Nap Time

Well ok.. a few words... Sugarplum got time out this weekend for hitting. She has a spot to server her time at the end of the hallway. Sunday, she didn't want to come out of her time out when I called her. So I left her. I think she's been checking out my Google Reader and getting ideas because she decided it would be a good idea to lay there and take a nap. In the hallway.. and SOMEONE was just recently taking a nap in that very same position behind the couch.. but I can't for the life of me remember who it was.

I Have A Head

It's true... Sugarplum has figured it out. I have a head.

The other night, she again asked for Daddy to tuck her in to bed. A rare occurrence which happened twice last week which I'm sure warmed his heart beyond measure. After he did his part, she summoned me to also tuck her in. Not only am I a good helper, but she noticed when I came in that I have a head.

"You have a head mommy."
"Yes, I do."
"And you have eyes mommy."
"Yes I do."
"And Mommy? You have a nose."
"Yes baby, and I have a mouth too. Goodnight Sugarplum. You have extra sleeps, and night night and sweet princess dreams."
"Night Night Mommy."

Good Helper!

Sugarplum has been getting praised and told she's a good helper when she participates in cleaning up the toys at the end of the day at daycare. We're also trying to teach her to pick up her toys from the living room at night and put them in her room. They don't get put away so well, but at least they make it into her room.

Last night I got kicked out of the bathroom during bath time. I was good for washing her hair and soaping up her body, but when it got to the fun play-time, she wanted Daddy to sit with her. Ok.. I can go read some blogs, that's alright.

Then she was promised a lollipop (because she DID eat a great dinner for once) so she wanted to sit on the couch with Daddy and her lollipop and watch a documentary about the USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier. Guess who picked the show?

SO then it got down to bed time. She has an evening ritual where she has to chase and be chased by Daddy up and down the hallway while screaming her little heart out and giggling. It's too darn cute. This is when I gather up the required bed-time stuffed animals and blanket and wait in her room. She comes in, sits in my lap and takes a few last sips of water and climbs into bed.

Generally, if I'm home, I'm the one that has to tuck her in. Then check on her. And wish her "extra sleeps, night-night, and sweet princess dreams". Well.. in a rare moment, she decided she wanted Daddy to tuck her in. Woo Hoo! Escape! I don't have to wide up the pink elephant 14 times! I don't have to keep re-starting the glow-worm! No yanking on the green dinosaur so he'll play his lullaby while being tucked back under her blanket!

Then he went in to check on her a few minutes later to make sure she was "all set". Then she asked for mommy. So I went in for one last tuck and snuggle, and she gave me a big hug and kiss and said "you're a good helper, Mommy"

So are you Sugarplum!

First Trip to the Dentist

Sugarplum had her first check-up with the Dentist this morning. She's pretty good about brushing her teeth even if she takes her time and fiddles around (I always help her finish her back teeth) she even gets upset if we forget to brush in the morning before leaving or before going to bed.

Aside from having to hold her down in the chair while they brushed and scaped her teeth, the promise of Dora stickers and a toy made for a very cooperative little girl. That and Mommy letting the dentist look in her mouth first.

She has 20 teeth so far, her back molars aren't up all the way, but they are all broken through. They're spaced well but a little closer on the left side so now we get to start flossing. YAY! I'm terrible at flossing..

But, her teeth look great so she has the dental green light to go ahead with her heart surgery and we don't have to re-schedule due to dental issues. YAY! One more step in the prep process out of the way.

Maybe Someday

Sugarplum likes to listen to a CD of songs from Barney. One of them is about learning things a little at a time. "To walk right up a mountain, first we learn to climb. Because we learn big things a little at a time"

I can't remember the line but there is also something about flying an airplane... and she says "I can fly an airplane" This thrills my husband D because he is a pilot and is training for all his ratings to become a flight instructor.

Every summer there is also a bike race that goes through town right by daycare. So on the afternoon for that leg of the race. they go watch it. She tells me then "I can ride a bike race"
*****
This morning we were watching Elmo's World about pets. She talked about having a hamster. I said maybe someday when you get bigger. Her response?

