Note to Self

I've realized that I very few "kid" videos and absolutely no animated videos.
It's not that I don't like them,
Love them actually,
I just have never invested in them.

This weekend I decided to purchase 1 DVD as a "reward" for Miss M
She was going to watch it on my laptop
with headphones
during my meeting yesterday.
It was the carrot of the day.
She didn't get to finish it yesterday.
(See Tuesday's blog)
The deal was that if today went well, she could finish it today.

Now
When I purchased it
My criteria was simple
Animation
Full-length
Cheap
Under $5 to be exact.

I found this that fit the bill
And I knew my little girly-girl would love.

She loves Barbies.
She loves singing.
What a perfect match.
I never gave it a second thought.

Then today came
When she watched it at the house
On the big tv.
With full volume.

And then it hit me.
Smack between the eyes.
I am going to have to watch
Singing Barbie Movie
A MILLION TIMES.

Oy.

I let her start it as I was finishing dinner
and talking to my sister on the phone.
(I may have been avoiding the dread that I was certain of.)

Then I finally sat down behind the computer about 1/2 way in to the movie.

About 10 minutes later I find myself asking Miss M
"Wait, which one is that one the princess or the pauper?"
"Didn't hear hair color change from the bathroom to the court?"
"Who is Julian?
"Why is that cat barking?"

About 20 minutes later I find myself thinking
"Barbie can defend herself."
"That's not a bad song, actually."
"Cute message."

And then I watched Miss M
dance
twirl
sing
giggle
hide
(they kissed)
cheer
roll on the ground
(I guess she liked the ending)

So...while I did get lucky on this one
A BIG note to self:

Dear Self,
Do not set the criteria of the movie to be "cheap."
Spend the money and get a movie you know you won't mind having
stuck in your head
playing on your tv
singing in the car
blaring at full volume
You will thank me later.
Sincerely, Maryann

Praise Report:
Today we had three support workers with us at the house from 4:30 - 6:00 pm.  One was Miss M's stand-in caseworker from CPS, one was my on-going placement worker with the agency I was licensed through, and one was a stabilization caseworker.  The meeting went really well and it felt great to share how well Miss M is doing, set some goals for areas to continual growth, and to receive some ideas, support, and assurances.  Christ is in the center of EVERYTHING!  I can see His hands working daily and within every situation.

Prayer Request:
Tomorrow is curriculum night at my middle school.  My dear friend Patty is going to pick up Miss M from after school care and then bring her to the house to play, eat dinner, and then put to bed.  I know mom's have been having to miss bedtimes for years and the kids make it - but I'm already sad that I'll miss our chapter book reading, our bible story, our prayer time, and my favorite - roses and thorns time.  She probably won't miss me a bit - Miss Patty is way more fun than I am - but it just seems weird to me after 22 days in a row of a bedtime routine and I won't be here to take part in it tomorrow night.  (But, so grateful Patty is willing to step in and keep that consistency.)