Wow, I can't believe it's been nearly a month and SCHOOL PICTURES!

since I've posted any kind of blog about Carli and school. Two significant things have happened - her very first school dance and Fall Festival. She did not want her dad or I hanging around either time, so we left her at the school function by herself. I knew there were plenty of staff around to keep an eye on her so I tried not to worry - yeah, right.

She's pretty independent, I guess you'd say, when it comes to a school function. I'm not exactly sure why she didn't want us at either one, but everything turned out ok and I am guessing she wasn't the only child dropped off and left to their own devices. Both times we picked her up a couple of hours later and she was having the time of her life.

Tomorrow a local photographer is coming to the school to take individual pictures of the students. She does a composite of the students in the class, not a class picture. The package we are buying comes with 3 - 8x10s, 1 - 5x7, 2 - 3x5s, 4 - wallets, 8 - subwallets, 1 - class composite, plus 8 - wallets personalized with name and year.

I can't wait to see how they turn out!

First Progress Report from Carli's new school and riding the school bus

Carli finally brought her progress report home...it's labeled "Mid-Term Progress Report"...

Reading - satisfactory
Language Arts - exceeding
Mathematics - progressing
Social Studies - satisfactory
Science - satisfactory
Class Participation - satisfactory
Completion of Class Work - satisfactory
Completion of Homework - satisfactory
Behavior - satisfactory
Respect for Others - satisfactory
Respect for School Property - satisfactory
Following Directions - satisfactory

there's nothing else written on the report, which kinda makes me wonder...but I'm used to more professional progress reports...this is just a sheet of paper...


I am eagerly looking forward to Carli's first progress report from her new school. I have only received one phone call since she started at the beginning of August, and that was only because I had called to see how she was doing. Mr. Smith, her first ever male teacher told me she was doing fine academically and socially and that she was fitting in. Whew! Not that I didn't think she'd fit in (because I know she doesn't have a problem fitting in), but being at a new school where things were completely different for her compared to her old school where she'd made lots of friends.

She has since made at least 5 or 6 friends in her classroom and the other Third Grade classroom and I am less worried about her now than I was when she started.

She has also started a new chapter in her life by riding the school bus. We got the call the day before she was to begin and since I had not had the pleasure of meeting with the bus driver at "Meet the Teacher" night, I had to take it on blind faith that this was indeed the bus driver from her school and that our daughter would be picked up and returned to us safely.

Monday morning dawned bright and early as usual here in Arizona and as I lay there running the most awful scenarios through my mind, I forced myself out of bed, took my shower (because I also had to get ready for work), and started the coffee, went back into the bedroom and roused Carli out of her slumber.

We took out her braid, got her hair brushed and quickly got her dressed in her jumper, shirt and shoes. Before I knew it, it was 6:00 a.m. and the bus pulled up in front of our house. Needless to say, I was a bit concerned because I didn't know the bus driver (Ms. Daniels is the morning bus driver). I had to trust that God would protect my baby as I watched the bus drive down our street and out of sight.

She was safely returned that afternoon around 5:00 p.m. by Mr. Mims, the afternoon bus driver. I was never so glad to see my baby girl as I was that day! I hugged her so tight I thought I might suffocate her - but of course, I didn't!

At least a few weeks have gone by since that first day and I still remember it as if it were only yesterday. Hard to imagine how convenient it would be at the beginning, but now that we are in this routine, I am enjoying my new found freedom in the mornings after Carli has left for school.

She gets picked up now at 6:20 a.m. and still arrives home in the afternoons at the same time. She attends before- and after-school care at her school, but instead of spending it in the cafeteria with at least 30 (if not more) children who are completely and utterly out of control, she is in the Media Lab working on a computer, playing educational games or watching movies. I prefer this type of care for her - she is one of only a few who get to be in there. Only the children who ride the bus get to be in the Media Lab.

There is only one other child on the bus in the morning and 6 or 7 who ride in the afternoon. Life is good.

Carli's new school uniforms and delicates

Here are pictures of Carli in her four scooters and jumper, her new tennis shoes and under things and socks!










Carli's uniforms and delicates all arrived early. I was so worried that none of them would get here before school started, turns out I worried for nothing!

All four scooters (yes, I bought her four of them and they are all different), jumper, two polo shirts, panties, camis and socks have been washed and dried, folded and put into the two boxes her uniforms came in as a way to keep them organized and clean.

She has a brand new pair of tennis shoes and a pair of boots (yes, her daddy bought her boots for school!) I don't have a picture of the boots yet, but when I do I will add it.

