On my Mind

This little girl is cracking me up lately. She has such a mind of her own, it's unreal. She just turned 2 and she thinks she can rule the world. She wants to do everything herself- don't even think of helping. Here she is making her own jelly sandwich. She also has to brush her teeth, climb onto the potty (recreational activity only, I am sad to say), put on her clothes and shoes, etc. When we are trying to have family prayer and scripture time at night it's like WWF begins! She loves to climb up the ladder on the bunk beds, climb on Dad's back for a horse ride, and basically run around like crazy. It's adorable and so frustrating at the same time b/c the other two have no chance of listening/focusing when she is around. She is also making huge steps with her vocabulary putting together little sentences. She'll say, "Mom, watch Fairies stairs" meaning, watch the Fairies DVD upstairs. She sometimes even adds "NOW" on the end of that sentence. I don't like that part very much. Tonight she was jumping off the little tikes slide (who needs to slide down when you can jump?) This was our conversation:

"Mom, easy".
I would say, "Is it easy?"
She says "Yes, faster."
I say "Faster?"
She says, "Yes."
Repeat conversation 25 times.



I actually relented and got the crib out yesterday since bedtime has not improved. Last night, however, while I was at bookclub, she apparently went down with no problem and stayed in bed. We'll have to wait and see if she is consistent. For now, the crib sits in the corner as a threat. I just point and say, "Are you a baby? Do you need to sleep in the crib?" And she says, "No, big girl" and points to the bed. Right.



Austin has always been my quiet, calm, obedient one. Well lately he is also testing the limits with Jared and I. He likes to push it as far as he can. We ask him to do something and the protests begin immediately. I have to threaten and usually bring out the mean, yelling Mom voice to get him to listen. I don't like to do that but sometimes you gotta bring out the big guns before the soldiers take action, you know what I mean? I love him so much. He is such a smart, smart boy. I don't like this photo of me, but piano practice is always a battle, so it fit. I have to sit with him and he argues over almost every song- how many times to practice, count and say the note names, etc. etc. It's so frustrating b/c I want to say, "Just stop! You can do this, it's so easy for you." When he puts his mind to something he succeeds. He has picked up on piano so quickly, but he gets bored practicing. (hmm, where does he get that from?) I don't know the best way to deal with his attitude and his resistance to authority. He's only 7 for goodness sake! Anyone got a good book to recommend on this one?



This girl is coming out looking like an angel! I love this cute princess dress on her. Ever since Olivia was about 3, until just recently, our Taurus personalities have clashed. Finally, she seems to be growing out of the 'difficult stage'. I have made a conscious effort to be more loving, adoring, praising, and showering her with attention. I figure if I love her to death, she has to cave in! Anything I can make special between her and I, I do. When Ashley goes down for a nap, I will suggest painting her nails, baking, making cards, whatever. It just takes a little more to help her feel loved. Surprisingly, she has been the one eating dinners nicely without complaining, saying prayers when asked, doing her chores, going to bed quietly and falling asleep right away- it used to be the other two! And she turns 5 in just 2 weeks, I can't believe it. We did a big princess party last year so I am not planning a party this year. This time I want to go out and have a special day, just the two of us. I told her it will be a 'Double Birthday Date' since our birthdays are back to back.



Don't you just love Target? We found these adorable sandals for Olivia today for $12. Unbeliveable. How can they be SO good? I love them and so does she. Now where is that 80 degree weather I keep hearing about on the news? I am doubtful, but can't wait to be proven wrong!

On my mind this week is the Half Marathon just a week away! I took the advice you gave and went to get some new supplies yesterday at Runner's Corner. I talked to Hawk and I think I figured out why my leg has been hurting- treadmill running. It's not shin splints, it's high on my inner calf, just below the knee. Apparently it's because I am running with my upper body leaning back and my feet too far in front of me. I have hardly run outside the past 2-3 weeks and I have been doing long runs on the treadmill. He gave me an article about it (how to change my form) so hopefully it's just temporary, to my great relief. I have faith I will be running outside VERY soon.



I was a bit disappointed in my bookclub last night about Snowflower and the Secret Fan. I really liked the book though it was very sad at times. I thought the discussion was going to be fabulous but came away feeling very unfulfilled. Maybe I was just having an 'off' night. I don't know.