Pumpkin Patch 2013

Pumpkin Carving

First time pumpkin carving.  Harper is her grandmother's granddaughter.

To Three or Not To Three?

I'm back over at Alamo City Moms Blog today talking about the dilemma in our house right now - To Three or Not To Three?  Come on over and visit:

http://alamocitymomsblog.com/2013/08/16/to-three-or-not-to-three-that-is-the-question/

Target - Mommy's Secret Little Addiction

I'm over on Alamo City Moms Blog today talking about my Target obsession - head on over!

http://alamocitymomsblog.com/2013/08/12/target-mommys-little-secret-addiction/

Ffree Years Old!

My Squirrel, my Squirrel!  Today you are "ffree" years old!  And I love you more and more with each passing day.  

You are a gentle soul - sweet and nurturing.  You take my face in your hands and quietly say, "I love you Mommy.  You're my sweet girl."  You love your little brother and like to whisk him from room to room, "Come on little Cito.  You're my little lovie."  

Your shy to the outside world, cautious and careful.  You analyze each situation before trusting that it is the right move.  I can see your little brain at work, weighing all outcomes before you take each step.  At home you are giggly, silly, and 100% three years old.  You can be so funny!  You spin and twirl, "Look at me Daddy!  I'm spinnnnnnnning!"

You live in a little world of wonder.  I hear you back in your room, lost in your thoughts and in full conversations with yourself.  You will sing and dance, imagine and dream for hours on end.  

Your little buddy T-Rex is still a must have and must be wrapped in Soft Blanket each night to sleep by your side.  You are slowly turning from dinosaurs to princesses but a brachiosaurus or a diplodocus will still catch your eye.  Sweet girl, you would spend hours lost in a pile of dress up clothes and accessories if I let you.  You have a definite opinion about your fashion.  Most days, you insist on wearing a "fancy dress" but you have your favorite Thomas "panties" underneath that fancy dress.  And shoes?  Most shoes these days, whether a flip-flip, a croc or a jelly, are "glass slippers" and your red Mary Jane is preferred over all others.  

There are times I can catch a glimpse of you at 12, at 16, at 21, and I love who I see in your future.  But for now, my sweet girl, stay in your world of fairies and dreams.  Cling to your innocence and your three-year-old self.  These days will be gone all too soon and they make your momma weepy.  

I love you my little Squirrel!  "Do you know how much I love you?"....."Soooooo much!"   Happy 3rd to you Harper Meabon!

ACMB - Beyond the Princess

I'm over on Alamo City Moms Blog today talking about my on-going battle with princesses.  Come check out my post!

Bloglovin

With the disappearance of Google Reader, many blog followers are left wondering how to follow their favorite blogs.  I'm really liking Bloglovin.  It's simply laid out and has a clean look to it.  Check it out!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Save Me a Room Next to Your's

Last week, I lost a little bit of my heart.  My amazing step-dad, Steve (Grandy to you all), went to live his life with the Lord on Monday, July 8.

Steve had a long, courageous fight with brain cancer.  When we were told 5 1/2 years ago that he had 6 months left to live, we were all devastated.  We have been beyond blessed with these unexpected years.  My children got to know their Grandy, got to experience his amazing love and were showered with his praise and attention.  Jared and I had three full years of living back in San Antonio and less than 3 miles from my parents.  We absorbed our time with Steve like sponges, knowing that this dreadful disease would one day return and steal him away.

Some of you read the sweet story of Harper's last day with her Grandy on his Caring Bridge site.  She quietly asked if she could sit with Grandy, climbed up in his lap and lay still as stone while Steve gently swept his fingers over her forehead, her cheeks, her chin.  They soaked each other in, almost as if they each knew their time together was limited.  Just a day later, Steve would suffer from another seizure that would severely limited his ability to function.

A few days later on Monday morning, Jared unexpectedly decided to stop by Mom & Steve's to say goodbye before a routine work trip.  That night, my Junior League meeting ended early and knowing I had a sitter with the kids, decided to swing by at the last minute to say hello.  Steve was doing pretty poorly but little did either of us know that this would be the last time we would see him.  He had rallied so many times and we just knew he would rally again.  But I have to say, I almost prefer that I didn't know.  My last words to Steve were "I love you" and with a nod and a smile "Love you" were his last to me.  What more could I ask for?  Two hours later, I received the call from my mom saying he was gone.

