Christmas 2012

It amazes me that every year Dee has the most amazing Christmas for her.  I read somewhere that kids bond through different things.  Dee bonds primarily through wants.  When her wants are met, she feels love.  I can tell her how much that is not true, but it's true to her.

Her Christmas looked small underneath the tree, but it was actually big.

The tree after Santa left

Dee enjoys the whole gift opening process.  She takes her time and enjoys each gift.  I made her a book of the dogs she fostered, and she read the entire thing before opening the next gift.  We call it "The Dee Show."

Dee was appropriately grateful.  She got a small tablet.  She was not expecting an electronic, so she was thrilled.  I hid it in a big box wrapped in a towel.  She never suspected.  I did not block Goggle +, and she figured it out.  She was all over social media.  I had to take the tablet back, block the app, and stress to her the danger in social media for the billionth time.  After a few days, I had her write out what she did wrong and how she can make sure the mistake doesn't happen again.  All is well.

When she was caught, she sent herself an e-mail saying she would rather live with an abusing mother than two dogs and a "mean, ugly, fat, self-centered mom."  She was mad at herself.  I asked her why I was being mistreated when I didn't do anything wrong.

After a day of quiet in our house, I went to the store, and brought her favorite drink (bottle water and flavored water) and cookies.  I told her it was nice of me to bring her favorites even though she was being mean to me.  She said, "Even if we are mad at each other, you still have to take care of me."  And I was pleased that she knew that was true and that I would.

Overall, she is doing well.  Had a friend spend the night on a work day, and did OK. 

 

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming.  We are excited in our house.  Dee knows she has presents in the car, and it's the typical behavior for Santa.  I am going to miss it.  During December, if she had a good night, I gave her a treat in her Advent calendar.  If she didn't, nothing.  She caught on early, and it's been a really good month.

I've had to tell her that I would be sad if I had to hold back some presents because of behavior.  She doesn't want that.  Of course, after Christmas, I know she is getting my trump threat.  So life should not be too bad.

Recently, I mentioned that she can be overwhelmed with too much and all good, and she said, "You know about that?"  I told her since we both know about it now, then there is no sense in letting it happen.  She is old enough to say, "Take some stuff from me because I'm being overwhelmed."

I don't feel that second quarter went as well as first.  But the teachers have only nice things to say about her.  She will make an honor roll again.  We are going to change her goals for this quarter.  In some classes, I'm going to expect B's not C's.

Dee and I were talking one day about how much we are alike.  It's really true.  She was having a sinus headache, and I said, "That's very me.  Why don't you get some of my good qualities?"  She said, "What are your good qualities?"  I said, "I try to be a kind and thoughtful person."  She said, "Yeah, I have a problem with that."  She was not kidding.  She is pretty selfish, so she does not like when I help others or give to others.

In other family news.

Chloe's congestive heart failure was really bad earlier this week.  I thought we were going to lose her.  Dee had her written off.  But my little ChloChlo fought and is doing OK.

I'm studying pretty hard for a certification test.  It's not sticking.  But I do that a lot in spare time.  So, when Dee is at dance, or tutoring, I'm studying.

Roxy is her normal sad and quiet self. 

For Christmas we go to church and then take our doggies to look at Christmas lights.  They will enjoy the time out.

I'm sure there is more in the past three weeks, I just can't remember.

Merry Christmas all!