Toddler Crush

  This girl has got me feeling all THE emotions.  THE cutest, THE silliest, THE sweetest to the other extreme...

    She can't be left out.  From wanting to carry Joel's backpack after we pick him up to having her own lunch to pack in her own backpack to asking to make sure she can come with everyone else to the store, to the playdate, to church, etc.   "Me come?  Me come?  Oh, yay!!" [Excited voice and lots of hopping.]

    If I remember correctly, this is my favorite season of toddlerhood.  Learning new things and skills everyday,  observing and mimicking everything, language exploding, and so much more independence!  I'm not talking the "don't hold my hand in the middle of the street" independence  (she drives me crazy!) as much as I'm talking about how they are way less dependent for every single thing of their day (getting their shoes, buckling their car seat, washing their hands, etc.).

  I think the biggest transition during this time is language.  They can explain themselves and interact with others so much better!  Ava has always been pretty verbal, but her sentences are getting long and she knows the perfect time to drop a phrase.  She has been cracking us up lately!

"Stop copying me!  Ava....what the heck?  Stop copying me, Ava. What the heck?"

"Cars go round and round and stop." [with hand motions.]

"Let me do it next time.  Okay, Mama?"

"I can't do it.  I'm sorry, Mama."

"I can't do it.  Don't throw a fit.  Okay, Mama?"

"POCKETS?  Oooh, pockets!!!!!!"

"Already said that two times, Joel."

"My mama" x100

"Daaaaaddy, nonny nonny nonnyyyyyyy..."  (Her whiny voice when she wants Mike.)

"It's 7 clock, treat time!"

"Hey Siwi, play Bad Blood."

"Where's my sister?  At school?  Oh yeah."

"Hannah not being nice.  To me."

"Meanie, Mama!"

  That last one is my favorite!!!  The kids say it to each other all the time and she has just picked that one up and latched on.  Nothing like a two year old yelling that to everyone.  The good news is she is still at the age where they repent quickly and say sorry genuinely.  Another reason this season is my favorite.  At what age to the genuine apologies return?!?!  Hopefully soon.

Happy tuesday!!