How to keep cool in Dallas

Ugh – I’ve said this many times before – but I’ll say it again.  Summer to Texas is what winter is to Michigan (for me).  You must be creative with your short periods of outdoor time, and you spend most of it indoors.  I will say that Texas is a bit more forgiving, because as long as you’re near water you can spend some time out in hot creation!  But, Abi’s figured it out:

Head to the spray park with Emmy:

Spend lots of time in my bloomers:

Hang out with my Nanny and Grandpa in their pool:

Go Roger!

The reasons we love our dear Abi are endless.  But we especially love her ability to love us even when we make her do silly things and that she seems to have great taste in sports:

She is hugely excited about Breakfast at Wimbledon beginning and she is quite specific on who she would like

to win for the 5th time!

(Abi if you read this one day; I apologize for the picture – I know you won’t like it – but it was so cute pre-sneeze!)

Her Poppa thinks so too:

I always route for Federer (although I never mind it when Nadal wins – both excellent athletic role models) – but I would secretly love for James Blake to win – Go America!

My Poppa

In honor of a day meant to commemorate the wonderful men in our lives – here is Abi’s tribute to her most amazing father.

 

Donald is an amazing father.  He loves Abi where she is.  Not that his love isn’t mature over her as she will grow up; but he loves her in the moment.  I see Christ’s love for us so clearly in this.  He loves us where we are.  Donald fathers Abi.  He is tender, he makes her feel special, he disciplines her, he believes good things about her, he loves her.  Donald makes Abi giggle.  And he delights in these simple moments.  He doesn’t live in “la-la land” regarding abi – he recognizes her humanity – but loves her regardless of these things.  This is what fathers do.  He loves her.

Per Abi – She is so thankful that donald is her poppa.  I am so glad too.  He is the most amazing father I know.  We love him.

I’m a big girl now!

(Well, I want to be)  Abi has been keeping us entertained during meal times by wanting to feed herself with a spoon.  Usually pretty messy!  I tried to capture some images by myself:

Pretty blurry and not so great!  Tried again later that evening with donald.  (Don’t get too grossed out, we usually don’t let her eat straight from the container!)

Next stop: ice-cream cones and hot dogs and who knows, maybe cutting meat with a knife!

My trip to the Children’s Museum

Last Friday Abi and I joined our buddies Chelle & Emmy to head down to Fair Park and check out the Children’s Museum at the Museum of Nature and Science!  Will probably not go back again until Abi can walk – and once school is back in session!  But another great “first” for Abi – so fun to see her experience things for the first time.

  

Outsmarting the Sock Monkey

How many people are smiling at the mention of a sock monkey?!  I loved my sock monkey growing up, and I was so thrilled to see a “distribution to the masses” at Target in the past month of sock monkeys and other related items.  When my Grandma was down from Michigan last month, she graciously purchased Abi a jack-in-the-box sock monkey.  I was super excited because I love jack-in-the-boxes (and was excited that Target was selling them instead of spending 30 plus dollars on one!) and I love sock monkeys!  Abi really enjoyed the toy – yet her thinking has surpassed the classic toy makers – and this is how our time with the toy is spent now:

“Cute little sock monkey, get back in your home…”

 

(Shoving the sock monkey back in the box  - can’t quite do it on her own yet, but she sure does try!)

Deciding she doesn’t want to wait the ridiculous 30 seconds for “Pop goes the Weasel” and takes matters into her own hands:

What a clever, little cheater!!!

Look out, Shawn Johnson!!

OK, the title is a bit of a stretch since let’s be honest, Shawn Johnson will be old and frail before Abi can compete in the Olympics.  Now I am planning on forcing Abi to love swimming and tennis (wink wink, not really) but she is showing a love for all that is gymnastics (well, an 11 month-old’s version of gymnastics)!  What she accomplished the day before last (under strict supervision!):

She starts from the floor – climbs onto the first little foot rest – onto the seat – and shimmies up the rest of it!  Wow!  Strong little lady!

Pat the Bunny

I love classics.  Really, I do.  I can’t wait to read Pride & Prejudice, the Little House on the Prairie series, etc. to Abi.  But, I am currently SICK of this little classic.  I would be quite content if this little book never entered our house.  Abi adores this book.  We could read this every day, during every reading session and she would be content.  Ahhh, here is where selflessness comes in.  I try and try and try to encourage other books (and quite often I win just due to who' is stronger and actually makes the ultimate decision!) but in trying to encourage Abi’s independence and making decisions – often she chooses our book.  And here is the running favorite.