Lexi has chores that she has to do mostly on a daily basis. Some of them are "expected" things...like putting her clothes in her hamper, brushing her teeth, and throwing her garbage in the can. But she also does things that aren't "expected"...like feeding the dogs, helping unload the dishwasher, and helping with laundry.
Today, I asked her to feed the dogs. She did so...with only my verbal guidance on the steps. I gave her 2 quarters afterwards and told her that this was her "payment" for doing her job. She was so happy to get those quarters (she uses quarters when we go to the mall to ride in those little rides they have) and immediately put them in her "purse".
My question is...do you think it's too early to introduce an allowance? I mean, she is only 3...but then again, I don't think that it's ever too early to teach a child the value of money. What are your experiences/thoughts on the subject?
Friday, April 20, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Happy Birthday Baby!
Dearest Lexi,
Happy 3rd Birthday sweetheart! You are definitely not a baby anymore...and you tell us almost everyday! At 3 years old you are:
Potty Trained! Yep...I never would have believed that potty training would be so easy...but when we decided to go for it, you were 100% on board and ready. You had one accident that first Saturday and 2 at school that first Monday and that's all. No daytime accidents since the beginning of February. And for the last 3 weeks, you've woken up dry every morning and from every nap. It's almost like you were waiting for Mommy to get with the program. We've given JP (your neighbor friend) all the rest of your Pull Ups and diapers...so there are no more left in the house. It still amazes me every day to see you picking out your big girl underwear from your dresser to put on.
You can mainly dress yourself. You pick your underwear and shirts, while Mommy usually picks your bottoms...though that's only because the weather has been wacky and I want to make sure you wear weather appropriate clothes. You can get your pants on by yourself...but still have trouble with your shirts. Socks you always ask for help with, but I think that's laziness on your part and not lack of skill. You zip your zippers and can almost get the snaps...buttons we're still working on. Shoes are easy for you. Though the lack of laces or buckles helps.
Your hair is amazingly long. The curls make it look shorter than it actually is. We only ever get to see how long it really is during your bath while it's wet. It comes down to your butt! But when dry, it's just past your shoulders. It's staying blond for now...and I know it will get lighter with the sun...so I'm happy about that. It suits you.
Your vocabulary has exploded. You are a chatterbox and will hold entire conversations with us. I love when you say things are "delicious" and "tasty" though the word "disgusting" sounds hilarious coming out of your little mouth. You pick up everything we say and understand more than we know.
You know left from right...all your ABC's...can count to 25...know all your body parts (yes, even those down yonder)...but colors seem to give you difficulty. If I ask you to point to the "yellow" car you will. But if I ask you what color car is in my hand you will always say "green". You can match your colors, but not tell me what colors they are. We will have to keep working on that. You know your first and last name, your birthday and the street you live on. You sometimes forget which number house, but we're just getting started on that. You know Mommy's name and Daddy's name...as well as Grandma and Grandpa's. Basia and JaJa's names are still giving you pause...most likely because they are longer ethnic names.
You love crafting. You have a box full of markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue, foam stickers as well as a folder full of construction paper. You love making maps and pictures for everyone. I have a whole box full of your art projects from school, so I tend to give away some of the home art projects to family.
Speaking of school...you love going to "school" (daycare) every Monday. You speak highly of playing with your friends and teachers. I'm hoping this fondness will carry over to preschool this fall!
You are so lovable. Your hugs and kisses are sweet and your laughter infectious. You love to be my "helper" with whatever it is I'm doing at the moment. And I try to oblige by letting you help. You feed the dogs, and water the plants.
Your manners are also something I'm really proud of. You regularly use "please" and "thank-you"...even to strangers. "Excuse me" is a norm when you burp or fart...though that's usually followed by a burst of giggles. You are willing to share with others...and call people by "Mister (insert name) or Missus (insert name)".