These last couple of weeks have been hard but I am so grateful that his suffering was short and his spirit is now fully restored.  I am also completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we have received.  Wow, do we have an amazing group of friends and family!

We love you Grandy but this isn't goodbye.  We know we'll see you again soon, just save us a room next to your's.

San Antonio's Top Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Come see me over on Alamo City Moms Blog today where I'm talking about my favorite San Antonio Kid-Friendly Restaurants

http://alamocitymomsblog.com/2013/07/15/sanantoniostopkidfriendlyrestaurants/

Alamo City Moms Blog is LIVE!

Come on over and check out my new site!  Alamo City Moms Blog is a collaborative site written by 14 local moms posting on all things motherhood and San Antonio.  And don't worry, Peek In Our World will still be alive and kickin' but today you can find me over at ACMB.

Prayers for Grandy

Many of you know our sweet Grandy (Steve) has been battling Glioblastoma multiforme or brain cancer for 5 years with it's reappearance this spring.  Steve made the decision to end his treatment last week since it was doing so much damage to his body and his quality of life.  The doctors supported and suggested this but Steve needed to come to this decision on his own.  I ask you to please cover Steve and our family with your prayers as we go through these next steps in his battle. 

We love Grandy so much.  I know I speak for Brent, Jared and me when I say that Steve has been one of the most positive influences on any of our lives.  In our family, we don't distinguish with labels like "step" as in "step-father", "step-sister" or "step-brother".  When you are blessed with people in your life that might not share your blood lines but do share your love for each other as a family, labels just get thrown out the window.  Please give a shout out to they Big Guy for my mom (Honey/Janet) who has been such an amazing caretaker and for my brothers, sister and me (Brent, David and Lynn) as we help support them both but mostly for Steve - peace, comfort and that His will be done.

Happy 4th Y'all!

Sorry for the recent absence on the blog but wishing you a little very Happy Independence Day!

Harris at 15 months

Harris is getting jipped lately.  His sister had every month until 24 months documented to a tee.  Sweet boy got cut off after 12 months so here's a little about my almost 15 month old heart breaker.

Ten teeth.  Happy boy.  Dare devil.  Total extrovert.  Loves people and no fear of strangers.  Loves being around other kids.  Picky eater but eats a ton of what he does like.  Words:  ma {mama}, da {daddy or dog}, bir {bird}, ba {ball}.  Points and grunts at everything.  Strong willed.  Hysterical sense of humor. Loves wagons, pull toys and brooms.  Good hand eye coordination.  Crawls on everything.  Fearless. Walker. Runner.  Sister lover.  Heartbreaker.  Straight haired.  Eyelashes a girl would kill for!

 

Honey Hijacking - Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday so you should all fully expect a Honey Hijacking Post.  And here she goes....

Preface: Brooke is never happy when I write a highjacking post about her. I tell her, kindly, that if I have taken the time to write a post it would be tacky of her not to post it.

Thus, Happy 33rd Birthday Boogie!!!

Thirty-three years ago today I was a mere 26 years old, we had Brent, 19 months and I had gone to the hospital twice already in false labor. Brooke was about 10 days past her due date and finally after about 18 hours of induction my labor began and one, yes I said ONE hour later there she was...TADA, I had a l girl, well I had a 9 lb. 2 oz. little girl!

Boog was such a happy baby. Legend (and it is legend) has it that I dropped her off at Mother’s Day Out on the way home from the hospital. What an exaggeration!  Brooke was 2 weeks old when she entered MDO. I had made sure I was president of our church’s little MDO program just to ensure my precious darlings would have a place to go so I could well, breathe!

So Brooke grew and she grew, mainly because after breastfeeding for about 6 months I put her on formula. I poured that thick creamy formula straight out of that Similac can in to that bottle and down it went. Easy peasy Brooke was sleeping, happy and fat! Then one day several months later I happened to look down and glance at the label...there it was CONCENTRATE oops!

