It was only going to be a few minutes we would be gone. When we got home from picking up Tot from school, it was very quiet. Too quiet. Where was the Coopy head? Coopy? Coopy? Oh, dear. No answer. Not in his house. Not on the chair. Not….anywhere!
Then, I hear, Mommy, come quick!!!
Oh, my! Coopy! What have you done? Well, first he found Tot’s Kleenex box. That is obvious.
Then Coopy showed himself. All boxed in, boy?
He’s wagging like mad, and he’s swinging his head around trying to get free. We are ccccccaaaarrrracking up.
Poor guy that he’s providing our comic relief as he suffers in blind dark boxed silence.
Tatum finally freed you from your blindness. Did you have fun in your little box o’tissues?
At orientation, Mrs. Temple stressed that PVCP will be a school of lovers of country. With all of the division in our country, she wants the kids to understand our freedoms and the precious gift that is our country. American flags are all over campus.
She also wants to have PEACE be the theme this year. Jesus is our peace! I love this school and its heart for love, country, and faith.
First, I made Tot a lovely breakfast so she was all ready!
Then when we arrived, the whole school gathered around the flagpole with some military officers to celebrate America with the pledge. Here is Mrs. Temple and one of the teachers leading us.
Tatum, you are ready! Prayed up and set with blessings.
It all started with a song. Yes, she wrote a song to commemorate the end of the summer and to get ready to move forward. Here are the lyrics.
She then sang it to us a few nights ago.
Tickle those ivories, Tot!
Now, it was vital that I get all the goodies together for dinner. I wanted her to have the best day before she goes to 3rd. We did have to go into school for orientation and also to meet Mrs. King. Tatum knows her from last year so it wasn’t too scary! She is a lovely women with three grown kids, a hubby, and a strong walk with Jesus.
First, she had some directions on the board to follow, then we said HI to Mrs. King with a plant and card.
She looks ready!
Dinner time! I made maple salmon with oven roasted maple carrots and rice. Salad too of course.
We got her all kinds of things to encourage. But first, she graduated from our little summer school which I wanted to celebrate.
Then I owed my wonderful family another big THANK YOU. I wanted this dinner to be about ending the summer well, and then launching her into a new grade with a special blessing.
Here is Tot’s card. Thank you for being with me all summer. I needed you so much and you were so present.
I also wanted to thank the Daddy. My HHH.
Tot, I am so excited for you. ROMANS 15:13 I claim for you! ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Then, I gave us all a keychain. See how it becomes one when it is put together. We grew so much this summer.
The middle is for TOT: Daddy’s girl and Mommy’s world.
I gave her some scripture cards for her backpack. She is going to see if Mrs. King will let her keep them in her desk.
Tomorrow is the big day! I love you so much, TOT!!!
We were to draw a picture of each other. She drew a picture of me in heaven. I’m so tall reaching to God and she says I’m happy. I no longer suffer from ANY tummy issues in heaven. Be still my heart, Tot.
I drew a picture of Tot. Centered on Christ, and being centered, she is so filled with Love to her peeps all around.
Then we had one more entry. Getting in trouble. Oh boy.
Oh, what a summer. It was actually my favorite summer ever which is ironic because it was the most difficult. (health wise)
I suffered daily with SIBO, yet I was surrounded with love. My hubby and my daughter were constantly caring about me, and I think we all got closer during this time.
We also did so many fun things despite feeling yucky. I wanted to still create memories and make our summer filled with joy. And it did not disappoint.
We had some grand plans for the summer. Here is what we hoped to accomplish:
M, W, F: Bridges, Brainquest, Math. T, Th: Bridges, Math, Writing! Plus we did Bible every day (praying, reading, and devotion), a Prager U video and reading Courageous Women.
Here’s more of JUNE! It busted out all over. And the landscape began!
Oh, she wanted to add school.
July came in with a bang and lots of rain! We loved the cool weather, but it didn’t help the landscape get done faster.
Wowza! August came in so fast, and Tot and I started with our GIRLS getaway.
And we still have a few days left. I am going to miss her so much when she returns to school. Tatum had such a great summer, and to top it off, she made a new friend in Lynn, a lovely woman from church. They trade writing in their journal each week. She’s just lovely.
