I'm Just Teasing

26. Is it easy for you to trust others?

Most of my family members would say that I trust too easily! Just about anything Leah or Brian tell me, I'll believe. Recently, Brian started telling me about a community of cannibals, or something, and I though the was telling a story, so I was surprised there was a community of cannibals in the United States! Then I found out he was actually telling a joke.... 

I never really thought people could do such "bad" things until I started working at the movie theater. I quickly discovered that people would sneak alcohol, when it was not allowed. I learned that movie theater employees would steal money or candy from behind the stand. I learned people would lie about their manager to get them in trouble. I learned a lot of things...I became less naive. 

I still trust people - I trust that what they tell me is the truth and that they are good people.

In other news....

It is almost Christmas! We are done Christmas shopping and all the presents are wrapped and under the tree! This week has been amazing! Brian and I have been off and have spent all our time together. Monday we had Marc's birthday party. Tuesday Brian and I went to Sea World (without Lydia) on Tuesday and then took my parents out to dinner at Tiago's. Wednesday we were lazy in the morning and then went downtown with Leah and Adah. Today we went to HEB in the morning and then Kid to Kid and Wal-Mart in the afternoon. We took Leah and Jessie out to dinner at Olive Garden. Lydia is staying with my parents tonight, which means Brian and I can go to bed late and wake up when we want to! Tomorrow is cleaning and washing day and then Saturday we're hosting Christmas Eve at our house! And Sunday we head up to Austin! It's been a great break so far.

Here's Your Pan, Here's Your Frog

25. Things you do on a rainy day.

Rainy days used to be days that I would sleep in (if I didn't have to work), stay in my pajamas all day, wrap a warm blanket around me and watch movies. I'd probably take a few naps, eat lots of popcorn, and be lazy all day long.

Rainy days now consist of me constantly trying to think up something for my 18-month old to do. Lydia's pretty good in the morning...she used to just playing on her own, watching me clean, watching the Today Show and Live with Kelly with me, eating my breakfast. But, around 9:00 or 10:00, she starts getting bored. And I start feeling guilty for watching our 4th Yo Gabba Gabba show. So, I think up clever activities for her.

When I worked at the day care and it rained (the worst days ever), we had to constantly think up something for 10 12-24 month olds to do so that they wouldn't bite, hit, push or scream. We painted, colored, played in the water table, looked through the Treasure Bag, danced, made playdough, made goop, watched the rain through the big windows, read books, went on indoor wagon rides - anything to keep these little kids busy and happy.

I don't have all of the supplies needed for these activities in my house. At 18-months, Lydia is only interested in paint or crayons for about 5 minutes. She's only interested in home made playdough for about 5 minutes. She is only interested in puzzles and books and sorting toys for about 5 minutes. What Lydia really wants to do is run around outside. But, we can't - it's raining. Lydia doesn't like to curl up on the couch under a blanket and watch movies. She doesn't really like popcorn. And she definitely doesn't like sleeping in.

This past week, on Tuesday, we usually go to Story Time at the library. It was pretty foggy and dreary outside, but I wanted to go because I knew this would be our one chance to get out of the house and my one chance to wear Lydia out for a nap. Unfortunately, Lydia decided that she was more interested in the water fountains outside of the Story Time room than actually being in the Story Time room. I was the embarrassed parent who walked out of the room with a screaming, fussy child. It would be an understatement to say that I was frustrated with Lydia...this was our chance to get out of the house and have fun (and the Story Lady had brought the parachute!) and Lydia didn't want to participate. But, I had to remind myself that Lydia is only 18 months old and doesn't understand. When we got home, I cleaned the house and then cuddled with an upset baby while watching another episode of Yo Gabba Gabba.

Luckily, in Texas, it rarely rains all day. The sun usually manages to come out for at least a little bit. And, although it's "winter", it may even warm up enough to go for a walk outside.

You Broke My Smolder!

24. Something you would change about the world.


Maybe not the world...but I would love to change the current US economy right now. Especially how schools aren't hiring new teachers since the old ones can't retire. Also...I'd love it if teachers actually made the amount of money they deserve for teaching our future presidents, big business owners, etc. That would be really nice.
Of course, I'd love the "ideal" worlds where everyone got along and no one was poor or unemployed and everyone had enough to eat and all children received birthday and Christmas presents. But...there's been enough books written about "worlds" that tried to make everything "perfect". My best example is The Giver, or the Handmaiden. Both good examples that we can't make a "perfect" world.

In other news...I only have one more day of work before my 2 week vacation! So excited!

Go, Live Your Dream

23. Something you would like to change about yourself.

Hmm...there are probably several things I would like to change about myself. My first thoughts are to my appearance. I really wish I could get a super good haircut and maintain that haircut. I recently went to get a haircut and had hoped do leave the salon with manageable hair and cute, side-swept bangs. Instead, it's even more unmanageable and I have bangs that you can't see. I straightened my hair yesterday and it looked really nice and only took 10 minutes, so not too bad for the mornings. Just an extra thing added to my morning routine.

I would also like to change my weight/body. This is something I need to work on and can change. I've already started eating less and drinking less soda, but I need to add exercise to my routine and I haven't been able to maintain a daily workout. I know it will help and I want to loose weight and flatten my tummy...I just hate exercising! I want to make a New Year's resolution to start a strict workout, but I don't want to say I will dedicate myself (again) to something I won't continue.

I'd also like to be more outgoing and to be able to start up conversations and mingle at parties. I am not a good mingler and I am horrible about asking others questions - I can only talk about myself...I need to learn to be the listener and not the talker!

We took Lydia's Christmas photos on Sunday and they turned out super cute!

And we saw Santa last Friday at Bass Pro.

Practice Abacus

So I just had to post about the cutest project I finished today. A little background: One of my students is having difficulty practicing. At first, she wouldn't sit down at the piano at all. So, I came up with my practicing incentives. Each student has a jar and each student has a practice sheet. Every day they sit down to practice (no time limit and without being forced to), their parent signs off on the sheet. When they come to lessons each week, they get to put a fuzzy pom pom in their jar. They also get pom poms for doing their theory work, playing a song amazing, and having a good practice. When their jar is filled, they get to select a prize from the treasure basket.

Well, this got my student to practice, but she would just sit down, play each song once, and they get up - less than 5 minutes. Her mom was getting pretty discouraged. And, at this level, a lot of practicing is required in order to remember and understand the notes. So, I researched ways to get students to practice and came upon this project: http://theteachingstudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/practice-abacus.html.

I really liked the idea of this Practice Abacus. It makes playing a song over and over a lot more fun when you get to move a little bead over each time you play. And it reminds you to play a song a certain number of times. So, I decided that my student needed this Practice Abacus and we'll see how well she starts practicing.

