Flip-Flop Party

Anna Cate has repeatedly asked for three things this summer - breasts, braces and a party. Since the first two are out of my hands (and I'm pretty sure she will see that they are highly overrated), I decided I could deliver on the third request. So, we made invitations and delivered them to her three closest friends on the first day of school.

Once the invitations had been delivered, I began planning. I love planning children's parties. There are so many cute themes, games and decorations from which to choose. We picked the "flip-flop" theme and I began to prepare.

I wanted to have an activity that the girls could participate in when they arrived. I began with three pairs of flip-flops and hid one from each pair in the yard. Then I attached a clue to the other flip-flop to help them find the hidden one and make a pair.


When they had all found their lost flip-flop, they decorated them with jewels and ribbons.


Then came time for games. They burst water balloons to see who could make the biggest splash, played sprinkler freeze (in this game, the children run or dance around the sprinkler while the water is off and then have to "freeze" when the water begins to squirt from the sprinkler), jumped on the trampoline and swam in the pool.



Finally, it was time for the cake. Baking is definitely NOT my strong suit, but I think it turned out cute. The girls loved the skittles that outlined the flip-flop shape.



All in all, it was a fun afternoon. I heard lots of squeals and giggles, which is music to this mother's ears.

Five for Friday - Ways Childhood Has Changed

As Matthew used a "clunk, clunk, clunk clunk clunk" to explain to Anna Cate how we changed channels when we were children, I realized that childhood has changed so much since we were children. And, it wasn't that long ago! So, I started thinking about other things Anna Cate would never experience and the following is what I found.

1. The Joy of Saturday Morning Cartoons. I remember rushing into the living room to watch the Smurfs on Saturday mornings and my heart sinking when I realized I had missed some. It wasn't as if I could record it, or that I could watch it a few hours later when it came on again in the Western half of the country. But, that cartoons only came on once a week kind of made them special. Anna Cate can now watch any show she wants whenever she wants to.

2. The Ability to Chicken Out When Calling a Boy. Let's face it, we all started to make the call and then found our voice had disappeared when that special someone answered the phone. Then came caller ID and the cell phone. Now, any call you make is immediately recognizable. The days of prank calls are definitely long gone.

3. Long Rides Stretched Out in the Back Seat. The back seat in my parents' Thunderbird was the perfect length for me to make into a bed on long trips. I did it so often that I recognized the tree tops around our house and knew when we were close to returning home. Poor Anna Cate has never once had the luxury of laying down on a six-hour trip because she is strapped into a special seat with buckles surrounding her little body. Of course, she also has a DVD player to watch and hand-held video game systems. I guess it's an even trade.

4. A Bike Ride Sans-Helmet. I loved to feel the wind across my face and blowing through my hair as I coasted down the hill in front of my childhood home. It was such a peaceful and free feeling. Anna Cate returns from a bike ride with sweat running down her face and helmet head.

5. The Sting of a Sunburn. Maybe I am jinxing us, but to this day, Anna Cate has never felt the sting of a sunburn. She is sprayed anytime she is expected to be outside more than 30 minutes. Again, this precaution is to better her health, but I can't help feeling like maybe she is missing out on something. That sting is a wonderful memory for me of long days at the beach or picnics at Sun Valley.

It's funny how much things have changed in such a short time. I can only imagine what my grandchildren will be teaching me.

Misunderstandings

I'm never quite sure what I am getting into when I enter into a conversation with Anna Cate these days. Sometimes, she will begin talking to me and then get distracted before I even know what she is talking about. Or, she will assume I should totally understand what she talking about when the only words she uses are "that thing" that happened "the other day" when we were "at that place". Then other times, I think we are totally on the same page and then realize I was completely wrong. One such instance happened this morning.

Anna Cate came in to show me her "beautiful, shiny teeth". She had done a nice job brushing and I commended her. She went on to tell me that Abby had really yellow teeth near the gum and that she tried hard not to smell her breath. I answered that maybe we should buy some more of the denta-bones. They seemed to be doing a nice job of cleaning her teeth. She looked at me strangely and said, "No, not that Abby. I meant the little girl in my class."



Oh. Okay...

Five for Friday - Rules of Life

Monday around 11AM, I walked into the pantry to see that it was bare, completely void of any ingredient that would satisfy Anna Cate or myself for lunch. So, I told her to grab her shoes because we were going to Chick-fil-A for lunch. Why, you may ask, did we not head to the grocery store? Well, because that would go against one of the very rules that govern my life. I realized that I have picked up these little tidbits of wisdom as I have gone about my days and now I choose to pass them along.

1. Never go to the grocery store hungry. I picked up this little truth from my mom as I watched her carry in bag after bag of food that would later be thrown away because we would either forget we had it or it would ruin before we got around to eating it. The point is that when you are hungry, everything looks good to you. In turn, you buy food that your family will never eat. So, maybe I wasted a few dollars going the fast food route, but, we did consume what we bought.

2. Never leave one day's clutter for the next. One of my first days of student teaching, I looked at the mounds of paper on my mentor's desk and I must have shuddered because he looked at me and laughed. He told me that it may look like a mess, but that it would be clean before he left for the day. In the six years I worked with him, I noticed his desk was clean every morning. I no longer have a desk or a classroom, but I still believe in taking care of each day's tasks before that day is done. I know there will be more to accomplish tomorrow and it will be harder if I have to start that day with today's mess still there.

