My Baby Girl...

I found this picture online, and I find it ironic that it has the name "Sasha" attached to it. When Xandra was little, she couldn't quite say her name, so she referred to herself as "Zasha." I still call her that to this day- it's my special name for her. And this picture also depicts how my girl has been feeling lately.

Matt & I have been having numerous talks & rants regarding Xandra the past week or so. She's been throwing more fits lately, which haven't made much sense. Granted, we've been putting new rules in place regarding food, bedtime, & general behavior. I knew there would be repercussions - I'm not entirely new to this parenting thing!! But I also know that there are things regarding Xandra's behavior that just simply need to change. We've coddled her & spoiled her for a very long time. That's our fault.

Anyway, our newest behavior issue with Xandra has been getting her to school. I posted about this in the Dairy Farm field trip. When Matt drops Xandra at school in the mornings (for at least the past week), she cries. When I took her for her field trip, she cried. I had to take something to her today after she was dropped off, and she cried. Matt actually bribed her yesterday morning- saying if she didn't cry, he would take her to get ice cream. It was difficult for her, but she made it. She didn't cry, so she got her ice cream last night.

One of her wonderful teachers pulled me aside this afternoon when I picked Xandra up, and told me she thinks she figured out the problem. Apparently, after I left my daughter in tears once again this morning Xandra told Miss Shannon that she was sad because everybody got to stay/be at home except her. Blew my mind. This thought just totally didn't pass through my brain. I don't know why I didn't think of it... But it makes absolute perfect sense. And now I'm having major guilt over it.

I still don't want to pull her out of daycare, though. Aside from it being a daycare (which allows me to get so much done in a day), they have taught her so much!! I've been worried for a little while now that Xandra is just ever so slightly behind her peers. And in some areas, she is. But she's caught up so much just by being in this preschool!

I realize this is just something that she will ultimately need to deal with. And really, she won't have to deal with it for very long. Milo will be starting the same daycare in August. Then a few weeks after that, Xandra will be moving on to kindergarten.
**********************************

On another note, Milo has had his first noticeable injury. He falls all the time around here, and we've had at least half a dozen lip bleeds when he slips. He's quite a dare-devil, and I've already predicted that he will be the child that needs stitches & casts. It's not a matter of if- just a matter of when.

So Matt came home from running some errands earlier today, and we decided to meet him in the front yard. I set Milo down so he could walk around. Matt just got done telling me to keep a close eye on him, when he fell. I really was right on top of him- there was just nothing I could do. Our driveway goes downhill from our house to the street. Milo had been walking around in the garage, got some speed up, and headed toward the driveway. I knew what was going to happen before it did, and I even said something to the effect of "Milo, slow down!" & started grabbing for him. Then down he went. Luckily, I was able to somewhat slow him down so the fall was definitely not as bad as it could have been. But he's got scrapes around his forehead & one on his nose. I think it's one of those type that looks worse than it is. Honestly, he only cried for maybe 1-2 minutes, and then he was absolutely fine. Such is the life of boys, I suppose!

Dairy Farm Field Trip

Xandra's Pre-K class went on their first field trip yesterday, and I got to go along! I was so excited-I think even more than Xandra! We went to a local dairy farm. The kids started out petting the goats.

 Xandra & her "love" A

Then we went inside to get some ice cream. YUMM!!

It's not easy to wait for ice cream!!

You may be wondering where the pictures of the cows are... We only saw a couple cows the whole time we were there! What kind of dairy farm was that??!! I was disappointed, but the kids seemed fine with it. I was looking forward to watching the cows get milked... Oh well. After the ice cream was eaten, the kids went for a ride. There were little red barrels (could seat 1-2 kids in each) attached to a tractor & the driver drove around a bit. I got pictures of it but it shows all of the kids' faces, and I don't want to upset any fellow parents by publishing them without permission. Also, out of the 10 kids that went, Xandra was the only one screaming her head off in fear of the ride. All the others thought it was great. So, the pics I got of my kid suck. :(

I really enjoyed being able to go & capture a bunch of pics of the kids for all of the parents! But, I don't think I'll be joining the kids on any other field trips (there's about one a week through the summer). Xandra just does not handle change to her routine well... at all. Matt usually drops Xandra off at school in the mornings & I pick her up. I took her yesterday since I'd be sticking around for a while. Xandra had a melt-down, because daddy wasn't there. Then, she decided since I was there, she didn't have to participate with the class. There were at least 2-3 more melt-downs throughout the trip. 

So, as much as I love to help the class, Xandra just doesn't make it easy for me to. We're going to try to implement some new rules around the house to try to nip this little attitude. She's going to have a tough reality check when she starts kindergarten this fall...

**Sorry about the mediocre pictures!! I *really* need to get photo editing software!!**

Kids Playing

I honestly can't believe how well the kids are getting along. Yes, there are jealousy issues for both of them, but show me a sibling relationship without them!! On the whole, they really are starting to act as if Milo's been in our family from day one. And that makes me so happy!!

