Austen can dress herself head to toe and is very proud of herself when she does so. Shirt, underwear, pants, socks and shoes. “I did it all by my big girl self.”
When in a hyped up, overexcited mood, she still has a tendency to refuse to help get herself dress, squirming around and ‘playing’ instead of cooperating with dressings. Mommy is overheard using many threats: no princess videos, etc.. However, Austen seems to be, for the most part, over the fighting and kicking stage when getting dressed. Of course, all bets are off if she’s overly tired; in which case she’ll fight you over ANYTHING because her rebellious, independent side goes haywire. Mommy and Dada love the way Austen appreciates her own appearance now — not in a vain sense but in a “I want to do it” sense. Just yesterday she checked out her new hat the mirror at a coffee shop and seemed quite taken. The striped, pink hat became “goat ears.” For Halloween, Austen was thrilled with her princess, flower fairy and chicken outfits. Looking at herself in the mirror inspired her to keep the outfit on, even when it wasn’t 100% comfy.“Who’s my prince?”
Since Austen’s been watching a lot of princess stories (Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella), she’s starting talking about the princes (noting their names, pointing them out when she sees them).
One day while Mommy and Austen were about to get out of the car to go eat lunch at a restaurant in town, Austen noticed Mommy’s diamond ring, and Mommy told her about how Dada gave it to her when they decided to get married. “You know how all the princesses get married to a prince at the end of the story … Well, Dada is my prince.” Austen was furious. “No!!!!! Dada is my prince, not yours.” Mommy tried to offer to share but Austen wasn’t having it. After Austen calmed down (days later) she asked “Who’s my prince?” Mommy tried to convince Austen that, when she’s older, she can choose her own prince, if she wants to.“Julian broke his leg!!!!”
For five days straight, out of nowhere, at random times, Austen suddenly exclaims, “Julian broke his leg!!!” When Alyson and Julian came to visit last Friday, Alyson told the other moms the story of how Julian broke his leg when he was 8 months old. Austen was apparently listening and the story has made quite an impact on her little psyche. Out of nowhere, it all comes back to her, and she yells, “Julian broke his leg!!!” as if it just happened ten minutes ago and she’s telling us for the first time.
If only Alyson would come tell a rapturous story about how pushing little kids is not cool. 🙂Huh?
Dean & Theo’s Halloween Party
Pirates, train engineers, a knight, a cookie monster, witches, a dragon and a princess gathered to celebrate Halloween. In their normal style, they ran around, went wild in the jumpy castle, played games and gobbled up treats (as if they needed more fuel!). Four hours later, the only ones slowing down were the adults; I’m sure there were plenty of napping monsters this afternoon.
Pumpkin Carving
Austen & Dada carved a pumpkin today. Austen took more of an advisory role while Dada was the laborer.
After lighting the candles inside pumpkin head, Austen insisted on blowing them out to celebrate.
Princess Obsession: Sad but True
Poor Austen has been hit hard by the world of princesses … where a new dress is everything you could ever wish for and one dance means love. “Ugh,” says Mommy.
“Big Girl” Austen watches Disney fairy tales obsessively; they’re great for bribery. So far Mommy has given in and bought Cinderella (“leave the sewing to the women, you go get some trimmings … and we’ll make a lovely dress for Cinderelly”), Beauty and the Beast (more admirable female lead), Sleeping Beauty (vapid) and The Little Mermaid (sixteen and getting married?).
When Austen goes out, she spots every princess related item in her vicinity and even creates some new ones: a prom dress becomes, “Look! A princess dress!” She even recognizes the songs (her mommy’s fave part of the stories) when she hears then, identify which movie they’re from.
Any item in a store related to princess (mostly Disney princesses) must be purchased, if not now, then later. “Later, okay we’ll buy it tomorrow,” says Austen when Mommy tries to discourage her without producing screaming.
Daddy’s favorite part seems to be helping Austen with her princess dress up clothes. He keeps track of the clip-on earrings and is good at helping fasten princess tops. “I’m Snow White,” Austen always says, although she hasn’t worn her official Snow White dress since last Halloween. Mommy’s choice of an outfit was prophetic. We’ll probably be getting it out of the closet for one of this year’s parties.
Potty Training
Austen’s been potty training since Sunday. She’s very proud of herself today but often puts up a bit of a fight. Best results are when she’s home and has her big girl cotton panties on.
Emma & Erin’s Birthday Party
Austen really enjoyed seeing Emma & Erin at their birthday party; it was princess heaven … with cake and gifts.
Halloween Party at MOMS Club
Austen put on her new chicken costume for the annual MOMS Club of Edison Halloween celebration, where she hooked up with many friends, played games, ran around, paraded for the local residents and ate a lot of candy.
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