Save the Drama for Your Mama (or better yet, someone else)

Lately Eden has been a bit challenging. She's been reverting back to tantrums (these haven't been around for YEARS) and outbursts of crying at the smallest things. The other day she told me she was having "the worst day of her life" because I had gotten after her for a couple of things in a row (which were quite justified, I might add). I have found her several times crying into her pillow after being told "no" about something!! It's getting on my nerves to be honest. Any time I correct her for some behavior (usually attitude), she cries and asks why I am not "treating her nicely." Oh boy. Drama. Tonight she fell down outside and by the sound of her shrieks you would have thought her leg came off!

I have to say though, she's got a bad cold, so she might not feel well, though that is not what she's complaining about! Today she had her Kindergarten physical and had to get one poke in the finger (hemoglobin), four shots, and a splinter removed from her foot with really pokey tweezers! She actually did pretty well, save the 5 minute lapse in time between the time I told her about the shots and the time the nurse actually came to administer them!

While I am at it, Elly has been quite a pickle lately as well. She's been throwing full-blown fits (these are a first for her) though it is easier to chalk them up to her age. We've had to pull out the old tricks from Eden's twos--turning yes or no questions into questions with only acceptable answers ("Elly, do you want to go potty first or brush your teeth first?" instead of "Can you brush your teeth now?") or better yet ditracting her in general as you nonchalantly do whatever it is needs doing.

Edenisms, Part 19

A few days ago, just after our neighbor Ray died, we were on a walk and we walked in front of his house. Eden said, "Let's just stop right here for a second and think about how good it was to see Ray. I think about him sometimes."

Today Eden was talking with my niece, Sam, and said, "My mom's mom cooks the delici-est meals. Have you ever tasted her meals?"

Then later, we were at Great Clips getting our hair cut and she was sitting with the stylist just chatting away while she worked. From my chair, I heard her say, "I have some sweet, sweet grandmas. One of my grandmas, her name is Grandma Dort, is sweet as a rose! She makes the best food, like one time she made peach pie and it was sooo good! "

"My other grandma, my cousin and my sister call her Mimi, but I call her Grammy, but her real name is Diane, like my other grandma was named Dian, but she died. And my neighbor died. It was my favorite neighbor too, I always liked to go talk to him, and I would ask my mom if I could go over and talk to him and I LOVED it when she said yes!"

Well, that explains it...

So I guess I am not the world's worst parent after all...Elly has been extremely irritable and whiny (we thought because of the nukie issue, but no). Elly has (and has had for some time) a secondary infection from Influenza...she's had a persistent cough for weeks but I thought it was just a virus...then today she woke up sounding croupy and we took her in-- sure enough, she's sick. So I don't feel so bad about giving her nukie back! Actually, I wasn't losing sleep over it (quite the contrary :) but it is good to know what is wrong with her. She is on Zithromax for a week. Elly and antibiotics...we can't seem to keep them apart!

Cute Stuff by Elly Belly

"I" (pointing to her eye)
"yuf" (hand over her heart)
"you" (pointing at me)
"too!" (holding up two fingers)

Running to and hugging Eden when we pick her up from school, yelling, "ee-en, I MISS YOU!"

Giving us the thumbs up sign.

Acting out scenes from Barbie in the Princess and the Pauper--word for word, in character, opposite whatever character Eden is playing.

I Heart My Girls!

Playing in the Dirt

I did it.

I stink at this. I gave in. I gave Elly a nukie. I couldn't take it. The look of sheer panic and distress on her face. It was not healthy. I will sacrifice my child's teeth for her happiness. Dentists are cheaper than psychiatrists.

I'm gonna cave!!!

I'm having second thoughts about this nukie weaning...she is a wreck!!!

Nukie Progress

Elly has been slowly progressing with the nukie weaning. Dan took most of them away when I was in Albuquerque so when I got home, she only had one left. Today she decided she wanted to send the last one away to the babies that need them! We decorated an envelope and put it in the mailbox (where Daddy retrieved it over his lunch break) and we are all set to go to Chuck E. Cheese's tonight to reinforce her Big Girl decision! I will have to post the cutest video of her giving it one last suck and putting it in the envelope.

The other day, she was upset about something and said, "I need my nukie!" Knowing we were trying to contain the nuk for bedtime only I said, "Let's think of something that would make us feel better." Elly said, "My nukie!" and I said, "But what else would make us feel better?" and Elly replied, "My other nukies!"

These are a few of my favorite things...

Hey Batta Batta Batta Batta

Eden's got her game face on and she's ready to play. Despite the frigid temps, she's been sluggin' a few over the fence with her sweet George Brett swing. This one's for you, Papa.

More Pics from Em's Camera...

Seriously this trip was one of the best things I've ever done.

Sheer silliness.

Shadley didn't get to have a margarita...

How cute are we?

Who wouldn't like waking up to this every morning?

E-Lil

We tried our hand at the Nielsen Secret Family Recipe- yum!

Anyone Seen No Country For Old Men?

Call it.