A Week Before Thanksgiving Miracle!

Last Monday after dinner, I told Annie that we had to talk about bedtime. The conversation went something like this...

Me: Annie, let's talk about bedtime.
A: Okay.
M: Tonight we are going upstairs to go to bed at 8 o'clock. Were going to read 2 books....
A: How about 3 books.
M: Okay, 3 books. Then we are going to brush our teeth and go to bed, and you can't get back out of bed until the sun wakes up.
A: Can I have some milk for bed?
M: Sure.
A: Should I bring my cup to you when the milk is gone?
M: No, you can just put your cup on your nightstand.
A: Okay.
M: Really? Okay!!!

And beleive it or not, it actually worked! For the most part, all week long she has been going to bed like we talked about and only getting up to go potty. In fact last night she asked me if she could go to bed at 7:45! Amazing. And as a result she is so much happier in the mornings and ready to go to school too. I don't think she said once all week that she didn't want to get up or go to school. We should have had this conversation months ago!

And another good note - today while I was pretending to be asleep because it was 6:30 and Annie had just come in to wake us up - I heard her tell Tim that he was her best friend...

People let me tell you 'bout my best friend...

Poor Tim…for the last week Annie has grown extremely fond of me, and tells me at least 3 times a day that I am her best friend. It’s very nice for me to hear her gush over me and want to give me extra hugs because we are best friends. It’s gotten to the point where she wants me and only me to play with her, eat dinner with her, read books with her…anything. If I ask her…

Me – Why don’t you want Dada to play with you?
A – Dada is not my best friend
Me – Why not?
A – He’s your best friend, he’s not my best friend.
Me – But he likes you a lot, he took you to the movies, and he goes hiking with you…
A – Blank stare…He can be Lib-ler's friend

Poor Tim. It even seems like I’m Olivia’s best friend too. If she is sitting with Tim and sees me walk into the room she will almost try and push herself out of Tim’s arms trying to get to me. Oh well, next week I’ll probably be the odd mom out…

Family Photos - finally!

So we have been a Family of Four since March and this is our first family photo since the one under the fluorescent lights at the hospital when Olivia was born! I wanted one so badly that it took 5 times to the park to get everyone in a decent mood - Annie was honestly only happy because she is the one holding the remote control, so I guess all credits go to our blooming photographer in training - Ms. Annie!

More Candy!!!

Last night we carved our pumpkins to decorate our front porch for the trick or treaters...I think they turned out pretty good, and Annie only almost caught herself on fire just that one time when we were lighting them up so that was a plus too! Soon after 6 we headed out with the intentions of only going to the neighbors that we know pretty well but we were only two houses in when we ran into Annie's girlfriends, Abby and Zoe, so we hit the whole block with them. Fun fun fun! Annie and the girls kept taking turns ringing the door bells (they all took turns at the same house, but at least they were taking turns!) We also noticed that the girls didn't quite understand that you are supposed to leave the house after they give you candy, and usually you should only take one candy if they let you pick one out yourself. There was also one house where Annie led all the girls around the back, apparently she thought that was the way to go...silly flower! Olivia fell asleep about 10 houses in and after a while Annie's bag was getting heavy and she was having a hard time keeping up with the other girls, but I think everyone had a great time including the adults who got to catch up on all the latest neighborhood gossip. Annie got some good candy (or should I say Tim and I did, because there is no way we're going to let her eat it all herself). Today I asked her if she would trade it for the chance to pick out a new toy from the toy store and without even thinking about it she agreed. Not sure if she understood all the details of the deal, but she must have figured it couldn't be turned down since there was a toy involved. So tomorrow we ceremoniously dump the candy in the "trash" and head out to the toy store.