Little Lady Lesson #2 Excuse Me

"Excuse me?"

Yeah, you heard me right. I said that word. "Excuse me."

I hadn't heard it in such a long time I needed to say it.

"Excuse me."

If only we'd use that word more often. It's so much nicer than "Mom.... Mom... Mom I'm talking to you...."

Well, I'm talking to someone else and you're just going to have to wait. 

I tried to ignore it, but let's face it....

LITTLE LADY LESSON #2

If you want someone to pay attention to you while they're talking to someone use, you must use the magic word "Excuse me" and wait for a response. 

1. Do you wave for your child to go away and leave you alone.
2. Walk away from them if your on the telephone and find a closet to hide in until your conversation is over.
3. Politely ask the other person to wait a moment while you address you child and explain to them Little Lady Lesson #2.

Preschoolers have the hardest time with waiting. They have a need and they want it now. And at this age, there is only one person who can meet that need for them--Mom.

Tweens and teens on the other hand, know better, but will try and get away with it because they think they can.

At any age, it's best to set the right example, no matter where you are at and what the circumstances. Your little lady with thank you when she's older.

Hot Chocolate?

Today, we're inviting you to sit down with us at our tea party. Chadee has got the table set and instead of tea, we're brewing up some hot chocolate to go with these yummy hot chocolate cheesecakes featured over on Inside Brucrew Life.

You have got to go check them out, Joceyln has many more photos over on her blog post and the recipe!

What better on a cold snowy day than a double dose of hot chocolate?

Chadee has got her apron on.

Don't forget the pink sprinkles!

Fancy Nancy Style

Does your little lady of a sense of style?

As a mom, I often want to pick out my little lady's clothes for the next day. I want her to match and look cute at the same time, but as my little lady's get older I've had to let go of always deciding what they wear.

Chadee loves to pick out her clothes and create her own Fancy Nancy style.

And as a mom, I've had to step back and let my little lady be herself. If it were up to me, she'd wear jeans and sneakers everyday to school, they're practical and what I grew up wearing.

But Chadee won't go anywhere near a pair of jeans unless she's got a dress to go over top of them.

I've learned to accept the following things:

1. My little lady may not always be color coordinated.
2. What does the latest fashion matter, as long as it's her style? She could just create the next trend.
3. If it makes her happy, and she's wearing clothing that fit appropriately, then why can't she wear it?

Every morning Chadee surprises me with a new outfit selection. She mixes and matches and creates a whole look of her own. At any given time, she's prepared for a tea party, Fancy Nancy style.

And at this age, this kind of style can be so much fun, don't you think?

Valentines Ideas For Little Ladies

The girls and I have been getting ready for Valentines Day. This year we've decided to do something a little different.

If your looking for something creative for your little lady to hand out this Valentine's day, Amazing Mae has a free printable for these Valentine word searches. Love this idea!

For the older child, here is a great idea from Design Mom on how to create Mad Lib Valentines. Our son is totally grinning at these. We just might make up our own and print them. If he does, I'll share the printable with you at a later date. 

 Marie is working on something a little more creative with taking pictures and Chadee is excited about all the hearts and of course candy. 

After all, a little lady's best friend is chocolate right?

Are You Pushing Mood Swings?

Marie got off the bus the other day. She was the last one of our tribe to step foot on the sidewalk. While Chadee skipped towards me, Marie didn't even make eye contact. I knew before she looked at me that she'd had a bad day.

"How do you know?" Marie says to me when I ask if she's had a bad day.

Signs of A Mood Swing:

I think any mom who knows their kids well enough can recognize the signs of their daughters' mood swings. It's that time when we have to put on her investigatory hat and interagate for clues. If answers are forthright, there is always a sibling close by who may know the answer.

Chadee usually just skips along beside us and asks, "What's wrong Sissy?"
While their brother, stuck between two girls, remains quiets. As he has found is best when we deal with one of Marie's mood swings.

I go through all the questions:
"Did something happen today at school?"
"Did someone hurt your feelings?"
"Did someone say something to you that you didn't like?"
"What did you have for lunch?" (For a picky eater like Marie, even food can put a girl in a terrible mood.)

LITTLE LADY LESSON #1

Bad days are inevitable. A little lady is never unkind or pulls others down with her, but may confide her troubles to a good friend or adult that they may help her find the goodness through the bad. 

By the time we walk home from the bus stop, I usually get enough information that I can determine the cause of the mood swing and attempt to push Marie's mood in a different direction. Or at least I try to make her smile before going in the house. It usually works.

I think mood swings are inevitable when you have girls. It has to do with growing up and that whole hormone thing. As a mom, I'd like to think that somewhere in my morning cup of tea is a dollop or two of patience. God knows I need it when the mood swings start to escalate.

And just when I thought we'd out grown the tantrum stage. LOL

It's so important that we let our girls know we're there for them, even on the bad days.

How do you handle a bad day and how do you encourage your daughter through a bad day?

If The Shoe Fits

Are shoe sizes seasonal or is it just about the colors, do you think?

Marie has almost caught up to my shoe size now.
But that's not the part that worries me. Now that Marie is shopping in the "women's" shoe section, the shoes have gotten so much more mature than the simple princess design sneakers and low heel flats. We've entered the high heel arena, but how much of a heel is really appropriate for a tween?

Thank goodness, Marie is much more of a 'tom boy' than she is a girly girl like Chadee. I cringe thinking of the day I see either one of my little ladies strutting around in six inch heels.

So how do you determine what is the right shoe for your daughter? I've been asking myself this question all week. Is it the shoe that fits?

And what exactly does fit mean?

Seriously, is it the shoe that fits your budget? Fits her foot the best? Or fits a criteria of what a shoe should be according to her age?

It's so much easier with Chadee. As long as it's pink and sparkles she's wear it until it wears out. Preferably in a Mary Jane Style.

But I've seen heels on little girls shoes that I wouldn't wear myself.
I know, I know... call me old fashion.
Or just call me a klutz.

It's so hard to find a shoe that fits. There are so many! Colors. Styles. Purposes. How do you choose for which one is the right fit?

Tea Party Tuesday

Come join us on Tuesdays for a virtual tea party with Chadee. 

Don't these cupcakes look scrumptious? 

Thanks weheartit.com for sharing this pretty picture.

One lump or two? 

Don't forget to join us on Tuesdays!