Lately Laylee’s been all about making goals. This Saturday she woke up with a whole diet and fitness regimen planned out. She would eat 2 bananas cut up with a knife, 2 apples sliced with the apple slicer and several glasses of water. She would then do back exercises in her exercise spot under the stairs and check her back to see how strong it was getting.
After completing her exercises, she told me that although she knows they are not “real” exercises, she’s pretty sure they worked because she got all sweaty. When I told her she’d better put her sweaty clothes in the hamper she said, “No. It’s okay. I just stuck them under my pillow to dry out so I can wear them again tomorrow.” I’m not sure if this action stemmed from a desire to save me work cleaning the clothes, a desire to save the planet by using less water and power or the fact that the outfit is pink and sassy and a gift from her grammy.
They’re in the wash even now. The wash that never ends. The wash that is sucking the life from my very soul. But I digress.
She told me that her entire Saturday fitness routine was to make her back strong like a real ballerina. She cannot WAIT to be a real ballerina and as she twitches and flails her way adorably through ballet class each week, she asks me if she’s ready for point shoes. Not yet honey. As long as the other moms are gasping and saying, “Oh MY!” each time it’s your turn to pirouette across the floor, you’re probably not ready, but I really really like you.
I’m glad she has a goal though and she is getting better.
Today my chest congestion was back so I skipped my workout and slept in late. As I headed down the stairs, I found Laylee waiting by the front door. She was all dressed down to her socks, shoes and jacket. She was wearing her backpack which she’d already loaded with her water, folder and a Laylee-esque snack.
“Wow,” I said, “You’re ready early.”
“I know. I made a goal last night not to get late slips anymore so I woke up really early and got all ready.” She squinched her face and gave me a double thumbs-up. Oh my word she’s such a KEENER! And do I love it? Yes I do.
I got myself and Magoo dressed, fed them breakfast (for which she took her backpack off) and went to grab my keys when she asked me, “Hey mom. Can I add something to my snack that I wanted to ask you about?”
“Sure.”
“I want a piece of pork tenderloin. It’s okay. I can just eat it cold from my bag.”
So her kindergarten snack today consisted of a bag of peanuts, a slab of cold pork and a tub full of dry cereal. She dressed herself. Her back is strong. I think I’ll keep her.
Janel says
Ha! I love what little kids come up with! My family still laughs about my youngest sister’s goal phase. First she committed to saying her prayers every night for a year on her “prayer rug” that my dad brought back from a business trip to Turkey (and she kept that goal up for YEARS!). Then, she made a goal to wear a really ugly purple headband every minute of the day (and we convinced her to drop that one after the showering process proved too difficult). And luckily for us, she gave up on her “no cheese” goal after a day or so, because we LOVE cheese. But her goals definitely gave us something to laugh about.
Steph @ Diapers and Divinity says
I have nothing witty to say. I just can’t compete with Laylee. She’s a gem.
Lisa says
I can’t believe that girl. A piece of pork tenderloin!?! She is pure awesomeness.
Amy from Occupation: Mommy says
I would love to hear what the teacher thought when Laylee pulled out that slab of cold pork…
Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama says
You have yourself a keeper! What a cutie!
MommyJ says
oh, holy cow. I am laughing so hard at the pork tenderloin, cold from my bag… that is too funny. I love it when my kids get ready on their own. And my laundry is killing me too.
Amanda says
HAHA! 🙂 I’m pretty sure all the ballerinas power load with pork tenderloin before the big show! 🙂 She’s SO cute and hilarious!
a.men says
Kids are amazing aren’t they! I love how their minds work.
I agree with you about the wash–sucking the very life out of me too!!!
Love the ballet, my 6 year old loves and adores ballet! Her goal is to be a ballerina too. I hear the question about the point shoes at least once a week!
Surcie says
I don’t know why you need any other form of entertainment when you have her!
BTW, about the chest congestion. Acupuncture seems to really help me with that.
Becky says
She’s such a cutie! Pork cold from the bag for a snack, who would have though that was a yummy idea… I think she is preparing for the college cold-pizza years already. 🙂 When she’s in the Ivy League, of course.
🙂
Marian says
You’re probably keeping the kindergarten teacher supplied with good material for her nightly dinner conversations.
What a self-starter she is! Good for her!
Keyona says
I’m sure you could forget everything else and just blog about Laylee for a week and we’d be good and entertained. Gotta love her.
sweet mama entropy says
Hilarious! Thanks Laylee, for making us smile!
Tannis says
New comment-er!
I’m sitting here, procrastinating doing the laundry, and here you are talking about it. I run a home daycare, and I always brag about being home, and how I’m able to get the laundry done, and make dinner. Which, by the way, I SUCK at!
Here’s my little smidgen of advice for you about the laundry – do all your kids’ things in ONE load. Do not do a stitch of anyone else’s laundry in that load. When it’s dry, you can quick-fold it directly into that kid’s drawers. You’re done the horrible deed in about five minutes. IF you do one person’s laundry every day, you’ll stay caught up.
That’s the theory anyway. You might run into problems if you have to separate Magoo’s gitchees.
Good luck, and thank you for the Laylee laughs today. I wish I knew how to blog – my kids are at the saying-cute-things-that-I-wish-I-could-remember-forever stage too. Darn memory!
Pam in Utah says
Hey! We had pork tenderloin yesterday, too! It must be on sale everywhere! And have you been reading “Heidi” to her? WHAT a cutie. Takes after her parents I think… 🙂
Wendy says
She just makes me smile. Those little people with their big ideas, all organized and stuff. So cute.
KYouell says
*I* want to be that organized. And I want to have someone double-check my snacks. I think I’ve over-cookied and it’s not even noon.
amy says
Oh my goodness, she’s delicious! I love the double thumbs-up!
Yuka says
love her. love your blog.
grammyelin says
She is the greatest! I love that she is taking so much reponsibility for herself and that she loves the sassy outfit. That was surely worth the 3 bucks! Love you all…all the time.
Katie says
I love the pork tenderloin! that is just the best!
jsprik says
everyone knows pork tenderloin is the best for nice strong back muscles, don’t they???? lol i love your cute stories!! hugs and prayers….
Andrea says
Thanks for the laugh.
michal says
she is a.dor.a.ble. wow.
i’m sure that she gets the diet, fitness, and goal thing from her mom. don’t you just love how she’s trying so hard to be a better laylee? she’s a keeper, alright.
Paige says
It’s good to have goals.