Elle Belle’s Annual New Year’s Resolutions

Ask "Why" About Everything

Us kiddos finally need to get some answers that we find acceptable to very important questions. Personally, I’m tired of big people telling me “because you could get hurt” or “it’s how gravity works” and would like to get some quality answers out of Mommy and Daddy--the sooner the better. And the more times that I ask “why,” the more detailed and explanatory the response is…it works like a charm! But clearly I need more trips abroad, to museums, and libraries of science to get the true answers to my questions (like “why can’t I ride the puppy or paint my fingernails at school with markers?”).

Never Go To Bed At Bedtime

I’m really not tired at 8 pm or 8 pm. or 9 pm, for that matter. You can remind me that I ran 5 miles, had a fantastic day at school, went flying across the monkey bars, wore 10 dress up outfits, and all the usual suspects but hearing about my fantastic (or exhausting as you think) day doesn’t prompt an epiphany that I am tired (but I know you think I should be). It just makes me even more excited. So I suggest a bigger and better bedtime routine to include a dozen books, six songs, two trips to the potty, milk chugging, and several trips in and out of my room for Mommy and Daddy. This way I don’t have to ask for these individually each and every time you are required to tuck me into bed.

Be The Best Big Sister Ever

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to show affection, and it comes without being prompted and without restraint. My baby sister knows that I love to wake her up by turning on the lights and screaming: “Good morning, sunshine,” until she is up and crying. She loves to wake up that way and always has a big smile for me in return. Really. And she loves when I give her a bear hug, kiss her toesies, and tell her to “shhhh” when she says “waaah.” I totally have her back. I always watch out for her and only want her to have the best. I pick out matching outfits, big and little sister stuff, and the whole nine yards. I even tell Mommy to take a much needed nap and I will hold baby (or at least to put her on her mat or in her mamaRoo and I can watch her). This is going to be an easy resolution, eh? I may already be the best big sister ever.

Play WITH My Friends

I have so much fun playing with my BFF Fiona and want my other friends to play with me and stop playing next to me. It’s much more fun to play together, isn’t it? What’s up with this parallel play stuff anyway? Does it happen because my friends don’t want to only play what I want and to do as I say (like to always be Anna when I am Elsa not the other way around...ahem…you know who you are) or because I hear them say “mine” and I still want their favorite toy anyhow?

Dress/Undress As I Like

Dress up clothes are great for school. I can run around in my undies and everyone comments how cute I am. I totally rock those looks! Honestly, I’m not sure what Mommy’s issue is but she should let it go. Why can’t I take off my clothes and wear my underwear whenever I like? It is liberating, so loosen up parents. And there is nothing wrong with dressing as five different princesses within an hour if you can. You must just be jealous of my sense of style. And the dog does want to dress up—I just need to get him to play along in my imaginary, make believe universe and to stop chewing his bone.

Bonus From Last Year: Continue To Poop In Diaper

While I am fully potty trained and love wearing fancy underwear, I realized that I made the resolution last year to continue to poop in my diaper. I was pooping on the potty and thinking that lots of my friends still poop in their diapers and my baby sister gets oodles of cute diapers so guess what? I am regressing and decided to continue to poop in my diaper, too. Again, if it doesn’t bother me, why should it bother you?