rule of thumb... 21 days

I've been told that the rule of thumb is that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit. The habit that I'm working on is Grace's, and it's been happening since birth... thumb sucking. She always loved her thumb and wasn't stopping without intervention. After scouring the internet about 6 months ago, I decided to try Mavala STOP. It's a clear polish that you paint on the nail. It's terribly bitter - trust me, I've tried it myself - and people swear by it. It definitely worked on Grace, although I wasn't the most consistent about applying it, so she fell off the wagon again and again. At her last dental appointment, I found out that she has already caused a high palette that may require treatment in the future. The dentist also told Grace that "if you're old enough to come to the dentist, you're too old to be sucking your thumb." Grace told me very assertively, "Mommy, I have DECIDED! I am NOT going to suck my thumb ANYMORE!

For 21 days now, I have painted her thumbs everyday. She doesn't mind it anymore; a non-thumb-sucking friend of hers even asked to have her own thumbs painted when she was over. Hopefully, the "rule of thumb" will hold true for this thumb! I'm not taking any chances though (we've come too far!), I'll keep painting for a while longer! :)

irish italian parade and festival

This morning we took the girls to St.Thomas' annual Irish Italian Parade. It was both girls' first parade and we had so much fun! Grace got tons of beads, doubloons, moon pies, and even some cabbage and potatoes! One car had a girl in a green gown riding in it; I pointed out the "princess" to Grace. After the parade, I explained to her that many of the kids in the parade went to Sacred Heart, and that when she starts school, she'll be able to ride in a float and throw prizes too. She quickly answered, "I want to ride in the one with the princess!"

These glasses were courtesy of the Saenger Theater's Buddy Holly float.

Marion was even awake for some of the party!

...but she didn't last long!

Grace used my Mardi Gras bag that I got when I was her age! I'll make her one of her own for next year!

Later in the day, we went to 4 o'clock mass and then to the Irish Italian Festival. It was really an awful day out - rained all day - but the kids still had fun in the kiddie area...

Grace with her friend Meredith after getting their faces painted.

Grace in her "cooker hat" that she wrote her name on!

in grace's words...

"golly tamale!"

I have no idea where this came from... I'm guessing school? She uses it very randomly!

....................

We sometimes call Marion "Mari." Here is a song Grace likes to sing about her baby sister...

"Mari, Mari, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?
With silver bells and taco shells!"

I've tried many times to explain that it is cockle shells, not taco shells; Grace adamantly disagrees!

....................

Grace has been taught at school that God made EVERYTHING. She often points out things that God has made, such as her swingset, her toys... really everything. Here is a conversation we had on the way to dance this week...

"Mommy, who made the cars? God made the cars?"

"Yes, God made the cars, God made everything. (long pause) Actually, Grace, people made the cars, and God made the people."

"But where is God, I can't see him."

"He's in heaven."

"Where's heaven?"

"It's up in the sky."

"But I need to get a ladder, and I'll go up, and I'll look for Him. (pause and deep thought) But I can't see his feet! Where's God??"

"Actually, Grace, God is everywhere, but we can't see Him."

I've got to keep my story straight!

on our own

I've had lots of help during my transition from 1 princess to 2; Jeremy was home full time from Christmas until yesterday. It's been tough even for the 2 of us to take care of both girls, keep up with the housework, and renovate the kitchen all at once. We definitely haven't been getting the sleep we're used to.

Jeremy left for Baltimore yesterday, I'm on my own, not that Grace doesn't help out... she helps with EVERYTHING...


Even his departure was chaotic. We had known all week that Daylight Savings Time started on Sunday, we had even talked about it. Sunday morning Jeremy planned to leave for the airport at 7:ooa.m. He appeared to be right on schedule as he loaded the last of his things into his truck. Then, I looked at the atomic clock in our living room that automatically updates itself...

"Oh my gosh! Daylight Savings Time! DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME! You're an hour late! GO! GO! GO!!!"

He sped out and returned 5 minutes later when he realized he forgot his insulin :)

Thankfully, he arrived at the airport just in time to see that his plane had been delayed and he'd be hanging around a while!


So far the girls and I have done well on our own. Marion does great away from the house, she usually just stays asleep in her car seat. It's just getting everyone ready and buckled up that's the challenge!


We're building up to tomorrow's early 9:00a.m. drop off at preschool. Yesterday we met some friends at 1:00p.m. and this morning we made it to gymnastics on time at 10:30. Miraculously, both girls napped at the same time this afternoon and I was able to plant all of the pink and purple flowers that Nana brought at Grace's request.

hard to see, but I planted from one end of this house to the other!

the hot pink petunias on the right were planted today and the blue pansies on the left were weeded... well most of the way... I hate chickweed!

mixture of violas and petunias, hard to see because I planted so many and wanted them ALL in the picture :)

I know, I am impressed with myself too ;)

rock star

Last night we hit up Grace's favorite late night hangout, Walnut Circle. Grace danced in front of the stage for an hour and a half, with only a few 20 second power naps on Nana's lap.

I guess professional videographers don't use crackberries - excuse the poor video quality - but you get the idea... she was having a total rockstar moment!

for me?! watch her take a big bow when everyone starts clapping!



notice how she picks up the flowers that her fans have thrown on stage!

Watching Grace dance last night, I couldn't help but admire the lack of self-conciousness and insecurity that she had out there. I wish she could stay that way forever, although I know it's just part of the innocence of being a 3 year old. It would have taken me a couple glasses a whole bottle of wine to have been out there boogie-ing down the way she was!

As for little Marion, she slept right through the whole party - not a peep!

let's play!

Grace is so excited to finally have playmate! Too bad all Marion really knows how to do is eat, sleep, and look cute. Grace is pretty resourceful; she's come up with a game they can play together... "go camping." Grace lays out 2 pillows, 2 blankets and lots of stuffed animals and the girls "camp" and "go to sleep." They've played it every day this week!

ewww, boys!

Mommy: "Grace, you have to go to bed because tomorrow Meredith and Noah are coming over to play with you."

Grace: "I think Noah just likes to go bye bye."
(translate to: I'll take Meredith, but Noah can take a hike.)

Mommy: "GRACE! That is not nice, you'd better be sweet to little Noah."

Grace: crinkles face "But Noah's a BOY!"


For the record, one of her best friends at school, sweet Benjamin, is a boy! Noah's quite the sweetheart too, sorry little guy!