Donna's Thoughts

3rd Year Pictures

2009-09-23T16:12:00.003-05:00

Joy turned 3 on Saturday and we went for her 3rd year pictures today. You can see for youself how they turned out.

Pretty little girl

Who me?

Don't make me laugh

Loving on my Mickey

1st day of school

2009-09-10T15:09:00.004-05:00

It was a success! When I picked her up, after almost crying when she saw me, she said "I love my class" I then took her for a treat at TCBY.

This is right after I sat down after paying. I could see we were in for a real treat, glad I brought the camera!

She is trying to be neat, she has a napkin.

Mid lick.

Yummy!

The final product. Yes she has some on her nose.

Her smile

While she ate we talked about school, and that she gets to go back on Tuesday. She was glad she gets to go back, but disappointed that she doesn't go back every day.

Did you miss me?

2009-09-10T10:14:00.016-05:00

Did you miss me? I took a hiatus. Actually what happened was the computer desk got built, and in the process computer shuffling happened. That and I took Joy out of daycare cause I didn't love subbing and financially it wasn't working either, we lost money on that venture. So this year Joy is in a 2 day a week Mother's Day Out program on Tuesday and Thursday. This is much needed Mommy alone or with Daddy time. This also allows me to switch back and forth along our lovely new computer desk from the Mac to my computer. So here is a snippet of what life has been like the last 6 months.

This is one of two Easter cakes I made one for our Sunday school the other for
our family Easter day.

I let Joy dye eggs this year, I had her take off her clothes cause I would rather stain her than her clothing. I know how to get it off her!

A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go!

Her bounty at least some of it.

She and Daddy got Chocolate Bunnies

Simple Project: I always see bow hangers at craft shows and never can pay the crazy prices they ask, so I made my own and it's perfect for her future room. I am imagining pink for the future. I know it doesn't match Mickey, but she will eventually give up or grow out of Mickey (well at least the room).

Plenty of room for more bows (Santa?)

A little summer fun.

Our Icemaker no longer dispenses ice since Hurricane Ike, so every now and then a dumping of the ice is necessary, where better to dump it than in a water table on a hot day?

We visited the firestation with our Mom group this summer, this is Joy "driving" the firetruck. Watch out fire she is looking mad!

We renewed our Moody Garden's Membership instead of the zoo, trying to get a little diversity in our lives. This is a skull in the lobby there, I guess she is a booger?

A short tree frog.

A growth chart of penguins.

This is from earlier in the summer, I think she's grown a bit this summer what about you?

Our day trip to Brenham!

Daddy too!

Miniature horses or as Joy says "Joy sized"

Since the real horses are not trained for riding she rode the statue.

That brings us to today... The first day of MDO/Preschool/"school" for Joy.
Getting in the car.

Finding our cubby!

She's ready to go, Monkey backpack and lunch are in the cubby.

Sitting down at her spot.

Mommy I am ignoring you would you leave already!

So that has been our summer. We stayed at home all summer and enjoyed being just us. The "big" news in our family is Rob's job has cut his pay 10% and "given" him one day each pay period off. So I signed back up for subbing and will do my 1st job tomorrow. He will stay home when I work so we don't have to find a daycare or someone else to watch her. That's all folks! I will try and keep better updated, but who knows!

Livestock Show and Rodeo

2009-03-06T18:56:00.008-06:00

Well it's that time of year again! The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I took Joy last year with a friend and she liked it, although still kinda young and didn't fully understand everything. This year she had allot more fun and enjoyed a little more, and we had more to do! On a side note the picture uploading for blogger is very frustrating to me at times, and I forget this and don't load the pictures in the right order so sorry, but these aren't in any great order, but I did group them in like pictures. Enjoy...

Cowgirl Joy, I bought this outfit when I went back to the Rodeo Wednesday night to see Alan Jackson. We went today to get the boots from Cavenders!

You could say Joy was a reluctant model for the pictures, no smile, but she loves her new outfit and boots even if it doesn't show!

One of her favorite things at the rodeo was sitting in/on the big tractors! I made her cry when I got her off both times!

Hmm what does this switch do?

Big Tractor!

The one thing I promised her about the rodeo and she would tell you anytime you asked was she was going to get to ride a pony at the rodeo! So here she is on her pony ride (only one at $6 a ride!)

Waiting in line for the new farmer experience for kids!

Sitting on the hay was the most exciting thing!

More Hay sitting

We have our basket and we are ready to be farmers.

Joy wanted to go see the pigs, but some schools were there and not real friendly/good about being in line or letting you back in so I just took a picture from afar. The look there is come on Mom.

Feeding the chickens

Waiting in line with the apron on.

Baby piglets at the birthing center.

Beauregard Elsie's son. (If you don't know Elsie she's the Borden cow if you don't know Borden you're not a Texan)

A cow eating hay.

Miss Moo and Howdy dancing.

Joy shaking Miss Moo's hand, I had to tell her to let go!

