Museums, zoos, and pirates

Last week we went up to Maryland to visit Jimmy's family.  We decided to drive this time and  instead of doing it through the night we thought we would take our time, make multiple stops, and make a day of it.  I was so proud of EV because not only did she do great on the drive up and down (I'm sure being able to watch DVDs for the first time helped a lot with passing the time) but she was so well-behaved on this trip.  I think I've said this before but I feel like anytime we go on a trip EV grows and matures leaps and bounds. 

The week before this trip, EV had learned about outerspace and planets so one of the first places she wanted to go was the Air and Space Museum.  She pointed out that the last time we went there we made her take a nap and that she wasn't able to see much.  Unfortunately, our camera was out of batteries but take my word she loved it.  Afterwards she was ready to see another museum.  Museum, museum, museum was the word of the week.

We also made it to the National Zoo.  Although it was her third time to that zoo, there were many new things and things we didn't see before.  We started early and thank goodness cause it got way too hot to do anything in the afternoon.  My favorite comment that day was when I said, "Ohhh EV, look at those crocodiles!!" and EV responded, "Yeah mommy!!  And look at all that sand!!!"  Hahahaha. 

One day we went to Annapolis and did a pirate adventure on a ship.  EV's reaction was not what I was hoping for--she was scared.  I thought she would enjoy dressing up, getting fake tattoos, pretending to be a pirate, and running around on a ship with a bunch of other kids.  But no, she was a little freaked out and didn't want to participate (until they found the treasure chest and gave out treasures).  It didn't help that it was scorching hot.  I think towards the end she enjoyed it a little at least the shooting the "bad guy" with water, finding the treasure chest, and being on a boat parts.  At least we got to be out on the water and had some seafood for lunch.

We can't forget the Maryland blue crabs.  EV LOVED the crabs.  She inhaled it faster than we can dig it out and put it on her plate.  And last but not least spending time with family.  EV is so endearing and loves being with family.  It doesn't matter if she only sees them once or twice a year.  When she doesn't see them, she talks constantly about them and remembers the smallest details.  She especially loves her uncle Tom.  It's always good to see family--we miss you all and love you all very much.  Hope to see you again very soon!

Memorial Day Weekend

Last year we planned to go to Puerto Rico with my parents and sister/brother-in-law, but once we started our renovations, we knew that we would have to tone down our trip.  So, we decided to keep it low key and go to our timeshare.  EV is always saying, I like doing things as a family, so that is exactly what we did.  We filled our weekend with mountain adventures from Friday morning to Monday afternoon. We tried to balance activities, rest, and cost.  So, we went out in the mornings, packed a lunch, came back for a nap, and did "free" activities at the resort.  So, here's a brief overview of our itinerary

Friday: Outlet shopping, swimming pool, mini golf
Saturday: Dillard House for breakfast, Tallulah Gorge for hiking, nap, swimming pool, mini golf
Sunday:  Horseback riding/petting farm/fishing at Sunburst Stables, nap, swimming pool, park
Monday:  Strawberry picking at Mercier Orchards, dinner with rest of the family

EV loves being out and about, trying new things, annd making new dicoveries.  So, to put it simply, EV had a blast.  Coming back Monday and waking up early Tues was hard for all of us.  Getting back into a routine was even harder.  These pictures pretty much sum up our trip.

"Don't Leave Mommy!!"

Most days EV acts like a teenager--she doesn't want to be bothered, she tells me to go away, and she doesn't look my way when I leave for work.  Occasionally she'll yell out, "Have a good day at work and don't get stuck in traffic, mom!"  But there are very very very few days when she clings onto me and pleads that I don't go to work and I spend the day with her.  This morning was one of those days.

EV woke up the other morning and said, "I want to be a baby this morning."  I said, "You will always be my baby."  She followed me to the bathroom and watched me get ready for work.  As I wrapped up and said, "Lets go downstairs."  She asked to be picked up.  I carried her downstairs and that's when the meltdown started.  She held onto my neck and started pleading, crying that I don't leave her, I spend the day with her, at least eat breakfast with her.  It's in moments like this I wonder is she just trying to be brave when she acts like she doesn't care?  It's in moments like this when I remember that she's just 3 years old.  Often times I think I treat her much older because she acts much older but I'm glad she stops to remind me that she really still is a baby.

I know that the last two weeks have been tough for her.  She went from spending 4 full days with us to practically no time with me.  I have had church events two evenings in a row since we've gotten back from vacation and I was out of town for a whole week this week for work.  My heart breaks when she cries out for me.  Evangeline, I want you to know how much I love you and how much I cherish our time together.  You are my silver lining when I'm having a bad day; you make me laugh so hard that my tummy hurts; you are my pride and joy.  I miss you like crazy when I'm not with you and I think of you all day.

Sleep Talking

I have an obssession with taking pictures of EV when she's asleep.  What is it about sleeping babies?!?  Anyways, EV has a very interesting habit.  She's a sleep talker and it's a little creepy.  Between 18 months and 2 years, it would just be random laughter or crying.  Then when she turned two it would be random words, but now she just has random conversations in her sleep. 

