I believe that children are our future...

Let's talk about this girl:

1. Every time I have the camera out, she says "me next", and proceeds to make silly faces or poses. She's such a goofball.

2. Whenever I am talking, either on the phone or in person, she feels the need to interrupt and get her two cents in. She's even been known to say things like "you're talking to much, my turn".

3. She will make anything into a sandwich. For instance, two pieces of paper put on top of each other is now a sandwich. She thinks she's very clever.

4. She is obsessed with collecting pieces of papers or "maps" as she calls them. She finds tags in stores, receipts on the ground, anything and wants to keep them all.

5. She says funny things like:
     "that's so strange"
     "you bought me a _______. give me hug. you're the best"
     "it's really tricky"
     "i don't need you anymore" -when she's throwing her fits
     "I'm not a baby! I'm qiana"

6. She, even more than me, HATES for the party to end. She cries about 99% of the time, and sometimes it grows into a humongous fit.

7. She is a hugger. Whenever we say goodbye she likes to give hugs, and kisses all around. If she doesn't get to do this...another fit may occur. (The other night, as we were leaving Kim's she threw the hugest fit, and even refused to give hugs, since she was to busy literally kicking and screaming in my arms...she then proceeded to throw another fit in the car because she didn't give out hugs and kisses....it was a no win situation)

8. She acts out books. Her favorite is "five little monkeys and nothing to do". She comes up and says "i'm bored", so i have to give her the chores (in the right order) from the book.

9. She will sing and act along with movies. She seriously quotes the movies along as we watch, and loves to act out scenes. her favorite is the "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream" from Sleeping Beauty. She also does a great job of singing "man or a muppet" from the muppets. Whenever she hears "whip my tail" from the chippette's she turns around and shakes her booty.

10. She has a few books memorized, and I love having her "read" them to me. these books include: the foot book, old hat/new hat, and sheep take a hike.

11. She is quite aware that her coloring (ethnicity) is very different from those around her, and likes to point out when people, or cartoon characters, or dolls, or things in books are "brown like her".  It's a little awkward when it's super loud and the person is standing right in front of you. She likes to point out that she is brown and I am yellow. whatever.

12. She is getting to the age where she can get her own food out of the fridge, or cupboards, and will let me take a little nap while she quietly watches a show or movie. I love this growing independence.

13. She's got quite a memory. She will point out the theaters where we saw certain movies, will point out when I have forgotten to do or get her something, and knows who gave her certain presents.

14. She likes her bedtime routine, and won't stray from it. 1 show, two books, glowstick (yes, she sleeps with a glowstick every night (good thing I can get them at the dollar store), blankets layed just right, 2 songs in bed, kiss and hug,  then I put on her disney mix as she goes to sleep.

15. yellow is her favorite color. "it's in the rainbow" as she says.

16. She loves pigs. I am very proud. I did not force this upon her, she just picked it up. I like peppa pig, olivia, and of course the amazing Miss Piggy had something to do with it. But I will support this love.

17. she will tell you when she loves you. This girl is such a loving child. She is openly affectionate and loves hugs, cuddles, kisses, words of affirmation, and attention.

18. the term "too close" does not apply to her. She has no spacial issues. It gets a little annoying. She will always just be "right there". right on my lap, right in my face, right by my side...and she loves it. She can't get close enough.

19. She is loving preschool, and is getting better with her letters, counting, shapes, and coloring.

20. She is very aware that (as she says) "I don't have a daddy". Thanks to Yo gabba she learned all about the different kinds of families, and just kind of states, as a matter of fact, that she doesn't have a daddy, but has a mommy. She gives me big hugs and says "you're my family" all the time.  To her, it's just how it is, and that her and I are a happy family.