Bad Example

Lately I've noticed I may not be setting the best example for my kids. Missy M is quite often the cause of Princess N's cries these days (whether she's trying to help or hinder her) and I automatically assume Missy M is to blame. This morning I was putting on my makeup and Princess N wanted to be held RIGHT THEN, so she was sticking her little fingers between my knees as if she could climb up my body, and I ignored her for the 30 seconds it took me to finish what I was doing. She was wailing really good when Missy M comes running in and in her best imitation of MY voice says, "WHAT HAPpened?!" Ha ha. I say that multiple times a day and it is usually followed by M's innocent voice, "I was just...(fill in whatever her excuse was this time)." It was so hilarious but I realized I should probably give Missy M the benefit of the doubt because sometimes Princess N cries without provocation (can you believe that of my little angel!?) and oftentimes Missy M really is trying to help.

I've caught Lil' J reprimanding her younger sisters in my voice with my words too. It's really awful hearing what you say coming from your children. It's not like I'm swearing at them or saying hateful things by any means, but I definitely want to re-think what I say to them and treat them with more respect. I don't want my shortness with them to be something they use themselves when they grow up and try to talk to people in school or wherever.

As I type, Princess N is doing her best crocodile cry and Missy M is saying, "What? What?" so innocently as if she doesn't know what in the world could be the problem. Maybe that she's pulling her favorite blanket away from her. Again. AAAAH! Deep breath. Going to solve the problem. :)

Learning by Experience

I would much rather learn from OTHERS experience but yesterday I got first hand experience of how to deal with a backed up sewer line. GROSS! I got some carpet damage in our guest room but the plumber fixed the problem and were good to go. I guess this house had sat vacant for several months with no flushing going on, so everything hardened and then starts coming out in spurts. Nice! So anyway... I hope to never have THAT experience again in my life!

We are remodeling our kitchen! BIG expense but hopefully we will enjoy it for many years to come and it'll help us sell the house someday. We will have it fully done in about 8 weeks from now. 4 to 6 weeks to build the cabinets and countertops and then scheduling a 6 to 10 day installation period. I hope to visit family while it's being done, so I don't have to keep my kids out of the demolition zone. :) I hope this remodeling experience is a good one, as it's our first, and we'll need to do it a few more times with this house! :)

Miss J is growing up so fast. She's 4 feet 1/2 inch tall, weighs 57 lbs, and wears a size 7/8. Is she ever going to slow down?! Today at lunch, M was saying something that wasn't very clear and J said, "Little sister say what?" I about died laughing. She has great timing and says little things like that all the time. That's something that Hannah Montana says, if you all aren't into that yet. I swear my 5 year old is a 'tween already and I just don't think I'm ready for that!!!

Funny Miss M

The other day I was teaching the girls how to play "Mother, May I?" in the backyard. Lil' J was starting to get the hang of it but Miss M needed prodding every time to say the words before she moved. Her version of it was "Mudda, may-o!" She couldn't wait for it to be her turn to be the "mother." So she told me to take 2 baby steps forward and I said, "Mother, may I?" and she nodded and said enthusiastically, "Yeah! Sure!" SO cute! And she did it every single time! Had she not heard me say, "Yes, you may," after every time she and Jill asked? Ha ha. Just too cute. This pic is a little outdated from right before we moved but so cute! Easter hat from the year before, Dora costume shirt, Dora pajama pants, pink high heels from the dress up box. Great combination!