tea party

ella still takes a nap every day. i realize most 4 year-olds are past this phase, but in our house, it isn't optional. some days she doesn't nap, but she still plays in her room for awhile and then stands in the hallway until i see her and she says, "i'm ready to get up now." i say, "no way." she cries and the drama ensues. so i've learned to not look at the hallway. and i've learned that if i don't look, she'll stand there for a loooonnnnnggggg time, waiting patiently. i'm evil, i know.

but since she usually does nap, she often doesn't go to sleep until 10:30 or so. yeah, its way late. but she still "goes to bed" at 8:00 and plays in her room, listens to books on cd, colors, writes letters, etc... its her creative time and i've convinced us that she really loves it and we don't need to phase it out with the naps. she likes her alone time. and so do i...

sometimes she builds some rather interesting structures with blocks. or decorates her room with flashcards and hair ties. and then there is "exercising." seriously, where does she get the energy to jump on the bed for 2 hours?

the other night, it was tea party time.


if only i could train her how to fold laundry...