Leaf It to Peanut

Peanut had a school project in her backpack the weekend before last. She needed to decorate a cutout of a feather that would be added to all the other kids' feathers to make a turkey. Sunday morning when we got up we decided that we were going to do things found in nature. We picked leaves from trees that had beautiful fall colors, acorns, acorn caps and berries. Just doing that felt like an adventure! Thought we could mix it with some glue and glitter and make a nice feather. Thankfully I already had the glitter. We sat down at her little table in the living room. Before we began to work I thought I'd put some music on. We've been watching the musical "Annie" and I thought it would be fun to dig up my old record and play it. I couldn't find it, but I did find The Brady Bunch album that I listened to in the late 70's. Brought back some fun memories and I was surprised how many of the words I remembered. Got the sillies out of our system and started to get to work on the assignment. Those of you who know me well know that I don't like glitter messes. At first I thought I was going to be the one controlling the use of the glitter...then I let go and had a blast. We had to put a heavier backing on the feather as the construction paper just would not hold acorn caps, etc. Used the back of a notepad. Then we traced a feather onto a red piece of construction paper b/c the bright blue piece that we were to use was just not "Fall-ish". I ended up bringing down the hot glue gun b/c I knew that Elmer's would just not do the trick. Did the first few leaves with glitter and then I thought it would be fun to use glitter nail polish (and less mess!). Despite the awful smell, it actually worked! We also put glitter on top of the nail polish for extra shine. I gave Peanut the job of glittering the acorns, leaves, etc...then she would place them on the feather (sometimes with my encouraging her where to place the stuff)...and then I would glue it on. We sat there with our heads bopping away to the music and just had a great time. We started picking leaves, etc at 9:30am and finished her special feather and two plates of decorative acorns, leaves and acorn caps by 2pm (with lunch in-between). We were still in our jammies, there floor was not messy, but our hands were...and we had the best time.

We decided that we're going to do an art project every Sunday morning that we are together. It was one of the best times we've had together.

This time for real

Okay, let my realtor talk me into keeping the house on the market for a little longer, but still no luck. She is picking up the sign today....Ahhhhhhh! I can relax now...well, kind of...had to spend $180 today to add more freon to the upstairs A/C. Next time it runs out I'll have to replace the air handler...$1500 of fun, fun, fun. Frustrating? You betcha!

Pumpkin Patch is all the Buzz!

You can see the bee on her right shoulder!

Went to the pumpkin patch for the 4th year in a row with Peanut. We met up with some friends. Peanut dressed as a bride and looked just adorable. When we got there I showed the girls a spot to meet at in case we got separated from each other. We walked them over to the maze that's made out of hay and watched them go in. This is the bigger kid maze so it's kind of hard to see where they're at. We kept watching the exit and no Peanut or Chloe...they got lost in the maze and ended up going out the entrance...and waiting exactly at the spot I showed them! Very cool!!!

The bees at the pumpkin patch seem to get worse and worse each year. We were playing in the patch and Peanut was climbing on the haystack. I wanted some photos of her sitting amongst the pumpkins...she took several really fun shots and then my friend was going to take one of the two of us. We were posing for the picture when BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...a bee stung my Peanut!!! She cried at first and I did my best not to freak out. This was her first bee sting and I didn't know if she'd be allergic (my dad is deathly allergic to yellow jackets, but I don't have any allergies)...thank goodness she was not allergic! I was really proud of her for wanting to stay and continue having fun. It was a beautiful overcast day (translation...not hot)...next year will probably be the last year we go...my Peanut is so grown up!

Staying Put

Decided to take the house off of the market for the time being. Too much stress going along with not knowing where Peanut and I will end up living. Need a break from it. Over 50 showings and not a single offer, kind of sucks. :(

Coasting

Haven't had much time to collect my thoughts the past few days. Feel like I've been over-thinking way too much lately and my brain needs a break. Just going to coast for a bit and see where that takes me, see how I feel...officially letting go of control.

Sigh.....

The house hasn't sold yet. Had to call the apartment complex and forfeit the apartment. Feeling quite blue about this and hoping there's something better around the corner....sigh...

