breath

Let's talk about 2 year olds. They are hard work! I always felt like most of the time I had control of situations with any child I've worked with. It's so different with Elinor. I don't want to say she knows how to get to me because that would be saying she's manipulative but she acts out and gives me this look. She totally knows what she's doing isn't ok but continues to do while giving me this stink eye. Oh little girl!

I had one really bad day recently. From the second she woke up, it was bad news. I lost it. She was in time out so many times that I lost count. I screamed and felt like a terrible mother.

The next day I made plans to drop her off at a friends house and go to yoga. While at class and on the way back I thought about the way I need to be reacting and taking control of situations. I thought about all the ways I would talk to children that I worked with and why am I not speaking that way to my daughter. That whole day we spent with friends and had so much fun. Every day since then I have taken deep breaths when she starts to act out. I am so happy to see how she responds when I stay calm and offer options. She still wants what she wants and will let it be known but to be able to not have a tantrum right along with her feels good.

I'm hoping that I can keep this reminder in the back of my head even on the toughest of days.

crafts and activities

Since I pouted about the terrible twos, Elinor has been awesome. I know it's always in waves but the last few days have been so much fun. She is extra snuggly and communicating more. When little fits start to come up, I tell her she can do what I'm asking her by herself or I will help her do it. Usually she jumps up saying "I do it myself, Momma". We will see how she does at her classes this week.

Something surprising happened a few days ago..

Elinor started drawing people! She told me this one is a princess walking. It blew my mind that she made a face, arms and legs. 

 She made this little guy and told me he is very mad

We have been trying to do more activities during the day too. I'm usually pretty good until after nap and then I run out of things to do. I've been planning special little things with after nap in mind.

 washing her animals was a big hit. This lasted for a long time. She also insisted on drying each one and admiring how clean it was.

 I always have a ton of yarn scraps around. I made a big yarn heart for Elinor to glue little pieces inside of. She was more into painting the glue on.

Also listening to the Frozen soundtrack on repeat. Those songs seem to put her in a great mood. She sings her little heart out while dancing around the house. Anyone else singing these songs to themselves all day? even during nap time? 

Elinor and Daddy

These two are adorable. Music by Terrible Twos.

I won't eat anything except cookies and cake

This weekend Lynn and I are going to NY to get tattooed. I'm excited because I need some adult conversation. I worked all day yesterday with 3 kids (3yr old, almost 3 yr old and 4 mon old). They were all so great and the day/night flew by! There was even about 30 minutes when everyone was napping and I got a little break. Even though the 3 year olds are awesome to talk to I feel like I forget how to talk to adults especially when Dave is gone and they are the only people I am talking to! I also have Terrible Twos stuck in my head which isn't such a bad thing. If you have little ones check them out.

 Dress-Fred Perry

Tights-UO

Heels-Buffalo Exchange

Headband-Target