I tried to get all the necessary items for this project, but wasn't very successful, so I had to make some adjustments. I had the cereal box already, and I got the frame from the dollar store. But, I couldn't find any brads at the dollar store or at Target. And, the only beads with letters on them that I could find (other than in a huge bracelet creating kit and not overly expensive for just a few - at Michael's) were these tiny little letters that had tiny little holes. So, I couldn't use the ribbon to thread through the letters. Instead I found some stretchy string that is meant for those small beads (and they were pretty inexpensive). I really like the original Practice Abacus, but I couldn't find everything that she did, so here's how I did mine.

What You Need:

scissors

tape

beads with letters on them

thin, stretchy string

picture frame

construction paper

cereal box

stickers

marker

thumb tack

Step 1:

Cut the construction paper down to size to fit in the picture frame. Cut out one side of a cereal box, making it the same size as the construction paper. I taped the construction paper to the cereal box, but you could always glue or even staple.

Step 2:

Decide what words you want on your abacus. I chose 2 three letter words (wow and fun), 2 four letter words  (play and Maya), and 2 five letter words (music and piano). That way, I can tell her to practice a certain song up to 5 times in one sitting. You could always do 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc letter words as well.

Step 3:

Thread the beads through the string. Decide where you want your words to be. I used a thumb tack to poke a small hole through the construction paper and the cereal box for the string to fit through. I made the string maybe an inch and a half long...leave it long enough to move the words, letter by letter. I put the string into one hole, and then put the other side into the other hole. I then tied the string together on the back and then taped it down.

Step 4: 

Decorate your abacus after you have all the strings on the paper. I put star stickers and note stickers on my abacus. At the top I wrote Practice Abacus and at the bottom I wrote Practice Makes Perfect! Decorating the abacus makes it even more fun.

Here is the finished product:

You Were My New Dream

22. How have you changed in the past two years?

Let's see, two years ago it was 2009. This time two years ago, Brian and I were living with Leah and Jessie across the street and I was just barely pregnant with Lydia (just starting to show a bit). I was working full-time at a day care and Brian was working at the bank. Right now, I'd probably be dreading working on Christmas Eve, but happy that I never had to spend the whole day at work, since a lot of kiddos were going on vacation (although there were the few who were still there from open to close, even during the holidays!). Most of my thoughts were centered on the baby I was carrying (and hoping it was a girl...haha), wishing I didn't have to work full time, and wondering if we'd get enough babies to start up our own childcare center.

Now, I'm working part-time at a preschool, have a house of our own, and spend most of my time with my precious baby, Lydia. I'm excited about two whole weeks off for Christmas vacation! Most of my thoughts are centered on Lydia (her behavior, pacifiers, sleeping, etc), the house, and finances. When I think back to two years ago and I was working full time and had to work over the holidays, I am so thankful that this year I don't have to work as much or during the holidays!

Anyway...today was a frustrating day with Lydia. Despite waking up several times last night, she was up by 6:15 this morning. We went to HEB early this morning, since I wanted to catch Josh Groban on Live with Kelly at 9:00. We made it home by 9:15! I cleaned while watching TV and then Leah dropped Adah off around 10:40. Adah went to sleep around 11:30 and Lydia went down for a nap at 12:00. Leah picked Adah up and chatted for a bit. 

The morning was easy, but once Lydia woke up at 2:15 and was fussy, the frustration began. After a snack, I thought she'd like to go for a walk with her baby and stroller. It was a battle get her out the door, since she didn't seem to understand what I was trying to ask her to do. Finally, we were headed down the street and all was going well. Then, at the cul-de-sac, she wanted to walk in the street and when I didn't let her, she threw a fit! I ended up picking her up and carrying her and the stroller back home, with Lydia screaming the whole way. I was so frustrated and embarrassed, I put her in a time out for screaming and so I could calm down. We snuggled for a bit and she was better. We ended up going on a walk with Lydia in the stroller.

I made a yummy lasagna for dinner and had it in the oven during my piano lesson. Lydia was pretty good during the lesson. But, once we sat down for dinner, that's when the real screaming began. She happily ate all her applesauce, but when I asked her to eat her lasagna, she decided to throw a tantrum. She wouldn't even taste it! And, I know she'd like it - she's had it before and likes the Chef Bourardee lasagna. We had her sit there while we were still eating and she screamed the whole time. She got so mad, she started throwing her lasagna! She finally ate once we started singing songs. Why all the tantrums?! She loves pasta, she just decided she wasn't going to eat it! Very frustrating!

Call It What You Will...Fate...Destiny...

So this weekend we began "Operation No More Pacifier"...and lets just say, we were fighting a losing battle. One of the main reasons we ended up "giving in" is because Lydia just seemed so sad on Saturday. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying, she was extremely tired, she was clingy, didn't play very much...she was sad and confused. 

Here's how our weekend went:

I picked Lydia up at 1:30 from Leah's house on Friday. Leah is good at keeping the pacifier away from Lydia while she's happy and playing, so Lydia didn't have her pacifier and I kept it from her the rest of the afternoon. She only asked for it once or twice, but then quickly forgot about it. We put her to bed around 7:00 and she didn't even ask for her pacifier. About 2 minutes after I put her to bed, she started crying. It was a quiet, tired cry and lasted less than 5 minutes. She didn't wake up again until 3:45 and wasn't even really crying and quickly went back to sleep. She slept in until 6:00, like normal.

Saturday was a rainy, gloomy day, which meant we couldn't go outside and Lydia was getting restless. She has a runny nose and I can tell she doesn't feel 100%. We put her down for a nap around 9:30, since she was fussy and acting tired. It took her until 10:00 to fall asleep...she screamed and we constantly had to go in there. She slept for 30 minutes and refused to go back to sleep without her pacifier. We fed her lunch and then took her on a few errands. We put her back down for a nap around 1:30. It took her almost an hour to fall asleep and then she slept for 40 minutes. Luckily, this time she went back to sleep after a bit and slept another 40 minutes.

The rest of the day she was sad and fussy, like I mentioned earlier. Her eyes were so sad! I felt so bad for her. We went to church Saturday night while Brian put up Christmas decorations. She did great at the nursery and was happy to be home. Saturday night was horrible. She screamed when we put her to bed and woke up several times. I tried Supernanny's idea of sitting in the room until they fall asleep, which worked, until Lydia woke up 30 minutes later and didn't see me. We eventually gave her the pacifier around 4:30am, after being awake with her for about 2 hours, and she slept in until 7:00!

