And Baby Makes Three

Christmas 2012

2012-01-02T09:24:00.007-05:00

This is a picture heavy post, as I learn to use my Christmas present: A new telephoto lens for my Canon!!! Come to find out, Matt really does listen:)

We were looking for any way to get out the pre-Xmas excitement, so Matt started cutting down our overgrown Burning Bushes. It was a chilly day and Devin's eyes were watering. She discovered that her swimming goggles are excellent for cold, windy days.

Even the next day, she still wanted to play in the sticks.

The big morning finally arrived & she was thrilled with her doll. It was the only thing she asked for from Santa & her favorite part is dressing alike.

The tennis never stops around here...we've been playing nearly everyday. I was testing my new lens by watching Devin run around the court. The lens is great, but best used outdoors for super-sharp pictures of action.

We made the trip to Papa and Grandma's over the break & had a great time! Devin was more than happy to get a second Christmas. As you can see, I've been washing the cowgirl dress everyday. She received a few of Grandma's keepsakes:

But, best of all she opened 2 more (handmade) matching outfits. She's already wearing the dress in this picture and this skirt has a matching doll skirt. Now, we have a 3-day rotation of matching doll outfits!

She showed off her chess skills with Papa.

Gaga went with us and got a nice greeting from Maxwell.

The long drive home from Illinois went fast and we didn't (for once) get stuck in bridge traffic. After sitting for so long, we decided to take a walk at the park. There are some awesome nature trails less than a mile from home & Devin's big enough now to handle the rugged terrain. With the sun out, the day felt perfect and we ended up walking over 3 miles!

We investigated the old Central State grave stones.

This tunnel of brambles seemed so cool!

Until, one jumped out and scratched Dev:(

We sat for a few moments, before the final walk to the car. Devin was certainly in a silly mood!

Christmas Break Catch-Up

2011-12-18T06:46:00.003-05:00

We've been going full throttle since Thanksgiving, which is part of why I've neglected my blog. But, with a wonderful 2-week break upon us, it's time for some catch up.

I think the biggest news of the last few weeks has been our health. I haven't had any stomach trouble or episodes of nausea in several weeks. Lately, I've had to watch my diet closely and be careful eating/drinking to minimize feeling awful. The upside is, fat and alcohol seem to be triggers for me feeling bad...so it's easy to maintain my goal weight! Other than a case of tennis elbow, I'm hanging in!

Devin may have set some sort of record. She was healthy & didn't miss a day of school until this week. She went from August 15th to December 15th...4 months without a sniffle. This week, she caught a cold and we kept her home a few days. After 2 days, she was actually ASKING to return to school. She also chose to attend a Parent's Day Out afternoon, we were thrilled.

This is round one of Xmas sugar cookie decorating. Years ago, I found THE BEST recipe for sugar cookie cutouts and frosting. They're very easy to make and delicious. Not too sweet, since all the frosting and candy add enough.

Devin has been sewing up a storm at school. Her teachers report that it's one of her favorite activities and she can focus for long periods of time on finishing her work. I thought these owls were precious.

But, then she brought home this tiny gingerbread house. So sweet:)

We all worked on Xmas decorations around the house. The website "Pinterest" is my new time sucker and I find all kinds of inspirational ideas browsing those pins. For our mantle, I used Ball jars, my Grandma's red glasses and epsom salt for snow. It really twinkles and shines at night, which was my goal.

I had a crazy idea to visit the Kentucky Expo Flea Market-Christmas Show last weekend. As you can see, we were not exactly dressed to see santa. But, Devin insisted and she got her wish. I think we'll take a mall trip this week, in a more Christmas'y' dress. Plus, you can't tell Santa enough times how much you want an American Girl Doll....apparently.

So, this week was Devin's first Holiday Performance for school. Her class (and all classes) rehearsed for weeks & she was very excited for the evening.

Although, she was a bit apprehensive in the first moments. The church was BIG!

Once her friends arrived, she was all smiles.

Thanks to Matt for even attempting pictures. I don't have a telephoto lens yet ($$$) and I wanted to just enjoy the music and the moment. This gives a slight glimpse into the coolness of having 3-6 year olds in one class. Devin can be a leader and a learner in her class. She loves to help the younger children learn how to thread a needle or show them a more advanced lesson. But, she also sees the 6 year olds reading and doing more sophisticated math lessons...which is a big motivator for her.

This is the last time we'll see Miss Katie for a while. She's (obviously) going to deliver in the next few weeks and then take 3 months off....so Devin will have to adjust. She is the lead teacher and Devin is very attached. Luckily, the assistant teacher is Montessori certified and will take over as the lead teacher. They also found a 3 month substitute, to help with consistency. I'm sure I will get some subbing opportunities, during the cold winter months!

(Small) Lady in the Water

2011-11-21T17:35:00.004-05:00

We spent a week in Destin, Florida & this was Dev's first trip to the beach. She was thrilled to be missing school, riding on an airplane and renting a new car. It's the small things, right?

Here's her first touch of the ocean...

When the sun was out, the warmth felt amazing. The water, however, was too cold for swimming. But, that didn't stop our little lady. She was so drawn to the water, it was hard to stop her. She spent one afternoon jumping waves and having a blast in the ocean, with her swimsuit on. But, mostly we searched for shells and dodged jellyfish.

She found a struggling little butterfly in the sand & gently brushed off it's wings.

One highlight was the Dolphin Cruise. Devin got a chance to drive the boat!

It was beautiful to see the animals living freely and investigating our boat.

This day it was way too cold to be in the water and the red flags were up for rough waves and current.

I love the hair horns she's sprouted. That's the result of a small round brush getting hopelessly tangled in her hair and I had to cut it at the root.

But, there's plenty of hair to go around. That's for sure.

Some Late Halloween Photos

2011-11-09T11:08:00.002-05:00

I forgot to post a few pictures from Halloween. We took a walk down the famous Halloween street, on a warm and wonderful late October day. Just about every house decorates a little, some go all out.

My little jack-o-lantern has lost another tooth (on the bottom) since this picture!

This is Dev's lead teacher doing some pumpkin carving. Nothing like a long, sharp knife near a pregnant tummy to make me very nervous. But, she did a great job and the children were thrilled. As the room mom, I spent the day helping at the annual Harvest Festival. We painted pumpkins, scooped seeds, toasted the seeds and ate pumpkin muffins. It was a wonderful look into Devin's school world and how their day functions.

This was one of the houses from Hillcrest Street. The aquarium was on and bubbling.

Halloween Prep

2011-10-23T19:04:00.003-04:00

Devin and I have a few events we're supposed to dress up for this Halloween, so I was trying to decide what to be. She chose Rapunzel ages ago...as in the day after the last Halloween. We watched Tangled last weekend and I decided to be Mother Gothel. A quick Google search turned up homemade patterns and the like, but no actual costume I could buy. A ran across a blog describing her costuming and it mentioned a Renaissance dress.

So, Dev and I visited Caufield's. We're year round customers, even though the manager said around 60% of their yearly revenue comes in October. I found this dress, which actually looks a lot like the mean ol' Mother Gothel. We chose a wig with lots of frizzy, black hair.

Everyone should visit Caufield's in Louisville, at least once.

Our mantle:

Yesterday, we took advantage of the beautiful weather & went to the driving range. Devin thought we were going to get a cart and play the par 3 course, but we'll save that for next time!

I was surprised to see this picture....both her feet are off the ground and one hand is off the club. She was really getting into it, apparently.

We finished up with some putting practice & headed home for rest and dinner. In true Devin fashion she asked, "Can we come back and play golf tomorrow????"

Cool Montessori Short

2011-10-23T12:19:00.002-04:00

This is a cool and very basic explanation of Montessori vs. Traditional learning:

Montessori Fast Draw

I noticed myself (at the Open House) urging prospective parents to visit the classrooms in action. Last year, when I visited the school for my observation time, the deal was sealed for me. I watched children deep in concentration, uninterrupted...doing what they were interested in that day. I observed several children interested in puzzles and working together. I also saw 2 kids decide that it was snack time and fix themselves some yogurt and fruit. A few others were working independently on practical life works.

The more I learn about Montessori, the more I love it.

Open House-The Journey Continues

2011-10-20T05:42:00.004-04:00

This past weekend was MSL's (Montessori School of Louisville) first Open House of the year. Devin's teacher asked if we would like to attend the event, with Devin showing how she "works" in the classroom. It was fun for me to watch her in action, as we haven't started classroom observations yet. Her comfort and knowledge of the space, warmed my heart.

One of her favorite works is the Africa puzzle. It's a daunting thing, with no words and no key. Parents filed in and out of the room, observing her concentration and talking with me about our experience. (She finished this by herself...which I'm not sure I could do!)

The school is as waste-free as possible, using real cloths and dishes. No paper or plastic! Another of Dev's favorite works is laundry. She loves to roll and organize the washcloths. This is carrying over nicely to home, as she helps with the dish towels and washcloths.

Zinnia from the school's garden and the sponge ready to clean up after lunch.

The children change into slippers, before entering the classroom. This helps keep the space clean, as well as the children comfortable. Devin's rocking furry flip-flops:)

They go outside unless the weather is really bad...it's great to have her rain gear at school all the time.

I had to capture the peacefulness of the room's "Peace Corner." This is a space the children can go to relax. Dev says, "...only one child is allowed at at time."

We also attended a 50th Wedding Anniversary party this weekend. 50 years! Wow!

When the weather cooperates, Devin's been interested in hitting golf balls. When she connects, it's hilarious. She's been hitting from our house, out into the fairway....a good 50 feet.

We were wandering around the Parent-Teacher Store the other day, when Dev spotted this game. She's loving her Chess Club on Mondays at school & we have been playing "chess" on our board at home.

This game is wonderful for kids or adults learning chess. There are cards marked with each piece, reminding you how it moves. We draw cards and move the piece on the board as if we were playing. So, you don't have a choice as to which piece to move...but the game plays out like chess otherwise.

Yesterday, she beat me. A few minutes later she says, "OH!!! I forgot to say CHECKMATE!"

Settling In

2011-10-05T06:15:00.003-04:00

This picture sums up the past few weeks, as we've all settled in to our new routines. Finally.

Devin is back to her old self, enjoying life and living it to the fullest....every minute of the day! Her teachers say she is comfortable in the classroom and helps out with the smaller children a lot. She comes home with the funniest stories and observations & needless to say we're thrilled and relieved.

I think in the back of my mind, I was second guessing everything. (Which I know is not generally productive for me)

Between 2 visits to the ER and several trips to my Dr., I've been given a clean bill of health.

Except for this:

Baby Steps

2011-09-17T07:35:00.003-04:00

We all agreed that this week was full of baby steps in the right direction. Each day (especially the mornings) Devin was more positive about going to school. She's always happy at pick-up and tells us (in her own time) some amazing things she's learning at school. Friday was her best day yet, with the teacher reporting "zero tears" and a very engaged, helpful Devin.

Guess who won our chart contest? Devin, fair and square!

But, the mornings are still tough. We still struggle with tummy aches, glum faces and getting her to eat some breakfast at 7:00 am. I've been talking with other Mom's and discovering a few things that help. I try to have a small activity set up and waiting for her when we come downstairs in the morning. Sometimes, we make a bracelet. Sometimes, we draw picture or work a puzzle. But, it helps to keep her mind focused on something. We've also tried some short meditations and visualizations about her mornings. I ask her to close her eyes and picture the car pool line...and her classroom. And, we go through the "perfect" morning. One where she smiles and says hello to the children and adults that greet her by name.

In the afternoons, it's very important for us to reconnect and spend time together. This seems to help with separating the next day. I try to have all my tennis played and chores done, by 3:00...so we can hang out. But, she also likes some alone time I've noticed.

Here's a "craft" she worked on happily for over an hour.

Just getting to Friday is cause for celebration around here, so off we went to a nearby gastropub.

After a good (albeit expensive) dinner, we walked to the park.

It's so good to have our happy girl back!

Some Progress

2011-09-14T06:00:00.005-04:00

I really hate to jinx it, but we're having a better week around here. The chart "contest" is proving to be a lot of fun and really does help us all focus on better behaviors. Matt lost a check on Monday for putting his work short ON the bag, instead of IN the bag! And, I was a little less patient than I want to be with Devin last night...so I lost a check. But, Dev's going strong with all her goals! We've had no tears in the mornings this week (so far) & much better control of herself in the afternoons.

Devin even started Chess Club at school and seemed to enjoy it. Last night she told me, "I worked with the Binomial and Trinomial cube works today!" So, it appears she's starting to settle in to the Montessori routine. The intense structure in the morning, has been a challenge for her. But, Dev likes structure...once she knows all the rules and routines. She enjoys the second part of the day, as over 1/2 the class goes home and they have rest/recess/free play. Our school's playground is...well...simple. No equipment, just trees and grass. The kids don't seem to notice and Devin has new LOVE of climbing trees.

The following, I copied from her teacher's classroom blog. It helps explain why they spend so much time doing "practical" things in the classroom: Written by Michael Olaf:

It is in learning to do such seemingly mundane activities as dressing, dusting, sweeping, preparing and serving food, and fixing or building, work that the child sees going on around her all day long, that she learns to use her body and mind for a purpose, to concentrate, to complete cycles of activity, to finish what she started, and most importantly to contribute to the important work of the family, the social group.
Practical life activities provide superior groundwork for physical, mental, and social development, and teach the work habits that lead to success in all later academic work.
Practical life work provides practice in eye-hand coordination, the control of large and small muscles, the ability to walk and to carry objects with control, and to behave with knowledge of good manners. These are the activities that bring the child's attention to his own progress and development, and that open up a world of important work. Learning to look a person in the eye when speaking, to listen patiently, to exhibit thoughtfulness through good manners, enables the child to be welcomed into a social group, to be happy and to make others happy.

Children have for eons shown an interest in daily life through make-believe cooking and cleaning. It was one of the pivotal discoveries of Dr. Montessori that, given the chance, children usually choose real work over imaginary. Allowing the child to participate in the daily work he sees going on around him is an act of great respect for, and confidence in, the child. It helps him to feel important to himself and to those around him. He is needed. We can empathize if we think about the difference in treatment of a stranger, perhaps a dinner guest in our home, who is served and waited upon, compared to that of a good friend who is welcomed in our kitchen to talk and laugh while we prepare the meal together. Children don't want to be the guest, they want us to help them to do it themselves.

