Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

After her lesson with Grant today, Tatum said, “Mommy, I’m ready for my own skates.” We then headed over to Dave (who helped me with the purchase of my skates). She had to try some on, ya know!
So he fitted her teensy tinsy foot and whammo. She made it known that they fit!

He then asked me if he could post this picture on the Ice Den Facebook (also Phoenix Coyotes Hockey) page. It’s already gotten a few shares. I wonder why!? John Travolta, you ain’t seen nothing!

Now, the next step is how do they take to the ice? Can she keep this pose?
The Great Skate continues!

Pouring. Storming. God was changing many light bulbs tonight!

What did this mean? Tatum and Coti were scared. Actually, Coti was scared and Tatum needed an excuse to come out and hang with Mama and me. So….the storm pounding on her window was the perfect opportunity. Also, we were watching the Next Food Network Star (my favorite show), so I think she wanted to check it out with us.

I had just bought Tatum a “My Pillow” so she decided to bring it out to the chair.

Coti shared it with her.

Then, it happened.

Coti took over.

And Tatum? She snuggled next to me on the couch and we watched who would beat Bobby Flay.  She got to watch them duke it out over shrimp and grits, filet and duck with red eye sauce. Go figure.

And me? I got the opportunity to soak in more Tatum Tot. And today, especially, I needed it.

Our verse today: “Let no [unkind] word come from your mouth but only words used to build up.” (Eph 4:29 Tatum version). It was a day to remember this as we will practice using ONLY words to edify not to “rip” down (as Tot would put it).

Good night Stormy Sunday and a full day.

 

 

On Thursday’s after I arrive to hang out with Tatum, I send Steph a picture of Tot with a smile and also so she knows that I arrived and all is good. Steph usually does the same and sends us a picture too.

In the last month or two, when I show Tatum the picture of her mommy, she gets a big smile, puckers her little lips and kisses her (I mean my phone!) and says I love you mommy. This is very adorable and I wish I could snap a picture of this, but my phone is busy being kissed! I’m definitely not showing Coti this because I don’t need him licking my phone screen!

 

BatGirl says good night. We both love you very much!

When I arrived this Thursday, Tatum was sitting on the floor in her bedroom with a pile of socks. Usually, she greets me at the front door and is excited. Today started off a little somber as I understood that she had kind of a rough day at her summer camp. So I ask what are you doing? She said I’m organizing my socks. She held up some different sox and described them to me.   She showed me how she pairs them up and slips one inside the other. I’m thinking – wow! My 19yr old son hasn’t quite mastered this skill yet? Anyway, Tatum tells me she’s going to “Ruffle” me if I keep teasing her – – cute!   …and so we start going about our evening together.

In life, every once in a great while, some little thing can happen that will make you pause. A momentary window opens to see inside – an unobstructed view.   A gift from God. This would be such a moment. Mind you, I’ve been taking care of Tatum on Thursday evenings for almost a year and an half so Steph can go to GCU and teach her classes on campus, so I am fortunate to experience some of these moments with Tatum.

Tatum walks back over to the socks still on the floor and says to me, my mommy just told me to pick up the socks and she started to put them away. I say, what do you mean that your mommy just told you to put the socks away. She said, my mommy talks to me in my brain and she told me to finish and pick up the socks. She talks to me all of the time even when she’s not here. I say, what does she say? Oh, when she’s away, she says to me, Tatum, I’m coming home now!  …I’m coming home now! …I’m coming home now! I say, what else does she say? My mommy tells me: Always to your best and don’t give up! Do you best and don’t give up! In the morning when I’m alone after I wake up, She tells me, Tatum, don’t wake me up before 7! Tatum tells me again: yeah, my mommy talks with me all of the time in my brain.

As parents we wonder how we’re doing and if they hear what we are teaching them. Heck, we wouldn’t be good parents without this introspection. My dear Steph, from my vantage point, you are an incredible Mom! Take heart, she hears EVERYTHING you teach her.

We both love you!

 

Tatum has been practicing for her last hoorah at theater camp.

Coti has been taking it all in, and it has made him so sleepy! He loves to rest on Tot’s bed

She was in this camp for Disney back in June, and now she is going back this week for Fairy Tales.

Every morning she gets ready to go with a song and practice. But today, this particular day, she wanted to get Coti involved, and did he ever!

Tomorrow is her big performance, but whatever happens, I think today was the big day with Coti!

 

Friday in July. What is there possibly to do when it’s One O Hades degrees outside?
Tatum came into my room early this morning to see if it was 7am. At 6:37, she was convinced it was 7. She did not find me on my chair reading my Bible as usual. Confused, she decided to return to her room. I could hear her practicing her vowel sounds. She then came in to say “I love you, mommy; I missed you last night.” MELT.

After cracking my eyes open and brushing my toothies, I told her to check my purse. That is code for SURPRISE INSIDE!
Minion cards! Doubling as her cell phone:

I taught her about the 4 sets of numbers (spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds). She insisted we play N.O.W. ugh. OK. We played 2 rounds of Go Fish. How could I resist her big blue eyes?!

