Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

It’s our Labor Day treat. We are off to Coronado for a third year in a row as we arrive on Labor Day when the rest of the tourists are leaving. It’s always been a smart move, but now that Tot is in Kinder, it may be harder to go these weekends. Not to worry about that now.
Leaving is always a big production as we feel like the paparazzi with mama. Doug got her back by snapping her picture snapping us.
We love you mama!

Tot gets all buckled in. We pray, have a chat about our time in the car, and we are off. You see, I always buy a bunch of fun car activities for Tatum so she is creatively having fun and enjoying her time. I’m more into her using her brain for imagination that giving her a screen to stare it. I also won’t allow for the I’m bored mantra. As I always say: Bored people are boring and boring people are bored. Am I right or what!?

It went by so fast this time! My honey made sure we had plenty of water and then stops to stretch and say AHHHHHHH….How much longer!? Tatum seems to have to “go” right when we leave our pitstop.

After a blink, a yawn, and a sneeze, we arrive! We love the Glorietta Bay Inn.

Next stop……aaaaaaah. AMEN.

A walk, a talk, and a plop in the water or two.

Tot has come a long way in 3 years. Now, she doesn’t quite run from the water but runs INTO the water. Doug and I can now walk and talk while she submerges and runs voraciously back and forth with the waves.

After much of this, we headed back to to our room for HOMEWORK! Yes, Mrs. Holman stocked Tot with a plethora of fun worksheets, a memory Bible verse, and planet and space coloring. I meant what could be more delightful!?

Of course it’s much more fun with bubble water.

Dinner, games and lots of laughs. Did I mention we love our La Salsa dinners? We turn an ordinary salad into a feast. And TOT? Her taco was made even better with my honey’s homemade salsa made just for me (sans onions and garlic). So delisssssshhhhhhhhh..

This day was perfect and tomorrow will be even better when we head to the beach.

Yes, it’s true. And I had NO desire to go for a long time because I thought the dolphins were being held captive, but boy was I wrong.

Dolphinaris is located here in Scottsdale and is home to 8 dolphins from Mexico and CA. According to them, “The pools hold approximately 1 million gallons of purified seawater that is monitored around the clock. The dolphins’ care and habitat is maintained by a team of skilled behaviorists and water quality experts, and lead by a full-time marine mammal veterinarian.”

I’m a believer after going!

I spoke to Doug about it and he decided to take us all and surprise Tot!! Read the sign honey!

We’re here!

After getting all dressed,

They told us no hats, jewelry, sunscreen or watches. NOTHING. I had no idea we’d be in a covered pool with matching life jackets. We wore the right color for sure.

We met Edna our trainer and got introduced to Ping, our 20-year old female dolphin.

 

HI PING!!! You are adorable.

Every time she did what she was supposed to do, Ping would smile, scream and do like a “woohoo!” I did it too usually.

Edna told us what to do so Ping would mind;  how to position our hands. We’d pet her…and then celebrate!

Feel that blow hole! She can hold her breath for 7 minutes.

Tatum got to throw her a toy and Ping would fetch.

And then,….THE KISS!! We all got to kiss her and then get a smooch back.

Honey, your turn.

Of course we needed a hug then.

I’m in love (with you too, sweetie!)

Splashing time.

I just cannot get enough.

Ping wanted to show off for us:

We learned about her belly button, her girl parts (she nurses in her genital area), her new skin which is renewed ever 2 hours, and her 72 teeth which are not used to chew. (Dolphins swallow their food whole).

We hugged and kissed her and had to say goodbye.

What a grand, awesome, phenomenal experience. Thank you Doug for making it possible.

We had an unforgettable time. PING, we’ll miss you!

I offered to come into the classroom and help Mrs. Holman a couple days a week. She mentioned she could use help with the end of the day and Show and Share. With 18 kids, of course she does! I figured the first day would be the day Tot would share.

It was also voting day (for the Republican primaries). So of course, I did this first.

Then back I came to her classroom to help the class of 18 (breathe) kiddos.

I have to admit, when I arrived, I peaked in the little window to see what they were all doing. It was free play while Mrs. Holman got their folders together. Tatum was sitting on the “reading” seat and asking the kids around her, “Who wants to hear a story?”She was playing teacher. That is when I walked in, and she ran up to give me a hug.

