Appreciating the View

Lexi, playing with a plastic bird, said to me, "Look Mama. Look at this bird!" I looked and she said, "It's appreciating." Certain she had the word wrong I said, "What to you mean?" She said, "Look! He's looking up at the sky, appreciating the beautiful view."
Genius.

My Little Therapist

I've been feeling very down over the past few days over an argument with some friends in my running club. Since I've been asked not to talk about it, the feelings just keep ruminating in my mind, and I can't seem to let go. This morning Lexi asked me why I was so sad. I said, "Oh, I had a disagreement with my friends, and I feel sad over it." She said, "Did they make fun of you, Mama?" I said, "No, we just disagree over something." She said, "Why don't you work it out?" I said, "Well, they won't let me talk to them, so I can't." She said, "Mama, why don't you call Gigi?" I told her that I did, and Gigi is sad too, but that I just can't seem to stop thinking about it. She thought for a minute and said, "Remember when I got that book for Christmas and it had the scary picture in it? When I went to sleep I kept dreaming about the picture and couldn't get it out of my head." "Yes" I said, "You were very upset. What did you do to get the picture out of your head?" She said, "Well, when I woke up in the morning I came downstairs and had some juice. And then, the picture was just gone from my head! So, maybe you should just try drinking some juice." I told her I thought that sounded like a great idea, and that I would try it right away.
I hope she marries well, because this child has a career in therapy. As she sat there talking to me, she looked right at me, spoke with empathy, and really validated my feelings. I'm pretty sure it was the best therapy session I've ever had! I feel better already. And now, off to get some juice.

Writing Valentines

This is the first year that Lexi will be doing real Valentines. Last year she was still in daycare for Valentine's Day, and while they do celebrate Valentine's Day at Fadia's, it just seemed silly to me to send Valentines to babies. But this year Lexi's afternoon preschool class is exchanging Valentines, so off we went to the store to pick out the little Valentine notes that have not changed much since I was a kid. The difference was that these ones came with pencils instead of envelopes...which I thought was pretty cute. Lexi is very good at writing, so I sat her down at the table with a marker, her cards, and the list of kids in her class and she wrote every single Valentine all by herself. I could not believe how well she did following the list of about 2o names. She was so excited to do it, and I was really, really impressed with her work. She is a smart girl, there is no denying it!

Working hard.

Admiring her work.

Checking names of the list as she goes, being sure not to forget anyone.

Jazz Hands

I can only imagine the beating I am going to take from future Zach when he reads this post...

For some time now we (well, mostly my mom and I) have been joking that Zachary is going to end up being gay. I mean, the child is being partially raised by his four year old sister...the one who does not take one step out of her bedroom in the morning until she is dolled up in her princess necklace, fancy skirt, and either headband or tiara (sometimes both). One of his favorite toys is her princess microphone that sings "bippidy boppidy boo" and he's recently taken to trying to put on Lexi's princess dress up clothes. This would be just fine by me (imagine the fashion advice I could get for free!), but of course Ahren has other, more manly, plans for his son's future.

Yesterday we were all home together on a rare Monday as Ahren and I were both recovering from a stomach virus that somehow managed to hit all of us but Lexi. Zach was pulling a typical dramatic meltdown because I had (gasp!) put him down...I know, call DSS now. I said to him, "Zachary, I think it's quite possible that you are more of a drama queen than your sister. I think we should send in your early acceptance applications to the finest theater schools in the country now. You'll definitely be accepted." Ahren rolled his eyes, so I conceded..."Well, you do also have quite a throwing arm on you. Maybe you'll end up being a pitcher for the Red Sox." This seemed to make Ahren happier. Then I whispered, "...a world famous pitcher, or an actor on Broadway - either way I'll come watch you every time you perform. However...I do prefer theater over baseball, so let's start practicing those jazz hands now!"