I was telling people at work about Maria. I think it is just great that she can get in touch with her feelings and express them. Many grown up have trouble expressing their feelings because they don't even know what they are.

I am one person who doesn't do this but I really feel that if a person figures out their feelings and than talks about them it does help. Like if you are down in the dumb, dig deep within yourself and figure out what is really making you sad. Sometimes when we are down we end up getting into an argument with some one over something that would not have even bothered you if you weren't down in the first place. So whether you are sad, angry, happy or whatever, try to look at why you got there and express it.

Maria does this all the time. I think we could learn from her. If she is happy, she can usually tell you why she is happy. If she is sad, I know Sheryl has asked her Why are you sad, and she usually can tell her or Eric why she is sad. I know she doesn't understand this now but I sure hope she contiues this all her life.

I, acutally, had tears reading what you said about Maria. We've tried really hard to let Maria express her feelings and tell her that it is ok to feel that way. I didn't realize how much she really does until you wrote about them. This makes us feel good about parenting and that others can see what we have been trying to do.

Don't get us wrong Maria does have her days and sometimes I let my patience run short so therefore have days where I get short with Maria. I then feel really bad for how I treated her and she doesn't have a problem with telling me that I did hurt her feelings. Usually if I don't appologize to her immediately I'll reminder her of the time then tell her that I am sorry and that wasn't nice of mommy. I said that to her once and she said that then I couldn't have a treat that day...

Linda...daycare mom...has helped her a lot on this to so we can't take full credit for it all.

We never scolled her for her feelings and I think that is the hardest thing to do but the most important thing. That way they aren't afraid that they will get in trouble for it. When someone tells you that it is wrong to feel the way they are or that it is stupid...then that is how they start to feel. We have feelings and there is a reason for them no matter why, it isn't wrong or stupid.

Linda has helped me by giving me advice when I've asked how to handle times when I feel I didn't know what to do.

I decided to have the blue berry waffles and bacon that morning. I gave Maria one and I took one. She thought they looked pretty cool. Then on the LITE syrup bottle she noticed in the corner that there was a strawberry. She was really excited that she was having Strawberry Syrup on her Blue berry waffle Of course she wasn't... and even if I would have said something we would have gone back and forth about it being or not being strawberry.. so I didn't say a thing.

I threw down 2 more for myself and then stacked the 2 on top of each other. Maria looked over and instantly wanted to have another one to do that. So I told her if she ate all of her waffle she could have another and we would do that. She proceeded to chow that waffle down and drink a half a glass of OJ. I asked her if she wanted more... "YEAH" was the response I got. I cut it in half and then stacked the halfs and she thought it was great.

After that we headed out to Target to get some supplies. We found the Xmas shirts at 75% off so like last year I picked some up. 3 for Maria and 2 for Sheryl. L for sheryl so that it can be used as a night shirt ans XS (kids) for Maria. Maria's will be big but we tend to use the as shirts under sweatshirts, sweaters, etc.. during the winter and by summer they will be the right size

At about 12:30 the furnace guy came. I don't think she even looked at him. We even moved the couch she was sitting on at one point but I don't think she paid any attention to us.

After leftovers for lunch (Shepard's Pie, click for recipe) we headed back to Target to exchange the L shirts for XL, I wasn't thinking.

We then headed over to Best Buy to look at some computer things.. (which I got a part for the internet connection so that we can have multiple computers hooked up and the cable connection) Of course we had to visit the Pet Ranch while we were there. We love looking at the puppies there

On the way home, she kept this big smile on her face... I told her to wipe it off...but she couldn't. I aske her if she was happy.. "YEAH" are you sad? "NO, I'm Happy" Why are you so happy? "Because I got to stay at home today"