The Bee-- Almost Four

SLEEP:  Sweet Buzzy Bee has been going through a MAJOR nightmare saga lately.  She had one very bad dream when she was sick. I thought it was because of the fever and that she wouldn't remember; almost like a night terror. However, remember she did; every single detail.  So each night when she goes to sleep, she is very fearful.  We have had to reinstate her reward chart for going to bed calmly and that helped tremendously.  Mom suggested we make a dream catcher and that has also eased her fear.  I am praying that this subsides, but I feel like it is here to stay a while.  She has such an anxious personality- especially when she fixates on one thing.  I should know, as it is one of my worst traits.  But, since I struggle with this, I know that she cannot help it and that she is not just being silly, so I try to treat it as a very real fear and just talk her through it and we pray about it often.  Thankfully, she is still sleeping great once she goes to sleep.

Another big development is that Amelia gave up her nap.  It just happened.  She couldn't fall asleep one day and she couldn't the next either, and that was that.  I let her lay back there with books to read (and I watch her on the video monitor) and she lays there a long time doing just that.  She eventually transitions to playing mom with her stuffed animals.  There was one day she put a lemur up her shirt and birthed it....and then nursed it.  Oh the joys of listening to Ross talk about births all the time, haha.  This no nap thing has actually proven to be fabulous because she goes to sleep so quickly and seems to sleep better.  Such a big girl.  I cannot believe that she will be FOUR this month.

SCHOOL:  Amelia absolutely loves running into her classroom each morning.  This year has been such a blessing for all of us.  There is no hesitation as she rushes in to start her day.  For this "semester" Mrs. Lisa has not done individual discipline (ie the green dot system) and they have been doing group behavior and earning warm fuzzies.  Although Amelia had only earned two yellow dots, she was always worried about not receiving all green.  This is my fault as I made a huge deal out of getting those yellow dots and was very strict and hugely disappointed, etc.  Parenting fail.  So, this has been a fun break and the class all filled up their tub with warm fuzzies and had a Penguin Party as a reward. I am just praying that she loves her school next year when we move.  I have been telling the girls that we found a new house that we might live in if it is God's plan.  Neither seem phased right now.  I also have no idea how many days to send her.  The classes are available for all week and are all FULL day which makes me sad.  I know these are all just the next steps, but they make me feel nervous.  Trying to just soak up this last month of having her be three.

Elise walks Amelia into her class in the morning.  :)

SISTERS:   One thing that continually amazes me is that Amelia has such compassion and love for Elise.  Even when Elise messes up our game or tears down our Lego wall, Amelia tries to be calm about it.  Now, this is only the case if it is Elise, haha.  She doesn't have the same patience for others.  Their relationship is one of my daily proudest moments.  Not to say they don't argue some or to paint a false picture, but most of the time Amelia praises Elise and builds her up and I pray that always continues.  I hope that I say the right things to nurture their relationship as they get older.  Since Steph is my best friend, I just know first-hand how special the friendship of a sister is.  No judging, no withholding, no off-limits.  All that to say that I love what an amazing sister Amelia is and is becoming.

And for a keep-it-real moment, I was discussing with Amelia how sad I was that her friend Aiden was sick on the day of the penguin party.  I told her I was so sad that he missed out on the fun, etc.  She looked at me and deadpanned, "But, Mom, the most important thing is that I was able to go to the party.  I wasn't sick and I had fun.  That's all that really matters."  Yep, she's my kid.  Teehee.