The Dolly Tradition Continues

 Char's parents travel, a ton . A few years back we tried to start collection of baby shoes from around the world. Just a cute way to have her be involved with different cultures (and to win any show and tell she may have at school). But finding baby shoes is hard when many children around the world don't even wear shoes.
So Grandpa / Grandma brought her a little stuffed animal, a little frog.

Now she has a lovely collection of dolls. These dolls aren't just on a shelf for display, she plays with them daily. They are on her bed, the sofa, the car.

Playing dolls with Alice

Wherever she is, a doll is somewhere in tow. Anyways, Grandpa and Grandma recently went to German and these are her two newest dolly's.

Freda, Lisle, Ana Rose

The one with braids (just like the ones Heidi Anne has constantly) is from German. We chose Lisle for her name. The one in blue with black braids is named Freda. I encouraged her with the name Freda, because it's the name of one of my best friends. Don't worry Aunt Sharon, there is bound to be a doll we can name in your honor. :-)

Cuddled up with Freda. Dolly (from Tahiti) and Lisle-See told you she always has to have at least one doll with her. 

Heidi Anne + Snow + Me = A Chilly Adventure

Last Friday night (as in the 10th) we had our first big snowstorm of the new year. Saturday morning we had a beautiful sunny day with 6 inches of snow. Heidi Anne did what any other child would do. She grabbed her coat, her new snow boots, (which she picked out because they are pink with princesses and they light up when you stomp really hard). Before I knew it she was all bundled and jumping up and down with the most excited face I have seen in a long time. "Momma! Can I go outside and make snow angels? Please, Please??" How could anyone say no to that?

Out she went. First thing she just walked around making a circle. She carefully inspected the pretty flower impressions her snow boots made. Immediately, she made another big circle to make more pretty flowers. After a few little trials she wanted to know what "pictures" my shoes made. I got on my mittens and a jacket to go play in the snow with my little girl. 

My boots make flowers

We decided quickly that my shoes made boring wave with oval designs. Heidi Anne came up with a game of making a snow picture, but you had to only use snow and it couldn't be a snow man. "That's easy enough," I thought to myself. "I will just grab a stick and draw a stick figure in the snow". As I drew my lovely stick girl, a lovely triangle with 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 piggy tail strands of hair, with a big smile to top it off. 

Your shoes aren't Pretty Momma

She inspected my work and told me "Momma, it's nice but you didn't listen to me. You can't draw the person. See look at my snow picture." Her snow picture was a cat named Audrey (I honestly have no idea where she gets these names). Audrey the cat was a pile of snow pressed together to make a 3D snow cat. 

Making Audrey the Cat 

Heidi Anne wanted to show me how to make “good” snowballs and have a snowball contest. She explained the rules to me;

Making a "Good Snowball"

1) You have to make 3 pretty circle snowballs
2) You have to throw your ball really, really far
3) You have to make it SMASH (My friend Cori, would be so proud of that rule) when it hits the ground, a fence, a tree, ect.
4) If you snowball doesn't break when it hits something that means you made it to hard and someone could have been hurt
5) If you throw the ball at a car, any person, or any animal on purpose, you lose and you have to stay on the stairs in time out. 

See her snowball about to SMASH

I must confess, she beat me at every round. I couldn't throw far enough, my snowballs weren't pretty, and they wouldn't smash for the life of me. So I did what any other good Mom would do. I said "Who wants hot chocolate?" Hey, if you can't beat them, make them forfeit.

Who Wants Hot Chocolate?

Tea for Three

As you may know, Heidi Anne is an only child, always has been and always will be. I always thought I would have three little kid, two little girls and one boy. But I digress.
Some things I have found about having an only child is there are many times when they can grasp when something is off with their parents, they try their best to be big kids (since Mom and Dad are the only other people in the house-who else can the mimic) on the flip side there are  times when they need you to get on the floor and just play games together. Often, you're their only option for a playmate.

Yesterday was just such a day for us. We've just had a series of unfortunate events. Since Momma and Daddad are stressed she has become distressed herself. I saw my little 4 year old soothing and telling Ana Rose (her dolly) that everything will be okay. I decided she needed a playmate right then. Something or someone to take her little mind off things.

