oh boy

The question of how to entertain and discipline Dana has been a really tough one for me. Ever since Dana figured how to turn the TV on herself she doesn't really seem all that interested in any other activities. I have tried time outs, explanations, removing her from the room, everything! So my mom suggested that maybe I should just unplug the TV. It seemed reasonable and I figured there was nothing Dana could do about it. WRONG!! So a couple of days ago Dana is busy turning the TV on and off and I walk over turn the thing off and then unplug it. Then I walk over to the couch to see how this method is going to go over. Dana tries the remote, the buttons on the front, and various other methods of turning the TV on without success. I am thrilled! Then she turns around and gives me this look that clearly showed her estimation of my intelligence, walks to the wall notices the unplugged cord and the plugs the thing back in, walks back to the front and push the on button. Dana:1 Mom:0

Occasionally Dana does want to play with mom, one of her favorites is the bucket with shapes cut out of the lid that you put little cut outs through. She'll give a cutout one or two tries to get through the lid and when that doesn't work she simply takes the lid off and places it inside of the bucket. Duplos are fun as long as mom builds the towers and Dana can take them apart. Playdoh is also fun, but only if mom is there to feed it to. Dana:2 Mom:0

Finally when I get fed up and my patience is wearing thin Dana walks over, places a hand on either side of my face and gives my a big kiss. Dana:3 Mom:0

What is it with the cupboards?

So Dana has taken over my cupboards on either side of the oven. I kind of need this space for other stuff like food and water bottles, but every time I put something in there she pulls it right back out (except for the water since it's too heavy to lift).

That's my girl

Dana is growing up so fast and has therefore decided that it's time to wear mom's shoes. She started out with my flip flops and flats, but has now moved onto High Heels! I love it. It's nice to know that she's going to take after mommy in at least one way.

P.S. that's clean clothes that had just come out of the dryer and I was putting it away, but I just had to capture the moment.

Sandcastles, shells, and water

Today is the last day we had to really do anything with Frans before he starts his internship, so we decided to visit Lake Mead. It was amazing...88 degrees with water that was 85 degrees. It was so much cooler there and the water was amazing. Dana loved splashing around and digging in the sand, she made her very first sandcastle today. She wanted to stay all day long. She was laughing and running around like crazy and Frans and I were having a blast watching her have so much fun. Overall it was one perfect day!

Hot Hot Vegas

Well we are all moved in here in Herderson, NV. We are only about 20 min the strip and are really enjoying it. It has been so hot here...the first couple of days were in the high 90's low 100's but today it is supposed to cool down to 93 before climbing back into the 100's by the end of the week. Dana is really enjoying the swimming pool at the apt, she goes nearly everyday. Yesterday we went to Madame Tussaud's and the shops at the Venetian. It was alot of fun to look at all the designer stores.

Ear Infection

Well this week has definately been trying. Dana has decided that she is car sick...which sucks because we live in Mattawa which means an hour travel to most places. Then yesterday we were in Othello and she was throwing up and then covering her ears like it was too loud. So today we went to the doctor and found out that she has an ear infection. Poor kid.

Spring Playground Fun

So Dana went to the park today and had so much fun...we went on the swings.
There were three slides but this was her absolute favorite.

This makes all the temper tantrums worth it...