a sad goodbye

Today I'm afraid we are saying "goodbye" to Lauren's nap. 

 This is day #2 of not napping for her!  I put her in her room at 1:30 and then went about my business of emptying the dishwasher, loading it again, doing some laundry, etc, etc.  Then I realized I could hear a very little, high-pitched voice coming from somewhere.  I went over to Lauren's bedroom door, and sure enough, I could hear her having a good old time in her room when she was supposed to be napping!

I opened her door and reminder her (again!) that Baby Kate was napping and that if she didn't want to sleep, it was fine, but she needed to have some "quiet time" in her room until I came to get her.  She said "otay, can you come get me mommy?"  :)  Smart girl.  

I told her I would come get her in a little while and that she should just have some quiet time until then.  

What was I thinking?  Those instructions were entirely too vague for a 2 year old!

I didn't check on her again, because I had some things to get done before there were children running under my feet again.  

An hour later, I went in to tell her she could get up and this is what I saw (love that my camera takes pretty good pictures, it comes in handy!)

Again, she is on the Dora couch instead of her bed.  The potty in the background?  She had drug that out of her bathroom and used it to stand on the turn on her bedroom light!  Then she had all the babies and animals out of her bed again as an audience- and apparently they were not only having a book club meeting, but there was also some sort of tea party going on!

I really couldn't help but laugh! (and take a picture, of course!)  

I realized that we were going to have to have an in-depth discussion on the meaning of "quiet time" before tomorrow's nap.  I helped her clean up all the toys and then we sat down and had a snack together while Kate was still sleeping and it was nice.  It's hard for me to believe that this sweet baby of mine will be 3 this year! The time is going by way too quickly!

After Kate's dad picked her up, I decided to let Lauren "help" me with a few more things around the house.  She stood by the dryer and I handed her each piece of clothing from the washer to throw in the dryer.  Then I let her "look" for white clothes and put them in the washer.  (YES, this took forever, but she loved it and I realized this was a teachable moment for sure!)

Then I sat her up on the dryer so she could help pour in the detergent and watch the washing machine fill up.  She was amazed and told me, "it's like a swimming pool."  Oh, dear.  Now I will have to make sure she doesn't try to go swimming in it!

Then we went to the kitchen where I needed to put away all the silverware that we wash by hand, since our apartment dishwasher has no basket.  (not complaining, at least there is a dishwasher!!)

Lauren went to get her little pink stool from her bathroom and she stood on it to help.  I showed her where the forks and big spoons and "baby" spoons go. (her words, not mine).  Then she put away her plastic forks and spoons in the little cups I keep them in.  These were great sorting activities that I never really thought about!  Yay for practical life experiences! :)

That is something funny about Lauren.  Instead of saying "little" to describe something,

 she says "baby".

 In a sweet, little, baby voice! 

It's kinda hilarious!  

Today we were on our way to Target and there is a car dealership

 right at the light where we turn into Target.  

Out front, was a brand new one of these.

From the back seat, Lauren yells, "MOMMY! Yook out your window! There's a very yiddle geen car!" 

I say, "yes, Lauren, I see the green car" (and try not to laugh).

She says "aw, it's so tute (cute)... it's yike a yiddle baby!"  (said in a squeaky baby voice).

At that point I can't help but laugh! Where does she come up with this stuff?

She tells me, "I yub it" "I yub that yiddle geen car!"

I proceed to tell her that I love it, too, but that we are very blessed to have the car that we have and we won't be getting a new one anytime soon.  (Plus, I don't think even half of Jason's body will fit in one of those "yiddle geen cars" that she loves so much!!)

She says, "otay, mommy, you so siddy (silly)."  

:)