not so good at playing...

I have come to the conclusion recently that I am really great at doing fun activities with Lilly...but that I really (and I mean REALLY) struggle to just "play" with her. I can do games, and bike rides and throw a ball and bake cookies, read books and do art projects and come up with ideas of things to make and do. But, when she wants to play pretend...I struggle.

She often wants to pretend to go on an adventure...I try to play along, but inevitably I do it wrong and Lilly has to correct me. I also really struggle to keep a smile on my face during these escapades. She wants to climb in the bathtub & pretend its a train, then run room to room away from a monster. I just struggle to keep up with the scenario so I don't screw it up. Again. Like I did last time.

It didn't really sink in for me until the other day that there was such a distinction between the types of play that we do, and what a difference my enjoyment & interaction is. I am always advocating crafts and activities, and she is usually lobbying to "play toys" (meaning Diego figures) or just play pretend.

I also find it interesting that I struggle in this area, as my mom tells me I was quite the imaginary play child myself all those decades ago. So I don't know if that part of my brian is long unused & dusty, or if I just can't follow someone else's imaginary lead (which sounds more like my bossy self anyway).

Just one of those funny insights I thought I would share. I get a lot of comments and emails from folks who read my blog about all the things I "do" with Lilly, and it only recently occurred to me that I do that because that's something I can do that I know we will both enjoy. Otherwise...its a painful evening or afternoon of pretend play where I am struggling to keep up and fake it. So...bring on the projects!!!

7 days straight...

So...for the record...she wore her Diego costume 7 days in a row - including to school every day this week. She was quite adamant about it actually. When I dropped her off Friday, her teacher told me that she had been acting up on Thursday and that they told her if Diego couldn't behave, then he would have to go back to the jungle and Lilly would have to put on regular Lilly clothes. And - then she was an angel the rest of the day. Dropped her off in full Diego attire Friday morning, but when I picked her up, she was in Lilly clothes again. I was worried that she had acted up again - but apparently had just spilled something all over herself, so had to change. And, the good news was she didn't seem upset by it.

I quietly washed the outfit last night in case she insisted on it again today - but she put on regular clothes without asking for it. (She is off on an adventure w/ my Dad). She still insists on being called Diego - but the outfit seems to have lessened in importance...at least for now. We shall see ;)

diego update..

So she has only taken the outfit off to bathe and sleep. She wore it to Target Saturday, to Jamestown settlement w/ my dad Sunday, out to dinner with us on SUnday, and then to school today despite the fact that the character day isn't until Wednesday. Odds are still out on whether she will wear it to school tomorrow too...but you can bet your bottom dollar I am washing it tonight just in case (washed it Sat night, but didn't Sunday since it just didn't occur to me she would insist on wearing it today too!).

Her teachers were great sports and continue to play along...and they are all dying to see if she wears it tomorrow too! I will let you know.....c

Diego On the Go

Next week is "dress up as your favorite book character" day at school. Lilly has been planning for WEEKS and is so excited to get to dress up as Diego at school (yes - we still all have to call her Diego). I have been on the hunt for the various pieces of the outfit - we had some things that would work, but she has been very determined to match the picture in the book exactly...down to brown boots and green socks. Found those at a consignment store, but the khaki vest turned out to be the bigger challenge. BUT, finally last night Lilly and I headed to Bass Pro Shop's Outdoor World and found a youth small vest in the fly fishing section (audible sigh of relief...). We got home and she was dying to put on the whole outfit. These pictures are great...but they don't capture how she was physically BEAMING with joy and giggling outloud the whole time. She was soooo Happy (SO natuarlly I was beaming too). What fun. Enjoy the pics.

My Cinderella

So...it has been a difficult week where I work. We have had a number of layoffs this week - and the tension in the rooms could be cut with a knife. I feel very fortunate to still have a good job. On the flip side - it has been very hard as my position had me involved with many aspects of the staff reductions over the past few weeks. It is so emotionally awful I can't even tell you. Today a lot of news got delivered, and that combined with some other incidents at work that I won't go into made today one of the more draining days of my professional career.

I was driving in the car from work to day care just feeling numb. I was thinking about how the heck could I get my energy up to be "on" for Lil when I felt so numb. Then Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella" came on the radio, and stopped me in my tracks. I have heard this song a million times, but never had it spoken so directly to my heart. The lyrics are below...

For those of you who aren't familiar with this artist - he is a Christian artist with a passion for adoption, and he and his wide have adopted 3 little girls from China. Last summer in a freak accident, one of his sons accidentally ran over the youngest girl in their driveway, killing her. It is a terrible story for any parent - but somehow struck the adoption community in an even more unique way. As adoptive parents we - or maybe I should just speak for myself - I feel such a sense of entrustment from the birthmother. I am just so freaking lucky and blessed beyond all measure - and feel such a sense of duty to the birthmother to honor her incredibly difficult decision. SOmehow - the Chapaman's family tragedy just made us all feel that even stronger. Anyway...after their tragedy, Steven Curtis Chapman rewrote the last verse of this song. His message is simple - take time for what is important.

