Who's in Charge? & Pumpkin Patch part 2

Oh the drama! I am at my wits end with the small person tonight. First she took almost an hour to eat dinner, then was too scared to go to sleep (as a result of a 2nd reading of the book Bony Legs, this time in Aftercare....) but did not make use of my 30 minutes of sitting in the rocker with her to go to sleep...and was then wailing because she was too scared to stay in her room and sleep...ugh! The compromise we ended up with was her sleeping in my bed, to be moved back to her room when I come to bed. And she couldn't get out (which she has successfully done).

I really struggle with the mental battle of being in control of things between the two of us. Sometimes I feel like I give in too much but on the other hand, it is exhausting to dither about it. I know, I should set more of a hard line and impose consequences for not listening or making good choices but it is a struggle sometimes. I can tell that I definitely am in need of a day (or 3) by myself to get rejuvenated...and there's not one on the horizon for another 10 days or so...but I must admit, I am lucky in that there are days like that in my future, for which I am very grateful to Grandma and Grandma Carol.

Meanwhile, had a trip to the Pumpkin Patch this morning with PK3. There are some cute ones in there of the kids, particularly a couple of Rachel Claire and her BFF, Andy. The only bad news is that it was freezing out and I was a bad mother and didn't dress RC appropriately for the weather...oh well, I still have a few months of winter to get that figured out!

Here we have Andy, surrounded by Rachel Claire and Iyana.....

beautiful Olivia riding the wagon out to the pumpkin patch

Brrrr, its cold outside!

Our buddy for the day, Kamryn, and RC

here's a good one of Gabe

Elisabeth's mom staying warm by having Avery and Elisabeth sit on her lap -- brilliant!

the kids watching the dinosaur eat a pumpkin (or 3)

Here is a funny one from the way home. That's sweet little Andy again! I think he's a good influence on Rachel Claire...and she needs that!