Friday, 6-11-10
This morning, Amy decided she wanted to play dress-up. We have a few fancy dresses that were given to us and Amy usually likes playing with them, though this is the first time that she requested to actually wear them. She said she wanted to wear "pretty dresses." So, we first put the pink dress on and went to the bathroom to check her out in the mirror. For some reason, she thought she needed to actually get in the bath tub too - not sure why but she did. Anyway, she then decided to put the blue dress on. She twirled around in her dresses and kept saying "play dress-up." She didn't really want to take the dresses off. We went from her bedroom to her bathroom to our bedroom to the guest bedroom. When Daddy got home for lunch, Amy ran to show him the "pretty dress" (yes, she was still wearing it!). She finally took it off so that we could have lunch!
Touch-a-Truck
Thursday, 6-10-10
Today, Amy & I went to a local touch-a-truck event for kids. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for being outside. Although Amy initially said she didn't want to see trucks, she ended up having a wonderful time! She was able to sit in all of the big trucks and "drive." She even honked the horn of a few of them. There were moments where Amy became startled and/or frightened by the loud horns that occasionally happened...they startled me at times too! So, I ended up holding Amy as we walked around. However, she was always ready to sit in the big trucks and wanted to make sure that we stopped at each one! She honked the horn of a big semi-truck, though she honked the "little" horn that wasn't nearly as loud as the "big" horn, as she put it! She also got a new hat, which she loves! She is definitely a hat girl and wore her new hat for the rest of the day...well, at least until we got home and she put on her "outside" hat so that we could go outside for a "picnic." She loves sitting at her picnic table to have a picnic, even if it's just to eat a banana, which is what she did today. Amy was so excited to tell Daddy about her new hat and "drivin' the trucks" that she told him when he called to say he was coming home. When he arrived home, Amy ran to get her new hat and then ran back to Daddy so that he could see it.
As a side note, I realized when I got home that my pictures don't really show the actual trucks that Amy was sitting in...more like they show just Amy. Oops. I'll try to do better next time, though you have to agree I got the most important subject in the picture! :)
Today, Amy & I went to a local touch-a-truck event for kids. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for being outside. Although Amy initially said she didn't want to see trucks, she ended up having a wonderful time! She was able to sit in all of the big trucks and "drive." She even honked the horn of a few of them. There were moments where Amy became startled and/or frightened by the loud horns that occasionally happened...they startled me at times too! So, I ended up holding Amy as we walked around. However, she was always ready to sit in the big trucks and wanted to make sure that we stopped at each one! She honked the horn of a big semi-truck, though she honked the "little" horn that wasn't nearly as loud as the "big" horn, as she put it! She also got a new hat, which she loves! She is definitely a hat girl and wore her new hat for the rest of the day...well, at least until we got home and she put on her "outside" hat so that we could go outside for a "picnic." She loves sitting at her picnic table to have a picnic, even if it's just to eat a banana, which is what she did today. Amy was so excited to tell Daddy about her new hat and "drivin' the trucks" that she told him when he called to say he was coming home. When he arrived home, Amy ran to get her new hat and then ran back to Daddy so that he could see it.
As a side note, I realized when I got home that my pictures don't really show the actual trucks that Amy was sitting in...more like they show just Amy. Oops. I'll try to do better next time, though you have to agree I got the most important subject in the picture! :)
Amy's Gymnastics Class
6-9-10
Amy’s last day of gymnastics was last Friday. She certainly has come a long way from when we started six weeks ago. She no longer cries when it is time to start and she isn’t nearly as clingy with me as that first day. She gets so excited to start the warm-ups and knows the routine. Part of their warm-up includes "making pizza." Amy enjoys "rolling out her pizza." When Ms. Kathy, her instructor, asks her what she wants on her pizza, she enthusiastically yells "oatmeal & cold blueberries!" (One of Amy's favorite breakfast meals is oatmeal & cold blueberries [frozen blueberries]). Amy still enjoys for me to be out there with her, though she has improved and is becoming such a big girl! She loves Ms. Kathy and couldn’t stop talking about “Ms. Kathy” as we were driving to our last class. Amy enjoys doing the backward rolls as well as the somersault. I think her best move is “spider girl” where she climbs up the wall with her feet while her hands are on the ground. She still doesn’t like the trampoline and actually screamed in terror last week when it was time to get on it. She allowed Ms. Kathy to hold her while they jumped on it but she wanted no part of actually jumping on it herself. Amy enjoyed getting a Mickey stamp on her leg, but refused to have any other stamp!! She also knows that she gets a lollipop at the end of the class, which she typically talks about throughout the entire class!
I love that Amy enjoyed gymnastics and looks forward to taking another class soon!
