First Field Trip

Reese's class took a field trip today to the Natural History Museum. The kids were asked to wear yellow shirts and thankfully Aunt Emily sent Reese a neon yellow shirt for Easter. We have been counting down the days all week to when she was going to see the dinosaurs. When I picked her up today she was happy to come home because each child received a goodie bag with some "gem stones," a pencil, dino stickers, and a little plastic dinosaur. She told me she saw dinosaurs and gold, and that she sat next to Kiko on the bus, where she didn't have to wear a car seat (seat belt). First field trip was a success! I was a little nervous about the bathroom situation because it is a bit of a drive to that museum but no problems. She is such a big girl! Sorry no pics today. Back to downton abbey...

Warning: I may be away for a while longer because fifty shades of grey is waiting for me at the library tomorrow. I feel like with it's popularity I need to read it for professional development. A good librarian needs to be up on her popular fiction. Ok, ok, I am an art research librarian and that has nothing to do with fiction. I am still calling it professional development.

Hiatus

There may be another hiatus from the blog as I am coming down with a cold and scored big time at the library yesterday by picking up the second season of Downton Abbey.  I am having a hard time thinking of anything else right now...

Phew

Wow, that was a busy weekend!  Saturday we started with a run to Target, where we bought a new pair of sparkle shoes, golden this time, a pair of flowered keds and a pair of water shoes.  We picked up a couple other things then got back to the house to pick things up and do laundry in preparation of a home visit from both our Indiana and Arizona case workers on Monday.

Reese used her Easter money to buy a slip-and-slide. We tried to use it in the yard but I couldn't get the hose to hook up so really Reese just ran around the yard and I sprayed her with the hose.  Then, she turned it on me.

Sunday did not go as I had planned because Reese woke up at 4am with an ear ache.  I felt so helpless, it was awful.  She went back to sleep for about half an hour.  It seems that sitting up an a dose of Tylenol brought her back to normal.  After a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, Reese went to play at Amy's while I mowed the lawn before the triple digits set in.  Then, were off to a Take Care Clinic at Walgreen's to get Reese's ear looked at but they didn't take Reese's health insurance.  After crying in frustration at Walgreen's, Amy came to the rescue and sent us to the Next Care that is really close to our house.  The people there were so nice and quick, thank goodness.  Above is a picture from the waiting room.  I can honestly day that I am not sure if that finger is Reese's or mine. 

The doc gave her ear a look and said it was a little pink which may be the beginning of an ear infection or she just had some fluid back up and it was up to me.  I picked up the antibiotics so that we have them but last night went well so I haven't given them to her yet.

Nap time yesterday consisted of cleaning the house from top to bottom.  It was an exhausting day.

This morning Reese's Indiana DCS worker flew out, my foster worker and my kinship worker all came for a home visit.  It is always awkward when they come because I am so nervous that I am going to do something wrong.  I am so glad it is over.  Everything went well and Reese was a doll.  She decided that she needed knee socks today... goof!  They were still up to knees over her leggings when I picked her up from school today.

We picked up a pair of toddler scissors at Target so cutting has been pretty hot in our house.  She leaves confetti wherever she goes.

Reese Quotes:  Reese likes to combine words to express her meaning.  She talks about "change money," "cutting scissors" and "Earth planet."  Her vocabulary is so amazing!  I love just talking to her and seeing what she comes up with.

Mustache - past and present

December 2009

April 2012

Where has the time gone?  I'm glad to see our past times has not changed!

Books

I picked up Reese from school today, picked up Ronald McDonald's for dinner then headed out to the avenues to the Friends of the Phoenix Public Library book sale.  Reese got so excited when we first got there.  It was nice to know that the excitement I always feel when I get there is something that she feels too.  We found this Heidi book and she had gave the loudest gasp and said "I love this book!"  It is so much fun to see her so excited about buying books.

It is getting hot in AZ, which I am not looking forward to.  We came home today and it was 92 in the house.  I have learned that I am not the most engaged parent when I am sweating.  Hence Reese sitting between my legs watching Scooby Doo (hence her face).  I broke down and turned on the air which I wouldn't normally do but it looks like triple digits for the next two days and I really enjoy being an engaged parent and not being "weaty," as Reese would day, and irritated.  I think it is going to be a long summer.

Reese Quote:  On the way out of school today, Reese told me "she had a run in with Seneca today and had to go into time out."  I asked if she had a fight with her and she said "no, just a run in."

All About Reese

This week was "All About Reese" at school!  We made a poster that talked about all of Reese's favorite things.  Then, I was invited to her class this morning for a time when the other students get to interview Reese and learn more about her.

Mrs. Casey uses this exercise to teacher the kids about asking questions and how to learn more about new friends.  Reese was so excited and just shining.  She didn't want me to leave her class but at dinner tonight she told me that she cried a little but Milo told her not to worry, that I would be back to get her later and I was!

And when I picked her up, she was filthy! 

NPR just did a story about how we should let our kids get dirty because those that are kept in a sterile environment actually ended up being sicker because they weren't introduced to bugs, so as to build up their immune system.  So, I am feeling pretty about my dirty little girl!  I love when she is completely oblivious to the dirt and mess she has all over her face. 

And yes, she is reading a giant version of Goodnight Moon in the car.  It was the gift of a friend, who thought she was buying a small board book for a baby shower but ended up with the largest, library story-time version of the book.  Reese of course was just excited by a new book and the fact that it was huge, was just a bonus!

Reese Quote:  Today Reese decided that she needed to bring a bracelet, a book, a stuffed animal, and a paper cut-out fish in the car on the way to school.  It was all balanced on the book and came tumbling down in the kitchen.  As she picked it up, she said "Ugh, I only have two hands!"

