8/4/21 – Great Explorations!

This morning, you finally woke up around 9:15a (your new favorite time lol).

It was super rainy all over the state so I decided to skip Legoland. We were meeting Lisa and Lucy Wallace so Lisa suggested we go to Great Explorations in St Pete instead. We did and it was so much fun. On the way there you were singing some made up Christmas Carols lol.

You enjoyed yourself and played so hard. You and Lucy played separately with your Moms for a little while, then you guys dumped us and ran off together. You two haven’t spent time together consistently and Lucy is a little shy, but you guys warmed up to each other nicely! I couldn’t believe you climbed to the top of the climbing structure right away – no fear at all!! It was so high!! There was a Publix store set up where you shopped and went through the check out. There was a beach, a medical exam area with a huge Operation game & X ray film reader, Vet clinic, Fire Station with real hose, pole, truck and fire jacket & pants. There was a wood fired oven where you could make pretend pizzas, Lego area, craft area and hurricane simulator. You gave a news cast where you could see yourself on TV which you were fascinated by. This was such a cool place. We haven’t been to anything like this since Portland in 2018! I’m so glad we found this!

We stopped next door at Carrabba’s for lunch. You insisted on ordering the same lunch as Lucy! The rain was coming hard, so they headed home after lunch. We stopped at Mazzaro’s Italian market just to have a look around. You chose a few desserts and we hit the road home. You were looking tired in the car. When we got home, you asked me to snuggle with you on the couch. I would NEVER pass that up!!!! I made dinner and Marcela stopped by. She brought you a cute purple purse and some silly socks for your first day of school!!

I thought after the day you had today you would pass out early, but that was wrong!! It was close to 10 when you finally fell asleep but you were happy to get to sleep in my room!!

I love you so much!

8/3/21 – Lobster Please!

It was again after 9a when you finally got up again today! You are really loving to sleep in! We had to sign a quick closing at work, then we went to pick up Grandma Weezie and took her to lunch at Brine to try the crab cakes. You decided in the car on the way there that you wanted lobster so you had the lobster roll and loved it. The waitress looked at me like I was crazy, but I would rather you be fancy than only eat chicken fingers!

We drove by the lot after lunch but didn’t get out because it was getting ready to start pouring rain! We stopped home, painted your nails and toes, then had to stop back at the office for a quick signing. While I was away, you used my phone to take a bunch of selfies and videos. When I found them when I got back, I was cracking up laughing! I immediately sent them to Daddy!

We were only there for a few minutes then we headed back to the County to get your passport! On the way home, we stopped at Publix to grab a few things for dinner. You brought your baby stroller everywhere we went today! We went home, cooked and had dinner.

I ran to the store for something while you stayed and played upstairs with Daddy. You wanted him to push you in the laundry basket. He jokingly offered to push you down the stairs in it. You worriedly warned him that you would bonk your head and be blooding. He pretended that he was going down the stairs in the basket and you came around the corner with a worried look on your face that he would get hurt!!! He was just joking but you were so lovingly concerned. I love that about you! When I got home, we headed to bed. You are very into your glow in the dark book and can’t get enough of it. You were wiggly and we had to “start over” because you were a little mouthy. When I came back to check on you, you apologized and asked to start over. I snuggled with you and you were out in 2 minutes.

I love you so much!

8/2/21 – Mom, Don’t Worry, It’s All Organic!

This morning, your arms and legs were wrapped all around me. You were sleeping so sweetly, I hated to move for fear of disturbing you. You slept until 9:15a. I was showered and working when you came out to the living room and announced “I’m awake Mama!” You snuggled with me for a few minutes on the chair and gave me so many kisses!

You ate breakfast, got dressed & we ran to my office for a quick closing. You poked your head in and said Hi to my client on a Zoom call while we waited for the closing to fund. As soon as we finished, we went to circus park to play. You were so happy to be there. I was surprised the equipment wasn’t too hot! There were a few other kids there, but you had most everything to yourself. When we finished, we stopped at the County to renew your passport. You chatted with the police officer who scanned our bags. You asked him if the fountain outside used to have water in it. You are often curious about things like this. He said yes and it used to have fish. You were so cute chatting with them. Daddy didn’t sign one page so we will have to come back.

