We Don't Need No Stinkin' Seasons!

This morning, well before dawn, Playette peered out of her window and spotted a thin layer of snow being illuminated by the streetlights. She became very excited and started begging to go make a snowman.

The next time I saw her, she was in her bathing suit.

Inauguration

A few things I don't want to forget:

- My daughter's delight at seeing all of her "friends" waving at her through the television from the Capitol

- Her big grin after being told, "See that girl in the pink coat? Her name is Malia."

- When she caught glimpse of all of the waving flags, she put her hand on her heart and said "pledge"

Heart Over Mind

I received a shirt in the mail yesterday. I ordered it from the Sevenly organization. A couple of weeks ago, they chose Reece's Rainbow as their charity for which to raise funds for seven days via the sale of said tees.

I love mine x 100 and the "tag" is so incredibly awesome to me. So I figured that I'd share.

I'm not sure of the final amount raised over that week, but I think it was around $20,000, which means they funded 20 or so grants for children awaiting adoption.

Win, win.

Uncle

I know you'll be sad,

But don't shed a tear.

I'm not sending

Holiday cards out this year.

The ones that we've gotten

Are all on display, 

So I'm glad that you all

Still decided to play.

I could tell a fib

And say, "We're just going green,"

But the truth is, in part,

Stamp prices? Obscene.

And if I'm being honest

A big factor, y'know...

Is that I let my membership

Expire with Costco.

But that hasn't stopped me

From bad poetry.

'Cause lucky for y'all

I can do that for free.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

See below for years when I had more motivation. I love the little story this anthology tells of our family.

2008

2009

2010

2011

(last year I sent out two versions, which seems downright comical to me now)

Note: 

In 2007, when Playette was just six months old, I was still a mess and barely interested in celebrating a holiday. So, in case you're one who's wondering...it does get so much better.

Tales of Inclusion

Sure, she may not be able to count as high as the other children. And, yes, maybe her handwriting isn't as legible.

But there's no doubt that our girl is getting something from her classmates.

Yesterday morning, as we were playing getting ready for school, I heard her say something that stopped me in my tracks and made me smile.

"Nanny nanny boo boo, you can't catch me!"

Ha!

If those aren't the words of a  five-year-old, I don't know what is.

Remember, inclusive practices aren't about being exactly where the other kids are academically. That she's not. But she's learning and excited and having fun and we're just fine with that for today.

In Light of Recent Events

Yesterday, I sent the following note in to Playette's teacher. I share this here only because it may inspire others to send a word of encouragement and thanks to someone who has such influence on children's lives.

I got nervous that maybe I had overstepped a little, but I received a nice reply from the teacher this morning, so now I'm ok with posting it. *whew*


17 December 2012


Mrs. M.,


Today is a difficult day for many people, but, as a teacher, I am trying to imagine what it must be like for you. So many of us mourn the losses of the twenty-six people in Newtown, CT, but so few of us are teachers. So few of us know what it’s like to be responsible for the education and lives of the twenty-two children you’ll have in your care today and every day.


I just want to take this moment to thank you. I know it’s only words, but I hope that you know how much our family appreciates you and what you do for M every day. She is not your child in the biological sense, but I’m sure that you've hugged her, wiped her tears (and probably her nose, too), helped her when she’s fallen, encouraged her, disciplined her, laughed with her, and thought of her when she wasn't around. You've come up with ways that made her days a little easier to manage. You've shown her what it feels like to be successful. You haven’t focused solely on her developmental needs. To you, she is a whole person. She is M, another one of your funny, loud, crazy brood. For that, we could not be more grateful.


I also thank you for all of the extra you do to make your room a loving environment for all children. The centers, the rug with assigned seats based on what you know some children need, the photos of them on the walls, the artwork, the height markings, the words, the colors, the letters…all of the things that you've taken the time, and probably some of your own money, to put together. It all matters and helps to enrich so many young minds.


I would assume that your difficult job will get just a little bit harder today. Not only do you have to personally deal with the emotional impact of this tragedy, but there will surely be additional meetings, training, and regulations that you have to factor into your full days. There will also probably be some parents that have fears you will have to try and calm, yourself knowing that the world is a scary place and all we can ever do it our best.


I hope that you can accept these words like a hug.


It can never be said enough: We appreciate you.


With love,

The Smith Family

Do you see what I seeee?

About four months ago, I wrote about taking Dez to an open call for a diaper package shoot.

Today, we walked through Walmart and saw this:

closer....

options...

I don't mean to make it sound like I was surprised, all "Well, fiddle-dee-dee! Would you look at that? My son is on a package of di-yuh-puz."

I totally drove all over Robin Hood's barn this afternoon looking for these.

The pics are super crappy because, for some reason, I thought I didn't need a cart and Squiry McMoverson was not in the mood to let me get a good shot or four.

A few of the ladies who worked there got excited once they realized why I was taking pictures of diaper packages (cuckoo!), so then I got excited. Dez was grinning away the whole time. It was a cool moment.

This kid is oozing with swag.

He still has approximately 12 minutes of lifetime fame coming to him, in case you're wondering.

And now I need to figure out where I can donate these teeny dipes that our almost-eight-monther couldn't squeeze into if we paid him.

Note: White Cloud is WM's brand, but not all stores are carrying these just yet. They were around years ago, got replaced with Parent's Choice, and now are coming back. If you see them in your hood, feel free to let me know.