11/24/20 – Your Butt is Cold

You woke up at 4:30a and said “Daddy your butt is cold. Mommy’s butt is always warm!” You snuggled up with him and said “Mommy is soft and cozy.” You finally fell back to sleep around 5:15a. I woke you gently before Daddy left because you were so sad that you missed him yesterday. You followed him into the garage and stood on the running board of his car to give him extra kisses. I was so bummed I didn’t have my phone to take a picture. You asked him to wave with both hands out of the roof. You think it’s a little dangerous and very funny, so of course he obliges.

When I picked you up from school, you had a little meltdown and Ms Amber helped get us back on track. You quickly recovered and started counting rocks with her. She held out her hand and asked you how many rocks she had, expecting you to point and count. Instead you just looked at her hand and said 3! She was telling me most Pre-k kids can’t do that yet. She went on about how off the charts smart you are. I am so proud of you and I’m working so hard to help provide the boundaries you need to help you grow into the amazing lady you will become. This job is so hard but indescribably amazing.

You were starving so we got pizza at il Panifico then ran back to my office because I had to finish packing up my stuff. You chatted up Romo and Lisa while you ate your pizza.

You watched frozen sitting on Daddy and snuggling next to him. He loves it when you cuddle with him and of course the opportunities are less and less to do so. We got about half way through and then we had to head to bed. You climbed into my arm, we listened to Christmas music and you were out in 20 minutes.

I love you so much!

11/23/20 – A Tough Day For Gymnastics

You slept in so long that you missed Daddy. When you woke up you were looking for him and you were sad that he was already gone. I hate feeling like I’m rushing you in the morning. I struggle with letting you grab all the extra sleep you can with balancing trying to get to school on time.

We Facetimed with Ms. Sandy on the way to Gymnastics while you ate your snacks. However, once you were in class, you didn’t really want to participate. You sat off to the side for at least half the class. I’m not sure what’s up with that because you have always love gymnastics. You kept coming out of the class telling me you want to leave. Even when I reminded you that you are really close to moving up to the 5 year old class, but we need to have good listening ears, you still didn’t bounce back.

We went to Detweiler’s to get more rambutans and Grandma Noot came over for dinner. Of course the second we go home you were running around naked. We ate and played, then you biked the block with Daddy (the only way to finally get you dressed too!!). You guys ran into Ms. Moe, dropped Harry off and did another lap on your scooter.

While we were getting ready for bed, you told me to don’t want to do gymnastics anymore. My heart broke. I asked why because you are so good at it. But you didn’t have a reason. I hope that you don’t mean it. I know we have been off schedule and you are getting back to normal, so I hope this doesn’t stick. If it does, of course I will respect your wishes…I guess I have to get used to your growing independence since you seem unwilling to stay little forever! At times like these, please be patient with me…I’m still learning too! I adore you and I just want the best for you. You deserve the entire world…

I love you so much.

11/22/20 – Me Too, Mama!

This morning, you came to my bed at 5a. I woke up around 6:45a, but I laid in bed next to you until you woke up at 8:45a because you needed to get some good sleep! I’m hoping we can get back on a good schedule now and make sure you are getting plenty of rest. We played a little, you picked your dress and new boots to wear and then we had to go to meet Deborah Nelson for breakfast on our way to Port Charlotte for more Santa photos!

We had a great experience with Santa. He read The Night Before Christmas to you and asked what you wanted for Christmas. You told him a big girl pink bike and a blue microphone for Mom and Dad (you want us to have matching karaoke microphones like yours!). He showed you the globe to see if you knew where the North Pole is and you told him we are going there on the Polar Express train! He has been at the Polar Express the last two years and he was super sweet there as well. I can’t wait to see the photos. Daddy has been teasing me about how many photoshoots we have done but I can’t help it! Each opportunity was different and captured you so well. I can’t freeze the time and keep you little so I’m bound and determined to capture every moment!

Of course on the way back to the car when we finished, you started asking to ride home naked lol. We had lunch when we got home. You wanted to watch Madagascar so you and I ate upstairs while Daddy watched football. I ran some errands and you wanted to stay home with Daddy. He sent me a picture of you in your princess crown looking just so perfect! You came out of your room with your unicorn bag and said “school was great today!” like you had been in class lol.

We made dinner then played for a bit. We headed to your room to read books at 8p because I wanted to get you in bed early. We read some of your Pixar 5 minute stories and then you did a few kids Lingos. I said, “ok G, I’m tired, time to lay down.” You said “me too Mama.” and you curled up next to me and you were snoring in just a few minutes by 8:45!

I love you so much!

11/21/20 – No Pictures!

I woke you up for gymnastics at 8:15a and you were still sleeping hard. As soon as you opened your eyes, the first thing you said was “are they still here?” asking about Aunt Karen & Kyle. I said “no, honey. They had to leave already.” You immediately started to cry. I was trying to take your picture and you put your hand up and said “no pictures. Not until early afternoon !!!” I was cracking up laughing.

