Bubble blowing in the tub

Okay, Georgia and I are just not ready to give up the pool yet.  I've often thought of swimming ever since the last day passed a week ago.  I guess Georgia has too.  When we were at Target last Monday I told her that she could get one thing from the dollar isle if she sat politely in the cart while I shopped.  When her time came she hunted and hunted looking for the perfect item.  I thought for sure she would end up with another fairy wand, they seemed to have a lot on the shelf.  When she pulled out the above pair of goggles I was pleasantly surprised.  "But Georgia," I said, "remember the pool is closed now until next summer".  She barely blinked when she replied "Not the swimming pool, mom!!  I can wear these in the bathtub".  And that is exactly what she did!  :)

I read about some silly holidays to celebrate with your preschooler.  Besides April fools there is:

National Tell a Joke Day (August 16), Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19), Bathtub Party Day (December 5), National Chocolate Covered Anything Day (December 16), Fruitcake Toss Day (January 3), Backward Day (January 31), National Goof-Off Day (March 22), and Dance Like a Chicken Day (May 14).
 
Talk like a pirate day is very soon and would fit perfectly with Gigi's current fascination with Peter Pan.  We picked up an abbrieviated (down to 127 pages), non-Disney version of Peter Pan on the dollar isle when we purchased the goggles.  I couldn't resist buying it too, although I had told Georia only one item.  We are on the second reading of the book and she can't get enough of it.  It is not like the other books we have read, tidy and pleasant.  This more authentic version of the classic talks about the color of Hook's blood, about Peter's dislike and need for a mother and about crocodiles eating limbs, etc.  Not politically correct at all, but what an adventure tale indeed!!  I'm really enjoying reading with her now-a-days.  We have hashed through about 12 chapters in Little Women.  She finds this story interesting mostly when Laurie is mentioned.  I think overall she may need to wait a while to read Alcott.  We have also been reading Paddington Bear and Beatrix Potter stories.  I feel like a British mum when I read and I imagine myself sitting in a cozy Mary Poppinsish nursery spinning tales that will enchant my child for a lifetime.  I sure hope they do!!  Anyone blog readers out there have suggestions for other great books?  I'm on the lookout and love suggestions!

Baby Katherine

And voila my next newest neice, Katherine Livia!  Two and a half weeks after the birth of beautiful Anne Charlotte we have been blessed with another beautiful girl in the family!  I'm thinking we should start an all girls club.  It just seems like the boys are out of luck in this family.  Wouldn't it be funny if all these girls someday have boys???  :)  Rebecca and Randy will be terrific parents.  Welcome to the family little one!  love you and Anne Charlotte so much already, Aunt JoDee

Last Swim of the Summer

Farewell turquoise waters, splashes and jumps.  Farewell sunshine and sunscreen.  Farewell after-pool popsicle.  Farewell barefeet and bathing suits.  Until we meet again next summer, you will be thought about often and missed!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY GEORGIA GRACE!

Happy Birthday to my daughter of 4 years!  How special these years have been.  You've now been alive an entire college education worth of time.  My, time flies and what fun we have had!  You will begin school in a couple of weeks.  I cannot believe it is time for you to go to school.  You are my baby and will always be, even when you are 80 and I'm 109.  We planned a spectacular birthday for you this year.  We went to a Clydesdale Horse Ranch.  I hope you remember it but if you don't I always will.  Do you see that open window in the barn?  You sat up in that window and watched me bring all the party decor inside.  Do you see the Clydsedale in the doorway?  You petted his nose and laughed at how smelly he was.  Do you see the decorations in the barn?  I spent hours researching them and and creating them just for you.

You have so many talents.  Here are some notable mentions for 4 years:

Great Dancer-- shimmy/shake/ballet combo, very dramatic

Great Singer -- you know all the lines to every Disney Princess song

Very Good at Bossing Wally around and Magically Lifted him to 3rd Level of Fort (i don't know how)

You Know How to Coordinate Outfits like no other person I've met (see photo above-- all your doing)

Best Best Friend Maker Around

Very Adept Beautician

It is so fun to be your mommy.  You fill my days with joy.  I love you.  I hope your fourth year is spectacular! 

love always, mommy

The Barn.

Georgia sitting in the window.

Petting the Clydsedale.

The Pinata.

The hayloft.

The cake.

The smile that makes it ALL worthwhile!

Yogi Tea

I started drinking Yogi Tea last year when I went to Dr. Randine Lewis's ( http://www.thefertilesoul.com/ )fertilty retreat.  Every morning I brew me a cup of some kind of tea.  I have my favorites-- Mighty Leaf for their Earl Grey, Kusmi Tea for their Prince Vladimir, Aveda Mint Tea and then the Yogi Detox.  Lately I have been brewing up the Yogi Detox.  It is a rather fun way to start the day because every tea bag has an inspiration attached to it.  Yesterday my inspiration was:

Mantras you shouldn't say: I don't know; I'm not ready; I can't do it.

This one really struck me because sometimes I DO repeat those mantras in my head.  Especially when I look at my piles of laundry.  :)  It was just a nice reminder that keeping your mind on the positive can have great rewards.  Have you ever heard of the controversial "law of attraction"?  It relates to quantum physics and can be applicable to the thoughts you put in your mind.  I have just recently heard about this law but it intrigues me and I plan to study it more.  Here is a link to the discussion around the law of attraction: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Attraction .

Finally, I leave you with this link http://www.yogiproducts.com/well-being/inspirations/ .  It is the yogi tea website and you can actually get an inspiration online without even buying the tea.  Visit the website today and see what you learn!

love, JoDee

Birthday Countdown

Georgia is almost 4.  We are now counting down the days.  She talks non-stop about her birthday.  She started counting down at the 6 week mark.  Now that we are less than one week away I told her today that she has only 5 more days until her birthday.  She started crying when I told her this because all that she understood was the "5" part and didn't realize that "days" is less than "weeks".  So I made Georgia the above calendar to explain the proximity of her birthday.  We will mark X on each day until we reach Friday.  I think she understands now that her birthday is very soon, but I'm still not 100% sure that she gets the difference between days and weeks.

Summer 3 - ??

We have been enjoying summer, as planned, but I keep forgetting my camera!!  We went swimming with one of Gigi's friends Gabrielle and her sisters, we went to the movies with Prince Burke, and then we received a phone call announcing that Mindos was delivering her baby and we rushed down to Dallas for the unexpected event.  Little Anne Charlotte arrived 3 weeks early and we did not have this scheduled.  I have now lost track at what point we are in our summer fun schedule but I plan to get back up to speed on enjoying summer this week.  Here are a few pictures of us with Anne and then us celebrating my dad's birthday while we were down in Dallas!