Oops!

I know I have not posted in a while, and I am feeling a little guilty about that. I expect activities to calm down in the next 2 weeks, so I will be able to catch-up, I hope. I do want to be ready for the holiday craziness, or should I say the 'busy'ness of the holiday time.

Check back soon,
Blessings,
Julie :)

Vocabulary Stew

Vocabulary stew, vocabulary stew...I don't know if you are familiar with this children's song, but it is very fitting for a certain four-year-old in our house who likes to use big words. Here is just a sampling:

Last week, when we were outside, her (invisible) bat, Batwing, was flying around the backyard. Sydnie gave me updates of his flight path so I would know exactly where to look to see his flight tricks. She then informed me that "bats use echolocation to keep from bumping into things. So that tree branch won't be a problem for him". During the same conversation, she looked up at the moon and commented, "the moon is waxing" .

She makes "preparations" for picnics. Her classroom is "amazing"! I am wearing my "multiple" sandals. (That would be the sandals with multiple colored straps.)

Of course, now that I am finally getting to write them down, I can't remember them all. Next time, I'll jot them down as I go along.

Enjoy your own "vocabulary stew"

What Next!!??

Saturday. It began as any other day in the Covington home. In fact, most of the day was a fairly normal day, except the child. She woke with an attitude that only worsened during the day. Naps usually help the attitude greatly, however, this was not to be a nap day. It was a quiet time then quiet play day instead. So now the stage is set: Attitude is primed, claws are easily shown, and Sydnie is restless.

Act 1: I went out to pick up some dinner (I was really not in the mood to cook) and was greeted with "Tell Mommy what you did". That's never an encouraging greeting, but especially after one of these kinds of days. To make a longer story shorter, Sydnie had for some reason decided to hang from the curtains. Yes, you read that correctly. She hung from the curtains hanging in our room. She bent the holders and it was being pulled out of the wall when, I am guessing, Tim found her and stopped her acrobatic stunt.

Act 2: The punishment was a spanking. Some things you can't play around with and we don't want to see her hanging from the ceiling fan next weekend. Of course, the tears began before the spanking.

Closing: Tim was able to straighten everything out again and Syd appeared to have remorse. We finally did eat, though it probably didn't taste as good as it might have. I am wondering what will be next. I know there will be a "next". I hope and pray Tim and I are prepared!

Growing Up...part 2

My last post was about "the most handsome man" Sydnie had seen. Thanks to a good friend I can name the mystery man. Thanks Shannon, yes it was Laurence Olivier.

Another snip-it of growing up...

On the way home from errands last week Sydnie was putting on and pulling off her 'Priority Mail' stickers from her leg. Suddenly she squealed, "Mom, Mom, I'm old enough! I have hair on my legs. I'm finally old enough to have hair on my legs!" Something tells me in a few years she won't be quite so excited about that fact.

Happy July 4th!

I attended my first tea party on the 4th. It was not a dainty tea party with cucumber sandwiches, but a political Tea Party to give information about the state of affairs of bills, Congress, and other political events on the Capital grounds. I have much information to sort through, but it seems our Congressmen will be hearing from me again, and again, and again. They don't seem to understand their jobs anymore, so I think we, as American citizens, need to remind them exactly what the phrase, "of the people, for the people, by the people" means and has not been forgotten.

I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday. May you enjoy and appreciate the peace and freedom you have been given by the sacrifices of others. Never forget...

Growing Up

A few snippits to share about growing up...

A couple of days ago, I sat down on the couch about 5:00 and was looking for something more appropriate on TV. Sydnie was ready to watch something and I was about to fix dinner. I came across an old black and white movie of Pride and Prejudice. I loved the book, so I thought I would see the last 15 minutes. That's not asking too much during the day, I hope. Anyway, Syd asked if it was "appropriate" for her to see it, and curled up next to me on the couch. We were watching the scene when Mrs. DeBurgh confronts Elizabeth about rumors concernin Darcy and their engagement. Mrs. D is not happy with the outcome of the discourse and leaves. Darcy is waiting outside, they have an exchange and he goes inside to speak to Elizabeth (yes, it is a little different from the book, but aren't most?). When the camera shows Darcy, Syd, who is now sitting on me, says, "He's the most handsome man I've ever seen." in the most serious, grown-up way. I just looked at her, dumbfounded. At the scene in which Darcy is in the house and has taken off his cloak and wearing tails (period clothing of course) she again says, "He really is the most handsome man I've ever seen." I wasn't able to see the credits, so unfortunately, I won't be able to tell you the name of the "most handsome man". Forgive me.

Last night on the way home from church Sydnie and Tim were kidding with each other about everything. We noticed, each new conversation, Syd always stuck in a last comment. This wasn't the first, at all, but we are noticing it more often. Tim finally mentioned to her that she needed to have the last word. After explaining that phrase, she did indeed have the last word, on EVERYTHING. I think it's time to begin saving for law school.

