A trying few days...

Oh. my. goodness.  We've had our hands full around here these past few days.  For some unknown reason, the Noodle has decided to unleash the hounds of Hades where her behavior is concerned.  Lord, give me strength!  It started on Saturday at the crack of dawn morning with a meltdown (windows open...I'm sure the neighbors were thanking us) because I wouldn't move positions on the sofa when I was ordered told to move.  Really?!  I don't think so!  Then last night, because J pulled the window shade closed, when it was "Mama night"--again windows open, broadcasting to the world her fury.  We're talking screaming, kicking, crying, flailing around, etc., etc., etc.  Totally unhinged.

It seems that she's been going from 0 to 90 in no time at all!  Both days she had been fine, not seemingly grouchy or testy or anything like that, and then BAM.  Yikes!

Then this morning, after a fun time baking sugar cookies with some new cookie cutters, she lost it again.   All because I was cleaning up the kitchen and had asked her to please put her library books back into her bag so that we could go up and get ready to go the park.  Again, she had been as sweet as sweet can be and was really a good little helper with the cookies...and then WWIII hit.  Notice in the pictures how the windows are open?  Oh yes, our neighbors are no doubt wondering what kind of monster we are harboring!

Needless to say, we didn't end up at the park and the books (as well as the Noodle) ended up in time-out.  After finally calming down and getting dressed I decided we needed to sit outside and do something soothing/calming--playing with rainbow rice. 

We'll see what the next few hours days bring.  I don't usually write about testy, difficult behavior, because quite frankly it is such a downer and who really wants to read about it?!  On the other-hand, the Noodle is a normal little preschooler who has big highs and lows and still is learning how to regulate and manage her behavior.  Just keeping it real, ya know?!

Mmmmwwahhh!  Watch out!

Extended family visit

A few days after the 3 of us left Lollie and Papa's cottage, my Nana, Aunt and Uncle went up to visit.  We all hooked up this weekend for a nice casual dinner last night and brunch this morning.  It was so good to catch up and reminisce!

Making homemade ice-cream...a little easier than the old "hand-crank" one we use to have!

The Girls:

The Kiddie Park

Somehow, in my entire childhood, we never once visited this Kiddie Park!  I can't believe it.  Perhaps because by the time we moved to this city, I was taller than the 50" limit (but Uncle wasn't), so I was a bit beyond it.  But anyhoo...we were suppose to go with friends today, but then one of the little girls got sick (boo--we missed you!).  The Noodle and I decided to go anyway, just the 2 of us.  One of the last hurrahs of summer.

We hit all of the rides and had a great time in the process.  While it was busy, we didn't really have to wait, except for the train.  One of the little bonuses?  When you buy a book of tickets, those which don't get used, can be used the following year...actually they can be used forever.  There's no expiration date!  Cool, huh?  We'll definitely be back!!

Ready with her ticket.

Fun on the merry-go-round.

 

Long Weekend ReCap

We had a great couple of days hanging out with family and enjoying the sun, warmth and water...all the best that summer has to offer!

First off, boating with Grandma and Grandpa--

Then it was time to head up to the summer cottage with Lollie and Papa.  The little getaway where they have their cottage is a complete throwback to the good-ole-days.  One day we went to an ice-cream social where the band was playing and took a horse and carriage ride.  Love it!  Bikes and golf carts rule the roads here and everyone waves and is so friendly.  No one locks their doors (shouldn't post that, I suppose) and children run around and roam free until twilight beckons them home.

 

Do you think she liked her brown "GodSquad" t-shirt that Papa bought for her?  She wore it the entire time she was there!  Ha ha :)  Did I also mention that ice-cream is considered a staple here?  Yum!

Tomboy

There's no doubt about it.  The Noodle is a tomboy.  Anyone who has been reading our blog for a while knows about her love of all things related to Thomas and "Ka-Chow" (aka Lightening McQueen/CARS).  Everyone once in a while she'll break out her babydolls, but she has a minimal interest in D$sney Princesses and abolutely NO interest in B*rbies ("too scary"). 

Since J's folks are downsizing, many "treasures" have been unearthed during the process.  Many of these are J's toys from when he was growing up.  He and his brother took such good care of them that his mom just packed them away when they out-grew them and so now, 20 years later, they are still in great condition.  The Noodle has had a heyday as they have been brought out--G.I. J#e, matchbox cars, car-town (not that this is the correct name, but it is like a town for the cars to drive around).  Lots of it J has sold on ebay (who knew G.I. J#e could be so profitable?!), but some of it the Noodle has begged to play with and keep. 

As I sit here, posting this now, she is quite content zooming around the various cars, car carriers and trucks, all the while talking to herself the entire time.  Sometimes I just like to stop and listen to her...until she realizes what I'm doing and then states very firmly "STOP listening to me!".  Ha ha!  Thank goodness her tomboy feelings haven't trickled over into what she wears...yet!

Now that the calendar has flipped to August, things have really started to pick up steam!  We've been busy, busy with the Noodle even spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa's.  Tonight is VBS, tomorrow we're heading out onto the Lake for some boating and then up to Lollie and Papa's summer get-away for a few days.

A few funny Noodle-isms:  she has gotten into the habit of saying "I'm going to do this my OWN way."  Case in point--the other night as she was putting her jammie bottoms on, J and I commented that they were inside out.  She very emphatically told us she was doing it in her own way and somehow managed to get them on right side out, with the tag in back.  Ha ha--you go!  Normally I don't mind when she does things in her OWN way, but every once in a while she needs to be reminded that no, in fact, you have to do things MY way. 

I guess I must also peer over my sunglasses at her, especially when we are out-and-about and there is some behavior that I'm finding somewhat questionable.  She will now take her hand and put it up to the bridge of her nose and "peer" back at me.  LOL!  At least we seemed to have moved away from the 'covering your eyes' bit that she used to pull!

The first step

Today was a first step.  Not a big one, but that first, initial one...The Noodle went to the babysitter's house for the morning.  I am taking a workshop this week and so we thought it would be good as a "trial run" for her to stay.

Both J and I dropped her off.  She was ready.  She was excited.  "It's Jennifer (the babysitter) day" she told us.  What a relief!  We had talked about it over the weekend...talked about our feelings and the changes that were coming to our family...talked about how some things would be different and other things would be the same. She seemed ready.

Thankfully everything about the morning ran smoothly.  Getting dressed, breakfast, scooting out the door, etc.  Nice and smooth.  When it was time for J and me to leave her, she just gave us BIG hugs and then got down to her business of playing.  

When I picked her up, she pretended like she didn't see me and kept right on playing.  She was right there in the thick of it with 2 other boys and thoroughly enjoying herself.  Obviously having a grand time!  What a joy to see and a blessing.  To know that your child is completely happy (even on the first day) and feels safe and secure.  Thank you Lord for this gift!