Confession Number 47: I'm Torn

In about 6 weeks my little "big girl" will turn 3.  3!  When did this happen?  How has she gone from infancy to Miss. Independence in what feels like a blink of an eye?  I love her birthday.  I love planning her party and finding the perfect gift for her.  She's old enough to pick her own theme for her birthday party now, and in true Kennedy fashion she has chosen to have a princess party.  Is anyone surprised? 

With this birthday comes some big parenting decisions, though.  She has the chance to go to preschool a couple of days a week this fall.  At first, I'm all for it.  Saying to myself, "She'll love it! She will get to do crafts and play with other kids.  It is perfect!" Then the doubt creeps into my mommy mind.  "Is she ready?  Is this me pushing her too fast?"  I think if her birthday were in June and not August this decision would be easier for me.  I ran across this article on Baby Center the other day and forwarded it on to Dustin.  It got us thinking, is she ready or are we ready?

At almost three KJ is 97% potty trained.  She's even starting to get the hang of holding it through the night.  In the last week we have had more dry nights than wet, but in the last week we have also pooped our pants twice.  So, does that mean she shouldn't go?  What if she has an accident at school?  I'm sure it will probably happen at some point, right?  Is that okay or should I keep her at home for another 5 months and send her after the first of the year until we are sure she won't have an accident?  Would being around the older kids help with this?

Another issue is naptime.  Our preschool doesn't nap and school is from 9-3.  KJ regularly misses a nap a week, and this week she hasn't gone to sleep during naptime twice.   Maybe she is telling me she is ready?  There are other days that she still naps for almost or over 2 hours. 

We would love for her to have the social interaction.  Remember, KJ hasn't been with a SAHM forever.  She spent the first two years of her life with Saint Marcie while I was crazy, workaholic mom.  She loved playing with the other kids at Ms. Marcie's and I'm sure she would love it all the same with Ms. Judy at The Academy.

Then there comes the Mommy Guilt.  I hate that guilt meter we all seem to have implanted in our heads.   If KJ heads off to preschool I will have 2 whole days at home by myself.  All alone.  That sounds wondrous and lonely all at the same time.  Am I pushing her into preschool so I can have time to myself or am I holding her back so I can have her all to myself?   So many questions.  Okay, all you moms out there, I'm needing some advice, so throw it at me!  Please!  Help!

Confession Number 46: She's Dramatic and I Don't Know Where She Gets It

Kennedy is a little addicted....

I really don't make her "wash the dishes, clean the floors"....

But last night that is what she was doing.  Singing, "Cinderelly, Cinderelly, night and day it's Cinderelly"....

It's one thing to dress up like Cinderella Princess, but Cinderella the servant?  At least she is getting into the full character...

Confession Number 45: I Love Paying My Bill With Change

Many of you know that I have converted to semi-crazy coupon lady living after my friend Nicci, over at Nix9to5, started saving so much money.  I've only been doing it for a couple of weeks, and I still have a ton to learn, but here were my best shopping trips this week:

These groceries cost me $7.52.  There is steak in there!!  Here is how it all broke down:

Tony's Pizza (regular price $1.59 ea)= 2 for FREE!

Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls (regular price $1.89)= 2 for .66

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (regular price $1.69)= .33

Hunt's Ketchup (regular price $1.79)= .60

C&H Cane Sugar (regular price $3.39)=$1.89

Red River Ranch Petite Sirloin Steak (regular price $5.11)=$3.11

I think I ended up with about a pound and three quarters of steak.  Because of that great deal, our weekly menu was changed.  Who cares about pork chops when you can have steak?!?  Dustin's comment:  You are making income by couponing.  Exactly right.  Nicci once stated on her blog that is wasn't the money she was making that was allowing her to work from home, it was the money she was saving.  I also made a trip to Walgreens, where I literally paid my bill in change.  I bought:

Reach Toothbrush:  FREE

Colgate Toothpaste:  .75

Cottenelle Fresh Wipes:  $1.99

After all of my coupons, my total was $1.11!!  I actually had to buy the fresh wipes as a filler.  Yes, it is taking time, but right now, with me staying at home, I am enjoying it.  Maybe I can save enough to pay for sod.........

Confession Number 44: She's All About the Dress Up

This morning as KJ and I were eating breakfast I pulled calendar of activities for the Summer Reading Program at our local library.  I noticed they were giving hula dancing lessons today.  I immediately thought she would love it, but noticed we only had 30 minutes to get around and get there.  In 25ish minutes I fixed KJ's hair, brushed her teeth and got her dressed complete with shoes and a bow.  Sat her in front of Imagination Movers while I showered, put on makeup, "fixed" my hair and dressed.  Luckily, I had already brushed my teeth, for all of you out there who were wondering where that fit into the schedule.  We ran out the door and made it to the library only a few minutes late.