"Mom, I'll be 5 in 4 months!"
"Dad, I'm almost 5!"
"Well, I can't do that...I'm only 4."
"I can to that when I'm 5."

It seems that Sydnie can only do certain things when she is five, but can't do them at four, and visa versa. I wonder how we merge those ideas????

Have a great day!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you......This afternoon we went to the production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I have taken to Syd to plays for children and she loved them all, but this was our first time to go as a family to a live theater production, not written and produced solely for children. She was excellent and had a great time! Whew! Nutcracker...here we come.

The play was based on the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, not the original story by Ian FLeming. In the story, which we have listened to countless times, the children are kidnapped and rescued by Chitty. Not knowing which version we would see, I tried to prepare Syd for the differences without scaring her, however, I did have to take her out during the "childcatcher" scene. She was enthralled with everything else, laughing and clapping with the audience. Chitty was great and the effects were better than I expected; Tim actually didn't dislike the play as much as he anticipated, either. (He has been burned by too many viewings of the Nutcracker.) He was a great sport and we really had a great time.

If you see it, I will caution, be prepared for some adult humor. I think we missed some that followed the "scary scene" for which I am thankful. Why can't they produce a good family show without having to add stuff for the 'adults'?

Right now, Syd is in bed singing the song about Chitty and I don't anticipate it stopping very shortly...glad we saw the matinee.

A Great Visit

Aunt Linnette visited us this past weekend. We had a great visit, even though it was a short one. Unfortunately, Uncle Rod wasn't able to come this time. We have missed them and are grateful for such good friends!

We took a walk around the lake in our neighborhood. It was quite a windy day!

Don't forget your good friends. They always enjoy hearing from you. Until next time (when I will try to fill in some gaps I missed).

WOW! We are progressing...

I have to let you know that in our battles with Sydnie, I am seeing progress...at least in one in particular. The weather today was beautiful. Sunny and warm. As always for school days, I picked out a couple of outfits for Sydnie to choose what she wanted to wear. I find this is the only way to get her to wear something other than play clothes. Anyway, today, since the temperature was forecasted to be in the 80s, I picked out 3 different skort outfits. (skirts with shorts connected underneath). She picked one, with only a little discussion and NO argument...what a happy beginning to the day. This afternoon as she was playing in her room, I went in to put something away, and she said, "I like wearing skorts. They really aren't so bad." I could have fainted. To most, this seems very silly and we must have quite a boring life if I must blog the day we wear a skort willingly. However, such is not the case, at least not in our lives. Since Sydnie was 2 she has been VERY opinionated regarding the clothing she would and would not wear. She went through a period of wearing skirts, dresses and skorts, and then it all came to a stop...until today. Dresses are still not high on the list, but the battles have proven to work. The war is not lost in the clothing department. Not yet, anyway :)

Food for thought: As you look in your closet tomorrow morning, think carefully what you pick out. I can guarantee there will be a little person somewhere who will ask her Mom, "If she can wear it, why can't I?"

Western Wear Day

Today was Sydnie's "Western Wear Day" at preschool. I actually think it was 'Western Day' but she added wear, since everyone was to wear western clothes. It makes sense. She was soooo excited about it, she woke up at 6:15 and every time I directed her in completing tasks, she said, "I can't, Mom. I'll be late for school." We did leave a little earlier and she had a fun day. They learned to bow and curtsy in PE, I am guessing for the square dances. Can you picture 4-year-olds trying to do a square dance??? I bet it was cute! Anyway, I have a couple of pictures of her decked in her western wear...thanks Nana and Aunt Stephie for the box of clothes which had the perfect shirt for the day!!

NEWS FLASH

Sydnie may have the discovered a cure for Hydrococaufofathis last night! Hydro... is the illness which causes coughing spells in small stuffed rabbits, jaguars, dogs, or any other well-loved animal. Dr. Sydnie concocted a mixture of crocodile mix, fish mix, flour and eggs which may have saved Bitty Bunny! She also tried a mixture of crocodile eggs, fish eggs and flour. (Both make a type of soup.)

As important as this medical discovery is to small stuffed animals everywhere, I couldn't keep it a secret! I hope your animals never need it, but if they do, you are armed and ready.

Good Health to all!!!

(No we didn't actually mix anything this time; I was able to talk her into pretend ingredients, thank goodness, but we did have quite a bit of excitement!)

Funny Sayings

I really should keep a miniature voice recorder handy for all times. I think, I won't forget that...but I do.

In the bath the other night, Sydnie was rubbing the soap on her legs to make "her skin skinny".

She was trying to get Daddy to do something, but he wasn't quite into her play, so I told her to say, "Please, just humor me, Dad." So she said, "Just humoree, Dad. What's that?!"