Miss Moo and Howdy saying hello to eachother.

Joy would not see Howdy by herself so here we are together with Howdy.

Howdy The Houston Livestock show and Rodeo bowlegged H.

That is our pictorial of the day and our new cowgirl outfit. I think Joy is a proper Texan now and has something I don't think I ever had, a pair of cowboy boots. Liz and I are going to take care of that detail later this week/month with our own trip to Cavenders or somewhere else to get some boots of our own!

Updating...

2009-02-24T14:51:00.011-06:00

Okay so maybe it's not all Rob's fault that I don't post too often. Nothing much happening in our lives of great signifigance so not allot to post. I think that is good means things are happening as they should. So here are some pictures to update you on our lives.

This is Joy being cute in her adorable red dress and black shrug, just had to share.

Here we are at the zoo apparently I am taking a picture to see if something is caught in my teeth?!?

More zoo, we were there with our Mommy group first time to go with a group and let her out of the stroller. We learned 2 things, taking the stroller is a good idea, going with a group and letting her go ahead while Mommy is the back of the line going through the children's zoo crazy doors is a bad idea. My timid shy never leaves Mommy's side child ran from the crazy doors down the otter slide and was on her way to the playground when I finally got out of the crazy doors. I guess we have been to the zoo enough she is comfortable there and usually I am right there following her because it's just our family or me and one other person so she did what she usually does. I don't think she even knew I wasn't right there with her, but she still got a good scolding and we went back to the group. She didn't leave my side again. This is my angel sitting on a bench at the zoo.

Riding the carousel, a must do we rode the polar bear this time.

This is Tucker, we like him, but we miss Mac.

Excuse the PG-13 shot, but she put on Daddy's socks and pulled them up then put on his shoes all by herself and then Daddy took the picture! Too cute!

This is her new swing. Hurricane Ike made us take down the old swing, and Rob just never put it back and she has been begging for it to go back up. The problem is it's lopsided and hard to push, it's just difficult to push her for the 10 seconds she wants then take her out again. So he offered the idea of a single rope swing. I went ahead and got it, and this is what she does with it. She stares at it. She tried it once with Daddy, but didn't get the concept. The good news is she isn't asking for a swing anymore?!?

If Joy catches you laying on the floor she will usually say turn over I want to ride you. So sometimes we let her and other times it's a no go. On this day she was being particularly cute/funny about riding Daddy so I took some pictures. This first one is how she gets you to get up, she pulls on the shirt until you relent and get up.

Along with this smile is an infectious laughter so even if you are the horse you are getting the benefit of knowing that she is having a great time!

My project. So we have been working on and off on the front lawn/gardening beds for awhile. First we had the million bushes that attacked you onthe way in. Rob pulled those out (amazingly hard work) and we were left with the long bed, which I then decided to pull the railroad ties off of. Those things are huge and heavy and I had to be rescued about half way through that project. Since then that bed has stayed pretty empty we ocassionally took some dirt out of it, and then planted some monkey grass along it to make it look like we cared. It really evolved into a nice weed bed. We got one letter from the home owners association and pulled the weeds, but like good weeds they came back. So I finally borrowed Elizabeth's cultivator so we could really do something to that bed. This weekend we cultivated, weeded and planted that bed with some bulbs of caladium and cannas. I have no idea what will happen but I hope it looks good. Next project is I wanted to take the railroad ties off from around the Magnolia tree in the front yard (I really do hate those things). Rob and I talked about it Sunday while working on the other bed, but he said no not to start another project. Fine I didn't that day!
Today I started that project. I dropped Joy off at daycare and since I couldn't find a sub job I went to Home Depot to get some dirt, marking spray paint, possibly some more monkey grass and a shelf for our laundry room. Step 1 remove railroad ties. Now the others had started no problem because they terminated at the wall. This was a bit more of a challenge. In the end I used the circular saw to cut through them then hand sawed a little further then picked them up and dropped them by our trash spot. I had forgotten that they are not 2 deep as it looks, but 3 deep, but I did manage to get it done. This is a picture of step 1.

And the railroad ties waiting for someone to come take them either trash on Thursday or some crazy person between now and then.

Next I marked the new bed size.

I removed the grass from one side

then the other.

I also planted the Mondo grass (the closest I could find to what we already have) obviously I still needed more.

Finally I went back to Home Depot got some edging and more mondo grass and this is the result... My square bed is now round. I still need more dirt, but I must say it is very much an improvement. I also bought some annuals but waiting to get the dirt in before I put in the flowers.

Are you Ready?

2009-01-27T14:36:00.014-06:00

For those of you who are wishing I was better at posting pictures you are in luck. Rob has installed a switch on his computers to share the monitor so now all I have to do is push a button and stop pushing Rob's buttons!
Here you go some pictures from before during and after Christmas...

Joy taking a nap, yes she is actually asleep like this!