So, as I drive into day care this evening with the actual weight of the world on my shoulders, I knew I didn't need to fake it for Lil tonight. I ran in and held her with all my might. She screams "DORA!" and ran over to me. I told "Diego" I loved her so much and almost squeezed the dickens out of her. We came home and colored (well - I did make myself a "real" drink tonight too) and did puzzles, and took a really long time with stories. The weight of the world will still be there tomorrow - but tonight I am not blessed with Cinderella, but with my very own Diego, and she is amazing, and keeping my head above water in this incredibly hard time.

Lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella":

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,

Without a care in the world.

And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.

It's been a long day and there's still work to do,

She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!

There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed

She wants to know if I approve of the dress

She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,And I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone She will be gone.

Well, she came home today

With a ring on her hand

Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned

She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away

but I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song, (even one song)

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

(kleenex anyone??)

Diego Does It Himself

My child is in a phase now where she is insisting that everyone call her Diego. The other day she looked at me and said - I swear...this is verbatim.... "My name is Lilly Marta Sc**** but you call me Diego." She makes me call her Diego, her teachers, her grandparents, everyone. She has also started to call me Dora. Sometimes it is Mommy Dora, Dora Mommy or just Dora. My mom seems to be Boots. Her teacher Ms. Alicia at school is Map. The other characters seem to be still evolving. It is sooooo funny. Its not like we have to be "playing" for this rule to be in effect. I pick her up from school and in the car on the way home she'll say, "Dora, I hungry," etc etc.

"Diego" is also in a phase where she has to do everything herself. I got these pics of her this morning as she was struggling to put on her own rain boots. Enjoy.....

Ahh...March...and BTW I LOVE Daylight Savings!

Last Monday it was fun in the snow...today it was 80 degrees. Lilly and I had a lovely walk after work, then played with bubbles in the driveway - all in T Shirts before her bath at 7. That is Spring in Virginia for you!

We had a great weekend.... Saturday Lilly and I went for a "walk around the block" that turned into a half mile walk to the park - an hour at the park, and hour at the adjoining "beach" playing in the sand and looking for shells, and then heading home for a late nap before Mae Mae came for her playdate.

Got to celebrate Jackson's Family Day with him & his parents on Sunday. I can't believe two years have gone by so fast! We joined them for a picnic and then headed to a paint your own pottery place...so fun!

Then Lil and I headed up to my parents' house where Dad watched Lil and Mom and I went shopping at the outlets...fun! Got lots of cute clothes for the spring & summer...all while trying to follow Lilly's edict of NO DRESSES.

By the way...I am beginning to realize that Lil is in this turquoise sweatshirt in most of my blog posts...I do promise - she wears other clothes...I just love the look & ease of this one!

SNOW DAY

We had our one snow of the year...and so we had a snow day! For reasons I still can't fathom, the hospital day care closes when the local city schools close... soooo... Lilly came to work with Mommy for the first part of the day (& Jackson went to school with his mommy). At lunchtime we picked Jackson up, Lilly & Jackson cmae to our house, where we met Mae Mae who was the superhero of the day & who watched them both all afternoon. Luckily, my late meetings got cancelled, so I got to come home a little early and we all played in the snow together. Very fun. Enjoy the pics....c

Nice Weekend....

We tried two adventures this weekend...one worked, one didn't. We headed to the Mid Atlantic Quilt Show Saturday morning...this is one of my FAVORITE events each year. I was really proud of Lil...she did great at the show and even tolerated me shopping for fabric and jewelry (there is a french fabric place that comes every year, and I am so addicted).

Here are some fun shots of some lovely quilts (that I never even hope to be able to mimic, but so great!), and Lilly's favorites.


Here is Lilly posing in front of the Lily quilt she found.

She was all excited to find an eagle quilt as I have started to call her Eagle Eye since she is always spotting school buses and the like when we are driving around.

This was her favorite quilt...all animals. She had brought her Baby Jaguar toy (sidekick to Diego on her favorite cartoon)...and wanted to show Baby Jaguar his picture on the quilt.

Later that day we headed to the CNU Basketball Game w/ Jackson and family...and that didn't go well at all. She was PETRIFIED. Actually...she was shaking in my arms, head buried in my chest, whimpering. So, needless to say, we didn't last long. She didn't like the noise, and she really didn't like the mascot, "Captain Chris" who looks a bit like the freakish Burger King King. We stayed about 15 minutes, and then left at halftime when Jackson & fam watched the rest of the game. Lilly has been talking about it ever since then...and she keeps telling me that when she is three she won't be afraid so we will go back then.