The child's reason for, and way of, working is different from ours. Adults will usually choose to do things the most efficient and quickest way and to rush through or avoid anything labeled work. A child, on the other hand, is working to master the activity and to practice and perfect her abilities. She may scrub a table each day for weeks, then turn her attention to some other activity to master. We must not look upon this method as inconsistency or laziness but rather cumulative mastery of abilities. The child's purpose is not to complete the task as much as to construct the self. Practical life activities may well be the most important work in the Montessori 3-6 class. By means of these activities the child learns to make intelligent choices, to become physically and mentally independent and responsible. She learns to concentrate, to control muscles, to act with care, to focus, to analyze logical steps and complete a cycle of activity.
This lays the groundwork for sound mental and physical work throughout life."

Relishing the Weekend

2011-09-11T20:58:00.004-04:00

It's becoming apparent that the #1 adjustment to our new schedule is...the new schedule. Now, I'm a early-bird for sure. I love to be up before everyone. It makes me feel like I can get ahead somehow. But, the 8:00 am start time for Devin is a toughie. I usually have to wake her up at 6:45, so we have enough time to gently rise, eat breakfast and get ready for the day.

Some days are easier than others. Friday was a difficult day. Devin dug her heels in about going to school that morning...and it was not pretty. But, we got through it and she apparently calmed right down and had a great day. One challenge we discovered this week was her first ear infection. She never had a fever, but started complaining about ear pain. The Dr. said it was mild and the ear drops cleared it right up.

Love how she saves the drama for her mama.

So, we relish the weekends.

We basked in the sun today.

This week called for a little treat, Corbett's.

Could a front porch look any more welcoming?

Devin loves the food and always searches the grounds for the Corbett's "ghost."

The night's Amuse Bouche was a Pulled Pork on Costini. Look how they got that awesome smoky flavor.

"Statue of Liberty."

The sideways bottom tooth fell out tonight:) What a grin.

Since becoming a parent, I've eaten many of my words and I'm doing it again. (I vowed to never to sticker charts/rewards etc...) We're having a family contest this week, to see if we can encourage some positive behavior in the whole family:) The winner gets a prize and Devin was really into the idea, when I floated it Sunday morning. She wanted to work on the charts right away and has been talking about how we will all earn our checks.

Everyone has something to work on...I'm also not drinking wine during the week and being more patient with Devin.

We spent most of the weekend outside, working in the garden. It was beautiful and refreshing...we needed the outside time!

Week Two-The Roller Coaster

2011-09-03T21:14:00.007-04:00

I'm going to take a few filler photos for Week 2, since I haven't touched my camera in weeks. Exhausting and confusing are just a few words I might use to describe last week. But, I'll start with some good...a visit from Papa and Grandma.

As always, Devin was thrilled to see her grandparents and soaked in the attention and fun. Showing off her mad swimming skills, was the highlight. We swam almost everyday this summer & certainly made the most of our pool membership. In May, we were splashing around the baby pool and taking small ventures to the shallow end of the big pool. Today, she spends most of her time doing various jumps off the diving board. Cannonball is her favorite and she makes quite a splash. I credit private swim lessons with a very patient teacher and lots of practice. She loves diving to the bottom for objects and we're working on actual swim strokes.

The second week of school was rough for everyone. I got a call mid-morning on Monday that Devin was getting upset at school, crying etc... She was consolable and engaging in activities & happy at pick-up. They just wanted to make me aware of what was going on. Based on what I've discussed with her teachers...a lot was going on last week. Her lead teacher was out sick and the room she was in needed to be tested for mold/fungus etc... So, she was just beginning to understand their routine, when it all changed. The teachers assure me that Devin does fine at school and is happy most of the day. I guess she saves all the drama for us, because the afternoon and evenings have been rough.

The most unusual thing last week, was a total meltdown at ballet class. She was in full panic/tears/don't leave me mode, even though she's been at this studio, with her friends all summer. Through the sobbing, she said she wanted to stay...but didn't want me to leave. Poor thing. I told her either way was fine and maybe ballet (right now) is just too much. I really underestimated how tiring full-day school is for her. We're going to try again next week, but I'm not going to push her either way. She continues to feel badly about this episode, crying at bedtime last night about it.

Watching her struggle with this change has been very difficult for me. I want to do everything in my power to help her through this the "right" way. It's so hard to know when to push and help her face fears and doubts. Or, should I be more lenient? My close friends have been so helpful through this....offering some advice that has really helped. It's so refreshing to have friends who can just listen and empathize. And, make me feel less crazy! I also switched primary care Dr.'s and had my first appointment on Friday. With 2 trips to the ER in 6 weeks for dehydration and nausea, I wanted the full monty check-up...and I got it. She spent 45 minutes taking a careful history and reviewing pages of lab work from the ER. I loved this new Dr. and am very thankful for the recommendation to see her.

(One of my favorite parenting blogs posted about this very topic here: Fearless Parenting) I've been fighting the urge to be a "helicopter" parent from day one.

So, we're relishing the 3-day weekend and I'm (trying) to look forward to next week. Devin's teacher and room should be back in place, so consistency with her routine will improve. They also get 2 lunches brought in this week, which I think she'll enjoy. Also, we're FINALLY expecting some rain...and Devin is excited about getting to go outside at school with her rain boots and raincoat. It's the small things sometimes.

As if we needed one more change, our friend TR is moving to Michigan today. We know it's best for him, as he'll be close to family and can work a job with better hours, but we'll miss him dearly. Devin includes him (as she should) in her list of "loved" people. This summer, he was with us almost everyday to fish, swim or just hang out. I'm not sure who's going to clean my kitchen after dinner...because TR always stepped in and did that for me:) (And, he does it "right" making the granite all shiny)

We've gently and vaguely explained that TR is moving to Michigan and we won't be able to see him as much. Her questions were fast and furious and we stayed intentionally vague. The last thing she needs is one more major change to deal with...and this is a big one. So, our plan is to let some time pass and keep in touch with Facetime and Skype.

1st Week Under the Belt

2011-08-17T06:10:00.005-04:00

These are the thoughts that were rattling around in my head, the morning Dev started school:

Perhaps it was denial or I was just very unprepared for how would feel this morning. This being the day my one and only marches off to full-time school. It appears easy for some parents...even a relief. And, I thought I would feel that way too. I remember flipping through the calendar pages of my planner to August 2011. I imagined how awesome it would be to have ALL day to get things done. But, today I guess the bitter is taking over this bittersweet moment.

It's hard to trust and feel 100% comfortable about her spending the majority of her day with someone else.

I often frame my role as a SAHM, just like I would any other job. I take it seriously, I want to do well...I want to do the best I can for Devin. It feels like a major part of my job responsibilities are over. It's like, my project got cancelled. Or, something.

I wanted to jot down how I was feeling, so I could look back I guess.

Day One: Brought many tears. None from Devin...lots from me! Devin articulated that she was "scared" about Kindergarten. I thought that was so mature of her, to express how she's feeling with words vs. acting out or crying. She marched off from car pool like a trooper and was in great spirits at pick up. She was most excited about getting to climb a tree on the playground & fixing her own snack.

Day Two: She still mentioned being scared during the 45 second drive to school, but I reminded her how well the previous day went and that there would be more friends in her class today. She was happy, if not a bit wild at pick up. We spent the afternoon at the pool, which was deserted, since most schools have started by now. It's hard not to play 20 questions with her about school, here are some Dev quotes:

-I tied 2 shoes today.
-They heated up my Tortellini for me.
-Miss Katie picks the person who gets to go first. It's usually the quietest one or the one who has their legs criss-crossed.
-We learned to carry chairs today.
-I got my own snack today. I didn't ask anyone. One scoop of bunny grahams and 3 slices of orange.
-I found a 4-leaf clover at the playground!

Day 3: No mention of being scared today. She was actually looking forward to meeting the rest of her classmates, who are 5 turning 6. This afternoon, she finally seems a bit tired from the week. I've had to wake her up each morning...which I've honestly never (ever) done before. Dev's seems to be a morning person. She wakes easily and is quick to get up and get moving. But, I know she'll need some extra rest this weekend.

Devin asks one of us to "play chest" almost everyday. She is begging to start in the Chess Club at school! I think she will love this and it only keeps her at school 15 minutes more. It's such a great life-long game, which my Dad taught me at about the same age.

You can almost see her bottom tooth about to fall out. It's SO wiggly and loose, but the dentist likes them to fall out naturally, no pulling. We have a regular check up next week, I hope it's out by then. The tooth fairy pillow she made with Grandma Ann, is on stand-by!

One of my favorite hobbies is dressing Devin:) I'm always on the lookout for unique skirts and dresses, that can transition through 2-3 seasons.

This may be my new favorite.

Open House-Our Journey Begins

2011-08-16T05:57:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow, Devin begins "real" school. Yesterday, we went to "Open House." This was an optional, afternoon event & Dev and I took some of her stuff for class. One really nice thing about her school is they keep everything she needs in the classroom. (Rain coat, boots, change of clothes, slippers, blanket, pillow, etc) So, they don't even need a back pack. Which is good, because "Barbie" back packs are not allowed!

This is the assistant teacher, Miss Karen. She did a great job of taking these 2 and getting them comfortable with the space. I heard Devin tell her, "I already saw the bathroom when I was here cleaning." She also told Miss Katie (the main teacher) about the Barbie backpack. Um yeah. I wasn't going to mention it...but ok!

Some of the "typical" Montessori teaching tools.

Devin's so excited to learn to count to a 1000! With these beads, they can.

On her own, Devin was very interested in some of the "works." (The proper term for the various activities in the room)

The major adjustment (for all of us) will be the schedule. School starts at 8:00 am. Yikes. What a difference an hour makes. But, the cornerstone of the Montessori method is the 3-hour work cycle in the morning. This allows the children to explore and fully engage in an activity without distraction or interruption.

With each visit, Dev seems a bit more relaxed about the change of schools and her class in general. At bedtime last night, she seemed to look forward to her first day and hasn't had any nightmares since last week. She will start tomorrow, earlier than some of the older kids. Keep in mind her class is 21 children, broken into 1/3's by age. Meaning, about 1/3 of the kids are 2/3, some are 3/4 and the rest are 5/6 like Dev. This week, everyone attends school through lunch time and then goes home. This is supposed to help children adjust to the early start time, without getting too tired. Wish us luck.

Again with the sickness

2011-08-12T17:11:00.002-04:00

Yuck. I guess I picked up another nasty bug this week that was awful. This episode was very similar to being sick a month ago, so I will be following up with my GP to see if I should visit a gastro. In both cases, the nausea hits in the night without any warning. This episode was particularly relentless. It felt like I was on the verge of getting sick for 24 straight hours...no sleep.

I had to get rehydrated in the ER again and they ran several more tests...nothing.

And, no. I'm not pregnant. They made sure & took x-rays of my torso to check for obstruction.

I'm feeling much better this evening, but only about 50%. It's frustrating. Since the last episode, I've made a concerted effort to eat more fruit and healthier in general. I even cut my precious wine and mimosas out completely, to detoxify.

Again, everyone stepped in to help with Devin. Matt had to attend Dev's school registration alone...let's hope this is it for a looooong while. I usually go years without getting a major bug.

Bittersweet

2011-08-09T07:05:00.002-04:00

I know corn grows in endless fields around here. But, there's something so cool about growing your own! I have two varieties growing, in 2 small boxes, instead of long rows. (That's supposed to help with the pollination)

It's a great plant for Dev to watch grow...it starts so tiny and gets SO big. And, she recognizes the cob.

Hopefully, it will indeed be Sweet Corn.

Oh my. I'm not even sure this is an "acceptable" back pack for Montessori. We haven't been to the parent orientation yet, but I know other schools don't allow "character" clothing or back packs. No Disney, no cartoons, nothing. I've got my fingers crossed they'll allow this awfulness for a few weeks...cuz' Dev's 1000% thrilled with finding a Barbie back pack WITH hair.

And, hey. She chose it, so I'm following that important principal!

Our bittersweet moment last Friday. These 3 women (plus Miss Irene, not pictured), meant so much to our family the last 3 years. Miss Noelle (the one holding Dev) was with Dev for the 2-Day 2's and 3-day 3's. Miss Cindy (in the middle) is the music and movement teacher and was the first person Dev came home and told us about. Miss Karen had Dev for her 4-Day 4's class where she truly flourished. So, it's been difficult for Devin (and me) to say goodbye and close the preschool chapter. She expresses that she "misses" St. Francis & is showing other signs of anxiety around the change of schools.

I've been slowly trying to adjust Devin's schedule the past few weeks, in preparation for school. We stay busy in the mornings & I've been pushing her into the afternoon...no rest time, more activity etc... Then early dinner (around 5:00) and bed by 7:00/7:30. The hardest part is getting her up at 6:30, so we have enough time for waking and breakfast. School starts at 8:00 am, but it's less than a mile from home.

As we're out and about, people say to her, "Ohhhh! Aren't you excited to start Kindergarten??" She just stares at them...because she isn't excited. She's anxious and unsure about why we're not at St. Francis and who her friends will be. Montessori allows for an individual plan, to adjust to school, so we're starting slowly next week. Devin will attend a few mornings in her classroom & serve as the "helper" to the younger children. We feel that might keep her busy and focused, plus give her a sense of being a leader. A few children are added each day, until the class in complete. Then, she will start the full-day routine. I'm thrilled about her teacher, Miss Katie. She's experienced, calm and always down on the child's level to interact and instruct.

Blast From the Past

2011-08-01T21:40:00.003-04:00

We stumbled upon some old videos of Devin, hidden deep within our external hard drive. I love listening to her little voice ramble on about apple pie and not taking pictures. I forgot how much she used to hate me filming or taking pictures of her. I also realize how many "cooking shows" she's done for us. I think I posted this video a loooooong time ago.

"Apple pie is difficult. You have to touch it. Never, ever touch it."

I returned home from work the other day, to find this note. Any guesses?

What do Ninjas, babies in closets, tree drains, escalators and snakes have in common?

They're all NOT in Cinderella. Apparently, Devin thought it was important to make note of the differences between the movie they were watching and the story of Cinderella.

We're busy relishing the last 2 weeks of summer vacation. Our days are filled with play dates, swimming pools and crafts. Next week, we visit Montessori for registration/meeting her teacher. August 15th is the first day of school, but they spend that week in "transition." This allows the students to acclimate at their own pace and get settled in to the routine.

We also signed up for the Fall session of ballet/tap class. Devin absolutely loved her mini-session this summer and I'm very pleased with the studio. It's a no-nonsense, no-frills, family owned and run studio. This fall, she will be learning small routines and will have a recital at the end. The studio provides DVD's and photos, so parents don't have to strain to film the event.

The unrelenting July heat made gardening a challenge. I learned pole beans are a complete waste of time and garden space. I couldn't believe the massive foliage, without many beans. Never again, I'll stick to my Blue Lake bush beans. My tomatoes, cukes, zucchini, pumpkins and corn are all thriving. More pictures later!