Birthday Party

We went to Reese's first friend-from-school birthday party last weekend! It was actually for two friends from school, Peyton and Grayson, who are twins. Most of Reese's class from school were there and she had a great time.

It was at a park by their school and it was a chilly day but that didn't stop the kids from playing! 

This is Reese and Troy on the grasshopper.

It was a batman themed party and it was so great seeing all these little three/four year olds with their batman masks on or calling off.

The parents of the twins brought cereal and cups so that the kids could feed the ducks.  The ducks and a family dog were in heaven, and so was Reese, who ate most of her cup herself.

There were two other invitations to parties last weekend but we only made it to this one.  I will count it as a success and look forward to the next party we go to.

I also found out that the twins will be attending the school's summer camp along with Reese which makes me so happy to know that she will know some kids at camp.  Phew!

Easter

Good Friday was a spring holiday at school so we had the Wazny girls down to play in the morning.  Then, we headed to their house to color Easter eggs!

The Gierman family decided to celebrate the holiday on Saturday at my Aunt Karen and Uncle Bob's house.  Reese enjoyed the best part of strawberry pretzel salad, licking the beaters!  This was the first time Reese has been a part of our Gierman holidays.  She loved playing with Ella and Jackson.  (I am mad at myself for not getting any pictures.)  Then, crashed on the way home.

The Easter bunny was very nervous about a little someone waking up and spoiling the fun.  Her basket over flowed and fifty eggs were hidden all over the house. 

This was her discovering the couple of eggs.  She was SO excited!

It took forever but she found all of the eggs and was equally excited with each find.

I made bacon for the first time in my life and I am proud to say it tasted great!

Rookie mistake: I left Reese in the living room with a chocolate bunny and told her just to eat the ears.  When I came back from cleaning up the kitchen, I found this and no more chocolate bunny.  I guess this is what Easter is all about.

The neighborhood had an Easter egg hunt and potluck in the afternoon.  We missed the egg hunt because Reese needed a nap.  She didn't know she had missed anything.  She had a great time playing with the neighborhood kids!

Letters

This worksheet came home from school yesterday.  In the space for her name, Reese made some small scribbles that look like she was trying to make letters.  I am pretty sure that in the middle is her first letter "R!"

Phoenix Zoo

A Sunday morning a couple weeks ago, we finally had some downtime and the weather was beautiful so Reese and I packed up the wagon (that has to ride in the passenger's seat of the Aveo because my car is so small) and a bag of snacks and headed to Phoenix Zoo.  The first stop were the elephants and the tigers were the next animal she asked to see but they were not out that day.

Photographer Reese!

We ended our visit with a ride on the carousel.  Reese of course picked the "scary dragon" to ride on!

I was exhausted with pulling the wagon full of Reese who just munched on snacks but I know Reese had a great time and really making those memories is worth it.

Zucchini Bread

I try to let Reese help me cook whenever she is interested in it, which is almost always.  I picked up a couple zucchinis at the store and christened my food processor by making zucchini bread.  Reese loved helping and I don't have a picture of the end product because we ate it so fast.  Not really but Reese did happily eat it for breakfast every morning until it was gone.  It looks like zucchini bread will be on the menu again!

Thank goodness that Reese also likes to help wash dishes too!

Licensed!

I received my official foster license in the mail last week!!  The relief of having that completed feels similar to the completion of grad school.  Phew!  30 hours of classes, about five inches of paperwork, three home visits, a home inspection with a follow-up, all completed!  I'm glad I won't have to do that again any time soon. 

Visit from Grandpa

In March, my dad came out for a long weekend.  He came to help me out during spring break when Reese did not have preschool to attend.  He watched her on Thursday and they picked me up for lunch at 5 Guys then we walked around the Museum for a bit.   

That night we had my dad's friend, Brian, over for homemade pizzas that Reese and I made.  Brian is great with kids so Reese just ate it up. 

On Friday, I went to work while Grandpa and Reese went out to my Aunt Karen's house for the day. 

On Saturday, we celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the Irish Cultural Center.  We went to the parade that I told my dad would last 20 minutes but ended up lasting an hour and 20 minutes.  Reese had a great time and the weather was perfect.  After the parade, we went over to the Faire at the cultural center and had a Smithwicks and corned beef and cabbage while watching some irish dancing.  Reese was a trooper but we were all exhausted by the time we got home.  In and Out burgers for dinner and some running around that night.

Sunday we went to church, Costco.  Then Monday, I went back to work and my dad and Reese ran some errands that took everything off of my "to do" list.  It was very helpful to have him here.  Everything just seemed easier with an extra set of hands around and Reese loved having him here. 

With their Monday errands, Grandpa bought Reese a big yellow ball.  It was like he bought her the Taj Mahal.  She loves that thing to this day.  We play kick in the yard four or five times a week!

I know that Reese and I are looking forward to Grandpa visiting again!

I've been slacking...

Can you tell that I now spend the better part of my days in front of a computer screen again? That means when I get home, the last thing I want to do is sit and stare at a screen. So, I have been slacking on this blog since about the time that I started working full time again.  
Reese has done a great job adjusting to full-day preschool. Most days, she doesn't want to leave because she is having so much fun with her friends. She is learning so much!  I had my first parent-teacher conference last week and Mrs. Casey said she is the doll of the playground.  That teachers and the other students just love her.  I asked how she did during nap time and Mrs. Casey said that her biggest trouble with Reese is that she sometimes sings louder than the music.  That's my girl!

In March, we had professional pictures taken and this was the best shot!

It is official, Reese is an Arizona Girl!  The shirt was painted by my friend Debbie.

This is how Garth woke me up one Saturday morning.  Goof!

Dr. Reese takes good care of Teddy.  He is almost 29 years old so he needs a tentative doctor.