Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Thursday was not the usual Thursday. Today, I did not put Tatum in school. I had to see a doctor for my shoulders, so I figured I’d just take her with me and we’d spend the morning together. I knew I’d have some time later in the day to work, so all would be just fine.

The morning started out easy. I took her to the gym for a quick workout, and then promised to take her to brekkie. Things are adding up, so I figured we’d go somewhere a bit more moderate in price. She loves bagels and cream cheese, so Einstein’s it was. (Side note: They have great coffee, so that helped) While we were there, she made sure she made others around her feel welcomed. She had to show her Spiderman shoes off, and also she had to say hello! At one point, I took out my phone to text Doug, and she scolded me with “no phones at the table.” CAUGHT! She also noticed that others were doing this. I told her that this was our rule…not everyone’s. I said we should enjoy a conversation, so this is what we did. We discussed a plethora of topics:
1. Can you wink both eyes? (I cannot and she loves that she can. So, I practiced. She plans on asking others if they can)

2. Is that the best bagel you have ever had? Can you say whole wheat?

3. Why is the family next to us not having a conversation?

4. Those workers are all wearing bright yellow shirts. They glow in the dark! She wanted to ask them why.

and

4. I spy circles all over that wall. Do you? (There were little bagels everywhere; we spied all of them)

After this, we had to make two more stops before the train park. Making any kind of stop with a young’n takes longer than the usual 5 minutes. Have you noticed this?

Now, we only had one hour before my appointment, and unfortunately the park was packed..PACKED! (I forgot: fall break this week). SO we made the best of it. Did you know she can now pump her legs on the swings? I still had to push her for 25 minutes. Seriously.

More amazements from my growing child! It’s all in the shoes.

Ok, so off to the doc. Waiting time: 30 minutes to get in to tell me I needed to go down and get x-rays. She was so good while I got these done. Sat in the next room watching me. Then 30 in there. They gave us these hair ties and Tatum called them her gun shooters. Great. Her gun shooters. Well, I quickly fixed that and said that we should call them band shooters and only for at home for fun. Note: I forgot my bag of tricks to bring to the doc, so these had to do. Whatever works, right?

Then another 30 to wait for the doc to check my x-rays. Tatum played Dr. with me:  Then she wanted me to play doc. She took this pic:

Only to have the Dr. tell me basically nothing (well, to check my neck out because it’s funky…and he’s not a neck guy) and send me home. He was with my 7 minutes I think.

We did not get home until 2, and by then I was spent, and so was she. HOWEVER, ANYTIME I can spend with Tot is a good day.

I had to apologize to her a few times in the day because I was a bit annoyed, and I let every little thing get to me; she and I were both cranky; We prayed an hugged in the Dr.’s office and it made all the difference.

When I got home in the evening (from a lovely date with my guy), this is what I saw. MY kids. GRATEFUL. 

No, not Tatum, but Dino and Sammy. Tatum is always making sure her kids have their lunch, are wearing the proper clothes-pockets of course, and are being kind.

Tatum is very nurturing to her kids. It’s good to see this when she is so enamored with superheroes, good guys, and things that go boom or shoot. She is ALL girl, but with a tough confident side.

In terms of making sure her kids are nice, she OUT OF THE BLUE just said, “Mommy, Hillary Clinton is not nice.” I did a double take and wondered where she got this. Now, I do have Rush talk radio and other conservative talk on through the day when she isn’t listening to worship music, but this threw me aback.

So, I said, “honey, this may be true, but we still must be kind to her.” Lord help us if we have to even deal with that situation if she becomes our leader.* Wince*

 

Being around Tatum has always been a joy, but lately, I find that she is absolutely wonderful. As of a couple of weeks ago, she does not challenge everything I say, she listens, obeys, and wants to be kind to everyone. Not that she wasn’t before, but she has now come out of her shell and has blossomed into a lovely, vivacious little social butterfly. Sure she has a mind of her own and challenges me, but now it’s in a positive, questioning way as opposed to a rebellious way.

Now, what does this have to do with slow and steady? Remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare? The bunny was hasty, sloppy, and not focused; hence, losing the race to the plodding, purposeful turtle. You see, this is how I see raising Tatum has been. I stayed consistent in my messages to her; i.e. “Say hi and smile; look in his/her eyes when you speak; smile and make the best of the situation; kindness countness over all” etc…

We decided to go catch this fable at the puppet theater today. They changed it to a more Arizona sounding tale: the Desert Tortoise and the Jackrabbit. 

