Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sun talk--Emma's funny phrases #3
We were applying sunscreen the other day in preparation for water fun last week. Emma said how she hates the feel of sunscreen. I told her we have to be grateful for it since it keeps us from getting sunburned. Her reply:"I think the sun says, 'Oh boy, you must not have sunscreen on so you can be sunburned.'"
Confessions of an HGTV-holic
Designer's Challenge, Curb Appeal, Designed to Sell--A few months ago I discovered HGTV and its shows (mostly after I realized no other shows were on other channels) and I have to control just how long I watch it on the days I do turn the TV on. Not only is it enthralling for me, but Emma now asks, "Can we watch the Home shows?" (Bye bye Little Bear and Witch, her previous fav shows--here comes Designer Emma.) She loves giving her opinion of the designs and changes made to the houses and what she wants in our house.
That being said, we've lived in our house for three yrs and still have the same offwhite walls that the builders painted it originally, except for the lovely Crayola masterpieces that Abri has made in multiple areas. The cost of paint and time commitment have deterred us from making any changes, a decision that isn't ok with Emma.
Today, she emphatically informed me, "I--am ready--to be rid--of the white," with pauses to make sure I got the idea. Then, she revealed her plan for her bedroom. "I want one wall pink, one wall purple, one wall pink, one wall purple, [alternating walls] and the ceiling blue like the sky. We need to add flowers so it will be like a garden." I was floored. Not only that, but the flowers were supposed to be about 3 inches each in diameter on the walls, gauged by the hand gestures she made to show me.
We talked about the fact that usually on the shows they paint a room one color, sometimes one wall a different color than the rest, but not usually two different colors that alternate. She conceded to that a bit reluctantly. It was quite the shocker for me to see just how much she's embraced the idea of home decorating.
So, now its certain--I need to figure out a way to decorate her room as a Christmas present. Hopefully she'll give me the present of no longer comparing our house's shortcomings in decor with all the others on shows she sees.
That being said, we've lived in our house for three yrs and still have the same offwhite walls that the builders painted it originally, except for the lovely Crayola masterpieces that Abri has made in multiple areas. The cost of paint and time commitment have deterred us from making any changes, a decision that isn't ok with Emma.
Today, she emphatically informed me, "I--am ready--to be rid--of the white," with pauses to make sure I got the idea. Then, she revealed her plan for her bedroom. "I want one wall pink, one wall purple, one wall pink, one wall purple, [alternating walls] and the ceiling blue like the sky. We need to add flowers so it will be like a garden." I was floored. Not only that, but the flowers were supposed to be about 3 inches each in diameter on the walls, gauged by the hand gestures she made to show me.
We talked about the fact that usually on the shows they paint a room one color, sometimes one wall a different color than the rest, but not usually two different colors that alternate. She conceded to that a bit reluctantly. It was quite the shocker for me to see just how much she's embraced the idea of home decorating.
So, now its certain--I need to figure out a way to decorate her room as a Christmas present. Hopefully she'll give me the present of no longer comparing our house's shortcomings in decor with all the others on shows she sees.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Baywatch here we come
Just after school let out, the girls and I headed to Houston for a 6 day trip to see my parents and other friends that still live there. We took a day trip to Galveston and the girls had a very fun afternoon playing in the sand and water. They didn't need the pristine blue waters or white sands of the Carribbean to have a great time.
Abri would run into the waves as the water receded, then turn around and run back to shore as the tide came back in, and laughed with abandon as she called, "water tickles!" At one point, I walked with Emma and Abri into the water until the water got up to Abri's shoulders. A wave came in and about toppled her over, filling her mouth and she sputtered a bit in shock but I was impressed when she recovered very quickly and didn't get frightened by the experience.
Emma loved sharing the sand castle toys another little girl had brought, and the feel of the water. She didn't like the algae that occasionally caught against her limbs, but it didn't stop her from getting in the water, which I worried might happen since she hates sand at the playground here at home.
Abri would run into the waves as the water receded, then turn around and run back to shore as the tide came back in, and laughed with abandon as she called, "water tickles!" At one point, I walked with Emma and Abri into the water until the water got up to Abri's shoulders. A wave came in and about toppled her over, filling her mouth and she sputtered a bit in shock but I was impressed when she recovered very quickly and didn't get frightened by the experience.
Emma loved sharing the sand castle toys another little girl had brought, and the feel of the water. She didn't like the algae that occasionally caught against her limbs, but it didn't stop her from getting in the water, which I worried might happen since she hates sand at the playground here at home.
