Living an Intentional Life
Nope, it’s the Tot!
My dear mom has been resurrecting clothes I wore at Tot’s age. Raggedy Ann and Andy were the Winnie the Pooh of the “olden” days supposedly. Well, I have not seen them around much, but Tot sported my little outfit just the same.
Our resemblance to each other is no coinkeedink…It’s pretty HOLY AMAZING! God is so Good. 
What is it about trains that brings out the child in us? Maybe it’s the child we have with us! Today was one of those days where you realize the best things could be right in your own backyard!
It’s darn hot here, and there is not much to do in the outdoors. But today, a little surprise awaited us at the train park.
First, the time I spend with Tatum is one huge investment. Every little second, I imagine I am making deposits into her memory banks and every little experience in our day, including the roller-coaster emotions, well, these are part of the journey. It’s like any relationship. She sometimes does not understand me nor I her, but we communicate it through. I love the twists and turns, the ups and downs, and the give and take we share. Man, sometimes I just want to yell, “Calgon, take me away!” but I just go with the moment because I know they are short-lived and they are so special. It’s hard being with someone 24/7 with little or no breaks, but you know what? It’s pretty awesome when you think of it like a bank account and “dollar cost-averaging.” A teeny bit each day will build to a million dollars in a few years.
So, with all of this said, I take on the day when I am dog tired. Today was one of those days. I had little energy to fight the heat and the sand on my feet. We decided to have our brekkie there, and then we would ride the first train. All Aboard!
It sure never gets old..even in 100+ weather. The other 2 passengers enjoyed the ride with us.
Then, we discovered a WHOLE NEW SIDE to the train park. There is a MUSEUM there!!! YES! Indoors, air-conditioned and F..R..E..E! So we ventured in. It was so amazing that I promised to take her back in the afternoon after nap and get her ice cream. What is funny is that we have a book about the park, and we have been reading it for about a year or more. It talks about the HO, O, N and Z trains being the smaller model trains, but I had no clue they were in the museum. I figured I had seen all of it. WRONG!
Well, easily, she could hang there for an hour or so. But first….Strawberry Ice cream.
Delish…
Then, into the museum to find Mickey, Thomas, and other characters she recognized. Also, she can ‘control’ parts of it with one touch. This touch makes the train go, the circus come alive, and other things move and groove.
The helicopter starts its propeller….
The circus starts up….
Mickey and Minnie come around and around…
and this little truck starts shoveling dirt. Fascinating!
And all of it is right next door at the train park. The man who greeted us as we walked in shared that the city of Scottsdale maintains the outside, but volunteers keep this place going on the inside. Honestly, they are just model train enthusiasts who spend their time tinkering and tinkering with every little nook and cranny of these amazing pieces of work. What dedication, and I sure do appreciate all of their hard work!
It’s never too late to be a kid again, and I will keep making that investment in TATUM AND ME and in helping that laughing, childlike side of me never die!
I love you, Tot.
And it was…truly blessed to have Melissa as my buddy. She has the most delightful kiddos, Sophie and Gabby. They took Tot in and made her feel so special. We sure love you!
Thank you for coffee talk, Mel. 
She knows about my obsession with commas. How? She discovered a book in my closet Eats, Shoots, and Leaves. It’s become her favorite new obsession. She especially likes the page:
“What’s this thing called, honey?” (it’s a comma sitting on the floor) vs. “What’s this thing called honey?” (the guy is pouring honey all over himself) Aahhh…the importance of a comma!
No later do I find her stealing my crossword puzzle and working on it!
And..she’s even doing the NY Times one. It must be the glasses.
Doug let her sport his spectacles, and she tried to discuss the latest development in space.
Well, maybe she better go back to the drawing board….
Yep, this English teacher’s kid reads books about commas, does crosswords, discusses the latest news, and well…likes things in space. (or at least a guy who works with rockets)
And it was….
Sultry because it was hot and humid and also because I have one passionate about EVERYTHING little Tot.
Sassy because, well, she has that tendency to be a teeny tiny too opinionated, but adorable at the same time.
Saturday. Not always easy to get Tot out of the house early in the morning, but when you have toast in a ziploc, a ball in your backpack, and a promise to swing and slide, you’ve got an agreeable swift Tot.
We arrived around 8:30 and there were crickets at the park. NOT ONE person around. So, we had our toast,
went exploring in the goldmine
and hit the swings. She is, as she says, bigger, now, so has apparently graduated to the booster-less swings. 
She would plead for me to swing her but then would ask me to let go. I tried to explain that this was impossible unless I had a magic wand. I needed to touch the swing in order for it to move. OR..if she is bigger, maybe she could make it move with her teeny tiny legs?
After about an hour in the “sultry” air (90 and humid is like 115 dry!), we dashed home (haha). I had decided to walk with her stroller-less, so walking home became, “Will you carry me, Mommy?” Seriously? How about we compromise (story of my life) and walk part way holding mommy’s hand? Deal!
Back home, we had a second breakfast and all was peaceful on our western front. (for at least 5 minutes.
Bringing Tot to a Bobby’s book launch brought back odd memories and made new ones. Bobby just wrote a new book called, Help! I’m Really Single. This gave Tot the opportunity to meet some of my old friends, see Bobby and stay up late! (oh and have a real hotdog) 
She immediately spotted him and wanted a picture with her Godfather. 
She especially wants to have him teach her how to skateboard.
It struck me how as time goes on many things stay the same. Many of the singles there (half the crowd) were from a group I was in years ago. They are all still hanging out and still well, hanging out. Single. It seems as though Bobby has a captive audience. I edited the book and have to say it’s effective and true..and hopefully will help some of these guys to “man-up” and make a commitment.
Meanwhile, Tot and I sat in the back, listened, laughed and she ….
enjoyed her hotdog!
On the way to the splash pad today, Tot wanted to stop. She saw many open tables and chairs, and figured, hey, this is a great place to stop and chat. We had pretend coffee, juice and toast. 
She wanted to continue but our friends awaited! Alexa and Addison, Marlena’s kiddos were going to be late, so we hunted for chairs in the shade. Finally they arrived and Tot wanted her “gobbles” on.
This gave Marlena and I a chance to talk. It’s amazing how hungry I get for conversation from an adult. Yes, Tatum and I talk all day, but honestly, I sometimes don’t have the energy to be all uppity. Also, she is in a phase of everything has to be her way, so my brain is constantly thinking of negotiations and ways to work WITH the gal.
The girls all bonded and hugged as we headed out. 
Later we had our swim class with her new instructor, Chris. She responds so much better to a male, and she is doing much better in his class. Her best skill is waiting! Patiently.
The emotions ran high, however, after the class only went down the froggy slide once. Tears tears tears. She must realize that things don’t just always go her way and there is disappointments. That little piece of wisdom did not calm her down, but strawberry shampoo did. AND, she got to hold the shower nozzle. The excitement!
The waterworks continue whether it be from fountains, swimming or tears from disappointments. It is ok and necessary to feel the waterworks in your life, you just can’t let it drown you!
