The Keep Your Hands To Yourself Edition

The Head Pain Section
Zoe has had a rough week. She ran a fever all Tuesday night. Poor kid just couldn't get comfortable. On Wednesday the doctor diagnosed her with bi-lateral ear infections. She's on antibiotics. The reason for the ear infections, we think, is due to the three teeth that are coming in. Poor kid. Her head must hurt.

The Social Etiquette Section
Last night Zoe and I went to watch our nephews/cousins Michael's and Tyler's school program. Tyler's kindergarten class did some poems about spring and sang some songs. Tyler recited a poem about grass. As he was on stage and singing, Zoe started laughing and reaching out for him. It's so cute to see her love for her cousins.

Michael is in 3rd grade. The whole elementary school did a program on Shadrack, Meshach and Abendigo. Michael had a starring role as King Nebuchadnezzar. I like to think he's much cuter than the real one! Not to mention nicer. We got a good look at The King before he took the stage. Zoe loved his beard and wanted lots of hugs from our royal family member.

How did we get a good look at The King before he took the stage you ask? As a parent of a 16 month old, you don't get to sit in the audience like other parents. You are forced into the foyer because your child arches her back and screams from the lack of freedom to roam.

Fortunately we were in good company. Two other parents were in the foyer with their children. Bella (15 months) and Cody (almost 2). Zoe made some new friends and I got to see just how much work N and I have in store for us. She is not socially developed. Fortunately she's not shy and will go up to the other children, but what I saw was part hilarious and part frightening.

Bella was her first victim. She must've seen similar qualities in Bella that she sees in her doll Zoe. Eyes that blink and a sweet face. The first thing she did was try to poke Bella in the eye. That led to pushing. Then to ignoring.

Once Cody was on the seen, she started flirting with him. Tilting her head to one side, lowering her voice from the scream-level it was to a soothing coo, and then nicely patting him on the leg as he sat in the rocking chair. Although that flirting quickly stopped when he tried to hug her and then both fell to the ground. She got huge alligator tears and avoided him for about 10 minutes.

Twice Zoe and I had to have a talk about using our inside voice and keeping her hands to herself. That seemed to work for a few minutes. At least she still listens to her mother.

When Bella's family left and Cody's daddy took him inside to watch his sibling, Zoe sat in the window seal, trying to hard to look into the program. Yelling for King Nebuchadnezzar to see her.

N and I have our work cut out for us. Besides her interaction with other children at church, we're going to start swimming lessons and Gymboree Play & Music classes this summer. Apparently she needs more exposure to social settings! Not to mention they both sound fun.

The Self-Help Section
This morning I did my almost-daily Starbucks run. Usually when I go through the drive-thru I'm greeted with "good morning. Welcome to Starbucks. What can we get started for you?" This morning I heard, "good morning. Will it be a grande, non-fat peppermint mocha this morning?" Oh geez. They know my by my car and my drink. Starbucks Anonymous here I come!