Arianna

I’ve been trying to come up with an Arianna update, but am having a hard time. She’s at that stage where almost everything she does or says in funny. Her vocabulary is exploding, and her sentences just keep getting longer and longer, but you have to see her to get it. I can’t write about it and do her justice.


She’s been sick for what seems like forever (we finally have her on antibiotics, but they haven’t seemed necessary until recently because it’s just a cold and/or fever). Yesterday I said something to her about her “cold” and she replied, “No, Mommy, I’m hot.” It was quite cute.

She’s showing mild interest in potty training. She sits on the potty, and will often go pee, but just isn’t very excited about taking time away from something fun to go. We’ve transitioned her to pull-ups, which she likes a lot. Now she pees in them, then when she’s done with whatever she’s doing, goes and gets clean one, and changes herself. That wasn’t quite the outcome we were hoping for!

Arianna likes school a lot. We’re told she’s getting more and more outgoing, and assertive. Her teachers are GREAT, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the program she’s in. We are exploring options for summer care for both kids since their program breaks at the end of the school year.

Arianna loves her big sister, but is without a doubt the bully of the two. It’s not at all uncommon for Arianna to hit Bella, and leave her in tears. Arianna is also our more daring child. She’s not scared of much, and is reluctant to stop doing something when we tell her no. She’s sure she need to open every door, touch every electronic, and jump off of every high perch she can find. She can get injured without much of a peep, and if she cries, she gets over it very quickly.

She’s become quite the affectionate kid recently. She loves to give spontaneous hugs, kisses, and I love yous. She loves to do art…especially anything that involves making a mess.

She is such a joy, and she brings us a smile all the time!

Who's God's Mommy?

Last night Isabella asked me, "Who's God's Mommy?"  I explained to her that God doesn't have a mommy, because he came first, before anyone else.  She declined that explanation because everyone has a mommy...otherwise, how did he get out of someone's belly?  After I tried several stumbling attempts at an explanation, she declared, "It's okay Mommy, I know all about God."  I replied, "That's good, because Mommy is obviously confused!"

Squishy

Over the weekend I was holding Arianna.  She was pushing on my bra cup.  She says, "That's you bwa.  It squishy...like my diaper!"

Why are you my Momma?

From Isabella...Mommy, why are you my Momma?  I want Grandma to be my Momma.  I'm going to pray and ask God to make Grandma my Momma, and make you my Grandma.

Marry a Girl?

Last night Bella declares, "I wish I could marry a girl." I quickly remembered all the wise counsel I've received in the last five years, and instead of going in to panick or damage control mode, I simply asked, "Really? why?" She tells me that if she could marry a girl, she'd marry Arianna so they could always live together! Awww...how sweet (and not at all where I thought that conversation might be going)!

Blogging Again...Bella Style

Before I had kids, when y'all were the ones with little ones, I alway wished you would send out more updates than you did. I thought if I was ever the one with kids, I would be better about keeping everyone up-to-date with what was going on. Now I understand the lack of updates! Holy cow...we are busy! I'm going to tackle an update now, because the dishwasher doesn't need to be emptied, the floors don't need to be swept/mopped, the laundry is all caught up, I don't have any "real" work that needs to be done, the kids aren't clammering for my attention, there are no dust bunnies hiding in the corners, and the island isn't piled so high that you can't see the counter top! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Isabella is growing up so fast. She seems to mature every day. She enjoys all things girly...her entire wardrobe is pink and purple (she refuses to wear black, brown or dark green). She loves to dance, sing and put on "concerts" for us. Her favorite song is still "Living on a Prayer" by Alvin and the Chipmonks, but she will tolerate the original by Bon Jovi. She also likes the song by Willow Smith...is it called, "I whip my hair back and forth"? Obviously Mom is a bit behind on pop culture!

She's doing well in school. She's writing all of her letters, knows what they all say, but is still struggling with letter combinations (why IS the 'K' silent when it's with an 'N'?). She's starting to read a little. On her list of favorite things are her Barbies, her Grandma Rose, and her Mommy (possibly in that order!). She loves to build stuff and is constantly hanging bed sheets and blankets from her top bunk to make swings. She's also a master negotiator, always trying to find ways to bargain for "one more minute" of whatever fun activity she's engaged in at the time.Bella recently had a struggle with a little boy in her lunch room. We talked to the teacher and got permission for her to move to another room. However Bella decided that she wanted to stick it out and deal with him. She was NOT letting him get to her. We were really proud of her stick-to-it-ness. She's a very strong child that doesn't back down from anything!