Good sport

To get Isabella to listen I usually make everything a competition. Isabella go use the potty. Isabella "no". Ok then I'm gonna get in there first. Isabella takes off running to be the first. The magic phrase is "I'm gonna be first". This formula has worked for getting a diaper for Bryce, finishing her dinner, her getting dressed, brushing her teeth, washing hands, picking up toys. Wow I really think I over did it. I may have created an over-competitive youngster. At swimming lessons today the teacher had everyone race from one end of the pool to the other. This was more of a running race rather than a swimming race. The first race Isabella came in first and let everyone know it. Then the second race came. This time a little boy just edged her out. He went up to her and said he had won. Isabella corrected him and said "no actually we tied, good job". On the way home I told her that we don't always win but we always need to be good sports. I said when someone wins we always want to say good job and when we win we should say good race to those that didn't win. At dinner she sort of got my advice. We were racing to see who could put a piece of chicken in our mouth first and Isabella was first. She declared "I won" and then feeding me my own advice followed with "Daddy you need to tell me nice job cause I beat you". I didn't see that one coming.

When Isabella was a baby

When Isabella was a baby she went to school with me and so did her sister Kierda. When I ask her who Kierda is she says 'she's just my sister'. We have welcomed Kierda because she doesn't cost anything. I'm not clear who Kierda's mother is but I have been told I am her father. Not sure how I missed that. When Isabella was a baby she liked roller coasters but she doesn't want to go on them now. When Isabella was a baby she wanted a dog but now she would rather have a cat, however she won't pet either.

It finally happened.......

It may have taken almost 5 years but it finally happened at 10:15 am February 5th 2012.
5 minutes before 10:15am on February 5th 2012.
I was headed to change  Bryce's diaper. I should known something was up, he seemed a little too happy to get his diaper off. I laid him on the changing table and took off his diaper. Boy was his diaper wet. He won't pee for a week I thought. Boy was I wrong and I was caught off guard when the mighty geyser went off. I think some hit the ceiling. Think straight what do I need to do. I must stop the pee but how. Grab a paper towel. That didn't work now it's spraying everywhere. Is there a bucket anywhere? Eew was that my suit coat that just got hit. How much did this kid drink? Why did I put the diaper down to get the paper towel? Will anyone notice if I leave this puddle on the floor? Why do people want to talk to me while I am in crisis mode? Grab a paper towel or zip it.

Shopping with Isabella

Now I know it was crazy but I decided to take Bryce and Isabella to Target two days before Christmas, ALONE. This was the first time I had taken both of them alone to any store, and I picked the one store that gets me in trouble. I knew I was a major sucker for Isabella, but I wasn't sure what would happen when I was outnumbered. How much would this trip cost me? We went to get their cousin, Katlyn a birthday and a Christmas gift. Upon hearing this, Isabella voiced her concern seing that Target is her store "OK, just to make sure, we are getting me a gift as well right?". I told her we would see, but we are going to get her cousin a gift first. After a painstaking one and a half hours of changing my mind 7 times, calling my sister for advice, and fighting the aisles with the over-sized cart that had the extra cab for kids that I somehow assumed would make shopping easier, I was successful with phase one. Now I had to pay the price. Ok Isabella lets pick out something small for you and Bryce. I am not sure if small triggered Isabella to look for the most expensive small item in the toy store or what but I think she was checking out the prices before she picked anything. I got out with only spending an extra $10. Thank goodness they didn't have the Barbie Dreamhouse she has been asking for.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, what have they done to you?

Oh the new Gallahan tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. Tammy turns on the Christmas music to set the mood. Isabella gets dressed for the occasion (this year her Jasmine princess dress, last year Sleeping Beauty). Pull the tree out of the box and proceed to decorate. Now let me give you some advice on how to decorate when you have a two year old, at least when that two year old is Bryce. Pretty simple really keep all valuable decorations out of arms length. We invested in plastic ornaments last year. Win - no bulb was broken, however a few were eaten. Loss - the  bottom quarter of the tree was emptied. This year would be different, Bryce was a year older surely he would leave the tree alone. So we proceed to decorate. All goes well Bryce and Isabella beautify the tree. The next day the poor tree didn't know what it had coming. At first just a few bulbs disappeared, then a few more, then a couple more and in no time the tree was stripped of its dignity. Oh well it makes taking the tree down go faster.

Clarity

"Isabella tonight you are going to go to bed a little early".
Isabella "no thats ok".
"How about yes and how about instead of one story I read you a couple stories".
Stop. This is where I made the mistake. No, not in trying to bargain with my child, but by not being clear on the bargain.
"Ok while I get ready for bed you go pick the stories you want me to read"
Now even less clear. I walk in Isabella's room and there are about twenty books in a pile on the floor.
"Isabella why are all those books on the floor"
Isabella "These are the couple stories I picked".
New bargain three stories.

Why?Why?Why?

I need help to some questions Isabella is asking, my answers and diversions lead to more questions. I think she is going to realize I don't know everything.
Isabella - Why is the sky blue?  
Me - Because it's not green
Isabella - Why can't it be green?
Me - Because the trees are green and you wouldn't be able see the sky.
Isabella - Why are the trees green?
Me - Would you rather they be pink?
Isabella - No they can't be pink.
Me - Flowers are pink and those are pretty
Isabella - That's nice but why is the sky blue?
Me - Maybe it's not blue you just think it is
Isabella - No it's definitely blue.
Help