Who knew the Tooth Fairy doubled as a pen pal?

Fall 2014

Lenah turns two tomorrow! She's been correcting me for several days now, telling me she's not a baby. Tonight, she pooped in the potty! She also pooped on it and several feet from it on the floor, but it's a start. Her most common saying is that someone, "hit meeee," over and over. But, if her brother is crying (which is most of the time), she says, "Sssh, it's okay, Bubba." She also apologizes, even if she had nothing to do with it! One of my favorite Lenah moments came a month or so ago when she was chasing a grasshopper that was jumping too close to her. She balled up her little fist, punched at it, while saying, "Beat it, hopper."

Back to School. Yay?

Farah has been so excited to go to first grade. She hasn't had any of the back to school blues or jitters that I feel, and hopefully she never will. Her first grade teacher is Mrs. Steele, and she's in class with a few friends from kindergarten and preschool. Unfortunately, her best friend from last year, Isabella, has a different teacher. None of this has seemed to bother Farah though. School usually means major clothing struggles each morning. She has done so well with clothes this summer and has picked out some really cute outfits for school this year. I have had high hopes that we're moving out of this phase.
On Farah's first day of school, both Heath and I were able to take her to Trisha's and watch her get on the bus for the first day. I was able to be there when she got off as well. She was happy but tired when the day was over. She reported that her favorite things about school were art (which is new this year) and being able to go on the swings at recess (another thing she couldn't do last year). It seems that she likes being a year older and having someone "under" her too!

Unfortunately, there are no cute second day of school pictures, because the second day included kicking, screaming, and tears. Why you ask? PE! She had to wear tennis shoes. These were tennis shoes that she was okay with in the store but obviously not okay once it was time to really wear them. She was fine all morning, and then I heard Blake say, "Farah's crying." This was followed by Farah's signature high pitched, grumpy noise that I cannot even attempt to imitate. I realized it was the shoes. I tried to give her a wide berth, distract by talking about other things, but just like in years past, it was no use. She got increasingly worse as it neared time to go. I tried to put it back on her. I asked her what she thought we should do, but at that point she was inconsolable. I was much more calm and collected than in the past, because I didn't have to be at work today. When I have to leave the house at seven and she's throwing a fit at 6:59, I find it really hard to maintain my sanity. 

She didn't get better when we got to daycare. I had to get the other kids in the house and literally drag her out of the van kicking and screaming. She was screaming and completely wrapped around me when we walked inside; I can only imagine what the new kid must of thought! It was the kind of scene I would have shaken my head at before I had kids. I left her with shoes half on at the bus stop (with the babysitter) crying uncontrollably. The babysitter reported that she stopped trying to kick the shoes off when I left. It took her a few minutes but she also stopped crying and managed to get on the bus in one piece. 

Now, the problem lies in how do I cope with this every Tuesday and Friday (last year it was just Tuesdays). Last year her kindergarten teacher let her wear flip flops to school and change before PE. It was a life changer! I don't know if I should approach her first grade teacher about this or try to find a way to make it work. I did find some slip on, flexible sole tennis shoes today that don't require socks. Maybe that will help. My mother in law said she hopes there is a firm consequence in place for this behavior. I wasn't even thinking clearly enough to consider that. I was just in survival mode. So, perhaps, try the new shoes and create a future standing consequence if that behavior should arise again? 

Another layer of this problem is soccer. In talking to colleagues last year about their children and students in general, the importance of team sports was really stressed to me. I've never considered Farah a team sports kind of girl, but my friends at work assured me that it would be a good thing to try, especially while she's young. Soccer is supposed to be a "low risk" way to introduce team sports. I signed her up. She was not particularly excited about this, but she didn't throw a big fit either. We've talked about some of the fun things associated with soccer, and I think she's most excited about games and the prospect of friends coming to watch those games. She doesn't know about shin guards and cleats. If this morning was any indication, we'll be lucky to live through soccer season. 