One night we heard EV giggling and she says, "Awwww--what a cute puppy" and another time she says, "I'm hungry.  I want some yogurt."  But most recently, EV and I had an arguement while both of us were asleep (yes, I sleep talk as well but it never bothered me because I was never aware of it). Here's what happened.  EV was in deep sleep and I was in a semi-conscious sleep state.  EV starts crying and I ask her, "why are you crying?"  EV does not respond.  I get frustrated.  So, I ask again, "EV, why are you crying?"  Again she does not respond.  So, I am upset now.  "EVANGELINE, WHY ARE YOU CRYING?"  EV says in a whimper, "...because you said no."  Now I'm even more confused and frustrated, "when did I say no to you?"  EV says again, "...you just said no."  I say, "I didn't say anything to you."  This goes on a couple more times.  Then I get frustrated so I leave the room and fall asleep on the couch.  The next morning I have a faint recollection of the conversation but not sure why I was so upset.  EV has no memory of it.  Here's the funniest part, poor Jimmy has no idea what is going on and doesn't know what to do.  How do you console a frustrated wife and a crying daughter when they are both asleep?  Poor Jimmy.

I think I need to have a recorder playing through the night to capture all that is said between EV and myself.  At least she doesn't sleep walk...I used to do that when I was stressed and it would stress out everyone around me.

Oh, and she likes to sleep on top of pillows. She makes a pillow bed on top of her bed.

Life!

Life has been super busy to say the least.  I've been feeling really bad for EV because she's being forced to adjust to a lot of difference circumstances and for a kid that doesn't do well with change, it's asking a whole lot of her.  In addition to just craziness around us, we haven't had a whole lot of quality family time.  I am all about making memories, family traditions, and taking a whole lot of pictures.  It feels like none of that has been happening (although I guess you can say this whole renovation process is making a memory).

The other day we went on our daily visit to the renovation house and I hear EV say, "What happened to our living room?!?"  We had knocked down the walls to open up the house but in EV's eyes the living room has been destroyed.  Earlier in the process, she would get really anxious to see things get demolished so I thought it would be better not to take her to see the whole process.  But she asks to go see it everyday and I think it is actually helping her process to understand what is being done and why.  This time has also brought out EV's personality more and seeing how she deals with different things has been enlightening.

As for the renovation, it has been going really well and I can't wait until it is all done.  I daydream about living in our home, having bbqs in our backyard, and hosting family and church gatherings.  I have to say, in the end, it was totally worth it!  I feel super blessed to be able to renovate our home the way we want it and very thankful for those around us that has been supporting us through this whole process.  I want our home to be a place where people can gather and enjoy each other's company and feel welcomed.  I want it to be a place where EV will have cherished memories of her childhood. 

Since turning 3 years old, EV has been growing leaps and bounds.  She is very articulate and says the funniest things.  She's intuitive and empathetic.  She has an amazing sense of direction and a great memory.  She says things like, "are you kidding me?" and "check this out!" and "oh my!"  She's a complete goofball and loves to climb, jump, and dance.  The first thing she asks when she wakes up is, "Can I listen to music?" and the last things she asks before she goes to sleep is, "Can you please sing me a song?"  She likes to push her limits and see how far she can get without getting in trouble.  She thinks she's outsmarting us but we are onto her!  She's very animated, has a very vivid imagination, and loves stories and pretend play.  She can write her name "EV" and loves to tell us the time.  She is obsessed with her ballet class and everyday is ballet time with EV.  Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a teenager when we have conversations, especially when she tells me about how certain things make her feel.  I am thankful each day for this precious gift.  I love you, my sweet EV!

Montessori schools

We are considering moving EV to a montessori school.  We have loved Mount Pisgah and how they have nurtured and taught EV over the last two years, but we feel that she may have outgrown the school.  It's funny because the very thing I have been critical of Montessori schools is exactly what EV needs right now.  I was critical of how Montessori programs are focused on letting kids decide what they want/need to do.  The biggest factor is by being in a classroom with kids her age and having an age-centered curriculum, it feels like she is being held back.  Since she does everything well, she gets overlooked and is never challenged. 

Another thing I really like about a Montessori school is that the classroom has a mix of ages (2-6 years old).  One of EV's closest friend goes to a Montessori school and she is almost 5 years old.  Even though they are 1.5 years apart, they get along great.  But what I am also so impressed by is how much EV is challenged by her and learns from her.  For example, EV loves being outside and is very active, but she has been afraid of the monkey bars.  She would just hang off the first bar, lift her legs up to the bar, and be done with it.  She was too afraid to try moving from one bar to the next.  Well, last weekend, her friend glides across the monkey bars, and the next thing I know, I see EV trying to do the same.  She overcame her fear and at least tried it.  The idea of a mixed age class is more and more appealing to me--it will teach her to be a good example to the younger ones and challenge her to do things outside her comfort zone like the older ones.

I really struggle between pushing EV and letting her be a kid.  I feel like I was forced to grow up too fast and I don't want that for EV.  I want her to enjoy being a kid but at the same time I want her to be challenged.  We think this is the right move for her, she loves school, she loves being around other kids, and she loves learning.  We just want her to be in the right environment that can nuture these things and allow her to reach her greatest potential.

Do you have any experience with Montessori schools?  I would love to hear them!!