tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22303840766411715462024-03-13T15:25:43.913-05:00finally Momchristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.comBlogger1008125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-69164293243652265722015-01-07T09:38:00.000-06:002015-01-07T09:38:16.158-06:00blown away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1XJMBgR_p4/VK1SNYHx_0I/AAAAAAAAOlA/UOh9RS4UUao/s1600/blow%2Baway%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1XJMBgR_p4/VK1SNYHx_0I/AAAAAAAAOlA/UOh9RS4UUao/s1600/blow%2Baway%2Bfm.jpg" height="335" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
two and five.<br />
<br />
gah. look how little she was!christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-19772728582644909312015-01-06T09:57:00.002-06:002015-01-06T09:57:39.075-06:00FIVE: the interviewat some point, i hope to share this via video:<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ht1TVbAPq-M/VKwEVj0K_FI/AAAAAAAAOks/Let74tLubMI/s1600/five%2Binterview%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ht1TVbAPq-M/VKwEVj0K_FI/AAAAAAAAOks/Let74tLubMI/s1600/five%2Binterview%2Bfm.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>click to enlarge</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
other interviews include:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2014/06/interview-with-four-and-half-year-old.html"><span style="font-size: large;">4.5</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2014/01/more-on-four.html">4</a> ... <a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2014/01/interview-with-four-year-old.html">video for 4</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/07/interview-with.html"><span style="font-size: large;">3.5</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/01/interview-with-three-year-old_15.html">3</a> ... <a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/01/interview-with-three-year-old_17.html">video for 3</a> ... <a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/01/interview-with-three-year-old.html">and another printed interview for 3</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview.html"><span style="font-size: large;">2.5</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
wow, i can't believe how big she's gotten-- especially when compared to the other interviews!</div>
christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-34493995475130330822015-01-05T14:44:00.000-06:002015-01-05T14:51:48.410-06:0020 questionseek, Lovie's been five for a week now and i forgot to interview her... must do tonight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YowhVzjMhT8/VKr5RFCnQdI/AAAAAAAAOkY/ULN6pUuJCdA/s1600/20%2Bquestions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YowhVzjMhT8/VKr5RFCnQdI/AAAAAAAAOkY/ULN6pUuJCdA/s1600/20%2Bquestions.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-76153794411822859482014-12-19T10:35:00.000-06:002014-12-19T10:35:44.688-06:00December: is this thing on?<i>not sure if anyone still checks in here or not, but just in case or just in case i go back one day to print stuff out for Lovie, figure i'd update a bit...</i><br />
<br />
Saw Santa the other weekend. Not the mall one but a different one. It was fun. Lovie was excited to see him, Frosty, and Rudolph who she high fived and hugged a bunch. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUYlQMtrM60/VJRQeJ79nGI/AAAAAAAAOjA/f_b-k7L9K04/s1600/fm%2Bsanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUYlQMtrM60/VJRQeJ79nGI/AAAAAAAAOjA/f_b-k7L9K04/s1600/fm%2Bsanta.jpg" height="640" width="586" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Speaking of Santa, Lovie wasn't feeling so great the other day so we stayed home and finally took advantage of some down time with compiling an official list for big guy. She's come a long way with writing and spelling. I love it so much. I helped her very little-- mostly by just enunciating letters for her to be able to spell with more confidence.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N6EY2o_7fzQ/VJRQeIhhvxI/AAAAAAAAOi8/wJ66yWmehrU/s1600/list%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N6EY2o_7fzQ/VJRQeIhhvxI/AAAAAAAAOi8/wJ66yWmehrU/s1600/list%2Bfm.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
<br />
Pretty sure you can make out some of this list... .like AIRPLANE, CAT (toy) on the first line there. The second line is BYRB HYRS (Barbie Horse) and under that is CIDS (Kids- Barbie kids). Not sure about the W. Then she has FIRTRUC (firetruck) and HOOS (house- Barbie). Then she wants a POPCORN MACR (maker) and WASHING MASHEN (mashine).<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Been making treats to gift away and found a new, easy, favorite: Chocolate Toffee Christmas CRACKer. Holy shit is it ridiculously tasty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBQsicSF_l8/VJRQeJ4H2zI/AAAAAAAAOjE/LO5O7wBzv_I/s1600/ccrack%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBQsicSF_l8/VJRQeJ4H2zI/AAAAAAAAOjE/LO5O7wBzv_I/s1600/ccrack%2Bfm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
You just layer a pan lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with cookie spray with crackers. Then boil a cup of butter and brown sugar, stirring frequently, for about five minutes after it boils. Pour this atop the crackers and spread a bit. Bake in 400 degree oven till it starts bubbling. Throw on some chocolate chips and let melt, then spread. Sprinkle whatever, if anything, on top. Let cool and holy moly cannoli. I stored it in the freezer thinking it would help keep me away from it... WRONG.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
This festive house is a couple streets from us and we love driving by it every night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Awc2x0dlyJ0/VJRQe0bKn5I/AAAAAAAAOjU/-pN8YQNHAQo/s1600/xmas%2Bhouse%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Awc2x0dlyJ0/VJRQe0bKn5I/AAAAAAAAOjU/-pN8YQNHAQo/s1600/xmas%2Bhouse%2Bfm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Finally... my sweet baby doll is turning F I V E on the 29th.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHme3NFSwTU/VJRQer0vvmI/AAAAAAAAOjI/VkeF0tvDQC4/s1600/sabrinakkfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHme3NFSwTU/VJRQer0vvmI/AAAAAAAAOjI/VkeF0tvDQC4/s1600/sabrinakkfm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We're actually having two freaking parties for her- one on the 28th and one on January 3rd.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-84452802466272337842014-11-26T12:26:00.000-06:002014-11-26T12:26:22.173-06:00Thanksgiving EveI stopped off at Wal-mart yesterday and spent about $50 on a variety of items to package up into gallon-size plastic bags to hand out to the homeless folk I see nearly every day. After I picked Lovie up from school I told her that I had a project to do in which I needed her help. She was excited and after telling her what it was exactly that I needed her help with, she was even more excited.<br />
<br />
After we ate dinner, I had Lovie put everything into piles--packages of tissues in one pile, granola bars in another, socks in another, etc. Then she grabbed one of everything and put it in the gallon-size bag. We made 10 bags and this morning, on my way to work, I already handed one out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7HZ5EX75oA/VHYaquomcQI/AAAAAAAAOhg/xazmrAx1eA8/s1600/2014_11_26_08_01_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7HZ5EX75oA/VHYaquomcQI/AAAAAAAAOhg/xazmrAx1eA8/s1600/2014_11_26_08_01_11.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It's the least I can do, really. I so badly want to do more- and I want to do more with Lovie by my side to witness it. But at least this is something. (And it's about damn time, too!)<br />
<br />
<br />
Do you know that after I thanked Lovie for helping me put the bags together she suggested that we maybe include our phone number in the bags so the people could call for more help if they needed?<br />
<br />
My heart.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXVLDmLWwuk/VHYaePEV34I/AAAAAAAAOhY/uX8q7qWqRCg/s1600/fm11%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXVLDmLWwuk/VHYaePEV34I/AAAAAAAAOhY/uX8q7qWqRCg/s1600/fm11%2B14.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">My <i>heart</i>.</span></b><br />
<br />
I'm so immensely blessed. I know I say that a lot. I know most of what I post here is rainbows and butterflies, but, I mean, I'm just so blessed.<br />
<br />
xochristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-88634054597442858412014-11-12T12:18:00.000-06:002014-11-12T12:18:41.971-06:00DIY invitesuper proud of my creation for Lovie's birthday party invites:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gI6pMzoUeaM/VGOkBSm4ZvI/AAAAAAAAOg4/c5yUkNjCrWc/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="601" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gI6pMzoUeaM/VGOkBSm4ZvI/AAAAAAAAOg4/c5yUkNjCrWc/s640/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
i used the free version of picmonkey (love!).<br />
<br />
i'm so ridiculously excited to put the whole shebang together. should be a ton of fun.<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-20444981865808552142014-11-07T14:53:00.004-06:002014-11-07T14:53:29.801-06:00year of the princessOne week ago today, we got our first snow of the season. On Halloween.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKTZyV4-Nx0/VF0ufpUVXEI/AAAAAAAAOgQ/AJ-fmC7FmXo/s1600/snow%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKTZyV4-Nx0/VF0ufpUVXEI/AAAAAAAAOgQ/AJ-fmC7FmXo/s1600/snow%2Bfm.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Remember when it snowed on Halloween?"</span><br />
<br />
Lovie went as Elsa, of course, to school. Here's a picture of her hair after she'd already changed out of her Elsa dress:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0rupatM6UG0/VF0ufr_AytI/AAAAAAAAOgM/VAdTQImGNpA/s1600/elsa%2Bhair%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0rupatM6UG0/VF0ufr_AytI/AAAAAAAAOgM/VAdTQImGNpA/s1600/elsa%2Bhair%2Bfm.jpg" height="640" width="434" /></a></div>
<br />
I took ivory yarn and braided into her hair. Looks kind of crappy but she was over the moon to have such a long braid for a day.<br />
<br />
When we got home after school, in the dark because SNOW, Lovie changed into her trick or treating costume:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQqv2n3ejj0/VF0ufp34ZzI/AAAAAAAAOgU/bSo6Eb9m3OE/s1600/rapunzel%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQqv2n3ejj0/VF0ufp34ZzI/AAAAAAAAOgU/bSo6Eb9m3OE/s1600/rapunzel%2Bfm.jpg" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
It's funny because she begged us for this costume before <a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/10/halloween-i-dont-think-anything-will.html" target="_blank">last Halloween</a> but ended up going as a <a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/10/halloween-i-dont-think-anything-will.html" target="_blank">pirate </a>then. And this year, despite the Elsa/Frozen craze, she <i>insisted </i>upon Rapunzel.<br />
<br />
Honestly, I think it's that it involved wearing a super long hair piece.<br />
<br />
Despite the cold, despite the SNOW, we made it to the couple of streets we've been ToTing on for years now and had a good time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMy8k7q4mTY/VF0ugCHhczI/AAAAAAAAOgY/uFhTzaVwc6Q/s1600/umm%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMy8k7q4mTY/VF0ugCHhczI/AAAAAAAAOgY/uFhTzaVwc6Q/s1600/umm%2Bfm.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>CREEPY, HUH?</b><br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-3224099839628492932014-10-31T14:45:00.001-05:002014-10-31T14:45:20.744-05:00oh and btw, happy halloween!<br />
It's been a while, eh? Almost two months. Nothing much to report on truthfully.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>School </b></span>is going quite well for Lovie. She still loves it. We still love it. Her teacher is constantly telling us how smart she is and the other day she started compiling a list of kids she wants to invite to her FIFTH birthday party (in less than two months #omgholdme). She sat there and sounded out each name and wrote down the letters that corresponded with the sound. I was quite impressed. She's also been impressing me with her reading lately. In addition to sight words and other words she knows from memorization, most of her reading is still figuring out the words with the picture, but she totally gets sounding out the words when I tell her to LOOK at the word.<br />
<br />
It's pretty awesome. She's pretty awesome. And pretty. ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
We went on <span style="font-size: large;"><b>vacation </b></span>last week. We drove from Chicago to (near) Clearwater Florida. The drive down wasn't so fun. Lovie got carsick twice on the first day. What should've taken us 11 hours, took us 17 that first day. But the second day went much smoother. And of course the time spent in Florida was nothing shy of fabulous. Really and truly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yL0ategoCwY/VFPgy0dALqI/AAAAAAAAOfo/MlEauVXg338/s1600/fla%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yL0ategoCwY/VFPgy0dALqI/AAAAAAAAOfo/MlEauVXg338/s1600/fla%2Bfm.jpg" height="640" width="570" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now I'm generally NOT a sun and hot weather person. In fact, I hate it. But if you can get me right. on. the. ocean. I'm game. And that's what we did. We found a condo to rent that was RIGHT on the water. The view, the price, it was all just too much to pass up. We laid around in the sun and swam in the ocean the majority of the time. We also went on a pirate cruise (which I'd recommend anyone to do- especially if you have kids). On the last day, we left the condo at 10AM (checkout time) and headed to the <a href="http://seewinter.com/" target="_blank">Clearwater Marine Aquarium</a>... home of Winter the dolphin.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZX9suzjIjTk/VFPjmhY4GbI/AAAAAAAAOf0/Flc1i70nwRY/s1600/cma%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZX9suzjIjTk/VFPjmhY4GbI/AAAAAAAAOf0/Flc1i70nwRY/s1600/cma%2Bfm.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This place was really and truly fabulous, and a great way to spend our last day of vacation. I have never in all my life encountered a place where every single employee was SO nice. And if you've seen the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564349/" target="_blank">Dolphin Tale</a> movies, you absolutely MUST visit <a href="http://seewinter.com/" target="_blank">this place </a>with your kids. Worth every penny.<br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
Next up is preparing for the holidays and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lovie's birthday</b></span> (in less than two months #omgholdme). We already know where it's going to be and what we'll be doing, but I do still need to book it. I'm actually super excited about this party as it's not a jumpy house. Not that anything is wrong with jumpy houses, Lovie LOVES them and had her last two parties at them. I just think what we have planned, if pulled off, will be super damn fun and cute and memorable. You only turn five once, right? Why not make it a memorable one?<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-32127807411516949312014-09-22T13:56:00.000-05:002014-09-22T13:56:21.940-05:00girl.<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t supposed to be a mom to a girl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I <a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2010/07/everything-is-new.html" target="_blank">wasn’t really supposed to be a mom at all</a>, actually.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not a day goes by that I’m not<span style="font-size: large;"> eternally grateful</span> that not only am I a mom, but I’m a mom to a
girl. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCQL6afUXv4/VCBvfzbuDAI/AAAAAAAAOeM/SiXu3TDYNxY/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCQL6afUXv4/VCBvfzbuDAI/AAAAAAAAOeM/SiXu3TDYNxY/s1600/unnamed.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I found out Lovie was a girl, I honestly was a little
disappointed. Not a lot. Not even enough to mention, truthfully; but if I’m
honest, I would have to reveal that yes, there was a tinge of disappointment
that <i>she </i>would not be a <i>he</i>. It’s just that, in the moment the ultrasound tech
told us “it was a girl”, I had this vomit-inducing image of all kinds of pink
crap. And high-pitched squeals. And dresses, painted nails, Barbie dolls, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I said it was sincerely a fleeting moment that was over
as soon as I realized that my baby was HEALTHY and that I was going to finally
become a mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first year of Lovie’s life was great. I mean, it’s