Brooke has always been fearless. We spend most of our summer days at the country club swimming pool. In Midland, many of the young moms were members and we would gather at the pool for hours and hours in the sun. Sunscreen, well no, not really, instead one summer I decided to squirt Sun-In in Boogie’s hair not only turning it white but soon after a lovely shade of green. At two years I looked up one day and found Brooke standing on the HIGH diving board yelling proudly, “Mommy watch me!” Lifeguards and I jumped into place and Boog boldly bounded with a little splat into those deep waters. At 4 years she was standing on her tip toes to make the height requirement to ride the Mine Train Roller Coaster, Brooke was indomitable!

On the other hand, I know it might be hard to believe, but Brooke was a very shy child. Adults at church would speak to my little toddler and she would stick her head under my dress. She sang in the church angel choir and at 3 years would stand in front of the entire congregation not singing but stuffing her dress in her IC ruffled panties. When asked why she answered, she didn’t know what else to do, all those people were too scary.

It wasn’t until Bowie Elementary School in Midland, Tx that Brooke came out of her shell. As hard as I had tried to entice my little girl to be less inhibited little did I know the answer lay in Christie Van Husen. Christie was Brooke’s friend, she was well- mannered, polite like you have never seen polite, her smile lit up the classroom and teachers loved her. Brooke, having a bit of a competitive nature, had an ah ha moment and realized if she turned into a Christie she too might find favor in those who were influential. So overnight Brooke became an outgoing, vivacious, well over achiever, and she did it well. With her Sally Jesse Raphael big red glasses (they were adult size, but she would have nothing to do with the child size version-always a bit of a fashionista) Brooke began winning the hearts of those around her. She would be the lead in a play, she would sing solos in church (I never knew she could sing until I saw her performance), she would write essays and win city contests in the GT program, she was voted queen at Camp Longhorn when she was 12 and wore her crown on top of her backward baseball cap. My sweet girl was becoming a person I could never imagine being. I was so proud of her accomplishments and so thankful for the graciousness of the way she dealt with her failures. It’s an amazing thing when you realize that your children have gifts that are far greater than anything you have within yourself, it’s a wonderful gift.

Fast forward to the present, I tell Brooke often that I’m sorry I was not the mother to her and Brent that she is to Harper and Harris. I am so proud when I see my daughter discipline her children with such firm love and love them so tenderly and teach them the things that they are interested in, instead of the things she finds interest in.

I am thankful that she and Jared have such a sound and fun relationship. Their love and laughter bubbles over into their children, it is a joy to watch.

I could go on and on but I’m afraid if I did Brooke would begin delete my praises, so I will end here by saying I am thankful for my daughter. She has stood by our sides these last difficult 5 years and there is never a day that she is not there for me. God gifted me with two of the most incredible human beings and today I celebrate my baby girl’s life.

I wish you the Happiest of Birthdays Boogie...

With much love, Mom 

The Tidal Wave of the Princesses

It started with a tiny little ripple.  The waves were so small that you might not see them unless you looked hard enough.  That was back in March - Easter weekend to be exact.  Potty training had recommenced and was in full swing.  I had created a sticker chart to map out the Squirrel's progress and pasted it right in front of the potty seat so she could see her success every time she went.  I stopped in Target to grab stickers for the chart.  The dollar bins were full of sticker sheets - score!  I reached in and grabbed a huge assortment - smiley faces, hearts, Alice in Wonderland, dinosaurs, 101 Dalmatians, stars, Disney Princesses, farm animals, zoo animals.  A variety of assortment, right?  But did you catch it?  Oh, it was in there.  Sneaking in while I unsuspectingly purchased away.

The waves began to build momentum.  Not a huge amount of force but enough to feel if you were floating out on the ocean.  Enough to rock you up, down, up, down, up, down in the rhythmic movement of the waves.  Success on the potty!  Stickers each time.  The Squirrel would go to her cabinet, open it up, lay all of her stickers out and pick out just the perfect one to celebrate her success.  She began with the stars and smiley faces.  Soon the dinosaurs took over - that was no surprise.  Then it became a slow mix of each different type of sticker.  But they were there all along, smiling at her with those seductive eyes, those sparkles and shiny teeth.  Cinderella was the first to be selected.  She was placed on the sticker chart at random, not much thought put into it.  But she was there, smiling out at The Squirrel through every potty attempt.  Just tempting her, waiting for her moment to strike.  

