Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

It’s not surprising that Tatum got straight A’s again; However, we like to look at certain grades more closely. For example, I look at her improvement in handwriting. I know…it’s not that big of a deal, but since she has struggled in the past with it, improvement is always nice.

ALSO, character. Yes. Character, social skills, and behavior. This is what we look at with a fine tooth comb. Why? Because this is what she is like with authority outside of our family. How does she treat others? How does she deal with authoritative figures?

We were very pleased.

OH, and A/R? Reading? Just so very happy!! 1st place in A/R points.

We decided to celebrate at our favorite ice cream place. Now, we are ALWAYS looking for a reason to have a hot fudge sundae. Easy peasy decision this time!

Cutest card ever.

She wanted her hot fudge on the side, and she asked for sprinkles.

Now, do you think she ate every single one of those bazillion sprinkles?

One would think that the ice cream and hot fudge would be the winner, but no. She really spooned those colorful edibles into her mouth.

It was worth every bite, and she is worth so much more. I love you, Tot. Good grades or not, you are the daughter of a KING.

How could I get Daddy to perform his first month of piano lessons?

HMMMMM???

Oh, I’m so sneaky. Create a “recital” where we each get to play 2 songs. This way he’s not all by his lonesome.

Tot played her two (very well, I might add!), and I played my two. (I was so nervous for some reason but I muddled through!)

Daddy’s up!
Upright with his nice posture.

Warming up those lil’ fingers….and

Dino-mite! (His first song was about a dinosaur…SRSLY metamorphic)

Cooper listened intently.

He did it!! Go Daddy! Woot woot!

So, I gave them each a reward. My reward was listening. Heehee

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And…what’s inside?

You are both just “egg”cellent!!!

It was a beautiful Spring Saturday in March. We could definitely use some outside air and some ocean! Why not head to our lake near our home. Coined “the ocean,” we consider it our little bit of the beach right in our backyard.

A short ride, yes, maybe 3 miles one way, but on the way back, I had a little something in my pack. Crackers and cheese? Nope. A juicy hamburger? Nope. A baguette? Twinkies? A slab of beef? Nope. Nope Nope.

For this family, only the best.
Shrimp cocktail and grapefruit bubbly!

Gotta keep these two always guessing!

Our boy is growing up. It’s time to celebrate his second year as a HAY boy!

What are you preparing, Mommy?

He’s very patient.

Well, it looks like something sweet, so …wait, is that a tttttttt…

TOY TOY TOY!!!
Go get it!

Little piggie is a goner.

Now for something completely different. Now, he gets to be the pig!

Ready to sing!?

Happy Birthday to you, sweet Coopy. Some pink beet hearts doggie-style covered in his favorite food. Yes, whipped cream.

Make a wish!

GO!

We love you so much, Cooper. You add so much joy to our family!!!

OH, Coopy. Sometimes, you are just not quite sure what to do. Sometimes we find you under us as we share as a family. You want to be a part.

Hold me, Daddy!

And then, when Daddy makes his cappuccino, you, again, are not quite sure what to do. Doug can feel you staring at him. What are you doing in your house, Coops?

Hmm?? ……Whatcha doing??

Sometimes, he just gives up and joins Tatum’s reading time.

And….he’s OUT.

Sweet boy. We love you so. Your birthday is in a couple of days!!

Oh, Bob. You add so much silliness to our day. Doug and Tatum went out for Daddy/daughter ice cream, and they came upon this little minion, Bob. Doug put it away until she could earn it with good choices/behavior on our trip. Well, it happened,

and now, we get the pleasure of having Bob as part of our activities.

Case in point: Tot and I practice our memory verses weekly, and today, we decided to make it into a tea party with Bob.

Bob learned Psalm 119:105

Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet and Light Unto My Path !

He lit up like a Christmas Tree! You got it! Keep it up, Bob. Keep reading, praying, and being that light.

Or, just hang out with Cooper (who hangs out at on the other chair) and the horsey.

Every night, Doug, Tot and I come together to discuss our gratitudes for the day. We write it in our journals, and then we share. We also share who we encouraged, influenced, or contributed to, and what we could have done better.

Tatum wrote a lot today.

She is grateful for her friend Teagan. I like that she is giving her grace and growing into trust with seeing a pattern she can trust. I tell her the same thing with her every day. She has to earn trust and we need to see a pattern of behaviors that show you care.

She then shared what she could do better.

Tatum desires to be a pleasing aroma. I love her heart. I love how she wants to help others and see the good in people.