Sloane 1.5 -> almost 2!

In the last several months, Sloane has grown into the most delightful little cutie pie. Perhaps that's why I haven't blogged lately -- I've been enjoying her so much. However, before I forget, I wanted to list a few things I love about her right now (and other developments).

First of all, her language is awesome. She identifies words I have no idea how she learned and speaks in almost complete sentences. Favorites include, "I'nt know-where-is" and "No-nie do it!" (she called herself "Noane" or "No-nie" until just this week when she started to say "Sonie" and "Bony Sone").  

For the last six months, she has been obsessed with kitties. Seen here are her two kitty dresses (which she wants to wear every day). Below is a little video I made of her thanking Aunt Caroline for sending the kitties she cuddles at bedtime. 

 

Her sense of humor is amazing. She laughs constantly (her pronounced "HEE hee!" always turns around my mood). She tries to crack us up, especially when she knows she's being naughty. Her favorite trick is dramatically throwing a bowl of food across the room and laughing, "Hee hee!" We'll say, "No, Sloane, that's naughty." She'll say, "Funneeee!" Me: "No, Sloane, that's naughty." She'll reply, "Not naughty; FUN-NEEE! Ha ha ha!" Honestly, it's hard to keep a straight face.

She had her first full-blown tantrum last week (and earned her first time out). What caused this sweet little girl to scream, red-faced for six minutes straight? Toothpaste. She is obsessed with toothpaste, and she was furious that mean mommy only let her have one squirt after dinner. "TOOTH-PASTE!!!!!"


Despite dental hygiene rants and occasional misplaced humor, she's actually quite well-behaved. I especially appreciate that she's orderly and likes to clean up after herself.

Her hobbies include coloring and playing with water. Below she's playing in her backyard water table with buddy, Zev, enjoying Newport Beach, squirting Grandma on a very hot So Cal day, and back in our yard in her little wading pool.

 

Frankly, she loves the outdoors in general. Whenever I ask her what she did at school, she excitedly chirps, "Outside!!"

One of her favorite outside activities is t-ball, an avocation she picked up from her brother.

Her social skills are off the hook. She clearly likes people and shows it with her big smiles, coquettish expressions and hugs for all her friends.

She absolutely loves music. Whenever she's feeling crabby, if I sing a round of "Aloutte," or "I've been working on the railroad," she's good as gold. Sometimes I hear her humming to herself the ABCs or "Frere Jacques." When Riley DJs on his Spotify playlist, she immediately starts grooving. The other day, we were in the bathroom with the door closed and she heard him put on "Eye of the Tiger." She said, "Tiger! Tiger!" and ran out to the living room to dance with him. Not surprisingly, she still loves music class, which she now take with her pal, Zev. And she loves any toy that makes music, like her plush caterpillar, below.

She continues to exert her independence, including dressing herself (like when she insisted on wearing this funky Japanese shirt that reads "I love you; Hug me softly") She also insists on putting on her own shoes, applying her own sunscreen and wiping down the table after she eats.  

 

It's really no surprise that she loved preschool from the first day she started in July (pictured below that morning), including insisting on carrying two "purses" and walking by herself. I expected her to cling to me when I dropped her off, but instead, she scampered right in without looking back. When I projected across the room, "Bye, Sloanie!" she momentarily looked back, said, "Bye, Mommy," and immediately returned to playing. That's my confident girl!

We are so in love with this girl right now. We just can't get enough of her!