Happy Birthday to me! I don't feel old. Today I had several people ask me if I was 26, and one person even asked if I was 24. Those failed guesses were music to my ears and calming to my soul. I love life and and cannot believe how far I've come in these 28 years. It's pretty awesome what I've accomplished so far.
Recent Addison-isms:
1. (At dinner) "Hey, Daddy! Wanna see my BUTT?!" (as she gets out of her chair and pulls down her pants to show off her little booty.
2. "Mommy, did you learn you students at school today?" "I taught my students things today, yes." "Ok, but did you LEARN them something today?"
3. "Oh, my, Mommy! That's very clever!"
4. "Mommy, are you ready for your birthday surprise? (whispering) I got you a special Candyland game! We can BOTH go to Queen Frostine today!"
5. "Look at my sticker! Ms. Becky gave it to me because I was SO sweet today!"
6. "Look! I just got 45 on the Wii Penguin game!" Me: "WOW. Didn't know you could read the number 45, Addison!"
Last but not least, Addison drew me a birthday card that I will photograph later when my batteries are re-charged. She drew a spider in it's web (ironic choice for her arachnophobic mother, right?!) that was amazingly realistic for a three year old. Later she drew a cat, complete with whiskers! The card, like my cake, said "Happy Birthday Princess Mommy" and was covered in layers of pink marker and pink princess stickers. (The cake had pink balloons on it, too.)
I had a great birthday. No complaints. Robert cooked me a great dinner, we had yummy red velvet cake, and we even found time to play Wii, which has been a rarity lately. Very good day. Happy girl am I. I'll be even happier when I try out my new rain boots on Friday.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
new friends
Tonight we had our neighbors over to watch the SuperBowl. Shea & Nicole are our garage side nieghbors, and have been since we moved in. Addison greets their cat Zeke and dog Maggie every chance she gets. Robert had a bold streak one day and invited them over. We're not really good a making new friends, so that was a huge step for him/us. We learned that Nicole & I have a lot of similarities: our name, we are both teachers, we both like the same kind of Sketchers shoes, and we wear the same size. They both love Disney World (they have annual passes like we do!) and they just found out that they're going to have a baby girl in August. I was impressed with their willingness to play along with Addison's tea party and her insistence for playing Candyland. Addison, of course, thought Shea & Nicole were here to entertain her, not us. I had fun, and I'm glad that Robert helped us make new friends. We really love our old friends, but you all live so far away. It's good to have fun people to hang out with here.
We bought the most amazing new mattress for Addison's "big girl" bed. I have slept on it twice for naps. I want to get the queen size version for our room now. This is the most comfortable bed I have EVER slept on. It's like laying on a cloud. I love it. And she refused to sleep on it tonight. She's in her toddler bed again. Don't really know why...but it's the second time this week. I guess she likes to keep her options open - to know that both beds are available for her use. What a princess!
My intern just called and said she's stuck in North Georgia. She & her fiance got a flat tire as they were leaving, and being that it's Sunday night, there are no tire stores open to buy a replacement. Bummer.
I'm inspired to redo my entry way. I plan to paint the walls blue (not sure what shade) and do a collage of photos from our travels in matching frames. I think I will use 7 (or 9) different images in various sizes. I hope it turns out like I see in my head. I typically have trouble bringing my visions to life...
I cannot believe how quickly the weekend went. It was a fun, busy weekend. Hopefully this will be a productive, fun week at school. I'm looking forward to my birthday! Addison said she's going to make me a card, which is exciting!
Looking forward to big February birthday celebrations on Saturday!
We bought the most amazing new mattress for Addison's "big girl" bed. I have slept on it twice for naps. I want to get the queen size version for our room now. This is the most comfortable bed I have EVER slept on. It's like laying on a cloud. I love it. And she refused to sleep on it tonight. She's in her toddler bed again. Don't really know why...but it's the second time this week. I guess she likes to keep her options open - to know that both beds are available for her use. What a princess!
My intern just called and said she's stuck in North Georgia. She & her fiance got a flat tire as they were leaving, and being that it's Sunday night, there are no tire stores open to buy a replacement. Bummer.
I'm inspired to redo my entry way. I plan to paint the walls blue (not sure what shade) and do a collage of photos from our travels in matching frames. I think I will use 7 (or 9) different images in various sizes. I hope it turns out like I see in my head. I typically have trouble bringing my visions to life...
I cannot believe how quickly the weekend went. It was a fun, busy weekend. Hopefully this will be a productive, fun week at school. I'm looking forward to my birthday! Addison said she's going to make me a card, which is exciting!
