Change...

I have a job interview in the morning.

I'm preparing my head to accept God's plan, whatever that may be, as it is unveiled in the next few weeks. But, I'm praying. Praying for a change. Praying for a chance to do something that I love in an environment where I am supported in doing it. Praying for change to do fewer hours of it and spend more hours with my Violet. Praying for me to put my best self forward tomorrow. Praying that I will be accepting of God's plan, whatever that may be.

A VERY Full Day

Yesterday marked the first flex day since Robbie has resumed teaching. I was a little unsure of what we would do with ourselves as the "Baby" that I would play with on days off in April has grown into a very "Big Girl" now! I am so thankful for a wonderful, kind, loving, thoughtful husband who cleaned the entire house on Tuesday so that Violet and I could just focus on playing and spending time together.

Ready to "go-go," with her "Purch" safely in her lap.

We started off at the Bass Pro Shop at Victoria Gardens.... I know, a little odd, but a great, fun, free place for kids to hang out! I was far from the only parent of a pre-schooler there, hanging out, looking at fish and definitely NOT buying outdoor equipment!

In front of the big fish "wall"

A bearded fish coming straight for us!

Great excitement that she can push the buttons herself now.

After a little over an hour of check out the fish, "gup-gups" (deer), "cow" (moose) and climbing the giant staircase 3 times, we decided to head over to the Paul Biane library at the Victoria Garden's cultural center. If you have kids, this is a must see!

The children's area is huge, wonderfully fun and comfortable, and fully stocked with board books, young readers, movies and CDs.

What a great environment to encourage reading!

There was also an area with educational toys, which Violet loved!

When the eye rubbing reached an excessive level, we headed home for lunch (which was a success) and nap time (which, well, wasn't). After laying down together for an hour, I accepted that the 5 minute snooze that Violet caught on the way home from the library was all we were going to get and gave up! We broke out the new chalk that Violet was gifted from our dear friends Melaine and Jeremy:

Smile-Seal of Approval

My Picasso

To finalize the deal, marking this as Violet's favorite day ever, we met V's best little buddy "Ly-Ly" at the park for some swinging and tottering time!

"Momma, I like today!"

"Teeter-Totter, Teeter-Totter..."

I'm not sure who was more worn out at the end of the day! I do know though, that I'm loving this "active" stage with V and look forward to finding lots of free, fun and friend-filled things for us to do every-other week when that blessed "flex day" makes its welcome appearance!

Violet Speak 4.0

These are the words used daily and regularly. She'll repeat just about anything and is picking up words hourly now!

Cwap - used appropriately as a "swear" word. Oops.
Puppy
Come
Watch
Work
Shit (Sit)
Chane (Change)
Wet
Dan (Dance)
Purch (Purse)
Train
Sock
Jumpa (Jump)
Shlip (Flip)
Han (Hand)
Haruh (Hair)
Chair
Cam-ah (Camera)
Shrow (Throw)
Sorry
Side (Outside)
House
Chuhch (Church)
Pan-oh (Piano)
Showw-showw (Shower)
Shoap-shoap (Soap)
Towel
Rin (Rinse)
Brrrr
Cole (Cold)
Hotch (Hot)
Geh-choo! (Get You!)
Jim Jim (Jeremy heehee. She smiles before she says it 'cause she knows we're gonna laugh!)
MICKEY!!!!! (Miko, the Husky next door)

And now Violet puts words together too....

Come Mama dan! (Come Mama, Dance)
Mama go work?
Dipe-dipe beruh wet. (Bear's diaper is wet.)
Chane Ly-Ly? (Change Eli?)