Favorite Pastime

She loves her brother's room. If I ever get to missing her, there is a pretty good chance I can find her in there, just hanging out. She loves his little chair, and  I'll often find her sitting in it, looking very proud of herself. I've thought about moving the chair to her room, because Sam has really outgrown it. But I suspect it would lose some if its appeal if I did that. 

We Went To See The Fishies (And Had A Birthday Party)

We try to do something a little bit special with the kids on their birthdays.  It doesn't have to be anything big.  In my perfect world, it would just be something fun that we don't necessarily get a chance to do every day.  I see it as a break from the ordinary to remind my kids that I'm glad they were born.  For Sam, we have gone to the park, had a special trip to the movies, and gone to the Lexington Children's Museum.  In talking about what we wanted to do for Sydney's birthday, I suggested something inside, since I anticipated sweltering July temperatures.  We settled on the Newport Aquarium.  On the way up there, Shawn commented that he felt a little bad going to the aquarium on Sydney's birthday, since Sam would probably appreciate it more than she would.

He underestimated our girl.  I think she really had a great time!  Here are a few of my favorite shots from that day.

I'm pretty sure this was the one and only picture that I got of the kids together that day.  I'm really going to have to get better about that...

Having never been to the aquarium, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.  I was super excited to learn they had a rain forest room where you could actually feed the birds.  Sam was thrilled when one of the birds landed on my hand and started drinking the bird crack nectar from the cup I was holding.  Then our friend started gradually walking up my arm and perched atop my head, and Sam was totally over the whole bird feeding experience.  

This is one of my favorite shots of the day.  We spent quite a while standing in this long tunnel thing where the animals swam all around you.  Sam was totally amazed by the sharks' teeth.

Sydney, on the other hand, preferred the giant sting rays.  There was one in particular that kept swimming over us.  Every time he would get overhead, she would squeal with excitement.  

I love places that allow kids, even the little guys, to be hands on.  Maybe it's partly because it gives me a good excuse to be hands on.  I have no shame in admitting that.  Touch a sea urchin?  Sure!

Several people have told me lately that Sydney is starting to look more like me.  I don't really see it--I still think she is a carbon copy of her brother.  So many of their little mannerisms and expressions are the same.  But she's awfully pretty, so I'll take the compliment any time!

Even more than the giant water tunnel, Sydney LOVED the jellyfish room.  I must admit, it was pretty cool.  They have a giant room filled with tanks of jellyfish and black lights so they're all illuminated.  There was something very peaceful about sitting in a dark room, listening to soothing music, with all of those jellyfish floating all around you.  Incidentally, I'm pretty sure EVERYONE in the entire aquarium knew that this was Sydney's favorite room, as she loudly protested when we walked out.  My girl's got spunk!

I think it's safe to say that both kids really loved the aquarium.  Sam has asked almost every day since then when we are going to see the fishies again.  Shawn told him a couple of days ago that we would go see the fishies again when he can use the potty like a big boy.  He gave it some pretty serious thought.  We may be onto something...

We had a joint birthday party for Abby and Sydney since their birthdays are just two days apart.  These girls are going to have so much fun growing up together.  I totally flaked out and couldn't find my camera for the party.  Thanks, Lena, for sending me some of your pictures!

Abby and her mom.

I'm not the most artistic person in the world, so I decided against trying to decorate a cake.  But did you know they have spray paint for food?  I love spray paint.  It's kind of a running joke at work that I will only attempt craft projects that involve spray paint or a hot glue gun.  And if it doesn't, I will somehow find a way to adapt the project so I can use those items.  So of course, we figured out a way to incorporate it into our party decorations. 

When I realized I couldn't find my camera, I handed my phone off to Makayla and asked her to take a few pictures.  When I was looking through them later, I saw a lot like this.  Stinkers...

The only real reason I included this picture is because it makes me realize how grown up Will is starting to look. He's almost as tall as me now. I'm pretty sure by the end of this school year he will have passed me up. (Possibly sooner if the size of his feet are any indication. Yeesh!)  All of my nieces and nephews are crazy cool in their own way. Will is responsible and grown up beyond his years.  He really looks out for his younger siblings.

I like this picture of the two red-heads in the family.  I think it's cool how their hair looks exactly the same shade.