Return to Work

2011-07-23T13:39:00.002-04:00

So, I guess I let the heat get the best of me. Or, caught a nasty bug. Or, both. But, after more than 24 hours of vicious flu-like symptoms, I had reached my limit. Matt dropped me at the brand new awesome ER, just a few miles from home. I was the only one in the department and they had a Dr. asking me questions within 10 minutes of walking though the door.

I was more dehydrated than I thought. It took 2 full bags of fluid to get me feeling even a bit better. Along with 2 IV pushes of Zofran, Protonix and something else I can't remember. All lab tests came back normal, so they turned me loose after a few hours. The Dr. said to take it easy and gave me this return to work slip:

I guess my family didn't get this memo, since I've spent most of today catching up with dishes, washing and cleaning. But, Matt, Mom and TR all stepped in to help watch and care for Devin over the past few days. She was adorable, showing concern and respect for me being so sick. She sat for 2 hours in the ER with me...never asking for anything, refusing to watch the TV or do anything other than stare at me and all the stuff in the room. (Don't worry, Mom walked around with her while they did the more unpleasant tests and procedures.)

So, we're all laying low this weekend. Perhaps a late afternoon trip to the pool and early to bed!

The Countdown

2011-07-19T06:27:00.002-04:00

As expected, the summer is flying by. Dev starts school in 4 weeks. It's so hard to believe it's here. How could 5 years have passed so quickly? When I watch her, there's almost nothing "baby" about her. But, she was just so little. And, now she's....not little. In fact, she's grown a bit taller this summer and certainly stronger.

I'm feeling so good about our school choice. I guess only time will tell how she adapts, but I know this is a wonderful place has amazing potential for Dev. It's interesting in the first 5 years of life, how everyone tells you not to worry about development. Whether it's sitting up, walking, talking, etc...all Dr.'s and books say, don't worry....each child develops in their own way. As long as they achieve the milestone within the wide range of time, no worries. So, why does that suddenly change at 5 years old? Why are most kids then expected to sit in a classroom and learn the exact same way at the same time?

So for now, we spend the days swimming, going to the library, gardening and staying inside when it's 100+ degrees. See this box:

Don't tell anyone, but he password is, "Secretminity."

(And, no these aren't more extensions! Just clip ons)

Green Giveaway

2011-07-15T14:43:00.002-04:00

If you read this blog much, you know how we try to conserve and recycle as much as possible in our family.

My friend is hosting a blog giveaway here. There are easy ways to enter to win some really nice (and Green) kitchen items. Plus her blog is filled with really cute craft ideas and ways to decorate your home. Enjoy!

It's July!

2011-07-11T14:45:00.003-04:00

I know it's July in the Midwest, but I still want to complain about the heat. Yesterday it was 97 degrees with a dew point of 80...for those of you keeping score at home, it felt like 117. Which meant we stayed at the pool, in the water for most of the day.

Dev's got a full blown case of ballet obsession going on right now. I loved this little gem she worked on during rest time yesterday. Not hard to guess this ballet...

It's been fun (and amazing) to watch her learning to read and spell. She's sounding out the words and doing her best to translate that to some letters she knows. Maybe it's my Mom brain, but I can read the "Odette" and "Odile" above!

The note below, just might classify as the youngest Passive Aggressive Notes.com ever! Notice she starts with "LOL" to keep it light.

But, then it's note saying how she's ready to go to back to Holiday World again. To ride the rides. The next page was a bunch of numbers in rows, showing the dates she is available to go.

The gardens are loving the heat, since we've had plenty of rain. I can see why folks grow bush-type green beans. The pole beans are a mess!

Crammed into this garden are: Pole beans, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, hot peppers, peanuts, cucumbers, basil and strawberries. The community garden plot is also doing well, churning out bush beans, cucumbers, zucchini and pumpkins. My corn is also "knee high!!"

The Other Grandma

2011-07-04T06:59:00.005-04:00

We try to encourage Dev to call her "Grandma Ann." But, usually she refers to her as, "The other Grandma." Which makes sense, since Devin really has the best of both Grandparent worlds. She has the in-town Grandma, who she sees almost everyday. In town Grandma, aka Ga-Ga (The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "wax") does lots of regular-type stuff with Dev making their relationship very special and close. But, Gaga has to (try) to enforce all of my rules and directions:)

Out-of-town Grandma (and Papa) are also special. I grew up with Grandparents who were flights and/or long drives away, which made our time together memorable. Some of my favorite childhood memories are the weeks I spent in Tulsa visiting family and enjoying my Grandma and Grandpa time.

You can see the joy in her eyes...trips to Papa and Grandma's are anticipated for weeks, counting days on the calendar and asking no less than 75 times on the drive, "Are we there yet?" (And, lamenting the whole way home, "I miss Papa and Grandma.")

There were a few holes to dig and Papa was prepared. But, we need to find him some St. Louis Cardinals garden gloves...ahem.

Their little helper...doesn't everyone garden in a maxi dress?

Matt and I left to check out the local Farmer's Market on Saturday morning. It was 93 degrees at 9:15 am...this band was playing Bluegrass music, go figure.

I thought setting big buckets of chalk out was a cool idea. These 2 were hard at work.

Matt helped saw down some branches of this thorn tree...OUCH!

This visit was extra special, as Dev's cousin's were visiting too! A post-lawnmowing water gun fight was in order.

And, there was garden cart riding.

Just looking at this picture, reminds me of the smell. Which reminds me of how incredible our dinner was...beef from the farm cooked perfectly. I usually eat about 3-4 bites of steak and have had enough. But, this dinner had me gnawing the bone and looking for scraps.

Just a few fireworks for fun. (We'll be doing many, MANY more tonight)

One cute moment, just before the steak dinner...Aunt Meghan did a short prayer and Dev's cousin (4.5) asked if he could say one too. He was adorable, reciting his prayer perfectly. Without missing a beat, Dev asked if she could pray as well. (Keep in mind we don't pray or attend church) I held my breath, just a bit curious as to what she might feel led to pray for. She solemnly folded her hands and prayed for, "A magical unicorn."

Guess who's prayers were answered in the form of a firework today?

Summer Slow Down

2011-06-26T07:48:00.003-04:00

I've been trying to figure out who coined the phrase the "lazy" days of summer. Because, there don't seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done. My computer time goes WAY down in the summer, thus the lack of blog posts. Between being a full-time SAH mom, working a part-time job, caring for a large garden and vegetable garden and playing tennis 4-5 times a week...there's little rest for the wicked.

We've been to the pool nearly everyday. Even this day.

It was windy, less than 70 degrees and empty. Dev was thrilled to have the pool to herself. Thankfully, Matt was with us to swim. I sat, wrapped in towels, playing Words With Friends on my iPhone. (A lovely break, actually)

Father's Day/Birthday

2011-06-15T14:02:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited about Matt's Father's Day/Bday gift! My canvas arrived from Cafe Press.com and I'm thrilled with the results. It's 2.5 ft by 1.5 ft and is a "Museum Wrap" style. (Meaning the picture wraps around the sides of the canvas. The colors are rich and clear. Not bad for $39.99!!!

(I got a great deal from Groupon...make sure you're signed up for those emails)

Now let's just hope he doesn't read the blog.

This may cost me the Parent of the Year Award

2011-06-14T22:02:00.003-04:00

So. Dev started talking about wanting some pink streaks in her hair this summer. I have no idea where it came from, other than a few of her Barbie mermaids have color changing hair. I mentioned it to my friend and Dev's "Aunt" Debbie. I told Debbie I was hesitant to put dye on Dev's hair...maybe a Henna or something? My first stop was Whole Foods to look for a natural, plant-based dye. Then, I came to my senses and told Debbie we would wait until she asked around. (She's an ex-stylist)

Debbie came up with a no-dye solution....pink hair extensions. (And, yes...I'm officially insane)

Although, I secretly hope by honoring these requests now, it may curb more serious requests in the future.

Apparently, this man is the local expert on the process and is good friends with Debbie. So, he put in 1 extension on one side and 2 on the other. She is beyond thrilled and it's actually a very subtle look.

In keeping with the pink theme, we visited the Derby Dinner Playhouse to see, "Pinkalicious." It's a short children's musical based on a popular book & we thought the play was adorable. This little playhouse provides a wonderful introductory experience to theater in the round & Dev loves each production we attend.

We're in the 2nd week of her preschool summer camp and she starts Ballet/Tap class next week. It's hard to describe the level of excitement she has about starting dance class....it rivals our trip to Disney and Christmas. Yesterday, I took her to the dance wear shop to get the required color of leotard, tights and shoes. She insisted on opening everything in the car and immediately trying it all on when we got home. She spent the ENTIRE day in her leotard and tights, alternating between the ballet and tap shoes. And, then she slept with her ballet shoes right next to her head. I spent many years studying ballet, pointe, modern dance and movement....I understand her enthusiasm.

iPhone Days

2011-06-09T14:44:00.002-04:00

It's been so hot the past few days, I haven't felt like lugging around my camera. So, I snapped a few pictures with my phone instead. We splashed at the Zoo splash park this morning, but (to my amazement) Dev's basically outgrown the area. She's so into actually swimming, she seemed bored by splashing and sliding and asked to put on her regular clothes within 30 minutes.

She spotted a face painting station...why not?

Then she decided to just ride the Zoo tram for several 15 minute laps around the park. We rode the carousel, pressed a penny flat and bought some butterfly wings at the gift shop.

I guess this is what goes on while I'm at tennis.

Dev's apparently painted her own face, Matt's wearing a deflated kick ball as a hat and they're swinging in a camping hammock.

This is Matt's room aka: the Ping Pong room. Make sure you take it all in...The B&W checked floor, the old bedspread hanging around the sump pump, the CD racks on the walls, twin mattress and box springs, old furniture...needless to say, it's the catch-all room of the house.

More Summer Fun

2011-06-05T06:45:00.002-04:00

I finally took Dev to the local library last week. I guess living a 1/2 mile from the used bookstore and the fact that our libraries are majorly sub-par, didn't have me in any rush to get our cards.

But, the experience was fun for Dev as we searched the computer for books of interest and then hunted them down in the stacks. She chose a couple of books about ballet, a few Martha Speaks books and I found a Tyler Florence cookbook.

We've been having regular play dates with her BFF:) These two are so amazing together...they're so agreeable when they play. I overheard ballet class, tea party, cooking, lots of Barbies and we did several crafts together.

Dev starts a series of 2-week Summer Camps this week. She goes in the mornings to the same preschool, with her favorite teacher and her friends. They spend most mornings outside as much as possible and focus on fun activities, splash days, crafts, nature and field trips.

We're wearing a path to the tennis club and pool. Dev's officially addicted to swimming...constantly pushing herself to learn more and do what she sees other kids doing. There's a 4.5 year old she sees a lot and plays with at the pool. Yesterday, we watched Maddy go off the diving board....alone. And, swim to the side. Guess what Dev wants to do now??

Starting Summer

2011-06-01T06:31:00.002-04:00

Summer is here! Preschool's regular schedule is over, which I admit, brings me some relief. There's something about rushing around in the morning to drop her by 8:45, only to go pick her back up at 11:45...

Our schedule is much more open in the summer...time for twirling!

We visited my friend Debbie, who has 2 Goldens...Zoe wanted to go home with us!

Debbie also used to be a hairstylist and gave Devin her "summer cut." She (Devin) was reluctant to cut off her "Rapunzel hair." However, the daily tears and screaming from combing out the tangles were too much for me. Luckily, her friend Alana has shorter hair & Dev was very pleased with the results.

Last week, we (mostly Devin) accomplished something very difficult.

She quit sleeping with her Binkies cold turkey.

I know, know. She just turned 5. We should have just taken it away a loooooong time ago. However, we decided to stick with our "child-led" approach to things like this. It worked so well for Devin with eating, potty-training and sleeping...letting her take the lead and decide when she was ready for what. We restricted the binkie to sleeping only, but up until last week, she really seemed to need it for relaxation and sleep. I could still see her doing the same nursing pattern she did as a newborn. The dentist said the binkies weren't a problem and her Dr. warned taking them away could lead to finger sucking. So, we waited.

And, waited.

And, finally last week at bedtime she said, "I want to quit binkies, but I don't know how."

I told her most people quit one of two ways. Some people like to gradually do something less and less, until they stop. And, some like to just quit and get it over with. She quickly decided to stop all binkies, but keep them in the room that night.

The next morning, they were untouched and she never looked back! We made a HUGE deal of her being such a big girl and making such a good and mature choice. She's growing and learning so much right now...but we're stopping to enjoy summer and slow down a bit. Our trips to the pool are much more fun, as she's much bigger this year and more confident in the water.

Photo Shoot with MckMama

2011-05-24T07:26:00.005-04:00

My CD of pictures arrived yesterday, from our photo shoot with Jennifer McKinney aka MckMama. There were exactly 100 pictures on the CD and I'm thrilled with the results.

It's hard to narrow down the choices to my favorites, but here are a few:

I always like a few shots in B&W:

Devin's favorite: Twirling!

There are so many to choose from...and I can print them, post them, send them as an email, whatever! It's so nice to have the files for my OWN:)

First Fishing

2011-05-23T05:55:00.002-04:00

The good news? Dev's Papa and Grandma visited from Illinois this weekend. The bad news? NONE of my pictures turned out. Granted, I didn't take many. We were very busy and having a lot of fun...

Devin mentioned wanting to "sew" something about 492 times Saturday morning, so the girls went to Jo-Ann fabrics. She made a tooth fairy pillow and 2 potholders!!!

Devin's also been asking about going fishing for quite a while now. I found this small Barbie fishing pole for her Birthday.

Look who forgot her new sunglasses AND sunscreen. Luckily, it was almost 6:00 pm and we only stayed about an hour.

There are a few small ponds just behind our home, perfect for this beautiful Heron.

Our good friend, T.R is a fishing expert. So, it was fitting he caught the first fish. (He's also the one who took the fish off the hook and helped us get untangled)

It took about 10-15 minutes of casting and getting nibbles, when she finally caught her first fish!

The little fish loved our mealworms and Dev began to catch a fish with every cast. I'm not sure anything makes me as happy as watching her experience an activity for the first time. She gets giddy and says the funniest stuff. Of course, the main thing she was saying was, "Can we go fishing tomorrow? I LOVE fishing!"

Finally, I might be a little obsessed with our Robin's nest and the 3 baby birds. We've watched the nest closely this spring, explaining each step to Devin. Until last week, as we pulled out to go to preschool, we noticed the nest was gone:(

I got out of the car to discover the nest and the 3 birds under some plants in the garden. The birds looked awful, but I could see the Mom and Dad flying around, upset, still interested... I grabbed the nest, scooped up the babies and jammed them all back into their under-the-gutter- home.

