Kisses of Gratitude

Whenever London gets excited or is pleased with something she runs up to me and gives me a hug and lots of kisses. For example, tonight I made Jell-o, spaghetti, brocolli, and garlic bread. When she heard she said "Mom! That's the dinner that I wanted! Thank you Mom!"

Then when you don't do what she wants....there was a little girl with a little curl right in the middle of her forehead and when she was good she was very very good but when she was bad she was horrid.

London's screaming is horrid. But her dimples, imagination, and charm more than make up for it. She has a specific pose that she uses when she knows she is being photographed. She plays by herself with no trouble and we can't stop her from singing or humming.

Princess London

When people ask what London's name is she says "Princess London." And she believes it. Little Diva child. Those dimples and that sweet voice....oh what bliss. I love my job.

We were hanging out with my friend Alarie at Disneyland who is 8 months pregnant and London pointed to her belly and said, "What's in your belly?" And Alarie said, "A Baby." London said, "You ate a Baby?!"

Dance class

London pulled me down to her during dance class and whispered in my ear "I love you mom"

Headaches

London is really tough to be around sometimes. I find myself saying "I hope you have a daughter just like you someday!" She is very dramatic and cries frequently. Whether she is frustrated, stubbed her toe, or is fighting with one of her siblings. So at the end of the day (actually it doesn't really matter the time of day) I have had it with her extra noise. It is so draining. Because of this I think its been hard for me to really enjoy London. Luckily, for both of us, there are moments where I can see past the screaming and the whining and I can see her for the truly beautiful girl she is.
Tonight I was helping her get in her pajamas and I had a headache. It was a long day and I had a headache most of the day. It seemed as though the fighting and the screaming filled the majority of the day but it may just have been that I noticed it more today. So I had almost checked out for the day. Then London gave me a big hug and she looked at me right in the eyes and smoothed back my hair and said "you look like Rapunzel Mom". Which is definitely a compliment because that is her favorite princess. And looking at her reminded me of what an amazing relationship we can have and that I want her to be my best friend.
Which is an interesting concept because usually you are drawn to people first and you kind of get to choose who your best friends are. With your kids you don't choose who they are. So you really have to choose to be friends with them regardless of whether or not you mesh well.

Mommy Daughter Day

London and I had a nice girls day today. We went to the park, made bread, did puzzles, painted our nails, and finished it off by watching Tangled, London's favorite movie.  It was really nice to talk to London
and just focus on her and Coen.  London talks almost as much as sawyer does when hes not around.

Bedtime blues

One of the greatest challenges in our life right now is putting the kids to bed. We start around nine and usually the kids aren't asleep til eleven or later. And they aren't just playing or laying there. Currently London is crying and has been off and on for twenty minutes. Sawyer wants the night light, London doesnt. They always seem to find something to fight about. We are and have been for some time at the end of our rope. Not only is it physically draining and emotionally but it takes away our nights. By the time the kids are asleep. We are too angry and tired too do anything. It really is affecting the Spirit of our home and our relationships with each other. I am so angry at the kids for making it so difficult and that anger transfers to Joel and it just gets ugly. It's hard to remember that it's not their fault and they arent accountable yet. I am the adult here right? I set the rules. I control the situation. What are we doing wrong?