Take exhibit A: (yes I know these are terrible pics)
Yes, that is Lia on her first venture onto the ice. She grabbed hold of that bucket and took off like she was born to skate. Her courageous antics eventually got her cousins on the ice -- where they too discovered how fun the ice skating rink in St. George can be. But the truth was my SIL and I were in awe of her speed, agility and resiliency (yes she fell a lot) on the ice. Her cousin and best bud Elise was soon joining her as they wizzed around the rink. It was impossible to keep up with them and eventually we just let them skate to their heart's content. Isaac tried to keep up with them but even he was overcome by their sheer determination to dominate the rink. I was frankly shocked by her fearlessness. She even took on a much older girl who unwittingly took the bucket away from Elise. Yep, she just skated right up to her and told the older girl that bucket was Elise's and could she please give it back. The girl gave it back. Seriously, who can deny such sheer pluckiness?
(By the way, I am trying to get free passes to the Dixie Igloo to give away on Alive! next month)
Now if that ice had been a lake, she would barely have dipped a toe in the water. Because really, Lia is a scaredy cat. Especially lately.
I give you exhibit B:
Yes, I am aware this is adorable. But let me explain why Lia has decided to make herself a bed on the piano bench (where she did eventually fall asleep.)
Lia is afraid to be alone in the house. She absolutely will not leave my side ever. She waits by the shower, she plays in the office all day by my side (sometimes she just stands there) because she is afraid to be alone in her room or anywhere that I am out of her eyesight. She is terrified of her bedroom and claims to hear all kinds of scary sounds (like the running dishwasher, or the turtle in his tank) that are proof that she should not walk to her room. She insists on getting dressed wherever I am, whether that is the kitchen, my office or my bedroom. And if you think that I can just refuse to let her get away with this behavior ( of which I have little patience for) then you do not understand the stubborn will of that girl or that her brother had a similar ridiculous phase. I am going insane. I spend a good deal of my day in my office. And that is a small space for two people, especially one that is four.
And how does she go to the bathroom you ask. Well, she went through this phase, after she saw a spider in the bathroom, (oh the fear that girl has of all bugs but bees.) that had her absolutely terrified of the bathroom. Eventually she convinced herself that spiders are afraid of very loud singing. And so she sings/yells everytime she goes to the bathroom to scare away the spiders.
Let me address the wierd bee thing -- another sudden flash of her ability to be fearless. Lia understands bees are necessary. We have many of them in our yard and she has learned that if she does not threaten them they feel no need to threaten her. However, heaven help us all if a stinkbug even turns its body in her direction. Oh the terror. I told you the girl is a quandary. She is fearless of things that often require a little fear and fearful of things that are well ridiculous.
And so now you know why she is sleeping on the piano bench. She was tired and she refused to sleep further than 5 feet away from me.
