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One of the daily talking routines with Allison is her pointing to me, saying ‘my mommy’ or to Jeff and saying ‘my daddy’. Etc. and we have to confirm it, repeat it, or else she keeps asking. we go through that probably four times a day. All the kids in her class know who everyone’s parent is. I’m guilty of not knowing every kids name and if she can’t say it clearly, I’m in trouble because I can’t repeat it back to her. I was guilty yesterday of mumbling ‘…’s daddy’ so she would quit asking me. Today I’m supposed to go up to school for the Easter Egg hunt. It got me to thinking and dreading the day where she is embarrassed of her mommy and when I come up to up school she runs into the car as fast as she can before any of her friends can she who I am. I know that day will come; I remember clearly doing it to my mom.

When we left the campground the other day and had just pulled out on the highway Allison started talking more and when I turned around and finally understood her, I heard ‘my seat belt broke’ over and over. Yep, I pulled a major parenting failure and had forgotten to buckle her car seat. I think I said something fast and loud to Jeff about pulling over and then when I opened her car door she seemed scared but I think I fixed it fast with a smile and some kisses and thank yous. I think this was only my second time to forget to buckle her – the other time was a long time ago and I remembered in the parking lot. For several weeks now (maybe months?) it’s been a routine to get in the car and Allison will say ‘my belt’ several times and then point and say ‘mommy’s belt’ and ‘daddy’s belt’ whether or not both of us are there, she’ll say belt for all of us. So now I’m thankful for that little thing that was almost becoming annoying. Actually I shouldn’t say that, I’ve read where toddlers saying basic stuff like that is just a good introduction to learning conversation skills.

Just other thing she always says is yummy for any food, whether she likes it or not. This morning she combined saying yummy with rubbing a circle on her belly. That was cute :)

Saturday we took Allison on her first overnight camping trip. Honeycomb Campground is just before Guntersville and only about a 40 minute drive from home – good distance for the first time. We got there about lunchtime and our friends the Dudleys arrived soon after. They have a 4 year old boy and a 6 year old girl, who Allison had a great time following around. Allison loved playing in the tent, and at the sandy beach. She got her feet a little wet but the water was ice cold. The Dudley kids did end up swimming and shivering in the water. Heather was trying to keep them from going all the way in and a few times they didn’t follow orders they were pulled out and made to run around and do pushups. A funny but evidently effective way at punishment sometimes.

Our campsite was right on the water and none of the kids fell in or caught on fire, so I’d say it was a great success. Actually I think everyone had a good time. I cut the morning a little short because my antibiotics decided to kick in the night before and kept me in the bathroom most of the night. (I have my first ear infection in my surgery ear in 12 years – could it have anything to do with getting a hearing aid, hmmm?). So while I’m looking forward to more camping trips, I’m also thinking I want a pop up camper with a toilet, haha.