It's been a ridiculously long time since I've posted anything about what's happening with Paige. Where oh where do I begin?
It's been a challenging fall to say the least. I went back to work full time and it was tough on everyone adjusting to our new schedules. Life is back to "normal" now and I am able to spend more time with the girls which has made life at home a little less stressful.
Paige started ballet and tap this fall and is really enjoying it. She takes it quite seriously (shocking I know).

We were a family of pirates this Halloween and it's already been decided that we will be a cat family next year... hmm...

Paige is loving school and is so excited to have Liv be at school with her. The word on the street is that she is a stellar big sister while on campus. Always looking out for little Liv on the playground and making sure that she's safe :).

Paige spent Thanksgiving in North Carolina with Mimi and Papa (mom and dad snuck off to England without the kids). She got to spend time with her cousin Mia and all of her Comperatore boy cousins. It was a Thanksgiving full of hiking, waterfalls, a visit to Santa and eating Smores for dinner. I've been told that what happens at Acorn Cottage stays at Acorn Cottage...

Christmas is quickly approaching and Santa's visit is highly anticipated. The tree has been trimmed, stockings are no where to be found and we are attempting to make a few homemade treats this year. We'll see how that turns out!

Paige and I watched THE POLAR EXPRESS the other night - whoa! CHILLS! We both LOVED IT! I'm sensing a new Christmas tradition in the Howard House. Paige's Christmas sing-a-long is on Wednesday night at her pre-school and here's hoping to increased Paige participation this year.

Officially Labeled " A Swimmer"!

A Busy Summer

It's been a busy summer for Paige. She's been at summer camp for the past few weeks each morning exploring Noah's Ark, Adventures in Camping and Water Fun. We are adorned with a new craft each and every day. There is one item in particular that is trying to make it's way to my rear view mirror, a painted plastic sailboat..."Mom, isn't this a beautiful sailboat? It would be perfect to hang in your car on your mirror but we don't have any string on it".

Aww shucks!

Dinner with Our Family

We took the girls out to dinner last Friday night to have a "family date". Paige was very polite, ordered her own drink, dinner and dessert. It was a little freaky because she seemed so grown up. She dug into her mac n' cheese and vanilla ice cream like it was her last supper. It was really fun being out together, it reminded me of going out to dinner when I was little. It was nice to see that all the grilling about manners, sitting properly, eye contact etc. is paying off.

Paige has been able to spend some extra time with her cousins Blake and Noah the past few days. "The boy cousins" came over for a swim. They floated, "rescued"each other, escaped from fish and splashed about.

Yesterday we went to the beach with the boys for some fun. I think we ended up with more sand in my car than at the beach, but a good time was had by all.

Cute Cousins

Don't Let The Disguise Fool You

Don't let the disguise fool you... this bejeweled butterfly isn't as sweet and innocent as she appears! It's been a challenging few weeks. I think Paige skipped the "terrible two's" and saved it all for the "tyrant threes"! Life in general has been difficult for Paige.

The following will send her into a downward spiral:

1. waking up

2. wetting her bed

3. sharing with her sister

4. taking a nap

5. missing tights

6. etc., etc., etc.

The downward spiral generally includes throwing herself to the floor, screaming & crying, slamming of the bedroom door, throwing various items about her room, locking herself in her room, banging on the door followed by a firm spank on the bum from "Mommy Dearest".

I found a pillow today at Target that is helping me cope. It was a slogan used by the British during WWII and it reads, "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON." I couldn't resist. I'm doing my best to take these words to heart.

Not that I don't already know this, but Paige has a mind of her own and is very strong willed. I've found "incentives" ie: bribery don't work. She's been asking for a rain coat for some time and I thought that I'd be able to dangle that little carrot to encourage better behavior at nap time. Today I asked her if she was ready to earn another star (she's only earned one...and we're just trying for three!) to work towards her raincoat and I got a quick "No". Alrighty then!

Despite all of our drama, there are glimpses of hope and sweetness and I know this is just a phase. This too shall pass... right??

She Can't

("R" said the pirate!)

Being an older sister is hard. I get it.

We're reminded on a daily basis of the things that Liv can't say or do yet. I think this is Paige's way of keeping the little one down.

Paige was very interested in hugging and kissing her sister today and by about 5 pm, Liv had had just about enough. She was squealing upon every Paige approach and she finally took to defending herself by pushing Paige's face away and inserting a few fingers into her right eye socket.

In my effort to model appropriate behavior, I held Liv's hands and kindly reminded her that we don't do such things. It went a like this...

"Liv, hands are for being gentle. We don't use our hands to put into people's eyes. You need to apologize and say that you are sorry to your sister. Paige was just trying to kiss you."

"Mom, Liv can't. She can't apologize. Liv can't do that because she can't talk yet."

Oh yeah, good point.

This is Paige

This is Paige.

This is Paige's new camera face.

This is Paige being fancy.

This is Paige showing off her sense of style.
This is Paige playing dress up.
And this mommy is wondering when soccer starts?