always been great. Of course, there are always moments when it’s exhausting or
whatnot but overall, being Lovie’s mom is the absolute greatest gift I’ve ever
been given. I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world having her as my
child. And during that first year of her life when she wasn’t able talk much or
have opinions of her own, it wasn’t too difficult to avoid the pink invasion I fretted
over when I first learned she’d be a Girl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then she turned one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zH2h25X8678/VCBvf3mlg2I/AAAAAAAAOeg/MwaGcCWZWjE/s1600/fmshareIMG_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zH2h25X8678/VCBvf3mlg2I/AAAAAAAAOeg/MwaGcCWZWjE/s1600/fmshareIMG_0026.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And she got gifted her very first baby doll, which she toted
around for months. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bda6Fj_63Q/VCBvf6_E-zI/AAAAAAAAOeQ/Zujoh696A7c/s1600/doll%2Bsaved%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bda6Fj_63Q/VCBvf6_E-zI/AAAAAAAAOeQ/Zujoh696A7c/s1600/doll%2Bsaved%2Bfm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And it was the sweetest thing I had ever in all my life seen:</span>
My sweet little baby doll loving on her very own baby doll.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon it became clear that no matter how neutral we made Lovie’s
surroundings, clothes, toys… she was all girl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">She <i>is </i>all girl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iwetPZOhnWc/VCBvgY_fnrI/AAAAAAAAOeY/tgIXY8m3nPs/s1600/vdayfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iwetPZOhnWc/VCBvgY_fnrI/AAAAAAAAOeY/tgIXY8m3nPs/s1600/vdayfm.jpg" height="640" width="526" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Lovie is absolutely every single thing I envisioned the
moment I found out she was a girl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thank God.</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-22572962140685199682014-09-12T09:53:00.000-05:002014-09-12T09:53:36.621-05:00under the stars and moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The other day Lovie asked for help on her journal. <i><a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2014/08/journal-writing-kid-edition.html" target="_blank">Our journal</a></i>. She asked me how to spell some words, how to write the date. She asked for suggestions on what else to write after she completed the first part: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love you Mama. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love you under the stars and moon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEZqIpAoZDI/VBL_J-DxQII/AAAAAAAAOdM/WhH-ZyWfkEI/s1600/journal%2Bentry%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEZqIpAoZDI/VBL_J-DxQII/AAAAAAAAOdM/WhH-ZyWfkEI/s1600/journal%2Bentry%2Bfm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Other than help her spell You and Under (and that there's an E at the end of Love), she did the rest. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The date in the upper right hand corner is my writing--I was writing upside down, which isn't so easy.)</span><br />
<br />
After she was done writing and drawing pictures of the moon and stars, she asked what else she should write.<br />
<br />
I suggested she draw a picture.<br />
<br />
She then drew me (left) and her (center), then drew Daddy (right).<br />
<br />
Originally she drew us without feet so when I asked about our feet, she added them-- including the toes, which made me chuckle as she deliberately counted out five toes for each of us. : )<br />
<br />
<b>I'm so glad I decided to do this journal.</b><br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-9879662882273331332014-09-04T14:46:00.001-05:002014-09-04T14:46:34.814-05:00let's talk about ssss...school. SCHOOL. <div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s talk about SCHOOL <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I know there are some dirty birds
out there who thought of a different word starting with the letter S, thanks to
a certain <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydrtF45-y-g" target="_blank">super early 1990’s hit by Salt-n-Pepa</a>)</span>, baby. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lovie started the official school year on Tuesday. I say official because she’s been attending this (Montessori)
school since early July, but she was in their summer programs which was much
more relaxed than the regular school year. Purportedly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried making a bigger deal out of the new school year than
it was. Even Lovie was like, “I’m going to another new school?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, kid. You just have a few days off (end of last week),
then you start the new school year at the same school in a different class. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Kindergarten!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nope. You’re too young still.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you said I’d be going to Kindergarten!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was wrong. I thought you were, but because your birthday
is so late, you can’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not fair, I wanna go to Kindergarten!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want you to, too. And you will. Just not this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I’m not a napper anymore! And I’m not a baby so why do
I have to go with the babies?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re not going in with the babies, there will be others
your age and some a year or two younger, but they’re not babies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They don’t know anything so they’re babies!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is your time to help them learn, honey. You’ll be able
to show others how to do things and they’ll be so grateful for your help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDNkV4ayNRg/VAjAw-CBc1I/AAAAAAAAOb8/oFsOWZmkxGY/s1600/sch%2Bfm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDNkV4ayNRg/VAjAw-CBc1I/AAAAAAAAOb8/oFsOWZmkxGY/s1600/sch%2Bfm1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inside, I was a bit pissed truth be told. We were emailed
that children turning five before the end of the year had the option to go into
Kindergarten or stay in preschool. At first I thought maybe we would be rushing
it if we chose Kindergarten but the fact is that she spent the summer with all
the “older kids” anyway. She was already doing all the work the Kindergarteners
would be doing come Tuesday. So Taye and I were in agreement to go ahead and
put her into Kindergarten. We even were sent a supply list of items for her to
bring along on her first day of Kindergarten.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then a week later, as I’m standing in the playground adjacent
to the school building in which they play, waiting for Lovie to play a “few
more minutes”, the head of the school comes to me and tells me that Lovie will
be starting in Preschool because of her late birthday and because of the state
law. Yes, I get the law business and all, but why tell us we have the option a
couple weeks prior? (The school communicates primarily via email newsletter so
I know the answer.) She went on to say that if Lovie had been attending their school
for a year or more (opposed to the daycare/preschool she was in) instead of
just two months, we would’ve had the option to put her into Kindergarten. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So, long story short:</b></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lovie started the (pre)school year on
Tuesday. And honestly, even though all her friends she made over the summer are
in the other, older classroom, she still couldn’t be happier. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCxPe0i-00g/VAjBChY-H9I/AAAAAAAAOcI/y4eQsvbdgiA/s1600/sch%2Bclg%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCxPe0i-00g/VAjBChY-H9I/AAAAAAAAOcI/y4eQsvbdgiA/s1600/sch%2Bclg%2Bfm.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a>She’s still all smiles. Every single day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She wasn’t a miserable child prior to Montessori, but honest
to god, she’s a changed child since starting Montessori. She’s always smiling.
