Coti was held captive by Tatum’s reading of Jesus Calling, my devotional.
He did not really have a choice, so he decided to just listen. It’s a good thing she read the one about how all dogs go to heaven. 
Or did she just make that up?
These TWO and the ZOO
No, not the TWO eagles, although they were exquisite. They sat so regally atop their perch. Seriously the most beautiful bird.
And this is why they are here:
Then the TWO condors wowed us.
The TWO mountain lions lounging..
And Tot moseying along. 
But, it was also not these TWO: The javelinas
Or…these TWO prairie dogs as they peaked out of their underground world.
Finally, it was not the TWO elephants who don’t seem to get along (one is in a separate quarter)
YEP! It was THEEEEEEESE TWO Q-T PIES at the ZOO.
They just adore each other, honestly.
Coti, where are you?
Tatum and I searched all over for the little guy? Where did he go?
Then, I see this two eyes peering from under her bed. He would not come out!?
Sometimes, the ringtone on my phone text scares him, and I thought the new one was safe (it’s a choo-choo train), but apparently not!
Tatum crawled under her bed to comfort him.
Then she figured she’d stay under there with him and her baby.
Now, I have two rug rats under there. HELP!
When I Grow Up
She was asked that at school the other day, and the whole wall was covered with the various kids’ answers.
Robert wanted to be a fireman; Olivia, a princess; Seth; a dinosaur, and Tatum?
Really!? How cool!
Play is good
I never understood the value of play until I had a child. Two quotes I have seen of late:
“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori
“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein
OK, then let ‘er P. L. A. Y! Gosh, I even am getting to see the benies for myself. To see her imagination run wild and to let ME become a kid has just been rewarding beyond measure.
I let her run around and just discover what she wanted to play on.
Of course she must ride the rocking horse…
But wait, there’s a “pool!” Let’s take the baby in there. 
Time for bed, little girl!
Wait, you have to go for a ride first (time in the bed lasted 2 seconds, poor child)
SQUIRREL!…. A train set!
And with all the commotion going on she headed to the magnet thingies whatever they are. They make cool shapes and formations, all magnetized. Who’da thunk!?
All in a day of play. When she gets to play in different environments, home is fresh and new!
PLAY is GOOD!
Spring Training with Tot and Doug!
OOH, how is the view from up there, Tot? For me, it’s awesome because I’m not carrying her or holding her hand as she dawdles! We are on our way to the Diamondbacks Spring Training game at Talking Stick! Now, driving only 3 miles to get there is one bonus. The other bonus was having Doug with us to keep her engaged.
When we first arrived, we found our seats and realized they were directly in the sun. Wooh! It may only about 85 degrees now, but with the sun beating down upon us, it felt more like 100! Plus, man that sun is wickedly terrible for Tot’s and my skin even with layers of SPF!
So we made the best of it…
and then waited for the new pitcher, Greinke to pitch. 
And also for Goldschmidt to hit a homer!!
After a good 6 minutes of baking, Tot was hungry! Luckily I packed 5 different snacks and figured I’d stagger them. BUT, after each little baggie, I’m still hungry, mommy.
Ok, first, let’s find a seat up higher out of the sun. 
Much better. Now where were we…oh yes, I’m still hungry, mommy.
Well, she had her freeze dried corn, apples, cheese stick, and freeze dried peas. Drink your water, Tatum. Hmm…not going for that.
So, kindly, Doug bought her a Gatorade. Now the Gatorades are about the size of her whole body, so how was I going to teach her about portion sizes. Well, taking it away from her after she drank half. Well, that was like stealing meat from a dog. Viciously difficult.
Back to the game, DB’s had hit 3 homers and the game was ON! We had found some shady seats up higher and were out of the sun, so our bodies were nice and happy. I stuck a Xylitol lolli in Tot’s mouth hoping to have that last a while.
Thankfully, Doug swept her away and took her to the mini-field where she could hit some t-balls and run bases. Meanwhile, I chatted with the elderly usher who kindly let us sit in the seats above.
When Doug and Tot returned, she was nice and pooped.
We headed out about the 8th inning, and called it an afternoon. As Doug said, “I call this 100% success!”
Tot’s swimming report
She was evaluated yesterday at swimming too! Tyler, hovered over her class like a hawk, and I later realized he wanted to see how far Tatum had come. WOW! She can……
She continues to improve and be more comfortable in water. My little fish!