Yeah, so, I left work early yesterday so I could go to Target for a few things I needed before I picked Penny up.

Naturally, while looking around and considering picking up a present or two for myself, I picked up about four things for Penny. Though I'm saving most of them for her Easter basket, I think. Or at least, to be brought out slowly, not all at once.

She was awfully excited about the pink-lensed sunglasses I got out of the dollar-bin, though.

After I picked her up from daycare yesterday, we went over to the Brandts' to celebrate Sarah's first birthday. Penny had some cake, and about half a banana, and then she actually let Emma take her upstairs to play, mostly on the strength of a promise of princesses.

Emma, you see, has dress-up clothes. Princess dress-up clothes.

Penny was, as they say, over the moon.

I thought I'd have trouble prying it off her when it was time to go home, but she was surprisingly sanguine about it.

She was, in fact, really extra-good for the whole visit. She said "please" and "thank you" and managed to eat her ice cream cake (or more precisely, she managed to eat the ice cream off her cake) without any major spills, and she gave out hugs and kisses, and played nicely with Emma, and was generally adorable (if loud) and sweet.

And we got home and played with the bubbles that she'd been given as a party favor, and when I told her "no more bubbles, it's time for jammies," she didn't complain -- she marched right up the stairs and let me change her into her pyjamas.

And then we played with the bubbles some more, and she dragged her feet a bit when I told her to pick out a bedtime book, but she got to bed on time.

It was an awesome day to be a mommy, yesterday.

Of course, this morning she woke up at 5, and then only went back to sleep for half an hour or so, and started calling for me about five minutes before the alarm went off. She didn't actually sound upset, just bored, so I ignored her.

Then, when I started dressing her, she protested wearing tights to the point of tears. She screamed when I put the shirt on her. She didn't quite dare to protest the dress, but she was definitely grouchy.

As we were leaving the house, she decided she wanted... something. Her gloves? Another toy? I have no idea, and I wasn't going to go back in for whatever it was, so I pulled out of the driveway. She burst out wailing and sobbing. It lasted... Oh, maybe two minutes. 'Til we got out to the main road, and then she got distracted.

I'd rather she woke up at 2am than at 5. At 2, she's still tired enough to go back to sleep properly and then sleep in a bit. At 5, she's mostly rested, so she may doze off, but she won't stay asleep long, and then she's kind of tired and cranky for the rest of the day. Bleh.

Ah, well. It's out of my control. And by the time we got to school, she was all excited about being in a dress. "TJ! Look! Dress! Da'leen! Dress!" TJ was extra-affectionate today, and gave both Penny and I hugs before and after the morning dance ritual (which was nice for me, because Penny was too busy telling Ms. Darlene about her dress to give me a hug and a kiss goodbye, so at least I got a hug from someone).

Penny is in a dress because it's Picture Day. Ms. Darlene asked me if they could put her hair up, and I readily gave permission. Penny loves to have her hair up, but she doesn't want me to do it -- it has to be someone at school. So it'll be interesting to see what her picture looks like.

--Liz