The Best Big Sister Ever

Tomorrow Cali will become a super big sister - the leader of two, not just one. I couldn't be more proud of her. Every day she shows her true colors of a nurturer, leader, and playmate. She takes care of Ranon so tenderly (although there still is fighting - nothing is perfect), but everyday you can see her love for her younger brother. She is the best big sister ever, probably better than me. I did my best.

It's a ...

Cali was super excited to find out she was going to have a new baby sibling. But was insistent on having a little sister. Knowing how emotional she can get and how disappointed she could be if things did not quite go as planned when they were in the ultrasound room. I wanted to make sure that any disappoint she may have, she could deal with before we went to the ultrasound. So, I told her it was a possibility she might be getting a little brother. Her reasons for disappointment - "I already have a little brother." "Little brothers hit you." She cried for about 15 minutes and I had to calm her. But as the weeks went a long building up to when we were to find out, Cali convinced herself she was having a little brother. So, much so, she had told her classmates and teacher she was having another little brother. "I love my teeny tiny brother!" she announced at one dinner. When I said that Ranon wasn't so teeny anymore, she explained she wasn't talking about Ranon, although she loved him too. "But my teeny tiny brother in your tummy. I think the lady is going to tell me he has a teeny tiny wiener." Well surprise, Traeger ended up being a girl after all and Cali is ecstatic to welcome Octavia come June.

What Would Jesus Do?

Going to church has not been an easy task and my Catholic guilt gets to me about that. But I know that I've been raising my children right with teaching that fall in line with my Catholic beliefs. For instance, every night we say the Our Father and for almost a year now, we tag on "Thank you God for..." and you thank God for anything. Each person says what they are thankful for and items have ranged from toilets to our family to God himself. Well, one particular day we had a wonderful day at Knott's Berry Farm, but of course with the usual drama - people walking too slow, cutting in line, not getting the airplane we wanted. Well that night, we said our prayers and it was Cali's turn to say what she was thankful for. She was thankful for the wonderful day at Knott's Berry Farm and with a turned scrunched up nose, she says, "And that boy that cut in front of me in line." And I asked, "Oh, why are you praying for him." And Cali responded, "Well, God made him too, didn't he." Awww----My little girl. I had been angry at a few people too over the past year and I've prayed for them as Jesus had taught me to do. Well, I guess my Cali learned that lesson to. :)

First Day of Pre-K

Cali starts her first day of Pre-K today and we are soooo excited. She has been waiting for this day for such a long time. Learning is one of her most favorite things to do and I think she is most excited about having a teacher. The opportunity to make some friends is also one of the highlights. But, she is a little confused on how getting older and "bigger" relates to going to school. Last night she asked me, "Mom, how can I go to school tomorrow if I'm not bigger? I don't feel any bigger than yesterday. Do you think I will get bigger tomorrow?" Cali is so sweet and today she's gets to share that sweetness with others. Praying she doesn't encounter mean girls already.

The Optomist

Cali is an optomist. She is dissappointed for brief periods of time, but is able to make the best of it. It is a wonderful personality trait, but increasingly difficult to discipline. Time outs or "Calm Down" corners are effective for a small amount of time, until she sings to herself or plays out a little scenario with her imagination. Take away her favorite toy? She doesn't have one. If we take one toy away, she will find another with delight after her momentary dissappointment. Being good bucks, fun at first, but not motivating enough. Gummy bears, thanks, but sometimes she doesn't want them and says, "That's okay. No thanks." Not eating dinner with the family until you pick up your toys, motivating the first time, not the second. Even with a bowl full of peas for dinner, which she ate happily and said "Thanks for the peas, they were delicious." Tacos seem to be motivating. She is the sweetest, most sensitive, loving, caring, glass half full child - I guess we're going to have to make the best of it. :)

Smarty Pants

Cali is my little genius. She cracks me up with all her observations. Everything that she learns. The other day she took a bath and wrapped it up in wash cloth. She handed it to me and told me it was a caterpillar that was going to be butterfly one day. I asked if it was in a cacoon and she told me it was in a Chrysalis. AMAZING! She amazes me. The other day we were in the bathroom and she started to make her voice echo in the shower area. I asked her to stop because she was being rather loud and she told me that she was making an echo. I asked her what an echo was. She told me that her voice was bouncing off of the walls and making an echo. So, I had to let her keep doing it. Everyday, she tells me more about what she has learned and I just loving hearing the world in Cali's perspective.

Roomies

Cali and Ranon became roomies in March. Ranon seemed to take to his new bed pretty well and Cali seemed to enjoy her little buddy. However, with any roommate snoring can become an issue if you share the same room. Cali and Ranon are no exception. Ranon has always been a little wheezy and thus snores. Cali's hearing is very sensitive. So, one night when we were down stairs. Cali called out to Ranon "Ranon, stop it!" As if the poor baby had a choice, but it was funny. She also has asked us what Mark and I are watching on TV downstairs and what are we laughing about. Even better, she's also shouted down to us, "Can you keep it down! I'm trying to get some sleep." :)