Little Parrot

Ansley,
You are becoming quite the little copycat! You talk all the time and it seems everyday you are learning a new word. It seems you just hear what we say and then you say it or you see what we do and then you do it. We have been home from Georgia just three days and you have already learned five new words! It definitely is nice to know your needs and not have to guess what you want. I just adore watching you soak up life these days and I have to write it down because I am so scared I will forget your little quirks that crack me up!
~ You have been sitting on the potty at least once a day lately and I have been saying "pee pee" when you go in the potty. Now, anytime you see a toilet, you point and say "pee pee"!
~ You love Gerber cheese puffs and sometimes Daddy will put one in his mouth and you will lean forward in your highchair and bite off the other half and just cackle! If you want more, you will point to the container and softly say "puff"...your cute little voice is hard to resist and I usually cave in and give you some more :)
~ You love to go outside and you will stand by the door and try to reach up and turn the doorknob. If you don't get your way, you will have a little tantrum by the door. You point outside and say "bye bye". You love to go places...certainly not a home-body!
~Whenever Daddy or I brush our hair or our teeth, you want to get your brush or toothbrush and copy us!
~When I read a magazine or the Bible, you will say "book" and run off to get your books out of your book basket.
~You are a true Babywise baby because you definitely have the Sleep-Eat-Play routine down pat! It's really funny. Now, when we go in your room in the morning or after a nap, you pop up and immediately start saying "eat, eat, eat"!
~When the credits start rolling at the end of Praise Baby, you will start saying "bye-bye" and I immediately know it's over *sigh*
Thanks for making us laugh little one! We love you!

Discipline Direction??

Calling all my mommy friends...can any of you recommend good books on disciplining and training a toddler (particularly age 1-2)? I would like books that are very practical and explicit. Jon and I are considering a Growing Kids God's Way small group this fall but we are trying to unify and come up with a solid, intentional plan for training this little lady in our lives who is definitely understanding right from wrong already! I've never been down this road before although I am very used to re-training five year olds (ha!) so any advice would be awesome! :)

14 Month Memories and Milestones...

Ansley,
You have entered toddler-hood with a bang...a big bang! You literally change everyday. Here are a few memories and milestones to help us remember what you were like as a 14 month old little girl!

Word World...
You love learning new words! This month, you learned to say Pa-Pa, Mam-maw, and Sue which made all three of your great-grandparents VERY happy! You also learned to say duck, cup, milk and bow! Sometimes you even say phrases like "That's Papa" or "Bye-bye Daddy"! You love to point to objects/people and say their names! You now say ~32 words...yes Mommy is a little obsessed about keeping them written down in your journal...it must be the teacher in her!

Fun with Food...
This month you tried eggs, cottage cheese, raisins, bacon, sausage, grits, and peanut butter for the first time. We were glad to see that you had no reaction to eggs or peanut butter! Your favorite foods right now are crackers, fish, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and yogurt!

Dislikes...
These days you do not like being left alone. You sometimes cry when Mommy or Daddy leave you at the nursery or with someone you aren't really familiar with. You really dislike when you cannot go outside due to the hot weather or thunder storms. You will stand at the door and whine or sometimes even have a tantrum. As with most toddlers, you dislike when you don't get your way and we are having to work with you on learning how to respond appropriately. You really dislike being spoon-fed and would prefer to eat all your food with your fingers!

Naps and Nightime...
You still take two naps a day when you are at home (you would not nap when you were in school). You take a short morning nap (about a hour and a half) and a longer afternoon nap (about two hours). You love going "night-night" in the evening! When Daddy and I pray with you at night, you lean over your crib and beg to go "night-night"! You sleep from 7:30 p.m.-7:30 a.m.

Toddler Temperament...
You are very social and love people! You are sweet, friendly and you love to wave to people and blow them kisses. You do this everywhere we go...whether you know the person or not. This month you threw your first tantrum and you have had several since then. You can be whiny and strong-willed at times. You are learning to test limits and boundaries and we are having to be very consistent with disciplining you. For the most part you are a very sweet, well-mannered little girl who is very curious and can be quite spunky!

Lots to Learn...
This month, you are learning to say your family members names and recognize their picture. You are also learning your body parts. We see you growing daily in your understanding as you respond to our requests to go get things we ask you to or come to us when we call you!

Busy Bee...
You love to run, climb, throw balls overhand, roll and kick balls, walk backwards, and be chased! You love to play hide and seek! You have finally learned how to get off of furniture by turning around and sliding off! You now try to turn door knobs and open doors.

Oh, Ansley! You are a joy! You wear us out and cause us to sleep VERY good at night! One day we will revisit this and be reminded of your curiosity and cuteness! We love you! Happy 14 months!
Daddy and Mommy

Ansley Month 14

Scrapbook design customized with Smilebox

Sleeved Bibs Scavenger Hunt

Several months ago, my cousin-in-law Leslie, passed down two sleeved bibs to me that her daughter used when she was a toddler. I have fallen in love with the sleeved bib! Ansley's outfits (and arms) stay mess free and the beloved pocket catches all those lovely crumbs that are the result of an up and coming self-feeder! Everywhere we go, friends (and strangers) are asking me where they can get a similar bib. I knew it was from the maker "I-Play" according to the tag but I have searched and can no longer find an exact match anywhere online (as these bibs were made several years ago) that can be ordered. However, I have found a twin that I think will be possibly be...dare I say...even better! So, I thought I would share my new find with my friends...
Bumkins Waterproof Sleeved Bibs

* Made of Bumkins' proprietary waterproof fabric
* Stain and odor resistant
* Tie closure (I think I will like this better than the velcro closure I have now)
* Features catch-all pocket
* Machine washable, hang dry
* Measures 13.5" across chest, 12.5" from neck down, 32" cuff to cuff.
* Sized to fit 6 months - 2+ years
* Lead Safe, PVC, BPA, Phthalate & Vinyl Free
Price: $14.95

Class of 2022

Yipee! Today marks my final day of my sixth year of teaching. 06.01.10...is it really 2010? Where has the time gone? Was it really ten years ago that I graduated from high school and began my journey towards becoming an educator?
I am very excited about summer vacation. However, as I sit in my quiet classroom this morning surrounded by furniture laden with sheets and bulletin boards covered in newspaper, I feel a twinge of sadness...this happens every year. I just said goodbye to the Class of 2022.
Dear Parents,
Today I give you back your child. The same child you confidently entrusted to my care last fall. I give them back pounds heavier, inches taller, and months wiser than they were then.

Although they would have attained their growth in spite of me, it has been my pleasure and privilege to watch their personality unfold day by day and marvel at this miracle of development. 


I give them back reluctantly. Having spent ten months together in the narrow confines of a classroom, we have grown close and we shall always retain a little of each other. We have lived, loved, laughed, learned, and enriched our lives together this year.

Remember that I shall always be interested in your child and their future endeavors, wherever they go, whatever they do, whoever they become. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be your child’s teacher this year!
Love,
Mrs. Mitchell
I am so very thankful for the role the Lord has given me in teaching these children and I cannot wait to see the dreams He has for them fulfilled!