Too slick for a 3-yr-old

This post is from Mawt Maw (Debbie):
I had asked her to clean up her room and she came out and asked if I would “help me clean up the mess in my room.”

I said “sure” and went in to help. I looked up and Millie was “WATCHING” Mawt Maw clean up, while she stood on her bed. I asked her what was her clean up song, thinking that would get her more involved. I started singing “clean up, clean up, everybody share,”

and Ms. Millie said, No, Mawt Maw, it’s clean up, clean up, one person clean up.” It took a few repetitions before it dawned on me!

BIG Milestone

I've been hesitant to post this because I didn't want to jinx anything but for about 3 weeks now, Millie has been sleeping through the night with just her panties on (knock on wood). Yes, that's right; NO more pull-ups or diapers at night. She did have one accident while she was out of town with Jacade last week. But she has been doing real well. Going to the bathroom before she goes to bed and then again when she gets up in the morning. I think we've finally crossed the hurdle!! NO MORE DIAPERS or PULL-UPS! That will be a considerable savings.

And she starts back to school on Tuesday, August 3. We are going to her Open House this Friday to meet her new teacher and hopefully be able to get a few more uniform pieces at the Uniform Swap. We still need to buy her socks and shoes. And we will pick her backpack up tomorrow; it's getting monogrammed with her name and a cute little princess. (will post pictures later).

Let's play in the rain!

We've had inches and inches of rain lately. And Millie loves to walk outside in the rain with her umbrella. This time, she went outside with only her rain boots and umbrella (and a pull-up!).

New dress

Recently, Mops called to get measurements of Millie. She wanted to make her a dress. So I got the measurements together and sent them to her. A couple of days later, we received a package in the mail with an adorable dress. Millie loves it - it seems like it would be comfy and cool.

Trip to Callaway Gardens

A couple of weeks ago, on July 5th, we drove down to Callaway Gardens for the day. I was amazed at how close it was - it only took us about an hour and 15 minutes. We did a little walking and let Millie ride her bicycle (which also worked well as a stroller). We ate lunch and then went to the beach area.

We all played in the water for a few minutes in the open area and then went over to the water adventure area where they have big water slides and water trampolines. Everyone strapped on a life vest and dove in. The big water slide was difficult, to say the least, to climb. But Millie went up (with our help) and she and I slid down the huge slide. We jumped on the trampoline for big kids and then went to the turtle trampoline that was her size. We played and swam around for about 30 minutes.

Then we went to the Florida State Univ. Flying Circus. We sat down on the floor (all the seats in the bleachers were taken). Millie got a little comfortable, then started twirling her hair and sucking her thumb. A few more acts into the show, and Millie was out! We wore her out. But she had lots of fun.

One Busy Lady

Yesterday morning on the way to church, Millie talked the entire way. She told us how she and her "dad" Landon were going to have 16 kids. She also told us that she was going to be tired and how they were all going to sleep in her room, but that her "dad" wasn't too happy about that.

She also told us that if they got out of their bed, then she would spank them (sorry, she's heard that before and it works for us). She said that when she goes to work, her dad would keep the kids and vice versa.

She's only 3 yrs old and she's already planning her future. Of course, she's just role-playing what she sees and experiences everyday. But it's been fun listening to her tell a story. And she's so sincere, in the process.

Vocabulary has increased

It seems that just within the last few weeks, Millie's vocabulary has grown exponentially. You can carry on a conversation with her and actually understand everything she says. We will be driving down the road and just say big words, and then ask her to repeat them. And she will do her best.

One of her recent big words is "Veterinarian." And she says it very clear. Pretty good for a 3 yr. old.

And last weekend, I took her cousin, Caiden, who is a month older, and Millie to Leapin' Lizards (an inflatable jumping place) and as we were driving down the driveway, the car brushes against the crape myrtle branch. Caiden said, "What was that?" And I said it was a crape myrtle. And Millie asked Caiden, "Can you say crape myrtle?" Too funny. Think she's heard that a time or two?!?

Everyday is the potential for a learning experience. And we are always trying to broaden her horizon.

Pool Time!!!!

Jacade and I found this pool up in the barn (actually it was Ryan's activity center) and blew it up for Millie. She has a lot of fun playing in it and sliding down the slide.

Millie and Ryan

Ryan, Millie's cousin, came down for a week to stay with Nana and Papa. Well, we wanted to get them together for a day to spend time together since they don't get to see each other very often. Nana took some pictures (will have to get her to email to me so I can post) but she did send me some videos.

She said that they both played together very well and that Ryan was very patient with Millie. She also said that Millie kept up with Ryan all the same. All in all, they had a great day.

In watching the videos, I was impressed with how well Ryan is reading. It's so nice to see Ryan reading to Millie; so sweet.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

We took Millie to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens recently and she really enjoyed herself. We all did actually. There was so much to see: fountains, flowers, butterflies, a kid's playground, a kid's garden and more.

We wore her out because when we got in the car to come back home, she wanted to eat the rest of her pb&j and we had to attempt to keep her awake to keep chewing. She finally finished and then she was out like a light.

We are definitely going to go back real soon and do some more exploring!