The Look

I often hear men talking about the "look" their wives give them. When this happens they know something's about to go down and they better change their behavior. I remember growing up watching an episode of Home Improvement on TV where Harry's wife comes to the hardware store and stares down her husband with the look. All the men turn their heads away with their hands up to shield the look. After she leaves they all agree that was the worst look they've ever seen.

Granted, I'm guilty of giving nasty glares when I can't believe what's happening and I'm sure my husband spins inside when he sees it. This dirty form of non-verbal communication makes it well known that we don't agree with the current circumstances. So people have two choices, to back off or to plunge right in and face the consequences.

I think this look is learned at a very young age and stays with us our entire lives, let me explain...

What about that look your child gives you right before they do something they know very well they're no supposed to do? For example, Isabelle was outside in the backyard the other day and ventured over to the flower beds. I told her very politely that she was not allowed to play in the dirt. Then she looked at me and kept taking baby steps, closer and closer to the dirt to test me. With each passing step her head was turned looking me dead in the eye like we were in the old west during a gun draw. Really!?! The look was like, "Hey Mom I don't care what you say. If I want to play in the dirt, then I'm going to play in the dirt." Eventually she realized I was being serious because I returned the favor and gave her the look right back. Eventually I won the draw and right before she took her step into the brown soil she walked away.

This is just a minute example of the look that children use to test their parents patience and I'm sure the looks will continue to come in all stages of Isabelle's life. Her future husband better watch out, she's already got her look down!

Exhausted

This afternoon I took an nap with Isabelle and boy do I feel refreshed! I typically embrace the silence and read but after the week we've had a nap was in order. This last week we were only home to sleep, when we were awake we were having dinner with family, going to the Bees games and to Lagoon.

Chris' team, the Round Rock Express, was in town this week playing the Salt Lake Bees for a 4 game series. Express took the Bees 3-4 games with 2 home runs, courtesy of #16 Shelton. We went to every game and cheered him on. Here's a few pics from the games...

Great-Grandma Sharon was also in town this week. Isabelle was her helper in the kitchen and made several batches of cookies. Grandma took some great pictures of her helping but I need to get those from her sometime.

Melissa & Scott invited us to Lagoon. Finally the weather shaped up for us to have some fun in the sun! Aviry had a dance competition in the morning and she did a fantastic job. Since it was Isabelle's first time at Lagoon, Aviry was our tour guide and took Isabelle on all the fun rides. Isabelle was not frightened at all and had a big smile on her face as each new ride started. Lastly, she got soaked in the water fountain, take a look!

The rest of our weekend should be mildly quiet giving us a chance to re-cooperate from our early mornings and late evenings this week!

In Isabelle's World

Isabelle is the light of our life. I know, I know, another crazy mother bragging about her child. But if you don't want to read why I believe she is the cutest girl ever then you can stop now. I enjoy putting things in my blog that I never want to forget because I keep up on this a lot better than I would a journal. Anyway, here's a few things Isabelle has done lately that makes me believe life can't get any sweeter.

1. She often asks if we can go to "Mally-in-a-pretzel" which is two year old talk for - can we go to the mall and get a pretzel.  Anytime we go to South Towne Mall the following is on Isabelle's list of things to do: throw pennies into the fountain, ride on the elevator, ride on the carousel and get a pretzel.
2. The other day she was doing something, I can't remember what, and I said great job princess. She politely corrected me, "Mom, I'm not a princess, I'm Isabelle." She must think I'm nuts and can't remember her name.
3. Isabelle believes the flag in our yard flies because she's the one who makes it wave by blowing on it. One day Brady and her were leaving the house and she looked up at the flagpole and noticed the flags were not moving. She said to Brady that they were sleeping. He said to her if she blows on them she might wake them up. Sure enough she blew and right at the same time a big gust of wind came and "woke up" the flags. She has the power to keep our flags awake now.
4. I love listening to Isabelle talk to herself in bed at night before she falls asleep. I often hear her pretending to sneeze, ah ah ah choo! Over and over again, she thinks she's so silly.

I guess this is enough bragging for one post so I'll end it here. I absolutely love being a parent and am so happy to have a healthy family. She reminds me every day by her actions, loves and laughs that there's nothing better on Earth. If only we could have the carefree spirit that our children have, where we don't have to worry about what's going on, what needs to be done or what's coming next. She just takes life one step at a time and that's an area where I need to follow her example.