Prayers

Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you for my momma and taking care of her because I love her. And I love my daddy, and Daisy, and Granny, and Pap, and Mamie, and Jon-Jon, and Josh, and Caleb. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Out of the Mouth of Babes...or a Diva!

MG told her Daddy she didn't want to go the the store with him. He told her he was sad because he'd be all alone. "Don't worry Daddy, Jesus will be with you. Jesus is always with us." At that moment, I knew we were doing something right as parents!

MG and Jamey were playing "lions" and MG was shooting the lion aka Daddy. She made her gun, made the shooting sounds then said "I shot you Daddy. Lay down, you're dead until I kiss you!". 1/2 tomboy/redneck...1/2 girly girl princess!

Last week at OT, I heard the therapist ask Molly if she'd ever seen a kangaroo. "No". So the therapist asked her if she'd ever been to the zoo. Her response? "No, but my brothers have!". She then went on to tell about her brother Josh who was really big and her other brother Caleb who was just a little big! A little while later they were talking about snow and the therapist asked if she'd ever played in the snow. Her response this time... "No!". Thank goodness they didn't ask her if her parents beat her. Or if we feed her!

Me: Molly Grace, I don't like how rude you're being right now MG: Hey...rude is like Rudolph. Listen...rude...olph. Yep! Rude and Rudolph. Oh Momma, you're soooo funny! Pretty sure she didn't get the point!

I think I already posted this one, but just in case here it is again... Mg hung up her pretend phone and I asked "talking to your boyfriend?" MG: No, it was the prince. He's coming to our castle. Me: Really? Then you should probably put some clothes on. MG: Yeah, I don't really need a dress, but I guess I should get some panties. Baby steps people!!

O/T

Today was MG's first OT session. It went great! Mom met me up at school with her this afternoon. MG had that "pissed off at the world" look on her face and mom said she had to wake her up to come. I was kind of terrified how it was going to go! She ate a snack on the way and pepped up a little. She was pretty reserved when we first got in there, hiding behind my legs and not wanting to talk. I sat down with them while she worked a puzzle then snuck out only a few minutes later and she was fine. I prayed the entire way there that her therapist would be compassionate and kind and someone who would be patient with MG. We got exactly that person! Mrs. Kim is young, soft spoken and very sweet. It's obvious she loves what she does and loves the children she helps. That made a huge difference for MG. I waited in the lobby, so I could only see her a little, but she got on the big swing, went down the slide, jumped on the trampoline, kicked the ball around and had a great time. She was smiling and just looked so confident. Made my heart smile, for sure! We stopped at Harp's for a Howl cookie on the way home. She's already excited to go back next week and play with Mrs. Kim!

The Prince is Coming!

MG hung up her play phone today...

Me: Who you talking to, your boyfriend?

MG: No, it were the prince. He's coming to our castle.

Me: Really? Don't you think you should put a dress on? (because she's naked, of course!)

MG: Nah, but I should get some panties.

And speaking of princes and princesses...this is how my little princess left for church Sunday morning!

Little Girl

MG has started talking about her "little girl" lately. It's all she talks about. She tells us stories all the time about her little girl and what she's done. Last night while I was rocking her she said "One time my little girl were walking through the woods and she saw a lion. Her daddy got his gun and did this (pretended to cock it and shoot it) and shooted it and it died!". She's always telling us about her little girl's bday party, which is coming up soon, evidently! And we are invited. For a long time she wouldn't tell us her little girl's name, she would say "I don't know" or "she can tell you". Today she has decided that her name is Sour! Last night a big girl appeared too. Her name is Alice! We laughed at Chad for so long because he played with "Brother and Son" and now we have a "little girl"! It makes me laugh. The stories are so far-fetched and detailed. I love the imagination she has!

First Day of Pre-K...Success!

This is the morning picture! She wasn't as thrilled...

This is the afternoon picture! Big difference!

MG is still going to Mother's Day Out, but this year she moved up to a class with a teacher other than her Granny! Jamey and I were excited for her because we knew it was time, but my mommy-mode kicked in and I was terrified for her, too! She doesn't have a good track record of leaving any of us. Sunday School has always been a nightmare and she was attached to my hip this summer so I just didn't see it going well. But once again, my girl proved me wrong in a big way! And I loved it!

It was my 2nd day of school, so I didn't get to take her. I was a little bummed, but I think it was probably best that way. I don't think it would have been as smooth if I was the one leaving her. They way it was, she went with Granny and stayed in her room until it was time for the other kids to start arriving. Granny walked her down and MG went right in and started playing! She even let Granny take a picture of her and Ms. Roxanna (her new teacher). At playtime, MG's class was outside already when Granny's class went out. MG's class had to line up and go in shortly after. Mom said she hesitated just a minute and said "I want to stay with you Granny", but when Mom said no she went and got right in line! Yay! When I picked her up that afternoon, she was so excited to tell me what a big girl she was!

Day 2 (Thursday) was just as successful! She didn't take a nap, but it wasn't because she was crying or upset. It was just because she wanted to play! She told me (and showed me!) how she crawled on her belly over to her buddy Jack's mat and talked to him during naptime! She met with the behavioral interventionist for the first time on Thursday, too. She spent 30 minutes with her and did great according to the report Ms. Julie sent home. They read a story about friends and talked about why it's fun to play with friends. Then they practiced lacing up cards.

I'm so proud of my big girl! We've been talking to her all summer about moving up to the big girl class and being Ms. Roxanna's helper. We also used the word "brave" at least a million times! I guess it worked. MG actually told me she was "brave" when I picked her up Tuesday! I'm just so excited and happy and proud that I can't stand it!

It's so crazy because in the last 2 weeks we have seen such a major change in MG. Her tantrums have calmed a little. She's using her manners. When she started whining or crying about something, all I have to say is "is that going to change my mind?" and she stops! It's just amazing. I'm one super proud Momma these days! Now if we can just get that OT started and stop the hair and finger sucking! Baby steps... :-)

Back to School

Summer's officially over! Today was my first day back to school. My kiddos don't start back until next week, but I am there all week. We are slowly adjusting to earlier bedtimes, earlier wake times, and routines! I have loved every second of being home with MG this summer. We didn't do anything too spectacular, we just hung out. And it was awesome! We layed around and watched a movie in my bed every single morning! We went to junk stores and got some goodies. We swam in our pool, chased Daisy around, read books, built blocks and colored. My very favorite part of every day was naptime. Not because it was quiet and I got a chance to catch up on things while she slept (although that was nice, too), but because every day we would snuggle up in her rocking chair and rock. And everyday she'd fall asleep on me and I'd just hold her and enjoy the snuggles. Next summer she'll be 4 and probably won't take naps or want to rock, so I enjoyed every single second of those afternoons in the rocker!