Fine tuning the somersault.
Straddling legs to a less than comfortable position
AND…it can be COLD!..
It was 50 degrees in the studio, so they just snuggled up to get warm.
I think she likes him
Tatum sure does. It was Doug’s birthday, and although we were planning on going to celebrate, Tatum had to get in on the fun. She had a few things to tell him like….
When are we going to play T-ball??
Well, Tot, you’ll have to get in line. I’m spending time with him tonight!
And so we did celebrate this guy’s special day.
Puppets!
There is a theater in downtown Phoenix called the Great Puppet Theater. Tatum and I decided for Black Friday to head there since it was a far cry from any mall, shopping center, or store!
Before heading out, we reviewed the story of the Little Red Hen (since this was the show today) so we’d be all prepared. They had a display of Frog and Toad! We had just bought all of these books!
Tatum sat motionless for the whole show! Supposedly the story is over 500 years old! There was only one lady managing all of the puppets, and she made it so funny! Especially the dog (who was too busy chasing his tail to help Little Hen). 
Afterwards, we got to meet the puppets close up.
Tatum got to hug the dog, and this was the highlight of the day!
A Thankful Day!
It started with a blank white card; well, actually a stack of them. Tatum and I both sat with a blank card and talked about what we were thankful for. As she spoke, I wrote. She scribbled the same thing on her card. I then hung them up on her wall.
It shall remain there for a while. We could have strung it across her whole room had we more cards or time! (and threading it was kind of a bear!)
It was time for Doug and his mom to come over and visit before they headed to his brother’s house. Tatum was stuck on Doug like glue, and so he fed her some raspberries.
He brought us a huge (and I mean HUUUUGE poinsettia plant and some chocolate for me of course), so we posed! Good lookin’ pair, eh?
Then mom and Tot joined the fun. She just fits right in front. 
Finally, after a few more pictures, of adoring Tatum…
it was time for us to just enjoy each other. This is really what this day is all about. The people who we love in our lives, the CREATOR who made us and LOVES US..what more could you want?
A giraffe (or two) is born on the wall
It was a request.
“Mommy, I would like a giraffe right there,” as she pointed to the space above her oven.
The next few days I perused giraffes from books to sites to magazines…Nothing.
Finally, I found one that reminded me of a mommy modeling to never give up on reaching beyond one’s self. The little one tried so hard (and is encouraged), to reach for her dreams!
25 and 34
At 3 years old, these are her stats.
The doctor showed me the comparison chart and she is definitely in the teeniest percentile of kids her age in terms of height. 34 inches means that her weight has gone up by a factor of 8 since she was born at 5.11. Now at 25 lbs, she is perfectly proportioned in the middle of not too over and not too under.
Perfect in her cuteness overload.
And then there was more….Happy Birthday!
We woke up to a sea of deflated helium-less balloons. They provided much distraction while I made a birthday breakfast however. Today, we celebrate Tatum’s real birthday, November 22nd.
The day really began AFTER nap, when she knew she was getting more cake (well a cupcake!) and a bit of chocolate ice cream.
Make a wish!
Success. Wish granted hopefully. 
Perhaps it was, because Doug showed up with a few gifts. So she waited.
And waited. Coti joined her.
Top gift…Minion slippers! Doug’s so good at this!
Ukelele from Mama. She’ll be a pro soon.
Then the piece de resistance.. A TRAIN SET from Doug! She helped him put it together.
And 400 batteries later, VOILA!
Remote-controlled which fits Tot’s personality to a T! (that in the ability to turn on and off the lights)
Thanks Doug! Thanks Mama!
Tomorrow, we go to her three year old Dr. appointment; I got her a doctor’s kit, so we will bring it and learn all about how to give a shot, look in her ears, take a heartbeat and check reflexes. I feel sorry for Coti after this.
It’s going too fast, God. Slow down this age clock, will ya!!