Look what McKenna got today!

My sweet, awesome friend Kim who is also the owner of OliveJuice & Company sent McKenna this adorable hair clip today. McKenna said "I look just like Jasmine!" She just loved it!! Lately she's been running from me when I try to take pictures but once she had her "byooful flower" in, she was all poses. I must've snapped a dozen useable pics. But I chose my favorite and scrapped a little thank you LO for Kim. Thanks Kim! Love ya Chica!:

Credits: Everything is from Carrie Stephen's new "Snuggles and Sunshine" kit. Inked edge action by Atomic Cupcake.

Speaking of Carrie, she's having a 50% off sale this weekend. She has over 30 kits for sale . Use the coupon code bunnybunny to get the discount!

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Thanks everyone for the reassurance that McKenna's recent behavior is normal. My friend Susan had the most God-inspired timing today when she emailed me with her wisdom. Sus and I have been friends for...sheesh....13 years now! She has four kiddos and another on the way this June so she knows her stuff and has been around this block a few times. Her email was such a relief to me. In a nutshell, she assured me that this is normal, that I'm not messing McKenna up, and that if we are consistent with her we will have our sweet little girl back.

I can say that naps are definitely still needed. She didn't nap on Tuesday and Wednesday and she was veeeeeery disagreeable. But she did nap on Thursday and Friday and she was much, much nicer. After reading Susan's email, I decided to be more aware of my own reactions to her limit-testing and I can definitely say that our afternoon was much more pleasant. I think I was worrying so much that she was becoming "a brat" that my reactions of surprise or impatience were just fueling McKenna to continue the behavior. But now that I'm refocused and not worried, I'm able to respond in a very unreactive, calm but firm manner. I already noticed that she stops her behavior and looks at me for direction when I correct her quietly. When I correct her sharply, it's like it sets a fire under her and she moves twice as fast to get away with what she wants to do. So interesting. So thanks for the reassurance and the encouragement Susan!

Oh and just for fun, here is a pic of my little diva as she talked to her Auntie Melly on the phone today. They discussed which princess they were going to be next Halloween. I think McKenna decided that Auntie should be Snow White.


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I hope you all have fun plans for Easter. We're waking up early and doing a mini egg-hunt (the Easter Bunny went WAY overboard on basket goodies this year), an early church service, brunch at my sisters (another egg-hunt there), home for naptime and then dinner at my in-laws. It will be long and exhausting but also, a wonderful celebration of the Resurrection.

Here is a little tip for your Easter eggs. If you are a mayo-hater (like my husband is), you can make egg salad with ranch dressing. I usually add just enough ranch to give it the consistency that I want, mix in a little garlic salt and dill weed (you can use dried or fresh) and eat it on whole wheat. Aside from the ranch, it's actually a really healthy sandwich! Feel free to add other things like celery, onions, capers, worcestershire sauce....whatever. But don't forget the dill. It's the make-it-or-break-it ingredient.

Have a wonderful Easter everyone!