7.25.2008

My Girl

I never was the middle child. I don't understand what it's like to follow in your big sister's footsteps or how hard it is to live in her shadow. I don't know how it feels to have everything you have done, been done by someone else.

I have a middle child and I am trying to figure it out.

Amelia went camping with her aunt and uncle this weekend. Sweet Tess was left home. It broke her heart to not be included with her big sister, but that is a part of life that she has to learn to live with. She won't always be included in things.

However, I am LOVING this time alone with my middle baby. It is a rare occasion that we spend one-on-one time together. I get to rediscover her spunky personality. She is the most loving, ready to please child. All she wants in life is to be like me and to have my approval. I have notice a lot of middle children need that validation from their parents. That they too are good enough. And I am heaping it on her in droves this weekend.

Last night we stayed up late and made her an apron with the intent to bake all day today (her favorite thing to do with mommy). She was so excited to tell me how she wanted her apron fashioned. She designed it herself...with very little guidance from mommy.

We made smoothies for breakfast and immediately after we made pumpkin cookies. She is currently playing with her little best buddy, Lana but as soon as that play date commences, we are making banana bread and chocolate chip cookies. This is absolute HEAVEN for my little Tessie-Sue. She is THRIVING on this attention, and it gets better. Tomorrow daddy is taking her to a water park and a movie.


Sometimes being the one left out isn't so bad, eh?
Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (Tess's favorites):
1 box spice cake mix
1 15-oz can pumpkin
Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips...we used probably 3/4 of a cup
Mix well and scoop onto parchment lined cookie sheet (or a lightly greased cookie sheet). Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool and enjoy.

10 comments:

Bilary said...

She looks SOOOO adorable in her ittle apron! Her big sis is going to be so jealous!

You are such a good mom to eat up the individual time you have with your kids. You are always teaching me how to be a better mom. I thank you and so do my kids!

Ryley @ That's My Family! said...

Those look really yummy! And super easy! Right up my alley...

Looks like you two had a lot of fun...

Chris, Deb and the Ava Jayne said...

wow. You guys are baking masters. I bet your kitchen is delicious and so fun to be in.

Chris, Deb and the Ava Jayne said...

p.s. I know hil has invited me before, and I couldn't come...but if you have another learn how to make ridiculously cute hair things for daughters, I WOULD LOVE to come. I'm craft challenged, but ...I'm willing to give it a go.

Ashley said...

Very cute apron! That is special time to spend together. Everyone could use a little one on one with their mom.

Karla said...

I love the apron. I am so glad the two of you are able to spend special time together. Moments like that are few and far between at my house (with six kids, you can imagine) so when they do come along they are soooo precious!

Kris said...

What a sweet girl! She is so intelligent and beautiful! Glad she got some good mommy time!

The Rookie said...

That apron is to die for...and so is that cutie-pie!

Lana said...

that is such a super cute apron!!
It's always a treat to have one on one time with the kiddos:)

Andrea said...

Love the apron as well! You are very talented! I am just good at locating cute things on the internet....

I like this post. I struggle with the middle child issue. I am the oldest (younger brother), so I have no clue either. I know that my second daughter does need lots of validation, and loves the attention.

She does not get invited to lots of the parties and outings that her older (more sociable) sister enjoys. She has a few close friends, as opposed to her sister who has lots of friends, so that limits her possibilities as well.

I do feel sad for her when her sister is doing all of these fun things and she is stuck home with us. I try and make it fun as well.

My fear is that the sister issue will continue with the dating (many years from now) and that the heartaches will continue...