Now I would like to think that I give my girls a nice balance of what they want and what they need. I want to teach them that you don't get everything you want, but as their mom I want to give them so much. I am not always talking about material things, but in this case yes.
Thanksgiving was great and we settled down that night to snuggle on the sofa, our evening routine. The first Christmas shows of the season were on and we were all excited. We watched Elf on the Shelf and thought it was pretty cute. I should have hit delete on the DVR. Over the course of the next three days the girls and I engaged in our Thanksgiving tradition....shopping Black Friday with Stacey, Christmas decorations getting put up, and lots of jammie time just hanging out playing games and watching movies. After watching Elf on the Shelve for perhaps the 20th time, I got asked the question of the weekend, "Mom can Santa send us an Elf on the Shelf?" I explained, like most parents, that you can ask Santa for whatever you want, but he has lots of girls and boys to make toys for and you may not get everything you ask for. To which my way to smart children responded, "But Santa is sending them to all the boys and girls." What is a mom to do? You try to explain that everything you see on TV is not real, but when it comes to Santa I am not giving that up yet.
As we wrote our email to Santa (yes we email Santa instead of mail...come on now with all the technology why write? I am really wanting for Santa's Facebook and then we can just post our list), and they both asked for Elf on the Shelf I began to see the genius in the cartoon developer. Make a show the kids love and they will ask their parents for the item. I am sure this Elf has great qualities and a base of Christmas tradition, but let's get real.
So this time the girls win and for $29.95 our Elf will be "Santa delivered" by mail this week and the Smith household will be the next proud owners of Elf on the Shelf. Truth be told he is a cute little guy and the idea behind it all is pretty neat. That being said...Marking scheme 1 mom 0.
November 29, 2011
November 21, 2011
Girls Night
Friday night mom and I took the girls on a girls night out. They had been looking foward to this all week. Not only were they going to see nana, but princess Belle as well. Friday morning I reminded them that today was the day and Grace asked if her papa could come to which Ella promply yelled at her that papa was a boy and it was girls night. At this point I was thinking maybe this was going to be a long night.
After work I got the girls and asked them what they wanted to eat for dinner. Taco Bell they yelled! Really, mom and nana will take you out to eat and you want Taco Bell. Not that I mind Taco Bell, it is actually one of my favorite fast food places to eat. I was just thinking of a little something nicer. After grabbing nana we headed to Hobby Lobby to take a look around and waste a little time before heading to eat. I actually got the girls to agree on a Mexican place that did not serve food on a tray.
The hightlight of the evening was taking the girls to the theatere to see Beauty and the Beast. Well ok it was technically a theatere, but the performers were Fort Osage High School Students. In my mind this production was going to be about an hour and a half, but I was told Friday morning that it was more like two and a half hours. The girls were so excited to enter the theatre. We had talked about how you needed to act and what would happen, but the looks on their faces were priceless.
After work I got the girls and asked them what they wanted to eat for dinner. Taco Bell they yelled! Really, mom and nana will take you out to eat and you want Taco Bell. Not that I mind Taco Bell, it is actually one of my favorite fast food places to eat. I was just thinking of a little something nicer. After grabbing nana we headed to Hobby Lobby to take a look around and waste a little time before heading to eat. I actually got the girls to agree on a Mexican place that did not serve food on a tray.
The hightlight of the evening was taking the girls to the theatere to see Beauty and the Beast. Well ok it was technically a theatere, but the performers were Fort Osage High School Students. In my mind this production was going to be about an hour and a half, but I was told Friday morning that it was more like two and a half hours. The girls were so excited to enter the theatre. We had talked about how you needed to act and what would happen, but the looks on their faces were priceless.
Ella before the show
Grace before the show.
They were great the entire performance. I would look over at Grace and she would have the biggest smile on her face. A few times I thought Ella would fall alseep, but they both stayed awake the whole show. The Fort Osage High School students did an amazing job and the production was excellent.
After the show the girls got to "meet" the cast in the lobby. Grace could not wait to see Belle and get her picture taken with her. The girl who played Belle was so good to the little kids and really made them feel special. The girls talked non stop about the show on the way home and wanted to know when they could take nana back to see another show.
All and all a successful girls night out!
The girls with princess Belle.
November 13, 2011
Reflection
Stacey and I have long been experiencing the man in the mirror. Take two four year olds and you can see and hear exactly what you do and say. I can hear Ella tell her baby that she is so proud of her and I can see Grace check her reflection in every mirror she walks by. Both of these the girls get from me. I can hear Ella yell "damn dog" and know that every morning Grace just needs a few minutes to herself and then she will be ready for the day and know with confidence that comes from Stacey.
Aside from the fact they act like you, they will tell you when you do something wrong. A few weeks again I called a driver dumb for the way they drove, and Ella and Grace quickly reminded me that we don't use the word stupid that is not nice. This weekend it was a hoot to hear Ella correct nana. While driving down Quivira with nana, she ran a yellow light (yes yellow not red). Ella quietly from the back seat said nana why did you not stop? Nana said it was yellow not red and Ella said, "nana yellow means stop." Nana explained that we had been stoped by about 3 red lights and she did not feel like stopping. Ella quickly told her that you need to slow down and stop when the light turns yellow. Nana was less then impressed with the knowledge and being told how to drive from a 4 year old in the back seat, but I was beaming. I know that she pays attention and is trying to keep us all safe.
Next time nana will know that when Ella is in the car she needs to obey all traffic laws and watch what she says and does.
For those who wonder, Grace decided to stay home with Papa rather then go shopping. Just more proof that I am raising a papa's girl. She would rather hang at home with him then go shopping with the girls.
Also for those who might wonder, nana was less then thrilled that I posted the story to facbebook and I am sure she is loving this post.
Aside from the fact they act like you, they will tell you when you do something wrong. A few weeks again I called a driver dumb for the way they drove, and Ella and Grace quickly reminded me that we don't use the word stupid that is not nice. This weekend it was a hoot to hear Ella correct nana. While driving down Quivira with nana, she ran a yellow light (yes yellow not red). Ella quietly from the back seat said nana why did you not stop? Nana said it was yellow not red and Ella said, "nana yellow means stop." Nana explained that we had been stoped by about 3 red lights and she did not feel like stopping. Ella quickly told her that you need to slow down and stop when the light turns yellow. Nana was less then impressed with the knowledge and being told how to drive from a 4 year old in the back seat, but I was beaming. I know that she pays attention and is trying to keep us all safe.
Next time nana will know that when Ella is in the car she needs to obey all traffic laws and watch what she says and does.
For those who wonder, Grace decided to stay home with Papa rather then go shopping. Just more proof that I am raising a papa's girl. She would rather hang at home with him then go shopping with the girls.
Also for those who might wonder, nana was less then thrilled that I posted the story to facbebook and I am sure she is loving this post.
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