"Maybe someday I can have a hamster. Maybe someday I can fly an airplane. Maybe someday I can ride a bike race"

Maybe someday indeed Sugarplum - you can fly airplanes and win bike races and climb mountains. You can do anything you want.

Goodnight Friend

April 19 Theme: Unique/Funny Signs

This sign is not funny, but it is unique. Today my husband and I are headed to a memorial service for our dear friend, Paul. Paul was a wonderful man we met nearly 10 years ago on a snowmobiling trip. He was a great guy, a friend to everyone, a husband, father, grand-father, and untamed spirit.

He invited us into his motorhome for breakfast before the days ride. (He used to tell us "the service at this restaurant sucks, but the food's pretty good") He played practical jokes on the waiters and waitresses when we went for burgers at lunch. He loved to stop for pizza on the way home. He told great stories of adventures growing up and the life lessons he had learned.

The snowmobilers at Yuba Pass are like a family, and at the head of that family was Paul. He cared for everyone and gave whatever he could whenever anyone needed anything. He was kind, compassionate, warm and inspiring. He loved a good time, a good laugh, a good ride. Those woods will never be the same and the sign above will be posted in his honor and in loving memory by the riders whose lives he has touched.

Paul - we will always love you, we will always miss you, we will always remember you.

Goodnight, dear friend.

*Memorial sign created by Jeff Schauer

Windows

Jen at One Plus Two posted about windows to her soul and invited the rest of the blogland to join in.

Two nights ago, we received a phone call that a dear friend of ours had died unexpectedly. The last few days my husband and I have been reflecting on our lives and what is important and I've been thinking about moments that have had an impact on my life, not because they are necessarily life changing moments, but because they make me stop for a moment and consider what is truly important and what truly matters; or because they are memories of some of the happiest moments in my life.

1) The birth of our daughter
2) Gazing into my husband's eyes as we danced our first dance at our wedding reception
3) Witnessing the moments after a woman nearly lost her life on the freeway
4) Dropping everything to fly across the country when my grandfather had a stroke
5) Walking through Sleeping Beauty's Castle on a spur of the moment trip to Disneyland
6) Making snowmobile tracks through virgin snow
7) The smell just after the first spring rain
8) My daughter's discoveries
9) Watching the fireflies in my Grandparent's backyard
10) The memories of my father as a young and vibrant man. He would not allow us to see him in the hospital in his last days, and it was many years before I understood what a gift he bestowed on my brother and I.

For more windows, visit these blogs. Feel free to jump in and add this list to your post - don't forget to put your name on the list.

Jessica with Eleven Windows
Tracy from Tiny MantrasDefiant
Muse from Musings...
Sugarplum's Mom with 10 Windows

My New Toy!

Sugar Snap Peas

April 12 Theme: Twisted

My mother is growing a container garden this season. This is a shot of an itty bitty Sugar Snap Pea tendril. Sugarplum and I can't wait for the peas!

Flashback Friday: Prom Night

So I'm not officially in on the Flashback Friday writing prompt, but I'm jumping in anyway. This week's theme is about the Prom and what you did (or didn't do) Prom Night.

When I was a sophomore I started dating the guy I went to the Jr. Prom with. We got together with two other couples and all pitched in on a limo. I don't think we went to any fancy dinner, but we rode in the car to the Prom and then around town killing time for about an hour or so before going to my friends house for ice cream.

The idiot boys were absolutely dying to stand up through the sun roof of the limo. I kept nagging at them about how it was illegal and we'd get in trouble. The driver heard all this of course and said nothing.

After the prom (while driving around town) they just couldn't stand it anymore and stood up through the roof. Right in front of a cop. We got pulled over. In a limo. The driver immediately put up the divider between us and him when he pulled over and calmy obliged the office asking to speak with his passengers. We all got warnings and went on our merry way. Needless to say that put a damper on the rest of the night so we headed home for ice cream. My boyfriend and I broke up two weeks later.. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it or not.

Exciting huh?