After I helped Mrs. Holman hand out the folders for them to put in their backpacks (Tot helped me identify the kids), it was time for the Show and Share.

Tot jumped on the rocking chair and waited for the kids’ respect.

She then held her teddy and told them all that it was her special bear, it had a rattle, and she loved it.

 

When it was time for questions, one boy asked its name and where she got it. She said Baby One and she got if from her mommy.

Giggle giggle.

So cute and brave was she!

It was so fun being in there! I plan on going back weekly to help Mrs. Holman. It’s amazing how she does it! Lots of energy balls in there.

 

The other morning, Tatum couldn’t wait for me to come onto the playground and show me her new trick on the monkey bars. She and all her new girlie friends are practicing daily. This reminded me of all my work on the monkey bars at that age… (Penny drops and flying Dutchman. Crazy fun and probably super dangerous but who noticed?)

My gut impulse reaction was to say, “CAREFUL, HONEY!” But, instead, I realized…..she is learning. Let her do it and if she falls, she’ll learn from this.

Such is the lesson I learn by a gradual release into Kindergarten.

It’s not all upside down either.

No, she’s flourishing!

It was just Back to School night, and I am told that Tatum is the BIGGEST helper and encourager (HUGE SMILE in my heart!)

Well, we received a lot of info, and I love that she is being introduced to all these new learning opportunities.

Learning to read with her.. TIPS

What does a day in KINDER look like with Mrs. Holman

What is she learning?

Saxon Math everyday!

Her letters, sounds and reading are growing with the help of Spalding methods.

And a verse each week she must memorize. I’m going to do it with her.

So far: Romans 11:36 and Revelation 4:11. Theme? Glorifying God.

I just love the values, respect, and kindness she is learning and getting affirmed as well.

It (really I) may feel upside down at times, but in the end, it will be ALL RIGHT!

Thank you PVCP and Mrs. Holman!

Wouldn’t you?

Between these two, I’m toast.

It was SIX years ago when I received the “phone call” about Tatum. She was to become my baby three months exactly from that day. Wow.!

Well, I was in North Carolina that day, and so I decided to make the best of it. Tatum stayed with Doug, so I made sure she had some new jammies. Giraffes make her feel taller.

Anyway, I decided to Uber over to the Billy Graham Library. It was about 15 minutes from my hotel. I had to be back at my hotel by noon to check out, so I only had an hour. When I arrived, my body filled with goosebumps.

This place.

Wow.

I had to stop and sit on this bench and just pray to thank God for this beautiful environment. Music played softly in the background, and I felt like I was sitting with Jesus.

OK, I’m ready. Nobody is around, so I selfied it.

When I entered, I was welcomed with open arms. Seriously, the genuineness of the volunteers was beyond kind. Elsie the cow welcomed us

and shared that the tour was about to start. The cow talked, yes. She mentioned that God wants to USE US (ALL OF US) for His glory as He used a simple farm boy in Billy.

We began the tour, and I sadly had to cut away because of my lack of time. I ended up going through and just relishing the pictures and the history of this man. As an evangelist, his message was so simple. Turn from your sin, repent, and be forgiven. No flowery words. No fancy speech. JUST PASSION and LOVE.

I loved this wall

How much are we loved. Completely; no matter what color or size or where we are from. We are all loved by Him completely.

Reagan loved him. He worked with 11 presidents!! That in itself is amazing.

At the end was his Just As I Am video and this walk into the cross. Ok, this was a bit surreal and not creepy but eerie? I wanted to be holding someone’s hadn’t but alas…. I pretended I was with Jesus.

I had to get going, but I ended up going in the prayer room for some silent time. Then, of course the bookstore. I had to buy a few goodies for my favorite people.

This day has always been my favorite because it brings me back to a TURNING point in my life. The day my life completely changed and would never be the same becoming a mommy. It is likened to the day my life has never been the same since I met Jesus. Billy Graham inspires us all to remember that day, embrace it, and SHARE IT.

I missed you this day, Tot, but I celebrated you, Doug, my mom, and my life since I met Jesus. It only gets better.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3  He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5  You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

We say (well, I say it) every day). Do you know why? Because I do feel like that sheep sometimes because HE has to MAKE me lie down and rest. It’s not natural for me. But, my cup overflows with blessings because I CHOOSE to focus on the blessings, have gratitude, and look at everything as that which works for good.

I love you, Jesus.