sela "i need that" caldwell

one year hasn't changed miss sela caldwell overly much. it has sharpened and softened her in entertaining, exasperating and endearing ways.

sela loves going to playsport. of the four kids, she definitely has the strongest competitive streak and races across the field in pursuit of the football. she has a good throw and loves throwing and catching. she could spend ages on the playground throwing and catching. her coach never has to call her to attention, if anything he calls her out because sela is likely to jump the queue in her eagerness to get her turn to kick the ball into the net. she grits her teeth, sets her jaw and kicks.  when she runs, there is nothing half a$$ed about her, the elbows are flying and she goes in pursuit of her luckless prey. i get a kick out of watching her.

i don't get a kick out of sela's interpretations of her entitlements. "i need" is an often recurring term in her life and she uses it often. she needs: blue not green socks, pink or purple everything and anything, her baby (named pink) swaddled just perfectly, a sister called ashleigh, to be able to wear lipstick, to be able to show her knickers at church to everyone (they're princess! she hisses) and to sit in the middle section of the car whenever she wishes. oh, and to be first at whatever, or last, whichever. possible the middle. sela loves getting her own way. and when thwarted. she cries. loud scraping cries. that hasn't changed from last year, has it? she is so bleeding loud.

endearingly, sela is the child that will show the most impulsive affection. she will be racing about, and then suddenly stop, rest her forearms on my legs, place her head on her chubby arms, look up at me and smile, pause for another second and be on her way again. those little re-charges delight me. i have no idea why she stops to give me that unasked for affection. her hugs are also the heartiest.

although at playsport sela is a determined runner, around the house, she bounces and skips. combine the skipping with her typical state of half undress (she's usually getting herself into a barbie or belle dress but forgets halfway through or gets sidetracked or possibly jasper pinches the dress) that includes a wedgie, and you get a very cute child bouncing about the place. her hair is darker, but the loose curls (only behind the ears) still exist.  by the time she's five, sela's hair will be my colour, but oh it is sweet right now.

verbally, sela is the leader and is very precise in her language. she needs to be, so her barked instructions don't go amiss. she and carys share funny jokes and squeal over events, and she can hold a fair conversation as long as the topic is something that she likes, such as: donuts. she loves being read to, and the other day i started off reading THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS and after finishing the book, she said, "now you read five more" and she dashed off and returned with bread and jam for frances and four other long books. she believes my lap is purely for her, and raises her voice to the heavens when she finds her siblings sitting there. she gets in huge discussions and debates over the concept of "my mummy"...sharing is an area where the teacher will tick, in gracious understatement, "needs improvement".

she still sucks her thumb for 30 minutes a day.

she hasn't done a poo in her nappy for over two weeks.

she mothers her siblings and veers from being really upset when they are hurt to being really nosy when they are being disciplined.

she loves polishing tables and bike riding.

at three years old sela is very pleased with herself, but ambitious for more.i find her my easiest child, and very possibly this is because she is most like me.

Comments

[Maureen aka Mo aka Grandmother aka Mozilla]

Sela! Let's celebrate Sela!! Loved your insight into your most-like-you child, Tess :-) The one glaring difference I see is that at Sela's age you were still perfect!!

From your ever-unbiased Mum - with much love,
M xox

[Lucy Moran]

And Sela's expressions remind me so much of you. Of all the kids she is the closest replica of you, to me.
Love Lucy

[Joeinvegas]

Sharing needs improvement huh? But she does sound fun.

[Dad AKA Grandad Blake]

Tessie a parental caution:
In the event you see that Sela is spending long hours either practising/training/exercising Ping Pong...Be prepared to lose your status as family champ.
I speak from experience and a broken toe.
Love...Dad