I should just dedicate this blog to Ella . It's quite obvious she is the most interesting cog in the wheel Carey and has been for sometime.
We have been potty training for
Well over a year. Nothing works. We have painstakingly analyzed every angle of the issue from fear to power struggle and have not found a solution. It was time to get creative.
Last Tuesday was a rough day so I decided to take a walk. As I was leaving I informed Ella that I was off to see the Poop Fairy. Her big blue eyes widened. I'm not sure what could have been going through her mind upon hearing of this new mythical creature.
I didn't expound just left her to wonder. Mostly because I hadn't worked out the con completely yet in my own mind.
After a time I deemed long enough to have believably traipsed through the woods to a magical fairy hut, I returned. I informed Ella I had just spoken to the poop fairy at her woodland workshop. She put her head down, I assume expecting some chastisement from what must certainly be a smelly wood nymph. I told her the poop fairy brings prizes like her sister the tooth fairy (her face brightened) but only when you poop in the potty. (exasperated groan) to drive the urgency home I informed her there was a limited number of spots on her list of clients and she had only one spot left. I worked out a deal that if Ella Pooped in the potty the next day she could have that most coveted spot on the poop list. Her face brightened.
The next day indeed she did what she fought so long not to do. I told her this one only got her a spot on the list and shed have to again tomorrow to receive a present. I also informed her if she didn't go in the potty she lost her spot and would have to work to get back on the list.
She woke the following morning and informed me she wanted to go visit the poop fairy. ( to negotiate the terms of her contract no doubt) I'm sure she saw the brief moment of panic on my face but I quickly regained composure and said "only grown ups get to go to her house. Kids aren't allowed to visit people like tooth fairies and Santa, it's a security risk." At this point I felt like the Grinch telling Cindy Lou who that her tree had a light that wouldnt light on one side. He was taking her tree to the north pole he'd fix it up there and he'd bring it back here.
Grinchy or not she understood but looked so sad so quickly I added - you can call her! But only if you use the potty all day!
After a long day of her by my side (if she goes off on her own she goes to the bathroom so she's on lockdown til she drops a number two now) finally at seven she shouted from the potty "I did it call that fairy!"
I had already asked my best friend in the whole world to be our poop fairy. I love her, she's the kind of person who is honored to take on such a job.
Soon Ella got a call from what sounded like mrs doubtfire crossed with the wolf pretending to be red riding hoods grandmother . Her face lit up. Mine went dark as I heard aunt Jennie going totally off script. " I'm in my wood shed dearie just whittling up some wooden toys to give out to all the good boys and girls who poop in the potty"
Really? WOODEN toys. When the poop fairy was done with her spiel I ran upstairs behind closed doors and yelled "I didn't buy wood you nut bag what were you thinking?"
" I don't know I got nervous. It sounded good just give her a yoyo or something."
" yeah I'll whip up a wooden yoyo at 9 pm"
I didn't. She got a remarkably plastic looking "wooden" barbie and ken "she said yes "set. (did you know they were back together?) http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0044N2EJO/ref=mp_s_a_3?qid=1301506836&sr=8-3
She's done really well. Not perfect but she's getting there and it's no longer a battle. She is just someone who needs a little magic in her life.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
So long Sucky
I didn't intend to write again so soon but we had a milestone day of sadness in the Carey household.
Today Ella saw Tony picking up a couple pieces of trash because he didn't put the bag in the container and the barn cats tore the bag. Amongst the yuck was a bright pink piece of plastic- Ella's paci. I was in the kitchen when I heard a wail and a scream of " MY PACI MY PACI NOOO!"
She had found out the awful fate of her missing pacifiers. Now she hadn't been using them for quite some time, nor had she asked for one. If she happened to find one that hadn't been scooped up and hidden on a counter out of her sight I would turn a blind eye and let her have it for the night. However she had grown out of her need for them and as long as she didn't see them she didn't ask.
Sadly she saw this one. Apparently Tony decided to throw them away, unbeknownst to us all. The mournful wails coming out of my little girl were heart breaking. Tony deemed her ridiculous and went upstairs. How be could ignore this crumpled heap of Sadness in the hallway is beyond me.
I picked up the shattered sobbing paci-less Ella and held her close. Through heaved breaths she said "sucky I miss you. I miss you sucky".
