Saturday, we met our friends Jim, Jeanine, and Aiden at the Strong Museum. They had a new exhibit on circles – what fun!!
As always the Choo choo train was a hit!
And we checked out the butterfuly conservatory for the first time – wonderful!
When I came home from work on Friday, you greeted me at the door with giggles and kicks and an enthusiastic presentation of this sign. What a GREAT DAY!!
I found out Friday that I was selected as a Knowles Foundation Young Scholars Research Fellow. It basically means that my research proposal was chosen, and this group is going to give me $110,000 to do my work. They will also provide me some great mentorship along the way. I will be released from teaching responsibilities for the 2007-08 school year. I am SO excited, so grateful!
Thanks for the wonderful, enthusiastic celebration, Peanut!! Life is so fun with you!!
for they shall be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).
Here is a wonderful little story that I will treasure.
Daddy and I had a little spat last night before he left for work. I was therefore much more into you than Daddy as he prepared to leave for work (as was he). He came over to you to say goodbye, and you lovingly greeted him, “Goodbye Daddy!” and looked at me at said “Daddy, work.”
“Yes,” I said. “Daddy’s going to work.”
You sat and processed things for a minute, looking at me and then Daddy.
You offered Daddy an unsolicited kiss by puckering up your little lips in his direction. Surprised, Daddy leaned down to return your little kiss.
Then you promptly and authoritatively stated: “Mommy, Daddy, Kiss.”
So we did. And then we smiled. And then the anger melted.
You are such a special little girl…
Happy Valentine’s Day Peanut!
Check out today’s weather report:
February 14, 2007 8:26 pm — Mother nature’s Valentine’s Day gift to Rochester today was snow and more snow, accompanied by traffic delays, airport lines and a lot of shoveling.
As a result, daycare was cancelled and I got BONUS TIME WITH MY BABY!! How cool is that?!?!
Here is a quick summary of our wonderful day:
First, you and I shopped for balloons to surprise Daddy when he went to work tonight. After we shared some yogurt and other breakfast foods we bundled up for our adventure at the Strong Museum. We had the WHOLE museum ALL TO OURSELVES. I counted 4 other kids in the whole place when we got there. They were having a Valentine’s Day celebration – a big doggie called “Biscuit” (much bigger than Mommy), many different games, special arts and crafts, and the coolest thing ever – the (REAL) post office was there. We decorated a postcard for Daddy and the post office woman put a stamp on it and postmarked it right then and there! This is how the museum described the day’s events:
14 Wednesday—Valentine’s Day Party, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s puppy love! Meet Biscuit, the beloved canine from the popular children’s books. Hear Biscuit’s Valentine’s Day and other tales of love at 11 a.m., 12 noon, and 1 p.m. Play special Valentine-themed games; create a Valentine’s Day collage; and have your face painted with hearts, puppies, bunnies, and more. Decorate a postcard for your sweetheart and have it stamped and mailed by the U.S. Post Office.
You wanted a heart “tatoo” but you couldn’t bring yourself to it… You wanted Mommy to get this one to see what it was like.
You played a game in which you threw small basketballs into a basket and amazed everyone. You have amazing coordination for your age! It was fun to watch you! I think you made 5 baskets out of 6 tries (maybe it was 6 out of 7). Impressive – better than I could’ve done.
We came home and had lunch. I had to go into work when you went down for your nap. When you woke up, you and your Daddy played with play dough, magnets and your new Valentine’s Day book. I came home and we all went out to play in the snow a bit. You and I giggled and giggled – and we went over to say Hey to our neighbor Susie. After dinner we opened our Valenine’s day box from Grandma and Grandpa Tatro, but we will have to wait until tomorrow to open the box from Grandma and Grandpa Luehmann as Daddy had to run off to work.
KO la Kok!
This was the wonderful pillow Grandma & Grandpa L sent you – you love it!
After dinner, you and I played upstairs and you made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. What a wonderful day!!
I love you my little Valentine!
“Maya had a lot of fun today. She was very tired for nap. She was jumping all around the downstairs muscle room. Maya was very cuddly with her teachers. She is a sweetheart.”
[I know.]
…sometimes I’m off-key when I sing”
These are words to a lulliby we listen to (and sing) each night. The song is a prayer in which Junior lists the occurances of his day with a chorus of “It’s really good to know how much You love me… Your love is with me all throughout my day!”
Every day you are growing taller, you have more wonderful words, you are doing new things – and testing those boundaries. : ) I really wouldn’t want it any other way!!
Let’s see… some of the new things you are doing:
* riding escalators (with Mommy or Daddy of course)
* sitting in big chairs (on your knees)
* enjoying the reading of bigger, longer books
* you say Hi! or Goodbye Everybody as you enter or leave a room
* laying on your back and blowing bubbles with your face in the water (not both at the same time) in the bathtub or swimming pool
* you empathize with others: when you see someone smiling, you say “mommy happy!” and you smile a huge smile
* greeting Macy and Jake by name (and sometimes with kisses) when you see them
* no lie, you can almost count to 10 (it’s kind of freaking your Dad and me out)
Tuesday night, you came to Gospel choir practice with me (because Daddy was working). You were SO incredibly sweet. You sat on my lap (or danced on my lap) most of the practice, kissing my cheeks, snuggling into my neck, rubbing my nose with yours, patting my legs or kcking your feet to the beat of the music. At one point, you got off my lap to stand in the middle of the floor (surrounded by the choir) and danced your little heart out!! You slapped your legs to the beat and directed the entire soprano section to join you! You bring SUCH joy to everyone you meet!
And I get to be your Mom – How do I rate?!?!
Okay, enough babble… I love you Peanut!
pictures to come, but here are some of the highlights:
Friday
* A surprise visit by Judi and Jim after work – you and I were sledding out front when Judi arrived.
Saturday
* A trip with Daddy to visit me at work, play at the library, and do a little grocery shopping
* After your nap on Saturday, a family swim at the YMCA
* Church – you and I sang
* Our friends Jen and Corey came over after chuch for pizza and play
Sunday
* Mommy and daughter breakfast
* Hanging out with Jimmiqua for lunch
* After nap, a Super Bowl visit with the Ball family (not that any of us cared, but the Indianapolis Colts won)
It’s something like 20 degrees below zero windchill right now! Schools are closing tomorrow. We are so blessed to be safe and sound and warm in our beds. Sleep well Peanut Butter…
Love you! *Mommy