Clarissa bosses Mary around…

On Wednesday I did my second 24 hour fast of the week and it felt really good. I also did yoga and biked in the morning, but I didn’t get my heart rate up very high so the exercise didn’t feel masochistic (which was basically how the entire month of April felt).

Mary finished her math class yesterday. I have no words to express how grateful I am that nightmare is over. She got so behind while I was sick and has the attention span of a goldfish, so playing catch up–while also doing eye therapy, piano, and constipation therapy–has been so stressful.

(Actually, I don’t even know why this was so stressful because she spends most of the day with my mom working and coloring, so my mom basically got her caught up. And since her attention span is so short and the Miralax-induced bodily flow leaves her exhausted, we’ve been very easy-going about piano and eye stuff for the past couple weeks too. So again, I remain confused about why the situation felt so stressful. Nevertheless, IT WAS.)

My mom is an angel with Mary, who is a little love sponge and spends almost all of her free time with her very loving Nana. I am so grateful for all my mom does for her. It’s a ton. Thank you, Mom!!

Mary, in turn, is an angel with Clarissa. Clarissa looooooves her–and she has caught on that she can get Mary to do whatever she wants. Lately she has started bossing Mary around a lot. In response, Mary is extremely patient, loving and kind. When I hear them together, I honestly start to worry Clarissa is being spoiled because the minute she whines or says “no,” Mary appeases her in the most soothing, sweet tones. I actually intervened yesterday when Clarissa was being unreasonably demanding. I told her to stop bossing Mary around and told Mary she is allowed to say “no” to Clarissa. Mary said, “It’s fine, Mom. I’m fine.” She appears to not mind being controlled by a toddler. I am wowed by Mary’s loving heart often, but yesterday I was freshly impressed at how easily and generously she gives.

Mary filling up “potions” for Clarissa
Lydia earned a marbling kit from the grab bag for running a mile on Tuesday. She had a ton of fun marbling with it on Wednesday, and this is one of her designs.