We went to Whole Foods to grab food for dinner. While I was at the seafood counter, you were putting fruit in your reindeer basket. When I asked what you put in there you said “Mom, don’t worry, it’s all organic!”

I took you to my office to meet Daddy. He took you home to make dinner while I finished a late closing. You played kitchen and served pretend food on plates at the bar before you ate. When I got home you had just finished dinner and we’re watching a movie in my room. You asked me to snuggle with you, so I did for a few minutes. We talked earlier about making cookies tonight, but since you were watching the movie, I thought we would do it another time. When I came and and told you it’s time to go read books, you were really sad because you really wanted to make cookies… so we did! You went to bed later than I wanted but it was worth it!!

I love you so much!

8/1/21 – School Supply Shopping!

You slept until a little after 9a. Daddy & I were working on house plans when you opened the door and came out. You wanted to stay home and be naked all day. You were super interested in a home day today. I think the last few days have worn you out! I offered to take you to the Meadows, but you didn’t want to go. You put on PJs to match your baby. I eventually got you to get dressed (although it was a tank top, swim top and mermaid skirt) so we could check out the lot and grab lunch!

We came home, played marble run and a little while later, we ran to Target to do your school supply shopping! You got to check off each item from the list as we found them. You wanted to buy alllll the Sharpies!! We ate lunch late, but you claimed to be starving and wanted a burger, so we stopped at Five Guys to get you a burger. You told me you were going to tell Daddy you weren’t going to eat dinner, then surprise him that you already had a burger lol. You love joking like that!

When we headed home, we saw Ms. Moe and you jumped out of the car to chat with her. We grabbed our bikes and took a spin around the block with Captain chasing you. You two wear each other out! We went back in and watched a little TV before bed. You were out in just a few minutes!

I love you so much!

7/31/21 – Cookie Before Breakfast

This morning you slept until 9am and then came out to the living room to scare me! I was talking to Aunt Deb and you wanted to FaceTime her. Then you put on Secrets of the Zoo and ran to get the cookie we bought at Publix yesterday. You said “I have a question and I think you’re gonna say no.” I said “what?” You asked “can I have my cookie before my breakfast, lunch or dinner?” I said Sure & you were sooo excited! While you were munching on your cookie, Chrissy invited us to fancy breakfast so we packed up and jumped in the car and met them at Keke’s. You brought a placemat for both of you to use which cracked me up!

After breakfast, we headed to the Meadows to swim. Brooke Harris from Discovery Days met us there. You guys had so much fun playing, swimming and abusing the popsicle pool float. You guys went “back stage” to set up for your performance of “slippery fish!” We literally stayed all day! Around 6:30p you stood up and said “Daddy, we are going home!” I was surprised by that and you told me it was so you didn’t go to bed too late!

We showered, made dinner and watched a movie. You and “Baby Kyle” wore matching jammies. We headed to bed after the movie and read a bunch of books. You were squirmy and then finally snuggled up into my neck and started snoring! I’m glad you were asleep earlier than last night. With school starting in a little over a week, I’m trying to keep you on a good schedule.

I love you so much!

7/30/21 – I Caught The Froggy!

This morning you got up early and for once we weren’t late for theater!!! Carlos came early to clean and you ran out to tell him hello! You brought your baby to theater and went right in and weren’t worried about me leaving at all.

As soon as you saw Daddy, you ran up and kissed him even though you were supposed to be taking your place on stage. You got to choreograph and perform your own battle sword fight with Ms. Lacey. This was the last week of camp and your last performance of the summer. I wasn’t sure if you would enjoy this Star Wars themed week as much, but you really had fun! Daddy brought you roses and gave them to you after you took your bow.

After the performance, he went back to work and you I went to Discovery Days to pick up your portfolio. Three years ago today, you started preschool, and now we close that chapter. I was very emotional about it while you were just happy to see the teachers and some of your friends. We ended up staying over an hour and you had so much fun! When we left, you asked for a donut so we went to Publix. You ended up choosing a cookie instead. While we were shopping you decided you actually wanted ice cream. You were prepared to put your cookie back! I told you to get it and eat it tomorrow! We stopped at Southern Creamery and shared an ice cream before heading home.

