Category: SAHM I am

She works so hard helping me each day. From carrying my spaghetti squash

and oh is it heavy…

to helping me in the kitchen. This child loves to chop, snap, stir, and especially shake. Spaghetti squash has its own delight in the fact that it is strings you actually eat. After enjoying lunch and winding down ready for nap. (she’s yawning and falling asleep)… I know it’s going to be a good one. However, I leave the room and the party starts. What happens from all of this new excitement and playing to the max is this comfortable position:

After this it was time to hit the festival. Speaking of “max” (in the blue), we had a great time seeing him at the Train Park Festival this weekend. Mary Jo and I marvel at how much our kiddos love to push buttons. They make the trains go. Talk about control freaks!

We made a full circle through our day of winding up and down, it was time to do the actual up and down in a circle!

 

Love this kiddo!

 

To prepare for the big event, Tatum napped on the BIG girl bed. She felt so noble!

When the clan arrived, she immediately ran to James. She did not leave his side all night long. “James, come see my blah blah blah; James, do you like my blah blah blah? etc..”

Then the moment arrived. The birthday song:

Tatum belted out the tune while mom played the piano. I of course played the air drums.

Present time was special as Nyla and Kelly both received some Michael Kors gift cards. At least we could subsidize the handle to the purse with those prices!

Finally, James showed Tot some golf videos and Levi entertained us on the Ukelele. The boy has uke talent among many other talents!

All in all, a fun-filled evening with family!

 

 

 

D O G spells DOG. This is what I hear when she is “supposedly napping.” How did she get her little Mickey Mouse reader since it wasn’t in her crib? I leave it alone and don’t worry. Next, she shows up in my bedroom. How did you? What did you? How did you? AAH! You escaped!

It’s over.

I finally realize the crib years are done. Now, I am just hoping she will still honor our 2-hour quiet time.

So, the next day, I tell her, “Tatum, as you know, you are to nap at this time, but you may get out if you need to. I only ask that you stay in your room since mommy has to work. This is our quiet time; your time to be with YOU and my time to be with ME!” She agrees and honors our agreement beautifully. The only thing is that she refuses to be in her crib.

Oh well…no crib? I put her in and she gets right out! The cage has been unlocked, and will she be confined anymore? NO!! Eventually this freedom-excitement will wear off, but in the mean time, I find her on the floor…napping. Or..on the chair..napping. No crib, thank you very much!

This apparently is much more comfortable.

The crib here is merely a place to put in whatever she can find to put in there!

For now, it’s so much more fun to be free from this confinement. 

Freedom is so comfortable. (and so is no clothes!)

An Aquarium in Arizona! I had no idea. Yes, we have our own Sea Life here in the sunny state, and it’s pretty fun. Doug and I had the brilliant idea to arrive when they opened at 10am. On a Wednesday morning, how could it be busy? Strollers, pouches of babies, and many mommies had the same idea. But, no worries. It was to be a SPLASH!
They handed Tot a mask, and we were off to see various fish from crappies, zebras, convicts and cuttlefish. Who comes up with these names? A depressed government official?

She peered closely in, and good thing she was a Tot so she could see!

But then there were times it was hard to peer over the side so….tippy toes!Personally, I was fascinated by the expressions of the fish. What were they thinking? Did they want out or were we the joke looking at them?Look at those Mannas and Sting rays!
Then, we saw it. The porcupine fish. Again, what!? There is already a porcupine. Let’s think of something more inventive why don’t we? He was adorable. Doug told me that predators have eyes in the front and prey have eyes on the sides. Definitely a sought after fish those eyes!The stingrays were magnificent. Honestly, they were the most graceful beings present in the water.

Tatum enjoyed the sea horses, starfish, and even got to touch the shrimp which did not look fun at all.

The aquarium boasted of “Ziva” the turtle. I guess he is still en route because we couldn’t not find this guy anywhere. Tatum was determined!

 

Well, the many sights… it made me want seafood!  We just ATE it all up! 

Of course afterwards, we headed out towards the food court since this was the first thing on her mind. Alas.. we see it…THE CAROUSEL. $3? We have one of these within walking distance of our house and it’s SO MUCH cooler. So, I had the little talk with Tot. “Honey, don’t you want to wait for the REAL carousel next to our house?”Thank goodness for these rides that don’t require quarters in order to look cool and inviting.

This was the best…it had TWO ..count them TWO steering wheels! Dream come true. What control!

We had a great time with “Dougie” and our many wet friends. Thank you for hanging with us, carrying Tot, and being the best host ever! Plus, you were the best dressed one at the aquarium in a sea of yoga pants.

Evidence of a good time.

 

I’m going home to make salmon now.

 

 

Tatum has a new friend. He’s a furry guy who comes with clothes and shoes. I think she’s a bit jealous of the shoes being for the dog because she forces her toesies into the different pairs and attempts to walk around.

He watches and probably is happy he doesn’t have to wear the shiny silver sandals. They don’t look that comfortable for his paws. Paws…that’s  a perfect name. Do you think Coti will be jealous?
Well, Paws won the opportunity to sit and watch Tatum learn her Big K and Little k. Coti? He watched from below. Good sport he is!

Upon this, Tot drew some lovely design of scribbly colors. Masterpiece; I had to pause and just clap! Good job, little Tot

I continue to be in awe of her little sweet heart. I needed to pause because these past two weeks, I’ve been uber-busy, beyond what is healthy for me…and for her. She just looked at me today and said, “Mommy, I love you.” *MELT*. At church today, I was reminded of how much I love her, and how GRATEFUL I am to have her in my life. 

AAhhhh!!!

Tatum wants to know!

Is this what birthdays are all about? Heck yeah! No, really it was about celebrating our friends and making them feel special.

She’s practicing her “Happy Birthday to you” as we prepare for our first party. 

First stop: Robert and his Firetruck extravaganza. This three year old little cutie is of course Tatum’s choice of the best of the best. 

Jennie (and her hubby Scott and the LO in her tummy!) made us feel so special with a nice display of yummies. The big hit of the spread was the teeny marshmallows in the dairy less ambrosia. 

Janette, Levi, and Tot all enjoying the hot dog. Darn, the vegan dogs I give her won’t taste so yummy now!

She of course had to be the only girl among a sea of boys, as usual. She’s learning to hold her own, I’d say!

Robert’s theme was fireman, and Tatum had to take a spin in the suit. She’s ready to put out the fire, but first, she had text Robert to tell him she’d be right there!

Now, here is the cake!

(Tatum snuck in a quick kiss to the birthday boy)
This party was fiery hot, dear Robert.

Now, where is that second cake? Next stop, Sophia’s 5th birthday. Melissa made this party awesome by having and even bigger PINK cake.

We had such a great day with our friends, and we found TWO cakes!

 

 

After Tatum drinks her milk in the morning, she often comments, “I’m cold, mommy!” As much as I love to help her solve her dilemmas, I told her to go upstairs and get her blanket (her kiki, as she calls it)

So, she ran upstairs, came down with kiki in hand and plopped on top of Coti’s place to cuddle.

She figured Coti might be cold too.  It’s pure puppy love!