No Rule Day- Best Day Ever

A few months ago my girls and I were running our usual routine.  The usual, usually means we got up, went to the gym, cleaned, and set off on any adventures or errands that I felt like going on during the day.  

Addie, being the cute little preschooler that she was started crying.  She was frustrated and tired of following my rules all day.  I tried to take a step back and look at it from her tiny person, 5 year old point of view and I realized it would be pretty annoying having someone tell you what to do all.  Day.  Long.  

"Let's go to the gym.  Put on your shoes.  Eat another bite of broccoli.  Flush the toilet." Etc. Etc.  Yeah I'm already annoyed for her just thinking about it.  

So as I was talking to her I explained that I understood her frustration and that I had the perfect solution.  The next day there would be no rules.  We would do whatever she wanted all day.  

I didn't have any ulterior motives.  I wasn't hoping everything would go all wrong so at the end of the day she'd have a greater appreciation for my rules.  I was simply hoping she'd feel understood, and respected enough that I would allow her to take over for the day.  And also I love changing things up so I just thought it sounded like it would be tons of fun for all of us.  

So here is how the morning went.  

It started out with chocolate for breakfast, no trip to the gym, and she wore a cozy mismatched outfit.

Next up was her most creative idea of the day.  

We took the 3 dozen eggs I just bought at Costco, lined the bathtub with garbage bags, threw some swimsuits on and they smashed, stomped, and threw those eggs to their hearts content.  

They made a huge mess but it it was so worth it. They had so much fun.

Addie kept yelling "Best day ever!!!".  

Later that day she really let the power go to her head got into the spirit of the day, talking in the 3rd person and everything.  haha.  When I started doing laundry I believe she said something like "No, no, no.  It's Addie's rules and Addie says no laundry!"  Then she proceeded to throw it everywhere and jump on my bed.  My instinct was to say no, but I had to just laugh about how much of a thrill she was getting out of it.  Who am I to care about tossed laundry in a moment of pure joy!?  

Especially on "Addie's day"!?

While Sienna was napping she thought it would be fun to have a little bake off.  So of course, that's just what we did.  She got out every ingredient you could possibly use to bake cupcakes.  She got flour, sugar, and various spices all over the floor and everywhere else, and made up her own little creation.

For lunch she decided we'd go get candy at Walmart.  She grabbed a Reese's then thought the candy at Smiths sounded delicious too, so we went there, and after that it was time for some frozen yogurt for dessert. (because what would a candy lunch be without dessert!?) The rest of the day included a trip to Del taco, a playdate with her friend, watching Curious George, jumping on her bed, dress ups, and anything else her sweet little heart desired.

The day was a complete success.  She loved the freedom and had so much fun doing all the things she wouldn't normally get to do.  In fact her biggest thrills came from doing all the little things I usually remind her to do like flush the toilet.  And changing into her pajamas to go play outside was her biggest thrill.

There were so many reasons that it was good for me too.  The house was a freaking disaster at the end of the day but, ya know what, who cares!?  I had no idea how often I would normally tell her no.  Throughout the day she kept reminding me of just how creative she can be.  So often she'll come up with the most random thing to do but I'll say no because I don't want to clean up a giant mess.  I resolved to let her creativity shine a little more often and to be more flexible.

After all she'll only be a kid once and she deserved to have the BEST DAY EVER!

Did Somebody Say Makeover!?

This weekend I got to exploit Addie's makeover skills and get all dolled up.

I've never looked or felt better. Why have I never thought to paint my nose red with lipgloss!?  And stick figures drawn with lipstick across my forehead!?  Cutting edge.  Watch out Lauren Conrad there's a new beauty expert in town and her name's Adison Bogar.

And BONUS: it only cost me 200 Costa Rican colones.  (a.k.a. about 40 cents.)  

Sucka!  

This actually was the highlight of my day.  She was laughing so hard as she applied each new hair accessory or stick figure.  :)  And she had some great commentary too.  Like when she used my eyelash curler she said "Oh your boyfriend will LOVE this".  And then she giggled her brains out.  There's nothing better than that.  

Control is My Thing And I've Got Lots of It

You know what's great about being a parent? The fact that things always go as planned.  Its comforting to know that the more I give and love and the harder I work the more my little people will do exactly as I say.  Their minds are fairly easy to control.  They hardly have opinions at all.  Their motto is: Moms way is the right way.

Take for example yesterday.  This is precisely how I planned for Sienna's nap to go.

When I got Sienna dressed to go grocery shopping the other day this is exactly how I hoped she'd re-style herself for the day.

When I asked the girls if they wanted to listen to the Bieb's song "Boyfriend" my intention was to start a 2 year old on 6 year old sister girl fight over who's boyfriend Justin really is.

Don't be fooled.  Sienna was strictly advised to climb these pantry shelves.  Work those muscles baby.  Work it.  We feel that exercise routines are important to start at even a young age.

Ice cream for breakfast before mom even knows you're awake and out of bed?  Yes.  Hell yes.  Calcium, people.  Its loaded with the goodness of calcium.

Lets pause for just a moment so I may have the opportunity to pat myself on the back.  Control is my thing and I've got lots of it around here. 

Yeah, that might be a slight (total) stretch of the truth.

 Embracing flexibility has been the most important thing I've learned to do since I became a mom. When things happen that throw my day off (you know, like Sienna pooping her pants and wiping it all over her room to "clean" it up as I'm trying to head out the door). I sometimes want to punch somebody.  And then kick them.  And maybe punch them again. And also wipe poop all over their room.  (Have I gone too far?)  But the days when I can find the humor in the craziness, and laugh instead of cry (after cleaning up the poop, of course), those are the days I cherish.  Those are the days I will remember with fondness.  Those are the days where I hope my girls will know how much I unconditionally love them, messes, craziness and all.  

And it doesn't hurt to see sweetness like this every now and then either.

Couldn't love these precious cuties any more than I do.