A few successes later and Tiana was selected.  Joining forces with Cinderella and adding to the waves as they built momentum.  You could now see them if you were flying over head in a plane, their white frothy foam showing the speed and force they were gaining.  Sleeping Beauty - she was next, pink dress, coy glance over her shoulder.  She knew what she was doing as those little hands placed her, this time, with care in just the right spot.  And then they came in rapid succession, all other stickers being forgotten.

"Which sticker are you going to pick this time?" I'd innocently ask.

"A princess sticker!" she proclaim, proud of her potty success.  Snow White, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine...they were flying up with such speed, I didn't know what was happening.  And then, they lulled her in - those dazzling colorful dresses and cascading curls.  The questions started as we sat and waited for the tinkle to come each time.

"What's her name Mommy?  The one in the blue?  Tell me Mommy, tell me about the princesses."

What choice did I have?  How could I turn my back on that curious little mind?  So I'd tell her their names and a tiny little tidbit I knew.

"Oh, that red head.  Her name is Ariel and she swims in the sea.  Don't you want to be a strong swimmer this summer?  We'll go to the pool" I'd add, as if I could redirect her little mind away from the princess and to something productive and useful.

The waves are now full strength, a surfer's paradise, building momentum with each interaction.  Woosh, woosh, woosh!  We had a bump in the potty training road.  Harper stopped tinkling.  I mean it.  She STOPPED tinkling.  Like, altogether decided she wasn't going to do it anymore.  Oh, she had to go.  You could see those little toes curling, her eyes watering, her legs dancing as she held it in but for 24 hours, not a single drop, not a single accident, not even in her sleep.  She held that tinkle with all her might.  What was I to do?  I begged, I pleaded, I tried reasoning with her.  And then, I caved.  Bribery - a mother's best friend and worst enemy.  Dinosaurs - no.  A new twirly dress - no.  A fun new cup and plate - no.  Ugh, do I go there?  Don't do it.....don't do it......don't do it......a Cinderella doll -she took pause, her eyes lit up.

"A Cinda-wewwa doll?" she asked.  Oh crap.  It was out of my mouth....and she was interested.

"Yes Harper.  A Cinderella doll.  If you'll just tinkle on the potty, Mommy will buy you a Cinderella doll."

And the tidal wave of flashing tiaras, sparkly princess dresses, shiny hair, glitter, songs and magic wands came crashing down over me, my child, my house and my being, engulfing me....we are now a Disney Princess house.  NOOOOOO!!!!!  But when you see delight and excitement in the eyes of that sweet little face, how can you turn away?  And no, I didn't stop with just the doll.  The Squirrel now owns a full on Cinderella dress to match her Cinderella doll....which she puts on the minute she wakes up, along with her clickety-clackety high heels and tiara.  The heels and tiara were already in her dress up box but had been previously ignored until now.  Now she is completely aware of them.  Cinderella sleeps in bed with her, joins us for meals at the dinner table, is best buds with T-Rex.  She is everywhere.

I was recently asked what I had against Disney Princesses.  I know, I know.  I'm a total hypocrite.  Your talking to the girl that was a princess EVERY YEAR for Halloween for 5 years, refusing to be anything but a beautiful princess.  But after I passed those tender years of innocence, I have become somewhat of a feminist.  Now that I have a little girl of my own, I don't want her thinking she can only be successful with a Prince Charming in her life - that she must be saved by a man for her dreams to come true.  I don't want her thinking that beauty is the only way to success in this world. I want her to grow up valuing things like books, science, math, her brain - knowing that an education is going to be her ticket in this world, not skipping through a forest waiting for someone to save her.

Don't even get me started on Disney's unabashed flaunting of these characters on everything from diapers to fruit to bicycles just to make an extra dollar.  It gets under my skin that my child wants the super sugary cereal over the delicious healthy one just because it has Sleeping Beauty plastered all over it (not that she gets the super sugary cereal in case you were wondering).  And when did they make the Disney Princesses sexy?  Have you see them lately?  Cinderella's neckline has plunged, her bosom has expanded and she looks like she's had lip injections.  Why, oh why, are they making them look like Real Housewives?

But maybe I'm thinking a little too deep on this one.  I admit, it is pretty funny to watch her prance around in her gown and heels with T-Rex in a choke hold, placing a tiara on her little brother's head as she says, "I'm Cinderella and you're Belle." My battle now will be moderation.  Okay Disney Princesses, come on in but only in moderation.