Weighing rocks (Syd is really into studying rocks lately) she put them on the kitchen scale and said, "Wow, Mom, that rock is 1 inch heavy!" Of course, it was about 1 ounce in weight. We're working on that concept.

There were many more I was planning to pass along, but unfortunately, they have gone to the Land of Words, never to be brought back again. (Since I don't think I'll remember them any time soon.)

Lasagna Recipe

Here is the Lasagna Recipe that has been awaited for soooo long. Sorry it took so long. I hope I remembered everything :)

Spinach Lasagna

Lasagna noodles (may be regular, gluten free, or no boil) about 1 box
1 chopped onion
1 TBS oil
2 lbs. ground meat ( I used 1lb ground beef and 1lb ground sausage)
2 eggs
2 boxes frozen spinach, thawed and drained
3 c ricotta or cottage cheese
2c tomatoes (1 can)
2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste
2 TBS parsley
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated

Heat skillet and cook onion and oil, add ground meat. Drain and add tomatoes and tomato paste and salt. Combine remain ingredients, except mozzarella cheese, in a blender until smooth, layer noodles, meat sauce, spinach mixture and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Bake for about 30 minutes. (Mine took closer to 45 minutes.)

The spinach may be removed easily for just a meat lasagna.

Enjoy!!

Muffin Recipe

I am adding a recipe, just because it is pretty good and finding good gluten free recipes isn't always that easy. I know, I still need to send out a lasagna recipe, so I'll look it up and post it next.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins

3 eggs
5TBS. Brown Sugar
1TBS. oil
1/4 tsp. vanilla (I use a little more)
1/4 c. peanut butter (cashew butter works as well)
1/4 c. coconut flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt (I don't always remember this)
1/4 c. chocolate chips

Mix the wet ingredients, add peanut butter until well blended. A whisk works just as well as a mixer without the extra mess. Sift the flour and baking powder and add to wet ingredients. Add chocolate chips. Mix well and add to 6 lined muffin cups. Bake in pre-heated 400 degree oven for 13-15 minutes.

It's filling and really not bad :)
Enjoy!

"My Twin"

Yes, you read the title correctly. Sydnie received a "twin" doll for Christmas from Nana and Pa. It has long curly hair, blue eyes, basically it looks like her-her twin. Well for the last several days Sydnie and her twin have been inseperable. She has gone to the store with us, to school to say goodbye, the playground. Everywhere that Syd can carry her. I noticed with her playing with her "twin" so much lately, I am having to do a double take when I see the "twin" in different places. It has been fun to watch and listen to Syd talk to and take care of her "twin". Truly a sweet exchange.

Valentine Party

Sydnie's Valentine party was her first at her new preschool. She was soooo excited! When I arrived Ms. Amy was reading an Arthur Valentine story. The children were all sitting around the tables listening, or rather wondering when they could dig into their treats. I was very impressed how controlled and patient they were. After the story they handed out their treats to each other and took a few minutes to look through their Valentine bags. What a fun day!!

Quick stories

Sydnie, our in-house comdian, shared these stories with us:

Mom! When the President is pregnant there is a new Build-a-Bear Dog coming out! Is he out yet?

I don't know anything about that Syd, I can't answer your question. (As I try to look serious and not burst out laughing.)

A weather report while playing outside:
Mom, there is a storm coming. It's headed east or west; something to do with the sun. I'll tell you if it changes.

Thanks for the report.

A few minutes later:
Mom, the storm is still coming. We'll have to close all the windows when I come in to stay dry.

We'll do.

I have some precious pictures that I won't post of Sydnie washing off her bike. You've heard of the topless carwashes? Well, yesterday she was the owner and operator of the "bottomless" bike wash. She sat in mud and water and decided it was not feeling good on her bottom, so she matters into her own hands and solved that problem. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Yes, I did take her some dry clothes so her bike wash was more reputable.

Through the eyes of a child....Enjoy your day.

School IS Good

Well, we finally found a preschool for Sydnie. Thank goodness!! We are visiting at Mesquite church of Christ, which has a day school Tuesday and Thursday. They had an opening, we took it. She was so VERY excited she wore her new sling backpack all day-the day before school and woke very early the morning of school. Needless to say, she had tons of fun and was exhausted when she got home. The school is 9-2, so it's a little longer than what she was used to. Yesterday, I heard her singing a song she made up, which she does often, about school. It goes to "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and the words are: "I love to go to school, go to school, go to school. I love to go to school. It is so delightful" She began singing another verse, but I couldn't hear it, so we'll just have to imagine the words.

Today was her second school day. She was dazed on the drive home, but wouldn't admit she was tired. She fell asleep on her bed...wonder when I should try to wake her???