We stopped home, packed bags, put on swimsuits and headed to the Meadows. Daddy met us there after work and we ate dinner there. You found a frog which you tried to put in a ziploc bag and bring home as a pet!! You had a blast jumping and playing with Daddy. We stayed until the pool closed at 8:30p! We showered and watched an episode of Secrets of the Zoo. We headed to bed (you wanted Daddy to come with us to snuggle) way later than we should have but you were out by 9:45p.

I love you so much!

7/29/21 – Did You Get My Mass-age?

I tried and tried to wake you up this morning. I about had to just pick you up!! Finally, around 9:15a you finally got up. We were about 20 minutes late to camp again! Even with going to bed early, we are still running behind in the morning. You walked right in, put your stuff down and started to color. I felt so much better since you were happy.

I picked you up from theater and stopped by the office because Christen made you a mermaid skirt. At first you were shy and didn’t want to say thank you to her, but then you ran to the conference room and put the skirt on. You went to her office, twirled around and gave her a hug and thanked her.

After we left the office, you wanted to go to Il Panificio for cheese pizza. When you placed your order, the guy working remembered you from the last time we were there & you gave him a thank you note with your name on it. He asked you “is your name Giovanna?” You were so excited that he knew your name! You ate (inhaled) your pizza on the way to gymnastics. Christen gave you a piece of bubble gum when you were in the office. You wanted to try the gum so I let you. You are now able to flip over on the bar by yourself!!! You are really progressing.

On the way home, Cheryl, Chrissy & Olivia were driving in the lane next to us. We honked and rolled the window down to say hi. Chrissy called us and so we decided to meet at Ford’s Garage for dinner. Daddy called and you said “Hey Daddy, did you get my “mass-age”? We are at Ford’s Garage, I’m just sitting on this bench! Come meet us!” You and Olivia played and ate and had fun. After dinner, we took Olivia to our house to play for a few minutes while Chrissy ran some errands. You guys did dot markers and chalk. Chrissy picked Olivia up and we headed to to your room to read books. You wanted to snuggle and we read a few 5 minute stories and then you said “I need to close my eyes” and you were out in a few minutes. It was 8:45p and you were sleeping so sweetly.

I love you so much!

7/28/21 – Bacon Is My Favorite Kind Of Eggs

Although you went to bed early, you still didn’t want to get up this morning. Finally I was able to wake you at 9:15a. You told me “I’m not going to theater until Friday because I already know the battle sword fighting!” I finally got you up and running but we were a few minutes late to theater lol. In the car on the way to camp you said “I’m hungry. You didn’t give me any breakfast?” I handed you your scrambled eggs and you said “bacon is my favorite kind of eggs! Thank you so much Mommy, you are the best. You made sure I have breakfast!” Today was an easy drop off at theater and you were ok with me leaving!

You wanted to grab a “milkshake” (actually a superfruit smoothie) after theater so we did. When we were leaving you wanted to sit and have a picnic lol. You wanted to go home and bring Harry back to the smoothie store. I told you they were closing so you settled on taking him to Fruitville Park to play.

Both you and Harry were hot and tired, so we headed home to cook. While I was cooking, you did and “experiment” (which you were calling an experinece lol) where you combined milk and strawberries to taste and water with apricots. You determined the milk was gross and the water was good, all at the expense of my organic ingredients lol!!!

After dinner, we took a drive by the house to check progress. You were excited to help Daddy take measurements and you wanted to climb on the stacks of blocks! When we got home we headed to bed to read. I read 6 books, then you were starving so you got up and brought 3 cheese sticks to bed. We read some more, then you asked Daddy to “please deliver toast bread to me in bed” which we both said no to. Then you conned him into coming into your room and read you more stories. You squirmed a few minutes then rolled over, hugged Daddy’s legs and fell asleep. It was so sweet.

I love you so much!

7/27/21 – Kindergarten Assessment!

