Raising Polite Princesses

When Elliana was about 2, she became obssessed with princesses. Disney princesses to be exact. The glitzy gowns, the beautiful hair, something about them just captured her attention and held it thight. Lucky for us, there are some valuable lessons that can be learned from these childhood icons, and we've been happy to use this love to instill polite manners and behavior. 

A few months ago, we began to notice that Elliana's table manners were not what they once were. Talking with her mouth full, squirming in her seat, interrupting others.... you name it...she was doing it. And it had to stop. 

We pulled out a favorite book which unfortunately had been gathering dust as it had fallen out of our rotation. This book is simple to read with simple directions such as please and thank you, taking small bites, etc. But for some reason, this just wasn't "sticking" like it had when we read it over and over again as a two year old. I was at a loss as to how to teach her manners in a fun way, that would make her WANT to be polite. 

Then it hit me. We had recently booked our annual trip to Walt Disney World and had not yet announced it to the girls. It was still several months away and experience had taught us to not let the news out just yet or it would be a LONG few months. 

I was able to score a reservation at the Cinderella's Royal Table, a meal we had always talked of splurging on, but had never made the plunge financially. Given this would be Elliana's fourth trip to Disney World (in 4 years), we had done most of the princess meals already and this seemed like a perfect motivator for a polite princess. Then, we put our plan into action. 

One night at dinner we began talking about how you can actually eat with the princesses INSIDE Cinderella's castle. T.J. and I were just talking casually while little ears listened in. We played it up and talked of how you had to be invited to dine with her, and only the most polite people were invited as guests inside the castle. Instantly, Elliana spoke up and said, "I WANT TO GO TO HER CASTLE!"

We looked at each other and said something about how great that would be, but we had to wait until we were invited, and really work on our manners. The rest of the meal was PERFECT...but would it last? 

Many times throughout the summer, this conversation replayed. With each complaint of trying a new food, we asked if she would tell Cinderella the same thing if we were invited to her castle. Before long, she would try a new food without complaining, and then politely say, "I tried the new food, but don't really care for it. No more please." Now...I won't pretend this happened EVERYTIME as it didn't. But, it did happen more than it had before, and I was impressed and grateful. 

The squirmy, food talker, interrupting, lack of manners child had transformed into a more calm, patient and polite little girl, all on her own. At lunch dates with friends, I witness her explaining table manners and the importance of being polite. 

Before long, we felt it was time to write Cinderella a letter detailing the improvement and politeness Elliana had worked toward. 

Now we are awaiting a royal reply and hopefully a ROYAL invitation to the castle!

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Tantrums and Tears

Yesterday was just one of those days. Well, at least it started that way. The girls alternated between tantrums, tears and time-outs for at least the first two hours of the day. I had just about lost it as my rationale, logic, patience and explaining with them clearly wasn't working as intended. And so, I took photos. I laughed at the sheer craziness of the tantrums (internally of course) and made a mental note to document the day. As, life isn't always sunshine and roses. Sometimes it is tantrums and tears. And that's okay too. 

Days full of tantrums and tears only make those sunshine days shine brighter and the roses smell sweeter. Tantrums and tears remind me of just how hard this parenting thing is, and that it's okay to make mistakes and "lose it" on occasion, as we all need to blow off steam at some point. We are human. And sometimes words just don't express the emotions going on inside little people (and big people alike.) 

And so, I sucked up yesterday for what it was and made a purposeful (albeit not easy) choice to still make it a good day. We changed up our routine, left the house, forced a nap (in which BOTH girls rocked out a 2+ hour rest), and before long we were all back to our selves again. 

THANK YOU LORD!!!

Maya - 16 Months

Maya, it's been a big month for you! Another airplane ride, another visit to Florida. More nights in a hotel, lots of skipped naps and a LOT of new adventures.

You are such a little adventurer and an excellent traveler. Rarely do you complain, about anything! Those pesky 8 teeth that were all surfacing at once seem to have stopped causing you pain (finally!) and you are able to more enjoy the fun life you live.

Mastering the art of Putt-Putt

 I frequently joke that I can get rid of all baby items, as you are determined to NOT be a baby. Maya, you LOVE bigger kids and will sit and play Barbies or draw with crayons for extended periods of time, something most toddlers are unable to do.

