Sunday, June 30, 2013

John 4:8

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 30, 2013 0 comments

Look at the little character on the left-hand side of the paper, above. Do you see the smiley face, hair and legs? I love how Katy's drawings have evolved from scribbles, to faces and now "people" with limbs and hair. :-)


"God Is Love," John 4:8

Katy got a good report in Sunday School, today. Her teacher specifically told Ted that Katy was so good that she got to get two prizes from the prize box! One for being the first to line up and the second for saying her Bible verse out loud. Saying her Bible Verse is a BIG win for Lil' Miss because she is typically resistant to doing so. YAYAY!

"N is for..."

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 30, 2013 0 comments
This summer, we've been really working with Katy to help her learn her letters. Yesterday, we were going through some of the letters. Ted or I would say, "A is for...." (etc.) and expect Katy to finish the sentence with a corresponding word.

Ted, "A is for..."
Katy, "... apple!"

Ted, "K is for..."
Katy, "... Katy!"

Ted, "N is for..."
Katy, "... gnocchi!"

Hahahaha! Ted and I were cracking up that of all the words Lil' Miss could have selected (right, or wrong) to go with the letter "N," she picked the word "gnocchi."

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Slip and Slide!

Posted by Heather at Saturday, June 29, 2013 0 comments

Slip, Sliding Away!

Earlier this summer, I purchased this off-name slip and slide on sale. With 90+ degree weather this past week, we decided to break it out and cool off. Even though the whole "sliding" part is lost on her, Katy had a ball jumping and running through the sprays of water!

Sentence of the Day- Dining Outside

Posted by Heather at Saturday, June 29, 2013 0 comments
We hosted playgroup, last Thursday. Before the other kiddos arrived, I set up Katy's plastic picnic table and small table and chairs (from her playroom) out in the back yard. Katy asked me what I was doing and I told her that she and her friends might eat their snack outside (they ended up not, due to the hot, muggy weather). Katy responded, "Oh, are we going to dine al fresco?"

Love that girl and her extensive vocabulary!

Good-Bye, Tree!

Posted by Heather at Saturday, June 29, 2013 0 comments

Before we moved in (February 2013)


After storm June 13, 2013


After Storm June 28, 2013

After a couple of nasty storms in our area recently, the tree in our front yard has finally fallen. It was a slow, painful death, but thanks to the help of some neighbors (and their chainsaw!), Ted was able to cut it down to a stump. Our front yard is now very sunny without the added shade of a tree.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Wordless Wednesday- Princess Palooza

Posted by Heather at Wednesday, June 26, 2013 0 comments

Sunday, June 23, 2013

You Make Me SMILE!

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 23, 2013 0 comments

Look at this picture. What do you see? Look closely...

At first, all I saw were typical Katy scribbles. Then, after closer inspection, I saw a smiley face! Eyes (with pupils!) and big, wide-open smile.

Do you see it, too?

Friday, June 21, 2013

Nuby Mommy Blogger- Children's Hangers

Posted by Heather at Friday, June 21, 2013 0 comments


Lil' Miss is a bit of a clothes horse. Always has been. I guess that's a hazard of having a little girl and I really only have myself to blame for her penchant for clothes- especially "Fancy Dresses," in her own words. That girl could wear a dress every day of the week!

To go along with her love of clothes, we go through a lot of hangers. You wouldn't think that hangers would be that big a deal, but in some cases- especially children's clothing- it is. You need to find a hanger sturdy enough to withstand the rough and tumble of children and small enough to fit the miniature dresses, shirts, pants, etc. of kid's clothing. In my opinion, the most important factor in finding an "ideal" children's hanger is one that keeps the closet looking neat and organized. I hate when straps fall off the hanger or things look haphazard in the closet. 

