Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

These three words are part of her every day vocabulary. Honestly, my heart melts every time she says, “I love you, mommy.” Moreover, she says it to Mama, Doug and Coti too. Often. I mean, often!

Today, she showed her love by cleaning the floor. I wonder where she gets this? She scolded Mama for bringing dirt into the kitchen with her shoes. She sang, “Clean the floors, clean the floors, the dirt dirt dirt is all over the floors!” She then said, “I love you, Mama.”

She enjoyed her breakfast after. The rest of the day will be Sportball, errands, and HOPEFULLY some work time for mommy! We’ll throw in some “H” words (the letter of the week), swimming, reading and a good show.  The point of this whole thing is that her heart is overflowing with love, and spending time with her continues to be more fun because she oozes it out to others as well. True joy.

 

First, Tatum loves Spiderman, Robots, Ironman, and whatever can fight the bad guy; Poom poom! But, she is really ALL girl. Tough and adorable at the same time. This girl has it all.

I decided to buy some clips for her hair! I got her to wear them for her dance class, and there was much rejoicing.

On top of that, today, I needed to work in my closet (time to clean it out!), so I gave her stickers, paper, markers, and a glue stick. Yes, a glue stick. (an unsupervised glue stick). She was mesmerized since she was in control of this sticky thing. Well…..you’ll have to guess what my desk looked like. 

BUT, the good news is I got my closet cleaned!!! (and there was much rejoicing). !

I’ll tell you one thing: I LOVE THIS UNIQUE, TALENTED, HILARIOUS, CHARISMATIC little Tot. She inspires me to be the best me!

And she does RUN! Tatum has two gaits: the molasses walk (when I say, “Cmon Tot, the train is leaving..let’s go a bit faster!) and the take off running walk. One thing is for sure, her little legs G.O!!!!!

Sportball is a great place for this, especially when she’s running bases. Those Tot legs take a few more steps to reach the next base, but that doesn’t stop her!

Now, when I leave her at school, after the LAST hug and kiss, she’s OFF running!!! (usually a classmate yells, “Tatum!!!” and she runs up for a hug). I melt.

There are two things Tatum loves in this world almost as much as life itself.

Robert

and

cake.

These two combined to make a great day today. 

The best part was she got to hang with Levi and Vivi as well. (Vivian is behind with mommy Shannon)

Later? A little sand action with the birthday boy. Sand is fun no matter where you are. I say CA is much more fun, but what do I know!?

And so it goes. The toddler becomes ALMOST four which means the toddler bed can no longer exist in the un-toddler territory.

Pottery Barn Kids here I come…(Thanks to Megan and PBK and her keen eye and help!)

Toddler bed here you go….. (to a needy family, hooray!)

I surprised Tot with her new bed and bedding. The chairs, walls, and new “feel” of the room have her feeling like an almost four-year old.

It was time to take the alphabet off the wall. We made an extra “T” so now we can put “TATUM” on the wall. My artwork surrounds the new bedding which now matches quite well. It took me a while to find the right colors for her bedding to match the art I had made. I really liked the green/pink/yellow and (I wanted gray in there too) combos.

I found a great gray inboard where I can post all her little work she does.

Then I wanted to have some good reading chairs for her (one for her and one for ______ (a friend or me) Here is the gray I like. 

Pottery Barn covers once again. I had LOVE left from the lettering, and hey…it matches perfectly.

Made a collage with a great little bulletin board for pics. 

Cozy, spacious, and darn right homey.

For my Tater (almost four year old) Tot. XO

We went to the Children’s Museum last year in November, and this time, we really relished the time. Why? Because we were with friends! Cana and Ethan to be exact. Tatum still can’t reach the pedals of the little bike, but Cana had no problem pushing.

IWe had to go play in the play room of course, and here the shoes are to go. How did you guess?

Then is was off to measure some rice. This was like a 30-minute joyride for her and Ethan. 

Then, she just had to make pizza and serve anyone who would partake. 

She is a girl on a mission, man. Tatum is so focused in the kitchen; it’s hilarious!

Hot dog time with Ethan. She was in charge of the ketchup; Ethan, the mustard. 

Art room threading some puffy things with pipe cleaners

Homemade play dough. SO squoooooshy and fun.  So much fun; hard to say goodbye. She and I had no problem leaving since this was what we saw outside. 

Should I add Paw Patrol? Lightning “the” Queen trumps all the other characters for one day. Often it’s the great Spider dude, Today, it was the Turtles. Now, mind you, she has NEVER seen the Ninja Turtle shows, but apparently they are a big deal at school. So, when confronted with “which jammies do you want to pick?” at Kid to Kid, she opted for the Ninja onesie. A: it has long sleeves; B: it has footies; and C: it’s full body armored. Can’t beat them turtles!

Well, it was Spidey for a bit. The slippers even glow in the dark, seriously. I mean c’mon!!!

We went through the Lightning “the Queen” (as she says) phase of jammies for a day or so, and then…it happened. Ninja Turtle onesie.

This is the classic Tatum look after a nap or when she wants to just give you that darn look. EFFECTIVE if you ask me!? And man…is it ever. (Be strong, mom!)

Doug took this pic after coming over to put her to bed the other night. She had just awakened and was a bit disoriented!

But then, Tatum arose!

Sportin the Doug specs.

Can you just beat my little Ninja Queen of Spiderman or whatever she would call it!?