Holly worked some late shifts last week, so I struggled alone for a while. It was neat seeing Jessie help feed Jamie a bottle (for a minute, then get tired and distracted), and she would also "read" her a book. It started off, and had several paragraphs in the "book" as "One Day,...." and then she'd insert a story.
As we traveled to Murfreesboro this weekend, Jessie sang a song. A medley of sorts, written and sung by Jessie, herself.
"A B C D Spider Spider Spider He Fell Down Twinkle Twinkle Rainbows Yes Sir Yes Sir Three Bags Full"
She also has her own version of Jesus Loves Me:
"Jesus Loves Me, This I know,
For the Bible Tells me So.
Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me Yes Jesus Loves Me. (longggg pause....) Mommy, I want dat!"
While in M'boro, we were at an RV lot (dreaming of course, not buying), tootling around in a golf cart on a large RV lot. Holly said, "Larry, take me to the Presidential. I want to see it." So I took off toward the Presidential trailer, and turned onto the row where the one Presidential was. Jessie yelled, "There it is, Mommy! There's your Presidential!" and very distinctly pointed at the one Presidential trailer!!!! Now, Holly and I are wondering if she is reading! ("PRESIDENTIAL" was distinctly written on the front cap of the trailer)
On the way to church Sunday morning, I told Jessie that Mommy wanted to close her eyes and rest, and to try to be quiet. She complied. I could see Holly's eyes open and whispered something to her. What happened next? "Daddy. Be quiet. Mommy sleepin. DADDY BE QUIET MOMMY SLEEPIN! (and even louder....) DADDY BE QUIET BE QUIET SHHH MOMMY SLEEPIN
And....in church Sunday morning, after the Amen was said ending a prayer, Jessie yells, "YAAAAY!"
But this child is so precious. You can't help sometimes to get tickled at things she does, because usually it is innocent enough. But she does get her share of timeouts and spankings. She is responding better to the threat of spankings simply because Holly and I are either doing a quick 1-2-3 count, or sometimes no count at all. Occasionally, I'll just walk toward her, and she gets busy with the needed task. And then she comes and sits in my lap. Makes me feel like we're doing something right, since we do punish, but she still wants to sit in our laps and love on us.