I announced that we were going to have a Tea Party with an Indoor picnicking for lunch. She got so excited  She got Ana Rose nicely dressed, put on her best set of beads.

Once that was done we gathered our treats. We made a fruit and sprite mix for our tea, we had jelly beans and smarties in a bowl, and some little Kisses like mini cupcakes.

We spent over an hour having our party. We talked about her friends, her favorites (color, movie, favorite NOT a Disney princess movie). As I took another sip of  the V8 with Sprite "tea", all decked out with beads, funny ponytails she did for my hair, and asking me in a most serious voice "Momma, would you like more of the blue jelly beans? Or the pink Jelly Beans?"

In a high society tone of voice (which she giggled at) "Why, thank you child. I would like both beans. The blue and the pink if you could be so kind".After she finished her giggles she said, "Great!! I HATE the taste of the pink and blue ones!  "Well, I Never!" 

We had our Ipod playing and a song called "Never Grow Up" Came on. It couldn't have been better then if it was planned. So my little Heidi Anne, this was the song that you sang so well and brought me to tears. Heidi Anne, just try to never grow up.

Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
To you everything's funny, you got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

Hello Sweetie

Say Hi to Sweetie. 
 We've had her since August after Pumpkin didn't make it. We called to let them know. Somehow we got convinced to come back to the shelter. We were looking at some cats while we were there and one kitten caught Char's attention. 

She was a vocal little thing. We were told they found her out in a field. She had the weirdest color tones. Just smudges of different colors. Gray, black, brown, orange, almost pink. Really, like a picture of a cat got smeared. He found that she wasn't slated to live much longer. Adoption rate of cats in our county is only 20%. As you can guess she came home with us. 

We've had her ever sense. She went through a few names. Ceccile (after an American Girl Heidi Anne likes) Smudges due to her coloring. But I prevailed and the name Sweetie became official. She is a very funny, hyper thing who loves to be cuddled. Best part of all, we've had her for 4 months and she's still healthy. 

Heidi Anne-The Kitty Cowgirl

This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween! That is one of Heidi Anne's favorite songs from "The Nightmare Before Christmas". 

This year Heidi Anne wanted to be a Cowgirl. On a side note, her favorite / bestest friend Kayla was Jessie from Toy Story.
The night before Halloween Heidi changed her mind. She wanted to be a "Kitty Cowgirl!".  So the night before I found some fluffy material (I think left over from when she was a Polar Bear). She had a little black nose with whiskers.

Trick or Treat--Office Style

Heidi Anne had a wonderful day. She got to go trick or treating with her daycare, then trick or treating at pre-school, finally she came to our work. At our office we get into Halloween. Big time. Teams have costume themes, prizes are awarded for best costumes, team costumes. In the afternoon we have desk trick or treating. Employees can bring their family to go desk to desk to trick or treat love this, we're familiar with nearly everyone and it's so fun to see everyone family, and to show of your own children in the process.

My friend Cori and her Adorable Johnny

Heidi Anne was a Kitty Cowgirl, Char went as a Farmer (from Iowa with John Deer Gear). You can't tell to well what I am. I was going to be a farmer or something as well. But last minute (like as we dropped Heidi off at Suesue's) I didn't have my outfit. So I was a Tribute from District 8 in the Hunger Games. Had my hair all a mess and didn't put on makeup-making me look very,very pale

Me, Heidi Anne, and Char

Every year our CEO gives a full sized candy bar to every kid. It's like the Holy Grail of Halloween. has the best costumes every year. Last year it was Darth Vader, I wouldn't have been shocked if it was one of the outfits used on set. This year he was Bumble Bee from Transformers. I would have to say it was a HUGE hit with the kids and adults alike. He is detailed to a T with his costume.

The boys were awestruck by him. One boy had a Bumble Bee costume as well. Just not nearly as elaborate. One little boy saw him and ask "Can I have your autograph?" It was that good of a costume.

Meeeooowww

Weee Ha

The Pumpkin Walk, The Carrot Van, and Heidi Anne

15 Kids Waiting to Go on an Adventure

As some may know by now, every October we go to The Pumpkin Walk. The Pumpkin Walk is a tradition here in Logan. The walk is around a park where families, churches, or businesses carve or create a variety of displays. Heidi Anne has gone to the Pumpkin Walk every year since she was born. Really, her first one was when she was 3 months old. 