Amy’s last day of gymnastics was last Friday. She certainly has come a long way from when we started six weeks ago. She no longer cries when it is time to start and she isn’t nearly as clingy with me as that first day. She gets so excited to start the warm-ups and knows the routine. Part of their warm-up includes "making pizza." Amy enjoys "rolling out her pizza." When Ms. Kathy, her instructor, asks her what she wants on her pizza, she enthusiastically yells "oatmeal & cold blueberries!" (One of Amy's favorite breakfast meals is oatmeal & cold blueberries [frozen blueberries]). Amy still enjoys for me to be out there with her, though she has improved and is becoming such a big girl! She loves Ms. Kathy and couldn’t stop talking about “Ms. Kathy” as we were driving to our last class. Amy enjoys doing the backward rolls as well as the somersault. I think her best move is “spider girl” where she climbs up the wall with her feet while her hands are on the ground. She still doesn’t like the trampoline and actually screamed in terror last week when it was time to get on it. She allowed Ms. Kathy to hold her while they jumped on it but she wanted no part of actually jumping on it herself. Amy enjoyed getting a Mickey stamp on her leg, but refused to have any other stamp!! She also knows that she gets a lollipop at the end of the class, which she typically talks about throughout the entire class!
I love that Amy enjoyed gymnastics and looks forward to taking another class soon!
Grandma Murphy's Retirement Party
6-9-10
Two weeks ago, Amy & I traveled to New Albany to attend one of Grandma Murphy’s retirement parties at her school. After many years of teaching, my Mom has decided that it is time to retire. Or, in her words, “the birth certificate says it is time to retire.” What a true role model my mom has been for me throughout my life. She taught home economics before my brother was born. However, once he was born, she chose to stay at home to raise him and then me when I came along 22 months later (give or take). She remained a stay-at-home mom until we were in middle school/high school. When I was in middle school, my mom began substitute teaching in addition to returning to graduate school in order to obtain her master’s degree in special education. When we moved to New Albany, my mom began teaching special education at a local high school. She has been there ever since, though she moved to the middle school several years ago.
There are so many things to say about my mom. Her dedication to her kids. Her passion for teaching. Her patience with the families. Her devotion to her co-workers. Her ability to take change in stride (something that I need to learn more about from her!). Although I don’t always tell her, I am so proud of her and the commitment that she makes to her job and to her kids. Teaching special education is not easy. The children that she has taught have many challenges to overcome not only academic but emotional, financial, family, etc. My mom supported them and encouraged them. I remember a story she told a few years ago of a young man visiting the school in military uniform. He had come to thank my mom. He had “made it,” so to speak. He graduated from high school, which for some of these kids is a huge accomplishment. I believe that her guiding example led me to my profession of social work. When I was working outside of the home, I basically worked with her kids. Although I wasn’t in education (which I must say that I regretted during the summers), I strived to help those young people overcome their barriers and issues so that they could go on and lead to a productive life.
The retirement party that Amy & I attended was at Mom's school library. Amy was thrilled that the party took place in a library, though was a little disappointed that the books weren’t really what she was used to! I have to say that Amy stole the spot light during the party. Amy was so excited to see Grandma & Granddad! She wouldn’t let Grandma put her down and wanted to be in her arms! Amy is in many of the pictures because she wouldn’t let go of Grandma, though I don’t think Grandma minded too much!
During the retirement party, it was so nice to hear all the good things about my mom that people had to say. I have no doubt that the school won’t be the same without her. I can’t wait to see what adventures my mom goes on now that she is retired. I have no doubt that she and my dad will continue to travel, just not always in the summer! I’m sure she will find ways to become involved in the community and to continue to give back. Of course, I certainly hope that there will be more trips up 65 North to visit us as well! :)
Mom, I am so proud of you for your dedication to your students and school. You have set an amazing example for me and I strive to become more like you each day! Enjoy your retirement – you have deserved it!
Two weeks ago, Amy & I traveled to New Albany to attend one of Grandma Murphy’s retirement parties at her school. After many years of teaching, my Mom has decided that it is time to retire. Or, in her words, “the birth certificate says it is time to retire.” What a true role model my mom has been for me throughout my life. She taught home economics before my brother was born. However, once he was born, she chose to stay at home to raise him and then me when I came along 22 months later (give or take). She remained a stay-at-home mom until we were in middle school/high school. When I was in middle school, my mom began substitute teaching in addition to returning to graduate school in order to obtain her master’s degree in special education. When we moved to New Albany, my mom began teaching special education at a local high school. She has been there ever since, though she moved to the middle school several years ago.
There are so many things to say about my mom. Her dedication to her kids. Her passion for teaching. Her patience with the families. Her devotion to her co-workers. Her ability to take change in stride (something that I need to learn more about from her!). Although I don’t always tell her, I am so proud of her and the commitment that she makes to her job and to her kids. Teaching special education is not easy. The children that she has taught have many challenges to overcome not only academic but emotional, financial, family, etc. My mom supported them and encouraged them. I remember a story she told a few years ago of a young man visiting the school in military uniform. He had come to thank my mom. He had “made it,” so to speak. He graduated from high school, which for some of these kids is a huge accomplishment. I believe that her guiding example led me to my profession of social work. When I was working outside of the home, I basically worked with her kids. Although I wasn’t in education (which I must say that I regretted during the summers), I strived to help those young people overcome their barriers and issues so that they could go on and lead to a productive life.
