Dear Layla,
I know it's not a real word, but you are a great dishwasher cleaner-outer.
I have always considered unloading the dishwasher as a one-person job. Boy was I wrong! You love to help! You love to take the clean item off of the rack, hand it to me, and watch as I put it away. Your favorite part is closing the dishwasher door. You've been doing that for months now.
It might take me twice as long to empty the dishwasher, but it's worth it!
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Self-Esteem
Dear Layla,
"I Like Myself" is a song that I teach my First graders at school. The lyrics are:
I like myself (clap, clap, clap, clap)
I like myself (clap, clap, clap, clap)
I like my hair (pretend to flip your hair over your shoulder)
I like my chin (touch your chin)
I like my skin I'm all wrapped in (give yourself a hug)
"I Like Myself" is a song that I teach my First graders at school. The lyrics are:
I like myself (clap, clap, clap, clap)
I like myself (clap, clap, clap, clap)
I like my hair (pretend to flip your hair over your shoulder)
I like my chin (touch your chin)
I like my skin I'm all wrapped in (give yourself a hug)
I like myself (clap, clap, clap, clap)
I like myself (clap, clap, clap, clap)
It's been stuck in my head lately, so you've heard it quite a few times during bath time. Sometimes you listen and smile, other times you completely ignore me and do your own thing. Tonight you proved that you are starting to learn the song when you would hug yourself when I said, "I like myself".
It's so much fun to watch you learn and even more miraculous when I am able to capture it on video. There's even a little "bonus" footage of you trying to put your shoe on and giving yourself applause.
It's really too bad that everyone can't have such high self-esteem like you do.
Love,
Mommy
Gettin' Dizzy With It
Dear Layla,
Sometimes you play so quietly and intensely that it kinda freaks me out. The house seems too quiet then nervous feelings rush through me and I think, "Where is she and what kind of mess is she making?"
Just the other day I found you sitting in the corner of the living room "reading" books. There must have been ten books all around you. You sat there for at least 30 minutes just looking at the pictures, turning the pages back and forth, and talking to the characters. It was very cute.
And then there are times like in this video. Wow! You make us laugh!
Love,
Mommy
P.S. - Just ignore the fart conversation at the end. I could have edited that part out, but it's true: Calvin is a very gassy dog. There's no need to ignore the truth.
Sometimes you play so quietly and intensely that it kinda freaks me out. The house seems too quiet then nervous feelings rush through me and I think, "Where is she and what kind of mess is she making?"
Just the other day I found you sitting in the corner of the living room "reading" books. There must have been ten books all around you. You sat there for at least 30 minutes just looking at the pictures, turning the pages back and forth, and talking to the characters. It was very cute.
And then there are times like in this video. Wow! You make us laugh!
Love,
Mommy
P.S. - Just ignore the fart conversation at the end. I could have edited that part out, but it's true: Calvin is a very gassy dog. There's no need to ignore the truth.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Noah's Laugh
Dear Noah,
Parents will do just about anything to get their child to laugh. One of my favorite episodes of Friends was when Ross and Rachel sang "Baby Got Back" to make Emma laugh. At one point Rachel tries singing other baby-friendly songs to get her to laugh but gives up in frustration and says, "That girl is all about the ass!" It's a great episode.
The first time you laughed was when I was getting you out of the car seat and I noticed that you had a booger hanging from your nose. I tried to wipe it away, but it held on tight so I wiped again. On the third attempt, you giggled. It was a very quiet giggle, but it counted!
From that point on, I tried to get you to laugh again. I tried tickling your nose and chin, playing peek-a-boo, and even singing "Baby Got Back". You found none of it funny.
The second time you laughed was at Momma Jane's house. Another Mom was holding and talking to you and you laughed at her. I think you were just flirting with her but my feelings were a little crushed. This made me determined to get you to laugh for me.
I finally had success a few days later and even caught it on video. It was awesome. But if you ever need me to rap about a girl's enormous backside to get you to laugh again, I'm your girl.
Love,
Mommy
Parents will do just about anything to get their child to laugh. One of my favorite episodes of Friends was when Ross and Rachel sang "Baby Got Back" to make Emma laugh. At one point Rachel tries singing other baby-friendly songs to get her to laugh but gives up in frustration and says, "That girl is all about the ass!" It's a great episode.