Enter in the Nuby Children's Hangers and you've got a winning combination. These sturdy, plastic hangers attach securely to the closet rod, don't have any sharp edges (that could cause snags in delicate clothing), and they have nice, wide grooves in the top to help secure clothes to the hanger (think summer sundresses). When I first chose to review the Nuby Children's Hangers, I was afraid that they would be too small for my daughter's 3T clothes. They are not. In order to make sure that the Nuby Children's Hangers were versatile, I also tested the hangers out with some of her old, outgrown infant clothing and they worked just as well. Best of all, Lil' Miss can easily use the hangers to hang up her own clothes, all by herself!

Here is what the Nuby website says about the Nuby Children's Hangers, "Adult hangers are usually too large for many of your baby's or small child's clothes. These smaller hangers are sized just right to fit those smaller garments without damaging their fabrics."
Would you like some Nuby Children's Hangers for your child's closet? You can purchase them at Baby Earth or Meijer.

Connect with Nuby at:


www.instagram.com/nubyusa


“I did not receive any compensation for this post, although as part of this program I may receive items to sample or review.”

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Auditory Learner

Posted by Heather at Wednesday, June 19, 2013 0 comments
So, I've been doing a little research lately about how Katy learns best and I've discovered that she is what would be classified as an "Auditory Learner." 

Here is what I found out about "Auditory Learners":

(Taken from www.Education.com)

Auditory Learners Usually:

  • Enjoy talking. (Um, hello, she's been talking non-stop since she was born!!)
  • Talk aloud to themselves. (I often find Katy in the playroom talking out loud between her dolls/Barbies.)
  • Like explaining things to others.
  • Remember names. (Katy knows the large, Petruzzi web of the family better than Ted does. She knows which family members belong with whom.).
  • Recognize variations in a person’s tone of voice. (We've often noticed that Katy is very empathetic. While watching a movie, she is often effected by the actors' words and inflection.)
  • Understand concepts better by talking about them.
  • Are distracted by background noise.
  • Like being read to. (This is evidenced by the mountain of books sitting next to her bed and her complete library of books in her playroom).
  • Memorize things by repeating them aloud.
  • Enjoy music. (Does she ever!)
  • Hum or sing often.
  • Like being around other people. (Katy is definitely a social butterfly and would much rather be in a crowd of people, than on her own.)
  • Enjoy the performing arts. (Ballet, Broadway Shows- that girl loves to watch a good performance!)
Knowing that Lil' Miss learns best by hearing and listening, makes a whole lot of things clearer. It also helps me understand how best to reach her, teach her and discipline her. And, even when I think that she's not listening to me and/or paying attention, I know for a fact that she most definitely hears me (whether or not she acknowledges)!

(Taken from www.Education.com)

Teach reading (or, anything for that matter) by having your child:

  • Use the phonetic approach.
  • Use rhyming word games. (Katy has been good at rhyming words since a very young age. Even if the "words" aren't actual "words," she is very good at rhyming sounds.)
  • Read aloud, even when reading independently.
Who knew that two predominantly visual learners, such as Ted and myself could produce such a strongly auditory learner?!

"Baby Take a Bow"

Posted by Heather at Wednesday, June 19, 2013 0 comments
"Everybody's asking me..."


"Who's that bunch of personality..."



"I'm presenting you right now..."


"Baby take a bow."

Prima Ballerina- Katy's First Ballet Class

Posted by Heather at Wednesday, June 19, 2013 0 comments

Our Little Prima Ballerina

Yesterday, Katy attended her first ballet class at Miss Donna's School of Dance (Harrisburg).

She was SOOOOO EXCITED!!!

Katy was dressed in her leotard and tutu by two PM (the class didn't start until six PM). She walked right into the studio once we got there and even spoke loud enough to tell the teacher teachers, Ms. Connie and Ms. Neely, her name without prompting (This is a big deal for us! Our usually talkative, chatty Lil' Miss tends to clam up when meeting new people and/or talking to adults she is unfamiliar with).

HOWEVER, once the studio doors were closed and Katy realized that I was gone.... well, suffice it to say that all of Harrisburg heard her wailing, "I.WANT.MOMMY!!!" I can't say for sure how the lesson went, but I do know that she did stop crying shortly after our initial separation.

