Three means "big girl" in Mimi's world. "Mommy, I not a baby. Mimi's a BIG GIRL." So in return I get to say, "Mimi, please don't whine. I thought you said you were a big girl," and "Mimi, please don't throw your peas on the floor. Remember that you are a big girl." I'm seriously using all this to my advantage, and she seems to be cool with jumping on the "Big Girl Bandwagon." Since Mimi has been sleeping in her big bed downstairs, we have tried every method in the world of getting her to stay there, but the only trick that works is for one of us to lie down with her until she falls asleep. This is really, really sweet time since she's a little snuggle bunny, BUT it means we usually fall asleep with her and will stumble up to our room in the middle of the night. On Monday night (her bday was Aug 1), I let her know that since she is a big girl, then she can finally fall asleep by herself. The new rule is that Mommy and Daddy will read a book and snuggle for a few minutes, but then we are going to leave the room. And she has totally seemed okay with this. The first night Clint and I were so excited that it worked . . . and then he put in headphones and played on his computer while I read a book. Ha! Talk about some quality time spent together! Last night we had a pretty fierce storm, and I was concerned that we might have to break the rules. After the book, I asked if she was okay with me leaving, and she quickly nodded her head and waved bye to me. Awe, she didn't need me. So I guess I need to jump on the Big Girl Bandwagon today.
I'm trying to allow her to be a little more independent, yet I am giving her more rules. That's what it's all about anyway -- with freedom comes responsibility. She can walk by the stroller, but if she's lagging behind or attempts to walk away then she immediately goes in the stroller. She can sit in a big person chair at a restaurant, but if she tries to get up or is being unruly then she must sit in a high chair. It takes more effort from both of us, but she is responding to it really well . . . at least most of the time.
Since both Mimi and Mack have August birthdays, we will be celebrating with a party later in the month, but we wanted to do something small just for Mimi. We explained this to Mimi and let her know that after her nap just a few neighbors would come over and eat cake, so she named this her "Birthday Comeover." And she woke up from her nap with just as much enthusiasm as a girl should have for her Birthday Comeover (not to be confused with a "comb over" or a "hangover").
She opened a talking princess card and a Sit and Spin (oh muh gah, I love those!) from her Top and Shug, and she has already mastered balancing on top of the thing. I guess it is her toy and she can play with it how she wants. 
Clint and I went against our better judgement and decided to get our little artist an easel with a chalkboard and dry erase side. Oh my word, was she jumping for joy or what? 
The easel proved to be a hit with our sweet little neighbor Calvin . . .
. . . and with both our little monkeys. Mack only ate about half a crayon and some chalk, so he should be okay.
And then came the coolest cake EVER -- a peanut butter and jelly cake from Clint's family. How awesome is that? I could tell Mimi had been practicing blowing out the candles because she did it in record time. 
Our youngest little neighbor, William, also made an appearance. Mmmm, little sweetness. Love him.
So as the festivities were winding down and everyone was returning to their home, um, across the hall or down the stairs, I walked over to the den to make sure Mimi thanked them, and then, GASP, I saw it. I should have taken a photo, but I couldn't quite think that this might actually be funny at some point. Mimi had drawn a mural all over the rug. ALL OVER. With a dry erase marker. I let out a little shriek and dropped Mack and the last of my neighbors inched out the door before witnessing a meltdown. But there was no meltdown. At least not from me. Mimi realized that she had done something wrong and immediately hugged my leg and cried. I let her know that it's okay but we must discuss the rules if we are going to color. I mean, how was she supposed to know that the old rug wasn't part of her canvas? He he. Honestly, I was really hoping that she had completely ruined it because I hate that red rug. Oh well, I guess I'll need to buy some oil-based paints for her 4th birthday . . . Happy 3rd Birthday, Miss Mimi! We love you!!
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