Abri's funniness: Stubborn Girl
Abri is both a trial and blessing for her stubborness. She cracked me and Todd up the other day. We were talking together when Abri came up with a much repeated request, this time directed at Todd.
A: Daddy, will you open gate for me? (The baby safety gate on the stairs that she can never get open.)
T: Abri, you can be a big girl and learn how to open up the gate. You put your hands on it (demonstrating for her), lift up, and pull towards you.
Abri got this very thoughtful look on her face and rolled her eyes up to look at the ceiling. She paused for a full 5 seconds and we were surprised she didn't get upset at a denial of her request and she turned away, but went around the two feet to where I was sitting.
A: Mommy, will you open gate for me? (No grin, all seriousness. . .I couldn't believe it.)
She's continued the trend the past few days with other requests. I'm sure other kids have perfected the art of persistancy in this: If at first you don't succeed, try the other parent, but, well, it was funny in the timing and proximity that she would even make the attempt.
A: Daddy, will you open gate for me? (The baby safety gate on the stairs that she can never get open.)
T: Abri, you can be a big girl and learn how to open up the gate. You put your hands on it (demonstrating for her), lift up, and pull towards you.
Abri got this very thoughtful look on her face and rolled her eyes up to look at the ceiling. She paused for a full 5 seconds and we were surprised she didn't get upset at a denial of her request and she turned away, but went around the two feet to where I was sitting.
A: Mommy, will you open gate for me? (No grin, all seriousness. . .I couldn't believe it.)
She's continued the trend the past few days with other requests. I'm sure other kids have perfected the art of persistancy in this: If at first you don't succeed, try the other parent, but, well, it was funny in the timing and proximity that she would even make the attempt.
Emma's Funny sayings #2: Cleanup Wishes
I was loading dishes into the dishwasher the other day when Emma came up to me. She said, "Don't you wish you had a robot that went around cleaning the whole house? It would make it much easier to clean." I couldn't agree more.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Kindergartener drinking beer?
NISD allows parents to visit the school and eat lunch with the kids. I often went to the school with Abri and Kayla in tow to see Emma. Up to two classmates are allowed to sit with the parents and their child. One afternoon in April, Emma's friend Hannah Strong, from another kindergarten class, sat with us. Hannah made a startling comment that I couldn't help but remember and worry about.
Hannah:I drink beer.
Emma: My family doesn't drink beer.
Hannah: My mom lets me take a sip of it sometimes and it is so good. She lets me drink some of her coffee in the morning too.
Emma: No response.
Something else came up, probably discussing what they were eating for lunch or some such thing, but I was too busy making a mental note: "If Emma ever, ever has a friend named Hannah Strong and wants to go to a party at her house, she is not going. . .for that matter, be friends with her if I have a say in it. . ."
If a 5 yr old already drinks beer and likes the taste of it, how much more likely is she going to be to drink it and become addicted when she gets older and her parents aren't around to control how much she gets of it? Odds are, her liking of it won't diminish as time goes by, and it sets her up for problems later on. Its amazing the things parents may think are ok for their kids that could have lasting affects. . .
As for Emma's response, I was grateful that we had just had a conversation about the Word of Wisdom just a few weeks earlier and she remembered what our family's standard is and was able to voice it to her friend, even if it was in such a small way. One can only hope that trend gets stronger as she grows older.
Hannah:I drink beer.
Emma: My family doesn't drink beer.
Hannah: My mom lets me take a sip of it sometimes and it is so good. She lets me drink some of her coffee in the morning too.
Emma: No response.
Something else came up, probably discussing what they were eating for lunch or some such thing, but I was too busy making a mental note: "If Emma ever, ever has a friend named Hannah Strong and wants to go to a party at her house, she is not going. . .for that matter, be friends with her if I have a say in it. . ."
If a 5 yr old already drinks beer and likes the taste of it, how much more likely is she going to be to drink it and become addicted when she gets older and her parents aren't around to control how much she gets of it? Odds are, her liking of it won't diminish as time goes by, and it sets her up for problems later on. Its amazing the things parents may think are ok for their kids that could have lasting affects. . .
As for Emma's response, I was grateful that we had just had a conversation about the Word of Wisdom just a few weeks earlier and she remembered what our family's standard is and was able to voice it to her friend, even if it was in such a small way. One can only hope that trend gets stronger as she grows older.
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