Meow, meow!

When your eyes light up and words stream out between those two little lips, my Mommy heart purrs! This past week if you were listening closely you'd have heard my heart purr when you said, "I've been looking everywhere for him!" You had followed me to the basement as I was finishing up some laundry...and there in our recliner (for storms) downstairs your Valentine's Day doggies were sitting there waiting for.....along with your Greek doggie who speaks & sings in Greek from your baby, baby stage......oh! I hate to tell you that they were were waiting for a trip to the Union Mission. Mommy loves to purge clutter and items that we no longer need or want........and these stuffed animals had made the list of "must donate" but with each trip to the mission-----and I've made three since the end of July 2012, I just couldn't bear to part with them. Each one had its own memories and stories--------and so they remained there in the basement until you found them "hiding" as you said they needed to come back upstairs with you. One is in your playroom....one made its way to your bedroom......and the other...I'm sure that I'll notice him around here soon......and yes...we'll keep them a little longer......little gestures as keeping your toddler toys a little longer are easy decisions when I remember the tears that streamed down your face Friday morning as we prepared for preschool drop off. I tried to reason with you and tell you that school was fun and that you'd play with your friends but you kept telling Mommy that you didn't want to go. When I asked you why? You just sat there in a pool of tears. Oh! My Mommy heart was not purring then. A little more questioning and all you responded was, "I just want to stay home with Daddy and Mommy all day!" Oh! Little one.........sometimes I want to stay home with you and Daddy all day too! We have so, so many favorite moments together but I know that many favorite school moments will erupt throughout the school year too! When you returned home from school on Friday afternoon, you noticed a bracelet. You began questioning Mommy if it was new and when and where did I get it! Oh NO!------I had to laugh silently but REALLY think about how I was going to answer those questions. I let you put it on and ask one question after another but luckily swim time Friday afternoon detoured the issue a bit. When we returned home after swimming, you asked again about Mommy's new bracelet. I, honestly, told you that Mrs. Ashley and I had gone shopping Friday morning and that I had purchased it then. I put it on just as you requested and you said, "It looks so pretty on you, Mommy!" Purr! There goes my Mommy heart again! Did you hear it? Those honest words---the simple and genuine compliment melted my heart--------and slowly melted away the guilt that quickly took over my body when you began asking where and when did I get the bracelet. You mentioned wanting to coming with me next time and I told you that I would definitely take you with me-----and that the three of us, Daddy, you, & I would go shopping in Jackson this weekend------and we did! When Daddy & I asked you, where you wanted to eat in Jackson, you said that place that has the onion-----Outback Steak House. Daddy & you started with lunch there while Mommy ran in and out of Target. When I joined you all, a healthy seafood combo plate was on the table for me too. Purr! Daddy said it was complimentary. Ha! He knows that I hate to spend money eating out and that I'd rather buy accessories for us----or our home! I can say though that I enjoyed every bite-----and always do...eating too much but lavishing the feast before me that I didn't have to cook! Purr! You were superb on our trip to Jackson-------excellent behavior! I don't even remember one outburst or redirection! Purr! You were the perfect little kitty cat! I say this because Saturday morning/afternoon you spent time in your playroom playing and emerged as a cat----with whiskers! You had taken a purple marker and created whiskers on each cheek! My first thought was to reprimand but when your eager eyes watched mine, I laughed and asked you about those kitty cat whiskers. Obviously, you were delighted-----you crawled around on all four "paws" and followed me throughout the house at various times throughout the day. We painted rainbows and kitty cats and just enjoyed lounging around the house Saturday. I love creative, lazy days with you and pretend play-----you were a beautiful kitty cat! IF you showed up at my door, I'd definitely keep you! We didn't spend too much time washing off whiskers Saturday night but additional whiskers appeared in red on Sunday morning. I made the comment that we'd have to buy face paints so that the markers didn't irritate your face. You took in that information and on your own as you anticipated going to Jackson with Mommy and Daddy, you wet a washcloth and emerged from the bathroom with a semi-clean face (minus the prevalent marks of whiskers)! They were a shadow of lines on your face------enough to remember that I'm glad I counted this experience with you as JOY! I'm not sure what your little mind was thinking when you initially emerged from the playroom with kitty cat whiskers but it made for a memorable weekend with you. And I wasn't a bit surprised when you selected the "kitty cat" pajamas at Gymborree today.......Purr! When I asked you what your favorite part of today was, you said, "Eating at Outback!" Right before you fell asleep, you said, "Mommy, they forgot to give us a box for our onion!" I just love, love my little kitty cat who loves to eat as much as Mommy does--------I promised you that we'd go back for more food soon and that we'd remember to ask them to pack us a box to take home with us for our favorite kitty.

My Kitty Cat was so, so EXCITED to have whiskers!

Delighted that Mommy was HAPPY too----at least playing along with you! I do have to admit that I love that you chose a purple marker to draw those kitty cat whiskers! Matchy, matchy---and full of mischief! Oh! What high school yearbook title will you bring home?

You wanted to paint a rainbow. The arches emerged but then you told me that you wanted to paint the entire paper------this is the final creation! Daddy didn't know you were painting "a rainbow" but noticed this lady with red hair and features that emerged from your Saturday afternoon creation!

A kitty cat.........seems to be hiding in the grass!

Another......you wanted to fill the page with color here too! I do remember an art instructor from middle Tennessee mentioning on Facebook that indeed toddlers love to add extra paint to their paintings.......We'll continue to practice painting at home as we search for an open spot to paint in her studio on one of our trips across the state.

Getting ready for her beauty sleep..........loved that the kitty cat had an eye cover on her face! You loved playing with your eye cover on our first class trip to Greece this past June!

Come on Mommy! This little kitty was ready for "Run & Chase" with the mouse------a nightly routine before bedtime at our house. The cat does the requesting------she's in charge of the silly, old mouse who loves her so..........

Sophia, we love you little one!