Month: August 2017

Fridays….ah. One of my favorite days of the week. Why? Because it is Tot and my day to enjoy each other. And Coti of course.

We love you Snuggle Bug. Notice his happy spot with a MyPillow Bed. This dog is definitely blessed.

Ok. Back to the day.

So, I decided to inspire Tot with some art from Wayne Thiebaud. I found some of his art on a Pinterest post. He is a dessert artist, so what could be more fun!?
First we made some scrappy dos! You can use any kind of scraps from old random pieces of paper. No waste allowed.

Then once we had a pile of confetti….

I showed her a YouTube of his art. 

Then we got to work on some ice cream cones! This guy makes dessert come alive.  Here is a picture of some art inspired by his cones.

We made the cones

She cut them out… (notice the shapes!)

Then we started the flavors. What shall we make? I made lemon.

She made lime with a cherry

VOILA! Blueberry, lime, and (blue) raspberry dripping down.

She did it all by herself. My little artist.

She wanted to continue so she got the paint, disrobed, and went to work. (couldn’t find her smock so hey? Why not!)

Coti was exhausted watching her. So he kept her shirt warm.

I’m making a DOT now!

Masterpieces done and drying.

I worked on my latest creation (TBA) while she artisted it up.

We will continue to create together! I love our Fridays for extended projects.

Skating, swimming, and snuggling later. Perfecto! (OH, and we did have some real ice cream to celebrate).

Tuesdays. They used to be a day for Tatum and me. Now, she is in school 9-12. This means that I need to make sure when I’m with her, we spend solid quality time.

One thing she is doing daily is a little phonics with my mom. She also does some math or practicing of her letters or spelling. This is wonderful for her academic growth, but one thing that definitely could be nurtured is her creative bent. My sister-in-law reminded of this, and I got inspired. Probably too inspired! I want to do an art project (even if it’s 5 minutes) daily.

When I get an idea, I tend to go overboard in my plan. I don’t usually do something halfway. I go ALL OUT! So, I started looking up art ideas. This led me to wanting to create an “art center” in her room. Why not!? The blueprint of how her room could be set up is now an obsession. How can I organize it to make it conducive to art projects? This then led me to Pinterest which led me to Michaels. (can you say cha-ching!) Yep. I purchased a few items to make this work. Then, I hit Amazon of course and the money continues to be plucked from my wallet as if it grows on trees. (doesn’t it??) Well, stay tuned for what I do next with this “art center.”

In the meantime, we are making art from the heart. I love giraffes, so we decided to embark on this mini idea. It did not require much in terms of materials so perfect!

We got started making the body and I let Tot decorate.

Add the legs (clothes pins)

And of course give them names. Ollie and Wally.

Daily, Tatum wants me to make her a watch, bracelet, ring or glasses. One of these wearable artistic pieces. Today, a pair of glasses and a watch so she could time herself. Now, if I took pictures of every piece we made, I could fill a whole blog book. Ha!

She wanted glitter on these babies.

While it dries, she will wait. Patience is our skill of the week. (for all of us, mind you). I’m not sure it worked because we instantly moved to making the watch. Now,  she …….Tick tock tick tock….

 

….wants to know when the glasses will be dry.

Aye yie yie! Patience is a virtue my child.

All in an attempt in making art from the heart.

Stay tuned for more art projects and designs.

 

And blesses us BEYOND what we can imagine.

Such is true today when Tatum walked into her new Preschool class.  (as today was  the first day).

Her new teachers were to be Miss Karen and Miss Jen. There were to be 22 students of which she knew 4 (Robert, Eloise, Eden, Sahaja). I pulled Miss Jen aside and shared with her that Tatum has been doing 30 minutes of phonics almost daily, and she needs to be challenged.

She then told me that all of the teachers have been talking about her and they have had an idea. I was taken aback.

Really? What??

Paradise for Tots is truly a Christian Preschool, but they do have one Kindergarten class. Ms. V and Coach Matt are the teachers of the Kinders. Well, they suggested that Tatum should be in this class (as an advanced Preschooler), and then repeat Kindergarten next year in an advanced setting. (Since I AM NOT READY for my Tot to be in Kinder!!! Sheesh…next stop college and then bye! (I can’t even)).

I told Tatum this idea to try next week, and she begged me to go today. Huh? No wonder she has not liked school. She is bored. Plus, she did not even want to be with the littles in her Pre-K class.

This was an AHA moment for me. AND AN ANSWER to prayer.

I have wondered…..How is she going to be in a class where she knows the content? Will she have behavior problems?

So…God just gave me this present today.

We crossed the hall to visit Ms. V, and she instantly gleamed. TATUM!!! We’d love to have you. She mentioned there’ll be only 11 kiddos.

Ms. V is so good with the kids; they’ll be learning Spanish; Coach Matt, being a man,  will also be her teacher (he is the owner’s son and is a gem).  AND…Tatum will be challenged. The kids are so mature too.

When I picked up Tatum, there was a sparkle in her eye that has not been there. She is being lifted UP, rising to the occasion.

Thank you, God, for providing this. I had no idea what was the answer. But, boy, He provides… and provide in waves!!!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

 

This summer has been filled with so much joy. A season is ending, and a new one is about to begin.