You were sleeping so peacefully, but I started trying to wake you up around 8:30a. I rubbed your head for about 10 minutes trying to waked you up, then I whispered in your ear “I have a surprise for you…and after the surprise, we will stop for a donut.” You immediately sat straight up and flew out of bed to get dressed, brush teeth & we were in the car in 15 minutes!

On the way to there you were asking me what the surprise is. About half way there, I told you since we couldn’t get into school before, we were going to be able to go inside today to look around and meet some of the teachers. You said “that’s not really a surprise. A toy is a surprise!” I laughed…you are always on point!

We arrived at Bay Haven for your kindergarten assessment. It was so sweet. We were so warmly welcomed by everyone we saw. The teacher who helped you saw on your form that you went to Discovery Days. She said was Ms Jenny’s best friend! Every single person there looked genuinely excited to see the kids. You eagerly followed Ms. Nasby to the table and sat and strutted your stuff showing her your mastery of your alphabet letters & sounds, numbers and sight words. You looked comfortable immediately, which made me feel 80000000 times better. The school is really cute inside. I was anxious that we couldn’t go inside before. When you finished, you walked over to me with Ms. Nasby. She told me you did an amazing job and of course you were great at the types of things they were asking and the one on one setting was the best play to your strong suit. She said “ I can really see her personality. She’s really cute! ” You drew a picture of me and showed Ms. Nasby telling her “these are mommy’s boobs!” I about died lol!


When we left, we were turning onto 41 to head to Publix to get a donut. There was a new place called Jacks Donuts that will be opening soon. You told me “ I want to ride my bike home everyday & stop at Jacks Donuts everyday! ” I told you I can’t wait to live so close to school and that you can always invite friends over after school when you want. I look forward to hosting fun times for you and your friends a million times. I hope that you always want to bring your friends home and enjoy growing up in this neighborhood. It means so much to me!

We grabbed our donut and headed to theater. You still didn’t want me to leave, but today’s drop off wasn’t nearly as dramatic as yesterday. When I picked you up we headed home to make dinner. When Daddy got home, you told him all about your day at school. After dinner, you guys rode bikes and then you lined up all the chairs in the living room. I ran an errand real quick and when I came home I was cracking up when I saw this!

We headed to your room at 8p to start reading books. You were wiggly and it took a little time, but you were asleep around around 9p. Going to bed earlier has definitely been good for you! Today was a big day, even though you didn’t know it going in. I know you will shine at Bay Haven and I’m proud and excited to have a front row seat to watch you rock!

I love you so much!

7/26/21 – I Miss You When You Are Gone

I let you sleep until almost 9a. When you did wake up, you ran to your room to get dressed and brushed teeth. You wanted to paint your nails, so I did even though we were running tight on time because you were listening so well. You were happy until we got to theater camp. You had a really hard time letting me leave. You clung to me crying, said “Mom, I miss you when you are gone.” Ms. Lacey tried several times to help distract you asking for help with the balance beam and coloring. I finally got you to sit at the art table to color, hoping I could sneak away unnoticed, but you felt every step I took and kept grabbing my hand. You were so very sad & I felt so bad. Ms. Lacey let you call me from her phone to check in with me. You told me you miss me, but that you were coloring. I asked if you were ok and you said no. You said “ok, I’m gonna go eat my cottage cheese!” I talked to Lacey and she reassured me that she let you sit by yourself by the window and look out when I left and that after about 10 minutes you were good to go. That made me feel better!

When I picked you up, you gave me the biggest hug. You asked for a lollipop, so we ran to Whole Foods to get one (unfortunately the only box was a 60 pack, so now we have 59 lol). You ran the self check out and scanned all of our items and paid. We went home to ride your Bolt scooter and cook dinner. You called Grandma Noot and we FaceTimed with Daddy. After dinner, we did some puzzles and then you snuggled on the couch with Daddy watching part of a movie. I wanted to get you to bed a little earlier, so we turned the TV off at 8:15p to brush teeth and potty. You climbed in your bed with me and Daddy read a story. You were out by 8:40p.

I love you so much!