September 2012 - Recap

My sweet doll,

When I pick you up from preschool, your teacher always tells me something funny (or embarrassing) you said to her.  My favorite one so far is when you and one of your friends were playing outside at the playground.  Your friend started climbing up the slide (something I refuse to let you do - not because you could fall [which you could], but because I don't want you to be a punk kid who goes up the slide and prevents other kids from going down the slide).  You immediately went to your teacher and said "Ms. Kayla, my friend is climbing up the slide!!"  Ms. Kayla then says "Natalie, are you tattling?"  You say "Oh no ma'am, I was just reMINDing you.  Just reMINDing you."  *facepalm*

Speaking of tattling, I'm working really hard trying to get you to stop.  There's a fine line between tattling and telling me if something really dangerous is happening.  I don't want you to NOT tell me things, but I also don't want you to be a meddling little nosy-rosy who fills me on every little time-out in preschool.  A few of my friends call it "informing" and "reporting" instead of "tattling".  You are most definitely an informer.  And a reporter.  Aaaaaaand, quite frankly, a tattler.

Your teacher calls you her "little Momma".  You keep track of what everyone is doing and make sure everyone is behaving.  Hmmm ... that sounds just like what your teacher's job is.  So how about we let her do it - because she's really quite skilled at it.  And you keep doing your job of finger painting, playing at the playground, and putting puzzles together.  And eating.  Because your teacher also calls you the best eater in class.

I have to admit, I'm kind of digging making your lunch.  I don't imagine it'll last for years and years (or even months and months), but I really like it for now.  And I hope you don't get made fun of for what I pack - because it's not a typical 'fun' kid lunch.  You usually have string cheese, a few pieces of turkey, veggies (usually some combination of cucumbers, bell peppers, green peas, sugar snap peas, carrots, or celery).  I'll also stick in a few dried figs for 'dessert'.  I'm glad you like them, because YUCK.  They taste like big, gnarly raisins (and I haaaaaate raisins).

I've been going to the gym a few times a week, and while I usually go while you're at school now, you still ask me how my workout was.  And I'll be darned if you don't call me out if I "only" exercise on the treadmill.
You: What did you do at the gym, Momma?
Me: I walked on the treadmill.
You: What else?
Me: (slightly huffy) That's it!
You: What do you mean?  You didn't do anything else?
Me: Nooo ...
You: Well why not??  Why didn't you lift weights or exercise on the elliptical too?
Me: I got a good workout on the treadmill!
You: Oh.  Well maybe next time you'll lift weights.
Me: [in my head] Oh.  Well maybe next time I'll eat your dessert and you won't get any.  So there.

You've been quite cuddly this month.  Granted, your version of 'cuddly' is still probably light-years away from what is typically thought of as 'cuddly', but I'll take your version any day of the week.  You've given me lots of impromptu hugs and kisses, and snuggled up next to me for longer than four seconds at a time.  After one of your impromptu hugs, I smile and ask "Now how did you know I needed a hug just then?"  You giggle and say "Because it's the afternoon.  And you need an afternoon hug!"  Preach it, baby girl.  Your mommy always needs afternoon hugs.

I feel like I've put this in every recap for the past 10 months, but it's still so true.  You are so sweet to Charlie.  I can't tell you how much joy I get from watching you two together.  You love performing for him, reading to him, and making him laugh.  He thinks pretty much everything you do is fantastic, and you take full advantage of that.  You don't mind if he (accidentally) pulls your hair, you think it's funny when he crawls on top of you, and you love showing him the pictures in your books.  Your latest favorite thing is to have Charlie keep you in company in the bathroom while you, um, take care of business.  You don't want me or Daddy in there, but you roll out the proverbial red carpet for Charlie.  And he's more than happy to oblige.  And I am, too.  Because me?  I'm all for the Smithkids bonding over poop.

Hugs and smooches,
Mommy & Daddy

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• American Airlines Seats Become Loose in Flight Before Emergency Landing
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