A Summer To Remember...

Dear Sweet Peanut,

As our summer is coming to a close I wanted to share with you how much it's meant to me to be able to spend each day of this summer with you. I am the luckiest mommy in the world because I'm greeted each morning with your cute little smile and your excitement for what the day may bring. When you are big enough to read this letter you may think I'm silly for writing it at all... However silly it may be you need to know how fun you (were) are at 17,18,19,20 months old. Not all mamas have the opportunity to stay home from work for three whole months, but I do and it is a wonderful perk of being a teacher...remember that when you are heading off to Harvard... (heehee, this is a funny because daddy and I want you to pick OU of course!) Education is the way to go!!

As excited as you were to see me come into your room each one of these summer mornings, I was as excited if not more to scoop you up and snuggle up to your little neck...smell your baby shampoo and laugh at the silly things you'd say while I'd change your diapers... The adventure didn't stop there, next was breakfast---and then we'd get dressed and head off to see the world. Some days we'd go to the zoo, others the park or to COSI and still-others were a simple trip to Giant Eagle ("eagle"-you know it by name) to Target ("Ball, Ball" because of the big red balls outside the doors) or to the Library ("book,book!") It didn't matter what we did, because the two of us could have fun anywhere! A summer of sweet firsts, adventures for the ages and a language all our own. A summer I will never forget! I love you, Peanut...and as I hate for the summer to end I can't wait for another to begin....

I'll love you forever and always....

Mama

Very busy...but having so much fun!!!

Wow! We have had a very busy end of July and start to August. We have had a few dates with some of my ex-second graders/almost 3rd graders. We've driven to North Carolina to visit Great Grandpa and Wimsey and continued to South Carolina to visit Grandpa and YaYa along with some of our very dear friends we met while living in SC. First our date...We went to a living farm with my ex students Chloe and Allyson and Allyson's little sister Audrey who is just 6months older than Annabelle. We had a great time! Annabelle is so into her farm animals right now so seeing them first hand was a big thrill. It was also very fun visiting with my old students.

The next morning we got up at 4am and started our drive to North Carolina! Annabelle didn't sleep much but was an excellent car rider! To get to Grandpa and Wimseys you have to get off the beaten path and drive on curvy, but beautiful country roads. AB was looking out of the window spotting cows and horses. "Moo, Moo! Moo, Moo!" "Horsey, Horsey, Horsey, Horsey!!" While in NC we went to the mountain next to Grandpa's house-Grandfather MT. There we were able to see the native animals in their nature habitat. Very cool! We saw some bear, deer, bald eagle and otters (who were hiding while we were there) After checking out the animals we went to the tip top of the mountain to check out the view! Amazing.

After two nights in NC we went on to SC. It was a very fun week in Florence. It did rain quite a bit while we were there, but that didn't stop us from getting out to visit some of our friends. Annabelle went to Royall to see her Mommy's old room and to meet all of her teacher friends. It was fun to see her running through the halls! I am kicking myself because I didn't get a single picture while we were there. This is the day AB uttered her first "why? Why? WHY?" which she has continued to say. This phrase while on vacation lead to the next, "NO WAY!" It was a fun relaxing time!

Because I treat this as my 'baby book' as well has a blog for others I have to record some of the cute things AB has been saying this summer, because if I don't write them down I'll forget.

Moo,Moo -Cow or Farm Animals DVD

Eee, Eee- Monkey or Head Shoulders Knees and Toes DVD

Tekie-any cat or her Words Around the House DVD (Teke is the name of our cat)

Nick- Drink (confused us at first...wondering how she had learned Daddy's name...lol)

ciggle- Wiggles DVD

cicle- Popsicle or Motorcycle or bike

fassy- French Fry

We are fake sneezing and then saying "bless you, Mama (or whoever she's with)

AB tells our dog Sahara "RaRa" what to do.... "Down RaRa, RaRa Walk, Comere (Come Here) RaRa!" And when RaRa does what she's asking she says "Good Girl RaRa!" This good girl also aplys to anyone who is "nice" She has been known to say "good girl Mama" and even "good girl Dada!" lol

We have completed our first three word sentences while asking for different types of food.

"More cookie please" (signing and saying the words more and please)

"More cracker please" and so on!

There are many more but I'm going to stop for now!