Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Doug and I had planned it for a while. We were going to Sedona to spend some quality time together sans the Tot. Easier said than done! Mostly in my mind, but the day of, I had a minor panic attack.

Janette sent me this picture just to assure me she was having a great time with Levi. (and the doggie of course!)Off we went….to heaven.

Entering Sedona, God’s country smiled upon us as we figured out which of the 700 hikes would we choose? Instead of analyzing each and every feature of all 700, we just took a right at Bell Rock and …this works! We hiked around the rock and perhaps took the long route because 2 hours later, we found the trailhead. We spent our time talking talking and more talking. The people we met on the trail were so kind..from mountain cyclists to serious trailblazers to 75 year olds.  We were hungry! So off to find a some food. It was a beautiful day in Sedona so the crowds were out. After a filling lunch of salads and sandwiches, we had to make it to our Segway appointment. Wait..a Segway. Aren’t those the people movers that look like oversized unicycles (with an extra wheel)? Honestly, I was pretty exhausted and the thought of a 2 hour tour of Sedona on this thing seemed a bit much, but Doug had spent money, time and so much heart planning this, so I had to put my game face on! Let’s do this!

Lauralee, our tour guide, was pure Sedona. She was a mother earth-loving, spiritual healer type (a bit trippy), but she was so much fun, and she made the tour that much more interesting. I loved these machines also because they reminded me of skiing and skating since it felt using  the same muscles. We road up into the mountains and checked out the scenery and the beautiful homes.

We even saw some javelinas as they posed. Doug asked if they would attack us, and Lauralee said the might. Great. Oh, well, “smile!”

Tada! We did it!

Being about 5:00, it is now getting cooooooold out, and I’m also wondering how the Tot is doing.  I receive this text and I see she’s enjoying her greek yogurt with blueberries. Hmmmm…The shirt is not hers. What is that about? I will soon find out.

Meanwhile, we check into the hotel and R E L A X!!! Hooray. Then I get the phone call.

“Levi pushed Tatum into the pool.” As I hear Janette talking I’m laughing a bit on the inside, yet I’m not exactly happy; It is funny however! Yes, Ian rescued her immediately and her clothes were all wet (now I realize why she is wearing this shirt). Janette apparently put a blue sock in with her clothes and they turned blue. So….She takes them to Target to buy Tot some new outfits. Above and beyond, Janette! SO kind.

OK..now I really can relax. We get some din din and chill in the room.

Next day, off to head home, but first we decide to go to the Chapel on the Rock to see the view and pray.  Can’t beat the gorgeous rocks and God’s creation all around us.

We say some prayers in the chapel and read about its genesis.

Amazing. But more importantly it was a much needed time for Doug and I to spend together without any interruptions (except finding out your kid has been thrown in a cold pool of water!)

Heaven is for real, and this overnight was a success.

After a storm, there are always flowers.

I’m amazed by how quickly and kindly Tatum will correct her behavior when it’s not her best. Upon leaving Trader Joe’s today, she had a different idea about getting into her car seat. We had a moment of frustration, and I chose to just be quiet and wait. About five minutes later when we got home, I left her in the car seat while I took in the groceries. As I opened the door to remove her, she looked at me and said, “Mommy I want a hug. Will you please hold me?” I walked in the house clutching Tot, and she then said, “Mommy, hold me forever and ever and don’t let go. I love you.”

MELT. Ok, she has the power to absolutely make my heart sink into a big mushy pillow.

How is it that she continues to get more adorable? I think I love a certain stage, and then BOOM, she enters a new stage of completely fresh awesomeness. I guess this is how God must feel about us. I pray she can know how deeply she is loved and adored. With that knowledge, she’ll move mountains…or at least kill it in Preschool!

The little goldfish of mine has mastered some swim skills.

It’s funny how we take for granted the things we can do in the water!

Guest Blogger: Douglas Hay

So, this was the afternoon that was planned for a couple of weeks. Steph was away for most of the day giving a lecture in Las Vegas about advanced complex teaching methodologies (not for her but certainly for the rest of us). So, I had the very good fortune to spend the afternoon with the Tater Tot!!