We headed to gymnastics. You were tired and not super into class today. There were two coaches out today so there were a few classes put together. You came back out of the class 3 times saying there were too many people in there and it was too crazy. Toward the end, you wandered off to the big girl class & you were pretty excited about that!

Daddy headed to work and you & I went to fancy breakfast. You chatted up the lady next to us of course. When we finished, we went home to play. You were so excited that tonight is Saturday sitters that you put your jammies on as soon as we got home! Because you haven’t slept much I wanted to be sure you got a nap. Around 1p I asked you to come with me to go pay the photographer for our Santa album. I knew you would pass out shortly after we left and she lives in Mill Creek so I knew we would have plenty of time to sleep. You slept 1.5 hours. We came home did a koala crate and FaceTimed Ms. Sandy.

You showered with me and asked me “so, Mom, what are you doing tonight?” I said Daddy and I are going to dinner with Dave and Cindy. You said “oh yeah you told me that!” After your shower you wanted to watch Disney+. Daddy came home and then we had to get ready for Saturday sitters. You kept coming out of your room asking me if you could wear or bring things that you aren’t allowed to take to school – crowns, jewelry, flip flops, toys, etc. I kept saying “yes, sure, of course” and you looked shocked. It was like you were searching to find something I would say no to lol! When we dropped you off at school, you were so excited to run in you definitely didn’t miss us lol. When we came to pick you up, you had a Spiderman tattoo, candy & some gemstones stuck to your cheek! You had so much fun! Shortly after we got home we headed to bed. You wanted me to scratch your back, but you kept squirming. I finally got you to lay still and you were out in 5 minutes!

I love you!

11/20/20 – I Love You. Don’t Go!

You slept until 6:30a in your bed & then ran to my bed. I can’t believe you got up that early after going to bed later than usual for so many days. We got to school a few minutes early so you wanted to finish your breakfast in the front seat.

When I picked you up from school, you wanted to snack in the car of course. We had to run into Whole Foods to grab a few things to make dinner. You insisted on bringing the snack bag with you into the store lol! At the checkout, you were telling the clerk all about the pasta and everything in our cart. She was cracking up. Absolutely NO ONE believes you are only 4!

At home, we made pasta and s’mores. You put your sequin slap bracelet on Harry’s arm and he left it there all evening. Poor dog! Aunt Karen and Kylie are leaving tomorrow and you snuggled up to Kylie and said “I love you, don’t go!” Daddy was watching stars on his phone and of course you had to help him! I finally took you to bed around 9:45p and you were wiggly. It took until 10:30p to get you to fall asleep.

I love you so much!

11/19/20 0 Mama, Switch Me Seats Please

You came to my bed & asked me “Mama, switch me seats please!” I have no idea what time it was…maybe 5am, but we both went back to sleep quickly. School dropped some cute pictures of you in the Sandbox app today. You and Lillian were filling each other’s buckets and it was so sweet. You love her. When I picked you up you showed me the necklace you made. You were so proud!

This week, school focused on how our actions affect others. You read the story “How Full Is Your Bucket.” I have been following up reminding you at home how we affect each others bucket when we are together. It is honestly a good reminder for both of us.

  • Gus, G & John
  • Norah & G

After school, we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. You insisted on changing into your power Elsa dress that lights up. When we ordered, you asked our server if she had rambutans in response to her question of french fries or fruit. Of course she had no idea what they are you chose fries instead lol. As usual, you wanted to do the escalators after dinner. We walked around the mall for a few minutes because it was decorated so pretty.

We headed home and you were dancing with Daddy. You told him “I’m a boss!” You were even standing on the bar dancing, which was giving me a heart attack! But I still took a quick video before making you get down lol! We went to bed at 10:30p again!!! Yikes!

I love you so much!!

11/18/20 – Fill My Bucket

This morning, you came our of my room and you were following Daddy and hugging him. You were sitting on the floor in the garage waving goodbye to him & asking him to wave out of both windows. We were running late to school, I was trying to get you ready and in the car, and you were talking back to me. We got into an argument and you were crying. I told you that you hurt my feelings & you apologized. You have been talking back more in the last two weeks than ever. It’s so frustrating but I try so hard not to lose my cool. This morning I did lose my cool and I felt so bad. When you got out of the car at school, you were still looking sad and my heart was breaking. You gave me a kiss and I told you I hope you have a good day.

When I picked you, Ms. Noelle asked you to tell me about your buckets. You told me that when you say something nice it fills someone’s bucket and when you say something not nice it empty’s someone’s bucket. You told me that “this morning when you talked to me like that you emptied my bucket and broke my heart and broke my bones and broke my shoulder.” I told you I don’t want either of us to empty each other’s buckets, I would rather fill each other’s buckets every morning.

You were happy and excited as we headed to Siesta Beach to meet Aunt Karen & Kylie for the sunset. It was windy and a little chilly, but that didn’t stop you from jumping in the water. We had cheese & crackers and a ton of fun. I dropped some cheese in the sand and you were trying to feed it to the seagulls. I asked you not to feed them and you said but I want to! I said, then go feed them by the lifeguard stand. So you did. You were over chatting to a group of four ladies as well. They were wondering where your parents were, so they asked you where we were. You told them “my Dad is on the road.” They thought he was in the parking lot and you were alone! I came over to get you and they were laughing at how independent you are and relieved that you weren’t unsupervised! I told them that you were on the way & that’s what you meant. We took lots of cute pictures and you wanted to take some of us. Then you to continue to take pictures. When I looked at my pictures I found you had taken pictures of your footprints in the sand. That filled my bucket!

