A New Day

My nephew asked me today what it felt like to be a Mom. I told him it felt like I got to keep him and his sister for keeps. He then apologized..lol. Very funny Alan ;o) My niece and nephew spent many a summer day at our house when they were younger. It was a pleasure having them. Sort of a rent a kid arrangement. Bruce and I got to be totally silly for one week every summer. Going to kid movies, theme parks, eating kid food. But it wasn't all fun and games with Auntie Lee and Uncle Bruce... we had house rules which the kids happily followed. Right guys..lol

I still remember the morning soon after we had moved into our house. Amanda, Alan and Brandon spent the night with us as we had taken them to the local carnival. Amanda and Alan had already spent several days with us and Brandon had just joined us. That was the year of the ducks (read OH DUCKY) and so we had a duck coop in the yard. Anyway... Amanda and Alan knew before coming down to breakfast I expected them to wash, brush their teeth, comb their hair, dress and make their bed. Brandon had just come down stairs to join them and Alan asked him... Did you brush your teeth? Make your bed? You'd better or else you'll sleep in the duck coop. lol.. I had to chuckle silently as I did say in jest earlier that those were the rules. It's amazing what sticks in children's minds. The look on Brandon's face was priceless. I remembered this as the carnival is in town again this week and we will probably take Tamara. Although she really is too small for most if not all of the rides. I think she'd enjoy it... especially the cotton candy. And so I would like to Thank all our friends and relatives who loaned us their child / children so we could practice ;o) It was always fun for us and now that many of you have grown up a bit I can see that you the children cherish those days/ memories as much as we do.

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Tamara had a busy week this week. And she continues to amaze us. When Bruce pulled out his lawn tractor Tamara watched in amazement. When he finished she ran over and wanted to try it out? The amazing thing is she somehow knows about ignition keys and shifting? Huh? Where did she learn that? Weird.. but cute. No fear here yet.. she still can't reach the gas or break. Which reminds me... did I ever tell you the story about my one and only ride on the lawn tractor? Bruce wanted me to try it so I did. Only to find out the hard way I couldn't reach the break either...lol. Yeah... that video would have been worth a few bucks...lol. Needless to say.. after that it was definitely " a man's job" ;o) lol

Tamara trying out the lawn tractor.
This is what happens when your toddler goes on a string cheese binge. lol..

No Tamara... I think 3 is enough.. you'll ruin your dinner.

She's still too little to open the frig but she likes picking things out. Now she likes to take her sand pail to our 2nd frig and shops for snacks.. putting what she wants in her pail. Too cute.. I guess we need to get her a grocery store play set soon? It's just a matter of time before she wants a shopping cart with wheels. ;o)

The look of a string cheese stick addict.
Tamara had a play date this week with Morgan. Morgan is a few years older but very excited about Tamara's arrival. Here she pushes Tamara in the baby swing. Cute no?

Tamara had a wonderful time and later met Morgan's Daddy whom she seemed to like almost immediately. Bruce said it was after he introduced himself as Morgan's Daddy?

Tamara plays in the sand box. Her first experience with sand.
This week Tamara also transitioned over to the big girl bed which she loves. Mommy is of course a little nervous about it so she's surrounded by many many pillows.. just in case.

1st Night.. Big Girl bed.

All dressed and ready to go for a walk / stroller ride on an especially chilly morning. It's amazing how much stuff you can do before 9 am? Who Knew?
Cute.. huh?
Sitting on the front porch watching birdies with Mom.
A walk with Daddy... she loves it. So does Daddy.
So as you can see week # 2 was a success. Tamara is doing well and looks forward to every new experience... every new day. ;o)

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