The retirement party that Amy & I attended was at Mom's school library. Amy was thrilled that the party took place in a library, though was a little disappointed that the books weren’t really what she was used to! I have to say that Amy stole the spot light during the party. Amy was so excited to see Grandma & Granddad! She wouldn’t let Grandma put her down and wanted to be in her arms! Amy is in many of the pictures because she wouldn’t let go of Grandma, though I don’t think Grandma minded too much!
During the retirement party, it was so nice to hear all the good things about my mom that people had to say. I have no doubt that the school won’t be the same without her. I can’t wait to see what adventures my mom goes on now that she is retired. I have no doubt that she and my dad will continue to travel, just not always in the summer! I’m sure she will find ways to become involved in the community and to continue to give back. Of course, I certainly hope that there will be more trips up 65 North to visit us as well! :)
Mom, I am so proud of you for your dedication to your students and school. You have set an amazing example for me and I strive to become more like you each day! Enjoy your retirement – you have deserved it!
Giddy-Up & Yee-Haw!!
Wednesday, 6-2-10
I can’t remember exactly where Amy learned these phrases. I think she heard “Yee-Haw” on a toddler CD and I think Kurt taught her “giddy-up.” Either way, she periodically yells out these phrases at various times throughout the day. Although the frequency of these sayings has decreased slightly over the last several weeks, she always yells out a yee-haw and a giddy-up when she is riding the horse at our local grocery story. Amy began riding the horse several weeks ago after we were done with our grocery shopping one day. Ever since that first ride, she always requests to ride the horsie. It now has become a tradition where Amy has to wear her pink cowboy hat to the store so that she can wear the hat when she is riding the horsie. She gets so excited when we are in the check-out line because she knows that she gets to the ride the horsie very soon. She holds onto the straps and will yell out a yee-haw and a giddy-up every now and then. And sometimes, it really is a literal YELLING of yee-haw much to the amusement of other customers and workers! Below are a few pictures of Amy riding the horsie, though it sometimes is difficult to get good pictures with my phone.
I can’t remember exactly where Amy learned these phrases. I think she heard “Yee-Haw” on a toddler CD and I think Kurt taught her “giddy-up.” Either way, she periodically yells out these phrases at various times throughout the day. Although the frequency of these sayings has decreased slightly over the last several weeks, she always yells out a yee-haw and a giddy-up when she is riding the horse at our local grocery story. Amy began riding the horse several weeks ago after we were done with our grocery shopping one day. Ever since that first ride, she always requests to ride the horsie. It now has become a tradition where Amy has to wear her pink cowboy hat to the store so that she can wear the hat when she is riding the horsie. She gets so excited when we are in the check-out line because she knows that she gets to the ride the horsie very soon. She holds onto the straps and will yell out a yee-haw and a giddy-up every now and then. And sometimes, it really is a literal YELLING of yee-haw much to the amusement of other customers and workers! Below are a few pictures of Amy riding the horsie, though it sometimes is difficult to get good pictures with my phone.
Amy's "Park"
Tuesday, 6-1-10
Amy simply loves going to the local park. She loves to explore the different areas, but especially loves throwing rocks in the little creek at the park. She will search for “big rocks” to throw in the water. So cute.
Lately, she has been calling any yard that has a play set in it a “park.” So imagine her delight when she got her very own “park” in her backyard! Our neighbors offered to give us their play set as their son had outgrown it. We were delighted as we had been looking for a play set for Amy. Although it was fairly heavy, Kurt and several friends moved it from across the street into our backyard. So, now Amy’s has her own “park.” She also calls the top of the play set a “play house.” She enjoys climbing up the rock wall to stand on top. She loves to glide on the glider, which she is able to do on her own. Amy frequently requests to “go up high” and seemingly loves to feel the wind in her hair. It is refreshing and a good reminder to enjoy the simple pleasures in life…like feeling the breeze in your hair as you glide at your very own park!
Amy simply loves going to the local park. She loves to explore the different areas, but especially loves throwing rocks in the little creek at the park. She will search for “big rocks” to throw in the water. So cute.
Lately, she has been calling any yard that has a play set in it a “park.” So imagine her delight when she got her very own “park” in her backyard! Our neighbors offered to give us their play set as their son had outgrown it. We were delighted as we had been looking for a play set for Amy. Although it was fairly heavy, Kurt and several friends moved it from across the street into our backyard. So, now Amy’s has her own “park.” She also calls the top of the play set a “play house.” She enjoys climbing up the rock wall to stand on top. She loves to glide on the glider, which she is able to do on her own. Amy frequently requests to “go up high” and seemingly loves to feel the wind in her hair. It is refreshing and a good reminder to enjoy the simple pleasures in life…like feeling the breeze in your hair as you glide at your very own park!
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