She’s always happy. She’s always helpful. She’s always kind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, she has her 4-and-half-going-on-14-and-a-half-year-old
moments, but it’s truly mind boggling to me how happy she generally is.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FtoXxqEFSBY/VAjBCbTKM3I/AAAAAAAAOcE/sXwc36Ah96M/s1600/sch%2Bcl%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FtoXxqEFSBY/VAjBCbTKM3I/AAAAAAAAOcE/sXwc36Ah96M/s1600/sch%2Bcl%2Bfm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kindergarten or not, Montessori is definitely the right path
for Lovie. I feel so lucky to have discovered this path and blessed to be able
to take the adventure alongside her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-62816302164368869392014-08-22T11:17:00.000-05:002014-08-22T11:17:09.087-05:00images from last weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw8iteRybHI/U_dq7lGMswI/AAAAAAAANps/6b5AWPft9mY/s1600/bead%2Bsorting%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw8iteRybHI/U_dq7lGMswI/AAAAAAAANps/6b5AWPft9mY/s1600/bead%2Bsorting%2Bfm.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Sorting beads. I've been looking into ways to strengthen Lovie's grip so that writing may come a bit more easier to her and, in the meantime, discovered she LOVES beads. So we bought a ton the other week and last weekend, we sorted all of them by animals, "jewels", plain beads, teddy bears. This took some time to do and it was a lovely way to do something that didn't involve the damn television. Can't wait for her to start making necklaces, etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUChPJNaf40/U_dq7nccvhI/AAAAAAAANpo/e4f8pZtM2Y4/s1600/loft%2Bbed%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUChPJNaf40/U_dq7nccvhI/AAAAAAAANpo/e4f8pZtM2Y4/s1600/loft%2Bbed%2Bfm.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The infamous IKEA Kura bed. We've had it for a couple years now but just now finally turned it so that it's a loft bed and Lovie's in love with it! She says the area under her bed is her secret hiding spot. We (she and I) even have a secret password, just for the two of us, when it's time to go into the secret hide-out. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLQAIDPmK2w/U_dq7v0q8KI/AAAAAAAANpw/mKAabPF7X5g/s1600/painting%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLQAIDPmK2w/U_dq7v0q8KI/AAAAAAAANpw/mKAabPF7X5g/s1600/painting%2Bfm.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Probably my most favorite activity to date. I wrote and drew with white crayon on white paper and then Lovie painted with water colors over the paper to discover words and shapes, etc. Oh my was this a blast. So much fun. She couldn't get enough of it and I can't wait to do more. And again, another activity that didn't involve the TV. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-16358184193459144382014-08-14T11:53:00.000-05:002014-08-14T11:53:27.086-05:00journal writing: the kid editionWhile I'm trying super hard not to be too pushy about this, I'm super dang excited about Lovie learning to read and write. She knows how to spell several words and write them. For the most part. She can also figure out what a lot of easy words are by looking at the first letter of the word as well as the the image nearby. She's a smart cookie and I'm confident she'll be a reader and writer in no time...But I'm anxious.<br />
<br />
I am. I don't know why exactly, but the idea of her reading and writing excites me <i>so</i> much. I just can't wait for it all to click. I can't wait for her to start thumbing through books. I can't wait for her to write notes unprompted. I just can't wait.<br />
<br />
That said, the kid is only 4 (and a half!).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I want her to really enjoy being 4 and 5 and 6 and....</b></span><br />
<br />
I want her to play and dance and sing and color and paint and fart and giggle and make bubbles when drinking. I want her to retain that innocence as long as she can. I have no desire to rush anything... I'm just super excited about reading and writing.<br />
<br />
Enter the Mama and Me journal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddv1-5VLfmU/U-zjAqQJj0I/AAAAAAAANXE/54_zdXWHnKk/s1600/IMAG3928_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddv1-5VLfmU/U-zjAqQJj0I/AAAAAAAANXE/54_zdXWHnKk/s1600/IMAG3928_1.jpg" height="640" width="516" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I got the idea via <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/36662184441927387/" target="_blank">this pin</a> one day while wasting time on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/finallymom/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, and while Lovie's not really a writer and reader quite yet, I thought why not start this? She could draw pictures or get help to write something. Or she could just let it sit until the day came when she <i>could </i>read and write on her own.<br />
<br />
One day last week we were talking about letters or reading or something and I mentioned the idea of the journal and how I thought it could be fun to do-- write letters to one another in a journal, just for us, and put them under the other person's pillow when it's their turn. She seemed kind of excited about it, but not horribly so, so I didn't bring it up again. Instead I printed out a cover image for a notebook I already had and started thinking about what I wanted to write and how I wanted to approach it.<br />
<br />
I finally wrote the letter yesterday and stuck it under her pillow while she was watching TV after school. My intention was for her to discover it on her own and figure it out but then, out of the blue, while we snuggled on the couch just before bed, she said, "Hey me-member you said you would get a journal to write in and put under my pillow?"<br />
<br />
Oh the smile that washed over my face as I nodded and whispered, "Why don't you go look under your pillow now?"<br />
<br />
She looked up at me with such glee and ran off to her bedroom where I could hear an exuberant shriek quickly followed by the sound of her feet running against the hardwood floor back toward the living room. I thought her face might break from smiling so much as she handed the book to me and asked me what it said.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jIOgaKtn_0/U-zjAuCa5AI/AAAAAAAANW8/-rvgQUj9Hxs/s1600/m%26m%2Bjournal%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jIOgaKtn_0/U-zjAuCa5AI/AAAAAAAANW8/-rvgQUj9Hxs/s1600/m%26m%2Bjournal%2Bfm.jpg" height="495" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I read it to her, of course, and when I was done she immediately demanded I tell her what to write.<br />
<br />
I laughed and told her she didn't have to write anything if she didn't want to, that she could even draw a picture. I reiterated that the journal was for whatever we wanted to share with each other. Well, she continued to demand that I tell her how to spell certain words. And when she was all done, about twenty minutes later, she dashed off to my bedroom, demanding I keep my eyes closed (even though she wrote her letter directly on top of me and I already knew what it said: <i>Hi Mama I Love You So Much</i>).<br />
<br />
After I put her to bed, I went in my bedroom and opened the book and looked at her writing more closely. Her big smiley happy faces and rounded hearts made my eyes well up. She ran out of room signing her name so she had to put the last letter in front of the first letter, which made me laugh out loud.<br />
<br />
