Family Reunion

While visiting with me awesome Grandma Jeannie, I was reminded of a story from my childhood. One day I was bugging Jared (he deserved it, he was THREE.) My Grandma Jeannie warned me: "Hannah, you better stop" I continued on. "Hannah, you better stop." I still went on harassing him. My Grandma counted "one... two..." and 'swat' right on the bum. I turned to Grandma and said "hey, you didn't count to three" "I don't have to count to three, I am the Grandma." I spent the remainder of that reunion warning all the cousins that Grandma doesn't count to three, so you better watch out.
This year, I survived the reunion swat - free!

One of the most interesting parts of the trip to California was the plane ride home. Poor sleep deprived, little Kayla had just about reached her limit. As soon as we sat down she started throwing a fit. She wanted down.. NOW! This may have had something to do with the fact that she had just spent 6 hours in the car from Eureka to San Fransisco. As the other people began to board, the plane filled up quick. A middle aged man in a business suite sat down next to me. I immediately warned him that he was in for it. He told me that he had been through flying with quite a few toddlers in his fatherhood. Kayla continued to flop and kick. The seat belt lights came on and they began the safety run through, which I am sure no one heard at all. Finally Kayla ended up wriggling out of my arms and on to the floor, where she continued to melt down. Since we were not really taking off quite yet, I let her freely kick and scream on the floor for a few minutes. I scrambled to reach for something that would get her attention but finally had to accept the fact that she would be that "kid," you know, the one that everyone talks about later. I have heard the story. "Once I was on a flight from LAX to Chicago and there was this kid that screamed the whole way there! Oh it was so horrible" Well it has happened, my little pumpkin is THAT "kid." The rest of the flight consisted of screaming fits with bouts of happy smiles and showing every stranger she could reach where their noses are. She also stole the man in the business suit's trail mix and spilled water all over her and I. While making the final decent in to SLC, Kayla pooped so that was a lot of fun trying to change a diaper in one of those airplane stalls. Mean while I set her pants on the sink and they get soaking wet. Conveniently, I forgot to put an extra pair in the carry on. Bright, I know.
We did make it home however, and I did not decide to sell the child.

Kayla is my beauty queen. She is so full of life and passion. At church a few weeks ago, Kayla saw the doors open after the first our which is held in the chapel. She bolted toward the door. I chased her down and by that time, she had reached the other side of the building and was turning the corner. She continued to run as fast as her little legs could carry her. She ran straight in to nursery, got in her chair, and started playing with Play Dough. "Okay Kayla. love you. you will miss me, right?" No response. I kissed her on the cheek and went to class. When I came to get her, she was chasing bubbles and cried when I had to take her home.
The next week in Nursery, they sang songs about mommies and daddies. Every time they sang the word "mommy" Kayla would look around and cry "mmmoooommmyyy" and same with Daddy. When they brought her to be and told me what happened, I felt a little better, like she needs me!

Kayla loves the outdoors. Whatever we are doing, if it is outside, she is happy. When we have to come inside she throws a fit. Some of her maneuvers are:

The Floppy Fish: back arched, then flexed, then arched, then flexed, moving fast in hoped to wriggle her way out

The Super Scream: looking right in to your eyes, opening mouth wide and trying to "scream" her way out of the situation. By screaming I mean, blood curdling, ear drum popping, window cracking scream. I am telling you this kid has got a pair of lungs.

The Biting Spider: This one can only be used when I am holding her hand and she doesn't want to come. She tries to bite me in the hand. Since she can't bite and scream at the same time, I know when it is coming and I can be quick to reprimand.

These are just a few examples of her maneuvers. I am learning quick, new king fu ninja moves to counter act her way awesome signature moves. She will be able to take me a few years from now I am sure.