Father's Day!

Today, I've heard people say that Father's Day is an unnecessary, made-up holiday. Maybe it is, but if we didn't have it, would people remember to pay respect and say "thanks" to the dads in their lives? My best guess is that, if we didn't have these "made-up holidays", Dads would go largely unappreciated the whole year through. There might be brief moments of recognition here and there throughout the year, but certainly not a whole day's worth.

So, here is my giant thank you to my dad, my grandfathers, and my husband:

THANK YOU! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

To my dad: Thank you for always reminding me that spontaneity is sometimes necessary and well worth the risk. For teaching me about camping, fishing, and respecting nature. For helping me develop my own thoughts about life and supporting my ideas. For always being willing to pitch in and help - even when you aren't excited about it! For loving and supporting me and my family unconditionally! I love you, Dad!

To my husband: Thank you for never failing to listen to me. For always helping me see the best course of action, especially when I'm a frantic mess. For loving me even when I'm not fun to be around. For being my unfailing support for the last 2 1/2 years as we have adapted to life with Addison. For always thinking of fun, new things to expose Addison to. For having such endless patience with Addison (and me!). For reminding Addison & me how to have fun! Addison loves and adores you, and so do I!

Congrats are also for: Addison's 2 1/2 birthday today! Andrew and Evelyn closed on their first new home!

Green Toys

How cool are these toys? Made from recycled milk containers! They make a variety of products, this sand play set is just one...check them out here on Amazon.com:

Summer Toys: A Sand Play Set Built To Last

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i am so old...

that I now like V8 juice. Not the regular kind, just the Fusion kind. Specifically the Pomegranate Blueberry flavor. It's yummy and it helps me get more veggies in my life. I still can't really stomach eating veggies, so I may as well drink them.

I am also so old that my graduating high school class has scheduled it's 10 year reunion. The reunion will be next June, sometime mid-month. I forget the exact dates. I attended the interest meeting, but left before it ended because I took Addison (Robert was at a poker game) and she had a bathroom emergency that dictated an early departure. Bathroom habits aside, in my absence, my lovely high school friends Lindsey and Chinonye nominated me for the Historian committee. This is fine with me. Better that than the Finance committee or Events committee. Nostalgia is my comfort zone and I'm happy to help. The historian committee met tonight and came up with some ideas. I am responsible for organizing either a live performance or video/recording of the RHS Alma Mater. I am also helping with the scanning of each person's Senior picture from the yearbook for use in a slideshow. I am hoping to use Windows Movie Maker, rather than Powerpoint. I think it will be easier...any thoughts? I am sort of dreading scanning and cutting and saving each picture as an individual file and posting them all into a slideshow/movie. Thankfully I have over a year to work on this project...it may take me that long to finish!

I am seriously a proud big sister today. My brothers are doing such great things with their lives tomorrow! Andrew and Evelyn are buying a house! YEAH! It was a long road, but they didn't give up and have found a GREAT place! I can't wait to see it on Saturday! And my baby brother, Hoyt, is going off on a three week long hike in New Mexico with 20 other Boy Scouts. It's his first trip alone, and he traveled via Amtrack all the way there - 40 hours! I'm glad he's doing something positive with his time. I am so happy for both of them! I feel like I'm the only one who's not doing anything monumental tomorrow...

My three day weekend is here! Whoo hoo!

the Binky dilemma

When to give up the glorious, wonderful, soothing Binky? This is the greatest dilemma we have faced with Addison yet. She wants to keep it, we'd like to see her without it. She only uses it at bedtime. Hasn't used one at school for nap since January when she moved up to the 2 year old class. We had maybe 3 days that she went without at bedtime when she first gave it up at school...but then she got sick. And then we went on our cruise. And then she got sick again. For those of you who don't have small children, Binkys can be a life-saver when you little one is sick and whiny. Nothing soothes a baby quite like a Binky. This is why we didn't push the issue in January, or February, March, April or May. Now Addy is healthy and happy and fully aware that we don't want her to have the Binky. When she asks for it, she uses a technique that reminds of me "glamouring" from True Blood (this is where a vampire will flirt with you and puts you in an almost trance-like state to get you to agree with whatever they want, ie. getting out of a traffic ticket, biting your neck, whatever). She'll say with the biggest, coyest smile you've ever seen, "Mommy/Daddy, can I PUHLEEEEESE have a Binky now?". She is so good at manipulation already it's frightening. My big question is when is the right time to forcefully remove the Binky option? Or does it really not matter? I've seen recent pics of Jennifer Garner's 4 year old, Violet, with a Binky in her mouth. Also, recents pics have appeared of Gwen Stefani's son, Kingston (I think he's 3), with a big pacificer. I'm not convinced I think it's a problem, but I don't want Adds to be dependent on it. Thoughts?

Krazy Ketchup

Krazy Ketchup: Sneak Some Nutrition Into Mealtime

THIS product is what I'm talking about!!

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catch-up post

Robert and I went out on a date last weekend. We left "blue Cinderelly" at home with her Memaw and Grandpa to watch Finding Nemo and headed out to see The Hangover. I knew it would be funny, but I was blown away by how much I laughed. I have not laughed so consistently through a movie in as long as I can remember. I wanted to stay and catch the next showing I liked it so much. Absolute hilarity for the entire 100 minutes. If you haven't seen it, you should.

My baby brother Hoyt left today on a 40-hour train ride out West. He's going on a 3 week Rayado at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch. He is going all alone for the first time ever. He will be back one week before we leave on our two-week family trip to California. He is hoping to get on good terms with the staff at Philmont so that next year he can be a camp counselor or trail guide. I'm happy that he's doing something that he loves.

