Before Sarah's injury we were spending long, leisurely mornings at the park and playground after we dropped Anna off at school. Now, since she doesn't want to walk anywhere any more we have had to find other, more sedentary things to do. Today she played with play-doh for an hour and a half which, I think, is the most she's ever concentrated on one activity at a time! We've been solving puzzles like mad (she can do 2-5 pieces without assistance but likes the challenge of up to 12 with me providing plenty of guidance) and building with Legos for hours on end as well. I have to say I was nervous how I was going to entertain her while she is less active but it has actually been going very well!
One of the things I like best about Sarah's age right now is the way her mind works. Craig came out of our room without a shirt one morning and was reading to the girls and Sarah stopped him and said, "Daddy, do you need a shirt?" with such concern for his comfort.
She definitely knows what she wants most of the time and I'd say it's usually what she can't have or what she thinks she can't have. It's almost like she's disappointed when she asks for her water bottle while we're out and I say, "sure, here it is." She has a way of saying what she wants and then when she sees she's going to get it, she changes her mind and says something else. I've started to hold her to her first choice because the flipping and flopping is enough to drive you nuts!
Sarah loves to help me in the kitchen. Any time I am making something, or, heck, even opening up a package, she is pulling up a chair to help. She is a very good whisker and does keep the whisk in the bowl which I wouldn't have suspected of her. She also really likes to take tastes so I have to keep my eye on her at all times.
She and I have had some lovely tea parties the past few days. I finally brought out the little chairs to go with the girls' kitchen table last week. I had kept them put away because I didn't trust Sarah with them but she really has surprised me and has not tried to do anything dangerous with the chairs so they are staying out! She is really getting into the whole tea party thing and loves to bake cookies in her kitchen and make me/serve me tea. She will serve to Anna first if Anna is home though. It's so cute to hear her saying to Anna across the room, "I made you some tea, Anna!" Anna is loving this new form of playing with Sarah as well and I can tell that Anna is starting to think that I'm a bit boring when she's waiting for Sarah to wake up from her afternoon nap!
Sarah's transition to the toddler bed is going pretty well. Again, I had some pretty low expectations and we do have to return her to bed a few times per week but she is getting the hang of it. She has only mentioned her pacifier once or twice since she gave it up but not in a longing sort of way but in a way that shows she's proud of growing up a little.
She is starting to stay dry between diaper changes and is very interested in using the potty and toilet. I think once her heel has healed more we might make the switch to underwear. I picked out a few pair of underwear at Home Plus to get her started already!
