The return of Smokey

After I dropped Miss Sofia at her playgroup today ("bye bye mama"), I did some shopping. We'd broken the ancient plastic paper towel holder a few weeks ago, and it was time for a change. Well, not only did I find one, but I got really inspired, went to the Container Store, and got stuff to clear up a lot of space on my kitchen counters! New drying rack (smaller and nicer), glass pouring bottles for the Olive and Canola oils instead of the giant plastic bottles. Things like that. It's nice to be able to accomplish so much for so little.

Then I went SHOPPING. The day-school had a fundraising event at a local boutique, and I went a little nuts. I actually had to go home to get more money! I might return a couple of items, but I got the coolest jean jacket (really comfy and it fits perfectly) and a pretty grey long skirt that I can wear to shul.

Miss Sofia fell asleep in the car on the way to my therapist's office, but she woke up when I tried to transfer her (to my coat spread out on the floor in D's hallway). Sofia rested the entire session, not even standing up until the very end, so it worked out ok.

Picked up Sam (Micah stayed on the playground with friends) and dropped him at HIS therapist's office, then raced back to get Micah, then BACK to pick up Sam. A quick stop to drop off library books (the Framingham library does not have a drive-through book drop!), and then home...

...to Sam having a complete melt-down. He proceeded to scream at me almost continuously for about 3 hours. And Sofia got a massive diaper rash (the food from last night's dinner did not stay well in her belly), so she was really whiny and uncomfortable, and then Micah wanted lots of attention, so....

"Smokey" the dog has returned. Unlike "Fire" and "Koda", who are just invisible, Smokey actually appears, looking exactly like Micah pretending to be a dog (shades of Sybil). But Micah has been mourning the fact that Smokey had moved away a few weeks ago (to go live with his real owners), so he was much happier when Smokey arrived. It's amazing how kids cope.

Sigh. I'm beat now. Fighting with Sam, or rather trying hard NOT to fight, or scream, or burst into tears, really is exhausting.

OH! But on the wonder-front, Miss Sofia is now fairly strongly signing things like "Want-More-Crackers-Please" and she's attempting to verbalize a lot of those every-day words, too! I can't at this moment remember which, but several were really clear today. COOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL! It was fun to watch her on the playground at the end of her playgroup today. She's the only girl, with about 6 boys. She certainly holds her own! She kept perching herself at the top of the toddler slide, but every once in a while, one of the boys would come and shove her down the slide. She'd say "Whee", and then make them go down the slide too - so that she could get right back to her perch! TeeHee!