"Oh I tried not to laugh!"

While visiting family over the holidays, Everlee was a little out of her nighttime routine and had to be subjected to sleeping in a pac n' play. She did very well with all the transition but she didn't always go to sleep has quickly as we liked. One night, Shane put her to bed around 9:00 and I became a little concerned when he never returned. I walked back to the back bedroom and tried to tip toe inside. I was hiding amongst the shadows, listening to Shane snore (mystery solved) when Everlee started saying, "Dadda sleeping aaaaagh, shewwww, aaaaaagh, shewwww." (Making snoring noises) I tried my best not to laugh and hope she would just go to sleep. She actually said this several times until I was rolling on the ground, clenching my stomach, tears running down my face, laughing so hard. My cover was blown. As soon as she heard me, she said in her high pitched voice, "Momma? Dadda sleeping aaaaaagh, shewwww." It still brings to tears to my eyes every time I think of that moment. It is always good to have a laugh as strong as that.

Kiss Me Goodbye!

I think as a parent you constantly worry about your child no matter the age. Whether it be their physical safety or their emotional well being. Even though Everlee is only 2 yrs.old I find myself worrying about whether or not she has friends, if she is a kind friend, do kids play with her at school, do they include her in their activities, etc. I know this worry may be a little premature but seeing it day in and day out as a fourth grade teacher, I think it is only natural to worry. I am happy to say my worry was put to ease when I picked her up at school right before the holiday break. As we were putting on her coat, a little boy named Michael came up to give Everlee a hug and planted a kiss on her cheek. It was followed by her entire classes lining up saying, "I say Bye to Everlee." It may not have been the most sanitary situation but it was so touching to see these little children express their feelings so openly. Not one child hesitated to get up, give her a hug, and a quick kiss on the cheek. I wonder what the world would be like if everyone was so so open and loving? Would the world be a more peaceful place if everyone was given a quick kiss on the cheek?

Orange you happy to see me?

Everyday I am amazed at how clever Everlee's little mind works. She is able to pick up things I would never even consider. I think this goes to show just how much we need to slow down and take notice of the little things. I can't remember a time I wasn't busy making a check list in my head. I wish I could spend one day in her mind, just to help me slow down and take notice of the valuable things around me.

Shane brought home a basket of grapefruits and oranges from a school fundraiser. We made a point of putting them in a large white bowl both for decor and to help us remember to eat them. Everlee was standing on her chair at the counter helping me make dinner one night when I heard her say, "Baby, Mommy, and Daddy." Followed by, "Ooooh, look at the baby." I turned and realized she was talking about the grapefruits and oranges. She said the oranges were the babies since they were the smallest and the graefruits were the mommy's and daddy's since they were bigger. She seemed at peace knowing the baby orange was with its mommy and daddy. Why hadn't I ever thought of fruit in that way? Maybe because I never took the time to think about it or make the association. I am glad she took the time to teach me how to look at the world through the eyes of a baby.....even if it was a baby orange.

Building our Gingerbread House

We started our first Gingerbread house tradition this year in December. I constructed the house and for the most part I let Everlee decorate the entire thing. I did lend a helping hand here and there especially when the house walls started to fall down. I guess the directions are serious when they say wait 20 minutes before decorating. What can I say? I was anxious and wanted to get started. Everlee really enjoyed placing the gumballs, skittles, gum drops, and mini m&m's on her Gingerbread House. She didn't quite seem to understand that you shouldn't chew the candy before placing it on the roof, door, or wall of the house. To be honest, our house was covered in a little spit before the night was over. I was surprised at how much Everlee loved her house. She would pull up the dining room chair every morning and night just so she could kiss her house goodnight or good morning. Every goodnight kiss also included a stolen piece of candy from the roof, door, or wall of the house. We kept the house around until it was almost completely bare. When it was time to bid farewell, we all kissed the house goodbye before depositing it into the trashcan!