Fun, Feisty and Back in School

Molly is doing well and keeping us busy and entertained.

We have entered a new phase with more back-talk and tantruming than we are used to. We are now having the head turning fits in the store when she is told she cannot get the toy she has enjoyed playing with. Up until now we have been able to "visit" toys at the store and then put them back on the shelf. She is now saying "I won't let go" and she is hiding it behind her back or sitting on it etc. Oh so fun.

We were at REI yesterday and she was looking at sunglasses. When I told her she did not need another pair of sunglasses she had a nice big tantrum with "bucking" in her chair wailing and screaming and the proceeded to honk the horn (a beeping sound) on her power chair. When that didn't get her what she wanted she proceeded to "escape" and wove her way through the clothing racks all around the store. Funny now, but not at all funny at the time.

Molly had her first day of school today, which went extremely well. She has not been able to tolerate standing or walking for more than a few seconds since she broke her leg last month. We decided to start her off this year in her power chair in the classroom, which has given her a great deal of independence, which is good. She has a new aide this year, Sheila - who seems wonderful, but Molly has taken a little time to be willing to open up to her. We met Sheila last week for the first time. Molly was drawing pictures for the 3 returning teachers for this year and when I reminded her that we needed a 4th picture for Sheila she told me she would do one another day... only after explaining that we would not bring the pictures in until we had 4 she was willing to do one more (begrudgingly).

She seems to be warming up to Sheila very quickly and I am really excited for this year at school. The kids seem wonderful and Molly seems really happy to be there.

We have decided to put our house on the market and hope to be able to sell it for a good price and be able to build a new home with widened doorways and one story living for Molly that is also closer to Jim's office. Molly is very excited about the idea of being able to paint her new room purple (she does NOT understand why we painted her current room yellow - which is NOT one of her favorite colors). Boy does this girl have some strong opinions!

We have been talking a bit about what she might like to do "when she grows up" and she has now narrowed it down to being a Princess, nurse and teacher. She asked Jim what he wanted to do when he grew up and told him he should be a doctor. Jim said he wasn't sure that was something he could do, but Molly assured him he could... all you have to do is poke people and take tape off Daddy...

She is a bit unsettled about us packing things up and the idea of moving. She told me the other day that she dreamt that we had to move in to a doctor's house and they were poking and prodding her (ugh). I have of course assured her that would not happen, but she is understandably anxious. She also asked if when we got a new house would we get a new Howie too (our dog)?

Well, we live in a house FULL of stuff (mostly toys) and I have been frantically trying to pack to get us ready to be on the market and I am exhausted!! We are having a yard sale on Saturday and we are hoping to get rid of A LOT of stuff!

I am off to bed - sweet dreams :)