At the end of the lesson, all of the parents were allowed into the studio to watch the girls dance the routine that they had just learned. Ms. Connie actually picked Katy out of the crowd and said that she was a pretty good dancer (when she wanted to be). Of course, Katy did very little dancing while the parents observed *sigh* (stage fright?).

Oh well! I still think she had fun and enjoyed herself!

Wordless Wednesday- Tango!

Posted by Heather at Wednesday, June 19, 2013 0 comments

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Gangnam Style

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 16, 2013 0 comments
"Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style..."


"...Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style..."


"...Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is Gangnam style..."


"...Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh..."


"...Oppa is Gangnam style..."

*While we were at the baseball game, last Friday, the song, 'Gangman Style' came on. Immediately, Katy started dancing and grooving. I don't think she's even heard the song, before. Yet, as soon as the song started, she was moving and grooving like PSY and the best of them. Ha!

Sentence of the Day- Father's Day Card

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 16, 2013 0 comments
For Father's Day, this year, Katy made a card for Ted. She scrawled some scribbles on the inside and said that it was her "note" to Daddy. When Ted asked her to translate, Katy told him that the scribbles said, "Dear, love you, Daddy. I love you every morning but I don't like you at night (when you put me to bed). Love, Katy."

Well, at least she's truthful....

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame..."

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 16, 2013 0 comments
"Take me out with the crowd..."


"Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks..."


"I don't care if I never come back..."


"For it's one, two, three strikes you're out.... at the old ball game!"

This past Friday was Lionel night at the Kannapolis Intimdators (Minor League Baseball). So, we joined Ted's co-workers for a little cook-out and some baseball. It was the Kannapolis Intimidators vs. the Rome Bears. While I couldn't tell you which team won, I can tell you that we all enjoyed our night out. Katy especially had fun running after the "big kids" and playing on the playground.

Happy Father's Day 2013

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 16, 2013 0 comments

"Happy Father's Day, Daddy!"


"Here's to all the happy times..."


"Here's to all the silly times..."


"...and all the "fun-due" times! Happy Father's Day, 2013!"

Happy Father's Day 2013- All About Daddy Questionnaire

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 16, 2013 0 comments
Happy Father's Day, Ted! Here's to the all-nighters, the good times, the trying times and all of the times in between. Thanks for being such a good father!

Here is the second installment of the All Things Katy! Father's Day questionnaire.

Me, "How old is Daddy?"
Katy, "I don't know but I'm going to be four on my next birthday."

Me, "What is Daddy's full name?"
Katy, "Daddy."

Me, "What is Daddy's favorite food?"
Katy, "Peanut Butter and Jelly, Omelettes and he likes what I like."

Me, "What is Daddy's favorite color?"
Katy, "Green- Like Kermit."

Me, "What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?"
Katy, "Have a Katy/Daddy Date. We go to the wing place. And we play wild games."

Me, "What is Daddy's favorite song?"
Katy, "He likes, 'Whole wide world in the palm of my hands....'" (song from latest Muppet Movie. For the record, she hasn't heard that song for several months).

Me, "What is Daddy's favorite movie?"
Katy, "Muppets. Anything Muppets."


Also, here are a couple of new questions for this year;

Me, "Who is Daddy married to?"
Katy, "You (pointing to me)."

Me, "What is Daddy really good at?"
Katy, "Mowing the lawn."
Me, "Anything else?"
Katy, "Nope. Just mowing."

Me, "What is Daddy's job?"
Katy, "Working at work. Doing the dishes." (Katy later told me that, "Daddy works at Lionel. He plays with trains and cars.")

Me, "What makes Daddy happy?"
Katy, "Sleep. And prayers."

Me, "How tall is Daddy?"
Katy, "Big- not like you, Mommy- you're a pop shorty."

Friday, June 14, 2013

Stormy Weather

Posted by Heather at Friday, June 14, 2013 0 comments

Timber!


Bad day to be a tree...



Anybody need firewood?

