Cute little Quirks

I was just going back through some old posts and it's amazing how much I've forgotten about the cute little things Mikayla used to do. So this post is more like a journal entry update on my kiddos - sorry, not too interesting to those of you who are tired of reading about kids. But I wanted to get these down since this blog is like my on-line family journal.

Ashlynn:

- says 'DA!' for ta-da when she's done something exciting.

-tackles Mikayla/wrestles/plays and laughs so cute with her sis

-kisses Mikayla goodnight the same time Kraig and I do

-said 'drink' the other day, along with the sign. Also says "UH-OH", and "dog" whenever she hears Miko barking

-signs for 'milk', 'more', 'drink', and 'eat'

-sleeps 12 hrs at night

-two bottom teeth

-getting pretty feisty when it comes to fighting for something she wants

-she's a little ham and tries to make us laugh

-loves HEIGHTS! Always climbing up on step stools to be taller, always trying to get up on tables and the counter. I am going to have to watch this one.

-usually eats most things with gusto. The floor is a huge mess after every meal.


Mikayla:
-still very much into Lightning McQueen. Always calls our red car 'Lightning' and our green car 'Chick'. Very favorite color is RED.

-This girl loves SPEED! She is always begging us to drive really fast and says the freeway is her favorite (yes, we are a little scared for when she turns 16)

-much more determined to be independent - dressing herself, saying own prayers, etc.

-Loves Clifford, Curious George, and Word World

-Loves her teachers, Miss Heidi and Miss Marianne. Always reports who was naughty at preschool

-Knows her colors, shapes, and most of her letters and their sounds

-loves "Daddy daughter dates' especially going to the mall and riding the merry-go-round/train

-loves chocolate milk

-Getting really good at using a pencil to trace her name. Can recognize her name.

-Very happy girl when she gets enough sleep. Otherwise, very sensitive.

-Loves to dance to her 2 favorite songs: "My Girl" and "Forever"

-Loves going 'out' - shopping, restaurants, park, etc.

-Is riding her two-wheeler bike (with training wheels) and lovin' it (thanks, Uncle Kent!)

-She loves her mama right now. What can I say? I am her idol. I better appreciate it because I know this will only last for a few more years. She frequently says, "When I grow up to be a big giant lady like you mom I'm going to".....(fill in the blank) go to work, put on makeup, have babies, go to meetings, etc.

We love our girls! They're both so unique and lovable, and they love playing together lately. I am enjoying each day with them (except for the times they drive me crazy) but I know it's all part of the ride.

When All Else Fails....Give Up

It's like when you're 39 weeks pregnant and it feels like that kid inside is NEVER coming out....even though you know, inevitably, that it will...

That is how I feel about potty training and my three year old right now. It seems like she's never going to WANT to fully do it. YEP. She's completely content playing away and going in her diaper without the interruption of having to run to the potty. She is completely capable of reading her body signals of having to go, of holding it for HOURS, of pulling pants up and down, flushing, washing, etc. My work is done.

So, since I've tried everything I can possibly think of to motivate her to actually do it, I am backing off, letting go, giving up, and WAITING for her to decide she is ready to do it. (NOTE: Some days I am good at this, but other days it just drives me CrAzY and I wish I could FORCE her to just DO IT!)

We really have tried a ton of different things to motivate her.
-Potty party
-stickers
-tons of praise
-jumping up and down like a goon
-calling grandma to tell her
-hugs
-high fives
-treats
-Her favorite character underwear (she periodically asks me if she can wear it and I tell her when she keeps her diaper dry for a few days, she can wear it)
-a stamp card and a stamp for every time she goes to show her beloved preschool teacher
-special outings like bowling or Boondocks once she builds up 10 stickers
-MONEY! A coin in a jar for every time she goes
-potty books
-potty videos
-modeling
-she's taught her 'potty doll' how to go
-letting her run around bare
-a potty dance/song that makes her laugh
-we've even tried opening the window for 'fresh air' when we change her poopy diapers but the real reason is so it's slightly uncomfortable for her to have to wear a diaper and have it changed (she hates being cold) although we don't make it seem like a punishment, just a matter-of-fact necessity.

She mentally and physically is a potty pro. She's just not ready emotionally yet. She doesn't care enough. She'll even say things like telling her friend, "Big girls use the potty." and she's even said to me, "I'll use the potty someday, mom, you'll see"

So....I will wait. I will listen to the wisdom of my preschooler. I just hope that 'someday' comes before Elementary School. THAT might pose a little problem.