage that helping desire.

Played

Time with family

Wrote to Santa

Enjoyed presents

Played with paper.  She was GREAT at opening gifts.  But really just wanted the paper.

Had Santa show up at our Christmas Eve party. 

 As soon as he walked in, she started yelling, "Santa, I want a dolly!"  Over and over again.  At least she has the general idea - we tried to get her to sit on his lap at the mall and she didn't even want to look at him.

Not too scared to take a little present from Santa.

Washed the dishes

We had a great time having Christmas together.  Daddy and I did our traditional way of buying a gift for each other - we spend an hour at the mall and find something, but we have to keep it under a set amount.  This year, since Daddy is only working part-time at Papa Smurf's, we decreased the regular amount by half.  So $5 it was.  It's pretty fun.  I think every year I am given socks - well needed, and always different - this year Daddy got a Mario Bros keychain.

Thanks, Friend

On Saturday, a friend let me crash her New Year's Day party.  It was a nice little lunch party, where she served black eyed peas and cornbread.  Apparently, it's a New Year's tradition in the South that is said to bring good luck.

And since Daddy couldn't come to the party, she sent home some luck for him to eat.  And apparently, it's starting to work a little....things are looking up!

Thank you Friend!!