I loved washing all of her clothes...I used some borax (great in hard water!), a liquid fabric softener and a great smelling detergent. I also used dryer sheets in the dryer to help further soften her uniform bottoms. The jumper and a couple of the scooters are cotton and were very stiff. Now they are not! I actually had to wash them a couple of times to relax the material, but it's a small thing to do to make sure her clothes are soft and comfortable and ready to wear. I washed all the scooters and jumper separate from the polo shirts since they are different colors.

I washed her under things together, which are mostly all white, so I only had three loads of clothes to do all together - like I said, small price to pay to make sure everything is ready before she starts school on Monday.

Trip to the Pharmacy 7.13.10

Today I finally got Carli's prescriptions in to the pharmacy. I've had them for months, but this was the first time I'd actually had a chance to go drop them off, so I did. Instead of hanging around the store, we went and ran errands.

When we returned later to pick them up, the pharmacist asked the name of the person I was picking up prescriptions for. I gave him Carli's name. Then she walked up to the counter and he asked her her birthdate...she, of course, gave it to him.

Then, as he was getting the prescriptions ready to ring up and put in a bag, he asked if she'd taken either medication before. One she had, the other she had not. Instead of talking to me and telling me how she should administer the one medication, he told her what she needed to do. He then asked her if she had any questions, she did not, and he proceeded to remind her again that the medicine is supposed to be taken at bedtime (before she brushes her teeth) and if she doesn't rinse her mouth out she'll get sores.

I thought it was so wonderful that he treated her with such respect and kindness. He didn't dismiss her because she's 7 years old. I was very impressed!

Sunday Edition 07/04/10

I notice I have not blogged on here in quite a little while...hmmm...I wonder why not? Oh well, it doesn't matter. I've been busy living life and taking care of a very active seven year old who keeps me hopping on a daily basis.

I love that Carli is so active, but sometimes I find myself wishing she would just stop and take a break, if only for a moment or two, just so I can relax too.

I hope I'm not alone in my wishing that a very active child would slow down for a moment. I don't think I am. I'm sure there are plenty of mom's out there who would like for their child(ren) to take a nap or go play outside in the backyard so she can have a moment's peace.

Saturday musing 06.26.10

Carli started out in her bed last night and was doing well. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but sometime during the night (or very early morning) she came in and crawled into bed with us.

Which is ok, there must have been a very good reason as to why she wanted to be with us. Bad dream perhaps? Whatever the reason, I'm just glad she did. She's always welcome to come in and sleep with us, but I do prefer that she sleep in her own bed of course.

She slept in until 0900, which is unusual for her and I guess she needed the sleep. Now she is up and about causing mayhem and mischief wherever she goes - ok, only kidding. She's being a very good little girl. She's eating some breakfast and will go play when she is finished with her cereal.

Carli is outside in the backyard playing with her dog...throwing the ball and generally having a lot of fun, which is cool. I love that she has a dog because she always has someone to play with. It would be nice if she had a little friend to play with, but I'm not going to stress the issue...what's the point?!

Hooray - another successful night!

Carli successfully slept all night in her bedroom again last night. I know it's only the second night, but I'm still thrilled that she's doing it. She came into our room asking if she could sleep with us.

I gently said, "No, you need to go back to bed." Then she said, 'but I'm thirsty." And I told her, "well, go get something to drink" and she promptly walked herself out to the kitchen and got a drink of green tea. Then she went back to her bed and went back to sleep.

Carli and sleeping through the night in her own bed

Carli successfully slept through the night in her own bed last night, without once getting up to come into bed with James and I. She even managed to sleep without having the television on all night. I went and turned it off around 10 p.m. when I myself went to bed.

I thought she would wake up and fuss about it, but she didn't. I was surprised, but happy that she remained asleep. I guess she didn't because before she went to bed we told her that she was to try and sleep without having the t.v. on all night, I told her that I would be coming in to turn her t.v. off after she'd fallen asleep and she acknowledged that it would be alright if I did.

So, I did. Yay for Carli managing to stay asleep all night, in her own bed, in her own bedroom. It wasn't very difficult for her because I think she really wants to do it and not sleep with mom and dad anymore. She's nearly 8 years old (November) and she is ready to be a big girl.

Wow, have I been neglectful recently on this blog!

But no big surprise. I do have three other blogs I'm writing, one of which I haven't blogged on since April! So, guess I must say I have two blogs that I am working on. Caregiving, what's it all about? And, A Day In The Life Of Me. The other two blogs are sitting idly by being neglected. Oh well, it could be worse!