Summer's Coming To An End

I'm so sad to see this summer end. At the beginning of the summer, I committed to going and doing with the kids. I wanted to just wake up and pack up and go on little "field trips," have play dates, and get out and explore. I've been so limited in the past by pregnancies, morning sickness, babies taking morning naps, and Farah's unwillingness to get dressed and leave the house. But now with that behind me, I pledged to have a fun summer....and we actually did!
A little run down on the highlights: my favorite trip was the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton (just the kiddos and me). We also did Dinosaur Land, Clearbrook Park, public pools, hiking Skyline Drive with Grammy, River park with Grammy (including a two night cabin stay), a great trip with Heath, Joyce, and kids to Jellystone Park in Luray, two nights in PA with Joyce and kids to do Dutch Wonderland, four days at VA Beach, including the VA Beach Aquarium. We had some fun birthday parties, we did a bicycle parade with the neighbors, went to Sarah's lake house, visited Skyline Caverns with Grammy, did Marker Miller orchards, had a fun day at Holly's house with Kacie and her crew, and we kicked off the summer with a backyard campout.
All in all, it was a great summer. I can't think of any major problems. This beach trip was about a hundred times better than last year's, too. The only bummer was the kids weren't as into the ocean as last year. A few minutes on the beach and Farah would ask when we could go to the hotel pool. She wouldn't let up, she would say, "Okay, how many more minutes?" Not exactly a good way to relax on the beach.

The big news of the summer is the acquisition of two new members of the family, Lucy and Cleo. I saw Lucy's picture on Facebook. Melinda Walters was posting the cutest pictures of this little calico kitty with her daughter, Bella, who is Farah's age. They were curled up in bed, the kitty was poking out of purses, and in general being mauled without seeming to mind. She couldn't keep it because her dog wanted to eat the stray kitty and had apparently already eaten its litter mate. I casually told Heath about her and asked if maybe we could get her for Farah. Instead of the "no" I was expecting, he said, "Let me see a picture." After I showed him, he said, "Do whatever you want." So, not only did I get her, but a week later I got a friend for her! Cleo was a cute grey and white kitty from our babysitter's. She had been found on the side of the road as a very tiny kitten and was living at Trisha's as an outdoor cat. The two get along so well and bring a lot of fun to our house, without the commitment that a dog brings. Of course, they bring the added chores of litter box cleaning and pet hair removal. It's no big deal right now, but when I got back to work (sigh, tomorrow), I might feel differently.

As I type, Lucy is purring in my lap. I hope they stay this sweet and playful as they age. Right now, Lucy purrs so loudly and is very frisky. She loves to climb and is definitely the boss of the two. Cleo is very loud; the vet said she's part Siamese, which explains the "talking." She is tolerant of the kids, but probably because she's looking for food. Now, as I type, Lucy is biting me and chasing my arm with the claws. They are both total pigs, maybe because they're strays?

Farah also learned how to ride her bike without training wheels this summer. It only took about three lessons with Heath before she mastered it. 

Another cool thing this summer, was I continued the tradition I started last year of doing a special day with each child. I took Farah roller skating in Purcellville and to Franklin Park. Blake and I went to Chantilly and toured Udvar Hazy air and space museum and then went to the Kid Junction (or something like that). It had an imagination town, climbing towers, and arcade games. Lenah and I spent some time at home playing one on one and went to the Wilson's Wild Animal Park, where she clung to me for dear life the whole time. 

Had to take a "selfie" with Lenah because she wouldn't let me put her down!

My most favorite thing to do is to say to Lenah, "Do the Lenah." She instantly starts her little Lenah dance. I need to get a good video of this! I have a half hearted "Do the Lenah video."


The worst thing about a good summer is when it comes to its inevitable end. This is my last summer with a baby, if you can still consider Lenah a baby (which I do). Next summer, if all goes well, I'll have no one in diapers. Lenah may even be ready to move out of her crib. Farah's first few years went by slowly, probably because I was so engrossed in her every move. Things are now flying by. I'm trying to enjoy it and push the nostalgia off.

Fabulous Farah!