Making sure Santa had cookies and milk!

Her new playdoh kitchen! She is also wearing her Tinkerbell from Paw Paw.

This is her tutu I made for her. Not to bad if I do say so myself.

Opening a present with Mommy's help.

For Christmas we got a new living room fan, while Daddy was putting it up this is what Joy was doing. Very serious about her writings!

Vicki and I had the chance to go to the KSBJ Girl's Day Out which was added when the Night out filled up. This better fit our schedules so here we are!

This is Jen Driskill from KSBJ she's the evening DJ and very sweet, so I decided to be the dork with the camera and here we are with her.

This is Ayeisha Woods and James Woods they sang at the Girls Night out, if I can I will upload a little of one of the songs she sang! She rocks!

This is Kate Gosselin from Jon and Kate plus 8. I was glad we were at the Daytime show I never would have waited in line if it was the evening sold out show!

Okay back to Joy, This is her in her first Night Gown! Isn't she pretty and all grown up looking?

I took this picture to get the shoes in, and yes she wore them all night! The funny smiling face was a bonus.

Well I guess this is her picture smile for now, I can't help but to laugh at it, but it is cute! Oh and I took the picture because she is wearing her birthday crown from her 1st b-day and looked so cute! (Yes she is holding her night night diaper looking to throw it away, she is fully trained for awake time, not sleeping time.)

This is a better picture of the dress and the crown, they kinda match!

So that updates us on pictures I think. These last 4 were taken this past weekend. As far as what's happening in life, it's not much. We are getting into a routine of me working 0-3 days a week depending on other circumstances like going to the Girl's Day Out or not getting jobs or Joy not feeling well (she had a fever yesterday but seems better today) I have not been working as much as I want so hopefully the next couple of weeks I will be able to work full 3 day weeks. I have made some good use of my time and finished Joy's first album pregnancy-3months. I have started on the second and will get a second wind of scrapbooking soon I hope. I also finished my college graduation album (only took 4 years). I have a long list of to do in the scrapbook area, and hope to get more done sooner than later! I guess that really does update you, have a wonderful day!

Is it over?

2009-01-06T15:32:00.002-06:00

Well, I have failed in posting anything for over a month, but if you know what my month was like you will extend forgiveness. It was a month filled with work, work and more work. I worked at Toys R Us up to 2 days before Christmas. Am I done? I wasn't on the schedule last week and no one has called complaining I am not there this week so yes? Do I miss it yes, it's like someone hit the breaks on me going 100 miles an hour but forgot to tell me. Would I do it again, probably, it depends on the circumstances of the next couple of years. It paid for all of Christmas and we paid off the credit card and half the roof. The other half is going on credit, but should be taken care of in 2 months or less (we hope). We are trying to do things the Dave Ramsey way. No debt! We have been trying on and off for over a year to do this, various things happen and mess us up (IKE!) but this year we are trying again. Also happening this year is I am going back to WW. I have wanted to for awhile, and just not figured out the way or time to do it. Well Joy goes to "school" 3 days a week, if I can take Tuesdays for myself to go to WW, clean house (don't laugh too hard) and do other errands, then the other 2 days I will sub. If I need to then I can easily work on the Tuesday also and go to the 6:00pm meeting instead of the 9:30 meeting. For now this is the plan.
Well I know what you really want is pictures from Christmas so here are a couple, and the rest (as usual) are still on the Mac and I will try to get Rob to leave the Mac up again tomorrow so I can indulge you all.

My present from my hubby, singstar for the Playstation 2. Let me know when you want to come over and embarrass yourself! I am ready to challenge you!

My Joy, my Tink! She got this from her Paw Paw and wore it most of the day (over her clothes of course!) She loves it and don't even think of taking off the wings or adding the wig!

Potty Training...

2008-11-22T21:37:00.003-06:00

So we started Monday 2 weeks ago with underwear anytime we are awake. We have done well, she will go to the potty even on big potties if she has to while out. That was my biggest worry and we sometimes still go places and she sees the potty and decides to wait longer. She doesn't like big potties and really doesn't like loud flushes. Last week we had a minimum of one accident a day. The weekend was back in a diaper because we went to the Renaissance Festival and well I was just being lazy Sunday cause I was home alone with her (and unsure how she would do at church). So Monday back in underwear and one accident. Tuesday dry all day. Wednesday dry all day. Thursday 2 accidents one during nap (teacher forgot naptime diaper) and one while drinking at snack. Friday no accidents. Saturday no accidents. YEAH JOY!!!! I am very proud of her and interested to see if the "training" is mostly done or if we are going one step forward 2 back. I am keeping my finger crossed and praying that we are mostly done!