I wrote her a little note back and tucked it under her pillow this morning before I left for work. When it's my turn to journal again, I plan on taping this photo of us I took yesterday while watching TV:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpcOlOcwDY4/U-zjArm8AMI/AAAAAAAANW4/IEyEgTCLOXM/s1600/m%26m%2Bfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpcOlOcwDY4/U-zjArm8AMI/AAAAAAAANW4/IEyEgTCLOXM/s1600/m%26m%2Bfm.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(could she look any less interested/exhausted. oh but she's not tired, oh no!!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I will cherish this book (and hopefully many more to come) for ever and always.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-54690252763668199482014-08-11T10:47:00.000-05:002014-08-11T10:47:55.760-05:00still Living La Vida MontessoriLast week was the first full week of Summer Session II, Lovie's 5th week at Montessori. Everything is still fabulous. It gets old writing all positives but hey, it sure beats all negative stuff, eh?<br />
<br />
Lovie brought home her journal Friday before last and it was full of letters and numbers and pictures, including one page which kind of blew me away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4o9B3oKBCc/U-jhrEiU6JI/AAAAAAAANOQ/-d2f4vQPYt0/s1600/8+1+14+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4o9B3oKBCc/U-jhrEiU6JI/AAAAAAAANOQ/-d2f4vQPYt0/s1600/8+1+14+fm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've never heard of this.<br />
<br />
Sure I've seen the design and I probably have heard "quatrefoil" in my life, but not enough to stick in my brain. So seeing this in my 4 year old's notebook... well, clearly I had to take a picture of it and post it on Facebook to let everyone know how I'm being schooled by my 4 year old.<br />
<br />
Seriously though, this is truly how the past five weeks have been. All a fantastic, wonderful learning experience that I'm trying to bring into our home as well.<br />
<br />
We still watch a lot of TV during our downtime, but I've cleared a lot of the clutter out of our home and made more hands-on toys (play-doh, markers, paints, scissors, glue) more accessible to Lovie at any time she wants. I've even bought some beads and pipe cleaners (love the Dollar Tree) to see if Lovie would be interested in doing some crafting (and strengthening of her fine motor skills to maybe help her write better) while TV watching, and, unsurprisingly, she gobbled it up and is now a maker of bead bracelets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArubzUP3Dvk/U-jgf70Z_fI/AAAAAAAANOI/_KiTgbdo-D8/s1600/8+8+14+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArubzUP3Dvk/U-jgf70Z_fI/AAAAAAAANOI/_KiTgbdo-D8/s1600/8+8+14+fm.jpg" height="459" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Yesterday we all stopped at Michael's and spent well over $100 on craft supplies including more beads, stickers, drawing paper, etc. When we got home, we watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (fun movie) and crafted. Lovie was quite upset because the first thing she wanted to buy--purple glitter glue--was forgotten at the store, but after she got over that, she went to town with stickering up an empty toilet paper roll which we then turned into a flower vase--complete with flowers made from pipe cleaners.<br />
<br />
Who have we become?<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-90354053960912031002014-08-01T08:56:00.002-05:002014-08-01T08:56:54.250-05:00Living La Vida MontessoriYesterday was the last day of Summer Session I at Lovie's Montessori school. Today is the end of week four Living La Vida <strike>Loca</strike> Montessori.<br />
<br />
Things are still going quite smoothly. There has been a definite change in our home. Things weren't bad before, but they are just <i>really </i>awesome now.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye playroom overrun with abundance of annoying toys</span></b><br />
<br />
It was during her<a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2014/07/all-smiles.html" target="_blank"> first week at Montessori</a>, that I went home right after work instead of picking her up right away, and loaded up almost all of her toys that she doesn't play with. Three, industrial sized black plastic bags and two tubs later, her playroom was transformed into ... tranquility.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hXNBQpUlQSg/U9uY56DtUxI/AAAAAAAAMH0/hS0U8QjpHv4/s1600/10308056_10201510407876155_2195794208101893187_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hXNBQpUlQSg/U9uY56DtUxI/AAAAAAAAMH0/hS0U8QjpHv4/s1600/10308056_10201510407876155_2195794208101893187_n.jpg" height="390" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
All of these removed toys still are in the house- and in her bedroom's closet, as a matter of fact. She hasn't asked for ONE item. It's been four weeks and it's like she has no idea the toys are missing! HIZZAH! Soon I can start sneaking out bags to Goodwill.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goodbye long drawn-out bedtimes</b></span><br />
<br />
It was during her <a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2014/07/week-two-of-montessori.html" target="_blank">second week at Montessori</a>, when she officially moved into the room where nobody naps, that bedtimes became... unbelievably... dream-like... <b><i>easy</i></b>. She's just so exhausted from all the work she does at school and not napping, that she's been falling asleep within minutes of laying down and me telling her a story. And there's never any kind of stalling for some water or going to the bathroom or hugging the cat or or or.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hello beautiful, relaxing endings to our days</b></span><br />
<br />
It's not that things weren't always like this-- where we just hung out after work and school. But it's just so super different now. So much more calming.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkVix18Mgeo/U9qmiQ9enoI/AAAAAAAAMA8/4cLdDVSg2ug/s1600/IMAG3739_3fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkVix18Mgeo/U9qmiQ9enoI/AAAAAAAAMA8/4cLdDVSg2ug/s1600/IMAG3739_3fm.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Maybe it's because she's really tired. Maybe it's because I lost a couple hours time being with her every day since she's no longer in the car with me commuting (school is two minutes from home now instead of 40-60), so I'm really trying to soak up every moment of our time together, but honestly, every day after work and school is so awesome and chill.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-2917016501043810082014-07-25T11:27:00.000-05:002014-07-25T11:27:14.901-05:00week three of MontessoriHere we are closing out week three of Montessori and, yet again, we're all smiles around here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zk2zGqzmCc/U9KAMsvNvZI/AAAAAAAALsA/mAWkHbgiRFU/s1600/wk+3+mont+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zk2zGqzmCc/U9KAMsvNvZI/AAAAAAAALsA/mAWkHbgiRFU/s1600/wk+3+mont+fm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Lovie's still in the bigger kid class (4-6 year old) and it only makes sense. I think they had her in with the under 4's that first week because she was brand new to Montessori, but once they discovered how much she knows, they moved her on up. In fact she told me just yesterday that they have a new student in her class but he's just new from the other class... and he's four, too. (That's why I'm guessing they start new-to-Montessori kids in with the younger kids.)<br />
<br />
This week she's been doing a lot of <b><span style="font-size: large;">punching </span></b>activity.<br />
<br />
No, they don't have her practicing to become Layla Ali. <a href="http://montessoriworkjobs.blogspot.com/2011/11/fall-pin-punching.html" target="_blank">They're having her pin-punch to strengthen her grip to hold a pencil and write</a>.<br />
