So, I'm using the husband's work laptop to tap this out quickly...our family laptop is dead and so it the charger. We'll get a new one soon enough, but for now--expect delays. And with all my friends joining the blogosphere (except you Teddy, and don't worry we've saved you a spot!) I am feeling some pressure to keep up with my posts. For now, a preview will have to do...coming soon: the Revel, Liv's school play and I'll start Halloween posts. See you soon!
I'd been looking for a Mother's Day Out program for Josie since the summer, but I didn't realize they registered for that in April to start in September. So, I was on several waiting lists. Finally, a church super close to home called me and one of their little girls was moving to Alabama which created a spot for Josie. Hooray! We went and took the tour and got all signed up. The first 2 times I took her, the director of the program suggested that I stay so she was a little bit familiar with the people and places before I dropped her off. So, we did that and Josie loved it. They start the morning with free play, then do art, music and have outside time (Jo's fave). After that is lunch time and when I pick Josie up. She could stay until 2 and take a nap there, but at most it would be an hour long nap and she is a big napper so I pick her up and let her nap at home. This gives me Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-12:30 with some free time, which I've been using wisely with errands (so far). The first two times I dropped her off she was super excited and couldn't care less that I was leaving her. What's funny is that I was kinda sad that she didn't cry, which is silly, I know. Now, the past two times I've dropped her off she has cried and that is way worse than me being sad that she didn't cry. I wait in the hallway to see how quickly she calms down and it probably takes under a minute, so I know she'll get used to school and love to go. As long as it isn't time to drop off she loves school--we talk about how fun it is and sing school songs and wave to her school when we drive by it in nonschool days. I am glad that she is going mostly so she can start getting used to a structured day and learn to share like a champ and wait in line and take turns...things that are hard to teach her when it's just the two of us at home during the day. I am also loving my free time...it is so much easier to run errands without having the kids with me!!
We did the circus thing a few weekends ago. Our neighbors, Trey and Erin were well connected this year. They got us free tickets, backstage access, free programs and face painting. So, we really did the circus thing this year. As soon as we got inside we went backstage before the show. We got to see the camels, tigers, and ponies hanging out before show time. The elephants were already on the floor giving rides to kids. When we got back to our seats Kevin had secured us one of every food item available...so my kids ate cotton candy, snow cones, nachos, pizza and funnel cake. Not sure that the sugar high has ended yet! We did have our niece Jordan with us, so at least there was someone else helping us eat so much food. The show started and I really thought the loud music and various noises were gonna scare Josie, but I was wrong--the kid loved it! Th trapeze artists worried Olivia, but other than that, the kids were highly impressed. My favorite act was the sheepdogs, who you could tell were having so much fun. We also saw elephants walking on barrels, contortionists, and the ladies that do the tricks while wrapped up in sheets high in the air (I should probably Google what that act is actually called, but I'll assume my educated readers know what I'm talking about). During the intermission Liv, Jo Jo and Jordan chose the camel as their animal to ride for the evening. For a ridiculous amount, we procured the appropriate coupons and got in line. Josie was so excited, until she was actually placed on the camel. Then she was positive the world was ending. I thought that after the camel got moving she would settle down. Wrong. Really wrong. The guy running the ring wasn't interested in stopping the camel, probably for fear of having to refund the ton of money I had paid to put my poor baby on the animal. Circuses are real rackets, but I'll save that for another post. So, here I am feeling horrible for leaving Josie on the camel, but the second she was off the camel the tears disappeared and she told me she had "so fun" and can we do it one more time......all's well that ends well, right?
Anyway, fun was had by all--big thanks to to Trey and Erin and Erin's mom and step dad for our major hookup!!
September 24, 2002 I got to meet Olivia for the first time. She was beautiful then and is beautiful now. I have loved being her Mom for the past seven years and can't wait to see what the future holds for her. On to this year's birthday celebration. Her birthday fell on Thursday and as is our custom, Liv and I made cupcakes for her class. This year we opted for white cake with purpleish icing and sprinkles. My mom and I made the delivery and the cupcakes were a huge hit. The next day was her party...a slumber party. We invited six girls to spend the night and had all of our friends and family over to grill and have cake. We lucked into really great weather that night, and thank goodness because 25 people in the Estate would have been unpleasant. So, we also got to show off the new patio and pergola--it was a win, win night! Anyway, we ate, Liv opened presents, we sang Happy Birthday, and then ate the Happy Cake (Josie lingo, also her fave part). After that all the adults cleared out--including my husband and left me and Teddy to manage 7 seven year olds and my nearly 13 year old niece. Many thanks to Teddy for braving the storm and also spending the night! We did a slumber party last year and was drama filled--lots of fighting, tattling and I think every girl cried at least once. This year was a breeze...the girls played really well all together and broke into smaller groups with no trouble, we had no tattling and no crying. The girls did fashion shows, had dance contests, made picture frames and bracelets, ate late night pizza, watched a movie and were in bed at 12:30 am--huge success! We wrapped up the party in the morning with some early morning trampoline jumping and cinnamon roll eating. So, thanks to all the moms who trusted me with their kids for the evening and all the friends and family who came to the party and all of Liv's gifts and to Teddy for keeping me company!! Can't wait to see where we go from here....
So, several months ago Josie saw a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode that featured Goofy attempting to build a bird house for baby Red Bird. The popsicle sticks and cards both fell over but with the help of his friends and Toodles, Goofy was finally successful. There's a song that goes along with this and everything. Which I happened to sing a line of yesterday while lunching with Dani and Alan...was it appreciated? No, (Alan actually bolted out the back door before anyone could figure out he was at my table) but these are things that I do with my 2 year old all day. Back to my story....last weekend we were at Joann's getting some costume making supplies and we picked up a small wooden bird house for Josie, who was thrilled. Josie and I painted it this week, with glitter water colors no less. She had a ton of fun painting and as soon as the weather clears up her Daddy is gonna hang it up outside for the birdies...
