Category: Totally Tatum

Every year, we head to the train park for the lights!
This was our first year: 2014

Well, this year, Daddy went early to stand in line, and we arrived excited to see the lights!

Tatum pretended it was cold (since it usually is) and played a “Christmas Story” joke. Mommy, my tongue is stuck!

Ha! We got on the first train, thanks to Daddy.

So bright and cheery.

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After we took more pics in front of the big train.

We tried to climb this light tower. She is just getting too heavy. EEEEEE!

Then, Daddy wanted to show us his new camera trick. What do you notice in these pics?

Is that two Tatums and two mommies?

Let’s add Grandmama.

It would be AWESOME if I could duplicate myself, but I really don’t think Doug would want two of me. Two Tatums???? hmmmmmm.

It was so fun! See you next year, Train Park. Thank you for lighting our night.

So far, the 12 days has been a success. We’ve really enjoyed looking forward to what the day has in store as to ways to serve.

Today would be Tatum’s last day of school before break, and it promised to be awesome!
First, what is the task today?

That would be very special and we’ll get right to it after school.

But first, she had a little party at school; she and Charlotte looked so cute.

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We’d miss all of her friends, but a break is good to appreciate what we take for granted.

Tatum and I headed to get her haircut. “Just a trim, mommy. I want my hair to grow!”

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She is going to be more careful with her hair now that she is growing it! Plus, Brandy warned her about ripping it when she takes out her various hair accessories.

Later that night, Daddy and Tot had a little date and I had my book group’s party. What a great day!

Oh, and DAY 7? We delivered some flowers to Mama. She just loved them!

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He loves to snuggle with us at night. This particular night, he was very affectionate. I took it all in.

Little did he know tomorrow he was going to get his man parts disassembled.

Get used to being like this sloth, Coop. You’re going to have to do lots of resting.

And he did. He was out and had a great night of sleep.

The next morning, we were to be at the vet at 7:30am. I took Tatum with me and then dropped her off at school. He was not ready at all.

There was a long line when we got there, so we waited…and waited.

Finally, he got his mini-physical. Look how much he has grown at 9 months!
10.6 lbs! He’s gained 4 lbs.

Well, we missed him all day, but he was ready to come home after I picked up Tot from school.

He was a bit groggy and on a bunch of pain meds. Ouch! But the little cone will help him not lick it. This cone of shame is not his best look. It’ll be OK, Coopy-head.

I don’t like this, Mommy. I cannot eat, play or cuddle with you all. Yuk!

He has been having such a hard time getting his toys and playing. He cannot put them under the couch anymore! Oh, the sadness.

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He did have success grabbing the rope eventually.

That night, he didn’t even want to eat.

My friend, Kellye offered a better cone for Coopy. This one is more malleable. Hopefully he’ll cheer up a bit.

WE love you SOOOOO much, little puppy. You’ll be fine in about a week.

That will be fun! We will deliver these to St. Vincents with the clothes and toys.

She feels like Santa delivering toys and games to the kids! Always good to give back.

You see, it’s what we do. Right when we get home from school or whatever we have after school, we get right to it.

How do you incentivize a child to HOP TO IT? Ideally, I’m creating a habit: WORK FIRST then PLAY. So, I have to make it F.U.N.

Today, she had 100 problems to complete. At the end of each row, I had a little treat waiting. I mean, wouldn’t you do math in exchange for marshmallows and M and M’s?

Go TOT! Sometimes, she’d finish a row and SAVE the marshmallow to combine it with the M and M for a more delightful combo.

Almost finished, Mommy!
TADA!

Ok, one more activity.

Tatum’s writing has been slowly getting better. It’s still not her best academic quality, but I see so much improvement since the summer!

She received a score today from her Christmas paragraph. I remember her doing this, and I did notice the challenge of words running together.

I even shared that when I type, it is completely subconscious to hit the Spacebar after each word. It is a habit now, but it wasn’t always. So, let’s build that habit!
I made a little rocket spacer.

This will make it fun to put a space after each word. Simply place the rocket after said word.

Now you try, Bumby.

And it works.

All these little tricks and tips make homework not only fun but we’re creating habits. This way, she is empowered for when I’m not with her. I mean, isn’t parenting about working ourselves out of a job?? 😞 But alas, in the meantime, I’ll be her biggest cheerleader, her hugest idea-giver, and her helpingest sidekick.

I LOVE YOU, TATIES!

We love giving to them because they do so much around the globe to help families.
Tonight, instead of Bibles, Tatum wanted to donate a ……

goat. This provides income for family, and she saw this as more useful to help a family in a time of need.

We send prayers to them in hopes for provision.

She is determined today!

Ed’s exact words.