President's Day in the Life of a 3 Year Old

It turns out, President's Day is one of the best holidays of the year; Annika told us so on our way to swimming lessons this morning.

This holiday means that Daddy gets to stay home All DAY, we get to go to lunch at a restaurant, and have hot cocoa. I knew that Josh would be home, but the other festivities were a surprise. We did indeed go out to lunch at The Lumberyard. My daughter is quite convincing.

Annika ordered the Minnow, kid's fish & chips, because "it's good to try new things." She said that she dreamed about having "halbit fish on President's Day."

We played tic tac toe Annika style, which means it's a race to add X's or O's as fast as you can while your opponent "hockey's" your crayon away and scribbles over your writing. It's a pretty exciting game.

With a quick stop at the fabric store while Josh & Lydia circled the parking lot, we headed home and made a new dress.

 

Before dinner, Lydia tried rice cereal for the first time, and loved it!

As always, Annika dressed for the occasion. We learned that this day is also a good day, because Annika likes President Obama; he has two girls, and that's nice.

And after an exciting, special holiday, we crawled into bed for a story and lullaby.

Good night everyone. Happy President's Day. I hope your day was special too.

Deanna

One Eye Forward

When I was 21, I worked retail in Bellevue Washington. I think of those years as my "fashion-y" era. My undone look was still in designer threads, my hair was streaked with highlights & lowlights, and my face was seldom without makeup.

One evening, seeming frazzled, a lady came rushing into the store. I asked if I could help. She described her shopping trip as a rare chance to get out of the house while her husband wrestled kids to bed. She was quickly looking for nothing specific. Within moments of conversation, I realized that she had liner and mascara only on one eye. Thinking, "How embarrassing!" I gave her my undivided attention. She must really need help, I figured. How could you forget something like that?

We ended up chatting for a while. She told me about her kids, her job as a school psychologist, and how she rarely had time to shop for herself. I don't think she bought anything; I do recall that she was on her way to a children's clothing store.

She seemed happy, which was perplexing to me. I thought about how when I had kids, I would make myself a priority; I would make sure my makeup was on before I left the house, and I would buy clothes for myself that were as cute as those I bought for my kids. Now 13 years later, I look back at this interaction with a whole new perspective. That lady was one step ahead of me; she at least managed to get one eye fancied up for her night out.

Oh, and having kids of my own to dress and make adorable before leaving the house, I understand how my mom could arrive at a choir concert with mismatched shoes. I get it now, I really do.

Forgetful Jones

Remember the absent minded character, Forgetful Jones from Sesame Street? I remember watching him as a kid. I found him terribly irritating. I mean really, how could anyone be so forgetful? The whole idea was just too much... until now. I realized recently that I identify completely with poor silly Jones. I'm thinking that behind the scenes, he was a parent of young children.

Back in the day, I never needed a calendar; I rarely wrote a grocery list. Now, I'm doing well to remember to grab the grocery list. Before I had kids, my memory was great. Now, my short term memory is, well, about as sharp as the safety scissors I let my daughter use. Unloading the dishwasher the other day, I attempted to place cereal bowls in the refrigerator. While cleaning up after dinner, I repeatedly tried to put the left overs in the cupboard. I begin a sentence, and my mind goes blank before my thought is complete; quite the conversationalist I've turned into.

I hear that other people's children sleep. I only part way believe them. My 3 year old sleeps through the night sometimes; we celebrate when she does. If the 6 month old sleeps for a 2 hour stretch, my husband and I feel giddy with excitement. Between bad dreams and reflux, our little one's are awake a lot. We are awake a lot. And with the exhaustion, comes failing memory. I am Forgetful Jones... that's O.K. though, they are totally worth it.

Annika's World...

Annika, 3 years old, was singing to her baby sister. As I joined in, she waved one hand over my mouth,  placed the other on her hip, and said, "Actually, I DON'T need a team. You are my audience."

She's been giving me "chores" to do lately, such as "You have a big girl, grown up chore to do. I know you can do it if you try. First, get me water in a fancy glass, then put a straw in it." And, "You have a big chore to do; get me a Popsicle, a chocolate one."

I explained that a mommy gives chores, not a child. Her response? "Well, if it's a chore, you can't say no."

It seems that I am accomplishing my goal of raising a confident young woman, now the time has come to stress humility.

(My dear sweet girl, you have the power to rule the world, but it will have to wait, at least until you learn to do your OWN chores.)

"They grow up too fast."

I just tucked my oldest into bed. We started reading a big girl book, Anne of Green Gables. Since she was getting to bed late, I figured we'd read a few pages and get to sleep. My plan took an unexpected turn when I realized that she was not only listening to the story, but terribly heartsick that Anne may not be wanted, and was to be sent from the home with Matthew and Marilla.We read through the next few chapters to find that she indeed she was wanted, and had found her new home as well as a friend in the neighbor girl.

Everyone always tells me to enjoy these days; they are fleeting. The girls will be grown before I know what happened, and I will look back at these short years as the best in my life. I know this is true, but during moments like today when Annika was in time out for being sassy, and screaming her most dramatic cry, inspiring Lydia to join in, the years seem long... the minutes seem never ending.

As I snuggled Annika to sleep tonight, she seemed to be growing before my eyes. Yes, the cliche "it seemed like only yesterday" is all too real. Yesterday, she was reading Sandra Boynton. Today, Anne of Green Gables. I remembered the phase when she would only sleep if her nose was touching mine, and I never would have imagined her sleeping in her own room, much less her own bed. But, somehow, she is, and she really is growing faster that I ever knew possible.

Yes, parents of grown children, you are right; the time flies, and they will be grown before I know it. Would you please be so kind as to remind me of this tomorrow when the girls are awake?

Good night all,

Deanna

To Blog or Not to Blog...

I hear that one of the best ways to build an online business is to blog. Being the most technologically illiterate person I know, this is an intimidating idea. Also adding to the blogging complication is the fact that most of my typing, usually on facebook, is done while reaching over a sleeping baby, often with the eraser end of a pencil to extend my reach. But, here goes... I'm blogging!

In Astoria this weekend, we had nothing but sunshine. I would have called it a bit crisp for a summer day, but unbelievably beautiful for winter time. We get a few sunny, warm days in February every year. I think it's Mother Nature's way of reminding us that there really is a reason we've chosen to live this far north of the equator. Summer will one day return, and we will begin to remember what it's like to feel warm(ish.)

Anyway, where I was going with my above paragraph is that during the sunny weekend, I spent my time sewing. I'm itching to add product to the Salty Style market booth this spring & summer, and to the website. (www.saltystyle.bigcartel.com) In two days, I made six dresses, experimenting with new patterns. I made three for my oldest daughter, one for my youngest, and two for birthday gifts. I'm a little obsessed and can't wait to sit down at the sewing machine again when I have a spare moment. Hopefully I'll also find time to include the new items on the website soon.

As I find these rare but sweet moments of quiet, I'll keep writing. I promise that my posts will be about other matters besides clothing, sewing, and blatantly promoting my website. I would feel honored and thrilled if you would come along on this blogging journey, and leave comments and feedback when you are inspired.

Thanks for reading!

Deanna