Adventures With MissMunchkin

MissMunchkin was very busy for the holidays, or she got a lot of mileage at least!On the 22nd Grandma picked MissMunchkin and Mommy up, adding them to an already full van. (Her two uncles think they need two seats each to spread out on!) Then we were on their way to Mommy’s uncle (aka The Big Kid With The Red Beard) and aunt’s place for a family gathering. Four hours, one potty stop (for the young and the old), and one short nap later we arrived to the night’s restaurant. Just in time too, as MissMunchkin had been declaring it was time for another potty stop!

MissMunchkin wasn’t sure about all the new people, but the animals on the walls sure were interesting. After eating she roused a bit and starting tell everyone which animals were which.

Then it was time to go the the hotel (sending MissMunchkin’s uncles to have an X-Box marathon). MissMunchkin loves hotels, especially after such a long ride. It was even more exciting when she realized Grandma and Grandpa had an adjoining room! What fun it was, to race between rooms, jumping on beds, playing “Boo!” (a MissMunchkin mix of hide-and-seek and peek-a-boo), while squealing and giggling! It took Mommy and Grandpa to hold her still long enough to get pajamas on her. Miraculously, when the adjoining door was closed and Mommy turned the lights off, everyone went right to sleep.

The next day three of Grandma’s five siblings (plus Grandma!) and their families gathered at The Big Kid With The Red Beard’s house. There were lots of new people and people she hadn’t seen in a long time (by MissMunchkin time).

The Big Kid really wanted to play with MissMunchkin, but she decided quickly she was not interested. She pointedly ignored him, her nose stuck in a book. When he got down on the floor right next to her, MissMunchkin would not take her eyes off her book. He talked, tickled, even stuck his face between her and the book. She did not move or blink, she looked right through him, as if he wasn’t there. He finally gave up and left. MissMunchkin then ran right straight for Grandma.

There was a lot of good food which MissMunchkin enjoyed sampling throughout the day.

When it came to open presents, MissMunchkin was very careful about taking care of her paper. She would tear a piece off and take it straight to Grandma. After much work, we got them unwrapped. MissMunchkin received “Charlotte’s Web” or “Pig! Pig!” which has been added to the daily programming. She also received a stick horse which has been used as a broom, a sword, a cat pusher, and occasionally a horse!

By mid-afternoon MissMunchkin was going to Mommy and Grandma, signing “all done.” When that didn’t work, she changed to “all done” “home” (which sounds a lot like “ham,” which had been on the menu). She had made her (long) appearance and was ready to leave.

Once we were in the car, MissMunchkin was asleep within minutes. After an hour nap we put in the new dvd since it had gotten dark enough outside to see the screen in the van.

Between cities (where there were few places to stop) MissMunchkin declared, “Potty!” She managed to wait three exits until there was an appropriate place for a potty stop, even if by that time the “Potty!” requests were coming back to back. We made it in time though!

Instead of getting back in the carseat, she declared “Potty!” again. When Mommy called her bluff and kept buckling her in, a break down occurred. MissMunchkin had had enough and the thirty minutes back home proved it.

Once we got home, things were better, but we were happy to send Grandma, Grandpa & Company on their way. Sleep came shortly thereafter…

Mommy had an appointment the other day, so Daddy got to watch MissMunchkin for a couple hours.

As Mommy walked out the door the water works started. (We’ve gotten real good at throwing tantrums lately.)  Mommy had one up on MissMunchkin though, she walked out the door just as “The Big Comfy Couch” came on. (Yes, this was calculated.)

By the time the theme song ended MissMunchkin realized what was on TV. She took two steps away from the door, leaned against her rocking horse with her undivided attention on the TV. Daddy wasn’t even sure she blinked. MissMunchkin stayed like that for the entire half hour show then went back to her usual antics.

By the time Mommy got home an hour and a half later, MissMunchkin was trying to get Daddy to read, while he lay, rather defeated looking, on the couch.

MissMunchkin’s biggest complaint about the heat is that Mommy is refusing to even go to the pool. This is a favorite activity for MissMunchkin. She is getting over her hesitation (for better or worse is yet to be seen) and is learning to hold her breath, kick, and splash (under Mommy and Daddy’s watchful eye.)

After a few tantrums and trying to get to her swim suit in all manner of ways she seemed to have given up on the concept. Or so I thought.

MissMunchkin has discovered she has her very own personal indoor pool and it is just her size! How cool is that? Here Mommy and Daddy just thought it was a bathtub. Silly, silly them.

In MissMunchkin’s pool she can hold herself up with her hands and kick to her hearts delight. She can splash and splash. Who cares that it gets water all over the bathroom? Mommy wanted to mop anyway. Didn’t she?

Oh, what will she come up with next?