Other news...
The job at Toys R Us is what I wanted, it keeps me busy and it has paid for Joy's Christmas presents, and is on it's way to pay for the rest of Christmas. Then we will have to pay for Ike. We still need a roofer to do our roof, but I am in no hurry even though we already have the money from insurance. I am hoping that in the end the Toys R Us job will get the credit card fully paid off and all the Ike stuff taken care of, then we can be where we were financially before Ike and Christmas.
Subbing, is not too bad. So far I have subbed at 2 schools in 3 classrooms for 5 days total. The first day subbing I was in a Kindergarten and the other teachers in K who are all around me, said I did a great job and one asked for me to come for her on Tuesday the next week. I did then a 3rd K teacher asked if I could sub for her on Friday, I said sure. On Wednesday the Principal of that school called said the Friday job was canceled, but the teacher I 1st subbed for needed a sub Thursday and Friday, so I was there for 2 days. I loved it. The kids did very well for me, and according to the other teachers and the para in the room I had better control than the regular teacher. I was glad to know they were happy with me. I enjoyed the kids too, they were very sweet. The other day in the other school was 3rd grade, which was also a good experience, I enjoyed that school and classroom also.
I think that is all I still owe you all pictures, but I just haven't gotten there. I started to get them off the camera one day and it froze up, not sure if Rob finished for me or not? If you really want pictures bug me and I will get them up. If you stay quiet I forget in my busyness.

0 to 2...

2008-10-26T15:51:00.002-05:00

So it finally happened I got jobs! Yes I wrote that and you read it right jobs. I am now both an employee of Toys R Us across from BayBrook Mall and CCISD. Well the CCISD will be official this coming Tuesday. I am not crazy and we are not broke, we are being proactive and trying to avoid being broke or going crazy. I started Joy in her daycare in September thinking I would already be subbing then. Well 2 months later I am going to start. In addition that little storm named IKE hit and between the extra eating out and the future new roofing and fences we are trying to not go into more debt. Then this little holiday called Christmas is coming. I am a giver and love presents so it's hard to budget for them when really I know when I find something for someone and it's just right that's what they get. My Mom's Love Language is gifts, I try hard to speak her language (although I don't always quite get it right). So really the 2 jobs are to breakeven and not be in debt. I started my first real shift on Friday and it was rough on my feet, but a new pair of shoes which I needed anyway should help that. The subbing will start next Thursday not sure if I will attempt a sub job on Halloween?!? So that's it, that's my insanity of the moment.

Songs by Joy...

2008-10-14T21:05:00.002-05:00

Here are 2 of the songs I have heard Joy singing lately...

The itsy bitsy spider did fall
Falling down falling down

(Please note that as she changed songs she changed tunes also.)

The other is a little more subtle...

The mommy called the doctor and the doctor said no more monkeys sitting in the tree.

We got really lucky other day and caught her in a singing mood and she sang a few songs for us, mainly Happy Birthday. She has become proficient with Happy Birthday, but also expects to blow out candles no matter who she sings the song to. In fact at a birthday party for a little boy (he turned 5) she was across the room sang the song and then blew and told me she had blown out the candles!

In other news, since I have been unable to this point to work for CCISD as I had hoped (although I have been told I will be in the Oct 28th orientation) I am also looking for a side job to cover the extra daycare costs up to this time and also for just some extra cash and maybe to not have a credit card bill after Christmas. I applied at Toys R Us and Kroger and they both called me back I had an interview at Toys R Us yesterday and one is scheduled for Kroger Thursday AM. I will try and remember to let you know if I get either job. If I do then don't expect a blog for awhile!

Today

2008-10-07T21:46:00.002-05:00

This morning as I am sitting at the computer catching up on some morning things Joy walks in and her morning greeting to me is not a friendly Good Morning Mommy or even a hello. It's "Mommy this sock is icky." I scratch my head and send her back to her room to put it in the laundry.

Another conversation was after school she was eating a snack at home and I told her we were going to the park for a "fair" and we were going to see a pony. She then says "I have a pony." I then realized she only knows pony as the pony tail on her head. I quickly amended my comments to talk about the horses.