Early morning walks

This morning I parked my car across the street from the school and walked Peanut to the doors. It was cool out, the weather was just beautiful, there were tons of kids either walking by themselves or with their parents... And it was our special time together. It gave me great pleasure to see her walk to the door, say good-bye to me, and head on to her classroom without needing to look back. It was a confidence I had hoped to see. I actually really enjoyed the walk back to my car too as I am finding this is a nice time of the day to strike up conversations with other parents.

1st Day of Kindergarten Photos!

Monumental Day

Peanut started kindergarten today. What a great feeling. She was so beautiful and bright eyed. She embraced her first day with courage. I am so proud to be her mom. Pictures to follow.

Leave a Message

Picked Peanut up from school yesterday. While I was driving her home I asked her to help me out by not making a huge mess in the living room b/c someone was coming for a second showing of the house (yes, I said SECOND SHOWING!). Looked in the rear view mirror at her and she just sat there with this blank look on her face. I said, "Did you hear me?" Then I said, "Are you going to help me out when we get home?"...nothing...so I said, "Are you going to answer my questions?"...she gets wide eyed (in a very defiant teenager way) and says, "Nobody's home, leave a message". Fit of giggles after that from both of us. Guess you just had to be there, but there was something in the way she said it that made her sound so grown up (and bratty). She said she made that up, but I'm holding onto the hope that she just heard it on a show!

I'm not going to try it, you try it

Trying to step outside of my comfort zone and look at my future differently. Keeps reminding me about the Life Cereal commercial from the 70's...and in this instance I may actually be Mikey...only I'm not drinking cola and eating Pop Rocks.

A stone's throw away

Peanut and I sat on a bench just outside her new school yesterday. We talked about what going to school means and all the new experiences she's going to have...and all the things she can be when she gets older as a result of doing well in school. Then we walked around the perimeter of the school grounds for a bit. Took a walk over that bridge that leads to the apartments...bubbling brook below and trees that canopy over it. It was just beautiful. Paints a nice picture. I am pretty frustrated right now because my house hasn't sold. If it doesn't sell, then we won't be able to move to the apartments in September, and I'll have to forfeit the unit they're holding available for me. Felt pretty desperate yesterday afternoon...and that special moment I had with my daughter is what I'm clinging to right now.

I'm tired of things just being/feeling slightly out of reach all the time.

Bedtime Chatter

Peanut had a hard time winding herself down last night and didn't fall asleep until about 10:30pm. When she came out of the room at 10pm to tell me she couldn't sleep I crawled into bed with her for some cuddle and talk time. She started talking about never wanting to leave my house or her dad's house...even when she grows up she said she wants to still live with us. Not the first time she has brought this up and it's so cute and sweet. She even said that she doesn't want to go away to college because then she'd have to move out of her houses. Funny kid and I'm sure that will all change. She also mentioned wanting me to move in with her daddy when she grows up. Was sensitive but firm about there never being a possibility of my moving back in with her dad. Also told her that I definitely could not live with her dad if he got married again...and vice versa. This brought on a case of the giggles which I just love! We got slightly off topic and started talking about all my brothers and sisters. "Mom, how is it that you have so many brothers and sisters?", she said. So I told her about my parents divorcing and remarrying and having more kids. She got kind of serious and said that she wanted a stepdad who was handsome. That works for me too!

August 10th, My Favorite Day of the Year

Papa Sam and Grandma Ann were married almost 59 years when my Grandma passed away in July 2000. Their anniversary date was August 10th. Always thought it would be neat to get married on this day (yes, I said "neat") 59 years is just amazing...they stuck it out and in the end loved each other more than in the beginning. So on this day their life started together which is why I am here today.

Upper 80th Percentile

My 5-year old Peanut had her annual check-up today. Poor thing, she missed out on Splash Day at school because of it. No way to reschedule as we already had to do that in May and it took over 2 months to get another appointment. I met her and Robert at the Dr's office. True to form she showed up nappy headed...I am not sure if there's even a hair brush at Robert's house sometimes. Aaaak. Both the nurse and the pediatrician mentioned the crazy nest that she had at the back of her head. Yipes. They took her weight (43lbs) and height (3'8.5"). She's in the upper 80th percentile for height and 70th percentile for weight...cool!

