Mouse

We've been reading If You Give a Mouse a Cookie a lot lately. As I was folding laundry the other day, Raegan put on Ryan's boxers and said she was the mouse (like the page where he takes a nap in his underwear)

When we read the book, she can finish each line. "If you give him a glass of milk, he'll probably ask for a ... saw!" (straw)

Raegan has had food-throwing phases that come and go. She likes throwing food from her tray for fun. We tell her "no" of course and make her help pick it up, which she truly loves. I also tried ignoring it the other day, and she slung beef stroganoff all over the floor and wall, one little noodle at a time. So, the next step is trying time-outs. She's never had one before. Ryan and I watch Supernanny, so we're going with her method. Raegan threw something the other day, and I said, "No ma'am, we do not throw food. If you throw something from your tray again, you will have a timeout." She excitedly said "Okay!" I tried not to laugh at her adventurous spirit to try new things. "No, it won't be fun. You will have to sit on the floor for one minute and mom and dad cannot talk to you." "Okay" she said softly, much less enthused about this new idea. So far, she hasn't thrown anything else.

This week she hid from me for real for the first time. I was cooking dinner and she was playing at her new kitchen. It got quiet, which is always a red flag. Sometimes I find her reading, but that day I couldn't find her. I knew the gate was up at the bottom of the stairs and all the doors were locked. I started calling her name, but she didn't answer. My mind started racing and thinking, "Has she suddenly learned how to unlock and open the doors?!" I kept calling her name and checked the door leading to the garage. There she was, standing on her stool in the corner of the half-bath... straight as an arrow... in the dark... with the most sly little look on her face. I said "You scared mom! I couldn't find you and I was scared and sad. I know we play hiding games together, but I didn't know you were hiding." "Kay, kay!" The whole time I was talking, her expression said But I got you good, didn't I?!

Raegan used the potty for the first time this week. She wanted to wear her underwear, so I let her. She was standing at the printer waiting to catch a paper and she looked down. I saw the dribbles hitting the floor and rushed her to her potty in the bathroom. She finished on the potty and I was so excited for her. She smiled at the praise but didn't really seem to think it was a big deal. I know she will pick up on it so easily if I just go for it. We're going for the method of straight to underwear, guaranteed accidents, lots of praise for making it to the potty, and steam cleaning the carpets.