Other then the occasional nightmare, about bugs in her bed, my 3 year old sleeps quite well. We are rarely disturbed at night. This might be surprising to you when you learn that she believes there is a black tiger in her closet. Each night we make sure that the closet doors are closed. Sometimes Daddy has to come in and "take the tiger outside" before shutting the closet. If the doors aren't shut "the tiger comes out and picks me up with his sharp teeth and carries me into the office" -her words not mine. There is never any tears about all this, actually she says it in a very matter of fact kind of way. Where do kids come up with this stuff? I don't recall reading any scary books or watching any movies with black tigers, but somehow this has become a part of our life. Anna Marie had a scratch on her nose the other day and when I asked her how that happened she replied "the black tiger did it" Hmmm I wonder if it was the black tiger that made that huge mess in her bedroom as well?
I am not too concerned about all this, I know this too is just a phase. In fact a few months ago she thought there was a scary man in her closet. That, I have to say, was creepier. I'm glad that guy didn't stick around too long.
Along with this budding sense of imagination Anna Marie has also been practicing her debate skills. It is quite rare to see tantrums in our house these days but as happy as I am about that, it has come at a price. You see, tantrums were the result of her inability to communicate, and that, has long since changed. Now when she is denied some critical right in her life I am barraged with reasons of why she should be able to do as she pleases. When her Grandmother was down for Thanksgiving she thought it was quite amusing to watch. Not so much when you are the one being debated.
Grandma Van 
"Bye-Bye"
Dark Days, week 4
8 hours ago
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