A Site about Kerry, Karring, and Anna

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Village People -- Day 877

We have finally settled down after the holidays which included a lot of gifts, illness, travel, and time outs for Anna. Anna essentially celebrated the holidays by asserting her independence and learning the numerous ways she can earn a time out. So after we got back from North Dakota, we went on a discipline immersion course, which seems to have paid off. She has really been a good little girl for the last few days.

We even started watching the TV show Supernanny for a few tips. In the end, we probably only get a couple of ideas a week, but sometimes that is the little bit that makes the difference. Regardless, a change in tactics is always good to keep Anna off balance so she doesn't catch on to our parenting weaknesses too quickly.

Our Vintage Fisher Price toys for Christmas have been a big hit. She plays with them for hours a day and will often announce, "I think I am going to play with my village now." Even when I ask her if she wants to go to a museum, she will say thoughtfully, "I think I will play with my village just a little bit longer." That was the best money we have ever spent.

North Dakota was a really good time, but sickness was the theme of the trip. I think my brother and I were the only ones who didn't get sick. Anna got an ear infection and a bad cold, Kerry followed, then my sister-in-law got sick, then the grandparents took their turn. Teaching Anna to take medicine was no fun either.

There was almost no snow in North Dakota, which was the first time since 1971 that there was no snow for Christmas. That was too bad because we were hoping to go sledding for the first time. We did get one good snow before leaving, but the next day it rained and turned it all to a yucky slush.

By the way, since the North Dakota grandparents usually take an enormous amount of photos, I don't have hardly any pictures from the trip. I will have to post them later on when I get the files.

Anna has also started to call me by my first name. It is not that uncommon to hear the little girl going, " Kaaaaaaaarrrrrring." And that elongated intro will usually be followed by a request such as, "can you pleeeeeeeeese get me some milk?" Even last night she woke up screaming (probably a nightmare of some sort) and she ended up calling out, "Kaaaaaaaarrrrrring." Of course, she says Daddy 90 percent of the time, but it is sort of interesting to see when she uses my name.

Another one of Anna's favorite activities is giving the Nya-Nyas a birthday party. She will take all of her stuffed animals (Pirate, Miffy, Snoopy, her rabbit, and the two Nya-Nyas) and set them up at her little play table. She usually puts the Nya-Nyas in their brunch dresses (don't ask). Then she will get all of the birthday, Christmas, and Halloween cards she has received this year and distribute them out. All this occurs upstairs in her room, and Kerry and I will hear from downstairs Anna belting out the happy birthday song several times during the hour or so. She loves her play time.

Well, I had better go. It is 73 and sunny in January, and I can't be tied to the computer.

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