The Bean meets a horse

or six, and a pile of dogs and a lot of kitties and enjoys herself at Ariel’s house. We bounced on the trampoline. Dr. John and I talked about holistic veterinary practices and the girls played side by side and sometimes together. They took toys from each other and Ariel showed the Bean how to walk a three legged kitty on a leash. The Bean watered their plants and everyone talked on the phone. I had a good time too.

I’m getting much better about driving in the Barrington/Lake Barrington/Barrington Hills and Lake Zurich areas and the Bean loves the car.We’ll be taking our maiden voyage to the mall, just the two of us in a couple of weeks.

She was so funny with the horses. She petted them and pulled back if they got mouthy but squealed happily the entire time. She was overwhelmed with a huge pile of doggies and rolled around in them and got licked muchly. She’s just so fearless it amazes me. I’m not the only one teaching things in this relationship.

We’ve started putting away toys. This causes a tantrum sometimes because she is in her negative and rebellious 2 year old stage. It is a difficult time, but neccesary. She realized early she’s her own self and she’s making that point to everyone now. She has also begun to ask for everything within sight in the grocery store. Right now, that’s an easy one for me, because she just isn’t going to get it and I don’t feel ambivalent about that at all. Harder for me, is when she visits someones house and sees a toy she likes and asks for it for several days. But then James and I discuss whether getting said toy (right now it is a ‘new baby tad lily” which is the girl version of baby tad) will be a spoiling thing or something that will help her in some way. And of course, whether it is to be had cheaply on ebay or at a garge sale.

She also recognizes my facial expressions and identifies them correctly. Saying “sad mommy” or ‘angry mommy”
or “determined mommy” and “happy mommy.” The first when she isn’t nice to the kitties, the second when she knows she’s done something she shouldn’t do and I put a scowl on my face (but most of the time I’m doing that so I don’t crack up and spoil the discipline). Determined mommy shows up with the putting away of toys and happy mommy is when we are playing and snuggling and being silly.

Miss Bean also spoke to her Grandmama Jackie for the first time. Miss Jackie called her a little butterfly and the Bean said “I’m a little butterfly flap flap.” And then a little while later “Happy Birthday. Need some birthday cake?” It was Jackie’s birthday and I called her. It was a good conversation for everyone.

We’re on our way out again now that James has finished doing his yard thing. Or maybe we’ll fill up the wading pool.