Mom and Dad Robin, didn't miss a beat and began feeding and caring for babies right away. All three are still hanging in:

Garden/Art Fairs

2011-05-18T13:08:00.004-04:00

Our town has some really nice art fairs throughout the year. Some are huge-Cherokee Art Fair and St. James. Some are smaller, like the Locust Grove Garden Fair we visited last weekend.

I was pleased to find this item:

They caught my eye at the fair and help bring a spark of color to the back of the garden.

A unique display for umbrellas.

Dev chose the red-felted headband you see in this picture. It's fun walking around the booths with her. She inspects each item...carefully making her selections. I also loved the wooden/accordion-like planters in the back of this picture. But, they looked top-heavy to me & I pictured a messy clean-up.

Last week was also the final preschool "event" of the year, Muffins For Moms. We walked in to see this sweet display of potted flowers. Dev was SO excited to show me her projects. (They're also growing a bean plant, which she was very proud of)

We will be forever grateful for Miss Karen. I'll never forget when Devin started repeating some Miss Karen"isms." The main one being, "...to be on the safe side." Everyone told me how lucky we were to be in Miss Karen's class & how ready for Kindergarten Devin would be...they were right.

My friend Jamie, has a new addition to their family and brought him by for a visit. He quickly became the mornings' best new play toy. Not Devin, though. She typically wants nothing to do with a baby...won't even look at it or show any interest.

Tiny feet:)

Garden Update-May 10, 2011

2011-05-10T18:09:00.004-04:00

When I saw the raised garden beds at Costco, I couldn't resist. Matt and I spent an hour at Home Depot gathering the parts to make Dev a larger sandbox and quickly realized the Costco contraption would be much easier and fairly cost effective.

We used one as her new sandbox. Dev likes to sit in the sand, bury her feet and build sand castles. The other became my first raised bed on the side of the house. We planted some fun veggies and plants, for Dev to help take care of and watch grow.

My only concern is lack of full-sun. Tomatoes have done well on this West wall, strawberries and Clematis get HUGE, so I have high hopes for our little bed. I have 4 Kentucky Wonder Pole beans, green peppers, hot peppers, potatoes and 3 peanut plants.

The community garden is coming along nicely.

I'm proud of the lettuce on the right. (below) It's the one thing I started from seed in February and had some success.

I'm a bit concerned about the untended plot next to mine. See it below? 2 senior ladies have shared the plot for the past 3 years, but there's been no sign of them so far. I left a message at the state park office, which may take weeks for a response. Budget cuts have left us to fend for ourselves with this garden. Every day that goes by, makes it so much harder to clear out the bed. We're already at the point of having to rent a small tiller, if I take over the space.

It such an ideal plot...it's the closest to the gate and parking. Plus, it's a corner plot. You have a path to work from on 2 sides. (makes it easier to tend) My idea is to use it for some corn, rows of sunflowers, and others space taking veggies...pumpkins & watermelon.

I lost the seed packet for this lettuce and forgot what variety it is. Cut-and-come-again variety of some sort.

I planted the red and yellow onion sets with plenty of space to grow BIG. I hope to use them in some summer salsa.

It's a unique experience gardening at the community plots. There are so many different types of folks, doing their thing in the dirt. I can't help but draw the comparison to raising children. Raising crops is very similar. Everyone has their own way of doing things and their own opinions about what you're doing. There are several "old-timers" who are readily available for advice. (Whether I asked for it or not)

A Fun Day!

2011-05-08T07:41:00.003-04:00

Can you guess what made Devin so happy?

Here's a hint...

Bowling!

We went to an older alley, which doesn't have ramps. So, Dev threw the 6 and 8 lb ball down the lane over and over again. We played two full games and had a blast!

A few breaks in the rain, meant several trips to the park this week.

Just for posterity...here's a rain total map from April.

Our area is off the charts at 20+ inches of rain. Established plants and trees in the garden actually look incredible. It seems the super saturation, deep in the roots, can be good for older plants. But, my new plants and seeds are ruined. I'll be re-planting the sugar snap peas and I had to cheat and buy plants for the cucumber and zucchini.

Colorful

2011-05-01T21:41:00.002-04:00

I suppose the long, gray winter has me craving color. On a trip to Home Depot a few weeks back, some bright planters caught my eye. Instead of buying all new pots (and spending a small fortune) I found some spray paint that easily adheres to plastic and/or metal. Devin helped me select some fun colors and we went to town!

Apparently Fennel doesn't mind near constant rain.

We found these kitties at an art fair years ago. They were rusted and tough to see in all the brown and green. You guessed it...more spray paint!

Some very happy Strawberries:)

This might be my new favorite (non-Devin) picture. My Mom called right around Devin's bedtime a few nights ago and told us to look out the front window. I had just finished saying, "That's weird, it's pouring and sunny."

Double Rainbow!!!!

I didn't get quite as excited as this guy...listen at about 30 seconds in!

YouTube Video

But, we did run around like maniacs trying to get my camera ready and not let the cats out.

I snapped this at preschool last week. I always wondered what the scooters were like she talks about. She was zooming around the "big room," having a blast.

It's Official...5 Years Old

2011-04-25T06:18:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday Devin! You are 5 years old!

Everyone (and I mean everyone) told us to enjoy "the baby stage." They said, "You'll turn around one day and she'll be in high school and want nothing to do with you." While I hope that never happens (the not liking me part), I have to admit, everyone was right.

I'm not sure how 5 years could have passed any faster. I heard a saying just the other day regarding time with children. "The days are long, but the years are short." That about sums it up for me. Perhaps our choice to have just one child, makes us want to savor each moment even more. Or, maybe Dev's just super-cool and actually pretty fun to be around, for a 5 year old. Either way, I try and make an effort each day to slow down & enjoy the moment. It's not easy with our busy schedules, aka tennis:)

At 5 years old, Devin continues to top the growth charts. She's 45" tall and 49 lbs. (She's been in the 90th % for height and weight since a few months old) I predict she'll be tall, since I'm almost 5'10" and Matt's 5'11". Devin's favorite activities are art, cooking, gardening, gymnastics, Barbie's, swimming in the summer, Legos and wearing dresses/skirts. I'm not sure where this girly-girl streak came from. I own a total of 2 dresses and 3 skirts. Devin absolutely insists on wearing a dress/skirt everyday. She's also particular about her hair...she requests various ponytails and braids.

Two things we either got lucky and/or did "right" for her, were sleep routine and food. When she was a baby, I was pretty intensely focused on keeping her sleep routine. But, I think it paid off.

Although, Devin hasn't regularly napped in about a year, we still take a "rest time." Most days, from about 1:30-3:00 she plays quietly upstairs, draws, reads, sings, etc....Her bedtime routine is simple and easy. We aim to be in bed by 8:00 pm & she loves to be read to. She sleeps through the night, unless she's sick and wakes up around 7:00 am.

Devin's eating has been epic from the moment she entered our world. I tried for 2 weeks to exclusively breastfeed and pump, but nothing seemed to satisfy her. I remember having a really messy cry on the phone with her Dr.....begging for help, Devin screaming in my arms. I felt like a total failure, adding some formula to her bottle. But, the she stopped crying. This was my first lesson in, "doing what works for you." For 6 months, I pumped and we mixed in formula and all was well. Once she got a taste of "real" food, it was over. She'll try just about anything placed in front of her and loves to go out to restaurants. Some of her current favorites: Sushi, Salsa and Fajitas at Mexican, Shiraz (kabobs), Corbetts...We also eat quite a bit of "normal" stuff during the week...she loves pasta (with or w/o sauce), ham or turkey sandwiches, peanut butter, salad etc...

Like most parents these days, we're trying to limit Dev's total "screen time." (Tv, Ipod, laptop, Leapster) We've pretty much narrowed her TV to PBS kids shows. Her favorites are Sesame Street, Martha Speaks and Electric Company. With Tivo, we also share a few of our shows with her...since we can fast forward through the ads. (The worst part IMO) So, we all watch Wheel of Fortune, Wipeout and a first few minutes of American Idol or Survivor. She loves playing her Leapster, which was handed down to me from a friend.

Even at 5, I think Devin's sense of humor stands out. Her teachers have noted it and last week, I received this email from the Mom of Devin's classmate, "C."

C was talking to Daddy on the phone this morning (Daddy works in Chicago during the week) and Daddy asked C what he was going to do at pre-school this morning. C said, "I'm going to marry Devin and there's nothing you can do to stop me". Then my husband asked why he wanted to marry Devin and C said, "Because when I say something funny she laughs really loud at me."

I think we'll all have a major adjustment, as she transitions out of preschool. St. Francis has been an amazing opportunity for Devin. In hindsight, I think we started a bit too early...she just wasn't ready to separate from me (at all) at 2 years old. (Even though it was only 2 morning a week) But, this year, she's truly flourished. Her small class size (8 kids) & experienced teacher, allowed Devin to bond closely to several friends.

5 years ago, it was hard to picture our life with a child running around. We were so busy working, playing and enjoying us. Now, it's impossible to even imagine a life without Devin. My one (and only) regret was not having her just a bit sooner...so my Dad could have met her. Deep down, I wonder if having a granddaughter like Devin, would have motivated him to take better care of his health. They would have been very close, this I know. And, she would have already been fishing/golfing/riding in the Porsche...just like me.

Happy Birthday Devin!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday-A Picture Review

2011-04-24T07:31:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow, Devin turns 5 years old!

Today, we're busy dying Easter Eggs, cooking our Easter dinner (Standing Rib Roast) & relaxing with friends and family.

In 5 years, I've taken 1000's of pictures of Devin. Photobucket alone, has over 1500 images I've stored for the blog. Here are some of my favorites. Not because they're great photographs (still learning), but because they bring back that memory I was hoping to capture.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-20T12:36:00.002-04:00

The Early Birthday

2011-04-18T08:08:00.003-04:00

This year, Devin's actual Birthday falls on the day after Easter. Therefore, we decided to schedule her a small Birthday party for this weekend.

The wonderful folks at Kazoing were beyond accommodating, allowing me to change my mind (due to weather) 3 times!

Saturday morning was indeed, cold and rainy. But, that didn't dampen the Birthday girl's spirit.

Let me back up a second to Thursday's photo shoot.

We had a great time with our outdoor shoot & Devin was 100% cooperative. We did 3 outfit changes, with many changes of scenery. A majority of the pictures were taken with her fancy, Birthday dress...but I also got a few precious shots in her polar bear costume.

I really liked how Jennifer (MckMama) worked with Dev. She immediately got down on her level and talked with her, explaining what they were going to do. I was shocked with the amount of pictures she took...often rapid fire, without even looking in the view finder.

I can't wait to see the results! This shot gives me serious camera and lens envy:)

After the pictures, she chose our lunch spot...Napa River Grill. (A good choice for a special lunch)

She wanted to write out a list of the people coming to her party.

Much to Leah's delight (our cake artist), Devin gasped and giggled when she saw her Barbie cake. It tastes as good as it looks, trust me!

After 45 minutes of bouncing and running, the face painter and balloon animals arrived.

The party was perfect. Small, casual and on a schedule. (And, no clean up!)

That afternoon, some of my friends (who are close to Devin) came over for cake and presents.

Look who helped assemble Barbie's Vacation House? Devin was thrilled with everything. Did you know Barbie's vacation house comes with a flat screen? (1080 p no less)

April Showers

2011-04-12T16:41:00.009-04:00

This was the last time we saw the sun. Since then, it's rained almost 4".

Guess who wants to "golf" every chance she gets?

Thanks to Ga-Ga for my new Muck Boots! These are the slip on shoes, which are PERFECT for this time of year.

Plus, with my newly diagnosed Plantar Fascitis, I needed a decent supportive shoe in the garden.

See my poor, little Snap Pea seedling...in standing water?

Even the lettuce is struggling with this much rain. Plus, my garden plot seems to be a washout/drainage area for the field. The lettuce plants just miss being washed away by a river of water through the garden.

The red and yellow onions are the happiest thing in the plot right now.

This is my cucumber/snap pea trellis, assembled and staked into the dirt. I started about 15 plants from seed indoors, which I will move outside next week. Most "old timers" in the garden strongly suggest waiting, "....until Derby," to plant warm weather crops.

Speaking of weather, I made an executive decision to move Devin's outdoor bounce house Barbie party, indoors. We scheduled her a small Birthday party this weekend, since next weekend is Easter. Unfortunately, the forecast for Saturday is a cold rain. Boo. The wonderful folks at Kazoing squeezed us in to a morning (indoor) bounce party. Devin also gets a face painter and balloon artist after the bouncing, so she is very excited.

She has a small preschool class, so just 4-5 kids are expected (with siblings) and some of my friends who are close to Devin want to visit.

Devin chose a "Barbie" theme, out of the blue. So, I'm surprising her with a Barbie cake. She thinks it's a regular flat cake with a Barbie theme. But, my favorite local cake artist is working on one of these:

Tomorrow, we're having professional photos done for Devin's 5th Birthday. These pictures will be a different experience, as I chose a "mom blogger" who's traveling around the country supporting her family by taking pictures. I've always liked her style of photography and I credit her blog (and a few others) as my inspiration for getting a "real" camera & learning how to work it! I'm hoping we can capture Devin's spirit and thinking at this age...so no posed photographs, no matchy-matchy outfits and no studio. In fact, it's Devin's choice on the outfits and we're shooting in a park. Also, we get all the rights to every photo...so I can print them, send them, blow them up to canvas size etc...

It's supposed to be picture perfect weather tomorrow (pun intented), 72 degrees and partly cloudy. No April showers on photo day!

"Kindergarten"

2011-04-06T15:24:00.004-04:00

Last week, Devin & I completed the application process for her "Kindergarten." We're using that term for now, since her preschool friends are throwing it around. But, for her (hopefully) she'll begin Montessori school. (We're waiting to hear back, for an official contract offer)

Montessori generally does not have a separate Kindergarten. The kids are grouped from 3-6 yrs. and then move to individual grade rooms after that.

The application process involved several visits, including a chance for Devin to separate from me for about 30 minutes in the classroom. She was reluctant to say the least, but she did not cry. I chatted in the lobby with another mom who's son was also shadowing in the other classroom. When she came out, Dev had a picture from a student: Rebekah drew a picture of Devin, which I thought was very sweet.

As we were driving on to her regular preschool, I didn't ask any questions about the visit and she wasn't saying much. Eventually, I HAD to ask her what she talked about with the teacher.

Her answer?

"Oh Mama, it was so hard! I mean, it was sooo easy. I just told her 2+2=3, 3+3=6 and 6+6=7!"

