Monday, December 21, 2009

Birthday Girl

It's hard to believe, but this child of mine is five years old. She is full of contradictions - she can be both sweet and sour, loving and defiant, independent and clingy. From what I've been told of five, this is exactly where she should be, whether Brian and I like it or not. On this very special day, I told her this - thank you for being my child, and for making these last five years my most favorite ones of all. (Even on those sour days, when I am not ready to admit it.) Happy birthday, my big little girl!!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Nobody Alowd

I didn't think I'd see a sign like this for at least another eight years or so. At least it's posted in the hallway rather than on her door. The story goes - Sarah's friend Stella helped her spell the sign. I guess the original use was to keep the other kids away from the animals at school. I didn't ask too much more. I figure we'll get into that a bit later down the road. (Like at least eight years, right!?)

At Rest

Some days, Eric is tired enough to take a nap without wondering why Sarah isn't. On this day, he needed help. And I didn't mind obliging. (I never really do.) So I took a ten minute nap and he took a longer one. Eric napping - for this I am grateful!!

Potty Art

Sarah's new favorite thing to do while sitting on the toilet is to draw. She's occupied her time in a few ways over the years - looking at books, singing and talking to herself, and most recently, drawing. The pictures above are ones she drew while using the facilities. (I didn't think she'd appreciate me taking a picture of her while drawing, so here's the evidence instead.) I guess you could call her our "Pee-casso." (Sorry, I couldn't help myself!!)

Friday, December 4, 2009

Life Without Naps

For almost five years, I've enjoyed having a break in my day, a reprieve from the noise. As a stay at home mom, one of my favorite times of the day has always been nap time. It allows me some time to myself, to get things done or to relax and do nothing at all. I've dreaded the day when naps would end, and I've threatened Brian that I would go back to work when that time came. I've always thought that I would struggle with the lack of solitude that no naps would create.

Well, the time is here. Sarah has given up naps. The process has been slow, every other day at first, and then every third day. Sarah napped once this week, on Monday, and it was only because I agreed to take one with her. I was happy to oblige!

At first, it was challenging. She was grumpy when she chose not to nap, and we'd all pay for her newly formed opinion that naps weren't fun anymore. She still has those moments, but for the most part, she does very well without the extra rest. Thankfully, she plays well by herself and even though she's not asleep, you'd barely know she's there. (She does feel the need to ask questions occasionally and comes to find me before continuing to play. She even sneaks past Eric's room on tiptoes when I remind her that he's sleeping, and then she runs full speed into the playroom.)

Now that I'm on the other side, it's not nearly as bad as I imagined. Not bad enough to send me back to work, anyway. I admit though, there are still days that I'd really like a nap!!