Thus Begins the Adventure 

So what made this one so special you may wonder? This was my very first school field trip with Heidi Anne. I think this was a very special milestone. My little girl is old enough to go on school field trips now, she's growing up so fast! Just a 2 years ago her Daddad and I had held her while we strolled around the Walk. Now, I can barely keep up with her. 

Everyone Having Fun

Another first for me was I got to be the carpool Mom. While the teachers and moms were planning directions we decided the best way to get there was a caravan.  I couldn't help but laugh when her friend Harley (age 4) asked me "Heidi's Mom, what's a Carrot Van? Why are we going to be Carrots?" So we began our "Carrot Van" with her friends in the back of the car talking, giggling, and making up jokes or stories for each other. 

Zoey, Harley, Heidi Anne

I was reminded as well how honest and to the point kids are. Her friend Harley said "WOW! Your car is Messy, Messy Heidi!! Heidi Anne promptly blamed me for the car-"It's not my job to clean the car, I clean the table." We were the first group to get there, even if I did drive "Like an old lady" (thanks again Harley :-) ). 

Zoey, Harley, Heidi Anne

Our group contained; 13 kids between the ages of 2 to 4, 3 helpers and 2 moms. Roughly 1 adult per 2 or 3 kids. Somehow Heidi Anne, Skylie, and Harley were always 2 displays ahead of everyone else. Can you guess who has ADD?--Squirrel! If anyone is wondering the ADD kids really found--Squirrel!

Heidi Anne made sure everyone we came across knew "That's my Momma. She came to school today to play with me!" She later told her other friends that didn't go on the field trip "Some of the pumpkins were scary, but my Momma was there so they didn't scare me."

Nightmare Before Christmas

I Loved This One

It wasn't all fun times. Heidi Anne learned what most families with 2 or more kids have to deal with; you have to share your Mom. I think that was the biggest shocker. 

Having to leave the Candy Land 

Also, when there are a lot of kids, you can't linger at some of the displays as long as you want.When we finished the trip Heidi started to tear up. When I asked what was wrong she told me, "Daddad missed this and now I miss him!" 

Hungry, Hungry--Oh Look Over There!!

Ahead of the Pack-And Dancing to some Music

I deiced that we can go to the walk again. So the next day we went with Daddad. After that everything was right in the world. 

Wipe Out-On the Daddad Trip

The Pumpkin Walk with Daddad

As I dropped them back off to school I realized how fun it was to be there with her. To see her play with her friends and other kids. I found that there is a thin line between being THAT mom on field trips who always embarrasses her kids, or the mom who is abnormally strict with their kid, or being the mom that lets the kids in her group go hog wild. 

Heidi's Mom-Hurry!! I want to go see the Witch!!

I think I managed to be just a little more strict then the run a muck mom. 

Skylie, Heidi Anne, Harley-Ahead of the Pack-Again

Heidi Anne and BodyVox

As you have guessed (or already know) we live in a small, college town with roughly 48,000 people spread out in our county (which is 17 square miles). As you would imagine  there are few opportunities to be exposed to different cultures, traditions, various arts, or just memorable experiences in general.
 Thankfully, this college town draws in a variety of artists and their media or performances.

Now that Heidi Anne has been going to ballet class, she loves to go to watch dance performances. There was a show coming that I thought she would love, It was BodyVox's Reverie.   However, 1 ticket x 3 people = More than I could pay for-(even with the discount Conservice employees receive)  But I won some tickets from work. That totally made my day. 

The show was Bodyvox's Reverie. I won't lie there were some moments where I was lost on what they were doing. It would look like Cir De Solie mixed with interpretive dance and hints of humor. 

Heidi Anne loved the show. Sometimes they looked like dancing flowers. 

One of those Interpretive Dance 

They had a few videos they would play, too. Maybe for them to have a water break? But the video ones made Heidi Anne laughed so hard. The one she like the most was a video of a guy DANCING with a bulldozer. say dancing, I really mean dancing. They would do spins, moving back and forth, just down right funny. 

Nothing Dances  Like a Deere

See-Told You-Twirling with Bulldozer 

This is where the Ci Du Soleil comes in. Those two guys spent at least 10 minutes on this scene  The guys were upside down, going in circles upside down, holding one guy with his legs and hanging upside down while haning onto the bar with his own legs.