Looking forward to big February birthday celebrations on Saturday!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
i'm a bad blogger...
because I don't post very often. I've got a list of reasons why, but I won't go into them. I'll just try to make up for it now.
Addison spent last week being sickly: virus for four days, ear infection, bronchitis. The day she returned to school we found out there was a chicken pox outbreak in her class. As of now, she does not have any indication of them yet. (knock on wood). I have never been so glad that she was absent from school for a week....though the incubation period for chicken pox is 10 to 21 days.
Addison watched the first two and a half seconds of LOST this week. The scene with Juliet buried at the bottom of the Swan sight, below the metal rubble has haunted her since. Addy continues to insist that "the girl at the bottom of that hole needs two band-aids on her checks, and wash her hands and take a shower because she's dirty." Addison is not yet ready for prime time TV. We learned our lesson.
Life with my intern is pretty sweet. I'm afraid now that it will make me lazy. I'm getting paid to work, but I don't really have to do much work anymore. My intern is awesome and I would love it if we could hire her to work at Pace once she is finished with college. She's organized, patient, positive, and not intimidated by my challenging babies.
Addison is reading lots of words, constantly asking "what does this word spell?" and remembering the next time she encounters the word. She loves writing her name. Here are some other things she's recently become accomplished at:
1. Candy Land: she ALWAYS wins, and we aren't just letting her.
2. Bossiness: "Get that for me, Mommy!"
3. Temper Tantrums: "But I WANT THAT BOUNCY BALLY, DADDY!!!!!" With respect to tantrums, age 3 is worse than 2 was.
4. Helping with meals: she loves to stir, mix, pour, carry items to the table. She also sets silverware out for us at most meals.
5. Blessings: We must say a blessing at each meal, per her training at school. She has different prayers for each meal of the day.
6. Imaginative Play: Stuffed animals are REAL, especially a lion puppet named, appropriately, Mr. Lion. They talk to each other, Addison, and us. Addison teaches them what life is all about.
7. Style: Every time we are out shopping, walking, anything, Addison notices what other people are wearing and comments on it. "Mommy, that lady has on pretty brown boots!" or "Mommy, I like that girl's necklace/earrings/purse/shirt/jacket/skirts/etc." She is a little stylista in training, no thanks to me and my blue jeans wearing self.
7a. She refuses to wear anything except cotton stretch pants. NO blue jeans, khakis. Only black or pink stretch pants.
I suppose I should comment on Christmas and New Year's celebrations. Both were awesome and exhausting. This was one of the most fun-packed winter vacations I ever remember having, but so tiring. We went non-stop for two weeks. Addison's birthday celebrations - count them - FOUR! One at school, two family parties, a giant friend party at home. Then Christmas. Then New Year's. Then Matt & Helen's wedding. All wonderful, all fun, all enjoyable. We are still trying to recuperate though! Back to Addison, we were astounded at the amount of STUFF she accumulated between birthday and Christmas. Next year, we will probably only give her one or two presents per event. It was over-whelming and excessive this year. She's a lucky (read: spoiled) little girl...but she totally deserves it. :-)
For kicks, here's a pic from Matt & Helen's wedding. I love my friends. They are the best friends a person could ask for. Wouldn't trade them for the world. Patrick, who I love most dearly, is hiding behind Matt's big head...but this was the only group shot I got all Christmas break, so it's being posted, even without Patrick's smiling face shining for all the world to see.
Addison spent last week being sickly: virus for four days, ear infection, bronchitis. The day she returned to school we found out there was a chicken pox outbreak in her class. As of now, she does not have any indication of them yet. (knock on wood). I have never been so glad that she was absent from school for a week....though the incubation period for chicken pox is 10 to 21 days.
Addison watched the first two and a half seconds of LOST this week. The scene with Juliet buried at the bottom of the Swan sight, below the metal rubble has haunted her since. Addy continues to insist that "the girl at the bottom of that hole needs two band-aids on her checks, and wash her hands and take a shower because she's dirty." Addison is not yet ready for prime time TV. We learned our lesson.
Life with my intern is pretty sweet. I'm afraid now that it will make me lazy. I'm getting paid to work, but I don't really have to do much work anymore. My intern is awesome and I would love it if we could hire her to work at Pace once she is finished with college. She's organized, patient, positive, and not intimidated by my challenging babies.