After brekkie and taking Snuggle Bug (Coti) to get his haircut, we did our usual gym, store, whatever-errands deal. We always enjoy seeing all of our friends at our usual places. I’m pretty invisible as they all know Tatum. She is learning how to ask others, “How are you doing today?” She also waves and smiles at basically everyone. Especially the pooches we see.

When we got home, I introduced her to Dominos. She learned how  to instantly view what each pattern looks like from 1-6.

 

We kept turned our pattern like a snake until she wanted to outline the carpet. She did not want them to fall off the “cliff.”

We exhausted the 168 tiles because they were finally all kissing. She was very proud of her efforts (with a little help from her biggest fan: ME!)

She then felt it was time to draw a family.

This picture is of mom, Tot and me. She knew to make each of us pink. Bright pink.

I love Fridays.

Well, it continued as I had an appointment at GCU to run through my presentation for the upcoming Fall Faculty Conference. I did not want to get a sitter since I thought it would be informal. Tot could just sit in for the 20 minute deal. Bing Bang Boom. No problem. The drive is the thing that takes forever. So, I packed her goodie bag full of coloring, puzzles, and more activities.

We walked in to a room of about 20 Faculty and Development Leaders. Not so informal. Gulp. They were running behind, so we just sat quietly (I prayed) listening to the one person present prior to me. He was delightful and engaging. Gulp. Tatum sat through it too, with a couple of added OOHS and AAAHs from her. Gulp. They laughed.

Then it was my turn, and she did not want to sit in the audience. SO…..she joined me; next to me in a desk. She said, “Yeah, Mommy!” Gulp. They laughed. Anyway, I ran through my prezi with a bit of entertaining singing and dancing on my part if you know what I mean. You see, it’s on the changes in the laws in AZ for Education. Thrilling. I had to liven it up, and so I did.

I waited to be challenged, but they LOVED IT. Tatum was so well behaved too. My GULPs turned into AAAAHs. The feedback form they gave me had ZERO suggestions for improvement, so again. AAAH.

Friday festivities turned into growth for Tatum, overcoming challenges for me, and making the best of every opportunity. Fabulous.

 

The day was finally here! Steph was on her way to North Carolina for a 2 day business trip and I was to have fun and hang out with Tatum for 2 days! One of us who’s missing out on the adventures got the short end of this deal (let’s not tell Steph!).

So, I arrive Sunday morning to gather the ladies (Cheri and Tot) for church. Now, I have added extra time for any possible contingency so as not to be rushed, but everyone was all ready so we just needed a few pics to get us started! Now, they just don’t take a bad picture – wow!

Church was great with Dr. Tim Kimmel’s message on Grace for one another. Tatum told me later Church was her favorite thing that day. I’m sure it was because Reece (a young teen) played with her the whole time during service. Afterwards, we dropped Cheri off at home and gathered Tatum’s things and went to Doug’s house for lunch. While I was getting lunch prepared, Tot honed her BopiT skills. She’s actually pretty good at it!! She said: Doug, can I take this home with me? Cute!

FINALLY – LUNCH!

Chicken sausage, carrots and rice crackers with hummus, and milk (with water). That hit the spot!

Of course, wanting to get to our first exciting adventure, we both pitched in to clean up. Tot, you are a great helper.

Our first stop was Don/Leti’s. They have a trampoline, 3 dogs, a guinea pig, and gold fish! First, we got a quick jump on the trampoline but since it was 110 out, we didn’t stay too long out there!

Next Tot got to feed the guinea pig a carrot under the dogs’ watchful eyes. This proves the hypothesis, dogs are fascinated by ANY kind of food!!

Tatum, Millie the dog, and Chiara.

Millie was all pooped! Luckily, Baby 1 and Millie found some mutual friendship.

On our way out, Don and Tatum fed their goldfish and played and splashed with them. Woo-hoo!

 

What a good time it was to bring Tatum over the Meyers. They loved finally meeting her. We will return soon I promise. On our way back to Doug’s, we stopped off at the pet store to investigate the gold fish and other critters. We actually bought a bag of crickets. Yes, that’s right! Paid actual money for 30 crickets to feed Austin’s Leopard Geckoes. Tot was fascinated holding the bag! But, after a while watching them, she decided this was not her thing. Not at all!! We fed the Leopard Geckoes and readied for swimming.

Oh, quickly before we swim, there is a homemade orange Popsicle to take outside with us

Then we made gigantic humongous bubbles!

 

The last adventure we did to get our appetite up was flying airplanes before dinner!

It wasn’t long before we lost one in the tree top.

Well, after many adventures, we had an appetite and were ready for some seriously delicious food. We went all out and had seasoned salmon, rice pilaf, and a small tossed salad. Two thumbs up – that’s mighty generous Tot! Thank you!

We were all tired from our first day of adventures! It was soon time for bed. Tot helped me inflate the air mattress with the built in fan which was very exciting but not as much fun as bouncing on the newly inflated mattress! Good night Tot. I had a lot of fun with you today. We will have more adventures tomorrow