*****************************
The Friday Flashbacks are created by Catherine and Tracy. You can read about more Prom memories from your favorite bloggers here:
Sassy Irish Lassie
Mrs. Flinger
The Berg Circus
Single Supermama
Hey You!
Mamalogues
Oh, The Joys
Mean Girls Need Not Apply
A Fine Frenzy
Whoorl

Bagel Bed

Sugarplum is almost 3. We've finally taken the front of her crib off and turned it into a toddler bed. We've talked about doing this for a year now, and never really got around to it. She wasn't trying to climb out of it or anything so, eh, it hasn't been a big thing.

Well now, she has a "bagel bed" (at least that's what her "big girl bed" sounds like). Knowing we were going to do this, I took her to the store and let her pick out a toddler bedding set. Of course, she had to go with Disney Princesses. At least I got a bunch of the stuffed animals out of there.. here's what her "bagel bed" looks like now.

So far, when she's woken up, she's stayed in her room... it hasn't occurred to her yet that she can actually walk out of her room and come to our room... I'm hoping it actually stays that way.

Jellies On The Wall

April 5th Theme: Glass

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a great Jelly Fish exhibit. This is a picture I took of a display of blown glass "Jellyfish" that hangs on the wall. The sculptures are in different colors of glass, which did not come through in the picture, but I think it's kinda neat anyway.

The Astounding Level of Petty

So I was cruising around local news stories on-line when I ran across this.

http://cbs5.com/local/garbage.citation.fine.2.692486.html

The level of some people's pettiness astounds me. I get not wanting the neighborhood to look like a dump. I understand not attracting rodents and bugs and go knows what else to the area... but come on - your garbage can on your driveway? Ours happens to be kept in our garage simply because of the way our house is laid out. I guess most of the other neighbors are too... but not everywhere. I drive all over San Jose and see garbage cans tucked neatly on the sides of houses or driveways. Still in public view obviously if I can see them from my car.. but come on... do we really have nothing better to watch out for and complain about? ESPECIALLY in Oakland of all places?

The First Break-Up

I think maybe Sugarplum has broken up with the vacuum.

A few months ago my friend gave us an old red miniature sized dirt devil. Her kids loved it. It takes batteries and when you switch it on makes a whirring motor sound, shines a light and as you push it back and forth it blows little balls around in the canister in a halfway decent imitation of a vacuum. It has even been known to pick up some lint or the occasional stray cat hair. This little toy vacuum made it through both her kids and has got to be about 12 years old. But it still works.

Only Sugarplum doesn't like it. It's been in her closet, and she doesn't play with it much since we brought it home. She loved it at B's house. The vacuum is now in our bedroom... and not as a hint from my husband either.

Two nights a week I go to an exercise class after work and get home after Sugarplum goes to bed. Last night she was playing with D in her room and they decided to play with the vacuum. As soon as he turned it on, she decided that was a bad idea. She freaked out. He turned it off. She nuzzled him. He held her and comforted her. He offered to take the vacuum away. She said ok.

When he tucked her into bed, she made sure the vacuum wasn't in her room anymore. She made sure it couldn't hurt her. She made sure it couldn't scare her.

She doesn't talk to the big vacuum nearly as much as she used to. She is a little leary when it comes out of the closet to work. She'll push it along the carpet with D but only for a couple passes, then she comes to hang out with me. I think she must have ended the affair.

The Age of The Mouse

Well... it's finally happened... Sugarplum has discovered Disney movies.

Up to now she hasn't really had too much attention span for movies. We put in Cinderella 6 months or so ago and she watched a bit but it was mostly background noise while she played throughout the house. Same with Lady and the Tramp.

For the last two nights she has asked to watch Cindrella before bed and I *think* she may have also watched at daycare. I already warned my husband that this is what we'll be watching every night for the next 14 weeks at least. He was thrilled.

Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Put 'em together and what have you got
bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
It'll do magic believe it or not
bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Salagadoola means mechicka booleroo
But the thingmabob that does the job is
bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Salagadoola menchicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Put 'em together and what have you got
bibbidi-bobbidi bibbidi-bobbidi bibbidi-bobbidi-boo