Logie and Momma's Night O' Fun!

I'm always trying to find things for us to do so that we are not parked in front of the television. Tonight, the crafter in me wanted to think of something that was fun, productive, and creative. I got online and looked for edible projects. I found a recipe for pudding paint. Logann and I made a batch of banana pudding. Then, she chose the colors, and we mixed up our paints. I think she was a little shocked when I sat her down at the table with no paint brush. She just sat there with the paints and looked at me. She finally said, "I use my fingers?" It took her a minute to get going, but after a few minutes she was dumping the bowls onto the paper, and the little finger dabbles became full hand swishes. My little budding artist makes me proud. Next, we're off to play a little Elefun!

Winter Can't Come Fast Enough!

Obviously, Logann can't for winter to arrive. We were going for a walk the other day, and I told Logann to get her flip-flops on so we could leave. She came in and said, "I changed my mind. I want to wear my boots." Tonight after church, she same right in, threw off her flip-flops, put on her boots and her hat, and she was ready to play. I can't complain. I'm ready for some cold weather too.

A True Texan

Tonight, we were invited to eat dinner with our friends who run a ranch, "Maw-Maw" & "Big Daddy". Every time we go to their house, Logann begs to wear her "cowboy" boots (her pink, winter boots with fur) and her "cowboy" hat (her hot pink, cotton, bucket hat). She puts them on any time she rides her stick horse. The other day, while she was riding, she even said, "Look at me, Momma. I'm a cowboy!" So, tonight for her last dinner with Maw-Maw & Big Daddy, we told her she could wear her boots and her hat, even if it didn't match her outfit.

We enjoyed wonderful steaks, baked potatoes, bread, salad, and strawberry shortcake. After dinner, they surprised Logann with a going away present--red and brown cowboy boots! They told her the brown was to represent Texas, and the red was to represent the Sooners. At first, we had trouble convincing her that her pink boots were not actually cowboy boots, and that these brown & red boots were what real cowboys wore to ride horses. After much talk, she finally took off the pink boots and put on the cowboy boots.

They took Logann outside, and she became a real cowgirl because she rode her first horse. She didn't want anything to do with the horse unless I rode with her. So, I put my childhood nightmares in the back of my mind, and I hopped up on that horse (actually someone had to give me a little boost), and Logann and I rode him around the ranch. He was very gentle and slow. We walked by the barns, across the yard, and up the drives. We were headed back to the beginning when the unthinkable happened...I saw my life flash before my eyes...I shouted for help...I pondered if I should toss Logann off before we all crashed...I had to make a split second decision with our lives...

the horse stopped and knelt down to eat grass. I'm sure it was no big deal, and I'm sure he was probably moving in slow motion, but to me (flashing back to 4th grade when I learned to ride the fastest horse on the planet) I remembered why I had nightmares. I have no clue how to ride a horse. We recovered from the kneel, and the horse walked back to the group. No one seemed to be bothered by the incident, so I had to pretend that everything was fantastic. I tossed Logann to the first person I saw, and I nonchalantly dismounted the horse. Logann had a great time, and I pretended that I did as well!

I know I may not be a true Texan, but my daughter is...she even has the boots to prove it!

We sure love our Texas friends. You will all be missed, but we know we will see you again soon!

Splashing Around

We discovered a small water park the other day. So, Saturday, Jeremy and I took Logann there to play. It's perfect for small kids, and Logann has a blast. She fell all over herself splashing around in the water screaming with delight. She wore her "Bono" sunglasses as she explored fearlessly. She attempted the slides a few times, but of course she was drawn to the huge slide that was for the big kids and adults. Once we convinced her that she needed to stay in the kids area, so splashed around for a few hours. Needless to say, when it was time to go home, everyone within a mile radius knew that she was not pleased with me making her go to the car.

This week, we are trying to do something fun around the Dallas area before we move to Oklahoma. Today, Logann and I went back to the water park with our friends Amy and Avery. Logann and Avery were so excited to get in the water that they wouldn't hardly touch their lunch. The only way they were eating was when they would take it down to the water. After a few soggy pieces of bread, we had to hide the food until snack breaks. Logann and Avery splashed around for a few hours again.

At the end of the day, the girls slightly protested our leaving. They had a blast, though, and it really tuckered them out.

Any tips?

Well, it's been a month since we converted the baby bed to a big girl bed. The first 2 nights were a breeze. EVERY night since...not so much. From everything I've read and been told, after I put "the child" to bed, every time she gets out of bed, I am supposed to walk "the child" back to bed without emotion and say, "Good night!". Then, I am supposed to walk out of the room. I am supposed to do this over and over until "the child" gets the idea that it is bed time. So, here we are, 1 month later, and "the child" does not get the idea that it's bed time. If I sit in her room, she will fall asleep in minutes. If I stand out in the hall, she will scream and get up for over an hour. What is a parent to do at bedtime with "the child"?

