Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

One of Tatum’s little friends at Church, Maggie Kate, takes ballet and jazz at Centerstage. It was a perfect opportunity for Tatum to join. She wanted to take a class and I couldn’t find a fit. After hearing about Maggie Kate’s class, I knew I needed to sign upTot there as well.

And so we did!
She loves it so far! Stay tuned.

Yes, she’ll read to anyone who will listen.

This came in handy when we were at SBC on Sunday. I needed to get my coffee, and so I plopped her down at the table and asked the nice older couple if she could read there. Tatum just started reading TO them, and then he read back to her.

She charmed the pants off them while reading  a nice story about giraffes.

Today we had no real agenda so we decided to rent some bikes. Now, Doug and I knew that Tatum would probably last about a mile or  so. We had no back up plan so we just rolled with it.

First stop, breakfast! She opted for blueberries today. Fruit loops in a cup for later.

I’m full. Wink wink.

Ok, Tot bike and 2 cruisers. Electra is the name of our bikes and comfort and power is their game. WOW!

Off we go. Doug mapped out for us to ride down to the bridge and around the bay.

So far so good!

Do you know we started at 12:30, stopped for lunch then continued until near 4:00. 10.6 miles!!! We rode all over  Coronado. She had 5 revolutions for every one we had. The little studdette! Doug and I were so proud of her.

I think we tired her out though.

She earned some new Legos, and honestly I love putting them together with her.

What fun! This made us all want bikes for our future home.

We slept so soundly that last night, and our ride home was so peaceful and fun. Tot had much to keep her busy.

She made art for us and I had to work a bit.

All in all it was so special to be a family together.

Tatum surprised Doug with a card and drawing for him in gratitude.

Taco bout AWESOME!

You are the best honey. We love you to pieces!!

Our walks down to the beach to get shells always turn into so much more.

We love to see the pretty foliage. This time it was moi who noticed this one because I’m into birds ya know.

Then, we run into this beautiful dog. He’s an English Creme Retriever. I fell in love with his color and serenity. His owner, Chuck, had just built a home in Coronado. Right there you just knew he had a few bucks and probably time to enjoy it.

Chuck took our picture and told us we were a beautiful family. We hear that often. Smile. 

Just one with my honey. Poor guy doesn’t get to be in enough pics.

Then we ran into Mr. Sandman. He makes these tremendous castles on the beach. For fun. And it takes him maybe 3-5 hours.

Magnificent.

Usually there’s an owie or two that occurs. OR there is a need for a little chat, so we have a quick time out for this.

We headed back because we were hungry for our brekkie.  It’s a treat to have a free buffet at the hotel, so we must hurry.

Tatum’s eyes grow bigger than her body when she sees the choices. All she could think about were Fruit Loops. Yes, cereal of all things. Now, I couldn’t just give her a whole bowl of these…or could I? Aha…IDEA!
Toast, cottage cheese, and Fruit Loopy topping. Delishioso.

After our fill of yogurt, eggs, peanut butter, coffee and fruit loops, we headed back to get ready for our beach day.

Doug always makes it so easy for us.

We pack enough for us to be riding the waves, shading our bodies and relaxing in our chairs. Funny we don’t use much of what we bring, but you know that if we didn’t we would need it. So, as good scouts, we are prepared!!

It was quite a cloudy day, so we didn’t do too much in the water.

Of course Tatum played in the sand the whole time, and Doug and I talked and played in the water a bit. Just a nice day

We were definitely ready to crash.

 

And then go get our dinner. On the way, we had a chance to play on the piano. Tot and I did a duet. Practice has paid off!

Another nice night of dinner, games and silliness. I think this is my favorite part of our trips. We can enjoy a nice dinner in our rooms then play games and eat chocolate. This is called quantity and quality time. Just what we needed.

It’s our Labor Day treat. We are off to Coronado for a third year in a row as we arrive on Labor Day when the rest of the tourists are leaving. It’s always been a smart move, but now that Tot is in Kinder, it may be harder to go these weekends. Not to worry about that now.
Leaving is always a big production as we feel like the paparazzi with mama. Doug got her back by snapping her picture snapping us.
We love you mama!

