I'll get back to all that hat action on another night. As for THIS night, well, Ellie had been her usual self, all over the counters, playing with the computers, and finally thieving Gabbi's pen with which she was quietly and contently playing. Ellie and I then had the USUAL conversation about "We only write on paper." She looked at me, "We only write on paper, mom?" "That's right, Ellie. Only paper."
She proceeds to the cabinet that she "decorated" last week to say, "I wrote on this, mom." "Yes, I know, Ellie. But I only want you to write on PAPER, ok?" Patent Ellie answer..."Oh, OK!"
And then she started this....
One at a time, tossing the things out of her toy box. Now, most parents would stop this immediately. At THIS house, we are thrilled that there is no danger involved (vs. climbing into the top of the refrigerator, on the cabinets, etc), so we were like, "go for it"! After all, she is just...
One at a time, tossing the things out of her toy box. Now, most parents would stop this immediately. At THIS house, we are thrilled that there is no danger involved (vs. climbing into the top of the refrigerator, on the cabinets, etc), so we were like, "go for it"! After all, she is just...And then, I looked more closely... what's that in her right hand?
Is that her Cinderella pen we bought at Disney WOrld? Is she marking on her baby? Her crown?
I noticed that one by one, she was making one swipe of a pen mark on every single thing in her toy box.
Is that her Cinderella pen we bought at Disney WOrld? Is she marking on her baby? Her crown?
I noticed that one by one, she was making one swipe of a pen mark on every single thing in her toy box. "Ellie are you writing on your things? Is that paper?"
"huh?"
"Ellie stop that now. I can see you writing on your things."
Shift. Shift. So maybe now the evidence will disappear.
"I mean it, Ellie. If you mark on one more thing, I will take them all away and throw them in the trash." (Most recent and most effective "discipline" for this one!) She really values her things!
To which she rose and threw up her hand as if to say, "I'm done, anyhow."
Lord, give me strength!
"huh?"
"Ellie stop that now. I can see you writing on your things."
Shift. Shift. So maybe now the evidence will disappear.
"I mean it, Ellie. If you mark on one more thing, I will take them all away and throw them in the trash." (Most recent and most effective "discipline" for this one!) She really values her things!
To which she rose and threw up her hand as if to say, "I'm done, anyhow."
Lord, give me strength! Mo
23 comments:
Don't you just LOVE the strong willed child?? Melanie, I hate to say it, but I have a feeling you probably did the same thing as a child...LOVE HER!!
My #2 little lady, Ava, seems to have the same temperment as your Ellie Sue! I spend half of my time with her trying not to laugh at her and her antics! I spent 20 minutes the other day arguing with her because she's mad that her older sister gets to drive before her (umm..she's 4!!)
Don't know what to say. Glad mine never entertained that because I'm sure I wouldn't have been as patient as you....it would have gotten ugly! LOL
We are dealing with the same thing!! It just so happens that the most effective thing for Brooke is making HER throw her own things away (of course I dig them out later when she isn't around and then hide them). Actually last week I kinda lost it and threw her sword out the back door because she smacked me in the back with it. She then would NOT stay in time out and we battled each other for 45 minutes. I won ....only because in mid scream she finally fell asleep lol. She is very strong willed and I like that for many reasons...but at times I have to show her my will is stronger lol. Gotta love these little ones! I have to work really hard not to laugh at some of the stuff she pulls. Lol
Boy are you ever in for it!!! I can't wait to see what your teenage years are going to be like. After the day I've had I needed a good laugh - thanks, Ellie!!!
Reading about Ellie is just like living with Bella! With one exception....I have thrown away sooo many toys and she just doesn't care! Gotta love those two year old shenanigans!!!
Oh my gosh, that is the cutest thing!!! (Only a grandmother would say that, huh?) :)
One day you and Ellie will look back on this and howl with laughter. What precious memories. Okay, it'll be more precious when it's a DISTANT memory, lol!
I so envy you that you have all the normal everyday details - good and bad - saved for your girls to look at and read when they're older. My kids are 29 and 27 and I just hate that we have a few pictures from 10-12 events during any given year and that's it. No "home life" pictures or stories to go with them.
Ellie and Gabbi are so lucky to have a momma who savors all the sweet, silly, and crazy moments of their lives.
Blessings to you, Mo, and to your whole family!
Kathy in Richardson, Texas
What a hoot! I have to ask, how is she about picking all of that stuff back up and putting it back in the toy box? Mine throws a fit, and its like war...so I was just curious. We have had walls, cabinets, furniture, clothes, even the dog written on.....they are so much fun!
Oh WOW...reminds me of Jenna. Strong willed kids are interesting aren't they?
Oh Mo - bless that Miss Ellie Sue's heart! She definitely has a mind of her own, with a smile that brings a smile to my face each time I read your blog!
