The Little Miss: 101...

The little miss turned two, and suddenly I have to figure her out all over again.  She was our quiet, easy, gentle baby girl, who was always content and happy.  Overnight, she seems to have changed.  She has different preferences, different body language, a different attitude personality, more words, and new favorites.  She has decided that, 'me-do,' is the new way of doing things.  She is so independent and just...well...seems more like a little girl than a baby *sniff*.

Raising kiddos feels like such a crash course in letting go (something I don't learn easily or do well).  But, I've loved seeing this new side of her.  So, here are my notes from Little Miss: 101...

1.  She will do anything if it's presented with praise and flattery:  "Eva, you are such a big girl!  I'll bet you can put your clothes back on all by yourself!"  To which she shouts, "Me do!"  It sure beats wrestling her to the ground multiple times a day when she comes out stark naked declaring "Ta Da!"

2.  To thwart a temper tantrum, ask her to help clean the kitchen counters...the flow of tears will cease and she will happily wipe the same spot over and over.  I discovered this out of desperation...she may be a tad O.C.D.

3.  Uh-oh means several things:  she's stripped naked and has been caught, she just completely emptied a dresser drawer, the toilet paper has been completely spun off the cardboard tube, lunch is on the floor or in her hair.  The list is longer, but you get the point. 

4.  Clothing is optional.  (See #1, 3) For the most part everyday is a naked day.  She's a confident girl.

(She single handedly destroyed this playroom at my best friend's house...while naked.  She may or may not have been under the supervision of two five-year-olds and a three-year-old.)

5.  Utensils during meals are also optional.  Shoving food in by the fist-full is much more efficient than the small bites offered from a spoon. 

6.  Bath time is a magic word that elicits excitement and shrieks of joy.  Probably because nakedness is involved (see #1, 3, 4).

7.  Elmo.  Her love and obsession over Elmo rivals that of Elvis' devotees.  If she begs to put up a velvet painting of Elmo, then I'll know it's gone too far.  If a velvet Elvis is called a 'Velvis' then would a velvet Elmo be called a 'Velmo'?

8.  Cowboy boots, leopard print and jelly sandals go with anything.  Sunglasses indoors is also acceptable.

cowboy boots, nakey tooshie, and buzz lightyear wings...a winning combination.

9.  She would swing. all. day. long...if we let her. 

10.  If you ask her what she wants to eat (no matter the time of day) the answer will always be, "teetza!" (pizza).  That's my girl.

Before having kids I was a pretty serious, straight-laced person.  God has a sense of humor, and blessed us with two of the most energetic, spontaneous, hilarious(slightly ornery) children.  We have so much laughter in our household, and I'm really grateful for that.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb is a reward."

Psalm 127:3

So, I would like to know...what is your favorite quality or story about your children?