Chica's New Book {Real Bedtime Conversations}

This evening, while we were at a book store, Hubby and I let the girls each pick out a new book. Chica seems just on the brink of learning to read, but for as long as I've known her, she's been a bookworm. From a young age, the girl just loved books. Even at the tender age of 2, she'd fall asleep "reading" books in her crib. Recently, she has been able to sound out words, although prefers to make us read the words because it takes too long to work through them herself. We are in no rush, but still want to encourage her, so our deal with her tonight was that if she wanted a book, she needed to pick out a Beginning-to-Read book.

After careful consideration (and many suggestions from me, Hubby and even Bug), Chica settled on a Doc McStuffins beginning reader book (right now in our house, we are ALL about Doc McStuffins). We told her we were excited to read with her, but that she would need to help us sound out some of the words.

She agreed.

So tonight I was tucking Chica into bed. We did our usual bedtime prayers and then opened up the new book. The book was cute, and had some cue pictures (such as Doc, her brother Donny, and a few of the toys) throughout the sentences. These were parts she was able to read along with since she knew the pictures. We got to a few short words: "up," "mom," "did," and even "wash." Although she resisted once or twice, she worked through them like a champ, her eyes wide and bright when she realized the word she was sounding out:

"Uuuuuuh. Pppppp.  Uhhh. Pppp. Uhh. Pp. U.P....Up! It says 'up,' Momma!"

When we finished the book and sang a song, I turned out the light. On my way out, I told Chica how proud I was of the words she sounded out.

"Soon, you'll be reading us books!" I told her.  "You just keep on practicing!"

We said goodnight,  and I came downstairs.

When I arrived downstairs, I could some hushed mutterings coming over her monitor.  This happens often, so I thought nothing of it. A few minutes later, I heard Chica calling for me, so I returned up to her room.  This is the conversation that ensued:

"Hey Chica. What's up?"

"MOM. I just sounded out every. word. in. the. book. Every word! I read it!"

Her excitement was palpable, and it was clear she was so very proud of herself. In the moments since I'd left her room, I have no idea what, if any, words she challenged herself to sound out. But I know that there was a new passion and and joy in her voice that made my heart leap. 

"Lovie, I am so, so proud of you. I can't wait to hear you read it to me tomorrow."

I love that girl.

S'more Bonding, Please

When Chica became a big sister, her world was definitely rocked. She went from having the full attention of both parents during all her waking hours.  Life as we knew it somewhat revolved around her. 


OK. That might be a strong statement.


All that to say, she was used to the 3 of us: Me, Hubby and her.  She was used to our attention being undivided, and all time was quality time because it was spent between us and her.


Enter the birth of Bug.


To say that my heart has grown twice as big to accommodate loving both girls would be an understatement. She has added so much joy, and we love being a family of four.  Bug has only known sharing her parents with Chica, so I love sneaking in pockets of time just with Bug when Chica is at preschool or dance class.  


But sometimes? Sometimes I miss the special moments of solo time with Chica.  


So recently, I capitalized on a cloudy day and decided to have some indoor bonding time with my older girl during Bug's nap time. 


Just me and Chica. 


Chica and me. 


And it was fantastic.


Chica and grabbed a box of graham crackers, and I grabbed the marshmallows and Hershey's bars.  

Yep. We decided to make S'MORES!  You might be asking, "But you are indoors. Please tell me you did not light a fire in your home to roast those suckers."


Nope. 


I happen to have a fun mother-in-law who once gifted me one of those As Seen On TV Microwave S'more Makers, so it was S'MO S'MEASY (see what I did there?) No rain clouds were going to get in the way of Mommy-Chica bonding time! 

While I assembled and micro-roasted the s'mores, Chica laid out a blanket and put on a movie.

I threw inhibition to the wind (i.e.: I decided to not let myself dwell on the marshmallowy mess that was about to ensue), and enjoyed a solid hour of bonding time with my girl. 

No. There was no fire, no marshmallows on sticks. There wasn't a huge crowd of people catching lightening bugs or telling stories around the campfire.


But can I tell you it was the best s'more making non-bonfire I've ever been apart of.

And I hope that there will be s'more in the future.

(See how I worked that in again?)


Create Summer memories with a HERSHEY'S CAMP BONDFIRE of your own!  Find out more on their Facebook page.  Register as a camper, share your experiences, and maybe you'll be a winner!


This post is part of my participation in the HERSHEY’S CAMP BONDFIRE campaign. All opinions expressed are mine. I received S'more supplies and a stipend.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Do you ever just feel lost as a parent?


At many times in the 4 years that I've been a parent, I have found myself fumbling over some aspect of childrearing.  Eating issues, sleeping issues, health issues, etc.  I know that every stage will have it's obstacles, but I've recently been really struggling over some of Little Chica's behaviors.


Namely, listening.


Or, rather, not listening.


Chica is a wonderful kid. I love her to pieces. She is boisterous and fun and intelligent and creative. Her imagination is absolutely amazing, riddled with tales of princesses and whales and dragons and beaches and mountains. I believe she will do great things some day.


Presently, though, I am having a heck of a time getting her to listen.

Name That Tune

Little Chica has a very particular taste in music.  We can't get very far in the car before she states her requests and insists that I change the iPod to her liking. Our only problem is the communication barrier: Little Chica makes her music choices known using her versions of the song titles.


I've spent entire car rides flipping through each song, one by one, asking, "You mean this song?  No?  How about this song? No?" In the rear-view mirror, I see her definitively shaking her head at each incorrectly decoded song.


So, I thought it'd be fun to see if you were any more successful at figuring out Little Chica's song choices. I've chosen 4 today.  There are plenty more.  I'll share Little Chica's real-life versions of the song titles. These are actually the titles she uses to requests songs in the car.  If you dare to try to figure it out you can leave a comment with your guesses.  I'll post the real song titles tomorrow.  


Good luck!

Little Chica's Name That Tune

1) Marion Jane

2) Stink My Life

3) Do You Have Time?

4) Hugs and Kisses

Don't forget to check back later today for a Simple Supper Recipe!

Parenting Case Study #1: Give a Child Choices

Parenting Tidbit #1: {Give Your Child Choices} 

When communicating with your child, commanding something of them (ie: "Put on your pajamas!") makes a child feel out of control, which causes them to respond by resisting and acting out.  Instead, when you give your child choices (ie: "Would you like to wear the pink pajamas or the yellow pajamas?"), they feel empowered and included, resulting in less arguments and tantrums.

Case Study Example:


Me: Ok, Little Chica.  We're out of diapers! (sidenote: this may or may not have been a lie, but we're kind of desperate to get Little Chica to start using the potty). So, you can choose between this Pull-Up Diaper or these lovely Hello Kitty Panties!


Little Chica: I want a diaper.


Me: (cheery and enthusiastically) Oops!  We're all out!  Your only options are the Pull-Up or Panties.  Which one would you like to wear?


Little Chica: Diaper.


Me:  Oh sorry!  No can do!  Want to try the Pull-Up? Maybe the panties?


Little Chica: Do I get a lollipop?


Me: Well, no. Lollipops are reserved for when you put pee-pee's in the potty.  Do you want to pee-pee in the potty?


Little Chica: Nope.


Me: No problem!  So your choice: panties or Pull-Ups?


Little Chica: Neither.






::silence::

What child opts for NEITHER?

Well played, Little Chica. Well played.