<br />
I'd never heard of this before this week so I did some researching into it and it's quite badass, really. The other day when I picked her up, she forgot something in her room, so we went in and she pointed to a picture on a wall, "That's one of the toys in the room!" It's was a pin-punching of the <a href="http://www.infomontessori.com/sensorial/visual-sense-pink-tower.htm" target="_blank">Pink Tower</a> that a student did! I read somewhere else during my discovery of pin-punching, that one student (not sure where or when) was so fascinated with pin-punching States that she spent <i>weeks </i>on a project of pin-punching out every single State of the US- and glue each of them onto a map!<br />
<br />
Most of what Lovie punched this week were shapes like rectangles and squares but then one day she came home with a punched shape of South Africa! And I guess they sing some Continent song that she really wants me to learn so we can sing it together. And did I know that Australia was a continent?<br />
<br />
All the reports I get back tell me she's a great listener and especially loves to help out at lunch. And when I ask Lovie about that she gets all excited telling me about how she's able to set out <i>real </i>plates and <i>real </i>cups and help cut <i>with a real knife</i> and serve <i>real </i>food.<br />
<br />
Anyway, week three has been fantastic-- just like the other two. Probably even more so actually, because now when I pick her up, she's playing with several children instead of just the one 6-year-old she had befriended. In fact, she hasn't mentioned much about said 6-year-old.<br />
<br />
And bedtimes are still a freaking unbelievable dream. Every single night, she's snoring away within minutes of me starting to tell her a story. And absolutely NO arguments at when bedtime is.christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-22743934337944911272014-07-21T14:54:00.000-05:002014-07-21T14:54:15.223-05:00DGMETT Blueberry Cobbler: YUM!Trust me on this. Really.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0Rrjh50iJY/U81tzIq_tHI/AAAAAAAALhY/k3P57e50s0U/s1600/dgmettBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0Rrjh50iJY/U81tzIq_tHI/AAAAAAAALhY/k3P57e50s0U/s1600/dgmettBC.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I followed <a href="http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/88354/easy-batter-fruit-cobbler" target="_blank">this</a> recipe along with the advice from one of the reviewers and it's just so so so easy and SO DAMN TASTY. Really.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Ingredients</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
• 6 tablespoons butter<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• 3/4 cup + 1 Tb. all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• 3/4 cup sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• 1 teaspoon baking powder<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• 1/4 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• 3/4 cup milk<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• 3 cups frozen blueberries <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• 1 Tb. sugar</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Directions</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position, and heat oven
to 350 degrees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• Put butter in an 8-inch square or 9-inch round pan; set
in oven to melt. When butter has melted and browned a little, remove pan from oven.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• Whisk flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, baking powder and salt in
small bowl. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• Add milk; whisk to form a smooth batter.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• Add blueberries to butter in pan. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• Pour batter atop berries.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• Sprinkle with remaining 1 Tb. of sugar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
• Bake until batter browns and fruit bubbles, 50 to 60
minutes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Let cool a bit before diving in. I ate this without any ice cream but holy cannoli I can imagine how awesome a scoop of vanilla would be atop this warmed cobbler!</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-64575750088105251392014-07-18T15:11:00.000-05:002014-07-18T15:11:00.780-05:00week two of MontessoriIt's the end of the second week of Montessori and things are still progressing amazingly well. It's truly surreal how easy a transition this has been and I feel so immensely blessed as a result.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0XKleHTdj4/U8l0mjke3zI/AAAAAAAALIU/3SyHcpYmbUA/s1600/IMAG3503fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0XKleHTdj4/U8l0mjke3zI/AAAAAAAALIU/3SyHcpYmbUA/s1600/IMAG3503fm.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We did our research before choosing this school. We visited several other schools in the area, though I admit the one she's in is the only Montessori school we visited. Still, we knew it would be a good fit. In fact, we discussed how it was as if the school (Montessori) had been made for Lovie.<br />
<br />
And so far we are right. It's a great fit.<br />
<br />
The first four days of the program (last week), Lovie, age 4.5, spent with the toddlers and 3-6 year olds because it's the summer program and enrollment isn't as full as it is during regular school year. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(During the regular school year, Montessori schools group the children in three year gaps: 15 months-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12. They do this because Maria Montessori discovered that children thrive from interacting, socializing, and learning from each other [in a nutshell-- there are GOBS of videos and stories on this to prove the theory].)</span> She seemed happy with it for the most part and was even falling asleep during rest time. She made a friend, a 6 year old girl, who was in the "bigger kid" class, but she talked about doing things in the younger class and reports from her teacher were really great.<br />
<br />
Then (last) Friday when I picked her up, Lovie came running out to me with all smiles and her teacher told me she had spent the day with the older classroom- and loved it. Honestly, I wasn't too surprised because she really does know a lot already and she gravitates more toward older children. That's part of the reason we wanted to move her out of daycare/preschool (where she spent the last six months in the Kindergarten class). I was, however, surprised the move happened within the first week, but assumed maybe it was just a trial.<br />
<br />
But then on Monday after Taye dropped her off, he called me and told me the teacher called after him before he left and gave him Lovie's pillow and blanket because "she won't be needing them anymore" since "they don't take naps" in the bigger kid classroom. Apparently, they moved her in there for good and that's where's she been all week!<br />
<br />
The first couple days of the week were a bit rough upon pickup because of the absolutely no nap thing. Her attitude when I picked her up was short. She'd snap at me for the sun shining too brightly on her. I didn't take it personally as I knew she was exhausted and I know how I get when I'm too tired. The past couple of evenings have been much better as far as her attitude when I pick her up. She's not as short with me. In fact, things are wonderful and calm and really, really nice! She's so incredibly happy ALL the time. She wakes up with a smile, she goes to sleep with a smile, she bathes with a smile...<br />
