Bye, bye baby

My baby turned a year old yesterday. I can't believe it's been a year already! Time just flew by! It didn't fly by with my first...if time continues to speed up with each child they are going to be going to college before I can pack their lunches!

I know Dorothy won't remember her first birthday, but it's important to me that the day is fun and special for her. I also stressed out over what to buy her. We went to almost every toy store around so she could test what toys she would like. I fussed over her presents for about a month. Which is a pretty normal time frame for me. Needless to say, I about drive myself crazy when birthdays come around. I just want people to feel special on their birthdays.



In the morning I took both the girls to a free Gymboree class. When we got their Jackie and Dorothy reversed their rolls. Jackie was climbing and running all over the place, I could hardly keep my eyes on her and Dorothy wouldn't let me move more than 6 inches away from her. But we still had fun. Jackie enjoyed playing on the monkey bars the best while Dorothy was fascinated with bubble time. The bubble they have are really cool. The longer they are in the air the harder the bubble becomes. So when the bubbles hit the floor they don't pop. This gave Dot ample time to crawl around and pop them. We also played with a giant parachute. The girls got to climb on top while we shook it then underneath. They both really enjoyed it.

After I dragged Jackie out of Gymboree I took the girls to McDonalds for a happy meal and some more play time. Jackie was thrilled to find a Spiderman toy in her happy meal. she somehow has become a HUGE spiderman fan, though she's never watched Spiderman. I don't know where she even learned about him. Still trying to piece that one together. Dorothy had a well balanced meal of french fries and more french fries along with a few licks of ice cream. (Only on her birthday would this happen!) Jackie struggled with sitting and eating all of her lunch before going to play. I was insistant that she finish her hamburger before she went- not really sure what the reasoning was behind that one seeing that I didn't take them their for a nutritional experience. Just trying to be consistant I guess! After McDonald's we went to pick up Grammie who had been taking care of Arlene's mother all morning. Pappy brought Dorothy's present inside so she could open it. Dorothy wasn't really interested yet, but Jackie was. After a few minutes without supervision Jackie came in with Dorothy's Present unwrapped and announced that she need help getting the present out of the box for Dorothy. Jackie never would admit that she opened the present- But I have my suspicions.














In the afternoon. We (my parents and I- Pappy was our driver all day since I was without a car) went to see Pop and Nana at the Rehabilitation Center Nan is currently staying at. We wanted them to be able to watch Dorothy open her presents from them. She got a train made out of stacking blocks. She played with it a long time. After a while Pop wanted to tke everyone out to dinner. So we said goodbye to Nan and met Jim at the Sizzler. I think this was Dorothy's favorite part of the day. I kept giving her things from the salad bar in different bowls, plates and mugs. She was having so much fun she danced in her seat while she ate.

Before bed We had Dorothy open her presents from us. she really got pretty good at ripping the paper. The girls played with all the new toys for a little while before it was time to go to bed. I think everyone had a fun day. It's too bad we can't have a birthday everyday!

I'm a soccer Mom?! How the heck did that happen?

I can't believe it! Jackie is big enough to play soccer! Jackie is on a county indoor soccer team called the Sharks. Jackie wants to go to school soooo bad so I made a deal with her that if she would learn to go potty she could take a class. (Bribing your kid with education- does it get any better than that?). Jackie is now fully potty trained and announces to everyone that she is a big girl and wears Clifford underwear (Once I finally got her to stop showing it to people) and now plays soccer. Jackie was so excited for her first day. She asked about it everyday for about two weeks until the big day came. She has a really good friend, Charlie Marsh, who is on her team with her. The two of them took turns being shy. When one was apprehensive the other was taking charge and visa versa. When we arrive we met her coach and received a yellow and blue reversible soccer jersy to keep. Jackie has wanted to wear it everyday along with her soccer socks and shin gaurds. I remember those days!



Game 1:
Jackie was so excited for her first game...until we got there. She ran around with the team and played for about 5 minutes before she got completely overwhelmed. She was pretty sad her friend Charlie wasn't there. He had been her security blanket. But the poor kid was home with croup. So the coach held her hand and ran with her for a little while until that wasn't even enough. Pappy went out and ran around with her for a little while too until that wasn't good enough either. We tried goalie, but in the end it was all tears and sobs. All she wanted to do was sit in time out until it was time to give everyone the treats she brought in her purse. When it was all over she was so excited and told everyone for days about her awesome soccer game.

Game 2:
Charlie was back and Jackie was excited about it. I had taken Jackie to the community rec center earlier in the week and practiced with her so she would be more comfortable. I'm happy to say it worked...well, at least for a little while. Jackie was geared up ready to go and was running around with the rest of the kids until she realized her buddy Charlie was having trouble. He was in stage 1, the stage we went through last week. It must have brought back HORRIBLEY PAINFUL flashbacks (yes I'm being sarcastic) Because Jackie decided to go into the fetal position on my lap again. Arg. With much persuasion we got her back out there- but only if Jim or Pappy held her hand. It's a good thing I didn't have to pay per player, because I would be scrapping for pennies! At least she still has fun talking about it.

Game 3:
Both kids progressed to the understanding that soccer is fun to play! Matt Marsh and I graduated to being able to stand on the sidelines mid field. The kids felt much better about us being at closer range and made sure they stopped to give us high five EVERY time they ran by. If either one of the actually kicked the ball, they would stop almost mid kick and run to give us 10 high fives with a side of bones and rock-ons. Hey, at least they were enjoying themselves. Jackie even made a goal. Not on purpose, but it still counts!

Game 4:
We are officially professional soccer parents. We have gone through the refiners fire of preparation and are now proud parents of a soccer player would actually plays soccer! When we arrived Jackie threw off her coat and went and joined the other kids in huddle without any pep talk. It was the other teams huddle, but still. She our little spy-in-training. Jackie and Charlie ran all over chasing the ball. They of course stopped for hug breaks now and then and Charlie kept running head first into the nets but all and all it was a very successful game. I'm not sure however if the enjoy the game the best or the treats that follow the game. they got Chips Ahoy cookies this week, which Jackie ate and loved. I think she is beginning to understand what a blessing chocolate really is in this life.

Sundance Interview

My sister found the link to the interview from Sundance. Turns out they used me afterall! It's the clip titled "One thing you do". I'm the very first person featured.
http://earthkeeper.com/blog/tag/sundance-2009/