We've decided that for this week, we're going to be super strict with not giving the pacifier unless she's going down for a nap or going to bed. Then we'll work on taking it completely away. I honestly wouldn't be so concerned about taking it away except that her verbal skills aren't where they should be. I really think she has learned how to communicate around the pacifier and still communicates that way when she doesn't have it. I want her to learn to talk and communicate without grunts and crying. I know every child is different and she'll start talking when she's ready. But I don't want to be the one who is causing her to be held back, by allowing her to have the pacifier whenever she wants it. I also know she doesn't NEED the pacifier, it's just a comfort item.

I hope Lydia, Brian and I get the sleep we need tonight and we stay strong with not giving her the pacifier during the day.

Lydia and her pacifiers:

Prayers

Sometimes - no, all the time - I am amazed and in awe when God answers prayers. It's amazing to think that He really does care about someone as insignificant as me. God answers a lot of my prayers, but it's awesome when it happens right away.

I seem to be constantly worrying that I'm not following God's plan for my life. It's not that I'm not trying to follow His plan, it's just that sometimes it doesn't seem like the right path. I've posted about our financial situation before. It's not that we're desperate for money, it's just that we don't have much extra to do "fun" things with - no movies, no extra shopping trips, no splurges on ourselves. Which, in the long run, isn't a bad thing. We have plenty of money to pay the bills and buy the things we need. We are comfortable. But, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be more than comfortable.

Last night, I went to church (Brian stayed home to put up Christmas decorations) and listened to David Robinson preach. He definitely talks in a simple, easy-to-understand way. But, when I look at him and know that he makes as much as Brian does in a year in one basketball game, it just amazes me. I know he works hard and earned the position he is in, but it always amazes me that people can make so much money just by playing a sport! Anyway, during prayer time, I talked with a God for a long while about leading us in the right direction (financially), helping us to have faith that everything will work out, etc. This is something that has really been on my mind lately and I finally managed to be able to sit and talk through it with God.

Anyway, when I got home that night,  Brian immediately says, "I have some good news." USAA sent us a check for over $300, saying that we had been overpaying on our Escrow account! Then, this morning, Brian tells me that we got our electric bill and it was for $-15...they used our initial deposit to pay the bill, and we must have used less than the deposit...so we don't have to pay anything this month! Isn't amazing how God has helped us out during this Christmas season?!

Guys, I Want a Castle

21. Your favorite subject to study.

My favorite subject has always been English (except for 8th grade when Mrs. Schultz who only concentrated on boring stuff like analogies and we never read a book!). I've always been a really good reader - I read fast in my head and out loud. We always had books in the house. My dad is an especially avid reader. He used to read The Little House on the Prairie series to Leah and me every night before bed. And then I reread them myself when I was older. My mom would read us the Sweet Valley Twins series and always read Elizabeth and Jessica's names as Leah and Rachel. One of my favorite places to go is to the book store or the library. To be surrounded by tons of books is just amazing!

I have also enjoyed the essay and research paper part of English class. I love to write! I love researching about a certain author or book and writing about it. I love coming up with my own opinions. I love figuring out what the motifs and symbols and themes of the book are. I also enjoy discussing books and talking about the characters and the plot. My favorite part of AP English in 12th grade was when we would just discuss the book we were reading (of course, it would be just me, the teacher and maybe one or two other students talking, since no one else even read the book). One great thing about English class, in my opinion, is that the teacher introduced us to books we may never have picked up. Leah's English teacher had them read Pride & Prejudice, and now that is one of my favorite books! I was introduced to Margaret Atwood and enjoy a few of her books. I really enjoyed The Scarlet Letter and A Tale of Two Cities. Shakespeare's plays I could do without, though.

I still love to read, although I rarely have the time or energy. I used to borrow three books a week from the library, but now I borrow two and usually have to renew them before my three weeks are up. The book has to be extremely interesting for me to want to stay up late to read. I am currently reading a book called Juliet (forget the author) and it is pretty interesting. I constantly have books lying around for Lydia to read, since I really hope she will be a good reader. She loves to look at picture books and point at the pictures. She won't sit in my lap while I read a book, but she mimics how I turn the pages and even started "reading" out loud.

But, after I say all that, my favorite subject to STUDY would have to be history. But not the history parts about wars or politics or finding new lands. I like to learn about the PEOPLE. Napoleon Bonaparte's family is the only interesting thing about him. Henry VIII's politics and religious beliefs aren't interesting to me, just his wives and what they must have been like. The history of the Mayflower and what the pilgrims did are only somewhat interesting....I like to read about the people and how they dealt with their new lives. I love books (here comes the English part) about history. I like to read different people's points of views on historical subjects. I love the Women of the Bible book series. I have several books about Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth. I enjoy reading about real people and real happenings, but it in a fictional sort of way. I usually skim over the war and politics parts, haha.

I think that is why I enjoy writing research projects. I get to learn about a specific person or time period.

In other news....

We put Lydia down for bed tonight WITHOUT a pacifier! I picked her up from Leah's house after 1:30 and never offered her a pacifier (she didn't have one when I picked her up). Although we were quite bored since we were stuck inside because of the rain, she only asked for one once, when she was getting a bit tired. She then asked for it again after dinner. When I put her to bed, she didn't even cry. It wasn't until about 2 minutes after I closed the door that she even remembered she wanted one! She cried for less than 10 minutes before falling asleep.

My plan is to only offer her the pacifier IF she is constantly waking up. And then each night try to offer it later and later until she no longer needs it. It would be so great if we could break off the pacifier completely. I really think this will help her verbally.

18 Months!

Lydia is 18 months old! I can't believe it's been a year and a half since she was born. Time flies when you are having fun!

Lydia had her doctor's appointment today at 1:00. It's a good thing I really love our pediatrician, because her appointment was at 1:00. We got there at 12:40 and were sent back right before 1:00 for Lydia to get her measurements done...then we waited and waited and waited. I was told that the doctor hadn't even arrived yet! And there would be someone seen before us! Finally, by 1:45, our doctor came in. I really do like this doctor. He is willing to explain everything and answers all your questions, never making you feel rushed. Lydia's official weigh in is at 20 lbs 12 oz (6%) and her height is about 31.5 inches (55%). He says she's looking good and isn't at all concerned about her weight, although he said to go ahead and give her extra calories. She's just tall and skinny! The doctor says she looks super healthy! Lydia didn't even cry when he was examining her (usually I have to hold her arms down and hold her tight in my lap). She was so well behaved! She got one shot, but barely even cried. And even though we waited forever, she did great (without a pacifier!).