As usual, Barkley accompanied us to the appointment. That dog got weighed, took an eye exam and was her voice during her hearing screening. Every time the pitch got higher, Barkley's "Beep" matched it...kind of funny.

Worst part about the appointment was when she got her 2nd and final chicken pox vaccination. Poor baby, she was crying before they even gave her the shot. The Scooby Snacks that I brought for her helped.

Hugged my little one good-bye in the parking lot and will have her back on Saturday.

I've missed her (summer schedule is a total bummer IMO).

We are going shopping for her first day of school outfit on Saturday with her Mimi. Very special occasion indeed.

Changing Topics

We have herons in our neighborhood. They make the most ridiculous noises. Kind of reminds me of those Jibba Jabba's from the 1990's. It was a doll that you could grab by the neck and shake...it would make this strange glottal kind of noise...supposed to relieve tension, etc...were actually pretty funny in a warped sort of way.

Back to the birds. They have these huge nests all over the neighborhood and are making quite a mess. Thank goodness they are not setting up camp in the trees that hang over my driveway!

Somebody told me these are blue herons, but I have not looked it up yet. We have one white egret as well...such strange little creatures...but fun to have around.

Race you to the bridge!

The house will officially be back on the market tomorrow. I have to say, it is starting to look really good. Link to the listing forthcoming. The apartment complex that I put a deposit down in May will have a vacancy September 10th. I hope my house sells fast b/c the unit that is available is about 100 yards away from the gate that leads to the park that leads to the bridge that leads to Peanut's school! I went ahead and let them process my application b/c they said if I can't move in on the 10th I have the option of remaining on the waiting list or losing my deposit. It's a gamble I'm going to take b/c there's not a thing for sale anywhere close by, nor anything else to rent that will be suitable...and the thought of walking my daughter to school makes me very happy.

Spring Recital

Peanut had her dance recital on Saturday. They did a tap number to "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party". It was cute. I was too far away from the stage to take photos during the actual performance but was able to get these beauties just before. Oh! Birthday party photos are coming soon!

The Gift

Today is Peanut's 5th Birthday. I was lucky enough to have her last night at the last minute b/c her dad had an early morning meeting. It was hard not waking up with her on her birthday last year and I thought I'd have to do the same this year. We worked it all out and he'll join us for her birthday dinner at Souper Salad. Nice that we can do that.

At about 3:25am this morning I was woken up when she rolled over and socked me in the face by mistake (she didn't even wake up)...kind of perfect timing as she was born at 3:02am. So I got to have a special moment to remember 5 years ago today.

I woke her up at around 7:30 to wish her a happy birthday. She said to me "Happy Mother's Day!". I told her that Mother's Day wasn't until Sunday and that this was her special day. The she told me about the special thing they had planned at school for all the mom's today. When I told her that she'd be staying home with Nana she looked at me and told me the poem. I will post the actual poem later, but it was the most precious moment ever! What a gift to not only have her as a daughter but to be thanked for being her mother.

We opened a couple of her presents and I had to leave for work...at least she'll have a fun day with Nana Rose...and then I can meet them at the house for lunch.

I arrived at work this morning and received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my "Special Brian". They were for Mother's Day and totally unexpected. Wow is a word I use to describe him often!

Amazing how your child's birthday is perhaps the best gift you can ever receive!

Mimi Cheese's

We decided better to play it safe and moved Peanut's party to Mimi and PawPaw's house instead of Chuck E Cheese. Told Peanut that the Chuck E Cheese had to close down to be cleaned and for repairs and that we couldn't have the party there. You better believe I'm thinkin', "Whew! Now I don't have to wear a Velma costume to Chuck E Cheese!!!!". So Peanut said in the car the other day, "Instead of having the party at Chuck E Cheese's we're having it at Mimi Cheese's. Love how she thinks! And we're surprising her with a visit from a Clown! IMO- much better than that silly ole' mouse and a bunch of screaming kids running around.