A bad storm ripped through town, last night. I was in the midst of cooking dinner, waiting for Ted to get home from work, when all of a sudden, the sky turned black and it started pouring. I looked out the window (to the back yard) only to see one of our patio chairs fly into the potted herb garden and the tree branches flying horizontal to the ground. Yikes! (I later read that 70mph winds ripped through the area, causing widespread power outages and many downed trees).

Then, I heard a funny sound from the front yard and I went to investigate. It was a very large  limb from the tree in our front yard falling into the street (effectively blocking the road). Of course, at this point, it was still pretty bad weather-wise (thunder, rain, lightening), so there was no way I was going out in that storm to try and attempt to move it from the street to the yard! (Not that I could have really done much since it was a very large branch- pretty much half of the tree!)

After Ted got home and after the storm had subsided, a group of about eight of our male neighbors went from house to house helping each other clear the tree limbs from off of houses, cars and the street. Our poor neighbors across the street were on vacation and their tree fell onto their next door neighbor's house.

When I walked outside after the storm and looked down our street, it seriously looked like a hurricane (the real kind, not the figurative "my child is a mess" kind) had ripped through our neighborhood. About every other house either lost some tree limbs or bushes. Random trash littered  yards and the street (because, of course, Friday is trash day). It was definitely a bit surreal.

Everything is fine, now, and we were safe throughout the storm itself. The best thing we learned from the ordeal, though, is that we have some really great neighbors! Neighbors that pitch in and help out- we really do love our new neighborhood. :-)

Nuby Mommy Blogger- Booster Seat

Posted by Heather at Friday, June 14, 2013 0 comments


One of the items that we got to review for the Nuby Mommy Blogger program was the Nuby Booster Seat. While Lil' Miss has long-ago given up any sort of high chair and/or youth seat (She's a very strong-willed, independent three year old), I thought that she might get some use out of the Nuby Booster Seat.

Let's start off with the positive. The Nuby Booster Seat comes in a variety of colors, but we were lucky enough to receive a pink one to review (Lil' Miss is crazy about the color pink!). I liked the fact that the Nuby Booster Seat can hold up to 65 lbs. That should last the average child a good, long while.

And that is where the positive ends. I really, really wanted to like the Nuby Booster Seat. Originally, the seat was shipped to me without the safety straps. I inquired about the missing straps and ones were sent to me, pronto (Thank you)! 

My biggest frustration with the Nuby Booster Seat, though, were the directions for the safety straps. The directions were vague and unhelpful. The directions instructed the user to "thread the adult straps through the bottom." That's it. It didn't instruct if you were to thread them front to back or side to side. I tried both and neither seemed 100%. If you thread one strap side to side in the back of the booster, the straps lay funny on the sides. If you thread one of the straps front to back, the straps lay funny in the front (since the hole is on the side of the seat and not on the front where it could potentially lay flat). I looked at the one small picture on the seat label for direction, but found no assistance on how to thread the adult straps. Second, after threading the adult straps through the bottom, there were no instructions on how to thread the ends of the straps through the closure in order to make sure that you have a tight, secure fit. I tired several different ways and all of them seemed to "slip" loose when buckled. In all honesty, I just kind of wished everything had been pre-threaded upon receiving because whatever I ended up with did not seem secure. 

Another disappointment was the fact that because of the chairs wide base and flat, rigid bottom, the Nuby Booster Seat is really only suited for a specific type of chair- none of which we had in our house. The base of the Nuby Booster Seat is approximately 14 1/2" x 14 1/2". So, whatever chair you adhere the Nuby Booster Seat to, has to be bigger than that. Also, keep in mind that the chair needs to be completely flat, in order for the Nuby Booster Seat to sit right on the chair. The back of your chair cannot be too curved, either, or the back of the Nuby Booster Seat won't fit properly.

So, in conclusion, the Nuby Booster Seat has been relegated to the playroom, to be used with Lil' Miss' dolls. Clearer, concise directions (maybe even some diagrams) would have made the Nuby Booster Seat a much better product (and would have resulted in a more positive review).