I was worried the doctor would be concerned about Lydia's speech...since she's not saying 7 words. But, he wasn't concerned at all! I'm glad because Lydia will start talking when she's ready. I'm also glad she's starting to attempt to say words we ask her to say, instead of just staring at us or shaking her head. We'll make progress quickly, I'm sure.

Lydia is so attached to her baby and the baby's stroller...we have to take it EVERYWHERE! We had to take it to the doctor's today and she screamed when I didn't let her take the stroller inside. But, at HEB, she was happy that I let her take her baby with her. Of course, she always chooses the babydoll without clothes on to take along with her. She has three or four others that are fully dressed, but she likes the one she had me take the clothes off of! When we went to mom's house last week, Leah's house on Monday and Keisha's house on Tuesday, we took the baby and the stroller with us. She is constantly pushing it around the house. She also wants us to "babysit" her baby...by handing us the baby and then walking away, and then coming back to get it. 

This morning I was cleaning the kitchen and washing down the cupboards. She got the sponge out of her water table and started cleaning the cupboard with me! At the doctor's office she wanted a tissue and started wiping down the chairs and the floor. She is constantly doing what I do. She loves to watch me put on makeup, and will attempt to do so, as well (I have to hide the things she can open on her own). She brushes her hair and tries to put the clippies in on her own. We saw her pushing the toy vacuum around at Sunday School. She likes to empty the dishwasher and put the tupperware away. She definitely learns by observation.

We've been working on shapes and puzzles lately and she is so good! She can figure out the right holes to put the square and circle in in her shape sorter bucket, but has a hard time with the triangle and the star. She loves her big wooden puzzles and can put all the pieces right where they go. She has started attempting more animal sounds. Now she'll say "mmmm" for "moo" and "neeee" for "neigh". She almost says "Gabba" when she wants to watch Yo Gabba Gabba" (it comes out more like "Gada"). She loves looking at her books that have big, bright pictures in them. She'll point to each picture until we tell her what it is. I will often find her in her room, sitting on the floor, reading books.

It's just amazing at how much she has learned in a year and a half! I love watching her grow, but when I look at her baby pictures I always get sad, remembering how tiny she was. I can't wait for another year and a half!

A Day Off? From What, Life?

20. Five things you're looking forward to.

1. Christmas Break: My first 2 week vacation in FOREVER! And I get to spend it all with Brian and Lydia!

2. Piano Recital: My kiddos are going to experience their first piano recital with me (for some, their first recital ever). It will be very informal - more games than official playing - but it will be a good experience and lots of fun!

3. Christmas Break

4. 4-Year Anniversary: Lydia will be staying with my parents and it will just be me and Brian! We have a gift card to Outback Steakhouse and plan on seeing movies! I can't wait!

5. Summer Break: My first summer off in FOREVER! So excited!

Then I Shall Wait All Day

19. A passage from a book that has touched you.

Bessie stooped; we mutually embraced, and I followed her into the house quite comforted. That afternoon lapsed in peace and harmony; and in the evening Bessie told me some of her most enchanting stories, and sang me some of her sweetest songs. Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine.

- Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, page 36

I don't know if you've ever read Jane Eyre, but it's a wonderful book! I read it for the first time in 8th or 9th grade after my piano teacher told me I should read it. I loved it! It's such a wonderful, odd, love story. I think what I liked the most about it is that the two main characters, Jane and Mr. Rochester, are not your typical amazingly attractive couple. Jane is rather plain, small, and insignificant, while Mr. Rochester is not at all attractive, just rich. I've never seen myself as beautiful, so I liked reading stories where the protagonist isn't beautiful, either.

It's a dreary book at the beginning. Jane Eyre is an orphan who lives with her deceased uncle's family (her uncle was kind to her). Her Aunt is not nice at all, and neither are her three cousins. She is eventually sent away to a school where the girls are mistreated and malnourished. Jane ends up staying to teach there for a few years before becoming a governess for Mr. Rochester's ward, Adele. She eventually meets Mr. Rochester, who is rather strange to her. He is aloof and never says things clearly. He makes her think he will marry a beautiful neighbor, but then professes his love for her. She is extremely happy while preparing for her marriage and everything seems to be getting better and brighter for her. Then, on the wedding day, just before they are married, it is revealed that Mr. Rochester is actually married. 

He shows everyone his "wife" - Bertha who is crazy and is kept in the attic. Jane runs away. She looses her money and is left penniless and wandering. She follows a light in a window and faints on the doorstep of St. John and his sisters. They bring her back to health and she becomes a teacher in the parish St. John works at. St. John decides to become a missionary in India and wants to bring Jane with him as his wife, but she refuses. He also finds out her real name, and that they are distant cousins. And, that she is rich after her uncle passed away. She goes back to find Mr. Rochester after dreaming about him, only to find Thornfield burned down and Mr. Rochester wounded and blind and poor. They get married and have a family.

What I really like about this book is that there is a happy ending. Jane had a terrible life growing up, but that didn't turn her into a bitter, mean person. Instead, she was kind and giving and only wanted to help others out. She didn't care about money - she loved Mr. Rochester for himself, even after he was wounded and blind. What I love about the passage above is that Jane, despite the cruelty she experienced with her aunt and cousins, managed to find her "gleams of sunshine". I've always been able to find the good in things. I used to go through all the good things that happened each day, especially if it had been a rough day. I've had a very blessed life, and despite any lows I experience, there is always something to be thankful for.

Lydia Story:

I've been trying to encourage Lydia to say words. She loves to babble and will answer questions with her babbling and will come up to us to specifically "tell" us something, which I love. She calls Brian "dada", which is great. She'll say "car" and "yeah" and "no". She doesn't have the 7-20 words the doctor says she should have by the time she's 18 months. But, I'm not worried. She understands so much!

After working with toddlers and keeping up with their developmental milestones, I've been able to follow Lydia and her milestones. She's always been really good at following direct orders (such as, "Give this to Daddy" or "Throw this away"). But, the other day she followed an indirect order. She was having Brian put her baby's hat on, and then I said (without looking at her), "All that baby needs now is a diaper". Lydia left the room and went to the living room. She came back with the baby's diaper! I know she can hear and understand our words. She's just not saying them yet.

I sat with Lydia this morning and worked on animal sounds with her. I got the animals out and said their sounds, one by one. For the cow she said, "mmmm". This is the first time she's even tried to say a cow sound. She already says "meow", "woof woof" and moves her mouth like a fish. For a horse, she made a high pitched "eeeee" for "neigh". She wouldn't say "baa" or "oink". But, I am happy that she at least attempted to say animal sounds. I know she'll start talking when she wants to.

Thanksgiving Break

We have had such a fun, family-filled Thanksgiving Break and we don't want it to end!

