Two Choices

Nothing like peeking in a room early in the morning and not seeing a kid in their bed.  After a quick once through the house and not finding her anywhere it was a relief to spot her sleeping under her bed.

We keep learning about these two daily.  Trying to figure out their insecurities and their likes.  

Checking out "Bambi"

Our last weekday off together for some time we all went to the Children's Zoo.  Not a crazy large zoo, but large enough to test our attention. Out of the kangaroos, otters, cows and goats; the goats were our favorite.  Bug plopped herself right down in front of her face and just stared at her.  And then petted her confidently enough to pet her beard.    Timing for us was perfect.  We arrived around 10, walked for an hour and a half and then pretty much threw food at them so they didn't freak out and then walked around for another hour.  

Have I mentioned these kids are food driven?  Sissy almost crashed a birthday party at the zoo.  She walked right up and muscled her way to second in line for cake and chips before Squirrel could catch her.  

Most of our behavior at the zoo was good.  We did have an issue trying to pull them both off the carousel after lunch.

Waiting for our carousel ride.

Riding the Carousel like a couple of pros.

After our zoo trip we stopped at Squirrel's work to say hello to everyone.  We lasted 15 minutes and then the manic started to set in.  Between the zoo and work the duo fell asleep, but we braved waking them up.  

When we got home we saw a police officer talking with a neighbor.  We learned what Sissy's exposure was.  Her comment was that the police officer would kill her.  Every opportunity we have we are going to have to say hello to officers.

That afternoon Sissy failed to nap, Bug did, but only after a lot of fussing.  Sissy's failed nap meant a evening full of manic episodes.  It is so hard working with her.  She is only 3 so you want to be all soft and kind, but she runs all over you.  We have a method of offering 2 choices, one is ideal and the other is typically full removal from the situation.  We are kind when the situation is good or deserves praise, but when things go wrong we just need to disconnect.  After dinner we played outside for a bit.  Sissy was given several warnings to calm down around some of the little ones.  She didn't listen and knew she had choices.  Sissy didn't even argue when I said she needed to go in the house with me.  Upon getting home she screamed and struggled that her sister was outside and she was inside, but she adjusted and took her bubble bath.  

With the lack of nap Sissy slept easily.  Hopefully we can sleep until 8 this time!