Meet the Bees

 Here we are at the amazing gardens that were created just this year as a place for employees to grow vegetables, flowers and fruit.  We went to "meet the bees" and learn about the beehives they have in the garden.  It was a fascinating experience and I can't wait to get my own beehive!  We are going to put one in the backyard at our new house.

 Here are Georgia and Rodolfo hugging and being silly.

 The beekeeper.  Apparently bees are very docile creatures as long as you respect their space.

 Ah!  Purple flowers and a blue sky.  Two of my favorite colors.

This is a 70 lb. watermelon.  I'm not sure if such a large watermelon would be very tasty but what a grande dame to admire!

Highlights from September 2010

 Mom and Janie with two of the newest additions to the family.  Janie is holding Brileigh Ann and Mom is holding Anne Charlotte.

 Gigi playing beauty salon with Wally.

 He is such a loyal, loving dog.  I couldn't have asked for a better family pet.

 Here is Georgia and Rodolfo at the fair.  We had very few minutes before Disney on Ice began and just snapped some very fast photos.  I wish we had time to really take photos of the fair.  There is always so many great backdrops there.  Maybe next year!

 Me and Georgia girl.  She did not want to take pictures b/c she was ready for the show!

Adorable Anne Charlotte.

10 Things I Love

The weather outside is GORGEOUS.  I've been blissfully happy all day long.  This golden time of year always makes me feel gloriously alive.  Do you like the roses above?  They are "Eden" from the house of Meilland.  I planted these roses in my parents garden in 2001-- 9 years ago!  They are stunning but only bloom once a year.  Do you like the photo below?  It is a field that is down the road.  Isn't the sky magnificent?

Since I'm in such a good mood I've decided to share 10 things (other than friends and family) that make me happy.  Here they are in no specific order:

1.  Garlic simmering in olive oil

2.  Effortlessly smooth pens that make writing and signing a delight

3.  Sunsets in Oklahoma

4. THE LIBRARY

5.  Swimming

6. Hot showers

7. Gardening flowers and vegetables

8.  The sound of an airplane flying high above in the clouds on a lazy summer day

9.  Hammocks

10.  Twinkle lights

Happy Friday everyone.  Hope your weekend is grand!

Hopscotch Kids

Learned about this non-toxic nail polish for children.  Since Georgia adores painting her nails I'm rather attracted to this product and think I will give it a try!!  Thought I'd share with all those out there who have girls that love to "go to the beauty salon" as mine does!  The link is: http://www.hopscotchkids.com/ .

Getting to Know You

We are in the midst of new beginnings.  Georgia started pre-school, we switched preschools and now we are settling in.  I've just upgraded to a Mac and I have to learn all the new buttons.  I am slow and it is frustrating.  I just wanted to hop on and magically, intuitively figure it out.  I've realized that I need to break down and watch a tutorial or two.  And then, the house.  We are still renovating but it is on a rapid downward slope.  The electrical is done, doors have arrived, the kitchen is in and waiting to be installed, the plumber will be done this week, the heating and air will be done early next week.  Inspectors need to be called and then we can begin drywall.  What a fun time but how hectic it is too!  I am considering starting a blog for Clementine Road and if I do I may merge this personal blog with my business one.  I have yet to decide.  If I do I will provide a link.  But for now I will still use this one.  Dinner is calling.  I will write more later.

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!

Summer 2

Today we did a little shopping and Rodolfo came along.  I bought some clothes and Georgia bought some green and yellow fingernail polish.  Here is the masterful creation we designed.  Georgia likes to call this look "combination".  Not only does she like polishes, but she also likes to wear two different shoes.  Lately she has been combining her Cinderella sparkling slipper with her silver flip flops.  I should get a picture the next time she does it.  I let her wear her shoe combinations around town.  Last Sunday she even wore it to church.  My mom used to let me and my sisters do the same thing.  We could dress ourselves in whatever we thought was pretty.  I remember my mother allowing Rebecca to wear her hair filled with hair clips, probably 10+.  My mom says it fosters creativity.  I think she is right!