I Sense a Killer Headache Coming....

The favorite had of been the one where the dancers were "alseep". The other one of my favorites was a video about sleep disorders. Hard to explain it-but hilarious when you see it for yourself.

I love working for a company that not only supports the local arts but provides avenues for the employees to either attend a performance or actively take classes. 

Life Gone On-Even When You Want to Rewind

My Last Visit with Granddad

On Sunday Morning at 2:00 am my Granddad passed away. He wasn't alone, which helped me a lot to know someone was with him. I had my cousins, sister, other family try to call and text me. They tried contacting me via facebook. I had lost my cell phone it wasn't until 8:00 pm-ish Sunday night I found out. I was hit with so many feelings. 

First, mad at myself for not knowing where my cell phone was and thus being inaccessible to everyone else. I was grateful that my sister kept calling and texting, not giving up. (I learned a very important lesson-ALWAYS know where your phone is and make sure it's charged.) 

Next, I was upset with myself. I had planned on going to visit him but I decided to put it off until next week. I was so mad that I had missed a chance to see him because of a lack of gas money, getting a little cold, so I didn't want to give it to him. Char just held me and told me hindsight is 20/20.

I thought there weren't any more family gatherings or such for maybe a few days. Again, miscommunication. There was everything set to go on Monday. I was brokenhearted again. When my sister called and asked "Where are you guys at? Do you know when you're getting here?" I then found that she was at the funeral home- I missed the WHOLE ceremony. I was a heap of sobs on the sofa. I somehow called Char to let him know and somehow sent a few texts to my sister. 

Lucky for me, Char was able to think. He got information from my sister saying how there was going to be a family gathering. Back to heartbreak-gas was too much. Bless my sister, she helped us so we could at least make it there an back. Thanks to her, we could go. We went and got Heidi from daycare at 3:45 and made the drive down. We stopped at my sisters house. Basically, waiting for marching orders and let the kids visit and for Heidi Anne to get all those wiggles out of her.

We did a family round up/ gathering at Grandma Lori's house. We were one of the first ones to the house (apart from Grandma Lori and Oakley). It was nice to just be in the kitchen helping out. Slowly more and more of the family trickled in. We were told how the last 36 hours had been crazy. In 36 hours we lost granddad, had his service, had cleaned up his apartment, got things in order, and were now finally getting to rest, eat, a talk at Grandma Lori's. 

It was wonderful to be surrounded by family. I think one of the best things that came out of all this were the kids. I think they know "Gee, mom and dad aren't smiling-lets make them". So we had 5 kids aged 3, 4,5,6 and 9 dressing up in silly ways to make us laugh. It worked. I am so grateful I was able to go. Grieving alone is no fun at all. 

We left Grandma Lori's around 9:30, just after the last few family members( Aunt Deb and Ted) came in. Oddly, we were the first ones to leave-but we didn't get back home until WELL past midnight. We were joking how this is one of the latest times we've been out since Heidi Anne was born. But after an emotional rollercoaster and many Monsters-The stupidest knock knock joke would have been hilarious. 

Sewing on Her Own-Mostly

I have been sewing and quilting for a while now. Whenever I start sewing Heidi Anne is right by my side either asking what I am doing or just standing there watching. I think it's the oddest thing that my little bundle of energy will stop everything and just watch me so for almost an hour.
This weekend she was once again by my side at the sewing machine, narrating to me what I was doing. "Check the bobbin and the tension. Make sure everything is nice and clean. Now you reverse stitch to make sure the pieces stay together. Don't go to fast or you can sew your fingers (insert "Momma, you're so silly" giggles)."
After a bit she pipes up "Can I have a turn? I want to show you what you do!" I got her on my lap while she helped me guide the fabric. After a few times, I let her take over (mostly). She thought it was the coolest thing ever. Right after I finished sewing she jumped off my lap, grabbed some pins and fabric, then starting piecing together different fabrics together. I always forget how much a little kid can pick up just by watching. Sometimes she would be coloring while I told her what steps I was on-or telling her those little funny things I would tell her seemed to make the biggest impression. Example, "If you're not looking you can sew your fingers together."