Why did Santa have a fake beard on?

This was the question Lucy asked us while we walked her home from her school Christmas celebration and art show. The better question in my mind was, "Why did Santa have a thick Australian accent?"

She seemed to be satisfied with an explanation that the REAL Santa is too busy getting ready for Christmas that he had to send a representative the the Apple School.

We are busy packing up for an early departure tomorrow morning. Off to New Zealand.  We will check in again from the southern hemisphere.

I couldn't believe it when I read what Lucy was reporting to school in the Weekly News.  Seriously, how did she notice that I was slowly munching away at her Gingerbread House?

Guilty as charged!

A vistor at work.

This morning Lucy was eating her breakfast by herself, which happens when she sleeps in longer than we do. Amie and I were getting ready for work and at one point I walked out of our room and into the kitchen. Lucy was sitting at the table with her head somewhat turned down and a decidedly glum look on her face. I asked her what was wrong.
"Olum is teasing me,"she said in a sad voice.
We have referenced Olum before on this blog - he is Lucy's imaginary friend. The thing about Olum is that Amie and I NEVER know when or where he will pop up and also in what form. You might remember when Lucy excitedly shouted at the TV screen, "There's Olum!" and identified him as an elite African marathon runner. At other times, Olum is small enough to fit in the palm of her hand. He has died, more than once. He often accompanies us on our travels, though mostly flies under the plane "with the suitcases". However, Olum has NEVER teased Lucy, so this was a new one.
I promply scolded Olum for his behavior and asked him to come back into our room with me while I packed my bag for work, so that Lucy could enjoy the rest of her breakfast in peace. This seemed to satisfy Lucy.
About 5 minutes later I reemerged from our room and Lucy, who was still slowly making progress on her cereal, burst into giggles. She pointed at the bag on my shoulder and exclaimed, "You packed Olum in your bag and now he is stuck!". I immediately opened my bag, apologized to Olum and let him out. I left the room again to say goodbye to Amie and Scout and when I returned, Lucy was looking sad again. "Olum is teasing me again and he is climbing on the walls."
"Ok Olum, I have had enough! Lucy, is it ok if I bring Olum to work with me today so he will stop bothering you?" I asked her.
She smiled and nodded her head. I gave her a kiss, and Olum and I promptly left.
So, I am now at work, preparing for our last week before we head to New Zealand. And Olum is here with me...I think.

Baby tooth

As per usual, the kids come to the health office for a little tooth box when a baby tooth falls out. Today, I felt compelled to ask what he would do with it. Of course I expected the same old story of putting it under the pillow for the illusive Tooth Fairy to come collect in exchange for some monetary reward.  Nope...way better! He said, "I will throw it in the garden and wish for stronger teeth to come in." I think I have to adopt this tradition.

Last night I attended a talk about being a conscious parent. One of the useful things I gained from this was that instead of enforcing what feels like a million arbitrary rules, let the child suffer the consequences and learn on her own.

So this morning, it became apparent that Lucy wasn't going to get dressed for school, no matter how many times I asked and offered help.  She was too busy doing a project.  Well, I decided that it wasn't worth arguing about.  Besides, what were my options? 1. Revisit a "low-parenting moment" where I virtually sat on her through kicking and screaming to get her clothes on.? No thank you! 2. Threaten her by telling her that she was not going to be able to go to school until she got dressed? Nope, I would end up late for work or she would outwit me and decide she didn't want to go anyway.  3. Take her in her pajamas?  So, thats what we did.

Truthfully, though, I don't think there is much of a lesson learned on her part.  Even if her friends made fun of her I would encourage her to stand strong, right?  The real lesson here was the one that I learned.  A lesson of letting go.  Live by fewer rules.  Let them learn by experiencing instead of preaching.

She brings an unexpected smile to my face every day!