Show-and-Tell, Round 45: Princess Wallet and Giraffe Backpack

Ivie's choice for Show-and-Tell last week was her purple princess wallet. And, considering it's not a book or a stuffed animal, and it doesn't light up or talk, she was pretty fired up about it. So we took out the dollar bill, because "we don't take money to school", and she was ready to go.

I convinced her, last minute, to put her wallet into her new giraffe backpack. I think she gave in because it sounded to her like she was getting a 2-for-1 Show-and-Tell week, which, in her opinion, is quite a coup. Or maybe she gave in because she saw in my eyes how badly I want her to really like the backpack, which was a deal I found on one of the social shopping sites I frequent... Regardless of why, she was a good sport and took them both!

John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt

This morning, Ivie broke out into song, crooning the words "John Jacob..." and then trailing off, seemingly not really knowing the rest of the phrase, before moving on to the next line. I recognized the tune, but couldn't remember the words myself. So off I went to trusty Google.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt,
His name is my name, too.

Whenever we go out,
The people always shout,
There goes John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt.

Dah dah dah dah, dah dah dah

(repeat)

After I found the words, I went to YouTube to get the correct tune (isn't the internet amazing?!?). And Ivie and I proceeded to watch several videos of little kids singing the song. Then, of course, she wanted to be watching herself on my computer, too. So out came the trusty Flip... You'll see that we've got some work to do with, let's just say, "fine-tuning" her pronunciation of "Jingleheimer-Schmidt". She better be glad her last name isn't Schaeperkoetter! Although I can't WAIT till she's old enough to teach her to spell "Schaeperkoetter" to the tune of Jingle Bells (the way we learned how to spell it as kids). You can rest assured that it will someday appear on video, too!

Chuck E. Cheese's

Last weekend, during our visit to Grandma's in Hickory, we had the pleasure of celebrating the birthdays of 3 sweet kiddos, Ian (who turned 3), and his twin one year-old siblings, Aiden and Isabel, who are the darling grandchildren of Grandma's best friend, Nancy (whom Ivie calls "Lancey", for some reason).

Ian (who had a blast with all the games!)

Sweet Isabel

Aiden (who was NOT a fan of the birthday crown)

This was Ivie's 2nd trip to a Chuck E. Cheese's, as I had taken her there, pre-Macie, to get out of the house one random Saturday when Dale was out of town for work. Then, though, she was too young to fully enjoy the entertainment. NOT THIS TIME.

For the most part, Ivie was okay with Macie tagging along. Like on the ride below, where they shared the seat and watched themselves "on television".


Otherwise, though, the girls gravitated to different sections of the play area. Macie to the toddler section, and Ivie to the "big-girl" games. Although you will catch a glimpse of Ivie sneaking a quick ride on the toddler slide... You're never to old to go for a slide ride, right?!?


Thanks for inviting us to help celebrate your big day, Simmons clan!

November, 2006

No real theme for November of 2006. Or at least I can't look at these shots and develop a theme from them, other than that 3 of them were taken in Hickory over Thanksgiving... So maybe that's theme enough?

Check out how long AND STRAIGHT my hair was back then! Obviously pre-Macie, because as soon as Macie was born, my hair turned curly. Not pretty curly, either. Just annoying waves that now require me to use a straightener any time I want to go out in public with any hairstyle other than a ponytail. I mean, I never once even held a straightener in my hand before Macie was born. Much less had to go out and purchase one. So what "they" say about pregnancy changing a mother? Like, for example, her hair? It's true. Unfortunately. But I do think it's kind of amusing that Macie apparently wanted my hair to be just like hers...


Ivie, loving her cousins' attention, even then (some things don't change!)...


The Herman boys' drink of choice...


And the Thanksgiving bib of which I had to include a picture, just because it still makes me laugh.

Sharing Food

On the way home from school today, I noticed on Macie's report card that the morning snack was a pop-tart. So I had the following conversation with Ivie:


Me: Ivie, did you have a pop-tart for morning snack at school today, like Macie did?

Ivie: Yes.

Me: So you had a pop-tart at home AND at school today!!! Do you get a whole pop-tart at school or a half pop-tart?

Ivie: Just half. We only get what Miss Erin gives us.

Me: So Miss Erin always gives you half of a pop-tart at snack? Do you know who you shared one with today?

Ivie (raising her eyebrows and contorting her face into the most stern, disapproving look possible): Mom. We can't share food at school! If somebody's sick, then everybody else will get sick, too! Mommy, YOU KNOW BETTER.


Well then. So much for making conversation. I'm glad she didn't take this theory and apply it to the lollipop that I made her share with Macie for their dessert after dinner tonight!

Just a Sweet Picture

Looking through a couple of pictures that I snapped of Macie and Dale a week or so ago, and this one called out to me. It was taken on a weekday evening, so you can see Macie's after-a-long-day-at-school fatigue in her expression. But something about it just makes me smile. So I had to share...

Wordless Wednesday (#4): Pizza

Bigger and Better (Waaaaay Better)

You know the marshmallows for dessert trick that Macie's had in her repertoire for several months now? Well, I've got an adaptation to report...