Loving the 45 mph simulated Hurricane Experience!!

You've given up your "Momma Milk", and are finally sleeping through the night. Your vocabulary continues to grow and you are always aware of exactly what's going on around you. You are truly advanced as you've begun tantrums and strong opinions well before the "terrible twos."

"Bubble" remains your favorite word and probably your favorite activity too. You love baths and blowing bubbles, splashing in the pool and dunking your face. You are truly a "bubble" baby!!

Daddy & Maya in a giant Bubble - Louisville Science Center

Beach Vacation

To the two or three of you loyal followers of our blog, I apologize for the lack of postings the last few weeks. We've been cramming in as much summer fun as our schedules permit and this has left a serious lack of time for downtime, and therefore blogging.

Last week we returned from a week in sunny southwest Florida.  The night before we left for vacation, we surprised the girls with a colored blue bubble bath (to mimic the ocean) and it filled with bath style ocean creatures. The girls giggled and played with the fake ocean, and even created their own waves, before getting out eager to go to sleep for our next day of travel. Upon exiting the baths, the girls were greeted with matching custom made mermaid dolls and matching seashell nightgowns and a little sign that said, "Happy Beach Vacation."

Now, the gifts and surprises might seem a bit over the top, and likely they were. These girls want for NOTHING but an idea had struck (all of my own, not even Pinterest inspired) and I was determined to follow through. The excitement was contagious and completely worth the little amount of planning needed to pull it all off.
 

Beautiful sisters wearing their new matching pajamas, clutching their mermaids

Fast forward the travel day and we were finally at the beach!! Oh, my soul comes alive near the water. Perhaps it's because of my childhood wish to be a marine biologist (before my first actual biology class), the nostalgia of living on Australia's Central Coast, whatever the reason...the ocean and shore is truly one of my most happy places on Earth!

Clearly, I was not the only one in my family who felt this way. Maya oohed and ahhed and couldn't wait to get out of my arms and into the sand and water, where she spent hours digging up sea shells and pouring sand every which way.

T.J. and Elliana hit the surf, and didn't rejoin us for close to two hours. They bobbed and floated on the gentle waves and I could hear the shrieks of happiness from my sandy spot.

We filled our week long trip with multiple trips to the beach, and of course the resort pool where Elliana gained so much confidence in swimming. Prior to the trip she preferred to wear a floatie and was afraid to try new things. A few hours alone with Daddy and she was swimming with her face underwater, no floatie and no fear!! We are so very proud!! 

We took a break from the sunshine fun with a quick trip to the outlet mall where we stopped at only one store!!! A new record for me and practice in cutting out the "excess" from our life. The girls had so much fun hanging with Daddy while Momma browsed and of course we spent a great deal of time at the playground. 

Pretty Sisters enjoying vacation

Fish Kisses from the playground 

 We didn't book our vacation just to visit friends, but boy were we glad to visit them!!! My long lost college roommate is blessed enough to live in this beautiful city and showed us the ropes and some of their favorite spots. Elliana and Maya loved spending time with Nick and Megan and warmed up instantly! TJ and I loved having fellowship and friendship that we don't make a priority in our lives often enough. What a blessing that we were able to hang out with this awesome couple three times in one week!! I'm already going through withdrawal without them!

I still can't get over the vast amount of nature and wildlife we witnessed during our short stay, without even trying! From our ocean view room, we witnessed dolphins playing in the harbor. On a walk to the beach, we saw an entire family of manatees, baby and all, swim under the bridge we were walking on. Alligators, crabs, exotic birds and lush landscaping all enticed me and rustled my previously sleepy spirit. 

Elliana and I overlooking the harbor

We played putt-putt where Elliana scored a hole in one, and Maya chased the balls and signed "finished" most of the time. It was a work out but memorable, and thats all we could hope for. 

And of course, we enjoyed a LOT of ice cream. My personal favorite....the Love Boat Homemade Ice Cream. YUMMY and I loved the hand painted mural on the wall outside. Elliana snagged a rare photo of T.J. and I while Maya photo bombed.

No vacation is all sunshine and roses,  but always leave happy memories and learning experiences. So grateful for this unexpected, and much needed beach vacation.