Definitely a free spirit 

Farah is loving this summer (between kindergarten and first grade). We continued to have some major clothing issues, but they magically evaporated on the last day of school! I've tried to get her to communicate why she's okay with clothes now and a few weeks ago we were battling over every stitch of clothing. She basically said she likes her freedom. I guess I can understand that, but it's not as easy to handle at 7:01 on a Monday when we were supposed to be loaded in the van already and she's upstairs shrieking about her pants. Oh, well, we have several weeks before we have to think about that again!
I am so glad that she is enjoying getting up and out of the house. In years past, that has been a major battle, just getting dressed and going to do something. This summer, she wants to go do something new each day, and I am happily accommodating that desire! So far this summer, we have been to Blandy Farm, storytime at the library (not a favorite of hers), the pool (twice), the splash pad in Winchester, The Frontier Culture Museum (a huge hit; I think she shares my love of history), Dinosaur Land, and are getting ready to spend three days in Lancaster, PA with Joyce. Every night Farah records in her journal what she did that day with an accompanying drawing. She loves the drawing part, but not the writing so much. Like the clothing, Farah likes her freedom in choosing what and how to write. She will write up a storm during naptime (not so much of it actually makes sense), but to sit down and write a journal or a letter to a friend is not as pleasant.
Currently, Farah is getting along quite well with her siblings. She and Blake can have some battles, but all in all, they enjoy each other, and she knows how to get the alone time she needs. She, as always, has a fabulous imagination and vocabulary. She did well in kindergarten, but I think she expected to be able to read easily by now. She hates when I suggest a book for her to read aloud to me. I don't want to push her too hard, but I know that practice will help in the long run.
Our biggest issue lately has been attitude, lots of eye rolling and mean words under her breath, as well as some back talking. It's hard to know how to discipline that type of behavior. I told her I was going to start calling her "Rudy Attitudi." She said she would die of embarrassment if I called her that in public! She is so perfect when it's just the two of us, but unfortunately, that doesn't happen as often as she would probably like. She has started running with me some in the evenings, which we both love. She is very funny; her sense of humor can often be inappropriate, but she also knows how to be witty. Her fashion sense is very unique (she prides herself on that) and she gets along well with the kids in our neighborhood. Her best friend is Ella. If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she'll tell you a fashion designer. I love when she senses that I'm getting stressed out, usually when I'm trying to get everyone out of the house, she'll tell me she loves me. She has a sweet, kind heart, and is definitely one of a kind!

Baltimore Zoo Spring Break '14

One of the many "Farah Payne Original Ensembles" 

Going to the movies with her buddies 

Sitting just like my grandmother used to 

She LOVES getting her face painted

And being dramatic 

Not such a big girl though...

My Favorite Little Girl

Miss Curly 

So Smiley!

Lenah is almost 20 months and is such a delight! I could just squeeze her 24/7. She says so much now. She can say, "I want..." and "Where is..." and fill in pretty much any word after that. Usually, "gum" is what she wants. It didn't take her long to learn the correct response to a burp or toot is a very dramatic, "EWWW." She went through a stage this winter of claiming every seat as hers and pushing anyone else out of it.

She loves her brother and sister, but isn't crazy about Blake's in-your-face-love. She spends much of her time pretending she's a puppy, or pumping her arm and yelling, "mine, mine, mine" with a huge smile on her face. She's so easy to make laugh, and she wants to do all the big kid things-sit in regular chairs, chew gum, climb on everything high and dangerous, and ride bikes and scooters. She loves animals and has already made friends, especially Avery, "Mae Mae," Penelope, and Casey. Her curls are to die for, as well as her sweet smile, and funny, sassy personality. I so want to freeze time; I know how quickly it goes.

Climbing on everything dangerous 

Being one of the big kids

Claiming Daddy's lap and his food 

Animal lover

Blake relinquishes the binki

Blake gave up his pacifier shortly before turning three. I was ready to ban them when he broke his leg. I thought I would surely have to wait until the cast came off, but after a few weeks, I just couldn't stand it anymore. The "binki fairy" came in early April and took his bag of binkis from the tree in the backyard and gave him a Teenage Mutant Ninja turtle in place of the binkis. Blake did not consider this a fair trade. He kept crying that he was "still a little boy," and hence was entitled to his binkis still.
The first night, Farah slept with him. She said she had to rub his back and sing to him to keep him from fussing. Thank God for kind big sisters!

I remember Farah was excited to leave the bag for the binki fairy and wait for her present. Blake, not so much.