Yee Haw

A makeshift dry erase calendar in the playroom outlines our week briefly as you, Sophia, learn about time management and sequence of events.....On October 2nd, we had 'zzzz' outlined in our rectangle but quickly remembered we had to erase them and add in a doctor's appointment...Thus, as I erased...you wrote in "DR" and drew a needle on top of the doctor abbreviation for a quick memo that we had to go to Jackson for your flu shot....I would have traded a day at home just lounging in pajamas but as the day unfolded the blessings were full of unexpected moments of joy. Thus, I was reminded today that grace follows us when we put forth the effort...one foot in front of the other with thanksgiving for all that we have right now!

A visit with Dr. P for a follow up check on your ears-------and a flu shot. One little left ear as you described it, "opens and closes"----showing Dr. P what Daddy showed you...that when you hold your nose and blow, it opens. One look in it and Dr. P discovered that your ear tube had fallen out and that there was fluid in it. So we left with instructions on how to care for it if pain persisted during our fall break week (flying/traveling). The flu shot was a breeze as you toughed it out without a tear. A few little complaints with "awww...that hurt..." and we were out the door to shop/browse Target as we waited for your antibiotic. 

As we approached the parking lot of the doctor's office you asked, "Mommy, if I'm good at the doctor's office will you buy me a....." Tough parenting insert.......Mommy, had to explain that it was your job to be good and my expectation of you.....that toys were not bought because of good behavior. This was reaffirmed too in the doctor's office with my conversation with Dr. P-----Mommies need this affirmation that indeed we are doing our jobs right!?! And I must say that I was highly pleased with your behavior at the doctor's office..........and at Target too! 

The toys at Target!! If only they could follow us as we shopped....You looked at this one...and that one...and this.....commenting about what you liked and what you wanted. As I reminded you that Christmas was just weeks away, you reminded me that it was too far away. But luckily, Target's Christmas displays next to the Halloween costumes deterred your attention........and then an empty stomach was calling on us to finish shopping. "Mommy, do you have anything for me to eat?" And I did....a banana! As you finished eating it, we picked up your medication and browsed our way to the registers without toys but there was still a treat that Mommy owed you for earning throughout September for your little slices of pizza at preschool. We had consented on the American Girl item to be a Target item but opted to change it to a Dollar Tree treat but Kroger won us over.........

But not before we loaded up the truck and headed to Zaxby's for lunch! It wasn't our healthiest option but we've often enjoyed their lunch on our mini trips to Jackson when you were a young toddler so I chose it for quick, easy, and for a taste of the past. You were the perfect lunch date. You prepped your own drink and sat at the table eating everything in front of you----chicken, fries, and celery sticks with blue cheese. Mommy helped finish up the celery sticks too! Thus, we were able to enjoy an affordable lunch for two at $6.23-------just a mini insert for you so that you continue to watch your spending so that your own future savings can grow (not one morsel of food was wasted since we shared---nor were extra calories consumed...since Daddy calls us health nuts we might as well watch out for them when we're out and about...)!

"Mommy, take another picture now!?!" Funny faces always win!

Our next stop was a trip to Starbucks for free coffee for Mommy! You enjoyed petting the puppy outside of Starbucks and helping Mommy prep her coffee with milk, sugar, and cinnamon------but not without a sprinkle of cinnamon on your palm! Yes...you licked germy-germs and puppy dog kisses off your hand but we won't worry about that today. We'll count it as a little joy too! 

As the comforts of home called us back, we did take in one last stop at Mommy's favorite grocery retailer....Kroger! Yes----for a few coupon deals since Kroger in Jackson is slightly larger than ours here in Dyersburg. You followed me through the store checking deals and talking to strangers without any requests except to look at Halloween items while I checked out. As I scanned our few items in the self-checkout line, I heard a "Yee Haw" and saw you lifting a pink cowgirl hat off your head! I knew then that was the perfect stand in treat for September's preschool calendar. You wore the pink cowgirl hat out of the store and talked endlessly about how you were going to wear it with your cowboy boots with heels (like Mommy's) when you got home.......and all you needed now was a horse! A real horse!?!

My little cowgirl checking out the bumpy pumpkins!

Pretending to sleep--as you played & watched cartoons! No nap today...

The excitement of your new cowgirl hat continued at home as you grilled steaks with Daddy-------only to discover that kittens were being born during grilling time. We ate dinner together as a family. You squeezed in playing yard sale with Daddy---------and checked in on Princess Girl's kittens one last time before bedtime.

Yee Haw---look at those cowgirl muscles!?!

Cowgirl's thinking----wind blown hair!?!

The little cowgirl knows how to make her money back at the end of the day---yard sale!?!

One. Two. Princess Girl's babies---KITTENS!

Bedtime prayers. Bedtime stories. Endless chatter of kittens.....your favorite moment of the day. And as slumber took over, "Mommy, I love you!"

I love you too little cowgirl!