We went to dinner at the Boatyard after the sunset and you were so good. As soon as we walked in, we were walking to our table and you were asking me if you could have cherries. A waiter overheard you and handed you a cherry before we even got to the table! You ate a great dinner and we headed home.

We had to make your turkey for school and disguise him so the farmer couldn’t find him for Thanksgiving. No surprise, you wanted to decorate yours as a flamingo. We had so much fun making him. When we finished, I showed you that a Realtor I work with brought 6 pairs of shoes for you as a thank you gift for a deal I helped her with. You tried them all on and after each pair, you said “these are perfect!” It was a long day, so after you tried all the shoes on we did some Spanish and you were out like a light.

I love you so much!

11/17/20 – Fun, Food & Family

We went to gymnastics after school for a make up class since we were late yesterday and Aunt Karen & Kylie wanted to see you in action. You did great! You were so excited to look out and see them watching!

When we finished, we stopped at Detweiler’s to get some seafood for dinner tonight. You ordered the snow crab at the seafood counter (they always put extra in for you!), you put all the groceries in the cart and on the belt at the check out. You are always happy to interact with adults and I love that about you.

  • Cart Gymnastics?

You were singing Jingle Bell Rock in the car on the way home and it was adorable.

We had a blast cooking and playing Jenga. The weather has been gorgeous so we had a fire and made s’mores. You were in charge of passing out the ingredients to everyone. You walked around the fire pit like a little waitress. So damn cute!

I love you so much!

11/16/20 – This Is Just A Random Store!

I let you sleep until 8:40am & when I finally HAD to wake you up, I stroked your hair and forehead until you started to flutter your eyes open. Surprisingly, you got up and moving pretty quickly. I asked you to go get dressed and you said “I want to brush my teeth & hair first.” We made it to school right at 9a believe it or not!!!

I picked you up and you couldn’t wait to tell me that you built a totem pole that was taller than me. We headed to gymnastics (we were about 15 min late though) and FaceCalled Ms. Sandy on the drive. You told her that the totem pole was taller than her and Mr. Dean! Aunt Karen & Kylie came to watch you at gymnastics & you were happy to strut your stuff! Daddy met us there & then we went to DaRuMa for dinner. When we were walking up to the restaurant you said “hey, this isn’t DaRuMa, this is just a random store!” I said no it isn’t! It’s DaRuMa. When we opened the door, you said “oh yeah, this IS DaRuMa!” You were really good at dinner & when we got home we watched a little bit of Bolt. When I told you it was time for bed, you were upset, started crying and even smacked my foot. You are still super tired and so I didn’t even get upset. You came to your room with me, you apologized, we snuggled and you were snoring in 10 minutes.

I love you so much!

  • lazy hound

11/15/20 – My Memories Have To Go Away At Night To Make Room For My Dreams

We were supposed to have another Santa experience photoshoot this morning, but I called to reschedule because you were up so late and I didn’t want to wake you early. When you finally got up, we had breakfast then you played Uno with Aunt Karen on the lanai.

  • Sleeping Beauty

We decided to head to Siesta Village for lunch at the Hub. Of course these late nights are catching up with you and you fell asleep in the car on the way there. I carried your tired limp body into the restaurant and you slept on my shoulder for about a half hour. When you woke up, you asked to sit in your own chair and you were laying your head back resting. After lunch, we were walking around checking out the shops. You put out your hand to grab mine to cross the street and you said come on Joneses Boneses (like Daddy always calls me). It made me laugh hard. You picked a dress at one shop and a mermaid sign at another. We then stopped for ice cream and we were all sitting on a bench eating our ice cream. You sat on the wall next to an old man and you chatted him up immediately and he was cracking up at you. On the way home you were talking with Aunt Karen. She asked how you remember how to get to the beach. You said “I don’t know, I just do. But my memories have to go away at night to make room for my dreams.” You had her giggling and then you were putting your umbrella up in the car protecting her. She couldn’t get over all your conversations and your imagination. It was so good to see you with her.

When we got home we ran to Whole Foods so we could make pizza. You were not happy because you wanted to buy a grocery cart toy and I said no. A random lady offered to buy it for you & I thought she was just being nice. Kylie said no, she had a dog and said the dog was scared by your crying so she was just trying to quiet you down lol. You played with Daddy while I made pizza. Then before it was finished, you were snoring on him at 7:15p. He put you in your bed and I assumed you were out for the night. Around 8:45p you came back out to the living room crying and looking for pizza lol. You ate and then Aunt Karen asked if you wanted your water. You said “no, I’ve got to go to my room and go to bed” lol. When snuggled in your bed and you were out in no time.

I love you so much!

  • Late Nights Got You!