Grace-isms

I sometimes feel like I write more about Grace, and don't spend enough time relaying stories about Jacob. It just seems to work that way at times, as Grace's antics tend to overshadow Jacob. Although Jacob has his moments, Grace enters the room with a fanfare and a huge "TA-DA" -- and never lets anyone forget she's there.

During the past week, Grace has missed naps, awakened early, and gone to bed late -- hence, as you can imagine, her spirit was only amplified. Here are some of the (seemingly continuous) exchanges that took place:

On Saturday, I had a particularly difficult time getting Grace to cooperate with any reasonable request -- she didn't know if she wanted her hair in a pony tail, or down; she refused to walk downstairs when we were ready to leave the house, yet cried on the steps when we "left her behind"; she refused to wear her tennis shoes, opting for her sandals; I said "white" she said "black" -- whatever was the opposite of the requested action, Grace was there! Finally, in frustration, I asked, "Do you act like this in school? I'm sure your teacher and classmates wouldn't like to be around you very much when you are acting this way!" To which Grace promptly informed me, "But, mama -- I don't do this in school! I only do it at home!" (Thanks for sharing this special part of you with me, Grace!)

After the entire day of exhausting me to my limits, I wasn't very happy. I was tired. I was frustrated. I was . . . well, if you've been a parent, you know. I guess I wasn't looking very happy either. Grace immediately threw her arms around me and told me that I needed to be happy, "like in the living room." Huh? She then grabbed my hand, and proceeded to drag me to the living room, where she pointed to my and Franco's wedding picture. "See, mama! You need to be happy like that! You need to have a happy face like that, not a sad face!" She was adamant!

On Saturday night, as we were getting the kids ready for bed, Grace burped . . . and laughed. I asked (trying to encourage - for the 1,364,799,241st time - good manners), "Grace! What do you say!" To which Grace laughed again, and said (I think there was a bit of sarcasm in her tone), "Excuuuuuuuuuse Me!" Again, I responded, "Why do you have to be reminded? What if you're in school and you burp? Are you going to remember to say 'excuse me'?" Grace then reminded me, again, "But, mama -- I don't burp in school!" Again -- I am so grateful that Grace saves these special moments just for us at home!

On Sunday . . . Grace had found an Easter egg coloring kit from last Easter that was unused. She was told that she could hold it and look at it, but that she was not to open it. (yeah, right!) Well, suddenly, as I was making dinner, she runs into the kitchen - likety split - opens the trash can, puts something in it, and runs away! Hmmmmm . . . I didn't really have to be psychic to know what I would find . . . of course, the wrapper - torn into pieces - of the Easter Egg Coloring Kit. I called Grace into the kitchen and explained that she needs to follow directions and respect instruction. Franco soon walked into the kitchen, and I explained what had happened. Franco turned to Grace, and reiterated that she needed to listen better, and not be naughty -- at which time Grace immediately folded her hands and said, "Dear Jesus" . . . (hey! maybe there is a chance at remorse!) . . . "please take daddy away." (. . . err . . . well . . . that hope was short lived!)

Believe me -- these are only snippets from the weekend. There is so much more . . . the scary thing is that I "get" Grace! She continuously is searching for approval, yet refuses to live inside the box. She never does anything half way - it's all or nothing. And she loves with no holds barred. Again - fearless.

That's my Grace!