<br />
On top of all this, being with the older kids and not napping has resulted in an incredibly easy bedtime routine. Finally! The kid is exhausted come bedtime and has been falling asleep by 8:30 all week (opposed to the 9, 9:30, or even 10PM [even though her bedtime is always consistently at 8--TV off at 7-7:30])! And because Taye takes her to school now, she can sleep in as late as she wants (usually up by 7, 7:30 max).<br />
<br />
So week two of Montessori has been fantastic! Lovie's super excited about her notebook at school, along with all that she does with the big kids (and that she's not a napper anymore, of course), and I'm super excited because the transition has been an awesome one and she's back to falling asleep before me in the evenings!<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-6815535784974426962014-07-15T08:38:00.000-05:002014-07-15T08:38:39.523-05:00all smiles<br />
If I could pick one word to describe last week it would be "Smiles".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmlyC4muWU4/U8UozSQh00I/AAAAAAAALDU/knW8-b8lt0c/s1600/montes+wk+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmlyC4muWU4/U8UozSQh00I/AAAAAAAALDU/knW8-b8lt0c/s1600/montes+wk+1.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(end of first day of Montessori. she was just laying on the couch watching tv and smiling.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Smiles on her first day at her new school.<br />
Smiles when picking her up.<br />
Smiles while watching TV and decompressing.<br />
Smiles while eating dinner.<br />
Smiles while getting ready for bed and going to sleep.<br />
Smiles the next day and next day and next.<br />
<br />
Not just from her either.<br />
<br />
The first couple of days were a little rough for me, personally, but that's because I've been so used to driving the sometimes hour drive home with her in the back seat jabbering away. Or singing. (The singing had become so much fun the past six months since she started letting us listen to the radio instead of "kids music." She's got a bunch of favorite songs that she sings along to and it's just a riot to be a part of it.) This week, I'm already kind of used to her not being in the back seat. It still sucks but <b>her happiness, her excitement, her smiles make it all worth it.</b><br />
<br />
I've really come to absolutely love this new school and the Montessori life. <b>It just makes so much sense. </b>I've since been doing even more research than I had prior and I'm getting more and more amazed every day.<br />
<br />
The biggest thing for me is when I pick her up. At preschool when I picked her up it was always complete chaos. <b>Always</b>. Someone was always crying and/or screaming and/or running around like a mad dog. I hated it, but I learned to accept it because that's just the way it always was.<br />
<br />
Now? It's not anything like that. Even when I pick her up and everyone is outside in the yard it's still calm. There may be some running around SINCE THEY ARE OUTSIDE but it's not like they've been freed after being held captive for a year. It's just kids running around. There's never any screaming or crying or yelling or pushing or shoving or whining. It's really quite surreal most days. <i>How on earth can toddlers and preschoolers and young grade-school aged children get along so well <b>all </b>the time?</i><br />
<br />
<b>The environment. It's the calm environment. The calm, loving, independent environment.</b><br />
<br />
I just don't understand why the Montessori way isn't more implemented in schools. Or why there aren't more Montessori schools that go further than just up to age 5 or 6.<br />
<br />
I've learned a lot about Montessori the past several weeks and months. I feel very lucky to have discovered this school so close to where we live. But mostly I feel lucky to have found a place where Lovie will be able to blossom into herself. I'm excited. And I'm all smiles... much like her.christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-45460586418799346492014-07-07T12:46:00.000-05:002014-07-07T12:46:47.808-05:00new chapter beginsThis morning Lovie walked into a brand new (to her) school. It's a Montessori school very nearby where we live. We've been wanting to make the change for some time now, but today was their first opening (day 1 of Summer Program). <br />
<br />
We've driven by this school hundreds of times. I've suggested we look into it long ago, but its location and outside appearance kept us from taking that leap till about a year ago when things at Lovie's daycare/preschool were starting to grate on us. I'm not going to speak negatively of the daycare/preschool. It was her home for 4.5 years. They helped Lovie learn to sit and crawl and walk and eat with a fork and use the bathroom. They helped Lovie learn to love to look at books and words and letters and numbers. They helped Lovie learn to socialize.<br />
<br />
But it was beyond time to make this move. Lovie needs more.<br />
<br />
Yes daycare/preschool was both a daycare and preschool, but it was more of a daycare than a preschool. And I'm not saying Lovie should be "schooled" the entire day she's at school (she's there 5 days a week, 9 hours a day), but I do think she would benefit from more than what was being offered. At home, Lovie is super close to reading. We're spelling new words every single day. At school, they weren't doing any of this with her. She needs more attention. She needs to know that her love of learning is a fantastic thing. Not that she wasn't learning that at preschool because obviously she was learning this from somewhere. But at daycare/preschool, it was more about containing the children and keeping them from hurting one another. They weren't really encouraged to do much of anything but play and that's great and very needed in child development, but it became abundantly clear that Lovie was ready for more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wuwcntWmgMU/U7rcBtcB9zI/AAAAAAAAKpo/6dqozBq0lmw/s1600/last+day+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wuwcntWmgMU/U7rcBtcB9zI/AAAAAAAAKpo/6dqozBq0lmw/s1600/last+day+fm.jpg" height="469" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So last Thursday I brought in a big cake and we said goodbye to that chapter of our lives. And I cried. A lot. The teachers wouldn't stop hugging Lovie. They wouldn't stop saying such wonderful things (her Kindergarten teacher wrote a note to her: "You made me laugh so much my stomach hurt. That's what I'll miss the most. We'll miss you. Good luck at your new school. Be happy, always.") They made a big card for her. They sang a song to her. The kids lined up to give her hugs. Some teachers insisted on more than one hug.<br />
<br />
I couldn't help but to cry.<br />
<br />
And this morning, she started her new adventure at her new school.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to pick her up and hear all about it.<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-53643407933176636232014-07-03T11:40:00.000-05:002014-07-03T11:40:12.045-05:00#tbt Lovie's first 4th of July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skTwHO6j7k8/U7WHQeAsZpI/AAAAAAAAKEU/s1m0vU_x2_c/s1600/firecracker+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skTwHO6j7k8/U7WHQeAsZpI/AAAAAAAAKEU/s1m0vU_x2_c/s1600/firecracker+fm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-16423630960979130752014-06-30T14:06:00.000-05:002014-06-30T14:08:25.647-05:00interview with a four and a half year old.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUqpb7uEakA/U7G0f0rXqrI/AAAAAAAAKAQ/51LXt8s9x68/s1600/4.5+interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUqpb7uEakA/U7G0f0rXqrI/AAAAAAAAKAQ/51LXt8s9x68/s1600/4.5+interview.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(click to expand a bit)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The actual video interview lasted nearly 10 minutes. I won't be posting that as I don't have the editing skills to get it up (too much personal info-- name, address, phone number).<br />
