I always feel like Mondays are hard because of piano lessons and I miss time with S (all this will end soon...recital next week, then done with lessons, period). It is really those days that she seems to need it more too. We rarely do TV/movies, but on this rainy afternoon it seemed perfect. She was in love with The Muppet Movie. She watched intently and loved all of the singing and dancing. She talked to Brett about the Muppets when he came home from work that night too.
We had to go to the Department of Criminal Justice to get finger prints done to have our homestudy update completed. Yes, we could've mailed it in and avoided going in, but that takes 6-8 weeks and I wasn't willing to wait that long. Thus, my black fingers and and print out that says, "No criminal record found."...in case there was any question.
At that point we were only about 15 minutes from Brett's work so we figured we might as well stop by with a treat. I think S drank as much of it (if not more) than he did. He was totally surprised to see us walk into his office. S loved it!
Occasionally you have those times that you just need an outing with a sister. Let's be honest, you (at least I) could use them more often, but because of work and family they are a rarity. She came down for dinner with our family then we went to see Cinderella. Yes, I realize it's been out for ages and should be at the dollar theater or something by now, BUT we don't get to the movies very often. Neither of us and see it. Both of use loved it. What a better place the world would be if more people had souls like hers. Have Courage and be kind. What great, important lessons to teach your kids!
One morning this week was particularly rough. I couldn't tell you how many times in the first hour of the day I heard, "See daddy at work!" She cried as he left for work and it kept going. Thankfully we were able to diffuse and refocus with play-doh. I sent Brett a text and he was totally happy to meet us for lunch (really for us to pick him up at his office and go somewhere). Because of clients Brett had at work a few years ago we were introduced to Korean food, and there is a great place near his office. That was my first choice, and S was completely happy with everything. I was impressed with how much of it she tried. She really loved the tofu.
The park was requested one day shortly before dinner time. To me it wasn't worth the meltdown of not going...so off we went (SO grateful that it's like a 2 minute walk from our house). She was all giggles with the kids that were there. Brett got home before we left the park so he just stopped on his way. S was thrilled to see him and play there with him.
I headed out on several errands one morning and got sidetracked at the library. They were starting story time as we walked in, so we stayed for it. They did books, songs, dancing, and coloring. I have come to realize that S has a big personality and is so happy around us, but around lots of other people she is quite shy. A good chunk of the time she just wanted to sit with me. She is such a sweet little soul.
We were in desperate need of fresh produce this week...plus a few other things. Grapes were a decent price so I grabbed some...to which Scarlett immediately responded "Have some!" I kindly explained that we had to pay for them first. I then told her that she could have some snacks that I brought. There was no tantrum, but there was a produce worker close enough to hear the whole conversation. He asked if S would like a banana. She was VERY happy to have a banana, and it was reaffirmed to me while I love shopping at Macey's. They just do extra things that make shopping with kids easier. I have every intention of writing to the store manager and letting him know how nice of an experience his clerk (Steve) made shopping for us that day.
We made it down to the Payson Temple open house this week. I hadn't realized that it was already over until there was next to no time left. It was such a great experience to take S. She could see the temple from quite a ways away. We kept hearing, "Dad big temple. See it!!" We went down Friday night and got in the standby line. We were told that after we got through seeing the movie the wait was an hour just to get inside the temple. It was already after 7, and knew that life would be a nightmare for all of us if we stayed. So we walked around the grounds for a few minutes before deciding to leave. We opted that coming back first thing in the morning would be a much better option...and it was! While walking around the grounds she would say "Temple, big! I see it!" "Temple Hooray!!" I have no idea where that last one came from. I don't recall using the word hooray with her often enough for it to be part of her vocabulary...but it is. She was also very taken with the water features they have there. I am SO glad we went! It was worth it to see her experience everything there. Most of our pictures there are from the night before, but we didn't feel that really mattered. We were there and it was so worth it!
trying to get in
enjoying the water
just us
the VERY short standby line the next morning
our short line waiting to get in the next morning....thank you photo bomber :)
"Touch it, dad! Touch it!"
We went to IKEA Saturday to try to figure out cabinets for our laundry room. It'll happen. They have lots of good options, but we just didn't have time to sit down and figure it all out then and there. We got a few things that were on our list, and also some that weren't...like this step for S. She loved helping Brett put it together. We are continually hearing "I do it!" She loves pushing it around the kitchen to get to whatever she thinks she needs.
At the open house yesterday there was a tent for visitors afterward. We spent a few minutes looking around. There was a replica of the Christus statue that is in the visitors center in Salt Lake. S immediately noticed the nail prints in his feet and said, "Dad, Jesus owie." As we took the sacrament today I talked to her about Jesus (like I try to do each week) and how much he loves each of us. She immediately looked to Brett and me and said, "Jesus owie!" and pointed to her hands and feet. It's those little moments that you know she is learning what you are teaching her.
