Lessons Learned

This week was an interesting one.

I learned that I too am a pushover (not just Sean) to Jenni's cuteness and wanting.

I learned that Jenni is not perfect, especially when she is tired.

I learned that Jenni likes to do her own thing no matter what is going on around her.

I learned that being pampered is always a joy... especially when you are with the people you love.

So I am assuming that I should let you know how I learned all these lessons, and (let's face it) how I hadn't learned these things before.

I am a pushover.  So... My mother-in-law, Sean, Jenni and I went to Red Deer for lunch on Sunday and we also needed to get Jenni some new shoes.  Jenni LOVES shoes.  She really really does.  She will bring you the shoes that she really wants to wear with her outfit and will say, "shoosh, peesh, shoosh" which translates to "shoes, please, shoes".  Anyhoo...Jenni only had one pair of shoes that fit her and they were these little aqua colored flats...super cute, but not super practical in an Alberta winter.  So, knowing this, and knowing Jenni's love for shoes, we decided that we needed to get her a pair of runners, and a pair of white dress shoes and a pair of black dress shoes.  (I know that some of you are reading this and already think I am slightly crazy, but that is ok.  Just keep reading...it gets better.)  So the first place we went to look for shoes was Zellers...that was a bust... There was nothing there that was any good.  Then we went to The Children's Place.  Let me tell you, there are some cute things there.  If I had the money I could buy out that whole store.  It is ridiculous.  I have no self control when it comes to cute things.  Well...Jenni first off found this really cute pair of purple high tops, but they were not the type of shoes that we were looking to get for her, so I just kept saying, "Honey, we don't need those shoes today."  So, I'd make her try on another pair of shoes, she would walk around and then she would come back to me... with the purple high tops in her hands.  It would go the same way as before, and she would try on another pair of shoes, and then she would walk around and again return with the purple high tops.   It was like she was saying, "Yes, mom, but what about these ones?  I really, REALLY like these ones."  Finally I gave in and I let her try them on.  She was so proud of herself.  She had found a little white hat (she likes hats too) and had it on and her cute little purple high tops... and she was just checkin herself out in the mirror.  I couldn't say no to all that cuteness now could I?  So...I caved...I bought her the purple high tops... and we discovered that they give her blisters, but she doesn't care... they are her pretty purple high tops.

Jenni's Cute little Purple High Tops

So, you ask, how did I NOT know that Jenni is not perfect... especially when she is tired?  Jenni had her first public temper tantrum.  Let me tell you all about it!

NO mom...
I am not going to smile for the Camera

Well, we went to the grocery store after bible study on Wednesday and we just had to get a few things so I let Jenni push the little cart that she loves so much.  She was doing really great... putting things in the cart, just being all around cute.  Well... then I got some grapes and I put them in her cart, but I wouldn't let her eat any grapes until we had paid for them.  Let me tell you, she was NOT happy about that.  Now, another thing I should mention is that Jenni has quite the little temper.  So, I was trying to get her to push her cart to the till so we could pay for our stuff, and she just had a royal FIT and so instead of getting mad or making a scene, I just grabbed her hand and we left the store.  She didn't get anything at all, and we just left.  Oh, that was embarrassing for her.  It was embarrassing for me too, but she was very ashamed of herself.  It was kind of cute... however the tantrum that she threw on the sidewalk after we got out of the store... well... not so cute.  I let her finish her fit and then we went home and she slept for at least 3 hours.  Gee... do you think she was tired???

I learned that Jenni likes to do her own thing.  On Thursday (February 9, 2012)* Jenni had her first swimming lesson.  She just loves the water and I am glad that we can do this together.  Sean and I have taken Jenni to the pool on quite a few occasions so she is used to being in the water and just doing her own thing... mostly going down the little kid slides.  Well, during swimming lessons you don't get to go down the slide whenever you want to... oh no... you have to be a part of the class.  I understand this, but do you think that my sweet darling 20 month old would understand this... NOPE!!!  So, we would be sitting in a circle, and she would get up and walk away... to go down the slide.  I would call her, and she would just walk faster.  I would go and get her, and she would get MAD!  So, instead of making a scene I would just let Jenni go down the slide once (maybe twice) and then we would go back to the class.  All the other kids were doing what they were supposed to do, but Jenni... oh no... she likes to do her own thing.

Last but not least... Friday night I got to go into the city (Airdrie/Calgary this time) with my mother-in-law and we met up with my sister-in-law, Lindsey.  We started off the night at a place called Jack's Nails.  It was an okay place.  Nothing fancy, but good prices.  The three of us each got Mani/Pedi's and it was wonderful.  It was my first real manicure, and so I felt a little bit like royalty.  We then went into Calgary for dinner at Applebee's and finished off the night with watching "The Vow".  I haven't cried that hard in a movie for a long time.  Good... oh so good!  100% Chick Flick!!!  We got home really late, and I had to work the next morning, but let me tell you, to spend the time just us girls... it was worth every second of lost sleep.

Well...today is the start of a new week, and I am happy to have learned these lessons.  I am sure that I am going to have to learn variations of these lessons over and over again, but to get to know my beautiful daughter every day is such a privilege.  She is a spit fire who has expensive tastes (bling, shoes, bags and hats) and keeps me on my toes.  PTL for my little princess.  She will forever be royalty in my world.


*I am writing the date down because I want to remember this in how many ever years and be like, "oh yeah... I remember that!"