So Much to Say...

Okay...in just a matter of days I have wanted to post about a million things about Dotty. Too bad I cannot make time stand still so I can write it all down and not miss out on the next great thing she is up...or sleep!

Dotty and Nana's Pajama Day...
Dotty stayed with Nana Monday for MLK Day. Luckily for me Nana said "Just bring her out in her pajamas."
So I did.
Thus became...Pajama Day...for Nana and Dotty. Dotty has talked nonstop about how much fun she had on Pajama Day with Nana. Even NANA wore HER pajamas ALL DAY!
Dotty was a little miffed that she had to brush her teeth and hair but overall Nana's Pajama Day was a big success.
And I have to give kudos to Ruth Ann for getting Dotty down for a nap. Not many of us "nonprofessionals" can achieve such a feat!

Dotty Reads to Memaw...
The other night I walked in to Dotty's room fulling expecting to see what I see a lot of nights...Memaw reading to Dotty. But that night I saw...and heard...Dotty reading to Memaw.
Dotty was reading "Possum Come a Knocking". This book is really weird to me but Dotty loves it...and apparently she has almost memorized it.
It was so cute to see how close Dotty got to actually saying the story exactly right and the expressions she used. She sounded just like Memaw!
We either have an actress or a teacher on our hands...either way I am signing her up to read at Story Time at the local library...as soon as she can actually read.

SURPRISE...It is Your Birthday...
The last few days Dotty has been throwing me a "surprise birthday party" almost every night. She decorates with a balloon and "streamers" (old shoe strings). She "makes me a cake" (plastic food from her toy kitchen) and I get a present (she will be a pro "re-gifter" someday).
She is such a sweet girl!

Thank You Desiree...
Sometimes I think my friends are really my worst enemies. :)
Desiree is always so sweet to share some of the things Emma has outgrown...clothes, toys, you name it!
Tuesday Desiree brought Dotty a toy "Wiggles" guitar. Thankfully the batteries were run down.
Unfortunately, Memaw put in new batteries.
Dotty LOVES that thing. She plays it over and over AND OVER AGAIN! Her favorite song is the one Wags the Dog sings. When I asked her why she said "Because you move your hips!"
The sound goes "Move your hips with Wags the Dog. Join right in and sing along. Come on now you're dancing with Wags the Dog."
I am slightly worried that my 3 year old likes to "mover her hips". We will keep an eye on that!

God Made...

Last night Dotty was to the point of complete exhaustion. She was going on pure adrenaline. Bouncing off walls one minute then her body would go to jello the second it came time to put pajamas on. She was being silly, saying silly things, etc.

As we lay down in bed I was trying to get her to be still. She was a total wiggle worm. Needed something to eat. Needed something to drink. Needed to go to the bathroom. Finally she got still and I was telling her "Ariel". I thought she had drifted off to sleep so I stopped talking and was kind of just patting her.

Then her head popped up off the pillow and she said...

"God made you, me, Memaw, Daddy, Nana, Jake, Keri, Presley, Julie, and grass."

Then she was out.

I, on the other hand, had to try and not laugh out loud for the next five minutes.

Home with Memaw

Dotty had a rough night last night. With her nose so stopped up she had trouble breathing. Then she was awake at 5:30am. So based on the dark circles under her eyes and the faucet she had where her nose used to be, Memaw thought it might be best for Dotty to stay with her today and rest.

I agreed. Although knowing what my mom's apartment looks like (a mini version of Toys R Us) I was not sure how much "rest" Dotty would get.

On the way over to Memaw's Dotty asked if she could go to dance "this day". I told her if she took her medicine, took a nap, and felt like going we would try to go to dance.

I just checked in with Mom a few minutes ago and could hardly talk to her for all the yelling and playing Dotty was doing. So much for resting.

I plan to go get Dotty about 1pm to make sure a nap takes place today...we both need one!

Snotty Dotty...

Dotty was up a lot last night. She has a cold and her nose was running and she was sneezing most of the night. I gave her some Benedryl this morning but only half a dose since she was going to school. I did not want her to be crashed out all through class.

When I dropped her off she just had the saddest face. Red cheeks from wiping her nose (with her shirt sleeve most of the time), a pale face, dark circles under her eyes, and snot running from both nostrils.

The teachers at her school are gems though. I told all of them about Dot's condition and they all assured me they would be extra loving and would keep me posted if she got worse or if they thought she needed to go home.

It does a mother's heart good to see her child being snuggled by someone who cares about them. Especially on days when your little one is just not up to snuff.

Pajama Day

Last week Mrs. Hall, Dotty's teacher, told me that since the weather was going to be so bad this week that plans had changed. Originally the children were going to have a "hibernation" day where they went outside and learned how animals hibernated. The kids were supposed to dress warm and cozy for this process. However since the temp was not going to get above freezing Mrs. Hall told me that the kids could have a "pajama" day instead.

Apparently Mrs. Hall told no other parents but me.

Dotty picked out a pretty princess nightgown to go to school in (I had to layer a long sleeved shirt and pants under it but she was fine with that). When we got to school, both Dotty and I got weird looks.

Dotty got the "you poor child your mother does not even dress you for school" look.
I got the "you terrible mother...can't you even dress your kid for school" look.

I went to find Mrs. Hall.

To my surprise Mrs. Hall was in her pajamas. So I just shrugged my shoulders...kissed Dotty goodbye...and left a happy girl at school. She was showing everyone her pajamas. I think she enjoyed the attention...however it was intended.

(Side Note...Dotty asked if I got to go to work in my pajamas. When I told her I did not get to she thought we should have a pajama day at the 'Con Shed...I might have to agree.)

Never Looked Back

Today when I went to drop off Dotty at school she was so happy to see Ms. Natalie was reading a book. She ran in the door and I had to yell goodbye to her. She never heard me I don't think.

Part of me was relieved she went so easy. Part of me was sad.

It is hard to let go of our babies. They need room to grow and we want them to grow but growth is painful. Sometimes more painful for us as parents than for the child.

Payton's Pal

Dotty is absolutely crazy about her cousin Payton. And Payton is a true sweetheart and is super good with Dotty. He is patient and kind. He lets Dotty have her way...all the time. He is just a very good cousin.

Today Payton had a basketball tournament and even though his team did not win a game...he continues to win my heart. At 13, Payton could find Dotty a little on the annoying side I am sure. But he always takes time to play with her and listens and talks to her and as a mom that just melts my heart.

We were at the top of the stands when I pointed out to Dotty that Payton had just gone back in the game. Dotty yelled "GO PATE!" Then she looked up at me and said "I love Pate." Said simply and matter-of-factly.

Then she turned around and started playing with a wrapper on the ground but in that moment I saw how much she did LOVE her Pate. To her he hung the moon. He was her cousin and he was great.

Children are so open and honest at this age. For this reason I know Dotty's love for Pate is loyal and lasting. Just like his for her.