Everybody loves you, Lexi. But no one more than Mommy. There is a reason you don't go to bed without hearing me tell you "I Love You" every nap or bedtime. I want you to know how much you are loved. I want you to feel it, in my actions, and I want you to hear it. I want you to know that there is nothing wrong with expressing how you feel...especially expressing how much you love someone. So I tell you...all the time. And it melts my heart to have you run up to me and say "Oh Mommy, I missed you so much today. I love you".
I love you more and more each day.
Love,
Mommy
Happy 3rd Birthday sweetheart! You are definitely not a baby anymore...and you tell us almost everyday! At 3 years old you are:
Potty Trained! Yep...I never would have believed that potty training would be so easy...but when we decided to go for it, you were 100% on board and ready. You had one accident that first Saturday and 2 at school that first Monday and that's all. No daytime accidents since the beginning of February. And for the last 3 weeks, you've woken up dry every morning and from every nap. It's almost like you were waiting for Mommy to get with the program. We've given JP (your neighbor friend) all the rest of your Pull Ups and diapers...so there are no more left in the house. It still amazes me every day to see you picking out your big girl underwear from your dresser to put on.
You can mainly dress yourself. You pick your underwear and shirts, while Mommy usually picks your bottoms...though that's only because the weather has been wacky and I want to make sure you wear weather appropriate clothes. You can get your pants on by yourself...but still have trouble with your shirts. Socks you always ask for help with, but I think that's laziness on your part and not lack of skill. You zip your zippers and can almost get the snaps...buttons we're still working on. Shoes are easy for you. Though the lack of laces or buckles helps.
Your hair is amazingly long. The curls make it look shorter than it actually is. We only ever get to see how long it really is during your bath while it's wet. It comes down to your butt! But when dry, it's just past your shoulders. It's staying blond for now...and I know it will get lighter with the sun...so I'm happy about that. It suits you.
Your vocabulary has exploded. You are a chatterbox and will hold entire conversations with us. I love when you say things are "delicious" and "tasty" though the word "disgusting" sounds hilarious coming out of your little mouth. You pick up everything we say and understand more than we know.
You know left from right...all your ABC's...can count to 25...know all your body parts (yes, even those down yonder)...but colors seem to give you difficulty. If I ask you to point to the "yellow" car you will. But if I ask you what color car is in my hand you will always say "green". You can match your colors, but not tell me what colors they are. We will have to keep working on that. You know your first and last name, your birthday and the street you live on. You sometimes forget which number house, but we're just getting started on that. You know Mommy's name and Daddy's name...as well as Grandma and Grandpa's. Basia and JaJa's names are still giving you pause...most likely because they are longer ethnic names.
You love crafting. You have a box full of markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue, foam stickers as well as a folder full of construction paper. You love making maps and pictures for everyone. I have a whole box full of your art projects from school, so I tend to give away some of the home art projects to family.
Speaking of school...you love going to "school" (daycare) every Monday. You speak highly of playing with your friends and teachers. I'm hoping this fondness will carry over to preschool this fall!
You are so lovable. Your hugs and kisses are sweet and your laughter infectious. You love to be my "helper" with whatever it is I'm doing at the moment. And I try to oblige by letting you help. You feed the dogs, and water the plants.
Your manners are also something I'm really proud of. You regularly use "please" and "thank-you"...even to strangers. "Excuse me" is a norm when you burp or fart...though that's usually followed by a burst of giggles. You are willing to share with others...and call people by "Mister (insert name) or Missus (insert name)".
Everybody loves you, Lexi. But no one more than Mommy. There is a reason you don't go to bed without hearing me tell you "I Love You" every nap or bedtime. I want you to know how much you are loved. I want you to feel it, in my actions, and I want you to hear it. I want you to know that there is nothing wrong with expressing how you feel...especially expressing how much you love someone. So I tell you...all the time. And it melts my heart to have you run up to me and say "Oh Mommy, I missed you so much today. I love you".
I love you more and more each day.
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, April 5, 2012
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