Last night, after dinner, Macie made her way over to the pantry. I figured she was going to bring me the bag of marshmallows with that same expectant look on her face. But, since I happened to be standing close by, she instead made eye contact with me and pointed into the pantry. (Side Note: Macie seems to be a bit slower to talk than Ivie was, maybe because Ivie's such a chatterbox that Mac can't get a word in edgewise, or maybe it's because it's hard to talk with a pacifier in your mouth).

So I got into the pantry, reached toward the marshmallows, and rhetorically asked her if she wanted some. But she shocked me by adamantly shaking her head NO! Huh?!? What's that?!? You don't want these? I had to question her again, because it was the first time she'd turned them down.

But she again shook her head, moving her gaze and outstretched hand/pointer finger up to the next shelf in the pantry.

Guess what she had seen (and now desperately wanted)?

The bin of chocolate-covered raisins.

Ahhhhh, Macie. Learning quickly. I won't soon forget the adorable, ear-to-ear smile that covered her face as she climbed into her little chair and waited for me to put some on her table for dessert.

But, hey, I'll choose to look on the bright side. At least she's getting a (very) small serving of fruit!!!

Mental Health Day

"If you had an entirely free day, how would you spend it?"

A week ago, amidst fellow alums and several current co-workers who were taking turns peppering the Sport Administration masters program candidates with questions such as "What do you think about conference expansion?" and "What are the pros and cons of expanding the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament to 96 teams?", I took my turn and asked them this easy, no-brainer question.

I did this for two reasons... First, I wanted to give them a break from the tough ones. But, most importantly, I hoped to find out what makes them tick.

And you know what I discovered?

I AM OLD.

Seriously. Hear me out.

Pretty much every candidate said, in some form or another, that they would spend their entirely free day hanging out with their family and friends. That is a sure sign of youth, isn't it?

So, in comparison, what does it say about me that my answer to that question would be that I would choose to spend my entire day ALONE?

Now, don't take that the wrong way. I absolutely love my husband and adore my children. And there is no one with whom I want to spend my days on earth more than them. I'm a homebody, and my favorite nights and weekends are the ones when we are together and have no formal plans.

But, like every compliance officer (or, heck, probably everyone!), I need a mental health day every once in a while. And, today, I got one!

After getting the girls and Dale on their way to school and work, I spent my morning at the Kids Everywear semiannual consignment sale. Where pretty much Ivie's entire wardrobe has originated for the past 3 years. (Don't feel sorry for Macie. She gets Ivie AND Emerson Dever hand-me-downs!) I spent 2 hours at the sale. Wandering, perusing, picking, and choosing. By myself. Sharing only a few comments with fellow shoppers, all strangers, about how it seemed like the prices had gone up, and the quality down, this year.

After purchasing 17 items for $71 (average of $4.18 per item - not bad!), I headed to the "Toys" section of the sale, and proceeded to find 6 cute puzzles (Clifford, princesses, Tigger and Pooh) and some play canned food for the girls' kitchen for another $19. So I was pretty happy with the bargains.

Then I walked outside. Into the bright sunshine and wonderful 60 degree temperature that I've been waiting all winter to feel! It was wonderful to just stand and bask in the sun, with not a care in the world.

Then I headed to Taco Bell for lunch. Again, by myself. The only thing that could have made it better would have been having in my possession the 6th-in-the-series James Patterson Women's Murder Club novel to read while I ate (finished #5 on Sunday night and am waiting on my book supplier/coworker, Lance, to deliver the next round).

While I sat there, eating my 3-crunchy-taco-minus-the-lettuce combo meal, a song came over the sound system that I've never heard. Probably because it wasn't country. And as I mostly just enjoyed the out-of-character-for-me tune and only sort-of listened to the words (the ones I could understand, that is) I found it kind of amusing that, as I sat there on my self-proclaimed "mental health day", a portion of the chorus of the song went something like this (certainly not verbatim):

They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said, "No, no, no"
I ain't got the time and my daddy thinks I'm fine

MY version of rehab was far, far removed from the type referenced in this song. It was just a free day, spent alone. And it was absolutely wonderful. In fact, I'd be happy to go back again. Hopefully someday really soon.

But until then, it's back to work tomorrow...

Tooth #15

Wednesday, Macie's 15th tooth made its first appearance. Or I should say that this was the day I noticed it. You know, this happened to me with Ivie, too. As the girls get older, I start paying less and less attention to certain milestones, such as the arrival of baby teeth. I'm not sure why... Maybe it's because the new teeth are the ones that are hidden in the back of the mouth? Not really noticeable? Or maybe it's because I'm not stupid enough to stick my finger in there to "look" for newbies, lest I get bitten by a few of the OTHER 14 already-present,-really-sharp,-and-humongous-(thank-you-Alfermann-genes)-teeth in the kid's mouth?

Yes, that's probably why.

Anyway, I've marked down 3/3/2010 for Macie's 15th tooth, the lower left cuspid, right on track for the 16-18 months the chart lists for "normal".

And I'm sorry I don't have an actual kid picture to share with you this time. Sorry, Stac. The camera hasn't left the dining room table in a while, sadly...