Thank you Summa’ o’fun, 2021. May we continue on our journey into 3rd grade!
TGG at its finest for this first year. I wanted to start this tradition when she was 8 and continue it indefinitely. Each year, we’ll go away somewhere special; just the two of us gals.
I found a great deal on a local hotel and it happens to be connected to Fleming’s Steakhouse (which is one of our fav places to get filet). Win-win.
The day arrived, and we wished Daddy and Coopy (the boys) a fruitful time without us. I knew Doug would work on the landscape, and Coopy would hang in his house.
When Tot and I arrived at the Hilton, they told us they had to close the hotel due to roof damage. (no wonder it was so empty in the parking lot!). So, they moved us down the street to the Doubletree.
We were very disappointed until we arrived and saw where our room was and where the pool was! Our room was literally about 5 feet from our parking space. Halleluia! AND, the pool was right outside our patio door. God provided FAVOR!
Since it was blazing hot outside, we immediately changed in to our swimmies. She looks so grown up!
The pool, conveniently right there!, was ginormous. The whole thing is only 3 ft deep, so I couldn’t really paddle my legs, but it sure felt good!
We found the best place to cool off.
JOY!
Ok, I need my hat for this unruly mop.
Better! Truly frolicking. It was meditative!
Now, for an appropriate Waterloo for the waterfall.
We enjoyed it so much, and on our way back to the room, we thought of daddy with this fountain. More opportunity to frolic.
Isn’t this amazing? Ours will be even better, honey. (Daddy we love you!)
We got ready, curled, primped, and propped, VOILA!
You are glorious, Tot.
We shared our gratitude journals before we left.
She edified me so much. She loves me and loves my “persinallity”
Now for mine:
OK, we must skedaddle!
I had her sit next to me in the car instead of her carseat. We only had to drive 2 blocks, and I wanted to treat her like the big girl that she is.
Arrived! Oh, this is so special. Tatum was so excited.
They sat us in a nice booth, and Tatum wanted to sit next to me, but I told her it would be easier to chat if she was across. So, she smiled and just looked so sweet.
And me… We are having such a good time. She is acting so grown up (and so was Tatum ). teehee
We wanted some shrimp cocktail to start, so we ordered this. Then the waiter suggested we both order off the children’s menu since it was a 3-course. The filet on the kiddo menu was 6 oz and you get a salad and dessert. AND, it is only $23! (vs salad for $13, 8oz filet for $46, and dessert for $13). Hooray!
We started with a “cocktail.” She had a Shirley Temple with sparkling water. (and grenadine), and I had some wine. Just ordered a bottle and would take it all home since I wanted it cold.
Ok, now for the conversation. We played questions. She would ask me a question, and then I would ask her one. We mostly shared about friends and how to be a good one! It was very fruitful and funny too.
Meanwhile, the food kept coming. At one point, I gave her a bite of lettuce, filet and creamy horseradish. She had a food fiesta in her mouth.
Oh, the delight! This filet is dreamy.
We even ordered an extra salad, and low and behold, we were overcome with forks. Forks everywhere.
Well, it’s better than having a dirth of them. Ok, dessert time. We figured we’d take it back to the room with our reading.
Berries and Chantilly cream. Delightful! (I added some chocolate because you can’t have a day without it.
Bedtime? 9:30pm. We were pooped out! We both slept like angels. Especially since we had our own beds!
The next morning, we both woke about 6:30am, and guess what we did? Well, of course, we headed to the pool. I did laps and so did she. She then showed me how to do dual breathing (both sides) since I can only breathe on my left side, and she showed me the butterfly. I’m not so dolphiny like she is!
Checked out, and we headed to Einstein’s for coffee, devotion, and her bagel. It was perfect.
When we got home, my honey had this waiting.
And guess who else was excited and a bit bouncy? Yes, the little white fluff ball.
And Tot left this for me on my computer for me to see after we unpacked. Be still my heart.
Tot, I had the absolute best time. You are such a kind, sweet, loving girl. And you have such a grateful heart. I can’t wait to see what we’ll do next year.