Tonight we had dinner at Sonny's. Addison noticed there weren't any crayons on the table, so we asked our waiter for some. Our waiter, John, handed a handful of crayons to Addy and I pretty immediately asked her how many crayons she had. Without taking much time to think or count, she said, "I have three crayons, Mommy." She was right, there were three crayons. I am of the belief that she inherited her Daddy's mathematical skill. Thank goodness!

Addison had a 2 1/2 birthday party. We gave her a blue Cinderella dress, dress-up shoes, and a princess puzzle. We put the puzzle together but we aren't allowed to take it apart. She likes to see the picture and gets upset if one of the pieces comes loose. She lived in the Cinderella dress for a few days, and still lives in the shoes. She got four pair of shoes, and she actually alternates which ones she wears based on the color of her outfit. I find this very funny. She's fought with us about wearing them out, and only once did we give in. She wore her blue Cinderella shoes to Publix on Sunday. When one of them fell off in the parking lot she said, "Uh oh, Daddy! I lost my glass slipper!". It was quite adorable!

Summer school has been so great that it borders on boring. I am not used to days that go exactly according to my plans. I miss the chaos. I miss the activity. I miss the unpredictability. I know now that - at least at this point in my life - I could not work at a mainstream school. I love my students and the challenges they present - stolen Ipods included! I think in the end, it's good to have this down time. It's refreshing and relaxing. But I wouldn't want it for the long-term.

True Blood is back on and I am a happy camper. Our cable was out on Sunday night, so I patiently waited until Monday evening to watch. It was well worth the wait. I LOVE that show!

it's OK to be an adult

Don't know why, but it's just dawned on my that I'm adult. I'm 27, but still feel like the same person I was when I was 17. My friends and I interact the same way, I dress pretty much the same, act pretty much the same. I never really got how adult I was until today. I own a house, a car, have a daughter, have a husband, a job where other people entrust me with their children's growth and development. It's like this all happened in the blink of an eye. BOOM! Here I am, an adult.

I find that motherhood is the hardest part of being an adult. Marriage has been easy, thanks entirely to my wonderful husband. Work has been difficult on a day-to-day basis, but easy at the same time because I really love what I do. Buying a house and car, those are expensive, but simple. You buy it, set up the payment schedules, and it's done. No more thinking about it. Motherhood is different though. I guess because it's unlike any of these other adult things I do? There are great days, good days, so-so days, and then some days where I'm downright resentful of all the attention Addison gets. But on those days when I am the most worn out, exhausted, frustrated, and so over it - those are the days when my little angel is the most loving and thoughtful. She'll pick me flowers, sing songs to me, draw me a picture, but my favorite is when she, totally unprompted, says, "Your my best mommy!" or tells me, "I love you, my mommy!". Those moments, however fleeting, remind me of why this toughest of all jobs is so worthwhile.

No more blogging today, I swear. I'm so addicted!

karma?

I said earlier I felt guilty about sending Addison to school. In retrospect, I probably should have kept her home with me. Since I finished blogging earlier, I have done nothing because of a killer sinus headache. Two naps and two doses of Sudafed later, I'm feeling a bit better, but still not 100%. This came out of nowhere. I can't come to any other conclusions except for karma. I learned my lesson.

Also, is it weird that when I'm home alone that I set the alarm system?

My husband is the awesome-est: without being asked he does things that I need...typically before I even know I need them done! He's amazing. I would be helpless and lost without him. I love you, Robert!

clearly, i'm left to my own devices today

based on the number of changes I've made to the blog. I hope you enjoy the new photos on the right side, as well as the music!

Blogging is FUN!

mom really does know best

I'm feeling guilty this morning. I have nothing to do today, but I sent Addison to school. I kept her home with my on Friday, but decided that I wanted to today to be a "me day". In my younger years, I didn't understand why my mom liked having alone time so much. Now, it is crystal clear. That being said, I already want to go pick Addison up from school and she's only been gone for an hour.

In other news, I'm going shopping today for 2 1/2 birthday gifts for Addison. We plan to get her some dress-up clothes because at school she LIVES in a Cinderella dress. She told me that she wants to have a princess party for her 3rd birthday. "I want my favorite princesses: Princess 'Rora, blue Cinderelly, and Ariel, and Snow White, and Jasmine." She has totally bought into this princess mentality.

too cute!

Addison LOVED Greg & Heather's puppies! She keeps asking when they'll be back and they've only been gone since this morning!

How cool is it that Greg is going to be a texture artist for Dreamworks!? I think it sounds like the most awesome job ever - not that I'd be any good at it! It was great to visit with Heather & Greg before their big move to L.A. I wish they weren't moving so far away, but it will give us a good excuse to travel!

Happy Saturday!

yet again

Addison: Mommy, can I wear some of your jewelries?
Me: Yes, but not the ones in the little box. Those are for when you are a bigger girl.
Addison: Ok. (Thinks for a beat, then stands up on her tip-toes). Look mom, I'm bigger now!
Me: You've beaten me again, kiddo.

She is unstoppable! There is never an end to her cleverness.

Addison-isms

Me: Addison, you have 1 minute left before you have to get out of the pool.
Addison: I can have two minutes, Mommy? Pleeeeeeeeeeease, pleeeeeeeeease?
Me: Ok. You can have two minutes.
Addison: No. I have three more minutes.
Me: No, you have two more minutes.
Addison: No. I have four more minutes.
Me: No, you have two more minutes.
Addison: No. I have five more minutes. And four, and three, and two and 1.
Me: No, you have two more minutes.
Addison: Ok, I have two more minutes.
Me: Times up now Addison.
Addison: Mommy, can I have four more minutes?

"Can I watch Cinderelly now?" "Sing sweet nighting-dale..."

Addison's teachers reported that today she spent a lot of time singing her "princess Aurora" song...and calling herself Princess Aurora.