out to dinner

so Marieka, Rob and I went to dinner with Gee Gee, Erin and Todd. Ramblin Jacks is a pretty kid friendly place, and luckily they sat us way in the back. Unluckily, we got the slowest service in a long time (our order took over 35 mins to arrive) and the girls tried to hang in there, but by the time the "macncheese" arrived, they were the worse for wear. Luckily, Marieka was very interested in her dinner and was able to eat a fair amount of it before we had to escape and walk up and down the street. Ah, to eat with a child who is able to sit and eat...maybe 2 or 3 years? On her way to sleep tonight, Marieka said "I had a fun time with Erin and Todd." Girl is all about manners, even if she forgot her buddy Gee Gee.

Today I had a meeting in Seattle all day, which was fun for me...and Marieka spent the day with Meggie and Gee Gee, and Marieka was going to have to take a nap at GeeGee's. I was so worried about this, and she definitely needs her nap to survive the day (and night, really) and how grateful was I when I got the text from Meggie that stated (first) "she picked out her blanket and pillow to bring" and at 130 "sound asleep. she is precious. I love her so much." How often I thank my lucky stars for our Meggie.

So while we aren't ready to wean, the ongoing saga of nightweaning continues. Originally, we tried to night wean LAST February...3 days of crying and sadness..and we made it, at least, close...and then M got sick. So, we were back on. Then again, we tried in the summer...and sickness came back, and we started again...and now we are on again, though my resolve at 3am is pretty slim ("no" "nee nee right now" "no- go to sleep" "neee nee" "ok fine, but go to sleep") What can you do? Even if she doesn't ask for it (sometimes we can make it till 3am) she still wakes up every 2 hours on the dot. Argh. I know it won't last forever, but what is the deal..is she stubborn? Is she really smart? Is she a light sleeper? Is she a nee nee addict?

This week is all about Madeline. She got the talking Madeline dall from Papa and Grammy for christmas, and now wants th stories non-stop, which I love, because I love the stories. It is so funny to me, though, that she loves them. They rhyme, sure, but really, she doesn't get it ("the girls are sad because their mommy isn't there") how do you explain boarding school to a year old? Of course you don't, but I still think it is funny.

Puzzles, puzzles and pull ups. Working on toilet learning...a little slower than I would like, but embracing her pace.

Looking forward to a weekend of swimming, family meals, and Mom skiing on her own.. Oh yeah...and Jack's birthday. On Tuesday this week, I asked Marieka what was happening...and she said (I kid you not) "Jacks birthday." So we think she is a genius...but that might be just us.