The fair was our neighborhood's National Night Out meet your neighbors thing. So Joy and I started to the park. The best way to do this is start with her pulling the wagon. When she gets tired she will push for awhile, then maybe pull again. She does all this and we are about 5 houses away now and Ike debris blocked the sidewalk so we crossed the street then she tried to convince me to go home. I promised her their was better stuff at the park than home. So she climbed in and rode the rest of the way. At the park she found 2 moon bounces (one of the obstacle course type and the other a regular moon bounce. She happily played in the obstacle one until some bigger kids started running past and running into her. So we moved on to the second one. This lasted until again big kids invaded. So I asked her if she wanted to see the horses. She agreed and climbed out of the moonbounce and we walked toward the horses and petting zoo. Last time I tried to get her to ride a horse she cried, this was in February. Today she was begging to ride it, I said sure (it was free) so we tried it. She got on the horse sitting on the sadle and pulling the horn and going back and forth trying to get the horse to move (this was to the amusement of all 3 of the horse leaders). She rode that horse then went over to the petting zoo animals. They were in a nice little caged area where if you are brave enough you can go in too. Joy was brave enough and walked right in and up to a goat a little bigger than her and petted it. Of course the goat moved a little and this frightened her off a little. She gathered back her courage by looking at the turtle and the bunny in the cage. She then asked for another horse ride. No line so I said sure, and we rode a different horse. After the horse ride a line had formed so I did not allow a 3rd right off. We instead went to get some food then visit the fire truck. She wasn't sure about the truck at first and didn't want to go in, but I put her in anyway and she enjoyed it. Then she saw the steering wheel and wanted to drive it. That was not allowed and that upset her a little so we went back to the petting zoo. She had found her courage again and walked right up to a goat and gave it a hug. It was very cute, but also a little weird as this is a very new courage to her. We somewhere in all this also got a balloon puppy with leash. We finished with the petting zoo and went for one last moon bounce (again disturbed by older kids) and then one more horse ride (the 3rd one, she had to ride all 3 ponies!) Then we came home. On the way home in the wagon she kept saying I wanna go that way and pointing back at the park. I think she liked it! I was even good enough to take the camera in hopes of getting her to sit on one of the horses. I did get a picture of her on each one, although the quality is still to be determined as I would not go far from her side while she rode the horse. The pictures will be up when the Apple Computer comes back. Email Rob to ask when that will be.

2 Year Pics

2008-10-04T12:48:00.003-05:00

Before Ike we had pictures set and scheduled for the Wednesday before Joy's birthday. The studio called on Tuesday and said they didn't have power and some of their stuff was damaged so the appointment was canceled, and they weren't willing to reschedule at the time.
I decided to check into the Babies R Us near us since they recently (okay probably not that recent but still new since Joy was born) put in a little picture studio there. I went in on Friday and scheduled an appointment for Monday. She did really well and we got some cute shots here they are:

These first two are the second in a yearly event I have begun, not the Minnie dress, but with the giant Mickey. Last year she had her 1year pictures with Mickey and now she has a 2 year picture with Mickey. And yes that is the same Minnie Dress as last year, why buy a new costume for Halloween when last year's fits?

The ducky pictures are because of her love of ducks this year and her party was Ducky themed. The majority of these ducks are ours. The one in the tub is from Great Grandmother when Joy was born, so if you don't like all the ducks blame her.
These last 2 are just Joy the more traditional 2year shot. The dress (which Joy calls her party dress) is a hand me down from Lily, we love the dress! I saw it in Dillards when it was originally for sale and almost bought it except for the high price tag. When I saw Lily had it I hoped it would come to us, and it has! I love it! If you can see in the pictures where the balloons gather their is a number 2. It has multiple other numbers and a couple other shapes too. You will probably see this dress again.

Joy's 1st Blog

2008-09-27T09:27:00.001-05:00

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Joy Speak

2008-09-26T16:14:00.002-05:00

Joy speak: I want a polypop.
Translation I want a lollipop.

Joy speak: I need an issue.
Translation: I need a tissue.

Ike, 2, and life...

2008-09-23T14:31:00.002-05:00

Well here we are a week and a half since Ike came through and left a little bit of destruction in his wake. If you aren't in the Houston area you probably have regular programinging and haven't seen the new news and more news we are getting so here are some good photos of the hurricane and aftermath. http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_short_but_eventful_life_of.html I can actually recognize a few of those places in Galveston which is kinda weird.
For our Ike story it is thankfully uneventful and lacking in excitement, just like I want it to be. We left on Thursday when they announced our zip code was part of the mandatory evacuation. We packed up Joy, clothing for everyone toys for a couple of days, the scrapbooks and the computers and headed to my Mom's house in Houston. The news was saying if you are in a mandatory evacuation zone to go further away, but we felt paying for somewhere to stay further away was not something we wanted to do, nor were we interested in leaving for long (at least until we knew more about the storm and/or our home). So we spent Thursday night and all day Friday waiting for the storm to come. Joy wanted to go home and asked a few times during the day Friday, but we just told her a big storm was coming and it was safer at GrandLady's. On Friday night before the storm was really here we lost power around 9:30pm and went to bed early. The actual storm hit at night, so Joy never had any fear through it, she slept like a baby! I slept most of the night, but woke up a few times to noises and howling winds. I believe the same is true of Rob. We woke up Saturday and spent all day Saturday at my Mom's with one short trip out to see my grandmother and her home. Everyone was well, and my sister and her home were also safe. Sunday we deicded to go ahead and try going home since we were anxious to hear/see anything about our home. Rob left first and then gave an all clear and Joy and I followed. At home we found 5 shingles or less off the roof, all 6 trees standing with many missing branches, but standing and our backyard fences down on 2.5 sides. Clean up began and we spent the next 2 days outside cleaning up the debris, playing with Joy and chatting with the neighbors. We got our power back on Tuesday, and have been trying to regain normalicy since then.
Joy turned 2 on Friday after the storm and her party was planned for Saturday. She was very excited about the party and since we had power we went ahead with the plan. I was thankful for my pre-planning and only had a couple of things to finish to execute the party. The party went well and this week Rob is back at work and Joy is back at school. I will post pictures as soon as Rob puts the Mac back up and running, maybe he can make it my computer so I will have access all the time, and just maybe blog a little more!