The lady had finished her introduction and was just getting the girls up to dance.  Perfect timing, really.  No blah, blah, Hula, blah, blah, Hawaii, just dancing fun.  Kennedy was by far the youngest, so I got up to help her and after awhile she announced very loudly that she wanted "to do it by myself!".  Well, okay.  Really, who cares if she just stands there and waves her arms?  And sometimes acts like she is flying.  And runs around the other "dancers" singing.  She was having a good time.  Then the lady took a little break and handed out leis in preparation for the big dancing finale.  The oldest girl in the group had brought her grass skirt and the lady had 2 others, so she put them on the two next oldest girls.  Now, there were only 5 girls in the group, so that left KJ and a girl maybe 4 or so the odd men out.  I'm thinking,
"Uh oh.  Has this lady never worked with kids before?  Okay, maybe I can turn this into a great learning opportunity and she will surprise me with her understanding."

Um.  Think again.  She didn't throw a fit.  She didn't even cry.  A little whining from both girls, then the 4 year old was fine.  My daughter?  She sat on a chair and refused to dance until she had a grass skirt.  Loudly saying, "I want to dance with a skirt".........over and over and over again.  I quietly whisper to her that it isn't her turn for a skirt and she had a pretty flower necklace.  Whoops.  "I don't want a flower necklace!  I want to dance with a skirt!"  So I said, if you don't get up and dance, we'll have to leave.  Her response?  "Okay!  I wanna go home!"   She's all about the dress up. 

Confession Number 43: I'm Retaculous

The last few days have been a little crazy around here.  I'm not quite sure why, except for the fact that KJ and I have been pretty much entertained with this, that or the other since we moved into the house, but the last couple of days we have returned to somewhat of normalcy.  Normal has been anything but.  I've forgotten how we were used to spending our days and I think both of us have had a hard time adjusting and our attitudes have shown it. 

A few days ago I told Kennedy to do something and she looked at me, hands on her hips, and exclaimed, "That is retaculous!"  I asked her to repeat what she said, and at the wise old age of almost three, she has learned that she might not want to say it again with the fear of getting in trouble, so she simply states, "I don't 'member, momma".  Hmm.

The next day it happened again.  "This is retaculous!"  This time it was directed toward a toy that she couldn't get to do what she wanted.  Retaculous.  Oh!  I get it!  Ridiculous.  I couldn't help but giggle.  It has happened a couple of times each day this week and while I know I "should" probably get on to her, I just can't quite get over the smile that comes across my face each time.

This morning........

Me:  Ken, come sit in your chair for breakfast.
K:  Ahhhh, I wanna watch Imagination Movers!
Me:  I'll pause it so you can watch it after you eat.
K:  (Huffing and puffing to the table)  You are retaculous!
Me:  (Sly smile, even though she just back talked me....how dare she)  Really?
K:  Yes! 
Me:  Okay, Daddy, did you just hear what Kennedy told me?

It took Dustin a minute, then he laughed, then proceeded to get on to her for talking to Mommy that way.  At least one of us is with it enough to discipline.  THAT is what is retaculous.

Confession Number 42: Momma is Possessive

Shortly after we woke up this morning:

Dustin:  Do we have muffin mix?
Me:  I'm not making muffins this morning.
Dustin:  Well, aren't you happy?
Me:  I'm just saying I'm not fixing muffins this morning.  I'm going upstairs.

Since moving into our new house, I have started a morning routine of getting up about the same time Dustin does for work (sometimes earlier, sometimes later) and going upstairs for "Momma Time".  I do some situps, read my devotional and have my prayer time, then kill time checking email, updating the blog, etc until Kennedy wakes up.  It's my time.  My quiet time.  My chance to rev myself up for the day.  To wake up a little bit and take some time doing things for myself.  As you other mommas out there know, you don't get much of that in a given day.

I guess I've become kind of possessive of Momma Time.  At least that is probably what my hubby thought this morning.  Sorry, hun.  Next time I'll say it a bit nicer.  I didn't have eggs, anyway. 

Confession Number 41: I Love Father's Day

I've spent years dreading Father's Day.  2001 was the worst.  The first Father's Day without your own Daddy has a special sting to it.  I wasn't quite sure what to do.  I didn't have a phone call to make or anyone to visit.  I didn't have someone to buy presents for or to hug and kiss on the cheek.  It just kinda sucked.  2002 was better.  Dustin and I were engaged, busy planning our wedding that would happen in September, and I remember thinking that I now had a father-in-law to honor on that special day in June.  That was okay.  A good consolation prize, I guess. 

Then came Father's Day 2007.  My belly was big and my heart was full.  I was especially sad that we couldn't share the joy that was about to happen in our lives with Daddy, but I had a new emotion on this special day.  The thought that I now had a reason to celebrate, truly celebrate, Father's Day again, this time with my husband.

The last few years in June have been wonderful.  I have watched the love of my life grow to be an amazing, loving, caring father.  He sits down and drinks imaginary tea, plays Barbies and Candyland, and is an expert in helping our little girl step into her princess gown and high heel shoes.  A week or so ago, he even (after almost 3 years of practice) dressed her in an outfit that matched, including shoes and hair bow.  That bow got him mega points with his friend Micah, who is only days away from entering Baby Girl Daddyhood himself.  Dustin has given a new life to my Father's Day.  Thank you for being the best Daddy to our little girl and for being a wonderful leader of our family. . . And thanks for giving me Father's Day back.  I love you!