We're beyond thrilled that this school opened their new facility less than a mile from home. I spent many winter evenings reading about the Montessori method & feel it's a perfect choice for us, more importantly for Devin.

We've worked hard these 5 years to not use rewards...we don't do stickers, charts, prizes for behavior, etc... I'm a big believer in the ideas behind "Punished By Rewards." And, I LOVE today's Wall Street Journal article about the method.

WSJ Montessori Article

In Kentucky, (IMO) public schools are hyper-focused on standardized test scores...since our schools rank as some of the worst in the nation. But, mostly I want to instill a love of learning & support her natural tendencies. I've seen her focus for 90+ minutes on making, "a book." Basically, she sat and copied one of her favorite books:)

On Day 3 of Spring Break we went to an Open Play at Kazoing. (And indoor bounce house place)

And, I made a 3-D Bunny Cake! Matt had some work friends over, so I thought I would practice with my new Milton cake pan!

Spring Break Week

2011-04-05T07:47:00.002-04:00

There's no preschool this week, Spring Break! We're enjoying the free-time, it's so nice to take a break from the rushed mornings.

We decorated for Easter, with my favorite giant eggs. I remember buying a few of these at Meijer one year and losing most to a wind storm. Then, someone was getting rid of their eggs on Freecycle & I rushed over to get their free giveaway.

This year, we made holes at the end of each egg and filled them with water. They didn't budge in yesterdays awful storm.

I'm always want to rip out these Hyacinth, since they're only pretty for the next 2 weeks. But, Devin LOVES picking them and making bouquets.

Dev and I ate lunch out today...Rapunzel braid and all.

We worked on rainbows and I tried explaining the order of the rainbow...ROY G. BIV.

I'm going to try something new in the garden this year...a Cucumber trellis.

I ordered 2 of these. I love how you can plant some shade loving veggies underneath. I hope to do snap peas and squash on one and cukes on the other.

It's That Time of Year

2011-04-03T21:39:00.004-04:00

It's the time of year, when I wake up and just about everything is sore. It's when I look down at what's supposed to be my nails and see dirty, broken, scraggly things. Also, I tend to spend ridiculous amounts of money.

Yes, it's gardening time!

It's our 3rd year at the community garden & we're (all) getting a late start this year, due to weather.

Every year, it's so hard to remember that this:

...will look like this, very soon:

These folks were ON it today. They worked from 7:45 am (when I dropped off some dirt) and were still at it after 3:00 pm.

Me? I was happy to get my 21 lettuce plants in. I raised these from seed for the last 4 weeks.

I threw this picture in...just because cats are annoying. SO glad we have the double vanities. I wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone with having to wait for a drink. God forbid they actually use their water bowl.

The better weather, means we're outside most all day.

We decided to take a "break" from gardening to go on a nature walk.

Dev spent an hour floating things down the stream. We watched this acorn top for a bit.

HFCS

2011-03-24T06:56:00.002-04:00

Chances are, if you're a parent of a child 10 and under, you've heard the debate over HFCS. (High Fructose Corn Syrup)

A friend posted the spoof on FB, but you have to see the original first!

Original Ad

The SNL Spoof

And now I know why my bathtub is always dirty

2011-03-21T20:25:00.002-04:00

Oh ~~Baxter~~, I mean Woofy.

Artwork

2011-03-21T14:16:00.003-04:00

This post:

http://mommyme-thewonderyears.blogspot.com/2011/03/journal-drawings-age-4-5.html

got me thinking about Devin's artwork. She's a very prolific artist, churning out 5-10 pictures a day sometimes. But, every once in a while there's something new and different in her work. For the first time, I noticed her "grounding" the figures. She even pointed out the "carpet" below our feet in this picture.

I thought her depiction of Matt's weekend stubble was precious.

I gave her a tube of expired Pillsbury crescent rolls to play with, while I made real (edible) dough.

She told me this was Ruff Ruffman and Blossom. (From a PBS show she likes)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-18T06:43:00.001-04:00

Nor everyone can rock a green, fuzzy, light-up, tiara encrusted cowgirl hat....

An Early Spring Visit

2011-03-14T14:26:00.006-04:00

I have to classify it as "Early Spring," because the Daffodils are in full bloom around here. But, today's weather was downright nasty. Nothing like 37 degrees and pouring rain to make you want to cuddle in front of the fireplace for 8 hours.

Which, makes me even more grateful for the weekend we had with Papa and Grandma.

Theybrought the only sunshine we've seen in a week!

So, off to the Zoo we went...

P&G quickly learned our routine at the zoo. Carousel first!

(The bright, 10:00 am sun overexposed most of my pictures....I used iphoto to make them tolerable)

Miss flexible will ONLY ride the Butterfly. It does not go up and down.

You know how there are some meals that are good? And, some meals that are great?

Then, there are some meals that are lifetime memorable.

http://www.corbettsrestaurant.com/content/

We had one of those dinners Saturday night. I booked us the Chef's table at Corbett's and we ventured out with Devin. I booked an early time (5:30) and thought the private room would be perfect for our group.

It was.

Somehow, we all decided to order the 5-course pre-fix menu...which was amazing.

One of my favorite moments came when the team of servers delivered the Amuse Bouche to each diner. Without prompting, Devin tried the fried Risotto and declared it delicious. Each course tasted better than the next and we all sampled Devin's homemade Strawberry ice cream dessert. The servers kept her captivated with tales of a possible ghost in the old farm house. We explored the basement dining area & thought we saw a shadow....but maybe that was the pink champagne or espresso chocolate talking.

(Note to self. Espresso chocolate is not good for an almost 5 year old near bedtime. She was, literally, bouncing off the walls.)

We had a great weekend!!!

Hair!

2011-02-20T21:16:00.004-05:00

Mercy, this child's hair. There are so many layers of waves, curls and softness.

It's been a static-filled mess this winter and is hot in the summer...

You know she'll want it to be stick straight. And, jet black.

But, I hope not.

I hope she can see the gorgeousness that is her hair.

And, let it be.

Donuts and Cupcakes

2011-02-06T19:49:00.002-05:00

On Thursday this week, we celebrated Donuts for Dads at preschool. I had to take Matt to the airport, so I stopped in for a few photos.

Yikes, Dev needs a haircut...

The reading nook.

Apparently, Dev has above average chopstick skills! That could come from the countless times she insists on eating "Sushi." Even though she actually gets California Rolls and edamame, the entire meal MUST be eaten with chopsticks. (According to her) If you have Dev and a Japanese restaurant on your schedule, you might want to mark out 2 hours.

I found a Valentine's cupcake holder at Wal-Mart this weekend, for the preschool party this week. Dev was quick to create her own cupcake tower, with my cleaning cloths.

Our Valentine iPods. It's a box of Sweet Tarts, attached to 2 Reese's Cups. I thought they turned out really cute:)

Dentist Veteran

2011-01-31T19:10:00.005-05:00

You might not guess it from this particular photo, but we had lots of good news today!

1) A crippling ice storm will miss our city. No power is rough. I can't imagine doing it in the cold. Remember this week?

Living Without Power

#2) Our taxes. For the 1st time in our 15 years of filing, we just might get a refund. It's also the 1st year since I was 16, that I didn't get a W-2. Kinda weird.

Check the new flex-tiara. It helps anchor the Valentine's kitchen towel.

#3) Dentist! Another great report from the Dentist today. One good thing about multiple trips to the dentist...she's totally comfortable. In fact, she was acting like a grizzled veteran today. She flashed a smile to the receptionist and discussed preschool with Dr. Yang. I really can't express how much we love this office. Everyone seems to enjoy what they do. I'm so thankful we found Dr. Yang and her awesome staff.

I found this dress for $15.00 today at TJ Maxx. We're all about turning Spring clothing into winter outfits...so I bought this dress in a size 7.

The ever-patient, Woofy. (I mean Baxter) At night, he brings all his "babies" to someone. We refer to Baxter's various treasured toys as, "babies." Sometimes, he brings the collection to us. I wake up to 3 or 4 well-chewed cat toys...he prefers the ones with sticks attached. It's so cute when he's dragging the sticks along our floor at 3 am. Sometimes, he picks Dev. I'll find all the toys outside of her bedroom door in the morning.

Her appt. today involved x-rays, cleaning and filling repair. We took a well-deserved trip to the family owned toy store, just around the corner from the office. She chose a portable thing, which is good for trips.

Snow Day!

2011-01-12T06:02:00.003-05:00

It doesn't take much in our city to get a snow day. In fact, schools were closed before it ever started snowing. But, they were right....this time. It snowed most of the day on Tuesday, giving Dev and I a chance to enjoy the flakes.

Devin's 2nd home....the tennis club.

Do you think she was sick of me practicing with my new lens?

(I love the details in captures in her hair)

Twinkling Into 2011

2011-01-03T21:25:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year! I'm not sure where 2010 went, but my Yo Gabba Gabba calendar is history. (This year it's Yoga Cats...thanks to Gma and Gpa!)

Santa brought a Cotton Candy Machine this Christmas, so we busted it out the other day while playing, "Fair." Yes, nothing brings back the memories of hot summer days spent at the pool and the State Fair like homemade cotton candy.

Yesterday, she used that fake snow material to make pretend cotton candy. It involved a lot of markers on fleece and cutting. (Which was a ginormous mess) But, it looks real and is better for teeth:)

This picture depicts 2 cherished gifts...Devin's Twinkle Toes and my new lens!

Apparently, there's a bit of a learning curve. I chose this lens: Canon 85 mm f/1.8 It's a medium telephoto lens, ideal for portraits and low-light indoor shots. (I never, ever use the flash)

This was gymnastics class yesterday...she was moving super-fast and I thought it did a good job of stopping the action and her face is crisp. (The lens has an ultrasonic motor and is lighting fast)

We spent last week with Gma and Gpa and the whole family! Everyone. In one house. For those of you keeping score at home:

We had 11 humans (8 adults and 3 children), 2 dogs (100 lbs. each) and 3 cats. So, there weren't too many dull moments.

Her cousins painted pirate treasure boxes.

The basement poles made for some excellent twirling.

For posterity, I captured Gpa performing his last act as an attorney. (Helping a family friend with his Will) After 30 years, Ray gets to be a stay-at-home Gpa! We expect lots of baking, Sudoku solving, Scrabbling and Rosetta-Stoning!

Uncle Carson:)

Carson and Catherine's beautiful, 'Winnie."

And, finally...the Hostess with the Mostest! This lady cranked out a full Ham dinner for 15, Turkey dinner the next night and then hosted a party for 50+ folks.

NO paper plates, NO plastic cups and NO caterer.

Take that, Martha Stewart.

(See how my new lens perfectly blurs my husband stuffing his face with caramel corn)

Christmas with a 4.5 year old!

2010-12-26T14:17:00.003-05:00

We had quite a weekend celebrating Christmas! It started early Christmas Eve, when we all went to Matt's work to fix breakfast for his co-workers. (On his day off...what a guy!) We made blueberry pancakes, bacon & blueberry muffins. Everyone was appreciative, except for the guy who splattered blueberry juice all over his white dress shirt and tie. Oops:(

After that, we hit Kroger and it wasn't too bad. I witnessed 2 freak outs, when Kroger appeared to have run out of whip cream and butter. There were no less than 5-10 people standing perplexed at the dairy case.

Christmas Eve dinner at Ga-Ga's featured homemade lasagna, chocolate cake and stockings to open. We were all beat from cooking and cleaning & fell asleep easily and early.

A white Christmas is rare here, but we actually had a dusting and woke up to a beautiful snowy morning!

Here's Dev opening one of her first gifts. Matt found it...apparently she saw part of it in the hotel on our trip down to Florida. Talk about a steel-trap memory. It's cute...by the Wallace and Grommet folks.

As always, the simple gifts I threw in the basket as afterthoughts, were very popular. She loves this weird gooey stuff I found in a can. It's meant to make flatulent-like noises when you stick your hand in, but turns out it's like a non-messy play doh. She's messed with the stuff for hours.

The $.99 kaleidoscope!

We're busting out the Easy Bake Oven this afternoon....wish me luck:)

It's That Time of Year

2010-12-21T13:21:00.003-05:00

Last week was memorable, for all the wrong reasons. Dev and Matt came down with the flu within 2 days of each other. The poor things had sore throats, high fevers, vomiting, major aches and pains, severe congestion and coughs, zero appetite or energy....it was a long week for everyone. By some miracle, my Mom and I avoided the worst symptoms. We both had chills, aches etc... for one day and thought we were coming down with it. (We felt better the next day)

But, it's that time of year. I knew as soon as the kids started staying in 100% of the mornings at preschool, it would get ugly. They take them out whenever possible, but ice and snow and bitter cold means indoors they stay.

It's almost Christmas...already? We realized Dev hadn't been to see Santa yet. She's always been cool with the guy in red, except for her very first Xmas at 6 months old.

(We took our own pictures at home)

At that age, she freaked out if I left the room, so it was understandable. Santa pictures aren't very high on my childhood memory priority list, so whatever works for her is fine with me.

This year, Dev chose her Santa visit outfit. I thought the Peace symbol was appropriate:) She also asked if I could straighten her hair that day. I obliged.

Here's 2008:

And, 2009:

It's all about Barbie this Christmas. I introduced Barbie to Devin with my collection from childhood. I still have my 1970's Barbie carrying case, 5 dolls, outfits, the Dallas horse and saddle etc... She loves to bathe the dolls, wash their hair and change their clothes. Most of my Barbie's clothing was handmade by my Grandma & it's incredible. She hand knitted retro sweater dresses, coats, there's fur stole and some really sweet outfits. So, it was a wake up call when I went to the Barbie aisle at Target for the 1st time. Apparently, Barbie is a hoochy-mama now. All the clothes make Barbie look like she's ready to hit the streets for a Pimps Up, Hoes Down episode.

Her "big" present this year is a doll house to Barbie's scale. (Which btw, is 1/6 in case you care) The actual "Barbie" dream house is just too much pink plastic for me. (And, I'm fairly tolerant of pink plastic)

So, I went with this wooden one:

The most important feature for the house (according to Devin) is to have a "balcony." This has 2 with porch swings!

I damn near went postal putting it together, but at least I didn't wait until Christmas Eve. (Like last year, with her bike)

I just hope Barbie likes it. Let's hope she's into Southern Colonial charm vs. pink plastic vomit.

See?

The Finished Product!

2010-12-08T06:29:00.002-05:00

Year In Pictures New Year's Card

Make a statement with custom holiday cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

There's a Bluebird On My Shoulder....

2010-12-06T21:14:00.003-05:00

Or, at least on my bird bath!