Big Girl!

2008-09-02T10:20:00.003-05:00

The Big Girl Bed #1 (crib without side rail)

Mommy say night night to very excited big girl.

Night Night
(this is how we left her)

This is how I found her a couple hours later

This is how I found her in the morning

Notice not only is she on the floor but so is her pillow, blankie and puppy

Talking on one of her phones

Conversation over.

Double checking last years halloween dress still fits, it does and you will be seeing it again with ears this time (we hope)

Posing for the camera

Look Daddy, I'm wearing the ears!

So that basically tells the last few days. Things are going well. She is in her big girl bed and loves it. The first day (we tried it at nap before all night) Rob told her when he got her up from nap she could get up on her own. I think that is what happened that night she got up on her own, and then found the door blocked by the baby gate. She could not get up onto the bed so she went ahead and fell back asleep on the floor. She has not gotten out on her own since then until we come in the room. Last night I put the bathroom step stool in front of the bed and that made her very happy to easily climb in and out on her own. I think today I will be purchasing another step stool for her room.
School is going... I can't say well because she has not adjusted yet and neither have I. I am giving it another day or two before I make a rash decision but we may be changing plans this year.

Pictures!!

2008-08-28T11:15:00.007-05:00

Beginning with July 4th, Vicki and Ice Cream!

Playing Ball with Great Grandmother

Checking out Meercats at the Houston Zoo

Watching Giraffe's with Daddy

Silly Giraffe got his horn stuck!

Baby Mac (he is one month younger than Joy)

Some backyard swimming

Showing off the pony

kisses for mommy and again showing off pony (I have gotten better since this picture)

A pony and a bow!

Can you tell I am proud of the ponies.

Joy's outdoor sidewalk paint art

Wearing Daddy's socks

Daddy's socks are fun!

Talking to Tracey's kitty (she later told it while it sat on the couch to "go home")

checking out the tent

pushing her stroller

At the downtown aquarium with Lily

A little deep sea diving

Ahhh Tiger attack!

Chuck E Cheese riding the pony

Joy Burrito

And that concludes this summer's highlights. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

She didn't cry!

2008-08-26T10:05:00.002-05:00

Today is Joy's first day of school, well daycare/school. This morning I walked my excited but somewhat reluctant child into the school and we sat together in her room meeting her friends and talking to her teachers (Ms. Lori and Ms. Faye). She looked a little stunned and was sitting in my lap for awhile. The teachers got some links down, but that did not interest Joy. Then she saw the bus! Yes, a school bus, our current fascination. She got very excited took it off the shelf, looked at me and said "up" indicating she wanted a little person to go up the steps, so I asked if she saw any people, and one of the teachers very graciously got up and found some for her. She then had a handful of people and a school bus. I had told her a couple minutes before this Mommy would be leaving in a minute (I was prepared for a sad farewell). She however was very into and excited about the new school bus, so seeing this was the moment to flee I did. I told her I was leaving she said okay gave me hugs and kisses and I walked out. No tears, no looking back at me forlornly, just see you later.
Now what? Well the original plan was I would be subbing in CCISD. However, the lack of returned references delayed this until next month. So until September 25th I have Mommy time. I have grand plans for this time. Today it included a bath (check) and updating the blog (check). Next I tackle the house and Christmas presents. I started a little while ago on some Family gifts, and I will be finishing those and making more. Since Rob and I are trying hard to budget and be debt free (Dave Ramsey type plan) I am attempting a more crafty Christmas than purchased one. I will still give a few purchased gifts, but most will be handy crafty creations from me or Joy. The house, well I need to do a through cleaning, dejunking and organizing. My craft room is project #1. So off I go to finish getting re-dressed for the day and begin the organizing and dejunking of the house. Oh and Rob, it will get worse before it gets better but it will be wonderful when finished!
Pictures of Joy from the summer will happen as soon as I get to that on my list (it's a mental list so it might be awhile!)

The Things She Does...

2008-07-26T20:57:00.003-05:00

Joy does many cute things, I can't always remember them all when I sit here to type. I am going to try to at least get some tonight...
Conversations we have had:
Joy: I luv it!
Me: You love what?
Joy: I luv school bus (you can replace school bus with just about anything she has seen or heard in the past couple of weeks, she luvs everything!)

