The way I like things....by Nicole Renee

I think I am a very normal 2 year old girl. I love to play, to read, to run around and to jump. I love my mommy and daddy and my grandparents. My favorite things to do are to swing, play in my pool, take bathes, jump, watch Blue's Clues, and play memory. I leave a path of toys, books and other items behind me every where I go.

But, I am also very particular about where certain things go and how we do certain things. I think sometimes I drive my mommy and daddy and grandparents crazy with my pickyness, but if they would only understand how I think, then it would make sense to them. Here are some examples of the way I like things...

~Most importantly, my snack and craft table MUST be in the right order. I sit at the head of table in the green chair. My mommy sits to my right in the red chair. If my daddy is home, he sits to my left in the blue chair. And the yellow chair is against the wall for a guest.

~ Almost just as important is the order my doggies and blankets cuddle me at nap and bed time. My most special dog goes on my left. My other doggie goes on my right (both MUST be with their face touching me under my chin...and yes, there is a difference between the two doggies, can't you tell?) and my blankie goes in the middle, on top of my chest. Then my mommy has to cover me in my blanket.

~My bedtime and nap time order is very important. At nap time, mommy reads me my next Bible story. Then we have to look at Job and I have to tell her why he is sad and happy. At bedtime, daddy reads to me and then he has to pray with me. If Hannah is happy and wants to lay in my bed while we pray and read the Bible, then she can lay her head on my sheep pillow to my right. She can't sleep on my pillow though. And she better not touch or kick me...even if it is an accident.

~ When I go potty...it is very important that I get on the potty by self. Most of the time, I like to get my own toilet paper and wipe, but sometimes it's ok if someone else does it for me. I also have to get down from the potty myself. If you try to help me, then I have to go sit back down and do it all over, without any help. When I go potty at Yayas, she has a special fold up potty seat. I have to be the one to open the seat. As I open it, I need to point out Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Ernie. Please do not help me, or else I'll have to start all over.

~ I also like to get into the car seat and my chair at the dinner table by myself. Let me buckle too....or else I'll probably throw a fit. But, you need to take my buckle off, because I can't do it.

~ I love to play in my pool outside, but please don't get it, or put Hannah in without asking me first. And if you ask me and I say no...don't do it anyway, or else I'll get really mad. Also, please don't dump or spray water on me unless I want you to. Today, mommy was spraying me with water, and I kept getting really mad at her. Then, later, I was ready to get wet and it was ok for her to spray me then.

~Oh, I also have to have the pull up with Princess Cinderella, Ariel, and Jasmine at nap time. And, I need to point and tell you who they are. If you don't let me, I'll probably break down and start crying. Same thing at bedtime, although I'll also wear the pull up with just Cinderella and the bird. And, make sure you put it on right, or else I'll tell you it's wrong.

~ There are a lot of other things that I like done in my own way. Please let me tell you how to do it if I think I can. A lot of times I start crying because I'm upset and frustrated and I wish you would just listen to me. I'm really becoming a big girl and I like to do things a certain way. As long as it gets done...isn't that the most important?

These were just some of my thoughts today. Thanks mommy for typing for me.