Swing Higher Mommy Higher

I have known for a quite sometime now that Leah is a little bit of an adrenaline junky.  The higher you can throw her up in the air, the farther you can toss her on to the couch from, the faster you can spin her in circles the better.  The final note that she really is an adrenaline junky occurred when we were at the playground last weekend.  Leah loves the swing.  And like most 22 month olds that is really the only thing that she wants to go on.  So, we got all dressed up and ran to the park.  She doesn't walk to the park she runs.  And has found what she thinks is the fastest way to get there.  We put her in the swing and she starts yelling "higher mommy higher"  We had her swing so high on the infant swing set that she litterally couldn't go any higher.  The chains started to buckle at the height she was at.  And she still yelled.  Higher mommy higher.  I finally had to tell her that was as high as the swing could go.  She just giggles with glee and smiles away.

Swinging with Cooper

Making sure he is having fun.

This is a really cool swing in our new park that Leah also loves.

Swing Higher Mommy Higher

I have known for a quite sometime now that Leah is a little bit of an adrenaline junky.  The higher you can through her up in the air, the farther you can toss her on to the couch from, the faster you can spin her in circles the better.  The final note that she really is an adrenaline junky occurred when we were at the playground last weekend.  Leah loves the swing.  And like most 22 month olds that is really the only thing that she wants to go on.  So, we got all dressed up and ran to the park.  She doesn't walk to the park she runs.  And has found what she thinks is the fastest way to get there.  We put her in the swing and she starts yelling "higher mommy higher"  We had her swing so high on the infant swing set that she litterally couldn't go any higher.  The chains started to buckle at the height she was at.  And she still yelled.  Higher mommy higher.  I finally had to tell her that was as high as the swing could go.  She just giggles with glee and smiles away.

Swinging with Cooper

Making sure he is having fun.

This is a really cool swing in our new park that Leah also loves.

Temper Tantrum Drama

I knew that this day would come.  I have watched my friends go through it and thought to myself...that is going to be me one day soon.  As well tempered as Leah is, I knew that she was going to do it.  So, tonight, we had our first full blown temper tantrum.  Naturally, it was over the silliest thing in the world.  Mommy wanted Daddy to read bedtime stories.  Yup.  That's it.  But, because Leah didn't ask or request or tell Daddy to read bedtime stories it was not okay.  She cried and said "no daddy mommy read".  I stood my ground, Dave sat in the rocking chair and we waited.  Leah, being as persistent as she is, just kept saying "no daddy mommy read" and then bawled her eyes out.  I know it was a silly thing and I know it might not have been the best battle to take on.  But, all evening it was demanding and bossy Leah.  No Mommy, come Mommy, no holding, no helping, no, no, no.  I think that I had just had enough.  Enough of the attitude and the demanding little boss thinking its her way and only her way.
In the end, however, she stopped crying, walked over to her Daddy patiently sitting and waiting in the rocking chair and climbed into his lap and asked "Daddy book read please."  It just about broke my heart.  Then she gave her Daddy a big long hug good night.  I had a little talk with her about bossing people around and how Leah won't always get her way. She always says "okay Mommy" when we have these talks.  I am pretty sure they go right over her head.  Even though I try to use as many three word sentences as possible.  And off to bed Leah went.

I did learn something about myself today.  I have little patient's for bossy, demanding little girls.  But, I have a thick sink and can sit there and watch the temper tantrum knowing that she is just a bottle full of emotions that are going to spill over but in the end she knows that we all love each other.

Where's my Christmas spirit?

I love Christmas.  I love the music.  So much so that I start listening to it on November 1st.  I love to shop.  So, of course I love shopping for Christmas gifts.  I love giving gifts and keeping the suspense and surprise alive.  But, this year, I am not feeling it.  Which is sad because I want Leah to love Christmas as much as I do.  Not to say that I am not trying.  We have put up or decorations.  I have shopped till I dropped.  I have donated my gifts to charity.  Leah and I are listening to lost of Christmas Carols.  To the point where she actually says no to the ones she doesn't like. We have read stories about The First Christmas.  I don't know why I am not feeling it this year.

Alright readers.   I am looking for get me into the Christmas spirit ideas!  Bring em on!

Separate Couches of Love

For all of you who know Dave and I you know that we are not publicly affectionate people.  We also love that all of our friends know this and rarely show displays of public affection in our presence.  That our you are all just the same as us.  The best part about this is, we are not really affectionate when you leave either.  As I type, Dave and I are on separate couches.  We are people who like are own space.  I love that this summer Breanna thought it was awesome or really weird that we have our own designated couches or chairs.  The best part is Leah also has her own couch. She loves her own couch and chooses to watch TV from it rather than cuddle with mom or dad.  Don't get me wrong we like to cuddle with Leah, but I have noticed that we have a fiercely independent child.  Which, we of course, love about her.  But, I think that part of this Independence stems from the environment that we have provided for her over the last 20 months.  I think that I just love that this early in life Leah has discovered that everyone has there own couch.  Which makes me wonder, what are we going to do when the time comes to have another child?  Our family/living room is not big enough for three couches!

Dave and Leah on his couch

Leah on her couch.

There are no pictures of me on my chair as I am always the one taking the photo's.

Careful what you say

Dave and I were having the conversation about things you never thought you would say. Example: Leah was eating raisins for dessert after lunch. She wanted to leave the table and Dave promptly said " Leah eat all of your dessert first.". I looked at him and said "bet you didn't think you would be saying that.". As Dave starts to take Leah out off her seat he looks at me says "ya that and go watch tv.". Leah looks right at Dave and says "okay daddy" and runs into the living room. Poor Dave got suckered into watching Elmo because, well, he old her to go watch tv.

Our California Adventure to the Kosmynka's

This past weekend we went to sunny California.  It was beautiful.  Beautiful weather, flowers, trees and friends.
Our first visit was to Santa Monica pier.  It really is an awesome spot on the ocean.

Then we went into Santa Monica to get Trystan from work.  The girls loved the Dinosaur shaped water fountains and just running down the open sidewalk chasing pigeons.

The next day we decided to go to Venice Beach.  The beach was beautiful.  Leah was afraid of the ocean.  Even when we carried her into the water she was still crying.  I guess it is still to big and scary for her.  Venice was a little interesting.  Especially when you see some one get a bike thrown at there head.

Leah did love her huge ice cream though!

On Sunday we went to Disneyland.  It really is an awesome place.  I have to say, Disney goes out of there way to ensure that your visit is perfect.