 

 

When it was all said and done, what did Sydney want to play with?  Her new book.  Look familiar to anyone on my side of the family???

Fashionista

Sydney has never been one for headbands or bows or any hair accessory, for that matter. They usually last about 4.3 seconds. One night this week, though, she decided that she needed to accessorize a bit. She brought me a headband and cried until I figured out she wanted me to put it on her. 

A little later, she found another one. 

No doubt about it, my girl is opinionated has spunk can rock a new 'do!

I May Have Created A Monster

A couple of weeks ago we went with some friends to the Children's Garden at the UK Arboretum.  While I had been to the Arboretum several times, I had never visited the Children's Garden because it is only open certain hours and we always seemed to miss it.  If you are anywhere near Central Kentucky, I highly recommend that you visit it, even if you don't have kids. It is absolutely beautiful. 

Anyway, the day we went they had some rescued ducks and other water birds that the kids could pet. But as soon as Sam saw the creek, it was as if nothing else existed. He cared nothing about petting a wild duck. He didn't want to hear about the life cycle of a tadpole becoming a frog. And Heaven forbid we should try to go look at the baby deer. No, no, no, no...my boy had water on the brain. So, we played in the water. I'm not entirely sure, but I kinda think he liked it. 

Since that day, if we are in a half mile radius of a mud puddle, Sam is going to find it.  You wanna know a secret, though?  I kinda like it. 

Little creek rat...

Because He's Three...

...going for a fly is so much better than going for a walk.

...you just have to get right in the middle of it to do something right...

...he will go to any lengths to get to play in the water.

...sometimes you just need to swing in the baby swing, even though you probably exceed the weight limit by a good 10 pounds or so...

...independence is more important than safety.

Cuppa Joe

Come sit and have a cuppa joe with me! If we were chatting over coffee (or tea...or Diet Coke...whatever your poison is), I would tell you:

I am LOVING my new schedule.  We've been at this for a little over a month now, and I still get absolutely giggly on the nights when I drive home and I know I don't have to be back at work for a few days.  But you know all of those projects I had planned?  Ummm...  As it turns out, Shawn and I had been just treading water for several weeks prior to my schedule change.  I knew we were doing it, but I didn't realize just how many we'll-take-care-of-that-when-you-go-part-time things we had in the mix.  That first long stretch I had off, I planned on hanging close to the house for a day or two so I could get caught up.  Yeah, right.  Sunshine, two kiddos, and a momma who feels like she's just been granted a vacation.  I did manage to get the laundry done.  But here's the thing about laundry:  It's never really done, is it?  So now I'm pacing myself.  I did manage to do a bathroom cabinet overhaul, thanks to a little inspiration from this post.

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During my Walmart trip for supplies for said bathroom renovation, I picked up a little pack of finger puppets for the kids to play with in the bathtub.  They're little animals.  Best three dollars I've ever spent.  Hands down.  One day last week, Sam was in his room playing.  I love to peek in on him when he doesn't know I'm watching.  The tiger finger puppet was apparently having a hard time getting up on his bed, and the giraffe was helping him.  They were all being very polite and using their best zoo manners, saying things like, "Help me, please," and "Here you go, friend." 

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Sam is really getting into pretending with his toys.  It's fun to watch him develop that part of his personality.  (When I was little, I had an imaginary friend named Daniel.  I carried Daniel around in my small, cupped hand, and whenever he was bad I would throw him to the monsters.  I wonder if Sam will have an imaginary friend.)  Sydney got some Little People toys for her birthday, and he is just fascinated with them.  I was watching him play with her little princess castle one night last week.  Everyone was having a grand time at the Princess Ball, going up and down stairs and jumping off of the balcony until a T. rex showed up and crashed the party, Godzilla style.  Luckily, there was an airplane nearby to provide air support and the princesses were able to escape in their school bus.  And that, my friends, is how BOYS play with princesses...

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There are A LOT of things I love about being a mom.  But, seriously, potty training is not one of them.  Sam has now decided that he "not like put pee pee poo poo in potty."  Awesome.  I'm torn between the two schools of thought:  1)  He'll do it when he's ready.  For real.  He will not go to college wearing diapers.  2)  He just gets too busy and doesn't want to take time out of his day to take care of business, so it's my job to continually remind him.  I am constantly at war with myself.  Push him on it or just let him lead?  Agh! 

