She says the darndest things!

I think it's time to document the different phrases/words that Madeline now has as part of her everyday language. She'll be able to look back on this and realize just where that saying came from, or when she first started using this word or that.

Madeline will learn that the first time she started using "I've lost my patience" was right around age 3. Only to hear her say it, it sounds more like "I waste my patience!". She says it with a scowl on her face and quite loud. It usually comes out when she isn't getting what she wants, which is when I use it, or when she has been told more than once to do something. Of course, we all know kids pick these things up mostly from their parents and this is no exception. I have said it on more than one occasion. I'm glad she can express when she's frustrated and know that she isn't going to be punished. Right now, this is simply her way of letting you know, she's not having fun. I'm finding though, that we need to harness the outbursts a bit, since the "backtalk" is starting in earnest. Time outs? We'll see...

On a more pleasant note, Madeline has started using words like "absolutely" or putting together sentences with genuine concern. Yesterday I asked her if she could hand me a black marker from her drawer, and she said "absolutely" and brought it right to me. And, the other day, we were all at the dinner table, and Zak and Madeline had their food, but mine was still cooking. So, Madeline says "we're eating our food, but you don't have any food." Zak and I thought this was one of the sweetest things she's said in a long time. Actually, it's hard to decide what's the sweetest, or most adorable, or best thing you ever heard. They seem to be coming all the time lately.

Madeline has really begun to like dancing. After dinner one night, she decided to put on a show. She stands in the middle of the dining room and just starts floating with her arms in the air, pointing her toes, and spinning around with or without music. When she is finished, she bows a deep bow and loves to hear your applause. There are times when the whole family performs, but mostly Madeline is a solo artist who does not require any help or assistance with her routine. She has also been perfecting the Maracca dance where she shakes the maracca and her booty and dances around the room! We laughed so hard the first time we saw this!

We've really been having a great time with Madeline. She is talking so much and doing so much more. She has really become quite the person in the world. She is loving the Christmas season. We have brought out all of the decorations and she has helped decide where some go. She will be helping to decorate the tree as the week goes on (this is not a one night project). Over the past few years, we've collected the Hallmark singing things that you get when you buy 3 cards at Hallmark. Well, we have a snowman & dog that sing Jingle Bells and shakes, the Snowman playing the piano, and now the Trio of penguins and snowman singing and shaking their tails and hands. She likes to play them all at the same time so they can all sing together. I figure by Christmas, I ought to be ready for Valentines Day (the quiet holiday).

Ok, I guess I should post this now. I've been working on it long enough. That's what I get when I don't post every night like originally intended. I hope you had fun reading!!