From I've seen so far, Lyla seems to be an "out of the box" kind of person. That is the opposite of me (and Grace I think). I let Lyla and Grace paint glass vases one day last week and I told them to use the paint brushes and paint the outside of the vase. I sat there the whole time and tried my hardest to keep Lyla from slinging paint everywhere. She just couldn't stand it! She had to paint the inside of the vase. It was like her inner soul wouldn't let her be satisfied by staying in the lines. She also just had to use her hands. I just sat there thinking, "we're going to have problems getting her to follow the rules when she's 16". What am I saying? We have trouble getting her to follow the rules when she's 3!
Anyway, a couple of weeks ago and walked through the play room and just happen to glance at the bulletin board. I took a second look when I noticed a piece of paper hanging to the right of the board. It was stuck to the actual wall. I called Lyla in the room and asked her if she knew anything about this picture. She said it was hers. I asked her why it was stuck to the wall. She simply said, "there wasn't room on the there (the bulletin board) so I put it to here (the wall)." She glued her picture to the wall!!!! I didn't get mad at her or even take it down. I just got my camera to document a manifestation of how her little mind thinks.
If anyone is wondering, no, she didn't write her name on that paper. Grace did that for her.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thinking out of the box...literally!
Swimming Lessons
We tried swimming lessons when Grace was barely 3 years old and she was terrified. After the first lesson and her not letting go of the instructor's neck, the director told me she would give me my money back and to get her used to the water before trying again. So, that's what we did. Later that summer she finally decided to believe me that she wouldn't die from putting her face in the water. At 3 years old, she actually put it together that you have to breathe to live and you can't breathe under water, so it must make you die if you go under water. She was only about 3 years and 3 months old. Once she discovered for herself she would be OK, she's been a little "fish" ever since. Now, she didn't learn to swim but she wasn't afraid at all. Unfortunately, it's taken me this long to get her back into lessons. She's learned a little from Eric and me but it is definitely time for some professional help. Lyla can't really swim at all but she will jump in, go under, and doggie paddle around with her "floaty suit" all day long.
We went to the Franklin Rec. Center. They're the cheapest lessons I've found but I don't know that I will return. We're going to try someone else later this summer.
Anyway, Grace loved it. Lyla pretty much loved it. She still said she didn't want to go each morning but she said it was because she didn't get to do what she wanted to do! That's Lyla for you! She is definitely her own person. She did very well in the lessons too. Poor little Reesi had some trouble enjoying the lessons. She is the one to the left of Lyla in the picture above. She is still scared of putting her face in the water and that caused her major stress. Joni had to resort to bribery each day to get her in the water. Hopefully by the end of the summer she'll be more comfortable in the water.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
I can't believe I did it!
After Grace's friend, Addie, cut her hair short around Easter time Grace has been asking to do the same. I kept saying, OK, but let's think about it for a while. I didn't want her to cut it on the spur of the moment and then regret it. But, every now and then, she would say it again. "I want my hair like Addie and Reesi." So, last Friday I was putting sunscreen on her and her hair was a sticking, messing, tangled mess. It needed to be in a ponytail every day but wouldn't stay put. Then putting sunscreen on all the time just makes it greasy and sticky. We were leaving that afternoon at 3pm to go to Rockport for a wedding and I hadn't done anything to get ready yet. It was 11am. As I was putting sunscreen on and feeling her yucky hair I asked her if she really wanted to cut her long hair and she said yes again. I called my sister and mom to get their opinion because I'm an awful decision maker. Joni knows this about me and she has seen this same problem arising in Grace, so, when I asked her opinion she said, YES, go now! So, I called Sweet and Sassy and made an appointment for 2pm! I had to do it before I lost my nerve. Lyla had to have a haircut too since Grace was! So, we packed extra quick, took quick showers, and left the house in a mess. They got their hair cut and it looks very cute. It is SOOOOOO easy to maintain too. It really makes Grace look taller I think. She is so tall already and this just accentuates it. But it's very cute. I think Eric is the only one that isn't too fond of the new Grace and Lyla.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Annalina Anda-dee's Birthday!
They were waiting for the cake to bake.
A week or so ago Reesi hand delivered invitation's to Andy Roe's birthday party. Andy Roe is Reesi's stuffed kitty cat that is her favorite and "lovey" of sorts. Reesi also has a very big imagination when it comes to Andy. Andy, who is a girl, does all sorts of things and Reesi will be happy to share all of the stories with you at any time. So, this week Andy was having a birthday party. We went to Joni's house and the girls made a cake for Andy with candles and balloons. Reesi's Meemaw even came with a helium tank in hand for the balloons. But, when it was time to light the candles Andy Roe was no where to be found. Surprisingly, Reesi didn't seem to mind. She quickly found a replacement kitty to have a birthday party for. Annalina Anda-dee had a special cake instead of Andy Roe.Wade Family Reunion
Last weekend we traveled to Rockport for my side of the family's reunion. Usually when you have a "family reunion" most people think of distant family that you really don't know and aren't even sure how you're related. Well, the Wade reunion is a little different. Our family is so big that we have to have a reunion just for immediate family! My dad is the youngest of 6 children. He grew up in Owensboro, KY. Today he has two siblings that live in this area but the others are further away. So, once a year we have a reunion on Dad's farm and we try to get all of the Wades here for a picnic. This year we had a pretty good turnout although the pictures don't convey how big our family really is. All 6 siblings were there but not all of their children (and their grandkids) were able to attend. Between the 6 siblings there are 17 kids, who are almost all married and who also have kids! So it's a pretty big group.
The day was very hot and humid but the kids had a blast on the water slide and jumpy-thing. There is lots to do on Dad's farm so the kids have a blast running between the water slide, jumpy-thing, tire swing, regular swings, gator, pond, "buggy", and popsicles. The adults mainly sit as still as possible and just chat and watch the kids. There is, of course, lots of food too. I didn't take many pictures but I stole Joni's pics and put them in a slideshow to share with everyone.
It's nice to see everyone at least once a year. It's fun to see how the kids have grown from the previous year and catch up and what everyone has been doing. Hopefully next year we'll have even more cousins join us!
