Tiny Twirler

Today Cammi had her first twirling lesson. Cutest thing ever. She's going to be twirling a 16" baton, which is so super small. Omigosh it's just the awesomest sight. She really liked her teacher Miss Dory. Miss Dory was a feature twirler in college and a competition twirler. I know that I could learn a lot from her as well. I wish I'd decided to twirl in college.

Today Cameran learned some basics with her little mini baton. She learned to scoop ice cream...which is the precursor to doing figure 8 twirls. She also learned to stir the pot...which is the precursor to pancake twirls or horizontal spins. She did pretty good. Miss Dory worked with the girls on marching, and holding their batons in salute. The most precious site....3-6 year olds in salute. I loved watching it and I loved the precious expressions on Cameran's face. She loved being invited to do the things the older girls were doing. We go back for our next lesson next Tuesday. I'm hoping that Cameran's baton is in by next week.

A New Year

I decided with the New Year here I should start afresh on my blog. No real resolutions this year, but who am I to kid I almost never make resolutions. Really my only resolution is to gain 10 pounds. Sounds easy enough, right? Yep, I've already been at it for almost 2 years. I am hoping and praying on my knees that if I can get to 90, the next 8 or so will be easier. Wish me luck. I think this situation has given me insight into the struggle and battle that people who want to lose weight encounter. It's so frustrating to do all you can to achieve your target weight, only to get on that scale and find out you haven't moved an inch...or sometimes in my case, have lost more. How the hell do you lose weight when you cram your mouth full of food all day??? It's not like I'm training for a marathon either. I guess in some circles chasing after a strong willed toddler all day is equivalent to marathon training, but can't I just gain a pound?!

I'm really looking forward to starting this new year. Why is it that with a new year that we can feel like the slate is wiped clean? I recently got this Daily Verse where it talked about this very thing. We are all wiped clean, the slate is wiped clean when we are believers. Still, though I love Christ with all my heart and believe with all my being, somehow I still feel like the slate has been wiped clean as the New Year begins. I never make resolutions...but I do try and set some goals for myself. I tend to make them throughout the year. I think this year I might write them down as they come to me and see if they get accomplished. Sort of a "To Do" list for the year. Numero Uno is definitely gain some weight. I don't really have any others for right now, but we're only 4 days into the year.

Still have on going battles with Cameran. We have the pee pee on the potty down. She will go without prompting...totally does the whole process herself. It's great! She will NOT go poo in the potty. I just don't even know what to do. I've done the incentives... no dice. I've made her take off the dirty panties, put the poo in the potty, clean herself up...nothing. Today we told her if she can't stop going poo in her panties that she's going to have to wear a pull up again. She didn't like that because she really does love wearing her Dora panties. I'm hoping this is the motivation she needs. How is it that it's taken us SO long?! The other thing we are going to master is first time obedience and curbing the whining. I wonder if all 3 1/2 year olds are this whiny? She is getting SO much better at getting Self Control. She will actually stop and put her hands in self control, so we are making progress. The last bit I will make progress, Cam will make progress in this year, is eating new foods. She was such a good eater as a baby, and now...not so much. Getting her to try new foods is like trying to get my husband to watch Steel Magnolias. I've made a chart for her that we can stick stickers on when she tries something new, but so far not one sticker has been stuck. we've gotten tough with her, to the point that if she doesn't take at least 2 thank you bites, then she gets that food the next day or the next meal, whichever comes first. She doesn't get anything else until she eats those 2 bites. She has the strongest will ever. She will go without food and milk for DAYS. Please say many prayers that she will become more receptive and more interested in trying new things...esp meats and fish.