I also caught the Matriarch of our cat clan tolerating the newbie. (Actually, she was probably trying to keep warm) We remind ourselves daily, that our lovely (grey) Samantha is 15 years old...the equivalent of late 70's in human years.

I needed a new picture to complete my Christmas card project for 2010. I placed my Shutterfly order today and I'm so excited to see our cards in person:)

Camera Shy

2010-11-28T19:34:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a low-key holiday thanks to a nasty cold for Matt and now, Devin. The house is filled with sniffling, sneezing, coughing, tissues, humidifiers and general sickness. My anti-bug vigilance is paying off, as I've avoided this awful cold completely....so far.

This video is from a few weeks ago, while I was mowing the lawn and raking up the last of the leaves. I told Devin she could play outside, but had to stay on the front porch. Earlier, she yelled to me that she was having a Birthday Party on the porch. I said, "Cool! Who's Birthday is it?" She replied, "It's the chair's! And, it's a Rainbow Celebration!"

I didn't know Matt was getting some video gold:)

She created this interesting costume yesterday. It's a handmade nursing shawl from my neighbor, serving as wings. The dress is a pink sparkly number I found on the clearance rack at Old Navy for $3.25. She accessorized with my shoes and a gold/rose crown.

What's in the Box?

2010-11-13T20:59:00.004-05:00

What's in the box?

Ta Da!

Devin Taylor!

Our tree in the front is just about done dropping its' beautiful red leaves. So, we raked the biggest pile possible.

And....

We jumped!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T16:53:00.005-04:00

I can't help but do a Halloween costume review for Devin. The first 3 years were animals.

The mouse costume at 6 months old.

My 18 month old kitty.

A 2.5 year old Peacock. This might be my favorite.
'''

Last year's clown. Our first non-animal costume. And, the last time I had any say in what she wore.

This year, Devin was a Princess....shocker.

My tennis girls dressed up for Halloween!

We dressed up the Barbie collection, too.

Then, Dev decided to dress Baxter. "In a dress."

This year, Dev took notice that parents of "older kids" stayed on the sidewalk. After a few houses, I was told to stay behind. She approached house after house with the standard greeting and consistent, "Sank You" for the candy.

She was so tired...she tripped and fell twice during trick-or-treating and hurt herself throughout the day with various scrapes and bruises. But, we made it through:)

The Rest of the Trip

2010-10-23T09:57:00.003-04:00

It's so good to be home. We decided to drive all the way...leaving Orlando at 8:00 am, pulling in our driveway at 10:13 pm. Not bad. Dev slept the last 3 hours, thankfully. Actually, she was a very patient traveler & fairly flexible for a 4.5 year old.

I told her these glasses were very, "Jacki O." Then, I had to explain who she was and why we would want to be like her:) At least I finally found a pair she will keep on.

She finished this drink at Planet Hollywood. And, ate a big dinner. We walked a lot that day!

The actual dress worn by Judy Garland in Wizard of Oz. Devin asked if we could buy it!

We got to the Beauty and the Beast show 15 minutes early, as suggested by a friend. Our seats were perfect and the show was very cute. It was like B&B redux. The big 3 songs and all the favorite characters.

No one fights like Gaston!

We found Tigger out and about shopping for sunglasses.

Papa, Don and Dev just before we went to Hollywood Studios.

Ray spent some time teaching the Dev the basics of Crazy 8's.

Grandma got herself and Devin matching Splash Mountain shirts, since it was their favorite ride. Dev went on it a total of 3 times...we even made a special trip back just for that ride.

One of the best things about the trip, was Devin swimming. I guess something clicked.

The zero-entry pool helped Dev get a better sense of balance and control in the water. Within the 1st day, she was going under more and more. (and for longer)

By the end of the week, she was very close to swimming underwater. We were so proud and amazed. She worked hard all summer, with lots (and lots) of water up her nose. She never gave up, though!

Our Bippity Boppity Time

2010-10-18T20:17:00.004-04:00

In typical Disney fashion, things were running like a well-oiled machine at the boutique this morning. We showed up almost 15 minutes early and were immediately welcomed inside.

Devin knew 100% exactly what she wanted for this experience. See her explaining....

They got to work.

With all her gorgeous hair, Devin chose the style that would hide all of it. A tight, swept back bun, with blond extensions and a tiara. (I swore I would not interfere with her choices)

Matt stopped by, on his way to play a PGA course at Disney. I'm not sure who was happier today...Matt or Devin!

She had the funniest look on her face, when they revealed the finished look.

We all got a kick out of her choosing Princess Tiana...that's Dev. She does things differently.

The too-big gloves and flip-flops were priceless. Actually, they were $50+....don't even ask about the total bill.

The Blue Drink

2010-10-17T15:05:00.009-04:00

Weird post title for a day at Epcot. It got a little ugly for a minute.

I'll start with the morning.

The big ball. Everyone loved this ride:)

See those plaques as you walk in Epcot?

Papa and Grandma have their very own!

We couldn't wait to get to Test Track and there was no waiting first thing in the morning. I forgot how intense that ride is. Devin screamed and seemed enjoy the fast/rough parts...the reason she chose NOT to go on it again?

The heat lamp section...she thought it might, "melt her shoes."

So, we skipped the Fast Pass we had and moved on.

Imagination was one of her favorite rides and activities. Again, no line and she really loved Figment.

I thought they were setting up for a cooking demonstration, until they started using all the utensils as drums.

My personal favorite: The Land.

I had major sunflower envy.

The night before Epcot, we spent some time on-line looking at the various lands and decided to eat at the sit-down restaurant in Mexico. The atmosphere is dusk at the Mayan Ruins, with a small marketplace you walk through first. Devin was thrilled and the food smelled like it was going to be amazing.

As we were seated, Dev noticed a flashing blue drink which glowed in the super-dark restaurant. She insisted on getting a blue drink, but they didn't make "virgin" versions of the blue margarita. So, I ordered one. (She did get a kid's strawberry daquiri!) Turns out, the "blue drink" is a $17.00 ultra top-shelf margarita. Which tasted amazing. And, really really hit the spot after a morning of Nemo, Figment, etc...

The food was awesome. Like, really good. Our meal was over and I went to gather our things and be sure we had everything. Then in hits me, I can't find our Disney tickets. The 5-Day World Hopper $800+ ones. And, my Driver's License is gone. I look through my purse again. Nothing. Inner panic begins and I'm immediately nauseous. So, I leave Matt and Dev in line for the Mexico ride and go to the bathroom. After collecting myself, I carefully go through everything in my purse. Still nothing.

Now, we spend the next hour retracing steps and reporting the lost items to guest services. The tickets were not replaceable and we were on Day #2 of a 5 day ticket. As we're leaving, Matt insists on checking through my purse once more. I'm actively chastising him for not trusting me to go through MY OWN PURSE, when he pulls out the tickets and license. The relief (and shit-eating grin on Matt's face) were enough to produce a few tears from me...but Dev was just happy we found the tickets

Thus...I don't know if it was the tequila or the adrenaline, or both. But, either way I was ready to go back to the condo and swim:)

It Was Magic!

2010-10-17T05:23:00.004-04:00

Our day at Magic Kingdom was amazing. The weather was perfect. I've been to Florida a lot...several spring break trips in high school, college tennis playoffs, honeymoon and many others. But, this time was super-special. We had our 4.5 year old in tow.

Lucky for us, Dev's Papa and Grandma are Disney experts & know all the tricks.

See. You park at Epcot and ride the Monorail to MK. Less traffic!

There it is!

We started on Cinderella's Carousel. No line, familiar, all good.

Onto Splash Mountain. This was the ride she was most looking forward to. But, as we approached, she saw the 50 ft. drop. And asked, "Are we going on that?" I told her if she wanted...she didn't have to.

She looked at me like I had 6 heads and said, "Grandma, I want to ride with you. In the front seat! So we get really soaked!"

And, they did!

As soon as we cleared the gift shop at the end, she asked if we could, "do it again!" (We did)

On the Monorail home I had to snap this picture. Then, I started thinking. Are they being paid to sky write religious messages? Is it a hobby or a calling?

Do they think if someone's on the fence about accepting Jesus in their life, the sky writing will seal the deal?

Anyway, I decided I wanted a pair of Minnie Ears for my souvenir. Devin chose the same pair and finally got her giant sucker. (the sucker was something she'd been looking forward to since...well since she saw one at the Freshmarket months ago)

Of course, the strap hurt her skin after about 3 minutes.

Our little trooper was wearing out by the afternoon, so we returned to the condo to swim & relax.

Next stop? Epcot!

Heading South

2010-10-16T04:40:00.004-04:00

Our 1st stop? Nashville!

We hunted down this little spot, know for its' burgers and home cookin'.

See? Broccoli casserole!!

This trip meant Devin's 1st hotel stay. (That she can remember) She was SO excited to "see the room" and "GO SWIMMING!"

I forgot how important the almighty hotel swimming pool is to a kid.

And, the big giant bed perfect for jumping and rolling around.

Next stop, Atlanta! We chose this little pizza place around the corner from the hotel

We may be a little picky when it comes to our pizza. (Not Dev, of course...just us) We're obsessed with cooking the perfect pizza at home & this place was awesome!

These Garlic Knots were incredible. Pizza dough tied in a knot, sprinkled with fresh garlic, butter and salt & fresh marinara??

Dev took a hesitant bite....and then proceeded to devour the knots.

We all had breath that would scare a vampire that night.

Another Bouncing Birthday Party!

2010-10-10T17:43:00.003-04:00

I caught this little grin, when "Belle" walked into the party room. I appreciated the venue's natural-looking Belle, who was so sweet with the kids.

Luckily, Dev didn't recognize her from last week's party...she was our helper. (In regular clothes)

Look at the detail on this amazing Birthday Cake. They said it was a SAH mom, who bakes from her kitchen.

Incredible detail.

I've NEVER used the word "random" in a post title

2010-10-07T11:45:00.004-04:00

Until today!!! There you go blog world...I broke Rule #1!

We thought this stuffed cat Halloween decoration would freak out the cats.

It didn't.

Devin returned to "cooking" for about an hour each day this week. It's serious business.

Saturday night, I had an intense craving for Fried Green Tomatoes...and Matt obliged.

Then, I got it in my head to purchase an entire Beef Tenderloin & use it for 3-4 different meals. I had major buyers regret that afternoon...the roast itself was over $80.00.

BUT, it made a 2 lb roast, 5 filets and a nice section of tail. I used the tail to make Beef Stroganoff last night.

For my Mom's Birthday, I made the 2 lb roast with an amazing Roasted Shallot Sauce. The beef stock was homemade from my soup bones. (Froze the rest) It was really good, although I always like my beef a bit more done than everyone else.

Devin attended another birthday party this weekend. She had a great time and worked up quite a sweat. It was so cold out that day, but the indoor bounce place was warm!

Yesterday, Devin got her annual Halloween box from her cousins.

She LOVED the card! "It looks just like Baxter...I mean Woofy!"

Devin wants Baxter to be a puppy so much, she re-named him "Woofy." Like, seriously. We all have to call him Woofy. He responds to Woofy, now. She's also strong enough to carry him around, wrap him in blankets, brush his fur, move his feet "like bicycles" and many other very irritating things. Baxter, I mean Woofy, puts up with it all. Only, crying slightly, when she really crosses the line. One time, he scratched her arm...but that was probably an accident.

Thanks for being patient Baxter. I mean, Woofy.

Moving Right Along

2010-09-26T07:56:00.004-04:00

We had successful Transportation Day at preschool this year. It's always a fun day for the kids and exhausting for the teachers/parents!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Otherwise, we've been chugging along through regular life this week:)

In October, we're preparing to enter a special section of Hell, reserved for the truly insane...we're driving to Florida. With a 4-Year old. I know, I know...but the airline tickets were outrageous & I think it will be an adventure!

Also, it's time to start looking for Devin's next school. Kentucky's schools (including some East End Elementary schools) are failing to meet basic standards. They are some of the worst in the Nation according to test scores. There's also a lovely forced deseg program. Basically, there's a chance Devin wouldn't be allowed to attend her resides school a mile away. She would be bussed 45 minutes (one-way) for Kindergarten. No thank you.

We toured the Louisville Montessori School yesterday, during an open house. (Devin didn't go, as we thought it would just confuse her) We LOVED it and think Dev will too. It's across the street & in a brand new facility. I've been researching the Montessori method for about a year and I'm so impressed. So, we'll begin the process of applying in a few weeks.

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around her being gone from 8:00-2:45 everyday, in less than a year:(

The Weekend-Bouncing Princesses

2010-09-13T12:09:00.001-04:00

The Zinnia are still pretty on top. But, awful looking and 1/2 dead on bottom. It's a good thing I love butterflies, since they're the only reason I haven't ripped out the whole garden. Those flowers seem to be their favorite food source, so I feel horrible just ripping them out.

Dev and I had so much fun this day playing with the butterflies. (She was resting during this video...I've never seen so many butterflies!)

Someone started choosing her outfits for the day: Isn't this perfect for errand running and grocery shopping? I just looooove trying to buckle her car seat with 4 layers of dress and the Crocs are perfect for tripping and falling on faces.

Oh well.

My favorite Zinnia of the summer: Peppermint Stick (Orange & Red)

We attended a 4th Birthday party for one of her preschool classmates. It's good to see we're not the only one with a Princess-obsessed preschooler.

When my GPS directed us to "turn right" this is what we saw.

Devin made some sort of primal screaming sound and could barely contain herself for me to park and get our things together. She was literally speaking in tongues from excitement.

One of her favorite friends from school, gymnastics and playdates.

The Birthday Girl taking a swing at the Princess Pinata.

The Princess cake.

14 Years-A Different Celebration

2010-09-05T22:09:00.004-04:00

The awful heat this summer kept me from doing much in the garden. Amazingly, my precious Zinnia didn't seem to mind the neglect. In fact, they thrived in the heat.

This afternoon, we all worked in the yard. Tonight was a time to celebrate our 14 year Anniversary! We decided to have a "date night" with Dev and Grandma...unusual, I know.

When Matt and I were getting ready, Dev worked on this picture of our, "Date Night."

I don't save everything from my prolific arteest...but this is a keeper. (Her first picture of a building...something other than people and flowers/animals)

Her face lights up at the sight of the Kaden Building.

Going up to the 16th floor.

I snapped this super-fast as the doors were closing.

I love the smile I can see...

We got a little crazy on the balcony after dinner:)

Note my hand scratches from the yard work!!!!

KSF Review

2010-08-29T08:01:00.003-04:00

I couldn't help myself....

This was last year's post about going to the fair. The video is from the previous year, when Dev was about 16 months old.

In 2009 she was 39" tall, this year 43"!