Another Conversation:
Me: Joy, do you have an opinion on what you want to eat for lunch?
Joy: Hmmm *serious thinking look on her face* Quesadilla

Her vocabulary has increased exponentially this summer which if you had heard her talk before it's amazing really. She is talking to her animals sometimes if I catch her I just smile cause she sounds just like me! She will answer questions when you ask. She can sing her ABC's most of the way through most of the time, and count to 10 when she feels like it. People do a double take with her size still being a little on the small size and her vocabulary so big. Tonight at a friend's party she was playing and another baby came beside her and Joy was telling the Mom she was bouncing and the Mom looked at her and said "Wow I didn't expect her to talk so well" Her son is 14mo old, and from the looks of things just learning walking.

This past couple of weeks she has really gotten braver than ever, although she is still my quiet reserved girl. Last Friday at a friends she actually petted the puppies and the kitty! She was also telling the kitty who was sitting on the couch to go home, we tried to tell her it was the kitty's home, and she was the one out of place! That same day she went swimming. Up to that point swimming meant getting her feet wet and screaming or just being very nervous if she got water past her knees. Well at Tracey's house she about jumped in the water! It was great, but I had to have both eyes on her at all times! She got out of the pool and went to the hot tub and "got in" on her own, luckily she hit the step just right and only got a small mouth of water, and didn't freak out at least not as much as I did! Then tonight at the party, she was not her usual shy self. She started out that way, but then made friends with the girl who was working in the room with the party. She was crawling on her and talking to her! I was amazed! She also had a great time with Mary's crew (Mary's boys, her nieces, her cousin's child and 2 more adults Renee and Tia) she was talking and playing with the girls like she has known them forever!

The other big event of the summer has been her introduction to and trying out of the potty. She started the summer only being interested on occasion. Then we had the 3 kids over 2 of which are actively potty training, and she sees Mom give them attention for going, and they get to wash their hands when they go (a reward in her books). So she is trying it out more. Tonight she was getting ready for bed and I was about to put a fresh diaper on, and asked if she wanted to go potty, she jumped (literally) at the chance and ran to the potty. She sat for a little bit, and said she went poopy. Now she has said this many times, so I said you went pp? She said yes, and I told her to come get her diaper (I was in the living room). Then Daddy went to check the potty, and announced she had pooped on the potty! Yeah Joy!! This is the milestone I needed to really think about the potty training. I am done with the other kids in 2 weeks, so maybe we will try it out in 3 weeks? If things keep going in a positive direction, no promises!

My other news is we registered Joy for "school" in the fall at a local daycare. She will go 3 days a week while I substitute teach in the school system. I was hoping to get into an August training, but didn't get an email on Friday, which would indicate I got in. I am going to wait and see if something comes on Monday and if not, then I will call and see what I need to do. In some ways I am unsure of the substitute thing, but I also know I don't want to be away from Joy full time, and it will let me know allot about the schools in the area. It's not bad money either. So I begin my adventure hopefully sooner than later!

For those of you wanting pictures tell Rob, he has on monitor and 2 computers so I have to move the cord to get to the mac which has the pictures, and well he's on the computer every night! Sorry maybe someday I will get more up here!

More Summer

2008-07-09T16:20:00.002-05:00

Summer is still happening and we are still having a grand time. Joy is getting use to her new pool and playing in the 4 inches of water there. Today we had a big adventure to a friend's house for a pool party. First Joy played with the little swing and slide, then moved to the water table. Finally she was brave enough for the kiddie pool (which was very cute with an elephant face on it). Then as others were in the big pool we decided it would be okay to check it out. First I got in and just chased her around from inside the pool as she played with things outside the pool. She finally let me get her in the pool and hold her. We were even able to use our floaty device from last year. In all she did a great job, she napped extra long, but I believe I hear her now so the blog over :) Maybe some more summer pictures including our newest hairstyle will come soon.

Summer Fun

2008-06-24T18:33:00.006-05:00

So far this summer we have learned about some new summer activities:

Popscicles

Okay not really a summer activity but Lego opened a store in our mall and we helped build a giant Yoda to celebrate the opening. Here is the master builder working on the head.

Here is Joy enjoying the Duplo table

Yoda getting the top of his head

Fixing the ear they knocked off while getting the head on

Yoda and his Mini Me

Joy's new pool

Eating corn and a hot dog bun in her swim suit

I like the back as much as the front of the swimsuit.

Eating at the windowsil

A Week of VBS...

2008-06-21T12:38:00.002-05:00

This week as I stated before was VBS week. I had a good time doing the crafts with my friend Michelle. I was a little disappointed with Joy's class. The preschool VBS director thought she could do it after asking and getting turned down by multiple people she quit asking and decided that she would do the Toddler class. Well on Monday she tried for a little bit then between the other kids not staying in the wagon when she got stopped (Joy stayed in, she loves the wagon at church) and getting pulled in 100 different directions she finally found some reluctant volunteers. I don't remember if it started Tuesday or Wednesday morning, but as we were driving to church when we got to where she could see it or if I told her where we were going she would start no church no church. This broke my heart. This also frustrated me. I am volunteering at the VBS something I love to do and is simple for me to do the only thing I need is someone to care for my child. I was asking and wanting her to have a curriculum this year, and I understand not everyone is great with toddlers, but in the whole church no one would do it? Anyway by the end of the week she was okay with the situation and we are done with that for now. Next week is a free sew camp at church and I have arranged a teen to take care of Joy and one other child. I am going to do my home care on Tuesday, and be at the church the rest of the week. I will let you know how the sewing goes later!