Addison is reading lots of words, constantly asking "what does this word spell?" and remembering the next time she encounters the word. She loves writing her name. Here are some other things she's recently become accomplished at:
1. Candy Land: she ALWAYS wins, and we aren't just letting her.
2. Bossiness: "Get that for me, Mommy!"
3. Temper Tantrums: "But I WANT THAT BOUNCY BALLY, DADDY!!!!!" With respect to tantrums, age 3 is worse than 2 was.
4. Helping with meals: she loves to stir, mix, pour, carry items to the table. She also sets silverware out for us at most meals.
5. Blessings: We must say a blessing at each meal, per her training at school. She has different prayers for each meal of the day.
6. Imaginative Play: Stuffed animals are REAL, especially a lion puppet named, appropriately, Mr. Lion. They talk to each other, Addison, and us. Addison teaches them what life is all about.
7. Style: Every time we are out shopping, walking, anything, Addison notices what other people are wearing and comments on it. "Mommy, that lady has on pretty brown boots!" or "Mommy, I like that girl's necklace/earrings/purse/shirt/jacket/skirts/etc." She is a little stylista in training, no thanks to me and my blue jeans wearing self.
7a. She refuses to wear anything except cotton stretch pants. NO blue jeans, khakis. Only black or pink stretch pants.
I suppose I should comment on Christmas and New Year's celebrations. Both were awesome and exhausting. This was one of the most fun-packed winter vacations I ever remember having, but so tiring. We went non-stop for two weeks. Addison's birthday celebrations - count them - FOUR! One at school, two family parties, a giant friend party at home. Then Christmas. Then New Year's. Then Matt & Helen's wedding. All wonderful, all fun, all enjoyable. We are still trying to recuperate though! Back to Addison, we were astounded at the amount of STUFF she accumulated between birthday and Christmas. Next year, we will probably only give her one or two presents per event. It was over-whelming and excessive this year. She's a lucky (read: spoiled) little girl...but she totally deserves it. :-)
For kicks, here's a pic from Matt & Helen's wedding. I love my friends. They are the best friends a person could ask for. Wouldn't trade them for the world. Patrick, who I love most dearly, is hiding behind Matt's big head...but this was the only group shot I got all Christmas break, so it's being posted, even without Patrick's smiling face shining for all the world to see.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Christmas songs for you!
Merry Christmas to you all from Addison!
The Princess Party last Saturday was a total blast. Here is a pic of all the kids with Princess Aurora.
Princess Aurora painted faces for an hour and had a dance session with the kids that involved more bouncing and jumping than actual dancing. It was a perfect 3 year old party if you ask me. The kids didn't stop moving for three hours and Addison was exhausted when it was over. She seemed quite overwhelmed by all the activity and was worn out by present time. She got lots of great Princess items: games, books, a doll, building blocks, dress-up clothes. There is no end to the Disney Princess merchandise. She got NO repeat gifts, which I though was a minor miracle! Addison was most excited that her friends from school were at her house - she kept saying, "My friends are coming to MY house?! That's CRAZY, Mommy!". It was a really great day. And we continue to celebrate. Today we got THREE birthday gifts for her in the mail: one from Uncle Brian and Aunt Pat, one from Fenella & Mark, and one from Uncle Marcus. She was in love with each item she opened: a new outfit, books, and puzzles. We've read all the books twice already and done one of the two puzzles.
Tonight was the first night we've
had at home in a long time. We've been spending two nights a week at Margie & Bill's house stringing paper cranes for Matt & Helen's wedding. It's going to be beautiful, but it's quite time-consuming. We average about 1 crane strand per 45 minutes...and we're hoping for 125 strands total.
And, finally, here is a parting shot of our little fairy princess on a crane folding night....
Three days of school left. I cannot wait for Christmas vacation to begin!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Princess Party last Saturday was a total blast. Here is a pic of all the kids with Princess Aurora.
Princess Aurora painted faces for an hour and had a dance session with the kids that involved more bouncing and jumping than actual dancing. It was a perfect 3 year old party if you ask me. The kids didn't stop moving for three hours and Addison was exhausted when it was over. She seemed quite overwhelmed by all the activity and was worn out by present time. She got lots of great Princess items: games, books, a doll, building blocks, dress-up clothes. There is no end to the Disney Princess merchandise. She got NO repeat gifts, which I though was a minor miracle! Addison was most excited that her friends from school were at her house - she kept saying, "My friends are coming to MY house?! That's CRAZY, Mommy!". It was a really great day. And we continue to celebrate. Today we got THREE birthday gifts for her in the mail: one from Uncle Brian and Aunt Pat, one from Fenella & Mark, and one from Uncle Marcus. She was in love with each item she opened: a new outfit, books, and puzzles. We've read all the books twice already and done one of the two puzzles.
