Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

She must have seen I was a bit stressed with much to do during her “nap time.”

At 2:00, she used to nap, but now she pronounces that she will not sleep but will play. Fine, I say, just so you leave me to work in my room, and you can play in your room (for the goal till 4:00). It seems to work most of the time, but usually, she comes to visit me for a moment concerned about my well being.

Today, she brought me a snack, and then asks for the usual ‘last hug and kiss.’

“Mom, you’ll love my shake. You just need to drink it with a straw.” Good thing those legos have delicious flavors.

Kind child. Now, go back to your room, as I say with a smile.

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.

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.

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!

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?

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!

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.