Happy Birthday, Staley!

Six years ago today, my world was forever changed.  It wasn't my birthday, but I received the best gift I could possibly imagine.  Staley made me a mom!

I still remember holding the baby I had longed for and hoped for and prayed for and being astounded by how something so small could fill me with a love so fierce.  Six years has flown by, but I am still consumed daily by my love for this amazing little girl.

Happy Birthday to my Staley!!

It's your birthday, but I still get the greatest gift--being your mom.

Interview with a 6 Year Old

Favorite color:  Teal
Favorite food:  Chicken tenders
Favorite dessert:  Ice cream
Favorite toy:  Grace (American Girl Doll)
Favorite stuffed animal:  Teddy (formerly known as Yellow Bear)
Favorite animal:  Kitty cat
Favorite game:  Spot It
Favorite TV show:  Elena of Avalor, but I don't really like TV shows.  I only watch a show when Adelie and Briggs are watching it.
Favorite movie:  Hero of the Year (DC Superhero Girls movie)
Favorite place to go:  School
Favorite thing about school: I have lots of friends
Favorite place for vacation:  Disney
Favorite thing to do with Adelie:  Play a game where I'm the big sister and she's the baby
Favorite thing to do with Briggs:  Play cars and fire trucks
Favorite thing to do with Mommy:  Read
Favorite thing to do with Daddy:  When Daddy teases me
Favorite book:  Grace
Favorite princess or superhero:  I'm not really into princesses, but my favorite superhero is Big Barda
Favorite outfit:  Supergirl shirt
Favorite pajamas:  My cozy ones with the penguins

What do you think you'll be able to do when you are 6?  Get a better score on the MAP test
What are some things you're excited about doing when you're 6?  Be in first grade, Rising Stars, Stage Kids
What are you scared of?  Heights
What's the best thing about you?  I'm pretty
What are you good at?  Balancing on the tire at the playground
Who is your best friend?  Emma (a friend from school) and Adelie
What do you want to be when you grow up? Police officer

Does the fact that she wants to do better with academic testing balance out the fact that she thinks the best thing about her is being pretty??  We might need to really bring focus to those other positive traits we're trying to instill so that the fact that she's smart, brave, kind, generous, thoughtful, helpful, and sweet might come to her mind next year before being pretty.  Not that I should really over-analyze a top-of-her-head answer to a 6 year old interview, but that answer made me feel like I've failed just a little bit.

That's My Boy

As I mentioned in a recent post, Briggs has some very "boy" qualities.  However, he also has 2 older sisters that he adores.  It's not uncommon to see Briggs walking around wearing a headband or a necklace or carrying a purse over his arm.  His vehicles are often driven by princesses, and his dump truck can be seen carrying loads of palace pets or Calico critters.  His entrenchment into the world of girls has led to some amusing assumptions that Briggs has made.

At Christmas time, Briggs got a little shirt with a bow tie.  The first time he wore it, I put on the shirt and then started to put on his bow tie.  He immediately patted his head and said, "Bow.  Head."  Yeah, sorry bud.  That's not really how this one works.

This past week-end, we had Staley's birthday party.  (Don't worry.  That post is coming soon.)  Since it was a superhero party, both girls were wearing superhero shirts and tutus. As I was putting on Briggs's Superman shirt, he asked, "Wear tutu too?"  Ummm...no buddy. 

Although Briggs seemed excited about wearing a Superman shirt for the party, he kept saying "Wearing Supergirl shirt."  Close, but no cigar.

Cars and trucks, bows and tutus.

Yup. That's my boy!!

Word Play

Today after school, Staley and I were playing a word game.  We would take turns writing a word on the easel with the letters scrambled and the other person would have to figure out the word.  One of Staley's scrambled words was "i-t-s-h". 

Did you immediately think "this"?  Yeah.  Me neither.  Fortunately, after a little studying, I did come up with "hits."

Boys

As Briggs continues to get bigger, we continue to learn more about raising boys.  When driving, I am always on the lookout for buses, diggers, or tractors to point out.  When Briggs is done eating, his uneaten food consistently turns into vehicles that drive around his tray.  He loves to wrestle with his sisters, often turning a hug into an opportunity to pull them to the ground.  And last night, we learned something else about boys.

While Zach was getting Briggs ready for bed last night, he said, "Poo poo."  Zach said, "Do you need to go poo poo?"  Briggs responded, "Poo poo.  Potty."  So Zach took him into the bathroom and sat him on the potty.  Briggs then started to pee...all over Zach and the bathroom floor.  Although proud of our son's first (mostly) successful use of the potty, we've learned something else about boys.  Potty training is also going to need to incorporate aiming.

Bad Idea

Today at lunch, Adelie and I had this conversation:

Adelie:  "Can I have some more ketchup?"
Me:  "We're out of ketchup.  We'll have to get some the next time we go to the store."
Adelie:  "Can you go to the store right now and get some?"
Me:  "And just leave you and Briggs at home?"
Adelie:  "It's okay.  I can be in charge."

Part of me is sort of intrigued by what Adelie in charge might look like.  The realistic part of me, however, would be terrified. 

Don't let this angelic face fool you.  This girl is a firecracker!

Resolutions

Based on the behavior in our house today, I am led to assume that my children's resolutions for 2017 include more arguing, more attitude, more tattling, more tantrums, more whining, and more crying.  Or they are just out to sabotage my resolution of having more patience.  Either way, here's hoping this lasts about as long as most people's New Year's diets and exercise regimens. 

#notastellarstart