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I heard a story on the radio this morning about a mom who was standing in front of her bathroom mirror one day bemoaning her body.  She didn't like the way she looked in those pants, her hair wasn't doing what it was supposed to...yada, yada, yada.  We all have those days, right?  But then she looked behind her and saw her daughter standing there.  Observing.  Taking it all in.  It really made me pause and think.  There are things I don't love about my body.  But there are also things I like.  What do I want to teach Sydney about beauty, body image, and how we see ourselves?  So I'm going to work on NOT saying those things when I look in the mirror.  But I think it needs to go beyond that.  What faces do I make?  Does she see me tugging at shirts and trying to hold my gut in?  When her dad tells me I look pretty do I smile and say thank you or do I roll my eyes because I don't really believe him?  And more importantly, is that how I want her to respond when someone pays her a compliment?  As a mom, I'm learning that sometimes teaching my children important lessons means learning them myself. 

Thankful Thursday

This week I'm thankful for:

1)  My baby watermelon!

We're still a long way from being able to eat it. And I still have no idea how I'm going to keep Sam away from it until it's fully ripened. But, WOW, I grew a watermelon!!!  I'm DEFINITELY expanding my garden next year. 

2)  A full, double rainbow. 

I had never seen a complete rainbow, much less a complete, double rainbow. Until this week, that is. Saturday night we returned from eating dinner out to see this beautiful scene in our neighborhood. 

We've seen several rainbows lately.  As silly as it may sound, I always get so excited when I see them.  I'm always amazed at their beauty.  Sam is learning that they're a sign of God's promise.  It's so sweet to hear him say, "A rainbow!  God promised."

3)  Easy recipes. 

I love to cook. Honestly, I could spend hours in the kitchen and be perfectly content. But the reality is, that's just not practical for this season of my life. I'm okay with that. But I still love finding new, easy and delicious recipes. You can't get any easier that this one. I only used half of the butter that it called for, and it was still amazing. I'm pretty sure my kids would have polished it off by themselves if I would have let them.

Dear Sydney,

Maybe it's strange, but today, on your first birthday, I can't stop thinking about your actual birth day.  It just seems a natural process for me to reminisce about the day we met you.  On the day you were born, I was so nervous.  I knew my life was getting ready to change radically, and I had no idea how I was going to keep up with it.  Driving to the hospital, I was overcome with fear.  I felt out of control.  Like I was on a train that was going downhill too fast and the brakes weren't working.  You see, I'm a planner.  Before I go into something, I like to analyze and reanalyze and over analyze every possible scenario.  It's a process that is maddening to your father.  I read books, articles, anything I can get my hands on.  I like to ask others about their experiences so that I can be aware of every possible situation that may come up and have a plan of attack in my mind.  I like having not only a plan, but also Plans B, C and D.  Motherhood has pretty much tested that quality in me every single day, but I felt like I had at least achieved some sort of controlled chaos with your brother.

But with you, I felt like I was in uncharted water.  You were a girl.  I didn't know how to be a mommy to a little girl.  And somehow, I just knew you were special.  That you would challenge me and change me in countless ways.  And those impending changes were scary to me.

But the moment I saw your face, all of those doubts...all of those fears...every last anxious thought...they all just disappeared.  It may sound cliche, but I just felt an immediate peace.  I had My Girl.  As I watched your face turn pink--then wonderfully red--and you howled with fury, I placed my finger in your tiny hand.  In that moment,  you weren't just holding my finger---you had my heart.  And you have ever since.

You are so. stinkin'. much. fun right now.  I love your smile.  Your whole face smiles.  Your eyes shine, your nose crinkles just a little, and you proudly flash your two bottom teeth.  I'm starting to think you might not ever get any more teeth. You've had a few really fussy days, and you've even had a low grade fever a time or two. Every time I've been just sure another tooth is about to pop, but not yet.

Right now your favorite toy is whatever your brother is playing with.  Sometimes you wait patiently for him to put it down, but more and more you just crawl right up to him and take it. And you really don't understand why it offends him so. You seem to sense that Pooh is extra special, so you ALWAYS make a beeline for him if he's in your vicinity. It's strange because you really haven't shown much interest in any other doll or stuffed animal yet. Maybe Pooh is laced with some kind of baby crack. 