Monday:

I was able to get a free ticket to Sea World for Leah, so we headed to Sea World with Adah and Lydia for the day. I thought the park opened at 10:00, so we got there right before 11:00, only to find out it opened at 12:00! But, the problem was easily solved by heading over to McDonald's (it's a good thing I have free parking) and having lunch before we went back to the park.

Lydia had a blast at the Bay of Play - she loves the merry-go-round and the "fish" ride (that spins). We also let her play at the little park there and we watched an Elmo show. Lydia and Adah napped while we went to look at the penguins and then we watched the Shamu Christmas show and Lydia really enjoyed watching Shamu jump in the water! We spent about 4 hours there and then headed home.

Tuesday:

BSF was switched to Tuesday this week because of Thanksgiving, so I was able to go! I got to see the classroom and the teachers Lydia spends her Wednesday mornings with, which was great. As a guest, I was able to listen to the lecture, but not join in during the discussion group. I really enjoyed the speaker and the lesson.

Mom and I went to Chick-fil-a afterwards and Lydia enjoyed her yummy chicken nuggets and fries.

Wednesday:

Brian is off for the rest of the week! It has been so great to have him home for so long. He and Lydia are really having a blast together. Wednesday morning we headed to HEB early to pick up Thanksgiving meal food and supplies for the next week. We dropped off the food and then headed over to The Rim for Christmas present shopping. We've made a really good start and I can't wait to finish everyone's presents!

We celebrated Nellie's 21st birthday with a dinner and Rock Band. It was great that the whole family was able to be there for her birthday. We had yummy enchiladas and cheesecake. 

Thursday:

We woke up at 6:30 and started getting ready for the Turkey Trot at MacAllister Park. We got there around 8:00 and managed to find a really good parking spot. We were checked in and ready to go before the 9:00 start. It was a 4 mile walk through the trails and it was really crowded. But, I enjoyed the walk (we went ahead of everyone) and Lydia was really good. We did the walk in about 1 hour. 

Lydia and I took a 2 hour nap when we got home and then mom, Grandy, Marc, Rekeisha and I headed downtown to the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center to be the clean-up crew for their Thanksgiving Meal they provide for the needy. There were a lot of volunteers, so the work got done quickly. I thought I would be in so much pain from all the chair stacking and pushing, but I'm doing pretty good.

Friday:

Friday was our Thanksgiving. Brian and I got up early to clean the house and Brian ran our to get some ice cream. We had the table all set and food ready to be heated up by the time everyone showed up at 1:00. I had everyone write down what they were thankful for and then we put the paper in a bowl. During lunch, I read out each paper and everyone tried to guess who wrote it - it was fun. Before the lunch, I also had everyone draw their version of the first Thanksgiving. All the pictures turned out great!

I had all the food on the table and everyone sitting down by 2:00 (my goal). We enjoyed a yummy Rudy's turkey, stuffing, corn on the cob, corn, green beans, twice-baked potatoes, rolls, and grape jello. Everything was so yummy! Lydia had chicken nuggets, corn and applesauce for her Thanksgiving meal, haha. We ate half of the turkey and mostly everything else, which is great! I can't wait to have my leftover turkey sandwich for lunch.

After lunch, we played Rock Band, goop, boggle, and phase 10 before most of the guests headed out. Leah, Jessie, and Adah stayed until late, chatting. Lydia went to bed a little after 7:00 - she was worn out from all the excitement!

Saturday:

Brian let me sleep in until after 9:00 this morning, which was awesome (especially since we went to bed late and Lydia woke up several times last night). I am disappointed that it is rainy and wet outside, since we were planning on going to the Fiesta Farm with mom and Leah. Oh well. I also wanted to take our family photos today, but it's too wet outside.

Tonight we have Adah's Baby Dedication at church! She'll be wearing the same dress Lydia wore for her dedication last year.

What is it That Touches You So?

18. Write about what's most often on your mind.

Hmm...right now I'm usually thinking about Lydia and my job. I'm having a tough time deciding whether to go back to work full-time, or to continue working only part-time. I really, really, really want to spend as much time as possible with my daughter - I want to be the one who raises her, sees all her "firsts", teaches her new things. I don't want someone else doing that for me (I can barely stand leaving Lydia for 6 hours, 3 days a week!

But, at the same time, it would be nice to have more of a cushion money-wise. Right now, I make enough working at the preschool and teaching piano lessons to help out with the bills. Unfortunately, it's not as much as I was making when I worked at Family Infant Home Care. We can't go out to the movies, or out to eat (as much), or just buy random things (like clothes, movies, etc.) whenever we like. We have to plan for it. I budget how much I can spend on groceries each week. We've been thinking about getting another car (one for Brian), but we won't be able to manage the monthly car payments right now. We make enough to live comfortably and put money in savings, but not enough to live somewhat "extravagantly". Which is why I am considering a full-time job.

There have been many pluses to budgeting, however, which I never thought there would be. Brian and I have learned that we don't need those "extra/random" things when we go to Wal-Mart or Target - no one NEEDS to buy more movies, clothes you may never wear, more toys for Lydia, etc. You learn the difference between what you NEED and what you WANT. We've also learned that it's just better all around that we don't go out to eat as often. It's nice having a private family dinner at home, around our dinning room table. And, although I am no health-freak with food, my meals are home cooked, which always makes them "healthier". I've also learned watching how much I spend at HEB each week has taught me that I shouldn't have been spending over $100 each week on food! I go through my cupboards and freezer so that I'm not buying extra. And, I don't need all those extra snacks lying around the house, tempting me.

We are able to go out to eat every once in awhile (like when I'm worn out and don't feel like cooking), and I can go out and buy a new t-shirt or jeans, or Lydia new shoes, when I plan for it. Brian can stop off at the gas station on his way home and pick up a snack or two, or get his favorite breakfast burritos. We have everything we need and don't really need much more. Lydia definitely doesn't need more toys or clothes, and neither do I. 

I would love to have that extra cushion of money each month, but at the same time, I would love to spend more time with my daughter. Lydia means everything to me. As long as she has everything she needs to make her happy and healthy, we're good. You don't need lots of money to be happy. 

And I Thought I Had Problems

17. Your highs and lows of this past year.

Highs:

- Moving out of the house we shared with Leah & Jessie and into our own house (across the street) - it's been about a year since we've moved.

- Getting together with my childhood girlfriends at the wedding in Georgia.

- Lydia turning 1!

- Brian getting rehired as a 6th grade math teacher.

- Closing Family Infant Home Care and getting a part-time job at the preschool.

- Teaching piano lessons.

