First Day of Preschool

Braelyn was dressed, (all by herself) and singing in the hallway this morning when I got up. I thought that was a good sign, but it turned sour quickly after that. Luckily we had muffins for breakfast, but when I made her go potty, the tantrums started, then after I did her hair, she kept telling me, "It not cute, it not powfect." After switching barrettes for the third time, I was done and made her go sit in her room to chill out. I couldn't believe the diva behavior was starting before she turned three! As I was scrambling to get Berkley fed and dressed Braelyn decided her Belle needed a beast, she finally settled on her baby doll being the beast. Then she decided Belle needed a bath and got her undressed, and insisted that I get her dressed. Anyone who has tried to shove hard plastic doll arms into a teeny dress when you are rushing will understand why I felt Belle could just go in her birthday suit, but my little princess insisted, so I did it. I was determined to get a cute First Day of School picture, without tears and snot, so I was being as nice as possible. I actually had both the girls ready and did get my pictures, just in time for the second round of World War 2-year old to start. You can see in her picture that the toes of one of her shoes is hanging over the front of her white sandal. I thought that was just a temporary thing I could fix when we were ready to go, but as soon as the camera was away, she wanted her other foot to hang over the front of her shoe. Why this now, and why it happened this morning, I don't know, but we argued and fought about it, and needless to say she wore her brown shoes to school that morning.
I was surprised when we got to school and Brae seemed a little nervous. She is usually pretty brave and excited to go for anything that involves playing and other kids, but she insisted on taking Belle with her into school. We had put some papers for her teacher in her bag, and when the secretary said she liked her bag, she said very importantly, "I have papers." She took the secretary's hand and walked back to her class. I just stood there, wondering who was going to take my hand and tell me it was okay. Actually I was very excited for her, and knew she would have a great time, and really enjoy the new experience. It was also wonderful to do my shopping with just one child, who is immobile for the time being. It was a very quiet trip, and I liked not having to divide attention for a few hours.
Brae was busy playing when we got there to pick her up, but was happy to see and us and left happily. She said she liked it and sang me a few songs she learned. Her teacher said she did well for a first day, and that she complied easily when reminded. I sure love this little girl and am proud of all the new things she is learning and friends she is making. Braelyn loves to do excercises with me, and likes to lift the three lb weights then walk on the treadmill. She was sitting next to me doing crunches and she would grunt every time I would do one. Sorry about the leg shot, I don't know how to crop yet.
Berkley is such a sweet baby, there just isn't a better word for her. My only gripe is that she only takes a decent nap about every three days. She has super-sensitive hearing, and we witnessed her first major melt-down when we were having dinner with all of Kevin's family and it got a little loud, and she couldn't see Mom or Dad. Otherwise as long as she is sitting up she is pretty good to go, but her favorite is when Daddy wraps her up tight in his arms and rocks her to sleep. We couldn't have picked a better addition to our family.

Braelyn was a little too quiet the other afternoon but I was enjoying the peace too much to check on her. When I finally did I found she had pumped most of our hand soap into the sink and had it overflowing with bubbles. When I asked her what she was doing, she told me she was making a crown. I guess she gets points for creativity, but I have to wonder if the punishment sticks, if you get mad, then tell her to wait while you get the camera and takes pictures? This was the first of two times this day that she soaked her shirt in the sink, she also dumped cupfuls of water out of the tub, peeled apart a wooden doll chair of my mom's, and bit my hand when I buckled her into the car seat. What would I do if there was a return policy on children?