Cowgirl Boots

This girl of mine loves boots. I mean, L O V E S boots. When the county fairs (yes, plural--she went to all three in the area) came around this year, I went into the "shoe stash" (thank you big sister) to look for boots that would fit her. I didn't really care what kind. I just wanted to find some so that she wouldn't ruin her good tennis shoes in the mud at the fair.

Unfortunately, all of the boots were too big (although a couple of pairs may fit later in the winter). B had to run to town that day for something, and when he came back he had a bag from James Family Outfitter's in hand. Inside was a little box that held a little pair of pink and brown boots.

Since then, she wears them day and night. She spent some time yesterday at B's parents' house and wanted to wear her boots. All her pants were dirty, so I pulled this dress out of the closet. She thought she was gorgeous. (And I have to agree!)

She was so happy with her attire that I was able to talk her into pigtails. No small feat.

Please ignore the mess in the living room behind her. It is Labor Day weekend. I'm trying not to labor :)

Bedtime

It seems as though I only have time for this after bedtime. Which presents a problem... This is also the only time I have to [peacefully] talk to B, [peacefully] watch television, [peacefully] read a book...

And although I love the time I spend after Ella's bedtime, I love bedtime, "the ritual" all by itself.

First, we run to her room to get undressed. Sometimes she and I race (I usually let her win). Other times I carry her and we let B chase us. No matter how we get there, we always her get undressed on her changing table. She likes to throw her clothes on the floor herself. Miss Independent.

After that, we head to the bathtub. There is usually a whole family of little people, a couple of cups, and any other random thing B has found to throw in there. We wash her, brush her teeth and then it's time to get out!

Getting OUT of the tub is a whole ritual in itself. First she picks something to "drop". When B picks her up, he holds her above the water long enough for her to drop the chosen item(s). This usually produces a big grin and a giggle. A few months ago, this is the only way we could even get her out of the tub without screaming. Now it has become part of the routine.

I scoop her up in the hooded towel that my eldest sister handed down to us, and carry her back to her changing table. We have time to sing one round of "Rock-a-bye Baby" on the way. (This is a very new addition to the routine, but I love the love on her face when I sing it. I hope she never stops asking for it.)

Once she lays down on the changing table, she throws the towel off and announces, "ready for bed!!" Diaper, socks, undershirt, pj top, pj bottoms, always in that order. We are such creatures of habit. Then I comb her hair.

Hugs and kisses for Mommy. Daddy has been putting her to bed for the last couple of months, so I get my hugs and kisses first :). Then as a family we sing and dance (slow dance, if you will) "Ring around the Rosie". This is also new.

After the song, it is time for books. Our favorites are Max Lucado's Hermie The Common Caterpillar, Mike Jolley's I'll See You in the Morning (I bought this in the Seattle airport this summer), various Caillou books, and a 50 cent book I got at Grandview Outlets.

I find a lot of comfort in this routine. Possibly more than she does. I know that over the years...and even over the next few months, this routine will change dramatically. I probably will never remember most of these details, which is why I've chosen to put them here. Forever etched into a nook in cyberspace.