Yakety Yack, Don't Talk Back

Arwen is admittedly a 'hard' child. She's very smart and because of that she's stubborn, willful and extremely independent. She challenges boundaries each day and constantly pushes to see just how far she can go before the shit hits the fan.

As her Mother, I know exactly how trying it can be when she's at her worst. But the one thing she does that drives me absolutely ape shit batty is her back talk. Here's a snippet of what it's like:

"Arwen, move and let Vincent kiss Annabel good-bye."

"NO! HE MOVED OVER ON MY SPOT AND I WAS HERE FIRST!"

"Arwen, move I said, let Vincent kiss her good-bye before the bus gets here!" Vincent starts to cry as he just wants to kiss his baby sister, which peaks my annoyance.

"NOOOO," she starts.

"ARWEN! I SAID..."

"NOOO! I WAS HERE FIRST! HE..." she starts in again before a mini meltdown occurs in which she is then forceably moved by her Father so our son can kiss the baby.

This is a common thing. Whenever she gets into trouble and I try to tell her what she's done wrong, she interjects, interrupts or stops me midsentence. When I was a kid I'd have gotten slapped in the mouth (and I did, I remember, I stopped talking back after that) if I spoke back to my Mom like that.

I informed Arwen that starting today there will be no more talking back or speaking over others. She has to begin to learn some control. I realize she is only 6 but at 6 she should have a better handle on her emotions to an extent. I can't let this power struggle continue for her sake. There has to be a defined line so in the future there is no miscommunication when she steps over it.

Girls are so much harder than boys.

Field Day!

All I can say is Arwen had a great time and it was wonderful to be able to enjoy watching her. I can't believe Kindergarten is almost over...my little girl is growing up before my eyes. I'd better not blink.

Kids say the darndest things...

"Mommy, why is the weather so mad at us?"

As asked by my daughter as her Father rushed to the school to pick her up as tornado's touched down in our area and she asked to call me on his cell phone.

HPV Vaccine

I was over at Doctor David's Blog and I came across THIS entry. No one likes to talk about STD's and I understand. It's embarrassing and taboo to do so. Who wants to talk about a disease that was transmitted during the acts of sex? But HPV is something people need to talk about because it's easy to transmit and it causes cervical cancer.

Most people that have HPV don't even know it. I've already decided that when Arwen and Annabel are older I'd like them to get the shot. It's not because I'm encouraging them to have sex or because I'm fine with them being sexually active. Rather it's due to knowing my children may or may not listen to me and are going to make their own choices. I don't know if they will choose to have sex but I can at least know if they do make that decision they will be protected somewhat from HPV. How could I not allow them to have the vaccine knowing it could potentially save their lives in the future?

The debate on this conjures up images of the birds and bees talk with my Dad. Back then it wasn't the vaccine parents had to decide to encourage or dismiss, it was condoms. I remember my Dad telling me to be responsible and that if I was going to be sexually active to use protection. What's funny is this talk helped me make the decision not to engage in sexual activity. There was no way I was going to talk to my Dad about sex again, much less ask about condoms, and could you imagine if I'd gotten pregnant?!?

HPV is a nasty creature. It's transmitted even if a couple uses condoms because it's passed through genital contact. How scary is that? Scary enough that I'm going to educate my children and give them the information so they can make an informed decision.

Easter Pictures

Annabel and Justice, this picture is special to me for some reason. They look so sweet together.

I really love this picture too. My sister and I and our baby girls.

And this picture takes the cake, even if Zoe is making faces and Arwen's face is covered. My own sister with her daughters and me with mine.

And lastly, the hunt at Joannes. She has the most gorgeous view. Her house sits on the top of a bluff, it's hard to catch on film.

Annabel

You are a gift. I never could have known the enormous piece of me that was missing...until you came into my life. You make me a better person and remind me of exactly why I'm so lucky.

You're 7 months old today, I'm so excited to watch as you continue to become the little person I adore.

Best Friends

Yesterday was my bi-weekly shopping excursion. On the list? A trip to the mall to get Arwen new shoes. I also decided to take her to Claire's for the first time, to allow her to find her own "style" and pick out some hair accessories and the like.

She got a basket and began making selections. She chose pink glasses, pink hair bands, pink crystal butterfly clip-on earrings (which are BEAUTIFUL!) before making her way to the keychains. She grabbed the pair that had Unicorns with worded hearts. One said the word "Best" while the other said "Friend".

"I want this Mommy! Can we get this please?"

I explained that the key chains were best friend ones and how that kind of stuff worked. As I explained this to her my mind drifted back, I remembered a time not so long ago I was with my best friend Kelly, in the same store, buying Best Friend necklaces that interlock together. We each wore the charms proudly around our necks for the world to see. My heart felt a pang of loss, as we don't speak often anymore.

"You can have this side Mom!" she pointed to the purple heart and unicorn. She smiled at me and reached her arms around my waist, giving a quick hug.

After we paid for our things and walked out of the store I reached for her hand. As we walked along together something profound hit me. For all the friends I no longer have, I do have one friend, a best friend. And she will never leave me. I squeezed my best friends hand gently and she gazed up at me and smiled.

I smiled back at my daughter as we rushed to the bungee ride and told myself, "it's so true, just as one door closes, another one opens..."

Questions for the Day

Each day I'm bombarded with numerous questions. Some of them are obvious, some easy, some so out of this world I have zero clue. I've decided to share with the blogosphere.

The obvious:

Why do you have to brush our hair?

The Easy:

What's That?

The Zero Clue:

Mom, why is that bad guy in the Swan Barbie movie so mean did someone hurt his princess?

There are also days when I'm stuck in the van with my dear sweet daughter for more than 30 minutes and during this time, I'm swamped. I literally blogged in my mind today as I drove and she questioned away.

Mom, have we been on this road before?

Mom, isn't that the big Peter Pan movie song? (upon hearing Clocks by Coldplay which is in the trailer to the Peter Pan movie, its a preview on a tape they watch)

Mom, I bet those people like driving on the road today, don't you?

Mom, can we stop and get ice cream?

Mom, why do we have to drive the Van? Why does Daddy drive the truck?

Mom, when do I get to sit in the front?

Mom, when we get home can I play my game?

Mom, do you think my brothers are in my room?

Mom, where is the office at, why can't you find it, why not? You don't know the way? You said we were going to be late right? Will they get mad at you for being late? Is this the building? Can we sit here?

And then...

Can I play with that toy? Why are there old people seeing my doctor Mom? Can I sit in the other chair? What's in your purse? Can Zoe stay the night? Ask if she can ok? Can she be there today when we get home? What is....

And even now it continues. It's so true what they say, little girls love to talk. But even more so, they LOVE to ask questions.