According to my notes, she also chose a white unicorn last year. Weird.

http://devin4fun.blogspot.com/2009/08/kentucky-state-fair-2009.html

Life's Not All Rainbows and Unicorns

2010-08-28T15:14:00.003-04:00

Except when it is!! Today was Kentucky State Fair day!

(Devin chose this interesting rainbow unicorn on our way out)

Renting this wagon was a bargain at any price. We had a lot of ground to cover. Notice her pale skin, earlier this morning.

Is there anything better than cotton candy and lemonade for a mid-morning snack?

At the KSF, you can see many (many) things you might not see anywhere else on the planet.

And, certainly not all in one place.

Take for instance, this giant 2-story balloon octopus.

Or, dancing bears.

There's always the Ugly Lamp Contest.

I think this was Cleopatra.

There was a long line for a Donut Burger. Not that I would have tried one anyway...gross.

Notice it's getting hotter....

We saved Dev's favorite part for last, the rides!

I love stuffed animal prizes! Dev was happy when she won a little Nemo animal:)

By the time our $25.00 in tickets was exhausted...so was Dev. The sun felt like it was baking us, even with sunscreen. Little miss bow, wouldn't hear of a hat:(

She said, "It was the funnest day ever."

We beat the heat on our way out with the Make Your Own Slush booth. She chose Lime/Orange. Matt added grape to ours. Very yummy, not too sweet.

Busy, Busy Busy

2010-08-25T15:29:00.003-04:00

Yesterday:

5:45 am-Up with Dev early (again). She's adjusting to the school routine I guess.

8:45 am-Drove Dev to school. Forgot beloved backpack...crisis averted when I McGuyvered a solution. My tennis bag served as her backpack. *sigh of relief* (Noted Dev said her "ear hurt")

Worked until 11:30 am, just enough time to pick her up and get home for lunch.

Dev's still complaining about her ear-she's never had an infection & I thought I could see some wax or something. Called Dr.

4:00 pm arrived at the Dr. She found one ear so clogged with wax, she couldn't see the eardrum. By 4:30 we had all the wax out and a report of perfect ear...another crisis solved!

Devin insists on going to tennis with Matt & I, even though she's super tired. We have a great time until she falls off the chair and does a face plant. Cue bloody nose.

She's out like a light at 7:45

2:15 am-Really loud crashing sound from Devin's room. I race upstairs to find her lying sideways in bed, with her lower half completely on her side table. Her long legs knocked the lamp to the floor...and she slept through it all:)

A Walk in the Park

2010-08-23T07:07:00.003-04:00

After days and weeks of 90-100 degree weather, it seems the worst of the summer heat has finally departed. (It was the hottest summer on record in Kentucky) The ultra-hot weather made for a perfect summer at the the pool...we rarely used our swim towels, as 100+ degrees meant we dried off in a few minutes of walking around! It also made doing anything else outside miserable, if not impossible.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. Perfect for a walk in the park!

She insisted on wearing a headband AND a bow.

4 Day Fours-Day One

2010-08-19T19:36:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was Dev's 1st day back to preschool. She was excited and happy....quite a change from the past. School is Tuesday-Friday 8:45-12 noon. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around having her gone so much.

Her class has 10 kids and she knows 5 of them from last year.

It's Miss Karen (her new teacher)!

The only issue was her sleeping last night. After bath time, she fell asleep in about 30 seconds and slept soundly until 4:15 am. She said she had a bad dream and has been up ever since.

It's going to be a looooooong day.

It's Gonna Be Like Fajitas....

2010-08-13T21:26:00.002-04:00

After a few seconds of camera shyness....Cooking With Devin is a go!

I'm not sure if "Cake Soup" will have the broad appeal most cooking shows are looking for.

(Can you tell we watch a lot of cooking shows around here?)

The Catch Up

2010-08-03T14:33:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I remembered to switch the "Yo Gabba Gabba" 2010 calendar to August. It was weird to realize the summer has come and gone in the blink of an eye. We still have August, but Dev starts back to her 4 morning preschool on the 17th....so our dog days are numbered.

My poor camera is still in the shop. I'm lost without it and completely unmotivated to blog. But, I'm not giving up my project to document our journey raising Devin!

So...At 4 years and 4 months, Devin is growing and changing in such interesting ways. Changes are more subtle now, but they're there. Today she said, "Mama. I want to tell you about riding a bike. You pedal fast with your legs like this....then you stop your legs and rest....that's called toasting."

Yesterday, before 8:00 am I answered no less than 25 questions.

"What is gravity?"

"Do bees have eyes?"

"Where do bees sleep?"

One accomplishment for the summer was attending "camp" at her preschool with absolutely NO transition issues. She actually seemed much for relaxed and happy with the change. She took her first class field trip to the U of L Planetarium on a "real" school bus.

We also took her on a "Date Night." She's always wanted to go with us on one of our Date Night's...to a "fancy" restaurant. So we dressed her up and took her to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Luckily, RC is perched atop a relatively tall building and you ride up a glass elevator...Charlie and Chocolate Factory anyone? She was welcomed with open arms by the manager, who seated us in a comfortable booth. She. Loved. It. We ate and talked and walked on the balcony. We ordered dessert (which screwed my weight loss for that week) and she was thrilled. In the car home, she asked if we "could go back tomorrow?"

Also, we joined my tennis club's pool and signed Dev up for private swimming lessons. She hasn't spent any time in the pool until this summer and LOVES the water. However, not being able to swim (at all) makes us all nervous and she really wants to know how to go underwater. I'm actually impressed with her determination around swimming. We tried explaining how to blow bubbles, hold your breath etc....but she always ended up with water up her nose or even in her lungs. She damn near drown in front of my face, she's so unsure of what to do in the water.

As luck would have it, the captain of my tennis team's daughter is one of the swim instructors and perfect for Devin:) She's patient and fun...and good at calming Dev's nerves. We're working together to help Dev conquer this challenge. I'm 100% against forcing the issue and letting her scream, struggle and cry for 30 minutes. Apparently, plenty of parents are fine with that as I witnessed today. It breaks my heart to hear a child begging for help and struggling to breath...the Mom thought it was funny:(

When I was pregnant with Devin, I gained nearly 50 lbs overall. After breastfeeding/pumping, I lost 10 lbs maybe? When she was about 18 months, I joined Weight Watchers On-Line and lost 32 lbs! The past winter was cold and dreary...I gained almost 15 back. My ongoing obsession with tennis helps me stay active and I found my new motivation....winning at 4.5. It's the highest level played in our city and I've never won a match. Most of the women at 4.5 played in college (or could have) and are in great shape. SO, I set a goal to lose those 15 lbs by Labor Day and 10 more after that. Maybe then, I can start hanging in those tough 4.5 singles matches!

So, far I've lost 11.6 lbs with 4 weeks until Labor Day!

66 Pictures

2010-07-12T19:54:00.005-04:00

Where do I start? My camera took 66 awesome pictures this weekend, before it stopped working reliably. The worst part is, various lenses won't work. I'm afraid the camera body itself is broken. I'm taking it back to the camera shop tomorrow:(

We went on a "nature walk" a few mornings ago. We try to get out before the thermometer hits 97 degrees.

(Note her embellishment...the sunflower pin she found from my wedding memory box)

I planted several extra tomato plants in large pots for the deck. (The regular plants are ginormous on the side of the house) The potted plants force the fruit much sooner and they're quick to ripen.

And, yummy.

My zinnia obsession continues.

We made the trek to Papa and Grandma's this weekend. Dev was over the moon excited and asked us 75 times, "Are we there yet?"

Devin requested goggles, which Papa found on a trip to Wally World. The Williams/Dickson head size curse, means Dev's got quite a melon. (Plus the hair) Grandma came to the rescue and combined the 2 goggles into one. (very MacGuyver)

The bubbles were a huge hit for everyone!

Dev wore the goggles at the dinner table. I actually squirted hot corn juice in her face, when I placed the corn holders in the cob. She said, "Good thing I was wearing my goggles!"

We went to the river to see the replicas of Columbus' ships. Very cool indeed.

We always make a trip to UFS. (Unclaimed Freight Service) It's a crazy store of random stuff that people don't claim. You never know what you'll find at UFS....but the savings are for real!

I bought skewers, a beach chair for Devin, some garden ornaments, Diet Squirt (unavailable in Kentucky), champagne....you get the picture.

Matt was checking out some bar stools, when I noticed the coffin for sale.

It's "Amish."

I sooooooo wanted to ask the manager, what warranted this sign.

We had a great visit, but Devin's really missing her Papa and Grandma. We Skyped, which helped.

Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-05T07:43:00.003-04:00

We celebrated the 4th of July, 4-year old style.

Plenty of Barbies. Mostly in their vintage, circa late 70's clothing.

Then we went outside for bubbles, bounce house, swimming and fireworks.

As with any 4 year old, we got in trouble for not playing "right."

Eventually, we got the hang of it.

I'm Baaaaaack!

2010-07-03T20:42:00.005-04:00

My camera is finally fixed.

Just in time for 4th of July!

Fascinating.

Poor parenting depicted in a fireworks display.

Hee hee:)

Nothing like some Tui Na, to round out the day.

Jackpot!

2010-06-18T16:40:00.005-04:00

Yes. My camera is still on the DL. Fortunately, it's an $80 repair, much better than I expected.

So, forgive the cell phone pic below.
We went on a bowling play date with a friend from preschool. They also have games and as you can see, Devin hit the Jackpot. It was one of those random coin drop games. She dropped the token down a chute, it fell on a platform and was swept onto a lower, rotating platform. It landed on, "Jackpot." Her little token won her 540 tickets. Added to our earlier skee-ball game, we had 600 points to buy junk from China and candy. Awesome!

(Which reminds me Dev had a check up and everything is looking great)

Dev was really happy and chose princess junk...shocker.

Since nearly everyday in June has been 90 degrees or above, we've been finding ways to stay cool. We borrowed our neighbors water slide for a few days, which was really fun. We also learned how much trouble a giant plastic thing is, when you can't get it dry. It's so tempting to buy one, but they're pricey and according to reviews on Amazon....cheaply made these days.

We're all looking forward to Father's Day weekend. Dev's been working on cards and wrapping "presents" all week long. Of course by presents, I mean she's wrapping up your left shoe for ya.

A Trip to Snow White

2010-05-31T17:55:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Gaga, we had tickets to see Snow White at the Children's Derby Dinner Playhouse. For this show, we actually had breakfast! It was good, old-fashioned theater in the round.

(No pictures due to the broken camera)

Derby Dinner Playhouse

Devin dressed for the occasion in her full Snow White costume. There were many little girls in costumes, so she apparently she got the memo. We were curious to see how she would react to the play. Our seats were on the floor, within touching distance of the stage. The lights fell dark and the play/musical started.

For the next hour, Devin sat motionless and 100% absorbed in the action. She didn't ask me questions, she didn't get restless...She. Didn't. Move.

The only time we spoke, was when her hands cramped up from being clenched tightly during the scary witch scene. You know, when the evil step mother drinks the formula to make her an old lady witch. It was dark, she had a booming voice and they played loud thunder and flickered the lights...pretty intense, for a 4 year old:)

Overall, it was a memorable experience for such a low-budget (yet charming) little play. The actors were excellent and the facility was nice. I highly recommend the breakfast brunch and play experience for the 4-10 year old crowd.

I spent the rest of the weekend dealing with suspected food poisoning from lobster. I cooked it myself at home, but I was the only one who ate it and the only one up all night sick. Luckily, I feel much better today and my energy is returning.

Summer Fun & Summer Accidents

2010-05-28T19:36:00.009-04:00

Yesterday started so well. A trip to the new IHOP!! We ate smiley faced pancakes, of course.

Then, we went to the Zoo splash park. This shot was taken as soon as we got there.

Look how crowded it got within an hour.

So, it was all good! We met our friends and had a great time watching the kids splash. Close to lunchtime, we started the trek back to the Carousel. Now the bad news...my camera took a nasty fall. I thought the beach towel caught it, but I was wrong.

The lens is stuck on and it won't focus or take pictures. I'm really hoping the camera body is ok...as it's a $100 lens on a $1000 camera. There's a camera repair shop in town, so we'll take a trip there next week.

So, that's the first of our summer accidents. I guess I'll take a broken camera vs. any broken parts on us, so I should stop complaining.

Bring On Summer!

2010-05-25T06:47:00.005-04:00

There's nothing like a 90 degree day to remind us that summer is here! After a trip to the garden and park, we got back in my car and she says, "Whew! It's freakin' hot!"

Ahhhh. My little parrot.

Dev's regular preschool year ended yesterday and we said our goodbyes to Miss Noelle and Miss Irene. She was with these teachers in her 2 day, 2's and 3 day 3's...so it will be interesting to see how she adjusts to all the "new." Last night, we visited the school for a Summer Camp orientation. We're thrilled she will have Miss Mary Pat & (hopefully) Miss Cindy for the summer sessions. Plus, they're in a wonderful room and Devin was HAPPY. It's so nice to have her run off from me to play when she saw her friends. She even gets to go on the big school bus for field trips this summer. (Although she was concerned the bus would be "too loud")

Devin's love of all things Princess led to me to purchase this DVD:

It's perfect for Devin...all Princess, NO villains. It's hilarious actually. It's title should be, "Disney Responds To Its' Princess Critics and Shows Princesses Can Actually Do Something With Their Lives."

But, they went with, "Follow Your Dreams."

You see, Princess Aurora is left the keys to the kingdom and she's IN CHARGE while her Dad goes to a conference. While away, she's faced with tasks like:

-Signing important documents. She actually talks about not wanting to sign something she hasn't read. Smart girl:)

-Dealing with villager's grievances.

-Not cutting corners to get the job done

-No Prince rescues her...she figures it out all on her own. Amazing!

Blogging Lull=Farmers Market Trip

2010-05-22T07:10:00.005-04:00

Yikes! I can't believe how fast the time is going and May is almost over. Unreal.

Although we stay very busy, there's not much new going on. Other than Devin growing like a weed. She had another allergic reaction of some sort a week ago. It seemed associated with a cold and she broke out in terrible hives. Poor thing itched and swelled, until we were prescribed a stronger antihistamine and a steroid.

She's all better now:)

Her new obsession is bracelet making. This week, she sat and strung beads together for hours at a clip. She asks me how to spell various names and searched for the letters. So, it's actually a little bit educational as well a workout for her fine motor skills.

Even with an early start, the Farmer's Market was crowded. Really crowded. Which is awesome for the vendors & it looked like people were buying quite a bit. Apparently, it was "Kids Day."

Or, maybe folks have seen this movie. We're ever so grateful for our farm beef:)

We looked at chickens and these turkey eggs.