You're pulling up and just starting to cruise around. In fact, you had a pretty good little fall this week, so you have a lovely purple shiner for your birthday pictures. Awesome. I'm sure it's the first of many minor injuries. Something tells me you're going to be a tough little gal.

You LOVE music. Anytime you hear music...especially if it's a song you know...you get so excited and start clapping your hands and bouncing. You love watching your brother dance. I must admit---he does have some pretty impressive moves. 

Your sleep routine is kinda funny to me.  At nap time, I just take you in your room and set you in your crib and turn your little music thing on. You immediately stand up and scream. I mean, you totally let me have it. It usually only lasts for five minutes, if it's even that long. Then you immediately stop. You face plant down on your bed and you're out. There is no winding down or flopping around. Just one minute total fury and indignation...the next quiet rest.

Tonight we gave you chocolate for the first time.  After all, you deserved some kind of special treat for your birthday!  I pinched off a tiny piece of a brownie and gave it to you.  The second it touched your lips, your eyes lit up.  You looked at me with a smile of wonder and delight and immediately lunged for another bite.

My Sydney, I love how you lean into me and pat, pat, pat my shoulder. I love how you wave bye-bye in reverse. I love how even though mobility has slimmed you down a bit, you still have those awesome thighs. 

Happy birthday, baby. This year has been so sweet.  And while I'm so thankful for each and every day that I've gotten to spend with you, I'm even more thankful for the days ahead. 
Mommy

Garden Update

My little garden is coming right along.  I'm always amazed at how much it can change overnight.  It seems like one night I had little green plants, and the next morning they were all covered with blooms.  One night I have no tomatoes, the next morning I have SIX little baby, green tomatoes!  It's still going to be a while before we can eat them, but I was glad to see them just the same.  (Now if I can just keep a certain fireman from picking them before they're ready...)

 

 

 

And look what else we have---cucumbers!  This is my first time to successfully grow cucumbers.  The last time I tried it, my zucchini plants completely bullied them out of their space.  I actually picked my first two cucumbers Friday night.  Sam and I are going to eat them this weekend.  Judging by the number of little yellow flowers on my plants, we are going to have A LOT of cucumbers.  I will now be accepting all recipes that use cucumbers.

 

I made pickles once before.  They tasted pretty good, but when I canned them they got soft.  Any ideas what I did wrong?

 

I also have a couple of blooms on our watermelon plant.  I have no idea how I'll keep Sam away from it once he figures out what it is.

 

My mint from a couple of years ago came back on its own.  And it is back with a vengeance.  That stuff is everywhere.  I hate to pull it up because it smells absolutely heavenly, but it is starting to crowd out my other plants.  In hindsight, I seem to remember my mother telling me that mint would spread and take over if given the opportunity.  I'll probably try to do it in pots in the future.  But for now, I'm going to freeze some leaves in ice cubes for tea.  I've never really put mint leaves in tea before, but it seems like a very proper, southern thing to do.

 

And I've been witness to a garden miracle!  Remember how I planted one tomato plant and a few tomatoes from seeds?  I also did carrots, zucchini, rosemary, parsley and lettuce from seeds.  Pretty much everything but my zucchini died.  Yes...I was shocked, too.  Anyway, I was okay with my tomato seeds fizzling out because I had bought one mature plant.  But a few days ago, I was pulling weeds, and I noticed something sprouting up in front of my tomato marker.  (It's a good thing I still had the marker there, otherwise I would have pulled the plant thinking it was a weed.)  I've been keeping an eye on it, and I think it's actually going to make it.  I know it's running a little late, but I wouldn't expect a tomato plant of mine to behave any differently.

 

While I was celebrating my tomato plant's narrow escape from death, I noticed a little something in front of the carrot marker.  Could it be?  Dare I hope???  I'm still not sure about that one, but I think I might have a carrot plant that is fighting the good fight, too.

 

I'm tickled with how my cucumbers and squash are doing in their little cage things.  I wasn't too sure about it, but they're staying contained really well.  I will definitely have to remember to do that or some kind of climbing arrangement for them next year.

Swimming Lessons

It looks like we've got another water-bug in our house!  Sydney took her first swim in the pool a couple of weeks ago, and she loved it!

 

 

Unfortunately, smiling for the camera just can't compare to eating one's toes.  Priorities...