Visiting with Amy and Jack today turned out to be a jam fest. 
Their new house lends itself to the music and all the noise. Definitely a rockin’ good time.
Love Affair
I admit it. I love books.
Tatum seems to be adopting this admiration as well. This morning, she screamed, “MOMMY!!!”, and after the 14th yell, I came in. She had to go potty (yeah!) and wanted out (no!) It was tooooo early, but the potty did call, so I got her out. She asked if she could come into bed with me, and so I agreed. (can of worms just opened)
As she lay next to me with her babies nestled into my head, she whispered, “Mommy? What are we having for breakfast?” Toast, I’d answer. Then two seconds later, “Mommy? What are we doing after breakfast?” Amy and Jack, I’d succinctly answer. After the third, “Mommy?” I kindly said, “Tatum, go get a book and read.”
So she did and STAYED in her room. I slept for thirty more minutes.
This wonderful picture made me realize something about Tatum. She loves to relate. Her ability to enjoy the character in the book makes her experience that much more exciting. She has to FEEL something for an animal or a person in the book, and then she makes him/her come alive. The dialogue she uses is like what we see and do every day, and watching her act it out via a book is priceless.
This proves to me that reading really engages the mind, creates imagination, and allows one to not only laugh, learn, and grow, but to enter a new world for a short time.
I continue to LOVE buying books and my LOVE keeps growing for all that has been written! Man, the creativity! We also go to the library weekly and pick up about ten new ones and take them for a test drive.
Here is an update to some of my new favorites (from another post).The books I buy for Tatum are for four to eight year olds. Why wait?
Veggie Tales makes some fun books that sing the last page! She loves to play them all at the same time. Great messages.
Bernstein Bears teaching values
HELP! Was a test drive from the library and we loved it. It’s about true FRIENDSHIP
This book is “What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong in a picture book. We read it (well, I sing it), then I play the real song along with the book. (He’s much better than me!)
This Knuffle Bunny trilogy is by my favorite children’s author, Mo Willems. It’s brilliant, hilarious, and down right FUN! Tatum just adores Trixie.
Another fun book. Inspires the underwear delight!
Fun to sing this book with Tot.
These were another test drive success story. This Little Cub and Old Bear find each other and fall in love. The become Father and Son. Sounds familiar: Mommy and Tot.
Froggy fun! This author has a great style and tends to keep his books with a similar rhythm.
More Mo Willems. Darn funny. I’m addicted and need to get all of them.
The Three Bears, More fun Bernstein’s, and PD Eastman fun.
New classics I came upon.
Yes, I am addicted to books, and Tatum is reaping the benefits.
Mom’s of the CITY!
It’s a new year and a new Mom’s group, MOTC, and we truly are a force…a brave force of awesome women.
We had a fun starter play date at Scottsdale Gymnastics.
Jennie reminded me how NOT flexible I am.
Another semester starts next week, and this year, I’ll be a table leader. My goal is to bless the moms at my table and make sure that they have a oodles of support. Last year, that is exactly what I felt; so loved and accepted exactly where I was. It’s time for me to pay it forward.
To welcome my ten new ladies, I decided to have a little treat at each of their seats. Tatum and I visited the dollar store, and I bought a few items. Tatum helped me fill the bags with the goodies. Here’s what we did:
We filled each bag with these items:
Smarties, Starburst, Hugs, Kisses, Post-it Flags, an eraser, and Kleenex.
Hmmmm…what does it all mean!!??
I wrote up a little insert for each bag:
“As a MOM you play so many roles! Here are a few things that represent how awesome you are:
Erasers have softeners in them to keep the paper from tearing: Like that time your LO got a boo-boo and you couldn’t erase it, but you sure could soften it.
Mini post it flags locate and organize important things: Like that time your kiddo’s room had a hurricane come through and you helped put things in proper order.
“Star”bursts because stars give light in an unfamiliar world: Like that time your LO just needed some guidance.
Smarties: Because you wear the smarty pants! (Who’s kidding, right!?)
Kleenex wipes, dabs, cleans and applies: Need a say more?
Hugs. Yes, you give the best hugs
and Kisses of course.
These little inserts went into each bag with all of the items.
I hope the girls will be blessed!
I rolled over by myself
In the pool that is.
We have been practicing this for so long, and today, she did it THREE times. Chris was so proud of her, but moreover, I was!
She dove in, rolled over, then back over by herself.
I have a feeling the lesson was the answer today. She was not in with the usual other student since we were making up in an earlier class. The other student’s name was Ivey, and she was just ADORABLE. But, at one point, she had a meltdown, and her mom had to retrieve her. The rest of the lesson was Tot’s. This is when she shined. She had me cheerleading on the side. 
More Tot wall art
I actually don’t call this art. It was more like I needed a “filler” for this space. However, I like what it says.
“May you bloom and blossom in God’s Love.”
Sure, it’s not in the Bible, but it definitely has a lot of meaning for what I want for Tot. It’s right over her bed so it can be a constant reminder for her.
Now the babies have balance in her room.
Trains and Tumbling with Taina
It was to be a fine day after a big storm. The prior evening, the monsoon attacked our house, knocked down a tree, freaked out doggie, and kept the Tot up late!
Doug joined us on our venture to the train park and then to her FIRST gymnastics class. Since the train museum did not open until 10, we had a few minutes to play. My back thanked Doug immensely as he took over the playground duties of climbing, pushing, carrying and holding.
He also had to share his shades since it was quite a sunny day!
We enjoyed showing off the museum to Doug as he tried to find a train expert to fix his LGB train. Hopefully he did!
Off to the Caterpillar class at Scottsdale Gymnastics. It was a trial class with Taina! When we showed up, there was no other kid there! Was she going to get a private lesson? Tatum was going to have a blast. I gave her the “talk” about listening and being kind, and off she went!
She kept peaking to see if we were watching her, and we were! She came back to me a couple times for a sip of water, to take her bow, and to get a quick kiss from a teeny tumble fall. Taina said she was the most kind and attentive kid she’d ever worked with at this age. We signed up immediately for next week!
The nap was not a problem today!
Thank you Doug for taking pictures, being goofy with Tot, and hanging out with us!
Driving me Happy!
It’s just her size. Every time we go to the gym, you’ll find Tot riding in the black car with her babies of course. There is only one, so I have to remind her to share.
Before we leave, she reminds me that she must park the car. It has to be just right. I’m so impressed with her driving skills, but more importantly her sharing skills.
