Max & Ruby

Tuesday, 3-30-10

From time to time, Amy picks up a few Max and Ruby books from the library. These books haven’t exactly been her favorites but she enjoys them occasionally. Until now. Amy got a little Easter package from her cousins, Benjamin & Grace. In addition to a few Little People (which she LOVES), they sent her a Max & Ruby DVD. We watched it one day and it happened to include a story from a book that she currently has from the library. Now, all Amy can talk about is Max & Ruby! Amy doesn’t watch a lot of TV and she is more likely to watch a video rather than something on TV. There are many days when she doesn’t watch any TV/video simply because we are too busy. Well, now that she has the Max & Ruby video, she wants to watch it all the time! The last several mornings, she has requested to watch “video Max & Ruby.” She sits in her little rocking chair completely memorized by them. After the video, she sometimes will get the books to read. This week, we have had to read the two Max & Ruby books that we have ALL THE TIME! We’ll have to get some more Max & Ruby books the next time we go to the library since at least one of them is due this week.

This morning, she lined up some of her stuffed animals literally on the entertainment center in front of the TV so they also could watch Max & Ruby! In addition, she frequently sings “Max & Ruby” throughout the day. Consequently, I sometimes find myself singing the Max & Ruby song. So, don’t mind me if I happen to break out in what appears to be a random Max & Ruby song!

I snapped these pictures this morning when she was watching Max & Ruby...still in her pajamas...even before breakfast - she insisted on watching Max & Ruby before she ate breakfast!! I must add that there are so many reasons that I am thankful to be able to stay at home with Amy full-time - like allowing her to watch Max & Ruby before breakfast because we didn't have to go anywhere!

Reading Time

Sunday, 3-28-10

Typically, I run a longer run on Sunday mornings, especially as I train for the mini-marathon in May. This Sunday, I come back to find this:

What a way to melt my heart! I love them both so much!

Reading with a Friend

Friday, 3-26-10

During our trip to the library, Amy decided to read with a little boy there.

How cute is she?! :)

First "Real" Hair Cut

Friday, 3-26-10

Today, Amy got her first professional hair cut. I have to say her first “real” or professional hair cut due to Kurt cutting her bangs last Halloween. Needless to say, I was not thrilled that he did this and we have since talked that he is NEVER allowed to do this again…even if he was just trying to get Amy’s hair out of her eyes. I can laugh about it now, but at the time I must admit that I was not too pleased. Of course, one of the things that I was upset about was that I wasn't able to get a good picture. When I realized that he was serious about cutting her hair (despite my objections, I might add!), I grabbed my camera and did my best to get a picture. As you can see, the picture isn't that good but I think you also can see what kind of job Kurt did on cutting Amy's bangs. However, Amy’s hair grew and now you can’t even tell it happened (thank goodness!!).


So, today we went to a hair salon for little ones. I was a little apprehensive about the hair cut because I didn’t really want them to cut much of her hair. Amy has never really had a lot of hair and I didn’t want them to cut it short or give her bangs. I spoke with the lady who was going to cut Amy’s hair and explained my concerns. We agreed that she would even up the back by just trimming it a little and leave the rest of it alone. We talked about various things to do with her bangs, though I have tried most of them with little success, though I’m going to try again. Amy had a good time at the salon, especially going down the slide before and after she got her hair cut. Amy had her choice of chairs to sit in for her hair cut as we were the only ones there at the time. I was surprised when she choose to sit in the tractor chair rather than the duck or horse. At one point during the hair cut, Amy became upset when her hair was sprayed with water - I think she was caught by surprise. But, we were able to work through it and she recovered very nicely. Of course, the actual hair cut took less than five minutes. I’m not even sure I can tell that her hair was cut, but we survived the first real hair cut.

Visit with Grandma & Granddad Murphy

Thursday, 3-25-10

Yesterday, Amy & I were lucky enough to have visitors for the day - Grandma & Granddad Murphy came up to spend the day with us! Grandma Murphy was on spring break and Granddad Murphy took the day off to be able to come play with us. Amy was excited that they were coming and continually went to the door to see if they had arrived! All day, she was pampered with attention and had several laps to sit in to read her books or look at pictures. Amy was sad to see them leave, though we're looking forward to seeing them in a little over a week for Easter!

Thanks for coming to play with us, Grandma & Granddad Murphy!!

Lucky

Wednesday, 3-17-10

Since today is St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would write about all the ways that I am so lucky -lucky as a leprechaun!!