Tonight was the first night we've
had at home in a long time. We've been spending two nights a week at Margie & Bill's house stringing paper cranes for Matt & Helen's wedding. It's going to be beautiful, but it's quite time-consuming. We average about 1 crane strand per 45 minutes...and we're hoping for 125 strands total.And, finally, here is a parting shot of our little fairy princess on a crane folding night....
Three days of school left. I cannot wait for Christmas vacation to begin!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving from Addison
Here is 2009's installment of Thanksgiving songs for you, from Addison.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
As a quick catch-up on the rest of November, we attended Bradley's Country Fair (lots of great shopping and a ride on a white pony) and went to Disney World for Robert's 28th birthday. We explored Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom this time. We all found the cool weather ideal and thoroughly enjoyed the animal exhibits.
As for our two Thanksgiving meals this year: We look forward to our 1st Thanksgiving lunch in Betty & Phill's new house. We also look forward to our 2nd Thanksgiving dinner at Andrew & Evelyn's new house.
Happy moment for the month: A student, who started the year at a 2nd grade reading level, hugged me after seeing a 79% passing score on a reading post-test last week. He was so proud of himself! I cried because I was so touched. Those are the moments that keep me going back to work every day.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
As a quick catch-up on the rest of November, we attended Bradley's Country Fair (lots of great shopping and a ride on a white pony) and went to Disney World for Robert's 28th birthday. We explored Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom this time. We all found the cool weather ideal and thoroughly enjoyed the animal exhibits.
As for our two Thanksgiving meals this year: We look forward to our 1st Thanksgiving lunch in Betty & Phill's new house. We also look forward to our 2nd Thanksgiving dinner at Andrew & Evelyn's new house.
Happy moment for the month: A student, who started the year at a 2nd grade reading level, hugged me after seeing a 79% passing score on a reading post-test last week. He was so proud of himself! I cried because I was so touched. Those are the moments that keep me going back to work every day.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Going to the "Mair"
I think Addison's hearing is a little blocked still because this past weekend when we told her we planned to go to the Fair, she kept saying, "Great! Let's go to the MAIR!".
We had a fun time with Nonnie and Doodah, but sadly I got very few photos. Here's the two that I snapped prior to the camera batteries' death. First photo is before we went in, second photo is watching the pig races.
We had a fun time with Nonnie and Doodah, but sadly I got very few photos. Here's the two that I snapped prior to the camera batteries' death. First photo is before we went in, second photo is watching the pig races.
all grown up
Addison and I shopped at the mall this morning. Before we left home, Addison packed her black purse complete with lipstick, cell phone, mirror, and debit card. She calls her debit card her "wallet". I assume this is because she knows the debit card is like money and Robert & I keep our money in our wallets - I guess it's a fusion of the two ideas in her mind.
After we'd successfully shopped for a dress for Mommy, Addison asked for a cookie. We walked down to the cookie shop, she made her selection, and then as the girl wrapped up the cookie, Addison pulled her debit card/"wallet" out of her purse and tried to hand it to the cashier. I was in disbelief. She wanted to pay for her own snack! I secretly paid with cash and pretended to hand her debit card/"wallet" to the cashier...I don't want to spoil this responsible behavior! She beamed with pride as she carried her cookie to a table.
Today was also the first time I've seen her eat an entire cookie. Typically, Addison will only eat cookies with icing on them (Oreos, etc.), licks the icing off, and leaves the cookie on the table. Today, however, she ate the entire cookie. Perhaps it was pride, perhaps it was hunger. I'll never know. I do know that I was a proud mommy today, for many reasons.
After we'd successfully shopped for a dress for Mommy, Addison asked for a cookie. We walked down to the cookie shop, she made her selection, and then as the girl wrapped up the cookie, Addison pulled her debit card/"wallet" out of her purse and tried to hand it to the cashier. I was in disbelief. She wanted to pay for her own snack! I secretly paid with cash and pretended to hand her debit card/"wallet" to the cashier...I don't want to spoil this responsible behavior! She beamed with pride as she carried her cookie to a table.
Today was also the first time I've seen her eat an entire cookie. Typically, Addison will only eat cookies with icing on them (Oreos, etc.), licks the icing off, and leaves the cookie on the table. Today, however, she ate the entire cookie. Perhaps it was pride, perhaps it was hunger. I'll never know. I do know that I was a proud mommy today, for many reasons.
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