Mommy and Me Date - Evelynn

I so love doing this!  We started these special "dates" with our kids a couple years ago when Evie turned 5.  As each kid turns 5 we start taking them out on dates.  Sometimes it's simple, like going to Costco, just the two of us, with a sundae to finish off the night.  Sometimes it's a bit more elaborate, like going ice skating and lunch or pedicures and treats.

Tonight was an impromptu date night thanks to one of my best friends on the island here.  Renea is my next door neighbor, life saver, last minute babysitter, and all around fantastic friend.  She had tickets to see a movie, but decided it wouldn't work for her family.  Instead she offered them to me!

So I decided to take Evie to the movie Max, about a military dog and his handler's little brother.  She loved it, even though she talked all the way through!  Cracked me up.  She said her favorite part was the happy ending.  My kind of girl!  After the movie she even was brave enough to touch the "working dog" the MWR had brought in to highlight how special these animals really are.  I was very proud.

After the movie we dropped by McD's for a late dinner and a yummy strawberry milkshake.  Of course I showed her the ONLY real way to eat a milkshake: with fries dipped into it.  She liked it or so she said, but she'll probably not do it again.

We had so much fun together tonight.  I so enjoy these one on one times with my biggest girl.  She is such a sweetheart when she's not trying to be in charge or fighting for my attention.  I adore her and her quirky thoughts that just pop right out of her mouth.  I swear that girl has not one thought that has run through her mind that hasn't come right our her mouth.  So funny.  At least you always know what's going on with her.

She is so amazing and I'm so blessed to get to be her mom.  She's pretty patient with my attempts to do right by her and I'm grateful for my right hand gal.

So love her!  Yay for mommy and me dates!

My House Almost Burned Down - or Close to it!

So my Evie is wonderful and fantastic and totally thinks she is super able to do whatever she wants to do.

With that knowledge about my beautiful Evelynn, you have to also understand that she really does know a lot.  When I say "a lot", I really mean it.  She's my go to girl for so many things.  She helps with the littler kids, she likes to help with shopping and chores, she likes to be in charge.  She is my 'babysitter helper' for when I have an uncertain sitter.  (I have five children under 9, all my sitters are uncertain to a degree!)

So when I left for a dr. appt yesterday leaving my kids with a very good friend of mine and Visiting  Teacher who had never watched my kids before I was unconcerned.  I walked her through some things, but knew that most of the sitter's questions could be answered by Eve.  I was confident that things would be fine, like always.

That's what I get though for being too comfortable with my big little girl!

So my poor, kind friend is surprised by a house full of smoke about an hour before I get home!  She runs inside and finds out that for some reason Evie thought it would be okay to pop her own popcorn. She's never touched the microwave before or even asked about it before, for that matter.  But now, all of a sudden, she thinks that it's okay for her to use it on her own?  I have no clue what was going on and after a discussion with her, she hasn't got a clue either.  Apparently the idea popped in her head and she did it without any thought whatsoever.

I don't know, but the fact that she could have burned down my house because she randomly wanted to use the microwave was a huge wake-up.  I took her abilities to help for granted.

I'm very happy with how I handled it though.  I didn't get angry and I didn't yell.  I asked her about the incident and then told her what she was not going to be able to do as a consequence.  Then I told her why what she had done was wrong.  She was really embarrassed by her behavior and disciplined herself much more harshly than I would have done.

All I have to say at this point when she asks why she can't do something is that she almost burned down my house and her behavior changes/stops immediately! I don't think it will last for a long time, but I'm using it while I can.

Ahh, kids.  Not sure if it will get worse on her end, but I've got five so my odds aren't good on this not happening again!  Good thing I have a short memory and a forgiving heart!

Our Little Opera

Last week in school we had music class.  We learned about opera.  I sang some of their favorite tunes, but with words about getting up in the morning and finishing our chores.  They thought it was hilarious.  Seriously.  I had to sing the songs at least three times.

So after I did a lot of singing we finally learned some about what opera is and how its different from other music.  Then we watched an opera, Cinderella.  It was about 3-4 hrs long.  They wanted to watch the WHOLE thing!  Amazing.

Why am I sharing all this beyond the fact that the kids really enjoyed music class?  Well tonight as I was putting Evie to bed she mentioned that she wanted to be a really good singer.  I sang to her that she needed to work really hard and practice.  Then she asked about her range and I sang-told her that she could learn a range and do very well.  We had an entire conversation in song.  Cracked me up.

Then she sang goodnight after I gave her a kiss and sang she'd see me in the morning.  Best bed time activity ever!

Love my Evelynn!