At the end, she got to meet Jack. It’s too bad he lost the race. He partied the night before, whereas the tortoise went to bed early. The tortoise stretched and warmed up, whereas the jackrabbit hastily showed up late and then napped during the race as he snacked on prickly pear cactus. The tortoise plodded along while bunny overate then missed tortoise passing him by thereby winning the race.

The race Tatum will continue to run will be one of staying true to God’s values (which I continue to instill with HIS help). Consistent LOVE. Consistent GRACE. I LOVE YOU!

Is magnified when we visit the Desert Botanical Gardens. And, with Cana and Ethan, it’s even better.

When we arrived, I realized it was going to be a hot day (95!! huh!?)  So, Cana let Tot wear her Life is Good hat. 

Ethan thought she was pretty cute.

Then, Ethan need a hand, so she grabbed it. 

Off we went!
First stop, let’s learn about the Saguaro. Did you know those holes in the cactus are caused by woodpeckers? Then guess what loves to hide in the holes!??? You got it: SNAKES! Hssssss

Well, we kept walking so we did not have to experiment with checking them out.

Then we found some cool huts. The kiddos just loved to hide.

Then we SPOTTED an OWL! He watched us dig for snails. Well, I dug for these little critters. 

We hit the lunch place, and then it was time to get out of the blazing sun. (I love these colors in the cacti!)

When we got home, guess what was waiting for her!?? Her new …..

HAT> And there was much rejoicing.

Thanks for the fun, Ethan and Cana!

Everything about Tatum lights up. Remember, she is a LIGHT in this world (as Jesus says), and she lights up any room, I say.

But now, alas, her shoes will now allow her to never be lost in a dark room. That’s right folks; there are three little lights on these bad boys…every times she jumps, so GUESS HOW MUCH she is jumping now?

Moreover, there is Paw Patrol (Marshall and Chase) on the shoes.

Now, they were put away for her birthday, but she came home with scrunched toes in her pink Skechers (size 5), and these are size 7. I guess I should have clued in when I was twisting and turning her ankle to force her toe in her shoes, as she screamed. (oops)

Well, we made the best of the shoes today by playing soccer/golf/hockey combo in the room.

And then she wanted to garden. 

I must note here that she wanted to wear her Thomas shirt and blue shorts. They were resurrected from the donation pile. (They are size 18 months). But her feet? NOT 18 months.

My girl is a light as it says on her wall

I love you!

And she couldn’t wait to drag me out of bed to show me. So cute! Hard with all of those huge pillows.

Not only that, but she put her outfit together (which she put out the night before)

So, my little gal is learning responsibility but also pride in her work. Love it.

And we did rise early Sunday morning for the big game. Unfortunately, Tot and I did not make church this morning because we needed to leave for the game early to avoid any ruckus! So, my sweet Doug (our sweet Doug) came early with waters, tickets and a big smile. We had to take pics of Tot and her dress of course.

Tot got a pic of us. Almost!

Mom is now ready to go, and we are off to the game!

HOORAY! We all got there and were ready to find our seats. WOOWOO!First, we had to take in the sea of red people everywhere. The fans are so kind also. 

Now, of course, there were a few LA Ram fans around, but we focused on our cool birds. Doug, smartly, wore Fitzgerald’s number 11.

We got to our seats, and Tot immediately dug into her peanuts. Doug was smart to have me bring these so she could engage her fine motor skills for one quarter. Brilliant.

A few selfies in between the noise eruption.

What did you say?

Halftime shopping. Doug bought me a hat. Tot stole it. 

Then we had the opportunity to thank some police for protecting us and the city! So cool. 

Back for some food. Hummus never tasted so good!

Doug was having so much fun during our winning that she jumped up and kerplop….

Cuddle time. Fine with me!!

And then, this sad face was prophetic because we LOST after the Rams scored. Hmmph.

So, alas, an amazing time with all of us; honestly, I just am so blessed by my family (Doug too wink wink), and as the Cardinals say, I love to protect my nest.

She ended the day here. (I let her stay up and play in her room and she collapsed with exhaustion) 


What a day!