<br />
The last answer... melts me. My goodness is she good for the soul.<br />
<br />
~<br />
<br />
<b>For other interviews, click on these links: </b><br />
<a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2014/01/more-on-four.html" target="_blank">Four</a><br />
<a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/07/interview-with.html" target="_blank">Three and a half</a><br />
<a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/01/interview-with-three-year-old.html" target="_blank">Three</a><br />
<a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview.html" target="_blank">Two and a half</a>christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-43819402524959555922014-06-25T14:53:00.000-05:002014-06-25T14:53:25.856-05:00warning: grab your toothbrush and floss for this sickening sweet sap. <span style="font-size: large;">June 25, 2014. </span>Did you know we're six months out from Christmas Day. DID YOU KNOW?! You're welcome. : )<br />
<br />
If we're six months from Christmas, we're almost six months from this gorgeous girl turning FIVE.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iKgqf9MuzTI/U6sjM667PfI/AAAAAAAAJiU/xvQrVQfPECU/s1600/horse+ride+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iKgqf9MuzTI/U6sjM667PfI/AAAAAAAAJiU/xvQrVQfPECU/s1600/horse+ride+fm.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
How on earth is it possible that time really goes by this fast when I spent the better part of my life wishing for the days to end?!?<br />
<br />
I can barely keep up.<br />
<br />
Neither can these two apparently:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0qR3pEwJHM/U6sjMbZfkaI/AAAAAAAAJiQ/3oqStrWwwNo/s1600/fd+omg+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0qR3pEwJHM/U6sjMbZfkaI/AAAAAAAAJiQ/3oqStrWwwNo/s1600/fd+omg+fm.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Dad and Lovie fell asleep after Father's Day brunch, and before some mini golf. It was Lovie's suggestion--the mini golf. She said, "On Father's Day you're supposta take your father to mini golf." I thought it was a brilliant idea, so we went and, of course, I got two holes in one while my two playmates sulked.<br />
<br />
Seriously though, I know it gets old--reading all the mom sap and all the <i>Look-at-How-Bloody-Wonderful-My-Life-is</i> posts on blogs and Facebook, etc--but really... I'M SO IMMENSELY BLESSED. I can't come here and pretend that I'm not.<br />
<br />
Of course I have bad days.<br />
<br />
Of course there are times when I want to remove myself from the picture and live life in solitude.<br />
<br />
But then I look at my sweet girl or she tells me something funny and it all makes sense again. And life is beautiful and a blessing. Such a freaking blessing!<br />
<br />
<br />
The other night when it was time for her bath, Lovie was getting in the tub and she looked up at me whilst holding onto my shirt and stepping into the tub (because she's so damn tall now that she insists she gets in and out of the tub by herself) and said, "Mama, did you know that you're my best friend?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QvWsKNPv9c/U6sjMUDop6I/AAAAAAAAJio/3QCo56OkVOs/s1600/bathtime+bff+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QvWsKNPv9c/U6sjMUDop6I/AAAAAAAAJio/3QCo56OkVOs/s1600/bathtime+bff+fm.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I mean... seriously. This was really said to me. By that little girl right up there just moments before I snapped that picture.<br />
<br />
How on earth could I not feel anything but blessed?<br />
And lucky?<br />
And fortunate?<br />
And enamored with life and all things Lovie?<br />
<br />
Yeah I'm her mama and all that jazz, but honestly, this kid?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4WT_8o0Zhk/U6sjMdrHNyI/AAAAAAAAJic/Xihs7Y0U5i8/s1600/camel+ride+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4WT_8o0Zhk/U6sjMdrHNyI/AAAAAAAAJic/Xihs7Y0U5i8/s1600/camel+ride+fm.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
She's just pure amazing.<br />
<br />
She's just such a gift.<br />
<br />
Not a day goes by when I don't thank the universe for her.<br />
<br />
So yeah... six months till Christmas and nearly six months till she turns 5.<br />
<br />
Hold me?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-71467389496267973872014-06-12T08:44:00.006-05:002014-06-12T08:44:49.925-05:00the only thing better: a father's day gift for gramps!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyVFnbbB618/U5mttPwSi8I/AAAAAAAAIz8/q5qAighSOp8/s1600/sharefd+my+dadfm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyVFnbbB618/U5mttPwSi8I/AAAAAAAAIz8/q5qAighSOp8/s1600/sharefd+my+dadfm.jpg" /></a></div>
for my daddy, i picked up a frame yesterday with two 4x6 openings. light wood frame. the top opening will have a print of the blue and white top shown above. the bottom opening will have a print of the image below shown above. this example will be sort of what it'll look like with a light wood frame.<br />
<br />
i found the quote on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">pinterest </a>somewhere but changed some of the wording (hint: "sweet angel"). i created an image on <a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">picmonkey </a>and added the words. super easy. and free.<br />
<br />
as for Lovie's daddy, he'll be getting another one like<a href="http://finallymom.blogspot.com/2013/06/fathers-day-gift-idea.html" target="_blank"> last year's big hit</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230384076641171546.post-18286221449181039122014-06-06T09:23:00.000-05:002014-06-06T09:23:00.841-05:00just trying to hang onIt's been a while, eh?<br />
<br />
Things were a bit hectic there for a while.<br />
<br />
Between work, stuff at home, sickness, vacation, and preschool graduation...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWReN7TEMms/U5HMHDVTS1I/AAAAAAAAIyg/Mlpf6hxUw08/s1600/grad+fm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWReN7TEMms/U5HMHDVTS1I/AAAAAAAAIyg/Mlpf6hxUw08/s1600/grad+fm.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
...we've been keeping quite busy.<br />
<br />
I can't believe this sweet little doll is quickly approaching 4 and a half. Shortly after this milestone, she'll be starting a new school. A real school. No more daycare/preschool stuff.<br />
<br />
We've done a ton of research the past several years and we're so very excited to see what her new adventure at <a href="http://www.montessori.edu/FAQ.html" target="_blank">Montessori </a>school will bring. Absolutely cannot wait to see how she thrives. Girlfriend is so super close to reading, it's crazy to me. So far she can spell her first and last names, Mama, Dad, Stop, Pink, No, and she has truly mastered telling me letters that are in just about any word!! Particularly what they start with. Last night, for example, she asked me how to spell Soccer Ball and before I could oblige she told me there was an S and a B in it. She amazes me. On a daily basis, she amazes me. And I have a feeling that once she gets into a groove at her new school, there just won't be much stopping her.<br />
<br />
<br />christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983259980848913151noreply@blogger.com2