Easter Eggs

Today we had our first attempt at decorating Easter eggs. I'm embarrassed to say that at my age, which is quickly approaching 40, I had never boiled an egg. So I did what any self respecting woman did. I googled it. So I boiled the eggs and I set up the bowls of egg dye and I was feeling pretty spiffy. I was so on top of this egg decorating thing that I even had the forethought to put aprons on Gracie and I. We were ready. We were having fun. And then the next thing I know, Gracie spills the bowls and she is literally up to her elbows in Easter egg dye, my table is covered through the was paper I covered it with and the floor is drenched. In the midst of all this mess Graice looks at me and says, "Mumma, look dis, Gacie's home is big mess!" And I just started laughing. I mean, what else could you do. We finished the last egg with the little bit of dye that was left and then I threw her in the bath. I'm happy to report that the dye is quickly fading on she and I and believe it or not, it came off her pink shirt with the white sleeves (Thank you makers of oxyclean). The floor cleaned up pretty quickly but I've already washed the table four times and there continues to be yellow dye coming up. Hey, if that's my worst problem in life, I'll take it. Gracie was very proud of her eggs and she had fun which is the important part.

Staycation

So this week Gracie and I are on a stay cation.  My sister Kate and her family went to CA to visit our other sister.  Since Auntie Kate is my day care provider I have been home since last Thursday with Gracie.  We got off to a bit of a rough start.  It was really cool that mommy was home but the cousins were not and that was tragic.  Broke my heart to see her knocking at the door that connects our houses and yelling, "Meggie, Jakey, Come in!  Mommy, no comin?" Thank god for a new computer that allowed us to Skype.  That made things much better.  Add that to the schedule being off and it made for a couple of antsy days but things are much better now and we're enjoying our time together. 

Yesterday we sent to see Elmo Live.  It was my birthday present to Gracie.  She was terrified at first and holding on for dear life but at the same time the music was infectious.  So as she's clinging to my shirt she's doing her shoulder shimmy dance.  By intermission she was fine and when it ended she was sobbing because she wanted " more Elmo.  Elmo no go home.  Elmo dance Gracie".  She got an Elmo T-shirt at the show and was very proudly showing that off to her grandparents when we met them later on for dinner.  She was also thrilled that when we drove to the restaurant we drove in Grandma Judi's car and Grandma Judi rolled down the window a bit so the wind was blowing her hair which she LOVES.  I think she'll be an adrenaline junkie in the not too far off future.  It was pretty much a perfect day and when I put her to bed I said was this day so fun?  She said YUP.  I asked why and she said "Gracie see Elmo, Gracie ride Grandma Judi car".  I guess for a two year old, life can't get much better. 

This week we have a six month follow up with the international pediatrician and her two year check up with her regular doctor.  I'm excited for the international appointment because she has really come so far in six months.  She can count to 8.  Actually she counted to 15 the other day but she skipped 1 and 8.  Her language continues to explode and I've noticed that the more language she gets, the less screaming we have.

So as I have mentioned we were having issues with screaming especially in the grocery store.  Our grocery store has a little carousel at the entrance and I have been using that as bait to try to get her to stop screaming in the store.  If she makes it through with no screaming she can ride the horsies.  She got close a couple of times but last week she did it.  She was perfect in the store and we high fived and hugged and she kept saying "I ride the horsie, no screaming"!  So we go outside so she can retrieve her prize and she won't get on the horsie.  "Oh No, I no sit, dat scary!"  I even put the coins in so she could see it going around but nope, she wouldn't get on it.  The saving grace was that the carousel played bicycle built for two which I sing to her all the time so she just sang along with it and blew kisses to the horsies as we left.  I thought I was doomed for shopping this week because I had no ace in the whole.  Riding the horsies is scary so I figured her motivation to behave was out the window.  But to my surprise, she was perfect the entire time.  When we were at the check out she said "Mumma, I no scream, you Hap, Hap, Happy!"  She is behaving much better at all stores and restaurants.  At restaurants I switched her to a booster and that has made all the difference in the world.

Well, other than a couple of doctor appointments and a couple of play dates, we're laying low this week which I am enjoying.  I am also reading a new book for the first time since our vacation last July and I am so excited about it.  I know, I live the exciting life, don't be jealous. 

Here are a couple of pictures of the Elmo show!