This and That

2008-06-17T14:32:00.005-05:00

Well it is VBS week and Joy is not sure about going to church again every day this week. This is only day 2 but Sunday and yesterday she has woken up from her nap in a bad mood. She wants to do everything and nothing at the same time! Then when you get her set to do something (that she begged you to do) she refuses to do it! That is when I give up and say your on your own you can come do this with me, or you can play by yourself. That gets me about 10 minutes of no whining, then it starts over! I am hoping she will do better today when she wakes up because she was a grump this morning!

I do have some pictures for you so here instead of me rambling how about some pictures!

This is how I caught her sleeping one day, criss-cross applesauce with her legs in the air! Just a fun outside picture!

Happy Daddy! That was all I could get from her on Sunday in an attempt to say Happy Daddy's Day.

They like to play piano together on Daddy's piano.

Other happenings, our Moody Garden's passes will expire at the end of this week so we went for one last time this weekend. We had a good time, and I am sure we will miss the fishies this year. We did renew our Zoo pass so I can still go to the zoo and take one other person in for free, and get a discount on additional beyond the one free. Wanna go to the zoo?

No Geneva I haven't stopped blogging...

2008-06-11T19:08:00.002-05:00

It however is summer, which means more home time, which means more mess which means less time on the computer, and when I do get here I prefer to do other stuff first. So for now blogging is on a back burner, but if something exciting happens I will let you know.
As for our recent excitement, I started watching 3 other kids this past week. It went well except that 2 came on one day and one on the other, and it made it more difficult on the day with only 2 kids (Joy and one other). This week they are all coming on Thursday, which will I think be better as it will keep me more focused on what we are doing. This week is beach/ocean week so we will be painting the ocean and putting fish in the ocean. I guess I need to make those fish!
So far from this Joy has learned she doesn't want to share. This week at the library on Tuesday she was very adamant in saying that the library's toy was hers and she would not share with another child. Then today at the beach she was again very sure she did not want to share her sand and water toys with the other kids. I told her it was fine and she allowed it begrudgingly. She has also learned "hold you" from one of the other girls. I will call her "C" so she remains anonymous. C's Mom had just dropped her off and she was a little sad, although never full out cried about it, and so she asked me "hold you" and I told her I would be glad to hold her. Now Joy says "hold you" when she wants you to hold her. If Daddy happens to pick up and she wanted Mommy she will say "Hold you, Mommy" I don't correct her yet, as I like this grammer mistake, it's just sweet and cute!
I think that is about it. We have been to "the beach" which is really Moody Garden's white sand pool beaches a couple times this summer, and we tried the pool once. She is not a fan of the water right now, but we can't really do swim lessons as it isn't in the budget, and I would hate to pay and then her hate it the whole time! We will do the swim lessons at some point, just not this summer.
The next 2 weeks will be busy, I am doing the VBS at our church again this year and I am in charge of the crafts, which I am very excited about. Then the following week I am attending "Sew Free Day Camp" where I hope to learn a little more about sewing. One of the Mom's from my Mom's group will also be going and her child is one I watch once a week, so I look forward to getting to know her more.
I think that is all... let me know if I forgot something!

It's Official

2008-05-28T21:26:00.002-05:00

It was voted upon tonight at the church business meeting to close the PDO. I am saddened, however I also believe that the the program or the church had to change to be a true ministry of the church. I am not saying that it was not a ministry to the families that attended, the children heard of God and Jesus on a daily basis, some whom may never have heard of him otherwise were taught about God. This is the part that is sad to me, however these parents sought out a church for their preschool and their are many others on the same road which also teach the same basic principals. God will provide for those families.
Some teachers were upset, and I can see their point they poured the last 1, 2, 5, 30+ years into the program. They have every right to be upset with the church for not properly supporting the program. I hope that the church sees that preschool and children's ministry is a need, and we can't grow our church without having something for the children.
My opinion, it's a good thing. I told the children's minister after the meeting that my heart is for kids. I want the best for the children. I chose to put my ministry into the PDO this past year. I won't say it was a wrong decision. I don't regret it, other than the time lost with Joy and the issues with Joy's classroom. I am now going to turn my efforts and my focus back into the church and find ways to serve to grow the much needed children's ministry. This is my 3rd summer at this church, and my 2nd one to work at the VBS (the 1st I worked summer school). I mentioned to the children's minister that I have 1,000 ideas running through my head and I hope to start something next year for stay at home mom's. Keep tuned in and we will see where God leads!