- Leah's baby's birth.

- Meeting new friends.

Lows:

- Budgeting...everything.

I'm not big on remembering the "lows" of this past year. I like to always think of the positive things that happen.

In other news...

I get to host Thanksgiving Lunch this year at my house! Wednesday we are celebrating Nellie's 21st birthday with our traditional birthday dinner at my parent's house. Thursday we are doing the Turkey Trot in the morning and then serving meals to needy people in the afternoon. So, we're doing Thanksgiving on Friday. Leah is also hosting her first Thanksgiving at her house on Thursday for the Carabajals. Leah and Jessie will be coming to my house on Friday for some more yummy Thanksgiving food.

My mom is bringing the Rudy's turkey, twice-baked potatoes (my favorite), and dinner rolls. I will provide everything else. I still haven't decided what that "everything" else will be. I know I'll need to make stuffing, and Brian wants to grill corn on the cob. But what else should I make? One year we also had macaroni and cheese with our meal (and so did the preschool on Friday), which would be yummy. I'll either make a dessert or two or buy something. 

I recently went to Grandy's house and went through Grammy's old tablecloths and linen napkins. I just love that stuff and I don't have any of my own. I am excited about using them for my Thanksgiving meal. I know it will be casual, since I don't have enough matching plates and will have to borrow chairs. But, it will be so much fun!

Sometimes You Must Give Her a Hand

16. Things that make you really angry.

• When people (mostly Brian) don't understand what I'm trying to say, or take what I said the wrong way.
• My plans get changed/messed up.
• I get frustrated (not angry) when Lydia doesn't take a long enough nap or doesn't sleep through the night...I can't get angry at that (she's a baby), but I can get very frustrated.

Not much makes me really angry. I'm kind of like my mom - most things people do make me frustrated or "disappointed", not angry. I'm a pretty happy person, although I can lose my temper now and then. Brian's gotten the brunt of my temper at times. Most of the time, when I get angry, it's because someone important to me isn't listening to me or isn't understanding what I'm asking/telling them. When I get angry, I usually cry, which makes me more upset.

Anyway...

Tuesday Lydia and I were stuck inside all morning because it was so rainy. I didn't want to risk it and drive to the library for story time, since I hate driving in the rain (and story time is only about 20 minutes long). Lydia woke up around 6:45. I put The Wiggles on on her TV in her room and kept her in her crib. I then tried to run/walk on the treadmill, but Lydia only lasted about 15 minutes in her crib and then started screaming. I was disappointed that we didn't get to watch the Today show, since the local weather channel wanted to talk about the rain for 2 hours and didn't show the Today show! So, we ate our breakfast watching the weather channel and then I turned the TV off and listened to music while I cleaned.

Lydia is really good when I'm cleaning. She usually follows me around and "helps" or she goes off and entertains herself. Several times I went to check on her in her room and she was sitting on the floor reading her books or dancing to The Wiggles. She also likes to get into Brian's belt buckles and move them from room to room. And, of course, she pushes her baby around in the stroller. I was able to detail clean the kitchen, straighten up the living room, clean Lydia's room and my room, and clean both bathrooms - AND vacuum the whole house before 10:00!

When I was done cleaning, I tried sitting down and watching Lydia play, but she then started getting bored and was getting fussy and clingy. So, I decided to come up with some clever toddler activities for her. I must say that I am pretty good at coming up with toddler activities. When I worked in the child care center with 10 under 2-year olds, we had to constantly keep them busy with one activity after another. I could definitely entertain one little 18-month old!

My first activity (that I had hoped would last a long, long time) was the sensory tubs. I used two plastic drawers and put them on our un-carpeted floor with a towel underneath. I filled one tub with (a tiny bit of) water and the other with some rice and pasta. I put measuring cups and bowls in the water and some link toys with the pasta. Lydia really enjoyed the water. She scooped the water up and poured it into the other tub. I should have just done two tubs of water! I did learn a lesson for next time, though: don't provide pasta/rice when there is also water for sensory time - the pasta/rice get soggy and are harder to clean up!

The sensory tubs only lasted about 15 minutes. I think if Lydia had had a friend with her, it would have lasted longer (since mommy is just not that much fun). For our second activity, I put a big blanket over our card table and put a blanket on the floor to make a tent (or a fort). I put some books, her stacking toys, and her baby doll (of course) in the tent. I thought Lydia would have loved this! It was gloomy outside and it was nice and dim in the tent. I had to convince her go under the table by going in first myself. I was able to read a few books to her and sing some songs before she didn't want to be in the tent anymore.

Lydia actually "came up" with the third activity for the morning. She wanted me to follow her to the office and then walked over to her craft bin. So, I decided she could paint using the foam letters that spell her name (we have a foam alphabet puzzle that I used). I put three different colors on a paper plate and then put each letter in some paint and Lydia used them as stamps on the paper. She really enjoys painting and it turned out pretty cute.

After the third activity, it was just about lunch time, so I sat Lydia down with some lunch. Then we watched Yo Gabba Gabba and then headed off for her nap. After nap (she slept about 1.5 hours), the sun was finally shining and drying up all the rain! We headed outside for an afternoon walk with her baby doll and stroller. Lydia fell twice and scrapped up her right knee! I hate seeing the scratches on her little knee! I'm not used to this scratched-up knee stage yet.

Then I Shall Have to Make You Wings

15. Things that make you really sad.

• Leaving Lydia at other people's houses to go to work used to make me really sad. I would almost cry as I walked out the door, hearing her crying and knowing she is wanting me. But, Lydia's crying has always made me really sad. Leah used to tease me that as soon as Lydia made even the slightest whine, I would immediately pick her up. Whenever Lydia got upset (especially when she was tiny), I would also get upset and tell her she's "breaking my heart". I think that hearing your child cry - when they're genuinely upset - is the saddest thing.
• When other people aren't very nice to me. I recently experienced this and to think that someone didn't like me enough to be mean - when they didn't even really know me - made me just cry and cry! I could barely keep it in. I don't like being mean to others and I really don't like it when others are mean to me. I believe myself to be pretty likable and try to make myself likable to others, so when someone is deliberately mean, it makes me sad.
• Whenever I watch those home videos when the military man returns home to his children - that always makes me tear up!
• I was watching ONCE UPON A TIME (new show on TV) recently and Snow White had to first have her newborn baby taken away from her and then she discovered her (supposedly) dead husband - that made me really sad. Mainly because I have a husband and a baby and even the thought of losing them makes me extremely sad.

Enough about sad things! 

