Funny things

I've realized updating this, with the laptop propped up next to my leather recliner on a wireless connection while I watch TV, is easier than writing in my journal in bed. I'll probably try to do both but tonight I couldn't let this one funny thing Katherine said go without noting it before I forgot. So we're having Robert's cousin and his family stay with us this coming week, so lots of cleaning up and cleaning out have been going on over the past week. One thing I've done is put clean kitchen towels on the oven handle. Well, tonight as Katherine's watching me prep meatballs, and patiently walking around with her juice and fruit nuggets in a bowl, asking if we can go watch "Mary Poppins" in the sunroom, she briefly stopped in front of the oven and exclaimed softly, "Ah nice towels!" I tried to keep a straight face so she didn't wonder what was so funny. I just said, "oh thanks, glad you like them." and she replied, "yeah." Who'd think she'd notice? It was too cute. And it tells me the ones I had hanging there are ready to be rags when she so promptly noticed these and felt compelled to actually express it aloud!

Ponytails

This little cutie loves her ponytails and simply enjoys painting with just about any tool available. Now I love collecting them - the paintings that is - I'm just not sure where I'm going to put them all.

What amazing little person she's turned out to be - friendly, saying hello to parents who pass us as we walk in and out of daycare; happy and full of a desire to share that happiness, with a smile or a touch when she senses one of us isn't feeling quite happy....already a mediator, which I hate, but boy, that's when she reminds me of me the most. With us as parents, we know why she has her independence and loves expressing it - and is proud when she accomplishes things no matter how big or small. "Katherine do it." came first - "I do it myself." is now. She's amazing.

Today she asked for her cheerios and milk in the car...and specified, "the milk from earlier" - how does she know that? She's connected the need to get her stuff in her cubby before she goes home, not just that she's going home. And she continues to know everyone's names, parents' names, their cars, the teachers, kids' belongings....I think she has "WOO" too! ("Woo" is the strength or talent to "Win Others Over" - there's an interest to get to know people, learn their names, connect. GallupOrganization's Strengthsfinder tool).

My little Monkey (2004), my little munchkin - our peanut from the beginning who likes Eddie and Pearl Jam and knows all the band member's names, and rocks out with either of us to our music in the car. She's a lot of fun.

Today we played in the snow and ate snow when we came home. She walked backwards into daycare...I didn't know she could do that.

Update

To keep this from being a once a year blog instead of the more common once-a-day, I thought I better update. It has come to my realization through a long drawn out interview process for another internal job that I want to spend time with my family and especially my daughter. At 2 she's changing drastically every day - more verbal than most 2 year olds, she's a pleasure to talk with and full of humor and wit. While the position seemed the perfect opportunity, this process afforded me time to deliberate (more than I've ever done I believe) on my future, how I approach it, options, paths, etc etc. In retrospect, I think my extreme deliberation was an innate force telling my professional, goal-setting being what my heart already knew.