 With the weather being so insanely hot recently (mixed of course with the infamous thunder storm from the last post), we've really only been able to go outside for a little bit at a time before we melt. My mom graciously brought over one of those awesome Cozy Coupe Cars, and the kids love it!

 It takes a lot of concentration to figure out that steering wheel! I hope he continues to concentrate that much when he's in a real car... in many, many, many years!

 I LOVE this face!!! 

"I don't really understand why you've plopped me in the middle of the yard... & I'm kinda not used to walking on grass..."

 BUBBLES!!

Xandra worked so hard at blowing bubbles for Milo! She's such an awesome big sister!! 

With my car out of commission for since "the incident" (it's drying out still), we've been trying to find fun things to do around the house. I must say, we've saved a lot of money since mom can't get out to Target to pass the time!! ;) 

Thunderstorms...

No, this isn't my car. But it may as well be. Yesterday was one of the hottest days of the year for us, so far. Plus it was one of those stagnant hot days - with virtually no wind. Xandra had a play-date with a little boy (whose mom is also one of her teachers), so I had to pick her up a little early from school to make it home on time to meet them. I love that my car has a sun roof & use it as often as possible. As I approached the house after picking Xandra up, I noticed her friend was already at our house waiting (I hate when that happens!). I quickly parked the car, grabbed the kids out of their carseats, & got everyone inside into the air conditioning. I neglected to close the sunroof.

You all can figure out what happened... I left the sunroof open, and a major thunderstorm (or 2 or 3) came in overnight. I mean major. So my car is soaked. Matt is less than happy, to put it mildly. I feel like a complete idiot. From what Matt tells me, the car will (miraculously!) start (we were worried about that because it's one of those fancy push-button starts), but the radio/GPS unit is probably fried.

There's not much to do at this point, other than to let it dry out, and pray for the best. Yes, it is a petty thing to be so upset about in the grand scheme of things. But I'm really upset about it. I can't believe I was so stupid.

On a completely other note:  I got word yesterday that I made the Dean's List at school for winter semester!! I've never done that before, and I was really happy about it. You know... until the car thing happened.

Eating With Milo

Dinnertime... well, any time that deals with food & Milo, is fun. I don't think I've laughed this much at a mealtime in a while! I'm not sure if it's because he's a boy... because he only has the one hand... or just because it's Milo, but he is the MESSIEST eater I've ever seen!! And I'm the oldest of 5 kids! I've seen messy eaters! One of his favorite activities is to put whatever food has been served in whatever type of dish (plate, bowl...) onto the table first, then eat it off the table. Why??? We just don't know.

I have to say, there is never a dull moment in this house any more!!

Taking a Walk

We live in a subdivision with a nice park in it. It's actually one of the things that attracted me to the neighborhood. We moved here prior to having kids, but I knew I'd someday be spending a lot of time there. :)

Xandra ended up staying home from school yesterday because she had some sinus issues and a cough. She technically could have gone back today, but we had a rough night with Milo getting up at 4 am, so we had one more "sick" day. We decided to go for a walk earlier because I needed to get out of the house. It may have been a mistake, simply for the fact that it's so stinkin' HOT today!

The park is all downhill from our house... which means it's all uphill on the way back home. On a day like today, that's a pretty tough walk. But we had fun, and that's what counts, right? :)

The Destructor

We've got a new nickname for Milo... The Destructor! He can tear the house apart in seconds flat. We're just not used to how boys act, apparently. I always knew Xandra was an easy baby... but I have new respect for her with every passing day. We never had to baby-proof the house because she just didn't get into things. I showed her what she could touch, and what she couldn't. That was it. That's all I had to do. Yes... we were spoiled.

Milo is such a different story. The other day, I was home alone with him (Xandra is back to daycare & Matt was at a dr's appointment). I was trying to work on the computer a bit. I could hear him, so I didn't think he was getting into trouble. Then I heard "blub...Bluuub..bluub" What the...??? I got up and found him face first in the dog's water bowl, blowing bubbles!!! When he saw me, he got a huge grin on his (very wet) face!! Seriously??!! I picked the bowl up & put it on the counter. A couple minutes later, I heard a crash & of course found my precious boy soaked through after having pulled the bowl on top of himself, as well as most of the kitchen!! AAAHHHHHH!!!!

We are going through all of the toys we currently have to make sure they're Milo-proof. So far, though, his favorite place is Xandra's very loved kitchen set. He loves pulling out every single thing from the cupboard (i.e. oven) & throwing it. If I try to attempt to pick things up while he's still awake.... well, it's just best not to. Seriously, why torture myself??

As I mentioned, Xandra is back to daycare. Whereas most parents pull their kids out to have summers off, we've decided to keep her in. She loves it there, and she is so loved on by the teachers & kids. It gives her an opportunity to be on her own without Milo stealing the show. And her feelings for A (the boy she's liked for a while) haven't diminished from being away for 3 weeks. Yesterday when I picked her up, A & his mom were leaving at the same time. Xandra yelled out "I LOVE you A!!!" & He dutifully responded "I love you too Xandra!!" Oh Lord....