I am so lucky to have sweet Amy in my life. I know that God has blessed me with her and I can't imagine my life without her. I have to simply shake my head at memories of when I thought I would never be a mommy. Now, Amy brightens my day with her smile & giggle! Of course, her calling me "mommy" melts my heart each time.

I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband who loves me and Amy and who puts his family first. Kurt is an incredible husband and I'm sure I don't tell him enough how much I love and value him. Kurt works hard to provide for us, never once complaining. Because of his hard work, I am lucky enough to be able to stay at home full-time with Amy.

I am lucky to be able to play all day - with Little People, stuffed animals, play kitchen, etc.

I am lucky to be able to read all day - not necessarily books that are on my "to read" list but something even better - books with Amy. I am lucky to have a daughter who seemingly loves books as much as I do! So, I try not to complain when I find myself reading the same book over and over and over again...and then over and over again!

I am lucky to be able to go outside and play on nice, sunny days.

I am lucky to be able to be re-introduced to the world through the eyes of a two-year-old.

I am lucky to have a wonderful supportive family who would do anything for me.

I am lucky to have a close knit group of friends who know me - good and bad - and still love & accept me for me.

I am lucky to have a God who loves me and forgives me despite my numerous mess-ups.

The list could go on and on. Today, I chose to focus on all these ways that I am one lucky lady!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.
-Ruth Ann Schabacker

Outside Fun

Monday, 3-15-10

Last week, we finally had some warmer temperatures so that Amy & I were able to go outside and play. Amy simply loves to be outside. She is constantly asking to go outside and is quite displeased when the weather doesn't allow us to do so! Although there was a chance of rain almost every day last week, the rain held off enough that we were able to go outside at least for part of the day every day last week!! :) Wednesday was the best day of the week and both Amy & I just soaked in the sunshine and warmer weather. We are so ready for spring!

While outside, Amy enjoyed playing with her toys and simply running around! She would take all of toys and push them down the drive way, one at a time. Then, she would run back to the garage to get another toy and do the same thing until all of her toys were in the street...or at least right at the end of our driveway. I would then push the toys back up the driveway as Amy simply laughed & giggled at them! Amy's laughter is the sweetest sound to my ears! We also went to the backyard to enjoy playing with some of her toys back there. She enjoyed having the "baby duckies" go down her slide!

My Little Ham

Friday, 3-5-10

So, this morning, I walk into the room to tell Amy that breakfast is ready and this is what I see:

After about having a heart attack and wondering exactly how she got up there, I quickly grabbed the camera, which of course is always on hand for these moments, and snapped a few pictures, before helping Amy get down. I think she was cleaning up for breakfast. (Please note that she continues to wear her "cake" pajama shorts to bed over her warmer pj's!!)

Later this morning, we went to the library to play and look at books. Afterward, we came home to have lunch with Daddy. At times, Amy prefers to keep her coat on when we return home for our outings, which was the case today. As I was getting lunch ready, I heard her giggling in the other room and seemingly talking to "bear." I looked in the room, and this is what I saw:

How can you not smile at the little ham that she is!! :)

Amy simply brightens my darkest day and brings a smile to my face each and every day. I am so thankful for her!

Little People

Thursday, 3-4-10

Amy simply loves her Little People! She plays with them frequently throughout the day. Of course, she has SO many Little People that our house is starting to turn into literally a “Little People” house! She has the castle, house, school bus, farm, car along with numerous actual Little People. She enjoys putting all of the Little People in various buildings/cars, though she gets frustrated if they don’t all fit. If that happens, then it’s highly likely that a Little Person will go flying high into the sky! Today, she was playing with them – first she put all of them into the school bus & car. Then, they traveled over to the castle and had a party there. After the castle, they got back into the school bus and car to drive around. Sometimes, they all hang out in the house, usually eating. If you ask her what the Little People are eating, she typically responds with bananas. She is so cute!

Dusting

Monday, 3-1-10

Today was cleaning day around here. Well, mainly just dusting day. It had been awhile since I had dusted and thought today would be a good day to tackle the job. As I started my cleaning, I casually asked Amy if she wanted to help dust. Oh my goodness. I should have thought of this sooner! Little Ms. Amy was the best dusting helper a Mommy could ask for. She grabbed her dust rag and went to town! She "dusted" a WIDE variety of objects, some I had not even thought of that needed to be dusted!! For example, she "dusted" my blanket that is on our couch. She dusted her Little People house, the castle, and the inside of the Little People bus. She even dusted her exercise saucer that was out because she wanted to put all of her Little People in/on it. She kept running around the room "dusting" various objects. She is quite the helper! Now, if I can find a way for her to be this excited about dusting when she is about 10 years older...