Tot gets all buckled in. We pray, have a chat about our time in the car, and we are off. You see, I always buy a bunch of fun car activities for Tatum so she is creatively having fun and enjoying her time. I’m more into her using her brain for imagination that giving her a screen to stare it. I also won’t allow for the I’m bored mantra. As I always say: Bored people are boring and boring people are bored. Am I right or what!?

It went by so fast this time! My honey made sure we had plenty of water and then stops to stretch and say AHHHHHHH….How much longer!? Tatum seems to have to “go” right when we leave our pitstop.

After a blink, a yawn, and a sneeze, we arrive! We love the Glorietta Bay Inn.

Next stop……aaaaaaah. AMEN.

A walk, a talk, and a plop in the water or two.

Tot has come a long way in 3 years. Now, she doesn’t quite run from the water but runs INTO the water. Doug and I can now walk and talk while she submerges and runs voraciously back and forth with the waves.

After much of this, we headed back to to our room for HOMEWORK! Yes, Mrs. Holman stocked Tot with a plethora of fun worksheets, a memory Bible verse, and planet and space coloring. I meant what could be more delightful!?

Of course it’s much more fun with bubble water.

Dinner, games and lots of laughs. Did I mention we love our La Salsa dinners? We turn an ordinary salad into a feast. And TOT? Her taco was made even better with my honey’s homemade salsa made just for me (sans onions and garlic). So delisssssshhhhhhhhh..

This day was perfect and tomorrow will be even better when we head to the beach.

Yes, it’s true. And I had NO desire to go for a long time because I thought the dolphins were being held captive, but boy was I wrong.

Dolphinaris is located here in Scottsdale and is home to 8 dolphins from Mexico and CA. According to them, “The pools hold approximately 1 million gallons of purified seawater that is monitored around the clock. The dolphins’ care and habitat is maintained by a team of skilled behaviorists and water quality experts, and lead by a full-time marine mammal veterinarian.”

I’m a believer after going!

I spoke to Doug about it and he decided to take us all and surprise Tot!! Read the sign honey!

We’re here!

After getting all dressed,

They told us no hats, jewelry, sunscreen or watches. NOTHING. I had no idea we’d be in a covered pool with matching life jackets. We wore the right color for sure.

We met Edna our trainer and got introduced to Ping, our 20-year old female dolphin.

 

HI PING!!! You are adorable.

Every time she did what she was supposed to do, Ping would smile, scream and do like a “woohoo!” I did it too usually.

Edna told us what to do so Ping would mind;  how to position our hands. We’d pet her…and then celebrate!

Feel that blow hole! She can hold her breath for 7 minutes.

Tatum got to throw her a toy and Ping would fetch.

And then,….THE KISS!! We all got to kiss her and then get a smooch back.

Honey, your turn.

Of course we needed a hug then.

I’m in love (with you too, sweetie!)

Splashing time.

I just cannot get enough.

Ping wanted to show off for us:

We learned about her belly button, her girl parts (she nurses in her genital area), her new skin which is renewed ever 2 hours, and her 72 teeth which are not used to chew. (Dolphins swallow their food whole).

We hugged and kissed her and had to say goodbye.

What a grand, awesome, phenomenal experience. Thank you Doug for making it possible.

We had an unforgettable time. PING, we’ll miss you!

I offered to come into the classroom and help Mrs. Holman a couple days a week. She mentioned she could use help with the end of the day and Show and Share. With 18 kids, of course she does! I figured the first day would be the day Tot would share.

It was also voting day (for the Republican primaries). So of course, I did this first.

Then back I came to her classroom to help the class of 18 (breathe) kiddos.

I have to admit, when I arrived, I peaked in the little window to see what they were all doing. It was free play while Mrs. Holman got their folders together. Tatum was sitting on the “reading” seat and asking the kids around her, “Who wants to hear a story?”She was playing teacher. That is when I walked in, and she ran up to give me a hug.

After I helped Mrs. Holman hand out the folders for them to put in their backpacks (Tot helped me identify the kids), it was time for the Show and Share.

Tot jumped on the rocking chair and waited for the kids’ respect.

She then held her teddy and told them all that it was her special bear, it had a rattle, and she loved it.

 

When it was time for questions, one boy asked its name and where she got it. She said Baby One and she got if from her mommy.

Giggle giggle.

So cute and brave was she!

It was so fun being in there! I plan on going back weekly to help Mrs. Holman. It’s amazing how she does it! Lots of energy balls in there.