Last night I decided to turn Lydia's crib into more of a "bed". I have only recently put a blanket in her crib (after she was 12 months) and have never had anything else in there (except her baby doll). But, the past few nights she has been waking up a lot and her feet are always cold in the mornings, since she always takes off her socks. She never stayed in one place in the crib (her positions were always funny), so her blanket never stayed on. So, last night I put a pillow at one end of her crib and tucked her princess quilt in at the end and had her sleep as if she's in a bed. When she fell asleep last night, she was at the end of her bed, on top of the quilt. She woke up quite often last night - perhaps getting used to this idea of a quilt and pillow.

I so desperately want to take a picture of her right now sleeping in her crib! She is asleep with her head on the pillow and is covered by the quilt! Super cute! Maybe tonight she will sleep better. I told Brian we can't go in every time she cries (even when she's crying for her pacifier) because that just encourages her to cry for us if she wakes up a bit instead of putting herself back to sleep. And, she needs to get used to not sleeping with a pacifier, since we're taking it away at the end of this month.

Oh, and I have a funny Lydia story. Brian, Lydia and I went on a long walk yesterday afternoon with Lydia's baby doll and stroller. On our way back to our house, Lydia wanted to stop off at Leah and Jessie's to say hi. Unfortunately, Leah and Jessie weren't home at the time. Lydia didn't understand this and started to throw a fit! She threw down her baby stroller, attacked one of Leah's bushes, and rolled on the ground. I let her throw the fit and then crouched down to her level and asked her if she needed a hug (this always works). During the hug I told her I was sorry Leah wasn't home, but does she want to go to her house and make spaghetti for dinner? Lydia nodded yes and we were off. It was very funny to see how upset she was over Leah and Jessie not being home! She loves them!

I Know Exactly How You Feel

14. What gives you everyday inspiration?

Hmm...

Lydia inspires me to wake up every morning. Partly because she's either screaming or being noisy in her crib, and partly because I can't wait to see her and give her hugs and kisses after missing her all night. I feel like my life has a purpose when I'm taking care of her. There is someone other than myself to feed, clothe, entertain, care for, love. Sometimes my days can seem pretty routine - like when I worked at Bright Horizons and everyday seemed the same. But, with Lydia, everyday is different: she's always learning something new, we go on new adventures. Everyday is an adventure for Lydia!

Brian inspires me to work hard at my job and to enjoy my job. He is such a hardworking teacher and is very dedicated. He leaves at 6:30 in the morning and doesn't get home until 5:00, yet he's more than happy to help take over Lydia's care, help with dinner, set the table, and even clean up! He does bath time and bedtime. He loves teaching, he loves his family.

God inspires me to live everyday to it's fullest. I have been so blessed with an amazing family, an amazing husband and daughter. We live in a house, we have food on the table and clothes in our closets. There may be hard days and sad days, but the Lord always gives us the happy times - the times we remember the most. When I think back on our car accident last year, the thing I remember the most is how much everyone stepped up to help us - random witnesses at the crash site, all the amazing doctors and nurses, my family, Brian. But most of all, I think about God's love. He kept us safe, He kept Lydia safe, and He brought us through.

Is There Anything You Can't Do?

13. Write about your earliest childhood memory.

This is a weird memory and I'm not sure why I remember it, but it has always stuck with me. We were living in Okinawa, Japan and I was around 3 years old. We were at the park near our apartment building and we found a huge snail. My dad "caught" the snail and said we could bring it up to our apartment. I remember being really excited and interested in the snail. As we were riding up in the elevator, I remember holding this huge snail and being worried that it would come out of it's shell, so I quickly passed it off to my dad.

Once we got up to our apartment, we put the snail in a glass bowl. It came out of it's shell and I remember we thought it's body looked like a giant foot. I don't remember what happened to that snail or how long we kept it. I don't know why I remember this. 

This weekend was pretty fun. Saturday, we had a very relaxing day and then hosted a Clark Community Gathering (our neighborhood gathering) at our house. This time, the Elders in charge of our community came, as well as a couple from our neighborhood and their two children. We had so yummy food and good fellowship. I do wish this time more neighbors would have come. Our church is trying to get neighborhoods together and fellowship, to meet your neighbors and build bonds. So far, it's not working too well in our neighborhood or in my mom's.

We put Lydia to bed around 8:30, hoping that she would sleep in until 6:30 (new time). But, she woke up this morning at 5:30 and was playing in her crib. Brian tried to lay her back down at 5:30, but she just got right back up. I went in at 6:30 and changed her diaper and rocked her for a bit, hoping that she would go to sleep. She did finally fall asleep (after make a lot of noise in her crib) before 8:00 and then slept until 8:45. We went to our Young Marrieds class at 9:45 at church and then Brian, my dad, cousin Chris, Jessie (and Adah) and Thomas went back to my parent's house to watch the football game. Leah, mom and I stayed for the 11:30 service.

Lydia was still, amazingly, awake when we got to my parent's house - Brian said she had been in such a great mood and playing and chasing the dogs. I gave her lunch and then put her down for a nap, and then she slept for about 2 hours. I even fell asleep watching football and had a nice nap. At 5:00, my mom's neighborhood gathering started, but no one showed up until after 5:30. We had yummy home made ice cream (I shared mine with Lydia and ended up having 2 bowls). The one lady who showed up quickly left, since she didn't want any ice cream. But, we had a great time chatting and playing games.

I really enjoy relaxing weekends, although I'm glad we got to hang out with the family. Lydia can get bored with just Brian and me with her, but she is always entertained when then are several people who will play with her and give her attention.

Then I Suggest You Run

12. Bullet point your whole day.

• 6:30: Lydia wakes up.
• 7:00: I go in to change her diaper and try to get her back to sleep.
• 7:15: Brian goes in to try to get her back to sleep.
• 7:30: I go in to try to get her back to sleep (she had woken up from 2am-3am, she should be tired!)
• 8:00: Brian gets up with Lydia and lets me sleep in.
• 9:00: I finally get out of bed.
• I have breakfast - I share my cheerios with Lydia.
• I watch 2 episodes of Say Yes to the Dress on netflix.
• Lydia and I take a nice, hot shower.
• I get Lydia dressed.
• I get dressed and beautiful.
• My dad comes over to pick up our old blinds for free dump day.
• I make Lydia lunch.
• I put Lydia down for a nap.
• I eat my leftover Free Birds burrito from last night for lunch.
• Lydia wakes up.
• I clean the house while Brian and Lydia go to the dollar store.
• Lydia, Brian and I go outside to play - we throw the frisbee, teach Lydia to go down the slide by herself and give Lydia a wagon ride.
• Lydia has a snack.
• Lydia goes down for a nap.
• I have a snack and watch some netflix.
• Lydia wakes up.
• I get the house ready for our community gathering.
• Our guests arrive.
• We eat hot dogs and yummy dip and chili outside on the porch while visiting with our Elders and one family from our neighborhood.
• We say goodbye to the guests but chat with mom, dad, Leah and Jessie.
• We watch Yo Gabba Gabba while trying to keep Lydia awake until after 8:00pm.
• Brian and I get Lydia ready for bed.
• I go on the computer and look for shows to watch on netflix.
• I go to bed.