3. Always put your scissors back in their place. My Granny had a scissors holder that hung on the wall for as long as I can remember. It never moved in the 18 years of my life that she was alive. And, the scissors were always there. And, I never once saw her search for those scissors. Really, she had a place for everything and I guess that really became ingrained in my soul.

4. Always say "Thank-you". I'm sure this one was drilled into me as a child, but it wasn't until several years of adulthood that I began to see the impact of the words. People, in general, are not noticed for all the things they do for the other people in their lives. I've seen eyes visibly brighten when I take the time to stop and show my gratitude for some small action someone has performed. I've also noticed that people begin to do more when they know that someone notices and appreciates all they do.

5. It's okay to splurge every now and then. Another piece of advice that I received from my mother that I find to be true. Day to day, discipline works for me. I can accomplish what needs to be done, I can keep myself relatively fit and our budget on track. But, that piece of dulce de leche cheesecake or the Coach wallet are wonderful pick-me-ups when all the discipline starts to weigh me down.

Now, I'm off to the clean the muffin pan, because not doing so would break two of the five rules listed above!

An Intervention May Be Necessary

Second morning of Eagleridge did not go as smoothly as the first and left me with a bit of anxiety. So, I decided to find something "fun" to do.

Yes, scary, I know, but doesn't it look cute?!? It's the closet located to the right of the door that leads to the garage. The top row holds my various household cleaners, the middle row contains our beach towels and the bottom are the random items which concern Abby.

I realize that organizing things is my way of feeling in control of the world around me. Plus, it keeps my mind off all the many areas of life which are completely NOT in my control. But, I figure it is a good coping skill and the people in my home and life can benefit from it also. So, intervene if you feel necessary or just come and enjoy the cute and organized insanity that is my happy place.

New Beginnings

"Do you remember what today is?" I ask.
"Oh Yeah! It's Eagleridge today!" answers Anna Cate as she wheels around and runs out of the bathroom.

Forty-Five minutes later and we are ready to head out the door. Anna Cate is dressed, new shoes are double-knotted on her sensitive little feet, hair is brushed and has a ribbon in it, heart bracelet has been placed on her wrist because is "matches [her] shirt", teeth are brushed, backpack is packed (okay, I did that last night), water bottle is full. And, even though we will be ten minutes early, Anna Cate insists that we go ahead and get on the road. Wow, what a difference a year makes!

During our time together this morning she shared a few of her insights concerning First Grade. First of all, she wanted to explain that pre-k and kindergarten were similar in that they were both really for little kids. First grade, second grade, "all the grades" meant that you were really getting closer to being a grown-up. (She really cracks me up!) She also explained that already knowing some of the children and schedule really made things much easier.

So, here she is, ready for her first day of first grade at Eagleridge...


She spotted two of her friends and without so much as a backward glance, marched right into her new classroom and sat down. I was happy...and sad, I mean, where is my hug? My little kiss on the cheek? My "will you come a little early, Mom?"

I would also like to mention that I was not the only one who was missing the little stinker. I happened to walk by Anna Cate's room, and this is what I saw...


Little Abby, laying on one of AC's shirt, wondering where her best friend has gone.

Five for Friday - Sometimes You Want to Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name

There is just something about going to a place where people recognize you. I think it makes the world feel smaller, or maybe an area feel more like home. I love when someone sees our little family and his face lights up with recognition and joy. Here are the places that happens most often...

1. BJ's Resturant. BJ's has actually become a joke, because everyone who has visited us has eaten at least one meal there. The wait staff come by and say "hi" to us even when we are not seated in their section. I no longer have to request a booth because the hostess already knows that is what our family prefers. When AC and I came in alone last Sunday, the waitress asked if Matthew was out of town and then said that the mozzarella sticks would be out shortly (before I had even ordered them).

2. Create It! This little pottery painting shop is a bit of an oasis during the HOT summer months, but we also drop by throughout the year when we are looking for a relaxing, peaceful activity. Ms. Nikki always greets us with a smile and asks Anna Cate if she is still planning on owning a store of her own once she is grown.

3. Target. We spend a lot of time in Target, but still, it is a big store and this is a big area, so I didn't expect for the employees to get to know us. But, one day when Anna Cate was at school, the cashier asked about her absence. It was funny to think that we had made that much of an impression.

4. Anasazi Animal Clinic. This one may not seem that unusual, but we have honestly only been in the office maybe seven times since Abby came to live with us two years ago. But, I have to be honest, it's not Anna Cate, Matthew or I that they remember. They remember Abby and they love her. The lady actually thanked me for "letting" Abby stay with them while we were away. It was like she was staying over at a friend's home or something.

5. Bath and Body Works. It was actually at this store that I started to notice people were remembering us. I walked in like normal, was offered a shopping bag and then the lady looked at Anna Cate and asked her if she was "a puppy or a little girl today".

So, maybe we are creatures of habit and visit the same places too often, or maybe we are a little strange and people notice it, or maybe, just maybe, Arizona is becoming a little more closer to home for us.