Katharine Lange: Leia Week 95: Leia's Celebration of the California Winter

Even though the snow has basically been gone for awhile now, and the last couple times we took her skiing she was only marginally interested, Leia has had a resurgence in her interest for skiing this week. She keeps asking to put on her ski boots and skis, and proceeds to walk around the house and yard in her full get up (jacket, hat, glasses, and mikos are also all required). It's quite hilarious...we even had to get all dressed up and walk down to Nana and Poppy's the other morning to go skiing in their living room. Josh called it "Leia's celebration of the California Winter." Of course, when I ask her if she wants to go to the mountain to ski and ride the Funi, she says no, so I guess fake skiing is good enough for now. It's actually really good practice, as far as I'm concerned, because she's working on walking with those big awkward sticks on her feet, as well as turning around, and even getting back up from a fallen position. All of these things are of course more tricky on the slippery snow, but having the skill foundation will be essential.

This week we also found Josh's old China boy suit from when he was Leia's age. It was one of those things that we were waiting until she grew into it, so I'm lucky I didn't forget about it and miss the golden opportunity. Fortunately I pulled it out at just the right time and it fit perfectly. And then my Mom produced the cute little China girl shoes that I had when I was little (I also had the almost exact same suit, but that seems to be missing), so we had a fun photo-op day in that little costume.

My quote of the week is that my daughter is perfectly pleasant to be around and very well behaved as long as you do exactly what she wants. Sounds like I'm spoiling her right? Well, I only do what she wants within reason (we still have our manners and rules), but I just don't have the energy to fight her. I have to pick my battles. I just hope that I'm not being too lenient. For example, I used to give Josh a hard time for letting her stay in her PJ's all day, but now I'm the one doing it because she hates to put on regular clothes! And I'd like to get outside and take a walk, but most of the time Leia would rather stay inside and play so that she doesn't have to get real clothes on...so fine, we stay inside! And everything I read says not to make meal time a fight and that toddlers are finicky eaters, won't eat if they don't want to and will eat if they are hungry. So fine, I eat when I'm hungry and if she doesn't want to, I don't fight her. It's not like she's asking for food all day long, as opposed to at meal time, it's more like she could care less about eating at all! Although, usually once she see's me eating she decides she might as well eat after all!

Agreed to get dressed today, but this is the outfit she picked out and insisted on wearing...hat, bib, fancy shoes and all!

Cruising down to Nana and Poppy's...still thinking she needs a hat and mikos when we go outside even though it's warm out these days...she'll learn about the new summer rules soon!