I Could No Sooner Choose a Favorite Star in the Heavens

11. The best advice you've ever heard, or ever been given.

I wish I could think of some great advice I've been given, or even great advice I've heard...but I can't. I have been given a lot of advice in my life. I just can't remember one that really stands out and has affected me.

You seem to get lots of advice at certain milestones in your life - when you graduate high school, when you go to college, when you graduate college, when you get married, get your first job, have a baby. That is when everyone really loves giving advice. Luckily for me, I have people in my life that I trust and I depend on their advice.

I looked to my mom for advice during my pregnancy with Lydia. I looked to my mom and sister for advice when Lydia was an infant. And now, I try to get advice from anyone I can on how best to handle certain situations with Lydia. I have never been the person who hates getting advice. I may not use all the advice I get, but I definitely enjoy listening to it.

One of the worse pieces of advice I received after Lydia was born was to "sleep while the baby sleeps". This is ideal for parents who get maternity and paternity leave, for stay-at-home moms and dads. This is not good advice for the new mom whose husband has a broken leg so he can't help much with the baby. It's really not good advice for the new mom who had to go back to work a week after her baby was born (and work from 7:00 to 6:30). I couldn't sleep while Lydia slept - I had to work! And now, if I slept while Lydia slept, nothing would get done around the house and I wouldn't have any time to myself. Now, of course, if I had had Lydia in different circumstances, I would totally agree with that advice. But it just didn't work for me at the time.

I think that the best advice you can give someone - anyone - is to have faith, and that a lot can happen in a year (or a week or a month). I have always been that person who has faith that everything happens for a reason, and everything is in God's hands. Now, this doesn't mean that you don't need to work for what you want, or even hope to better yourself or your situation. But, it does mean that you need to trust in God and if you get what you wanted, great, but if not, then it wasn't part of God's plan. I also know that in hard times, if you just trust God, everything will turn out okay.

Now Is All You've Got.

10. Your favorite 10 people right now and why.

1. Brian: I know, it's an obvious one. But, it's true. He works hard so he can support his family, he never complains about the time and energy he gives us, he takes great care of Lydia and of me. Plus, he's supported my two home businesses and encourages me every chance he gets.

2. Lydia: Another obvious one. She is just so precious and a miracle! I can't imagine my life without her. Even when she wakes me up 20 minutes before my alarm, I love seeing her happy face in the mornings. I love watching her grow and learn!

3. Leah: Mainly because she takes care of my precious baby twice a week and never complains. She's a great person to go to for advice and support. And if I need my hair or makeup done.

4. My Parents: I know, they should count as two people. They're supportive and loving and helpful. I love how much they love my baby and how much time and energy they put in each week watching her and helping us out.

5. Miss Nancy (the new children's librarian): I am so excited that the Igo Library has gotten a new children's librarian who does Toddler Time on Tuesdays! The in between ladies were not very interesting or good. Hopefully Miss Nancy will help Lydia learn to love to sit and listen to books and songs. She's animated and encouraging!

6. Lauren Wilig: She's the author of the book series I've been reading the past month or so. I really enjoyed her first book, The Secret of the Pink Carnation, and am currently book #4 in the series (since that's all the library had), The Seduction of the Crimson Rose. I am not enjoying this book as much as the first, but I am still interested in the book series. I have the 5th book to read after this one...then I don't know what I'm going to read.

7. Bones Cast: I cannot wait until the new season of BONES starts!!! I just loved the ending of the last series - when Bones is pregnant! I just love Booth and Bones' relationship with each other. I know they're not real people, but I am just so excited!

8. Student's Parents: I am thankful for all of my piano students, but especially their parents. Without the parents, the kids wouldn't get the encouragement to play the piano and to practice. And I wouldn't have a job as a piano teacher. I am always excited when it's piano lesson day, and I love researching new ideas and finding new songs for my kiddos.

9. Rekeisha & Abram: They watch Lydia for me on Tuesdays (now) during piano lessons. I am so thankful to have family members willing to watch my baby for me while I am busy! And, Lydia gets to play with her cousin!

10. Preschool Kids: I just love helping out at the preschool and watching the kiddos learn! I love it when they ask me for help and I can encourage them. Today, I helped three little girls learn how to right the letter "k" and they were so excited when they finally managed to write it! One little girl kept writing "k" all over her paper she was so excited! I love encouraging and motivating children to learn and experience new things!

I Will Simply Deny You the Crown...and Live Forever!

Halloween was so much fun this year! I usually do not like this holiday. I get scared easily, don't care too much for candy, and don't like going door to door. But, Lydia definitely made it fun! Last year she was so little, she had no idea what was going on or why I put her in a lamb costume.

I was worried Lydia would be afraid of the people dressed in costumes and wouldn't want to go up to doors. But, she had a blast! She wore her princess dress, her pink crown from her birthday, and her squeaky shoes. She carried her princess basket (that was also her Easter basket), and we put her in the wagon. We went to my mom's neighborhood and took Thomas along with us (since he wanted to trick-or-treat, too). I thought Lydia would cry when we took her out of the wagon, but she was excited to run up to people and have candy put in her basket.

Of course, she has never really seen so much candy, and wanted to hold it in her hands instead of carrying it around in her basket. She was often distracted by the candy and would forget to walk to the next house. After the second house, she didn't want to get in the wagon, so she just walked along behind it. The only house she didn't want to go up to was one decorated like a haunted house - she wouldn't even go up the driveway! 

Towards the end, she wanted to PULL the wagon. We decided to head back home when this happened because she was no longer walking up to houses and was more interested in pulling the wagon than anything else. We made it back to my parent's cul-de-sac, and Lydia insisted on pulling the wagon around their road. Abram was there and quickly joined in on the wagon fun. Eventually, Brian had to hide the wagon in my dad's truck so Lydia couldn't find anymore.

My parents had their fire pit set up in their driveway and we toasted (or roasted?) s'mores. Lydia didn't start getting fussy until almost 9:00, so we got to stay for a long while. When we got home, I put Lydia to bed and then Brian and I headed to bed! It was such a fun evening!

The best thing about having a baby is that you get to re-experience all the wonders of each new holiday.