Capturing K

K was running down the sidewalk, laughing, because she was running away from me. She had on Crocs and her pink fleece PJs with feet were stuck in her butt crack. It was probably the last warm fall morning as we returned from waiting at the bus stop with H. And K was memorable in her favorite cozy outfit with her little smile and giant brown eyes and I wanted to grab the moment with its smells, sounds, looks, and temp; stick it in my pocket, and store it safely for future viewing. That was Friday. (I'll post Healthy Habits later this week.)

Since the girls were babies I have been writing about them. For me, for them. And today for you too. It is time again to try to capture the girls and the stage they are at. They are still young enough that I am comfortable sharing this intimate look at who they are, but someday these writings will be tucked away for more private reading. I'll start with K. H will be tomorrow.

K you are 4 1/2. Your long hair is thin and fine and still auburn in color (the source of many a compliment). About a month ago you decided you wanted to grow out your bangs, so currently we always have barrettes in your hair--a condition I placed on your decision so I can see your pretty eyes. You still love your pillowcase and take it everywhere except to preschool--though you carefully place it in your car seat for the moment I pick you up. It is getting thin--almost see-through. You sit in the car or in the brown leather chair with the pillowcase to your nose--smelling. According to you, different places on pillowcase have different smells and some are better than others!

You are shy and quiet in all new situations and sometimes in old ones, unless your sister is with you. You are trying to be brave enough to answer people's questions when they ask a simple question. You like routine and the familiar. You naturally walk around public places with one hand on some part of me at all times--my pocket, my purse, my hand--an ideal shopping companion. H remains your favorite friend, though you like to play with our neighbor Britta, and with a few girls in your preschool class (Morgan, Kyra). And yet, you are more likely than your sister to play with matches when I am not looking, to get into my make-up, or to pick up a piece of broken glass just to see if it really will cut you. And then, if you think I am not looking, you will lie about it.

You can sit still and listen for an incredibly long time. You have good fine motor skills and can draw a rabbit with a a face and whiskers. You are still on your special diet and do a remarkable job of accepting that your treats are always different and that sometimes you can't have the snack that people bring. Thankfully, you are still my snuggle bug.

At preschool you have tried to help a little girl who is always crying and nervous. You follow her around, showing her toys and helping her on the computer when she gets stuck (sometimes too much). You are sweet and giving--regularly giving your sister new things you have been given or giving away your toys to friends who come to visit. You can write your name now, in all caps. You make your S in two strokes, first the top, then the bottom curve.

This fall you played soccer for the first time. You were doing well, starting to score goals each game, but then you got hit in the face with the ball. We spend the rest of the season trying to keep you from bursting into tears every time you played defense. Ballet lessons are your real love. You run into that studio and never look back. This isn't true of anything else.

You are still a whiner. Oh how you can whine. It drives me crazy. At least three times a day, you come to me crying because you got hurt somehow. You are lazy too, generally using distraction and manipulation to get out of chores like cleaning up. Before a punishment you always scream, "Mom I have to tell you something." Generally this is followed by a long pause as you try to think of something to tell me. I try to be consistent in disciplining, but it can be tough. You tend to use ignorance or lying to cover up your mistakes and are physically aggressive when Hadley pushes too many buttons.

You love books, movies, playing on the computer, dressing up, and Barbies (we don't have many--mostly you play with them at Grandma's). You still generally wear skirts and dresses, though today at the store you picked out purple corduroys with a glitter belt and a fuzzy purple sweater. Your favorite snack is toast (gluten and dairy free of course) with sun butter or rice chips or cashews. You will eat most vegetables, always avoiding onions and celery. Fruit you tolerate grudgingly. You love riding the trail-a-bike with dad or with me (we even ride to preschool sometimes). You like to help in the garden or with laundry, especially with clippers or a squirt bottle.

I love being your mom K. I love you.