Thankful

As all newish moms are, I am nervous and at times anxious about placing my children in the care of others. I am so thankful for the YMCA this summer, and the opportunity to leave my daughter with someone that is perfect for her. Maggie is currently attending half-day, outdoor, daycamp with other 3-5 year olds. She is LOVING it. I thought maybe we would do a couple weeks for fun, but so far she has been to almost every week. The counselors know exactly how to encourage and motivate her. When I pick her up, they tell me how good she is and how thoughtful and what a good listener. As her mom, I don't always get to see these qualities, and I am beginning to realize how vital it is for children to have adults in their lives to encourage them. I think its so important for some of those adults to not be family. These counselors understand the exact mentality of a 3 year old in a way I never will. They let them be suddenly distracted by a funny shaped cloud, appreciate what they have to say about it, then gently guide them back to the group and activity at hand. My heart and gift is mostly for school agers. I know what to expect of them, I can provide the structure and humor that they need, and rarely get impatient with them. My 3 year old tries me and provokes an impatience, and sometimes frustration that I thought I had long ago outgrown. When I see her at camp though, in an environment where she can get messy, do paint and take a nature walk through the mud, I am thankful for people who know that kids need to get dirty to have fun. I forget that, and I don't like messes. Crafts are often daunting for me, because I don't want to deal with the cleanup. I am reassured that there are people that enjoy and care for my children, often in ways that I forget about. I think the nurturing that Maggie is receiving this summer from those staff is exactly what she needs at this stage in her life. And the time away and the feedback from the staff at camp gives me a new perspective of my fiercely independent daughter, and I can reflect on her in ways I couldn't acknowledge before.

As I prepare to leave both children in daycare 2 days a week starting in August, I am beginning to realize that it may not be the bad thing that I had initially thought. Having dropped down to part time to ensure that my children are home with me, putting them in daycare was something I had never considered. Now I am realizing that those people, experienced and perhaps even designed to work with 18 month olds and 3 year olds, may have an understanding of them that I am lacking. So I am choosing to look forward to the ways that my children will grow from their experience. If this summer is any indication of the quality of people the Y will bring into my children's lives, we have a lot to look forward to.

Oh baby!

A conversation I overheard Maggie having with herself:

"Oh man. My belly is so big. It is so big. There must be a baby in there. There is a baby in my belly. . .wait, maybe not. . . .wait. . . oh yeah, there it is. There is definitely a baby in my belly."

Taste of T-Ball

The Bird is the Word

My little birdie girl has been full of gems lately, so I just thought I would share.

She has taken to noticing things that are alike and different. For example, if we both have red shirts on, she is almost sure to tell me so. If something has changed, she is sure to point it out. Unfortunately for us, this also goes along with strangers that are different, or friends that are different. She very recently realized that there are different skin colors out there, and after much explanation, I thought that she had come to terms with "its what's inside that counts." Until she told her Aunt Jess's friend that she could not kiss her goodnight, because her skin might turn brown. . .I guess there is only so much you can do with a 3 year old. They have their entirely 3 year old logic.

She is my mini-me to the extreme. As she continuously interrupted a conversation I was having, I was just about to turn to her and send her away. Upon making eye contact, she told me this instead. "Focus mommy, focus. I don't have all day."

My last Maggie gem, has to do with breaking the thumb sucking habit. We can't seem to do it. I finally caved and bought that foul tasting nail polish that is supposed to discourage it. I thought it was going to work, when for a whole day she stopped, and upon forgetting at bedtime broke into tears about the bad taste. However, by morning she had quickly realized that upon sucking for long enough, the taste goes away. I painted her nails 5 times with it yesterday. I give up. For Maggie, it was a waste of 12 dollars. I know that it works for other children, and if you think yours might be one, send me your address and I'll gladly mail you the bottle. I felt defeated at bedtime last night, and I teased her as I tucked her in with good night kisses. TERRIBLE good night kisses. A word of warning to you all. If you plan to use the nail polish, and your child is as stubborn as mine, don't kiss them good night. After a full day of her sucking off the nail polish, she tasted awful.

Oh girl of mine, you were born to teach me patience. I have a lot to learn.