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??