Much Laughter

Collins continues to make us laugh everyday. She's got a big personality and quick wit, so there's not a day that goes by that we aren't smiling at this little one. She's a little general who monitors if everyone in the household says "thank you" and "I'm sorry" when they are supposed to. She even monitors and has caught someone not washing their hands after going to the restroom! Her eyebrows go up, she points her finger, cuts her eyes and has that look like she just caught you in a serious crime. It's hilarious. Yesterday I couldn't find my keys and she lit up and said "Cowwins find it!" She went to my van, climbed all the way to the back end, pulled out a purse of hers and there they were. She had gone through the house and put some treasures in her own purse. She keeps me humble, having told me I was "too big" in some places and "too small" in others. Aaaah! This morning I had washed my face and was putting on lotion. I told her we put lotion on our skin so it will be beautiful. She pointed to my pre-makeup face and said, "Mommy's skin NO beautiful. But Mommy's nose is beautiful and Mommy's ear is beautiful." Most of the time she's a lovebug, kissing and hugging and full of joy and enthusiasm. She says, "I wuv you" quite often. Her tantrums are almost gone completely. Thats pretty fantastic since it was 4 months today that we saw her for the first time! The progress in her behavior has truly been amazing to witness. But....she still has her moments, don't we all? She's a 5 year old child. Today her little strong will was really strong. She got upset because I wouldn't let her wear flip flops (we still have snow on the ground). A tantrum ensued with her ending up in time out. She kept telling me that she was gonna tell Tonna (Conner) on me. I told her she had to stay there until she said she was sorry. After awhile I heard a mean "I'm sorry". When I asked her if she really meant it, she got mad again and pointed to the corner she was in and said "I stay here!" Then she said "Cowwin's strong!" and showed the muscle in her arm...I tried to tell her she didn't have to be the tough girl anymore. We loved her no matter what and would take care of her. It didn't take long before the flip switched and she was playing and giggling and life was good again. The longer she is here, the more relaxed she is. She's calming down as she gets more secure. We still are dealing with alot of separation anxiety though. I'm in half day kindergarten with her, and Awanas, and Sunday School. She will not let me leave her except with family and a few friends. Although she actually did have a sleepover with our friends the Crawfords! I couldn't believe it and still can't. She did great and even got to feed the horses. One of the things that makes me laugh the most is her little female manipulation tactics. If I tell her something she doesn't like, like "go get your socks" or "go brush your teeth", she's get this little pouty look and say, "Cowwins cry!" To which we smile and say, "go ahead...". She and I were in Walmart recently buying groceries before the big snow. She was in the cart and leaned into me for a hug. I went through the list of everybody that loves Collins and when I said Jesus loves Collins, she said, "Let's pray." I said, "Now?". She nodded, took my grocery list and held both of my hands. So right there in the baking aisle at Walmart, here comes "Jesus loves-a me Daddy. Jesus loves-m Saspensah. Jesus loves-a me Tonna..." She's teaching me to pray without ceasing in more ways than one! She is also playing Upward basketball and her first game was today. Lots of dribbling and holding the ball, but no attempts at shooting. She loves to "do hair", wear frilly dresses and play with baby dolls. But even more so, she is physically strong, active and very athletic. All that combined with her comedy makes her the perfect fit for the Toth household. Carl, Spencer and Conner laugh at her alot, and I often think, "What if we had missed this?"