Thanks for my morning smile! I'm loving hearing about Ellie this week - it's almost like living there. You're such a special Mom, those two little girls are so lucky to have you and Todd. And oh what a joy those two little ones are for both of you, even when they are trying your patience!
My little girl is 2 1/2 and although she is so much fun she does do things like Ellie.
We were told we are having a second girl and I keep thinking of you and how you manage two! I'll need your strength in a few months!!
The throwing toys in the trash works on Morgan too. They really do love their stuff at this age.
Your kids are both so adorable!
Rachel
North Dakota
My answer to "please don't write on anything but paper" was the Crayola markers that only mark on the special paper...Amen!!
Happy to see everyone must have the same "marks a lot" kiddos!!!
I wonder what the obsession is with writing on stuff? My 2 year old does it, too. Maybe we all need to invest in those markers that only write on certain paper!
OMG...that last picture is hilarious with her hand thrown up like "I'm outta here...you're cramping my style!" Funny!
BTW, though, the "I'm gonna throw away your toys" thing is the ONLY thing that works at my house with my 3 year old little girl too! Glad to know I'm not the only one!
KIDS!!
Will you just look at how long Ellie's hair is getting!
Both of your girls are just beautiful!
Thanks for sharing them with us!!
I love seeing someone else with their crazy children. Where do they get these ideas in their heads?? Anyway, I also have to tell you that for some reason last night, you were the woman of my dreams. I dreamt I was at Costco, planning my birthday party (in my dream, it was on Valentine's Day, for real? In September!) Anyway, I was so excited because I saw a cart with everything I had asked for, but when I looked again, it was gone. Then I noticed the cart being pulled into a rack of clothes, Gabbi was near the cart, and it dawned on me that Ellie was the one pulling the cart into the rack of clothes. Then I saw Maddi, and noticed you. I just had to introduce myself and say hi, and we traded information... You gave me all the technical stuff for your blog, including what colors it's in? Not sure what that was all about. Anyway, we hugged and just then my daughter woke me up. CRAZY! But I feel like I have now met you! :)
You need to keep a case of De-Solv-it on hand, Mo...seriously! It not only removes ink stains, but crayons, markers, gum, tar, sticky labels, etc. from most surfaces. It's even safe to use on skin. It was a lifesaver in our household when our boys were little, and I still use it today!
Here's the link:
http://www.de-solv-it.com/household/index.html Just copy and paste it into your browser...I still haven't figured out how to post a link in comments.
Hope this info helps. What we finally had to do was lock up all pens, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, etc., getting them out only for supervised creative times with the boys. That helped a lot.
Hi Mo ~ Oh good luck...I have two of my three with that personality. God help you (he did, he gave you Gabbi girl)so your basically on your own with Ellie :) No one will bully her, that's for sure & she'll stand up for Gabbi too. Still, I wish you luck...(mine are 23 & 17 - both girls - my middle girl is like your Gabbi she's 19) and they STILL drain me - You will survive (barely) Stay strong, Diana from Colorado (who is going "home" to NY today 6 fun filled days!!!!
Oh the strong willed child....Sigh!! I have ONE OF THOSE too, however, MOM is EVEN STRONGER!! I don't mind her playing w/her toys, but she has to pick them up afterwards! NO EXCEPTIONS!! Instead of "battling w/a 2yr old" or "threatning" her about throwing her toys away, I just start singing the CLEAN UP song and she gets all excited and promptly joins in w/me singing and picks up every toy!!! To her it seems like SHE IS IN CONTROL! Works everytime!!! *Also good for those mornings when "brushing teeth" is not on her "to do list"! I created a "brushing teeth" song and VOILA!!! She joins in and grabs her toothbrush/tooth paste and its done! I have learned alot about the "strong willed child"! I love that about her personality but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming! However I look on the bright side...maybe someday she will be a singing sensation! :)
PS My solution to her infamous "selective hearing" *mom of 2yo know about this one* the one where they TOTALLY ACT as if they don't hear you talking to them! I found that if I just say "oh well, seems as if Bree doesn't hear me, sure is a shame that she won't HEAR me when_______ you can fill in things such as "go to the park" or something she likes to do!! She runs and do it promptly screaming "OKAY, OKAY, I'm doing it right now!!! WORKS EVERYTIME!!!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again---THAT girl is gonna give you a run for your money!!!! :) She's a trip---but at least she knows what she wants! I'm sure Mo wasn't that way though--right??? Too funny!!
Wow! She is too smart for her own britches! What a little hoot!!! Thanks for the smiles and giggles today. I needed it after the week I am having.
all I can say is I can't wait to read you blog when Ellie turns 14!!! Been there, done that!! haha!
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