I have planned this out so I know when to leave to pick her up and all is scheduled – or so I thought. I assumed I would just slide the car seat in my car and be on my way. Not so fast! Getting it locked down wasn’t too much of a problem but adjusting the straps was another story! I couldn’t find the adjustment to loosen the straps. Ok, I’m thinking, seriously Doug, if you can’t figure this out you should quit your engineering job.   After 15 minutes and nearly disassembling the darn thing I see the adjustment under the seat cover. Why would you hide the adjustment there?? OK, problem solved and I was on my way!

After a bit of driving I arrived at Paradise for Tots!

I was immediately and warmly greeted by Gerry. Obviously, she was the director and she was expecting me. Still, I had to show ID and be vetted not unlike the TSA – Geesh! Ok, checked in! Signed in! Then we go the playground and I immediately see Tatum! The staff was extremely friendly and helpful just like Steph said they were. We said our goodbyes and were off. I had a snack and cup of water in the car – my strategy for hopefully keeping her awake for the ride home. Oh yes, that worked great!

Once home, we had to change into the Thomas the Train outfit! C’mon Doug, let’s go to the train park and swing!! C’MON Doug…

Hi Mommy!

Well it’s tooooooooooo late for the park. So, I quickly think – let’s play horsey!! She immediately thought that was a good idea. I didn’t think that one through because “I” had to be the horsey! …and so we did. The Horsey took Tatum through earth quakes, bucking bronco’s, etc.. . My back did just fine – good! One of us had a lot of fun (OK, we both had a lot of fun).

Now down for dinner. Steph had this already prepared and so it was streamlined. 20 sec in the micro and we were ready!

Man – does this look good! Where’s mine?

Cashew milk!

 

Stories. There were stories. Did I say there were stories!!

At the end of dinner Steph called! So, we had a little conference call and we all got to chat it up a bit! Perfect timing Sweetheart.

Hi you guys!

Just an observation… How is it that these two girls never take a bad picture. I mean seriously – what’s up with that?

Ok, the Tot and I are going up to the bedtime routine now. This is the 3rd time tucking in Tatum and I’ve learned almost the 100 baZILLION essential items the need to be just so for a smooth process.   Tatum is doing such a great job training me. All was smooth sailing and each time we are becoming more efficient.

This is one special girl (Mom’s pretty cool too!).

What do you look for in a school? Academics? Social aspects? Teacher/student ratios?….

All of these things mean something, sure. It’s important to have a balance in what goes into a school. However at this stage of Tot’s life, I’m sure adamant about a few things.

1. Kindness and Love. When Tatum and I enter a school, how do we feel? Do we feel the love of Jesus applied? Is it modeled or just taught? Is Tatum loved by the staff and by the teachers and other students? How is it modeled in the classroom?
   OK, so why is this so important? Aren’t kind people walked all over? Aren’t they like doormats? Jesus would say no. Why? Because one can be kind and still filled with strength. He/she can have pride and honor in who they are (a child of God) and then have boundaries and how to be treated. Then, he/she can treat others the way God would treat those “others.” SO, it really does come down to love and kindness.
2. Hands-on. Do these teachers and staff get down on the kids’ level and read with them? Play with them? Respect them? Teach them manners? It’s not about just teaching, folks. It’s modeling and gettin’ dirty with ’em! We are all in this together, and these kids need to see our humility in the process of learning too. They see that we are doing the work with them! They will honor that process we engage in with them, and then WANT to be engaged too!

There are many more, but at this ripe old age of 3 and a few months, I’m pretty sure that is what I want in a school.
She’ll get her numbers, letters, colors, shapes, etc down eventually.

I’ll get her reading and loving it! But the school? Well she’ll be ENGAGED with OTHERS and learning kindness and love in action WITH (fill in the blank!). Yes… WITH!! (not “at”.. )

She’s swinging into action! (this picture was brought to you by the fabulous Douglas Hay)

Thank you, Paradise for Tots. I think we have a winner with your school!

And WHAP!

She swings and a HOME RUN! OK, well maybe a first base walk.

She was sure to hit it with that twist!

Then, she decided she’d be on a Clifford kick. When I came in and got her from nap, she was surrounded by all of her Big Red doggie books. She loves the one where he participates in Sports Day.

But no sooner did she want to try on her new present from her mommy. I couldn’t resist. With her now in gymnastics, I had to enable that little body to move. The second I put it on, she was wiggling and jiggling….

Clapping and tapping…..

Jumping and romping!The little bits of fun we have make up a great day of laughter and joy.