On another note, what is a parent to do with a "busy" child? This past week, we had Vacation Bible School at our church. Logann got to attend the 3 year old class because she is the only 2 year old. I warned the teachers at the beginning of the week, that if they wanted to leave her behind with the 1 1/2 year olds, I really wouldn't mind. They of course said they would LOVE to have her in their class and wouldn't think of leaving her behind with the little ones. Needless to say, by Wednesday when I went to pick her up from her class, she was no where to be found. She had gotten the boot and was sent back to the baby class. They said she kept running away and was too busy for them to keep up with. Over the course of the week, I would run into her teachers at Wal-Mart or at another church function. They all had the same thing to say, "She sure is a BUSY little girl...VERRRRY BUSY!" (great emphasis on the busy.) Is this a nice way to say that my precious lamb is a crazy loon?

I am glad she is curious and interested in everything. She knows how to behave, yet she gets her mind focused on something and it's hard to change it. Is busy a bad thing? My mom keeps reminding me that I was the exact same way as a child. My grandmother also said my mom was this way. So, I have hope that somewhere along the way (hopefully sooner than later), she will get her craziness out and will grow up to become a "less busy" young lady.

Despite being warn out from chasing her around, I love Logann's business! It may not appeal to everyone, but I wouldn't have her any other way.

P.S.-I think my 4 kid plan has gone down the tubes! This world can't handle 4 mini-Courtney's. I think I will stick to a 1 kid plan from now on!!!!

Dear Logann,

Dear Logann,
We changed your crib into a big-girl bed tonight! I couldn't tell if you were excited about it or not. I tried to talk it up to you, but I think you were more excited about jumping on your matress than about sleeping. It seems like an easy thing to do, but honestly, it's not coming easy for your mommy. I walked in to check on you tonight, and you were sleeping like a big girl! Memories flooded back to me from when Da-Da and I went to pick out your bed. We were so proud of our choice. We thought it was beautiful!! I couldn't wait for our baby to arrive so that she could sleep in it. Now, I no longer have a little baby sleeping in a beautiful crib. I have a big girl laying in a big bed singing every word to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Jesus and the Children". I just want you to know that I am so proud of you. I miss my little baby, but I am so excited to spend each day with my Big Girl!

p.s. Thank you for going to bed quietly tonight. Hopefully, you will always go straight to sleep without a fuss and stay in your bed all night!!!!

Love,
Ma-Ma

Travels

Before we left for Mississippi, Logann and I spent a few days at Jeremy's mom's house. While Grammy was at work, I took Logann to the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum in Seminole. What a wonderful place for children to explore!! Logann RAN from station to station checking out all of the exciting displays. We saw fish, a fire truck, an ambulance, and an airplane cockpit. She got to play with bubbles, broadcast the news, excavate dinosaur bones, shop at a tiny grocery store, be a judge and jury, make shadows, and much more. She was such a big girl!

My favorite part was taking her in the little grocery store. Not because I always played "store" growing up, but because she shopped like a little mommy. She bought rolls, apple pie, oranges, oatmeal, and egg beaters. When she got up to the register, she ran to put the oatmeal back, and she picked up some dog treats. She was so sweet to think of Sam! Then, she ran the register like a pro. Typing in the numbers that the volunteer pointed to. She did get a little carried away with the plus button. I think her 5 items ended up costing her $269.58. Inflation!!!!

I tried to get her to play in the 3 and under room so that I could sit down for a minute. She lasted a whopping 20 seconds before she was at the door ready to head off to the next station. We had a great day, and I can't wait to go back again!

We left Grammy's house and headed to Mississippi. My brother graduated from Ole Miss with his doctorate, so our family traveled out to see his hooding and celebrate with Casey. Logann got to spend time with Nana & Poppa, Owen, Casey, & Christa, Sher-Bear & Ron (my aunt and uncle), and Christa's sister's family. Logann spent hours running and playing with Owen and his cousin Max. She got to "drive" Owen's Escalade. I use the term "drive" loosely. She pushed the gas, but she got distracted every time looking around. She would forget to steer. Jeremy and I used our quick reflexes often to grab the steering wheel before she plowed down a mailbox.

We had a great time hanging out with everyone. I was so happy that Logann got to see ALL of her family at one time. We finally got home, and now we are trying to get back into the swing of "normal". We can't wait to head out on our next adventure!