Month: May 2017

Every single Wednesday since August of 2016, Tot has been going to Tap and Ballet at Conservatory of Dance with Miss Leah!
Today was the recital, and oh was she excited.

It has been eight months of classes which have not always been the smoothest. There’s been tears, fears, frustrations and falls. There’s been attitudes, no thank you’s, and not todays. BUT, she has powered through.

I would sit and watch her on the screen and beam with pride knowing that she had it in her.

And then…picture day, she shined.

The dress is sparkly and exquisite. Just like her.

Today, in Dress Rehearsal, she couldn’t wait to get on stage. No fears, no tears, no attitude. Just poise and pride in her hard work.

 

She was set to perform 13th in the early show. I say LUCKY 13!

“A You’re Adorable”

Doug and Mama sat behind me cheering! he tickets went fast, so we had to split up.

There she is..the little Tot; 4th from the left.

After, Doug graced her with his presence with a beautiful bouquet.

Now that is awesome. 

We are so proud of you, Tatum.

 

On the way home, she begged me to take ballet again next year. “I love ballet mommy!”

So, you may see a post in 2018! Stay tuned. I love you, my sweet girl.

 

Glad that first is over with!
At the pool today, that nasty bee got in her way and he did not like it. He made it known on her hand.

I got the stinger out and she cried on me for about 5 minutes. Then, that brave girl of mine got right back in the pool. Brave.

This was a perfect time to give her her new goodie: A pink perfectly chilling water bottle just TOT size.

This baby has two lids. One for sipping and one that is for sucking out of a straw. See?

TADA! The remedy was just right

It’s always hard to leave Tot to go out with friends, go to work, or go out with Doug. Can you see this face?

 

Tonight was especially hard for her because she knew I was getting to celebrate my birthday with Doug and it was truly for the adults.

But, I was excited because Doug and I had not had a chance to get all dolled up in  awhile, and I knew he had some stuff up his lovely shirt sleeve. Nice shirt eh?
I just love this shirt on Doug!

We headed to our destination, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, and sat down at the bar before our table was ready.

The table was all fancied up for my birthday. So nice!

Then….it began. The journey of his love to me. He presented this beautiful clipboard filled with a story of a boy and girl.

It was the kindest thing I have ever received from anyone. Not only kind, but so incredibly heartfelt and personal. Also beautiful! The letter started with a story and then stopped in the middle for him to share a memory “stone” with me. He got me this delicate crystal heart with our names engraved on it to memorialize Easter 2017; a pivotal day in our relationship. WOW!

Dinner was served! Filet, veggies, sashimi…DELISH!

 

After this (actually during since I couldn’t wait!), he finished the interactive letter with the PROMISE. A beautiful RING to remind each other that our love is forever. Infinity!

Seriously so beautiful! And …. I just can’t stop looking at it.

 

What a memorable night. I felt like a princess as I always do with Doug. He made my birthday so special!

The journey continues, and love endures. I love you honey.

Tatum had to say goodbye today to her 4’s class. That is never fun.

But we did have great memories and spectacular teachers/friends. One thing she made was an Alphabet book!

Look how teeny she is the first day!

Each week I brought in pictures we cut out of the letter of the week.

The assembly began!

Here is the final product they made through the year…

Excerpts:

 

So proud of you TOT!
We’ll miss friends….

Thank you to Ms. Chris

And Ms. Angie

We’ll see you all in August for Pre-K!

 

Thank you PFT for everything.

We both appreciate you so much.

There is a new gadget around that Tatum has been seeing. Apparently a couple of her buddies have these fidget spinners

Today, she came home and got to work on creating one.  I did not help her at all! She just made it on her own from a coin (as the base), some buttons and glue. VOILA!

 

I’m kind of excited about this creativity popping out!

There are days when I am weepy. Today, being one of those days, was also her love day. I don’t like to bank on this day and make a big deal of it because honestly, to me, her birth-day was the best day in the whole world for me. However, for some reason, TODAY, I had this overwhelming feeling of love and appreciation for her.

You see, sometimes, she cries because she doesn’t get her way. Shoot, we all have feel some kind of frustration when we lose some type of control of our way! So, today, she was extra fussy, and I, being overly tired, was extra irritable to any fussiness getting in the way of a happy day. The cycle would start: I would ask Tatum to get dressed, she’d say that she wanted me to help her then when I tried to help her she’d want to do it herself. And when she exacted her feelings about this independence, it was not done kindly. Then, my feelings got all in a twist and….you know the rest. So, we’d come back together and discuss HOW can we be kind throughout these determined feelings we portray?

Then, it happens. We talk it out like actually sane humans and she apologizes; we hug and kiss and she says, “Mommy, I love you more than anything in the world.” MELT.

Sometimes, my pride gets in the way and I just don’t feel like handling it right at that very moment. Then, I remember, LOVE. Love handles it. Love talks it out. AND Love hugs and forgives.

It’s truly love beyond words, and perhaps this is why I weep.

These days that I get weepy are only because I know one day she’ll be bigger and not so “around.” I must savor every itty bitty teeny tiny morsel of time.

We ended the night with her saying something I have never heard:
“Mommy, you are my best friend.” I hope she can say this when it is what I would hope to hear when we are older. I know I can’t be her best friend, but I can be the best mommy in the whole world for TATUM.

 

Tatum and I have been committing to learning a verse a week for a few weeks now.

We make up some gestures to remember the verse in order to cement it in our brains.

The first one we did was Psalm 19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.

We talk about this one when we are outside taking walks.

Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

This one comes in handy we need to have only good things to say.

Luke 1:37:  For nothing will be impossible with God

Enough said. Nothing! (even sucking your fingers)

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    (and do not lean on your own understanding.)…we only have the first part memorized. 

Finally this one is our newest one! I like this one for me.

 Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Tatum added: “In your pocket.” I love the visual, Tot!

AAAHHH> So good to learn these and remember them at the right time. It’s always the right time!
On we go!

Let it be known and heard in our hearts and minds. AMEN!