The first time you laughed was when I was getting you out of the car seat and I noticed that you had a booger hanging from your nose. I tried to wipe it away, but it held on tight so I wiped again. On the third attempt, you giggled. It was a very quiet giggle, but it counted!
From that point on, I tried to get you to laugh again. I tried tickling your nose and chin, playing peek-a-boo, and even singing "Baby Got Back". You found none of it funny.
The second time you laughed was at Momma Jane's house. Another Mom was holding and talking to you and you laughed at her. I think you were just flirting with her but my feelings were a little crushed. This made me determined to get you to laugh for me.
I finally had success a few days later and even caught it on video. It was awesome. But if you ever need me to rap about a girl's enormous backside to get you to laugh again, I'm your girl.
Love,
Mommy
Dust Bunny
Dear Layla,
I have a love/hate relationship with dusting. It, by far, is my least favorite chore. I would rather clean the toilets at the gym than dust the house. And that is saying something.
BUT, if I don't dust once a week, the house just doesn't feel clean. I could spend all weekend organizing and doing other chores, but without dusting, the house doesn't feel neat and tidy.
On Saturday you followed me around the house with your stuffed bunny while I dusted. Without any prompting, you used your bunny to dust your dresser. The term "dust bunny" now has a whole new meaning.
Love,
Mommy
I have a love/hate relationship with dusting. It, by far, is my least favorite chore. I would rather clean the toilets at the gym than dust the house. And that is saying something.
BUT, if I don't dust once a week, the house just doesn't feel clean. I could spend all weekend organizing and doing other chores, but without dusting, the house doesn't feel neat and tidy.
On Saturday you followed me around the house with your stuffed bunny while I dusted. Without any prompting, you used your bunny to dust your dresser. The term "dust bunny" now has a whole new meaning.
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Layla the Friendly Ghost
Dear Layla,
Walking around with your blanket on your head is your new, favorite activity. Yes, you've walked into walls, doors, and cabinets. No, you didn't really care. You think this new game is funny.
Love,
Mommy
Walking around with your blanket on your head is your new, favorite activity. Yes, you've walked into walls, doors, and cabinets. No, you didn't really care. You think this new game is funny.
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Halloween Candy
Dear Layla,
Last year was really and truly your first Halloween. It's hard to consider it your first Halloween since you didn't really participate in any of the trick-or-treating activities. This year I was bound and determined to do Halloween the "right" way. I wanted you to trick-or-treat like the big kids.
So, on Halloween night, I dressed you up in your adorable Halloween costume, and Daddy and I took you and Noah around the neighborhood. Since our neighborhood is so small, most of the families walk to other neighborhoods to trick-or-treat and leave behind dark, empty houses. We literally went to 5 houses. Each neighbor ohh-ed and ahh-ed about your costume and gave you candy. You had to hold each piece of candy.
After a short trip of trick-or-treating, you deserved a sweet treat of a Reese's. You've had Reese's peanut butter cups before, but this time it was Halloween candy. That makes it so different from the other times. When it's Halloween candy, it's candy that you've earned.
Love,
Mommy
Last year was really and truly your first Halloween. It's hard to consider it your first Halloween since you didn't really participate in any of the trick-or-treating activities. This year I was bound and determined to do Halloween the "right" way. I wanted you to trick-or-treat like the big kids.
So, on Halloween night, I dressed you up in your adorable Halloween costume, and Daddy and I took you and Noah around the neighborhood. Since our neighborhood is so small, most of the families walk to other neighborhoods to trick-or-treat and leave behind dark, empty houses. We literally went to 5 houses. Each neighbor ohh-ed and ahh-ed about your costume and gave you candy. You had to hold each piece of candy.
After a short trip of trick-or-treating, you deserved a sweet treat of a Reese's. You've had Reese's peanut butter cups before, but this time it was Halloween candy. That makes it so different from the other times. When it's Halloween candy, it's candy that you've earned.
Love,
Mommy
P.S. - Your video was cut short because we had trick-or-treaters. The part where you jump makes me laugh each time I watch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)