Dev practically ran me over to get to this tattoo table. I guess a Jesus tat never hurt anyone.

There were several booths featuring hand-knit items. Devin chose a washcloth, it's too cute to use!

We bought some goat milk soap. Also, some natural orange cleaner.

As always, this lady's flower stand was hopping. She always has different stuff....this woman got the last of the Peonies.

Dev ate an organic chocolate chip cookie and we stood in a long line for a bottled water. Our goodies included 2 quarts of organic strawberries, red potatoes, snap peas, soap, popcorn, flowers, orange cleaner and a washcloth. A pretty good haul I'd say.

I was craving a gyro for lunch, so we went to our new favorite place:

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T07:42:00.003-04:00

The obligatory Mother's Day post a day late. Oh well. I started it on time!

A few weeks ago we went to the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair. In our 11 years in Louisville, we've attended the fair most years.

As with most things, the art fair through a 4 year old's eyes is a new experience.

Unfortunately, they didn't have a face painter. So, I promised she could work on her own "butterfly."

Nothing special. I was drawn to the colors in this toy of hers.

I thinks she's making a statement here with Barbie. See hows she's buried up to her neck and then forced to look in the mirror? Perhaps, it's a comment on societal expectations and the impossible standards set by our modern media. Or, maybe she's just playing beach....

Just had to throw in a picture from our Dr. visit last week. Scare tactics much?

Ahhhh. My darling daughter on Mother's Day. We attended another art fair...Locust Grove this time. Mom found some old chairs to use as outdoor planters, very cute! Dev and I bought 2 bars of Vegan soap and a pair of blue crystal earrings for me.

Later, Matt took my Mom golfing and I prepared dinner. We had filet mignon from the family farm, mashed potatoes and Sweet and Sour green beans. I made Oatmeal White Chocolate Chunk cookies for dessert.

Whew!

The Bowling Dance

2010-04-27T06:54:00.004-04:00

Behold. Brace yourself for, "The Bowling Dance."

Sorry, it's on its' side and the bad quality...it's my cell. I just HAD to get her bowling dance recorded.

I love that she truly, "...dances like no one's looking."

The "Big" Birthday Party

2010-04-24T20:09:00.003-04:00

It was quite a day. Devin's 1st real Birthday party, with friends coming from preschool. She was really, really excited!

She's been wearing her crown from preschool everywhere & is showing off her Barbie Mermaid costume from Miss Jane.

What kind of party would it be without some face painting?

Our morning was a miracle in itself. It poured rain all night and severe storms were forecast today.

But, around 9:30 am...the sun came out! And, stayed out for Devin's party.

I went a little crazy with the cake. It was unbelievable to look at and very, very yummy. Devin chose a strawberry cake with buttercream frosting.

This is the awesome baker:

http://www.louisvilleweddingcake.com/

She had such a good time...about 8 friends came with their families, so it was quite a scene:)

But, baby Hannah stole the cute show. I took more pictures of her, than Devin!

Our friends, TR and Robin. She was so cool to get her face done and Devin was impressed.

More fun tomorrow!

Garden Update-April 2010

2010-04-20T20:14:00.004-04:00

I got a nice start to the community garden last week. The biggest challenge is remembering how big these plants will get. It's so hard not to crowd plants.

Starting the garden is so much easier this year vs. last. The soil is less rocky and much easier to turn. Plus, someone dumped a large pile of mulch (free for the taking) right next to my plot.

Score!

(I swear I planted those Marigolds on a straight line)

Some people's garden's are quite elaborate.

And, this one gives me serious garden envy.

They surrounded 3 sides completely with onion.

But, we've got our own style.

Parenting lesson #567:

A 4 year old is much more helpful in the garden than a 3 year old.

Seriously.

Devin is awesome actually. This year, I can trust she won't step on plants and wander into neighboring gardens. She can operate the rain barrel by herself into the small watering can and do her own thing.

"All by herself."

My row markers are the seed packets I laminated. Michael's sells a really cool laminating machine which uses no electricity/battery and no heat!

I got an idea to do these cool bug cupcakes for Devin's Birthday. The pan arrived today and Dev and I did a practice session.

I totally love how she decided to grab a brush a mix up some orange.

To Plant or Not to Plant. That is the Question.

2010-04-17T15:45:00.006-04:00

It's an absolutely gorgeous spring weekend. After a ridiculously warm week, we needed this. The vegetable garden plot was so dry and dusty, planting was a struggle. I still managed to get in carrots, lettuce, broccoli and cabbage. The Zinnia and tomatoes I started from seed are SO ready to be planted, but I'm waiting just a bit longer.

See, the big debate in Loohuvulle is: To plant or not to plant before Derby. Old timers are dead set against planting before Derby, even though that's 2 weeks from now. I consulted several locals and decided I will split the difference. There are Frost Advisories all around our area tonight, but not for us. So, I think this coming week...is my time. Plus, my second round of seed starting has begun and I'm running out of room for flats.

We had yet another week of the sickness Merry-Go-Round. Devin had horrible stomach pains and a fever mid-week & I'm feeling crappy from all the pollen in the air. Luckily, both of us are feeling better.

On Sunday, Westport Village hosted their pre-Derby event. We've been to this before and couldn't wait to go back!

She's always up for a good bounce.

And, slide!

There was the 3rd Annual Derby Hat Contest.

These shoes caught my attention.

Kettle corn!

But, the real reason Dev was so happy to go back:

That's right.

Face painting.

This look made our trip to Target pretty interesting. I'll be we sent 10+ families to Westport Village for some fun!

Topsy Turvy Snow White

2010-04-13T18:36:00.004-04:00

I started this Topsy Turvy Strawberry planter a few weeks ago.

It's super-happy hanging around the front of the house. We already have ripe fruit:)

Random, I know. But, the nearby KFC is turning pink for Breast Cancer Awareness? Ok.

My Snow White princess.

If only they could pop out cooperative, pleasant 4 year olds, I would have a dozen.

Easter 2010

2010-04-03T18:26:00.005-04:00

First, an update on my seedlings.

The tomatoes are doing great, actually everything looks good. I've started setting the flats outside for a few hours each day.

Zinnias and tomatoes, both like nighttime temps above 50 degrees. So, it will be a few weeks before it's time to plant outside.

Our forecast calls for a cool snap late next week, with highs in the low 60's and lows in the upper 40's.

On Wednesday, I went with Dev to her preschool Easter Party. The kids were pretty excited!

They sang songs for us. Here she is putting her hand over the heart for, "God Bless America."

They each collected 10 eggs and visited with the bunny.

Then, it was off to Peoria for a visit with family!

The weather was beautiful, so we played outside a lot.

Devin's favorite part was swimming at the local rec center. Here's the gang:)

As if that wasn't enough, we also dyed Easter eggs.

Glitter glue on Easter eggs is serious business.

Aunt Meghan wins the prize for best egg! She figured out the Shiny Egg kit.

We also discovered our own way to decorate eggs...tattoos!

See the shiny, speckled eggs? Meghanoodle's!

Spring has sprung!

Isn't this the scariest tree ever?

Froggy Comes Home

2010-03-23T20:45:00.003-04:00

This year at preschool, they started a Froggy project. Each weekend, someone "wins" Froggy for the weekend. You're supposed to Journal about Froggy's adventures, so away we went.

Froggy always wears his seat belt.

We picked out Strawberry plants for my Topsy Turvy Strawberry Planter!

We got Starbucks.

Froggy loved the park!

But, then Froggy started surfing the web.

And, he drank my best bottle of Moet:(

Apparently, he crashed a bunny wedding after we went to bed.

Devin treasured having the Froggy home last weekend. I can't remember seeing her that excited in a long time.

However, on Monday morning it was time for preschool. Time to take Froggy back. As soon as she woke up, Devin was distraught. She was crying and weepy about having to give Froggy back. I tried come up with an idea, but nothing would stop the the tears.

Eventually, I suggested we stop at Walgreens and see if there was a new Froggy we could take with her to school. Thankfully, we scored the last frog stuffed animal available and she was happy.

Whew.

Movin' On Up

2010-03-16T21:56:00.003-04:00

My lovely tomato plants have grown their 2nd set of leaves. 14 little plants made it through my learning curve of seed starting.

I'm putting a lot of trust in Nancy Bubel & this book: The New Seed Starters Handbook

I changed a few things I was doing based on her ideas. First, I removed the heat source. Her opinion (citing several studies) is cooler temps during seedling growth, lead to higher yields. So, once the seeds germinated, I removed the heat mats.

Also, lots of websites suggest 24 hours of light. Nancy suggests 8 hours of darkness leads to better growth and I can already see the difference. (She cites several scientific sources)

Seeds is Sprouting

2010-03-13T07:00:00.002-05:00

It's been fun watching the seeds germinate and begin to grow. There has been a good bit of trial and error...I killed off a great crop of Basil seedlings, when I let them dry out overnight. It's nice not to worry though, as 100 Basil seeds cost about $1.50.

I'm most pleased with the tomato seedlings. I have 3 different varieties started. It's time to start looking for the 2nd set of leaves!

Zinnia are best started outside, but I couldn't resist trying to get some going. I plan on placing these in containers and around the home garden.

I found a great website for seeds: Renee's Garden

These are 2 types of Zinnia seeds I couldn't find in our local markets:

"Cool Crayon Mix"

"Raggedy Ann Mix"

"Fun Day"

2010-03-10T21:27:00.003-05:00

The last class of each Gymnastics session is, "Fun Day." They get to do their favorite activities and they don't really work on skills. (Which I would be fine with every session, actually)

Dev's favorite of the day...the rings. Fun Day included a BIG drop!

Backing up to get speed:

Take off:

The teacher (Katherine) had to hold her the first few times, so she could get the timing of when to let go.

Eventually, she caught on.

Flashbacks of gym class anyone?

So silly:)

We're just loving every minute with Dev right now. As we close in on 4 years old, we're in a good season. I can't recall the last temper tantrum (from either of us) and she's a doll most of the time. Trips to the grocery store are a blast, as she takes charge of the list & coupons. She'll ask me if something is, "too expensive?"

Bye Bye Winter...don't let the door hit you on the way out

2010-03-06T06:00:00.004-05:00

The past month has pretty much looked like this:

Grey, cold and windy. It's nice to have an almost 4-year old around to see the positives in every situation:)

School was out for conferences yesterday, so we did what we used to do every Friday...watch Gaga play tennis. Miss Susan's nursery was a hoppin' place.

See the baby? There were 2! 10 month old twins!

Everyone was busy & I got a good dose of "baby time." They were fun to hold and snuggle and even more fun to walk away from.

The sun was out in the afternoon and 50 degrees feels like 80, so Dev headed outside. We were out of sand, so I gave her this very enriching activity she called, "Paint water."

Yep. It's pretty much putting paint in water and then getting it all over yourself. Also, it's getting upset because your favorite Spongebob shirt has to go in the wash.

It's hard to top "paint water," but pizza making is always a favorite activity of Dev's.

See?

It's, "Texas Pizza." (I thought it was pretty cool she knew the basic shape of Texas from her US puzzle)

Now, for my BIG project.

Between the community garden and my recently completely ripped out front garden, I'm going to need a lot of plants. I plan on dividing some of my old Perennials, but I think (after 10 years) some of the plants are past their prime.

So, starting plants from seed is my new obsession.

After quite a bit of research on line and speaking with a local indoor grow shop, I decided on this set up.

The shelving came from Home Depot, $57.00 for a 4 shelf stand.

The grow lights are hanging from "S" hooks and chains and there are seed warming mats underneath the trays.

So, far I'm trying to start:

-Basil
-Cilantro
-Marigolds
-Pansies
-Tomatoes

Overall, it was about a $200.00 investment. Which seems like a lot, until I remember how fast Perennials and flats of Annuals add up.

This is hard part...waiting for those seeds to germinate. I keep wondering if it's warm enough, if they're wet enough or too wet maybe. Plus, they all have different germination rates.

::Fingers crossed::

Going to the Zoo...In February!

2010-02-21T13:01:00.003-05:00

Since it wasn't raining and the temperature was above freezing for the first time in weeks, we thought a trip to to the Zoo was in order. Plus, I was really hoping to see the new baby Gorilla.

We got to the Zoo just as it opened and there were exactly 4 other cars in the parking lot.

It's not a huge Zoo, but it's sure spread out & there are some steep hills. She's outgrown the stroller, but we use it to carry our stuff and help her up the hills.

The Giraffes didn't seem to mind the snow. They could be in their warm enclosure, but were choosing to wander around outside.

We talked to the camel, who was busy eating this post.

The Herpeaquarium was nice and warm!

The BEST part...we got an up close look at the baby Gorilla. I was too enthralled to take many pictures and didn't want to use the flash, so the pictures were horrible.

She was cuddling with her baby off in a corner, so it was impossible to see anything. After about 15 minutes, she started moving and scooped up her baby for some show off time!!!

At first, she was holding the baby upside down and showing us his/her private parts. But, eventually she turned it upright and started to cuddle again.

I'm not sure there's anything as cute as a newborn Gorilla. (Born Feb 6th) Mama was so attentive and interested in her baby. She was inspecting every inch and letting it eat. Devin pointed out Mom's nipples for everyone:)

It made the chilly trip an amazing one and it was good to get Dev out of the house.

It's a Mystery

2010-02-19T21:08:00.002-05:00

It's Winter Break from preschool this week. Lucky me. Dev selects this week to get the weirdest sickness, yet.

Of course, as an awesome Mom, I had tons of enriching activities planned. But, then came the slight runny nose and sneezing. Followed by the cough. I thought we were battling a standard cold, but I was wrong.

Thursday morning, Dev woke up and immediately told me her hands hurt. A quick check and I brushed it off to waking up. About an hour later, she said her legs hurt. I checked and saw bright red, raised welts behind both knees. (And, her palms were red, hot and raw) I called the Dr. and made an appointment for 4:00 pm that day, after her nap.

It was almost 12 noon, so I was making lunch in the kitchen. When I brought lunch out to Dev, I noticed her lip looked weird. In just a few minutes, her lip was swelling like a bee sting. Within 5 minutes, her top lip was gigantic and I was already on the phone to the Dr.'s office. I told them we were in car ready to drive to the ER or their office...they said come in first.

At a good clip, our Dr.s office is about 7 minutes away. I made it in 6. Poor Wubzy was having some sort of reaction, we're still not sure of the culprit.

The Dr. ran several tests and we discussed various issues.

Here's Dev this morning...lip down, but welts up:(

I spoke with the Dr. for about 10 minutes this morning. Since Dev's not sensitive to anything, she thinks it's part of a virus.

Late today, she seemed MUCH better. Hives are still popping up, but her spark is back and her SASS is back.