lullaby

Phoebe was far from angelic today--in fact, she spent a lot of time in her room and in my bad favor because she can be incredibly stubborn when she wants to be. She is one of those people who will tell you the sky is yellow and the sun is blue just because she knows that is the opposite of what you want to hear. A perfect example of this is when my sister asked her to find the number 9 on a placemat. Phoebe didn't just refuse to identify the number. nope. She proceeded to point deliberately at every single number on the placemat except the number nine. Today, she decided that she did not want to participate in her swim lesson. It took her about 25 minutes before she would even get in the pool, and once she got in, she hopped right back out, because she told me "I am going to blow one bubble and then I am going to get out!" so that is exactly what she did. But I told her beforehand that she was not allowed to get in and out of the pool--if she got in, great; but if she got out, she stayed out. So when she hopped back out, she wasn't allowed to go back in. She had to sit on the bench with me and watch everyone else take their lesson. This made her very sad--or as she would say "very sad, indeed." So upset, that she sat on the bench and yelled "everyone get out of the pool. The lesson is over for everyone!" And other lovely sentiments. I sat on the bench and empathized occasionally saying that it is sad not to be allowed to do what her friends could do. She told me I was the Wicked Witch of the East. Much to my chagrin, I noticed several other parents sheltering a smile at the spectacle that is my daughter. One man even apologized for his little chuckle. These swim lessons have been a nightmare all along and quite the lesson in humility as most of the other swim parents probably think that I have parenting issues. Anyway, the day got worse with arguments and lack of cooperation at home, but--and there is a but with a silver lining--she was wonderful after her nap. She was cooperative and happy and she helped me make dinner. Brett has a terrible cold/fever, and after being gone all day at a track meet, he just wanted to rest and lie in bed. Phoebe wanted to be right with him, so they sat in bed reading stories for a while, and when it was time to go to sleep, I put Beckett in the crib and Phoebe in her bed, gave them kisses, turned on the stars, and pulled Beckett's little lullaby flower. Well when the flower ran out, he began to fuss, and instead of yelling at him or getting upset, Phoebe continued the lullaby and sang Twinkle Twinkle to him until he was quiet. It didn't take long at all--he began listening to her immediately and silence ensued. (They are in the same room.) While I was beside myself with irritation today, I also realize that I am so lucky to have such a loving, independent, beautiful little girl, and Beckett is lucky to have a sister who is going to blaze trails for him. (overambitious? maybe.) She'll definitely hold his hand and guide him, maybe a little bossily but overall, lovingly.