Summer 1

Okay, so I've decided summer goes way too fast.  I looked on the calendar for August to figure out when pre-school starts and I realized that we only have 24 more days until my little baby girl begins school!!!  I know, I know, it is only pre-school, but hey-- that's a major step in a little one's life, and an even more major one in a stay-at-home mom's life.  Our days are about to be radically different and I'm feeling a little wistful.  This morning Gigi wanted to eat "al fresco" as she said so we went outdoors and ate breakfast on the backporch.  It was sheer bliss sitting out there, in the warm sun, drinking my tea, eating oatmeal and eggs and clicking our tea glasses saying "cheers".  After we ate Georgia said, "Mom, can we swing on the hammock."  "Sure!"  I said, enjoying the fun of it all.  We lay there together, swinging in the breeze and talking nonsense.  Actually I think we were playing Peter Pan.  I was Peter and she was Wendy and we were on the pirate ship.  As we were laying there, enjoying the morning, a thought occured to me--  I want to spend my last twenty-four days of summer with Gigi doing nothing but this, having fun, swinging in a hammock, swimming, doing all the summery things that make this time of year lazy and wonderful.  I want to be deliberately wild and childlike with my daughter before this moment in our lives transitions to school days, school days dear old golden rule days...  And so I ran inside, grabbed my camera and snapped her there, perched on the hammock, looking below for mermaids and Captian Hook.  I'm going to try to catch one shot a day to document our last twenty four days of this magical time of mother-child living.  It will be my ode to Georgia and my ode to summer.  Here we go!

warning:  the next 24 shots may simply be me and Gigi at the pool.  :):)

Swim Lessons

Georgia has now officially completed her first series of swimming lessons.  She took classes at the same place that I took lessons, Kimbell Pool.  The lessons were spread over a two week period.  It has been fun waking up every morning knowing that we are heading out to the pool.  This pool is by no means fancy.  It really looks just the same as it did 30 years ago when I took lessons-- no updates, just a place to splash and have fun.  Half of the pool is 3 feet deep, perfect for someone whose height is about 41 inches.  There is a section with a diving board and that area is 11 feet deep.  Georgia has yet to venture over there, but the other day after her lessons we stayed and I jumped off that diving board about 10 times.  I had a fabulous time and I think she did too!!  :)

Here are her classmates, Alina, Grace, Georgia & Jacqueline.  The little boy in the class, I think his name is Aidan, wasn't around for the photo.

Woo hoo!  Here she is stragling between the shallow and the deeper end.  She hasn't quite made the brave jump into the deeper water yet, but she will soon enough.  Kiss kiss you cutie pie!

Here's my girl with her new haircut.  Smashing, darling! :)

Tinkerbelle with scissors

Here is Gigi caught red-handed giving herself a haircut.  She said her "bangs were in the way" and decided to take matters into her own hands.  My mom was the one to discover the busy beautician cutting away.  Not only did she cut her bangs but a handful on each side of her head.  She even was sitting at her toy beauty salon while she cut!!  Silly, silly, silly girl.  Tomorrow we will go to the real beauty salon to see if we can repair the damage.  In a way, though, her very short bangs remind me of the pixie cuts of the sixties.  I kind of like it, she reminds me of tinkerbelle.  I think it could have looked much worse.  Good thing my mom caught her when she did!

Look at that handful!

Here she is posing for the camera.  She is not really cutting here.

I think she even relished the attention.

Wonder how long it will take them to grow back??

And here is the salon, where it all took place.

Photoshoot

Here is my beautiful cousin and her daughter.  I was able to shoot some photos of them while they were visiting in OKC.  I hear Mark is home from Iraq on furlough now.  I hope they are having a wonderful time with him!

Amy was my first maternity session and this was my very first belly shot.  I think it turned out beautifully!

Sophia handeled the itchy grass and many poses really well.  We shot for nearly two hours!!