Here is what the Nuby website has to say about the Nuby Booster Seat, "The Nûby™ Booster Seat is safe, durable and strong. It features a wide sturdy base, and subtle contours that are comfortable and stylish. It comes equipped with safety straps that can be attached to most chairs. Holds up to 65 pounds!"

*Child must be able to sit up unsupported *Colors may vary
The Nuby Booster Seat can be found at www.buybabydirect.com
Connect with Nuby at:

www.instagram.com/nubyusa


“I did not receive any compensation for this post, although as part of this program I may receive items to sample or review.”

Friday, June 7, 2013

Nuby Mommy Blogger- Tub Time Turtle™

Posted by Heather at Friday, June 07, 2013 0 comments


June is here and it's the perfect weather to go to our community pool! The very first time Lil' Miss and I went to the pool, back in May, I realized upon entering the shallow end, that I had had a "Mommy fail." I failed to bring any toys for Lil' Miss to play with and every other kid in the pool had something/toy to play with. I didn't make THAT mistake, twice!

So, when I got the chance to review the Nuby Tub Time Turtle™ for the Nuby Mommy Blogger program, I thought it would be the perfect pool toy for Lil' Miss! The turtle floats on it's own. So, there is no worry of it sinking to the deep, dark abyss. The holes in the bottom make for some fun waterfall play. I wouldn't say that the Nuby Tub Time Turtle™ is new and revolutionary (as far as tub/pool toys go), but it did succeed in entertaining Lil' Miss for a good while.

Here is what the Nuby website says about the product, "Nuby’s new Tub Time Turtle™ is another fun and interactive bath time toy from Nûby™. Tub Time Turtle™ floats on the water’s surface so it is always within easy reach. Lift Tub Time Turtle™ out of the water to experience waterfall fun!"

Would you like a Nuby Tub Time Turtle™ of your own? You can purchase it at Amazon, Cookie's, Buy Baby Direct, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com, Tuesday Morning and Bealls.

Connect with Nuby at:

www.instagram.com/nubyusa

“I did not receive any compensation for this post, although as part of this program I may receive items to sample or review.”

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Wordless Wednesday- Wawa's

Posted by Heather at Wednesday, June 05, 2013 0 comments

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Sentence of the Day- Checking up on Mommy

Posted by Heather at Tuesday, June 04, 2013 0 comments
This morning, I left Katy in the kitchen to finish her breakfast while I went upstairs to get ready for the day. I'm in the midst of brushing my teeth when Katy comes barging into our bathroom.

She loudly announces, "Mommy- you okay?! You were being too quiet. I had to come up and check on you."

Can you tell I've used that phrase, before? Maybe just once, twice... or a couple million times....:-P

Monday, June 3, 2013

Mismatched Socks

Posted by Heather at Monday, June 03, 2013 0 comments

Lil' Miss got herself dressed, this morning- right down to the mismatched socks and shoes. When I pointed out that her socks didn't match, Katy told me, "But they both have Minnie on them!" True enough and out the door to Target we went. :-)

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Kinetic Church- Life Groups Olympics

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 02, 2013 0 comments

Love our Life Group!


Frozen T-shirt challenge- We Won!

This afternoon was the first Small Group Olympics for our church, Kinetic-Church-Soon-To-Be-Renamed. For our not-so-competitive group, we held our own, even managing to win the "Frozen T-shirt" challenge (frozen t-shirt, must thaw enough to wear- first one to do so, wins). Mostly, though, the Olympics was a chance for our church to get together and have some fun.

We did have fun and I have to say, I love spending time with our church family- serious, funny, friendly competition, we run the gamete!

Sentence of the Day- Eight Glasses a Day

Posted by Heather at Sunday, June 02, 2013 0 comments
Yesterday was a scorcher- 90 degrees! In the afternoon, Katy came up to me with a water bottle and offered me a sip of water. I declined and Katy admonished, "But Mommy! You need to stay hydrated!!"

Yes, ma'am!!
 

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