The Linda Family

Ashleigh has always been a smart cookie. No one gets much past her. I’m pretty sure we were reminded of that again this week when we were thinking about a trip to Rita’s. This morning, while Ashleigh enjoyed her breakfast, she asked to watch a TV show. When the TV came on, it was already turned to Discovery Kids and The Magic School Bus was on. We LOVE the Magic School Bus. It’s a good educational show, and it reminds me of elementary school when we used to watch it in school! Aaahhh…Nostalgia. The one downside to Discovery Kids vs Noggin or Disney? Commercials. Now I love that we will never get a glimpse of Hannah Montana or The Wizards of Waverly Place when The Magic School Bus ends, but Ashleigh LOVES commercials which makes me a little nuts.

During one of this morning’s commercial breaks the commercial for The Sunsetter Awnings came on. Now I would assume this commercial was geared for the parents who are watching Saturday morning TV with their kids. In this household? In this household Dad is in the Dining Room working, Mom is focused on the baby, and the 4 year old is ready to sign on the dotted line. The conversation went something like this –

Ash: Look Mom, It’s only $700 for the Sunsetter Retractable Awning.
Me: That’s nice. I don’t want a Sunsetter Retractable Awning.
Ash: But I do. Sometimes I get hot outside.
Me: [laughing out loud] WHERE did we get you kid??

Talking about the marketing department’s ideal customer. This kid saw the commercial, heard them say you can get a SunSetter for under $700, and when I said I didn’t want one, she gave me a benefit of them. The commercial tells you that the awning will help cool your patio by up to 20 degrees by blocking out the sun. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time until she has the whole Feature, Advantage, Benefit selling technique down. I can just picture it now…. “Mommy, look at this amazing Sunsetter Awning. It is retractable, so that we only need to put it up when we want it. The best part? It only takes 60 seconds to open. With the Sunsetter open, our patio will be cooler, enabling me to play outside for longer periods of time. Don’t you want me to be able to play outside on hot days and stay out of your way?” The only thing missing would be if she ended it with, “Is there any reason you wouldn’t buy us a SunSetter awning today?”

The commercial just came on again. She saw it, and went running in to Wes to tell him that he can get a SunSetter for only $700. I, of course, am sitting here laughing. He just asked her if I sent her to tell him that. Nope. She then explained to him that it cools off the patio, and she gets hot playing outside. Man, we are SO in for it…

Rebekah,

You are such a delight.  You manage to make mommy smile and want to pull her hair out.  Daily.  You have managed the art of standing and have decided it is your favorite activity.  Standing on the couch holding on to the pillows?  Your favorite place to be.  You have tried to move your hands and figure out this cruising thing, but you’re just not quite there yet.  I’m sure it will be very soon.

When you are sitting you are now fully capable of leaning and reaching for whatever it is you want at the moment and then sitting back up.  You are starting to plop yourself onto all fours and sometimes you will stay there, rocking back and forth, trying to figure out what to do next, other times you scream for help because you can not figure out how to get back on your butt.  Maybe you will start to crawl after all?

Today we lowered your crib mattress.  Why?  Because I plopped you in the crib to play, turned around for a moment, and when I looked back, you were on your knees trying to stand up and peer out of the crib.  SO not safe.  Of course the hilarious part came while Daddy was lowering your mattress.  He let you play in the swing while he worked on your crib.  He thought it sounded like the swing was going faster than normal, and when he turned around, you were holding onto the sides of the swing leaning forward and back, making the swing go faster and faster.  Daddy called me upstairs, and after we had a good laugh at your expense, Daddy turned the swing off and let you swing yourself.  We have also learned this week that you are no longer safe in the bouncer.  I plopped you in there so I could do some laundry and when I turned around you were sitting up, leaning over the side of the bouncer reaching for the floor.  Again, not a safe idea.  How are you so big already??

You’re still not sure what you think of table foods.  The only thing you seem to like so far is bread.  You love bread.  If we break it into little pieces you will pick it up and chomp (read: gum) away on it.  I wish you liked something a little more nutritious.  I’m sure we’ll get there.  I just have twinges of mommy guilt over this one.  You should stop stealing my bread and enjoy some banana.

Your personality is becoming stronger and stronger.  You enjoy some time to yourself, but you have no issues letting us know when you have had enough alone time and are in need of some attention and affection.  You are very animated, the faces you come up with are priceless.

You adore your big sister, and all of her toys.  You will gladly flop onto your belly and off the couch for a chance to grab one of her toys.  You feel the same way about Laci.  Getting a good hanful of dog fur is surely worth the tumble to the ground.  Now, when you’re on the floor already you’re not as interested.  You really enjoy trying to crawl on the couch.  It does force me to focus 100% on you while you’re trying to crawl off the couch, but I’d really prefer if you’d try that stuff on the floor.  I think you and I will spend a good chunk of time on Mommy & Daddy’s bed next week while Ashleigh is at school.  Maybe that will help you figure it out.

Keep growing and learning little one.  We all love watching you as you grow.

Love,

Mommy

Here are a few photos of you from this month.

[Show as slideshow]

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Over the course of the past few weeks Ashleigh has decided that she wants to be a “hair cutter” when she grows up.  She is of course, very cute about it.  We are being careful not to discourage her with this “dream”.  We usually respond with an “ok great” type resonse as opposed to the “Oh no, you should have a more intellectual job!  How about a Marine Biologist?”.  I’m sure whatever career path she chooses she will be great.  And besides, if she does decide to become a “hair cutter”, just think about all the money I will save on hair cuts and highlights!

The hilarious part of this conversation has been going on for the past 2 days.  Sunday evening we dropped Wes off at a hotel for the night and the girls and I came home (after Church).  Wes needed the quiet time to focus on work and relaxing a bit, and he wasn’t able to get that with 2 kids in the house.  So, he got a pass for the night and I took the girls home.  As we were leaving the hotel Ashleigh piped up from the back seat, the conversation went like this -

Ash: Mommy, can we live in Ocean City?

Me: Lving at the beach would be wonderful, unfortunately Daddy’s job is in Baltimore.

Ash: Well, do they have hair cutters in Ocean City?

Me: Yes, there are hair salons all over the place

Ash: Ok.

Now if you have a 4 year old or have had a 4 year old you know this conversation is not truly over, it’s just on hold for a bit.

Fast forward to yesterday afternoon.  The girls and I met Wes downtown for a quick trip to Port Discovery followed by some fun at the Aquarium.  While we were walking from Port Discovery to the Aquarium Ashleigh has a similar conversation with Wes.  Only in this conversation she told Wes that she wants to move to Ocean City when she is older and she will be a hair cutter so she can pay her bills.  She also will have a home big enough for Bekah, Mommy , and Daddy to come visit, and we can stay with her whenever we want.  It was SO sweet, and so funny.  I know that whatever dream she ends up with she can accomplish it.