Month: October 2016

From our neighbor!

We read about the Good Samaritan today

Everyone is our neighbor, and we should always help when someone is in need. That someone does not have to be a bosom buddy; it could be a man on the street or kiddo who needs some new shoes.  Today at church, I was the teacher in Tot’s class, and we learned that we can always be quick to help and slow to judge. We then made first aid kits to symbolize this. 

Tatum was my little helper. And boy was she a-hoppin!

After this, we made it to our favorite Sunday activity after church: THE PUPPET SHOW!

This week: Little Bunny’s Halloween. The theme was a bit like church: Showing a little help, we can be a good neighbor too. This little bunny was scared of Halloween! He needed some encouragement, and he also needed to see it as a way to share some candy, some laughs, and be creative with a fun costume. With a little help from his mommy and some friendly ghosts, he had a great Halloween. 

OK, maybe it was not quite the Good Samaritan story, but you know what? We are making sure that wherever we go, whoever we meet, whatever we do, we are being the HELPER, the ENCOURAGER, and the one who can makes others HAPPY! Even if it’s making a silly face. 

With a touch of Spidey!

Her mommy was out celebrating with her guy and her mom.

And oh what a treat it was. We had to pose for pics beforehand of course (thanks to Gabby helping out to watch Tot)

Then off we went to Fleming’s! 

My mom, looking beautiful, and my guy, Doug, looking as handsome as can be, made me feel like a princess.

Filet, shrimp, brussel sprouts, vino…delicious.

I love you mom.

I love you Doug!

When I got home,  this is what I saw. MY kids. GRATEFUL. Thank you, Coti, for watching my girl. XXOO

Thursday was not the usual Thursday. Today, I did not put Tatum in school. I had to see a doctor for my shoulders, so I figured I’d just take her with me and we’d spend the morning together. I knew I’d have some time later in the day to work, so all would be just fine.

The morning started out easy. I took her to the gym for a quick workout, and then promised to take her to brekkie. Things are adding up, so I figured we’d go somewhere a bit more moderate in price. She loves bagels and cream cheese, so Einstein’s it was. (Side note: They have great coffee, so that helped) While we were there, she made sure she made others around her feel welcomed. She had to show her Spiderman shoes off, and also she had to say hello! At one point, I took out my phone to text Doug, and she scolded me with “no phones at the table.” CAUGHT! She also noticed that others were doing this. I told her that this was our rule…not everyone’s. I said we should enjoy a conversation, so this is what we did. We discussed a plethora of topics:
1. Can you wink both eyes? (I cannot and she loves that she can. So, I practiced. She plans on asking others if they can)

2. Is that the best bagel you have ever had? Can you say whole wheat?

3. Why is the family next to us not having a conversation?

4. Those workers are all wearing bright yellow shirts. They glow in the dark! She wanted to ask them why.

and

4. I spy circles all over that wall. Do you? (There were little bagels everywhere; we spied all of them)

After this, we had to make two more stops before the train park. Making any kind of stop with a young’n takes longer than the usual 5 minutes. Have you noticed this?

Now, we only had one hour before my appointment, and unfortunately the park was packed..PACKED! (I forgot: fall break this week). SO we made the best of it. Did you know she can now pump her legs on the swings? I still had to push her for 25 minutes. Seriously.

More amazements from my growing child! It’s all in the shoes.

Ok, so off to the doc. Waiting time: 30 minutes to get in to tell me I needed to go down and get x-rays. She was so good while I got these done. Sat in the next room watching me. Then 30 in there. They gave us these hair ties and Tatum called them her gun shooters. Great. Her gun shooters. Well, I quickly fixed that and said that we should call them band shooters and only for at home for fun. Note: I forgot my bag of tricks to bring to the doc, so these had to do. Whatever works, right?

Then another 30 to wait for the doc to check my x-rays. Tatum played Dr. with me:  Then she wanted me to play doc. She took this pic:

Only to have the Dr. tell me basically nothing (well, to check my neck out because it’s funky…and he’s not a neck guy) and send me home. He was with my 7 minutes I think.

We did not get home until 2, and by then I was spent, and so was she. HOWEVER, ANYTIME I can spend with Tot is a good day.

I had to apologize to her a few times in the day because I was a bit annoyed, and I let every little thing get to me; she and I were both cranky; We prayed an hugged in the Dr.’s office and it made all the difference.

When I got home in the evening (from a lovely date with my guy), this is what I saw. MY kids. GRATEFUL. 

No, not Tatum, but Dino and Sammy. Tatum is always making sure her kids have their lunch, are wearing the proper clothes-pockets of course, and are being kind.

Tatum is very nurturing to her kids. It’s good to see this when she is so enamored with superheroes, good guys, and things that go boom or shoot. She is ALL girl, but with a tough confident side.

In terms of making sure her kids are nice, she OUT OF THE BLUE just said, “Mommy, Hillary Clinton is not nice.” I did a double take and wondered where she got this. Now, I do have Rush talk radio and other conservative talk on through the day when she isn’t listening to worship music, but this threw me aback.

So, I said, “honey, this may be true, but we still must be kind to her.” Lord help us if we have to even deal with that situation if she becomes our leader.* Wince*

 

Being around Tatum has always been a joy, but lately, I find that she is absolutely wonderful. As of a couple of weeks ago, she does not challenge everything I say, she listens, obeys, and wants to be kind to everyone. Not that she wasn’t before, but she has now come out of her shell and has blossomed into a lovely, vivacious little social butterfly. Sure she has a mind of her own and challenges me, but now it’s in a positive, questioning way as opposed to a rebellious way.

Now, what does this have to do with slow and steady? Remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare? The bunny was hasty, sloppy, and not focused; hence, losing the race to the plodding, purposeful turtle. You see, this is how I see raising Tatum has been. I stayed consistent in my messages to her; i.e. “Say hi and smile; look in his/her eyes when you speak; smile and make the best of the situation; kindness countness over all” etc…

We decided to go catch this fable at the puppet theater today. They changed it to a more Arizona sounding tale: the Desert Tortoise and the Jackrabbit. 

At the end, she got to meet Jack. It’s too bad he lost the race. He partied the night before, whereas the tortoise went to bed early. The tortoise stretched and warmed up, whereas the jackrabbit hastily showed up late and then napped during the race as he snacked on prickly pear cactus. The tortoise plodded along while bunny overate then missed tortoise passing him by thereby winning the race.

The race Tatum will continue to run will be one of staying true to God’s values (which I continue to instill with HIS help). Consistent LOVE. Consistent GRACE. I LOVE YOU!

Is magnified when we visit the Desert Botanical Gardens. And, with Cana and Ethan, it’s even better.

When we arrived, I realized it was going to be a hot day (95!! huh!?)  So, Cana let Tot wear her Life is Good hat. 

Ethan thought she was pretty cute.

Then, Ethan need a hand, so she grabbed it. 

Off we went!
First stop, let’s learn about the Saguaro. Did you know those holes in the cactus are caused by woodpeckers? Then guess what loves to hide in the holes!??? You got it: SNAKES! Hssssss

Well, we kept walking so we did not have to experiment with checking them out.

Then we found some cool huts. The kiddos just loved to hide.

Then we SPOTTED an OWL! He watched us dig for snails. Well, I dug for these little critters. 

We hit the lunch place, and then it was time to get out of the blazing sun. (I love these colors in the cacti!)

When we got home, guess what was waiting for her!?? Her new …..

HAT> And there was much rejoicing.

Thanks for the fun, Ethan and Cana!