Up until now I didn't realize she had named any of her pacis. Poor thing really did lose something important today. I tried to console her and find a nighttime comfort replacement and introduced her to the satin side of baby blankets. This is an acceptable yet lacking substitute for sucky in her eyes but it sufficed.
She cried for the better part of two hours off and on as thought shed get lost in the day and suddenly remember her loss much like real grief. It was intense. At one point she even went over to the window facing the porch where she saw the unthinkable put a hand to the window and sobbed " I love you sucky i miss you i miss you sucky. I love you . Good bye"
So sad :( it was sad for me too because it was another part of her babyhood being taken away.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Today Ella saw Tony picking up a couple pieces of trash because he didn't put the bag in the container and the barn cats tore the bag. Amongst the yuck was a bright pink piece of plastic- Ella's paci. I was in the kitchen when I heard a wail and a scream of " MY PACI MY PACI NOOO!"
She had found out the awful fate of her missing pacifiers. Now she hadn't been using them for quite some time, nor had she asked for one. If she happened to find one that hadn't been scooped up and hidden on a counter out of her sight I would turn a blind eye and let her have it for the night. However she had grown out of her need for them and as long as she didn't see them she didn't ask.
Sadly she saw this one. Apparently Tony decided to throw them away, unbeknownst to us all. The mournful wails coming out of my little girl were heart breaking. Tony deemed her ridiculous and went upstairs. How be could ignore this crumpled heap of Sadness in the hallway is beyond me.
I picked up the shattered sobbing paci-less Ella and held her close. Through heaved breaths she said "sucky I miss you. I miss you sucky".
Up until now I didn't realize she had named any of her pacis. Poor thing really did lose something important today. I tried to console her and find a nighttime comfort replacement and introduced her to the satin side of baby blankets. This is an acceptable yet lacking substitute for sucky in her eyes but it sufficed.
She cried for the better part of two hours off and on as thought shed get lost in the day and suddenly remember her loss much like real grief. It was intense. At one point she even went over to the window facing the porch where she saw the unthinkable put a hand to the window and sobbed " I love you sucky i miss you i miss you sucky. I love you . Good bye"
So sad :( it was sad for me too because it was another part of her babyhood being taken away.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Ella Bella bunny slayer
I'm going to start writing a few time a week about each of my kids. Mostly as a journal for myself because my memory is awful. I have actual paper and pen journals but I never seem to get around to writing. I feel I have a Better shot of preserving memories this way.
I'll start out with Ella since she is probably the most interesting and difficult!
She has been so funny this week. Just a couple days ago my mother in law gave her a big chocolate bunny. Apparently she took him to bed with her and I heard rustling at three a.m. (I was up still unfortunately) I walk in and see Ella sitting up in bed with this
Looking like this
I never know what to expect with this kid. She makes me reevaluate my approach to parenting and life for that matter. She has taught me that sometimes you jus have to laugh in spite of your surroundings. I have to because I'm always finding piles of spices laying about or makeup painted on our walls- any combination of mess. I could get angry but instead I laugh and grab my camera. She taught me that. And she's made me a better person because of it.
I'll start out with Ella since she is probably the most interesting and difficult!
She has been so funny this week. Just a couple days ago my mother in law gave her a big chocolate bunny. Apparently she took him to bed with her and I heard rustling at three a.m. (I was up still unfortunately) I walk in and see Ella sitting up in bed with this
Looking like this
I never know what to expect with this kid. She makes me reevaluate my approach to parenting and life for that matter. She has taught me that sometimes you jus have to laugh in spite of your surroundings. I have to because I'm always finding piles of spices laying about or makeup painted on our walls- any combination of mess. I could get angry but instead I laugh and grab my camera. She taught me that. And she's made me a better person because of it.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Hippy to hipster?
My previous post found me questioning how far to the hippy side of life my new awareness of toxins and the benefit of natural living had brought me. Today I pondered a new question:
Am I a bit hipster?
I sat down to eat my lunch with my husband and my oldest and youngest beastlings. As I waited for him to bring me my drink I surveiled the scene.
Here I sat in chipotle eating my free range chicken burrito as my oldest daughter drank organic chocolate milk wearing an amber necklace and ironic t shirt.
Nearby sat my youngest playing with the uber chic Sophie le giraffe wearing an owl hat.
Who am I?
http://www.sophiegiraffeusa.com/
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone