Dairy Daze...and Now Beyond

For the past few months Ellen has been asking for a "real" Barbie doll for her birthday. She has several 11 inch dolls, knock-off Barbies, if you will. But she knows the difference somehow; she wanted a REAL one. I would rather she not have anything to do with Barbie dolls. I am not a Barbie fan; at all. However, you have to pick your fights. I have expressly forbidden anything "SpongeBob-ish" to appear in this house. Maybe I am wrong in this; maybe I should allow him and ban Barbie, but we all have our likes and dislikes. To me SpongeBob is much uglier than Barbie. But I digress. So I told my mom about the Barbie wish, and she said she'd get Ellen a Barbie. Behold an enchanted Ellen opening her Barbie: Now behold what kind of Barbie my mother got for her. (Keeping in mind that you can hardly find just a Barbie doll; they must needs sell them in little sets or scenarios; jogging Barbie, baby-sitting Barbie, breakfast Barbie...etc) Puppy potty...

Way back when I was younger and single I always wondered what would ever possess someone to have children. My main influence in this was my first nephew; he and my sister came to stay with us during his first 2 years of life. I was a self-centered 12 yr old...as most 12 yr olds are. I rensented the intrusion of a self-centered baby (as all babies are). At age 12 one sees all the trouble, work and distraction that go into raising a child. One does not see how a child can add anything to life. When I grew old and married I began to see things differently. I began to believe that a child might add something to my life. Ellen came along soon after this revelation. But it was not until AFTER she entered our lives that I realized how much a child can add to your life. And how the trouble, work and distraction are more than compensated by love, laughter and the satisfaction of seeing a life being formed. For five years I have marvelled at her growth, watched her personality form...

This blog is supposed to be about dairy issues, but it's more fun to talk about my child and her little eccentricities...if you could call it that. On Monday she will be 5 years old. Sometimes I wonder if the things she does are normal or if a psychiatrist would find her a little off. I guess pretending is normal; especially when you are an only child with no other playmates. Lately she has been doing this roll playing thing where she asserts that she is no longer Ellen, but "Brionna" (who is actually a new girl at church) and then she will ask me about Ellen; what's her favorite color, food...etc. She will continue in this vein for half hour or so. Woe betide me should I forget and refer to her as "Ellen." When I am in the kitchen she generally refers to me as, "Mr Bakery Owner." She will come up to me and announce; "Hey there, Mr Bakery Owner, I am taking Charlie (the stuffed dog) for a walk. Just thought we'd stop in an...

Just come on over; there's no rules allowed here. Ha! When Ellen was much younger we made a sign of rules for her and posted them on the fridge. They are still hanging there, though most of them are pretty much outdated as they were more specific to her at a younger age. However, on occasion when we have to remind her that there are rules we must follow, she will get annoyed. Also, ever since she has been old enough to notice and ask questions she has been fascinated with the slash/circle sign. She sees them all over; like over a picture of guns and knives on the door at the bank...etc. I told her it meant "No guns allowed." So she put them together and come up with her "No rul allowed" sign. She left off the "es" when I was spelling it out for her. This was actually a few months ago. But now here lately she gets annoyed with the Matilda, the cat, who sleeps on her bed. (not that Ellen sleeps in her own bed, ever; she prefers the...