We're still alive...

I know how annoying it is to check someone's blog and see that they haven't updated regularly. Sorry I've been one of those people these past two weeks. I don't know how people with full time jobs manage to keep up. My part-time position as a PAT educator is sucking the life out of me. Of course, I know it will be better next year once I have my 40+ lessons organized and have a better idea about the flow of the curriculum. But right now, I'm making homemade toys every chance I get, doing paperwork, calling and scheduling appointments, going on home visits, and trying to memorize all the brain research that goes with each age group and the rationale for the activity I bring them.

Most of the families I visit are doing well, but I did get a CRAZY family yesterday... I 'll spare you the details, but let me just say, Supernanny would have her work cut out for her with this family. In fact, I don't even think she'd go into their home b/c she seems to work more with affluent families and this family is no where near comfortable (of course, they do have a huge TV that probably costs as much as a car, but no car---go figure). Very different from my upbringing, but I'm sure God has placed me in this position for a reason. For the most part, I love my job and I feel like I'm doing a great service for the families I see.

Anyway, enough blabbing (I just had to vent). On to Addie Sue.

Micah wanted me to share that Addie is now:

• counting to 100,
  
• tying her shoes,
• is completely potty trained,
  
• demonstrating a knowledge of simple multiplication,
  
• and running in a 5K this weekend.

Can you believe it? She's soooo advanced!

Okay, so maybe we're fibbing ...A LOT. She isn't doing all these things, but she is doing well. Her vocabulary is getting bigger everyday. She's really into pointing to people and saying their names, but she's still having trouble with telling us who she is.













Signing "fish"- She is still signing a majority of the time while she says the word.














Addie reading Epa's newspaper.













Putting her shoes on her baby

This child has adjusted to childcare just like we thought she would. She loves to go to Mandy's and see Kylar and Josie. She runs in the door, waves bye-bye and she's off. Most days I do get a kiss, but yesterday, I was out of luck. She isn't sleeping very well there, however. At home I can still get two really good naps out of her. But there, she seems to only be getting one mediocre nap. At least I know she's being well cared for.

Some of Addie's favorite activities are:

• Playing pretend with her kitchen...she's pretty good cook
• pushing her stroller around the house
• putting on her shoes
• playing outside in sandbox (or pushing her stroller)
• reading books
• dancing
• using Daddy as an indoor slide

• and helping Mommy wash dishes

This "Kiss" is for you...hope you're having a great day:

Labor Day Weekend

Grandma Gigi and Papa came in town to spend the weekend with us. We went to Santa-Cali-gon and the Renaissance Festival. It was a busy weekend. Addie had fun spending time with Gigi and Papa.

We have some good news & some bad news.

The good news is: Addie now drinks milk! She just decided last Sunday that milk is good. We didn't have to force her to drink it at all. We're very happy about this new development.

The bad news is: Addie is trying to climb out of her crib! She's perched on the very end when we go in to get her and she looks like she's going to fall on her head. We've told her no, but it hasn't worked (imagine that!). Instead, she just tells herself, "no, no" & shakes her head...while she's trying to climb out. So now, it appears that she will be getting a toddler bed soon. I'm really bummed b/c I don't want to deal with keeping her in bed in the middle of the night or finding her climbing her bookcase instead of napping. It's just a matter of time once she is introduced to the new bed.

However, if this is the worst of my problems, I'll gladly take it. She's just a riot. We have so much fun with her!



Addie in her beautiful dress her Grandma Gigi got her.


Addie and Aunt Debbie giving each other "cheers'!


Addie looking in a window.



Checking out the queens' beautiful beads.


She did the same thing last year too!


With her cousin Aaron, the page to the queen in the festival (He's got connections).


Addie with her cousin Andrew.


The beautiful fairy...with her tongue out, as always.


Walking with Papa and Daddy at Santa-Cali-gon.

With her Gigi and Papa.



Does anyone else have problems with their photos resizing once you've published? These photos look weird shaped and smaller than they were when I first posted them. :(