Mommy & Shara day

Yesterday Shara & I had a day for just us. It was so much fun - I'd give it a B+. We took our time in the morning, Shara relaxed with Brutus and tv while I Wii'd, etc. Breakfast was good. I asked her if she wanted eggs and she said yes, but I want to peel them, so I boiled up some eggs, got her step stool and she stood at the sink and did a great job peeling. We had a leisurely breakfast then got ready to go to the mall to use her KB Toys gift card. I didn't realize they weren't accepting the cards at the stores anymore but we found a few things and ended up paying cash, so we'll use the rest online. She really liked the magic mirror and locket she got. They had almost nothing left. We then walked around the mall and played a bit on the merry-go-round like ride and looked at a store that had very fancy dresses for kids and other accessories. I may need to stop there when I'm alone to get her hair bows, etc. but I can't just look at something and make a decision easily with her there too. She gets too excited, which I can't blame - it's all so sparkly and I tend to make implusive buying decisions. We then went to the Hallmark store and stocked up on 50% off wrapping paper, Godiva candy bars, cards, etc. They're going out of business as well. So sad.

After the mall we went to Good Days for lunch and Shara had her usual - sweet potato pancakes & sausage (snausage, we joked and laughed about the whole way there). I had fish and chips - yummy, but still want their hot turkey sandwich. It looked like 1/2 the people were having the turkey and the other 1/2 the fish. We then had dessert and headed to Stafflers. I had a coupon. We looked at the yarns and obviously Shara was getting really tired - she wanted to sit in a cart. Then we stopped at Shara's school, really quick, to get her outside gear in case we want to play outside this weekend. Then home to watch Sleeping Beauty. Still Shara says santa was so nice to bring her that and how did he know she wanted it? She didn't even hold ducky and giraffe the whole movie! I could have given them a bath!

appreciative

Last night Alan put out the new soap I ordered from Melaluca - a moisturizing soap that happened to be pink. Shara was very pleased that it was pink and had sparkles and kept saying, "mommy, I really appreciate the soap you got." It's a very nice thing to hear. She doesn't say it often, so I assume she really means it when she does - also hear it for some dinners I've made. There was a nice pasta dish she appreciated, a very well doctored mac & cheese, broccoli w/ cheese...

Something I appreciate - Shara's been a fabulous listener the past week! I have to print out another chart and she's really working hard at being able to check off the tasks. Yesterday when we got home she didn't wipe her feet and got wet on the floor. I asked her if she could get a paper towel and clean it up. She said no, I could do it. I then said that I was only asking to be polite but I wanted her to clean it up and she did, without arguing!

hmmm so much time has gone by, what's happened?

Shara has entered somewhat of a new phase - she's been wanting to have chores, so we are obliging and have made a chart. She wanted me to add listening as one of the chores, so I put it at the bottom, for the whole day. If she listens for the day - and I'm realistic here, assuming just not having a big fight is listening, she gets a sticker. This is surprising to me because she has tons of her own stickers, but i guess it's different if I give her one.

New years was fun. We braved the storm and went to the Senay's for dinner. The girls had tons of fun and played for hours with the pooping barbie dog that Hannah got for Shara. It really was cute. New years day we stayed home and relaxed, as we've been trying to do on weekends. The weather has cooperated for that. Last weekend we had shara's postponed dance party. Alan videoed the whole thing but I think we'll need to edit before posting. It was cute. Shara, and a couple of other kids, were rolling their tongue around in their mouths much of the time - nervous tic it seems. After that we came home, ate lunch and soon headed out for Jessica's birthday party at an indoor gym. That was fun too. Shara warmed up faster than she has in the past, but still didn't want to do any group activities. She was more than happy running around with the kids on her own, but as soon as it got organized, she got nervous and bowed out and stood with me instead. I didn't push. She was so proud that she did what she did, and didn't seem too unhappy about not playing the games. At the beginning, they wanted all the kids to sit on the bouncy thing that they blow up and then the kids bounce on. Shara wouldn't do it, but as soon as the kids were off checking out the foam block pit that you hang on a trapeze and then jump into (didn't want anything to do with that, no matter how many others were on it!) we took the opportunity to try the bouncy thing. She loved it and did circuits of that, to the balance beam, to the tunnel. Several kids were doing the same circuit so she felt a part of it but without pressure. Then there was a time for group pictures and she really didn't want to but after that was over, Jessica's so sweet mother asked Shara if she could get some pictures of Shara and Jessica because Jessica was so happy that Shara could come to her party. I teared up and am doing it now as I remember.

So this week we've been very happy with each other, except for yesterday morning when Shara decided it would be a good idea to try and wash her own hair, about 10 minutes before I wanted to be getting into the car. She came into my room when I called her so I could do her hair and she said she (can't remember but basically said she fixed it). I noticed it looked wet so I asked if she put water on it. She said she did. I said ok. I looked closer and asked if she put soap in it and she said no. I asked again and then touched it and it got rather foamy so I basically freaked and said we have to take a bath, I'll just wash it in the sink, I need a cup, come on, it's freezing outside, this wasn't a good day to do this, you can't go out with wet hair, you have to wear a hat... So we got her head over the sink, I started pouring the warm water over her head and she's screaming. I'm fighting her and then say, "fine go to school with soapy hair. It's probably going to itch. We'll take a bath tonight." It didn't itch and Alan gave her a bath, and all was fine. I've realized that for 4.5 years I've dreaded bath night - without good reason. I really can't stand giving Shara a bath. It's 10 minutes tops, but something about it, I just never want to do it. So the past couple of times Alan has done it and I'm more than happy doing the dishes, laundry, etc. Maybe it's time to switch that task.