*Sigh*
She looks so angelic, doesn’t she?
Last week she lost her taggie blankies for two weeks for being mean to a daycare mate…again. Then on Saturday morning she hit Kai, didn’t apologize and smiled when asked about it. She lost them for another week. You should have heard the massive tantrum she gave on Saturday night, too. She didn’t eat her dinner, so then she wasn’t allowed to go outside with Kai and Daddy to sit by the fire. That was fun. She lost her bedtime music for that one.
Today she lost time on the computer because she wouldn’t get off of it to take a nap, and threw another fit. At least after naptime she redeemed herself for the cuteness queen. I told her if she wanted to go outside and play she had to let me dress her (alterior motive right there!) and she behaved really well and we had a nice time. Kai was inside with Daddy watching football and playing games. As usual.
Of course, then bedtime came again and she was back to acting out. Sometimes I just don’t know what to do with her.
This weekend I took Senior pictures of our niece’s boyfriend. Shooting at high noon isn’t my favorite time of day to take photos, but I think I managed to get some decent shots of the young man. We ended up going down a dirt road that I thought led to a park area. It didn’t. It dead-ended at two red barns. After we turned around and headed back we found a massive old oak. It was quite the find. Logging clearcut the midwestern northlands and much of the trees are less than 100 years old. This old oak was as big around as a redwood, so I’m guessing it’s been there for awhile.
I’m looking forward to the week and next weekend ahead…I think it MAY be low-key.
P.S. – If you are so moved, prayers for this little man would be appreciated. He’s been in the hospital for a week and a half now. Any extra attention by the Big Guy would be helpful.
Incredibly angelic. Those second-borns always are. Wink.
Glad you are a parent who disciplines. There should be more of you in this world.
LOVE these photos. I love them, so much. What beautiful children, all of them!
Sorry to hear about the discipline issues. We are having quite a few around here, too. I hear we just have to stick with it…this too will pass…sigh.
Stacy, I think it has something to do with the second born. Our dd#2 was/is very headstrong and she is almost 19!! You have such beautiful children.
Oh the face of an angel……… Fire inside her.
Thought defiantly go out to your friend’s child. The pictures you took of them awhile ago were so lovely. I hope this illness passes for the little guy soon.
Just think… one day she’ll show you the results of all these exhausting days of discipline and teachable moments. Or at least that is the thought that keeps me sane when Itty Bit is having “one of those days”!
Love the pictures! She is beautiful and expressive, but I must admit the CURLS got me! Is it any wonder we spend the rest of our adult years trying to recapture the perfect highlights and texture of a young child’s head?
And of course the Little Guy is getting some extra prayers to the Big Guy from us.
Wow…you’ve been going through a lot! That adorable face does somewhat make up for it, doesn’t it? I’ve been going through similar stuff (on a younger level) with Caden the last few weeks…its really hard to know exactly what to do! He climbed out of his crib last night for the first time, so I am terrified as to what is ahead!
Gorgeous shots of Anya…I love that outfit…particularly the way the colors look with her perfect skin and those gorgeous curls!
but she is so cute — how could she possibly be doing the things you say ;)? lovely photos, stacy.
stunning photos stacy. your daughter is so beautiful. sigh. love the long flowing hair….
Ah, yes: the many sides of an ‘angelic’ child… I know them well. I really like your black and white shot, though… so crisp. And kudos for the wardrobe trick, I’ll have to remember that.
She looks so sweet and innocent, I can’t imagine that precious little girl giving you a hard time. LOL
I liked the photo shoot, the tree is amazing.
I will definitely keep that little guy in my prayers and his family.
Oh, my youngest is trying me, too. I’m not sure yet, still feeling things out, but I think she’s discovered lying. I caught her today carrying scissors off to the living room. When I asked her to bring them back and why she was taking them there, she claimed she didn’t have a reason. Hmmm. That’s only the most recent incident. My oldest doesn’t lie, never has. So I think it makes it harder for me cuz I just can’t figure the 4 yo out.
She is a beauty, your little Anya.
I can relate. I’m too exhausted right now to write about exactly how and why, but believe me – I relate in a big way. I have a Jekyll and Hyde child that makes me question my every decision. And just like Anya…she looks like a perfect angel 🙂 I LOVE that third storyboard, she really does look so sweet and innocent.
Prayers going up for baby T!
Prayers for him…and prayers for you for patience. I know what that feels like to need it.
Though she sure does look angelic, you SURE you’re not just making it up? 🙂
Please keep us posted on the little guy.
I pray for his wellness. It is so sad to see them so young in the hospital.
Your right about your oak. Turned out to be a nice picture. The b/w by the barn is nice too. Although he might consider a pose with his thumbs not in his pockets. 😉
As for your little girl, it’s part of growing up. As frustrating as that is. Don’t let you guard down now, I can’t imagine her as a teen especially as I think of mine.
Prayers for that sweet boy are being sent at mock-speed.
Now onto this angel of yours. Yeah, you’re in BIG trouble with her good looks alright! Can’t you just sense the fun in the teen years already? 🙂
She certainly does look angelic. Hopefully this will just be a quick phase and she’ll adorable all the time soon.
Oh dear! She’s just so darn cute! It’s hard to believe all the tantrums! 🙂 But we know it’s true!
I forget how old your angel is but mine is four. Every night is a fight at bedtime. I just stick her in bed and let her cry it out most nights. She gets so “four” sometimes and is just now facing separation anxiety. UGH….at four! She was so sweet up until this point. What happened??
julie
She is growing up, finding her independence, which means challenging authority. AKA, pushing your buttons. 🙂
And angelic and beautiful come to mind when I see photos of A.
Stacy, Even though she may be a little rascal right now – SHE IS SO DAMN PHOTOGENIC! You get upset with them, but then you love them so much. Then they do something so cute and you just want to squeeze them, but have to keep a straight face to let them know you mean business. It so hard being a parent, isnt it? In the meantime, you caught some great shots of her (even if the happy time was short lived). Her curly blond hair and her sweet little face are so angelic, like you said.
I will be keeping your little friend in my prayers. Its so tough to watch a child struggle.
Oh my Stacy! I feel your anguish. My only advice is to try and work out triggers for the behaviour especially if it is repeated and frequent. Food is one that comes to mind. My kids all suffer from low blood sugar. If they forget to eat or if we leave eating too late they go ballistic over nothing. Another one is tiredness. that is sure to set off unreasonable behaviour and I find there is no point punishing that as they are not in control of it. The other thing is lack of attention. I used to find that if I put in 20 min of attention it would pay off in another hour of independent play. Friendship is a tough one but I always talked to her about it. How do you feel about your friend? How do you think your friend feels about you? etc
You probably have it all under control and do not need any advice from interfering types like me, but I know I am always interested in other people’s experiences…..so…… 😀
Pictures are to die for btw.
Oh, yes … a big virtual “hug” for you as you navigate these patience-testing waters of raising children! Having had an entire classroom of children around Anya’s age, I wanted to suggest two books that really did wonders in helping me to support the children in their journeys toward being caring, self-disciplined little people: Alfie Kohn’s “Punished By Rewards” and his other book called “Unconditional Parenting.” I also wrote a post a while back about my own experience and reflections on being the kind of spirited child your Anya seems to be: http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2008/04/peace.html. I hope some of this may help – I know how difficult these challenges can be! Both you and Anya are in my thoughts!