Good-Bye Binkies (I Hope)!

The beloved basket of binkies.

A few weeks ago I got a reminder in the mail that Calleigh has a dentist appointment in December 15.  It was then and there that I made the monumental decision that I did NOT want to have to tell the dentist that Calleigh, at the age of three and a half, was still using a binky.  I've polled a few people on the best way to get rid of it but in the end, I just went with my own idea of cold turkey.  Sure, some people have said that we should say a binky fairy took it or some such story (but we don't lie to the kids so I'm not into any of these ideas) or cut off the ends so it's not good any more.  But somehow that seems worse to me than just taking it away (although maybe I'll re-think that by the end of the night!).  I figured that a Friday night would be the best because at least Duncan is around during the weekends for support in the process.  We were going to do it last Friday night but with the funeral the next day and all, we decided to leave things alone.  So tonight was the big night.  Duncan thought we should warn her ahead of time but I thought that would just cause her to get all upset before hand and have fits.  In the end, he only mentioned it like an hour ahead which, naturally, was met with great distress.  And then as soon as we went up to start the winding down process, she started asking for it and by the time we got to the story, she was in full screaming and crying mode.  This lasted about 10 minutes until Duncan went up to her room where he remained for the last hour.  He's come down now and it's remarkably quiet.  She was still awake when he left so I'm not sure what going on up there.  If we can just get by the first two days, I think we'll be okay.  I hope.  I did promise her that we would go to the mall tomorrow night and get a new Barbie or Polly Pocket.  Maybe I'm supposed to wait until she had a few successful nights before getting her anything but I'll do whatever works.  Update:  I'm now in Calleigh's room. The quiet was not because she was asleep.  She called me up here to tell me that I'm not being nice because those are her binkies and I'm not sharing them with her.  She also wanted to clarify that she would throw the binkies away but then she would need them back when she goes to sleep.  So here I lie on the futon at 10:09 pm with Calleigh looking over my shoulder as I type.  I guess I'm here until she falls asleep.

In non-binky news, Wednesday our temperatures took about a 20 degree nose dive but it was wonderful.  We went to Phelps Park and it was just gorgeous.  It's so nice to just sit there with the sun shining full force on you and not be bathed in sweat.  It doesn't seem like all that long ago that that was the case.  As usual, Calleigh quickly made friends and had a wonderful time running around.  She went up to a little girl and opened with "I'll be your friend."  And shortly thereafter, they were indeed friends.

It wasn't quite THAT cold but the girls love to play with the hats.

This morning we did our yard sales.  It was nice to be on that horse again after a week off.  I found a few Christmas presents so that worked out well.  Can't say what they are, of course!  The challenge is trying to hide stuff that I buy for the girls but I did manage to pull off one purchase for them today.

This evening Aunt Wanda, David, and Yully came over for supper.  We haven't seen David and Yully for quite some time (partially because the Patriots games of late have all been on regular TV) so it was very nice to catch up with them.  One of the things we discovered over the meal was that Aunt Wanda was at the Gala a few weeks ago.  Turns out, we were at Table 48 and she was at Table 52 (out of at least several hundred tables).  I have no idea how we didn't see her as I'm sure we walked by her table several times!  Aunt Wanda is going to be braving the trip with us up north which is at less than two weeks away.  After the meal, during which Calleigh was fairly loud and disruptive (have I mentioned the Terrible Three's???) I told Aunt Wanda she may want to reconsider.  But I don't think anything is going to change her mind!  I'm glad she is a very calm and understanding lady.  After the meal, Aunt Wanda read a few books to the girls and I swear, Aubree must have said "What happened?" at least 40 times during the reading. She was like a broken record. Poor Aunt Wanda kept saying "I'm getting to it."

Aubree maneuvered her way onto Yully's lap for some brownie delight which she kept referring to as "ice cream."

As if the brownie delight wasn't enough, she snagged some frosting off this cake Yully had made.  Yully is taking a cake decorating (and baking?) class and brought over one of her creations.

Yes, it does look like Calleigh is about to go to church but no, she just loves to be dressed up in one of her "spin" dresses.  

Aubree's other big thing right now is "Why?"  Honestly, I didn't think that happened quite this early but it's happening here for sure.  We go along with it for awhile but after about answering six or seven times, you kind of get tired of it.  The other thing I've noticed is that she's been quite uncooperative with getting dressed as of late.  Yup, she's seeing Calleigh having fits every time and I think she's copying her.  Furthermore, when I comb her hair, she says "ouch."  Now, you tell me how combing all nine tiny strands on her little head hurts.  Just copying her sister some more.  

Calleigh's photography.

Even Santa has to sit on the pot every now and then.

Well, it's now 10:38 and I suppose I could keep writing and writing because who knows how long I'll be ensconced here in Calleigh's room.  She's showing no signs of fatigue.  Probably partially due to the brownie delight she had after supper...But I think I will sign off.  We both need a potty break.

Have a Happy Sabbath!