Hello, long time no write (or actually read for all of you). Things have been hectic here, no change from the norm, but I haven't felt like blogging - so I didn't. Since my last post, my aunt came to visit, we went to see Kelly & Rick for a kick but bonfire party in NC - and a kick butt hot chocolate bar (the absolute best is regular hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps and whip cream - it tastes like an ANDES candy), the Georgia Bulldogs decided to take a fall vacation during the past 2 weeks' games, we visited a new church and given the choice - Tad & I pretty much would rather slit our wrists right now than go house hunting.
Charlotte is as silly as ever, you just can't not laugh at her even when she is totally disobeying you!! She definitely keeps us on our toes. She loves to sing lately. She starts out singing ABC's and during the second verse she goes right into Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Her favorite song is Row, Row, Row Your Boat and Skid-a-mer-ink-a, Dinky Dink. Her new favorite phrase is "that scared me", she says it all the time and then smiles and runs away from you.
Charlotte & Sarah Grace still LOVE Cinderella, they want to watch it all the time. Which is good, because that's what they will both be for Halloween.
Sarah-Grace is working almost everyday with the moveable alphabet (its a Montessori thing) at school. From that exercise she writes a book of 3 letter words (and her first 4 letter word last week was S-T-O-P). We are very proud of her. She has had an issue of talking back lately, and unfortunately I had to use my first "creative correction" technique besides spanking on Saturday night. I had warned her earlier in the day if she talked back to me again she would get her tongue "spanked" with hot sauce. The threat worked because it was 7 hours before she did it again, but she did do it again during her bath. So, I dabbed my pinky finger in a spoon with a SPLASH of hot sauce and then I dabbed her tonque one time (it really was a miniscule amount). She of course screamed bloddy murder and I felt like a horrible mother, but she immediatly calmed down and unfotunately for her - her entire demeanor changed and she hasn't been disrespectful since Saturday night. I say unforunately for her because it worked. Now, some people may think I'm cruel, but Tad & I think this was the right decision and the correct punishment for the offense she made. Hopefully we won't have to do this again or at least for a LONG time. It DEFINITELY left an impression, she is now making a conscious effort to THINK before she SPEAKS, and she is finding a more respectful way to communicate her frustration with us.
Today was cold and rainy - so we've tried to stay in for a cozy afternoon and night. I bought pumpkins today to carve later in the week - the girls keep holding them and kissing them like they're babies. I made chicken stew & bisciuts for dinner (thanks to Ina Garten, my hero, for the great recipe) and Tad made a fire. I LOVE nights like this, I love the fall. Hopefully I'll write more soon.
