My Girls Really Are Growing Up Too Fast!

I'm not sure what happened.  I had these little tiny people who needed me for every little thing.  Now I have these giant kids who (I feel sometimes) don't need me at all.  Well unless they want to reach something down, or eat hot food.  But they brush their teeth on their own (with a final check from a grown-up), put themselves to bed (when they're in the mood), and pick out their own clothes and put them on.

Girls at Movies in the Square

 They've also started to figure out that if you stay up late you can "sleep in" the next day.  Emma has mastered this skill, Rose is lagging a bit behind.  This doesn't stop us from keeping her out late once in a while.  Usually she's fast asleep in the car by the time we get home from whatever event we were at.  The Movies in the Square downtown on Thursday nights is a great outing for us.  They love movies, and popcorn.  And if we go in pajamas everyone is comfy and ready for bed the second we get home!

Girls at Fort Henry

We've done much more this summer than we have yet in our family's short history.  Finally I feel that Rose is old enough (she's 4 now) to actually walk around attractions and events without whining every minute.  She seems to have outgrown her need to be carried all the time.  When she's tired, of course she asks, but she keeps walking.  We took them on a hike (without really planning to do it) and they both hiked for 2 hours and the entire time (almost) went on about how great it was and why don't we do this more often?!  It's so nice - Patrick and I used to hike all the time, and I love going to all sorts of attractions and events, and now I feel more confident dragging the kids along.  They are liking to do so much more these days.

I won't say I don't miss my babies.  But these bigger girls are great in their own way.  They still choose to cuddle with me, they do still want my help with lots of things, and now they tell me how nice my skirt looks, or just that they love me with no prompt at all.  Patrick and I made great kids.  I can't wait to see what else unfolds on this crazy journey.

Toodles!

Rose "Graduates" From Imagine Dance

This weekend we had the pleasure of attending Rose's ballet class recital.  The 3 year old class is called Imagine Dance.  She even got a diploma for "graduating" from the class.  The sea of little pink ballerinas (with 2 small boy dancers, not so pink) is so cute!

Imagine Dance Recital

We brought all the grandparents, as well as our daycare lady and her daughter (who's our babysitter - an arrangement that works fabulously for us!)

After the recital we invited everyone back to the house for a luncheon.  I really like using the word luncheon.  It makes me feel fancy.  Anyway, it was a nice day, hot in the backyard, and we had sandwiches, cheese and crackers, veggies and dip and fruit and cake.

Rose With Her Rose and Diploma

Everyone in the family is greatly looking forward to next weekend when Kingston School of Dance is having their end of year performance at the Grand Theatre.  We have 10 tickets (in 2 groups of 5) so everyone we know can come watch Emma dance in 2 numbers this year.  And it's funny, we actually know a bunch of people who have kids dancing at this school this year.  I'm really looking forward to the event next Saturday.  We are having a to-do after that recital as well.  BBQ with people bringing things.  Should be a great time as well!

The Studio Has Beautiful Exposed Walls

The pictures I am posting here (on Blogger generally) are unedited, not usually cropped photos of what we took wherever we were.  In case anyone is wondering.

Toodles!

Why Do Large 4 Year Olds Still Love Laps?

My youngest daughter, Rose, is a girl who loves physical contact.  Sometimes it's the kind parents like to discourage (hitting, pulling, etc) but usually she just wants someone to sit next to her on the couch so you can cuddle.  It's very cute.

Rose is now 4.  She's big.  I'm not super big.  She really does not fit on my lap any more.  But she still thinks she's a lap baby.  On the couch this is acceptable as I can usually adjust to be comfortable, but at the dining room table, while I'm drinking hot coffee and trying to read my emails (or god forbid type something!) it is much less comfortable.

I really don't want to discourage her love of human contact, but how can I keep her off my lap for just those 15 minutes I need in the morning to eat and catch up with the world?  If she does manage to climb up there she then wants to "make letters!" or "push the arrow!" which is fine if I'm just browsing around, but after about 2 minutes my legs hurt and I have to get up.  Then she gets the computer and I'm left standing, drinking my coffee.  Not quite fair.

I know distraction is best, but the tv is already on, her Dad's lap is somehow inferior to mine, and I'm just a human contact magnet I guess.  Do your (large) kids still insist on lap time?  Do you let them and suffer the consequences? or have you find a solution?  Please do share any ideas or insights you've discovered!

Toodles!