When Tatum entered my life, she literally lit me up with joy, and she continues to light up (with smiles, laughter and something special) everyone around her (and especially ME!).

I figured these shoes would light up her day especially when she finds herself in a scary unknown place. Starting new things can be somewhat mysterious, so these shoes can represent a joy in her step as she lights up her hope!

Can I get an AMEN!?

The promise of her bright future is something I pray for daily.  Just like God gives us His promises in this rainbow,

I know He’s watching out for her…

With so much love. (Thanks you Jesus for providing a way back to HIM!)

This love and BLESSING was so apparent this morning when we arose. First, I had to give her a special gift so she knew the garment closest to her body was filled with my hugs.

That’s right. Days of the week undies, and today is Wednesday! (her first day of Preschool.

She made sure she had an Apple Watch to match, so she whipped out her scissors, glue and paper and got to work.

Ok, now we are ready

Now, what we are about to discover could only have come from God. He heard my fears, cries, and desires. I did not even know what I was praying for, but He interceded, translated and answered. Stay tuned.

Sweet Tatum, you are on your way!!! I love you so very much.

 

It was an ambitious Wednesday. The plan was to wake up early and head to the zoo. The weather was a bit cloudy and only 90 in the morning. (yes, that is cool for Phoenix in the summer). Tatum had other ideas.

She had decided to paste letters to her legs. Why? Why? I still don’t know.

But I do know that she enjoys making her own jewelry, so perhaps this was to be a new trend.

Since the sun was getting warmer and the time was getting later, we headed out the door (upon a few dozen wipies to get her clean).

When we arrived at the zoo, they sent us back to guest services for an updated card and then to another office for something else. We finally got inside (sheesh), and the construction had closed off half the zoo. Soooooooo, what to do? We were facing the weather getting warmer pretty quick, so we headed over towards the bears. Somehow we routed to this kids park with a petting zoo, and voila! Tractors?

We could not tip them so instead, we sat on them!

Next, the goats begged to be petted, but Tot was too scared! These guys scared her.

Seriously.

So, I did!
Sweet little guy.

We made the best of it still as we headed back to the front and came upon the storks. That’s as far as we could get.

And Indu the elephant. He’s my age, but I didn’t tell Tot.

Ok, so the zoo was a bit of a fail, but again, we made the best of it by seeing what we could in our pool of sweat. Time to eat is always making the best of it.

We were on a roll of making the best of it, and we headed to the ice rink for her lesson with Grant. AND….on her NEW ICE SKATES!!!

I cannot even!!!

She learned: Step step glide; and even went backwards today.

This day was not so shabby after all. And the best part? I got to be with my sweet girl.

To cooler climates. Even if it is just for one day.

Sedona fits the bill of beauty, cool weather and great hikes.

Doug drove us in the morning for a nice 2 hour car ride. It’s always such a comfortable ride in his car, and the bonus is I do get a bit of work done so I don’t feel so behind. He took the day off which was so kind of him.

We arrived at Oak Creek just in time for the clouds to be rolling in. Just the ticket to cool us off.

Doug pointed out immediately the foliage surprises which Tot and I did not know. He is an expert. Especially when there is a food involved in the greenery. BERRIES!

Ready to go hunt for more. The water was what we were waiting for.

Come on, Doug!

Now, on the way to the creek, we stopped often to check out the ruins.

Fireplace, chicken coup, living room remains. Who knew!?

We finally found it. The creek!!!  Luckily Doug helped Tot across as he gracefully balanced as Tot yanked on his arm.

We looked up and wow.

Stop right there and take it in. We are under the rocks where the creek flows.

It was time to pretend we were not wearing shoes and slosh around.

Tatum finally convinced me…I was the last one to just make my shoes transform into water slippers.

OK!

After we checked out the creek a bit more, I had dreams of rain.

Nope. Time to head back and see what we could see. Like…..

…  a caterpillar!

We let him pass.

More walking.

Breathtaking really to think of the work God did to make this place.

Thank you DOUG for such a lovely time. This bridge took us back to reality.

And food!

We will see you soon Sedona.
(Thanks again to my dear guy for being so snappy with his camera). Love you!!!

fell back asleep. That little stretch made him sleepy!
Everytime we visit the OdySea aquarium, Sqydney the sloth slumbers. ZZZZZZZ. So, you can imagine our excitement to see him.

The day started as usual: a bit of reading. Tatum is on a roll with her books.

Then we hit the gym, store, coffee, runs to visit our favorite clerks. Off to the Aquarium to see what we could see.

Our visits always promise to see something new. The catfish the size of Tatum.

The sleeping fish. I had not noticed before, but they rest on the bottom.

He seems to be sayin, “can you just move on please!?”

More camouflaged fish. I say this because they hide in the seaweed or blend with the rocks.  See that little guy hiding under the other fish in the “weeds?”

Tatum took this picture. She asked if they would pinch her if she got near him. I said if he did, I’d just eat him.

Then….dadadaaaaaaaaa! Sqydney!!!!! He was moving when we approached him, then did a big long long long stretch, and fell right back to sleep. That was the most action he had all day.

His little face! Just so adorable. But sleepy!

After hunting more fish, we ended our fun day with her last day of Sportball for this session.

“What’s your favorite sport at SB?”

“ALL OF THEM.”

Coach Stephen, you have done it again.