Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Today was Tot’s first day to Show and Tell at school. She wanted to bring this devotional book we read every night! I was surprised and pleased at her choice. I gave her a Coronado shirt just in case they wanted to know what that was about. (more on this in the next post!)

Supposedly, she handed the book to Coach Matt and said, “This book my mommy and I read.” She spoke so softly no one could hear, but I told her I was proud of her! She will do better every week. Coach Matt and Ms. V were proud of her as well.

After this, I picked her up and we went to see Grant. Going to the rink together is a joy I love to share with Tatum. She loves learning to skate with Grant as her coach and cheerleader, and I get to watch with a front row seat as I skate around her.

Today, he put little fishes on her arms to keep her arms OUT without letting the fishes fall.

What fun! She did fall, and she got a bit discouraged. I reminded her this is part of learning and it means she is trying!

Today was filled with many “failures” which only help her grow and learn. It gives her motivation to try again and try again. There is no perfect, but there is perfect practice!

I love you, Tatum.

This little girl brings out the love in everyone.

 

We adore you Tot.

 

And you know what? We were reminded that it’s truly the LOVE of Christ which CAN control all we do if we keep JESUS at the center.

Yes, I love my family, Tatum, Doug and Mama DEEPLY.

But it is the LOVE of Christ which controls me, motivates me and helps me love my family and others even deeper.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all.” 2 Cor 5:14. 

The other day, Tatum asked what was that chirping sound. I said that the crickets like to chirp at night. She asked me if they were mean or nice. I said they are harmless and basically just hop around chirping.

This gives context to our morning today.

Tatum had  me “come quick, Mommy!” right during the making of the oatmeal. This cannot be interrupted unless you want lumps. Buuuuuuut, it was urgent! So the oatmeal had to wait. Sacrifices!

Tatum showed me the little baby cricket in the hallway. This was the emergency?

Well, it gets better. She began singing to it. I mean belting away the tunes right to its little self. It didn’t move much so she sang louder. This trumped the drinking of her milk which, if you know Tatum, is unheard of. She wanted to return the love of his chirps.

Mommy, I think he’s dead. She blamed Coti. “He smoooshed it!” (I did not want to break her heart and tell her he was already dead, so we went with the Coti excuse).

She now had a sad song to serenade it.

I’m sure there’ll be more crickets, honey. 

How can you possibly love a pair of shoes? I mean, they go on your feet and they walk on the ground. The ground!

I guess that is exactly why you should love your shoes. You walk on your feet all day long, and if your feet are happy, you tend to be quite content.

This is exactly how Tot and I feel about these crazy shoes called Dawgz. (I like to call her’s Puppyz!)

First, we got one pair and now it’s growing.

They are therapy for your feet, seriously.

Today, I gave Tot a new pair for her Friday surprise. She loved them so much she gave them a bath, treating them like a true pet.

Now not only are her feet content but quite clean!

 

Starting next week, Tatum’s and my fun day will be moved to Tuesday. The big reason? Show ‘n’ tell takes place EVERY Friday. How can I deny my child a chance to bring in her fabulous stories accompanying some showcased item? I couldn’t live with myself. Monday is PE, Wed is music, and Thursday is chapel, so Tuesday seemed perfect. Notice, I’m not focused so much on her academics. (she gets enough of that with mom and me). Socially, she could benefit from the showing and telling, connecting with her classmates. Especially since she leaves at noon each day, whereas the other students stay till 3:00.

So, with that, we decided to hit the art cart, add a little salt to our project, and we have a winner. Salt, you ask? Well, first, we read the wonderful You be You book. It’s full of colorful various fish, no one alike.

We took a black pastel and drew a fish! (on watercolor paper)

Then it was time to paint the water with watercolors

We sprinkled salt to get that ocean effect

She pointed out that she drew this puffer fish.

Now let’s design the fish!

Here he is! Colorful, isn’t it?

 

Now a quick bit of homework. Take your time Tot. She likes to rush!

Do your best we always say!

Now, it’s off to see Grant. She adores him.

Bonus: I get to whirl around as well. She starts with her hands up, then..

 

down….

and now TADA!

He was so proud of her, she got a HIGH FIVE! She is really improving every week.



I’m proud of her as well. What a fun Friday.

I love being with you, Tot!

That = 30 hours of Sportball. I’ve been collecting our stamps every week for quite a while now.

Well, guess what she earned with these stamps?

No, not your own coach, silly, although borrowing Coach Ryan or Coach Stephen would be handy.

A jersey! A bit big, but it adorns this little Tot body with pride.

We love Sportball.

How can I build anticipation to a fun way to transform a roll from paper towels?

How about making race car built for little people. And I mean real little people. Seriously?

Yes, and again, I was not the mastermind behind these (as you can see my computer setup with the directions)

First, we painted the tubes.

Then it was time to make the wheels

Ok. Now we wait for the drying process to put the wheels on

Take some brads and connect

Add little Lego guys

You have yourself a racecar folks!