So, it's been awhile

since I posted on this particular blog. However, that doesn't mean that I haven't been blogging elsewhere. I have divided (0r compartmentalized) my life, to some degree and think it's better. That way not everyone is forced to read all my editions and musings...they can pick and choose what they want to read, or not.

I only have a couple of followers on here and I would like for those followers to please look at my other blogs and perhaps follow them, as well. Some of you might be amused at what I am thinking and what I am writing - or not.

If you'd like, I will personally send you the links to my other blogs. Let me know what you think!

Easter Sunday

So, while some people celebrate Easter with chocolate bunnies, colored hard-boiled eggs for the kiddies to find and Easter baskets full of other candy, this is not the true meaning of Easter. Consider me guilty of this childish pleasure, because I have a 7 year old who loves to hunt for the eggs the "Easter Bunny" has hidden for her. Easter is celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ after being nailed to the cross on what we now know as Good Friday.

I grew up in a Christian household where I learned that Easter was a time for hunting Easter eggs and then going to church to learn about Jesus' resurrection. Every year from the time I was a toddler and into teen-age and early adulthood (although the Easter Bunny stopped visiting my house when I was about 12). Hence, beginning today, we are now engaging our daughter in the same way.

Yes, we let her hunt said Easter eggs - as I said in the beginning of my blog. But, we also purchased 'The Passion of the Christ' to watch later today - since we are waiting on some things before we start attending the church we've decided on becoming members.

I love Easter, bunny, chocolate candies and Jesus Christ.

God Bless!

Back to work and school

It's nice to finally be back to work and having Carli back in school and learning. The week of Spring Break was wonderful and busy, but that was a nice change from Spring Breaks of past. I have Carli signed up for Summer School in June, and will turn in the application at work tomorrow. So nice being able to work at her school and get the same vacations as she does. Every parents dream - or nightmare if you have ill-behaved children! Ok, only kidding -all kids are well-behaved, right?!

I was sick with a cold/bronchitis during Spring Break and my first week back to work. I'm still sick, but feeling better. Sort of. I'm not sure if I have bronchitis or a cold. Oh well, whatever it is I will manage somehow.

Four more weeks of regular learning and then three weeks of DIBELS. I am going to be busy, busy, busy, but that's ok. What I'm most interested in finding out is if I'll be getting my contract renewed for the 2010-11 school year. I hope I find out soon!

First Full Day of Spring!

Well, Spring may have started yesterday at 1:32 p.m. Universal Time (whatever that means!), but today is the first Full Day of Spring! - How wonderful it is to be having Spring in Arizona -that's where I live. And I love it here. There is no place I'd rather be honestly, because everywhere else it is still cold and rainy and/or snowy, except maybe in Florida - but there its a wet heat where one feels like they just stepped out of the shower into another shower (I hate that feeling!)

Here in Arizona, however, the heat is dry and if there ever is any snow (yeah, like there'd ever be snow in Phoenix), it would probably last two or three minutes, unless the weather was perfect for snow remaining on the ground for a little while longer than that. Thank goodness, though, there is never any snow here in Phoenix and for that I am grateful and happy. That's why I moved to Arizona - to get out of the rain, snow and generally cold weather that seems to last forever when you are stuck somewhere you really don't want to be.

Now, I've been in Arizona for nearly 10 years now and I don't regret my decision to move down here and start my life over. The previous 10 years I'd lived in Kennewick, WA married to a cop and three stepdaughters who completely and totally hated my guts - I don't know why, I'm not a bad person - maybe someday I'll ask them why. Or, maybe I don't care anymore, because I've moved on. I have a third daughter of my own now and wouldn't change it for anything, no really, I wouldn't.

Things haven't always gone smoothly for us, but for the most part life is good and I can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings us.

Babysitting all done!

Well, I am finished babysitting Sierra. It was a lot of fun and and great learning experience for me. Carli and Sierra got along pretty good, but not as good as they could have. I guess after being in such close proximity for as long as they were I would have to say they did okay.

Yesterday (Friday) was the culmination of it all. Sierra spent Thursday night - apparently she's an expert at spending the night away from home. As a result, there were no crying episodes, no "I miss mom!" Which was good. I hope Carli learned from it - since she's never slept over anywhere before. I'm not so sure I'd like her in someone else's house for the night, ya know? But, I suppose if it were Alice's house, I'd be okay with it...even though I'd probably check on her at least 5 or 6 times via textmessaging until I fall asleep exhausted with worry. Sorry...it's the mom in me and I can't stand being away from my baby girl.

I don't mind her going down the street to play with the neighbor children because I can pop in anytime I want and it's all good because I know where she is and who she's with. I know the kids and they all know me. I like it that way because then I know who I'm letting my child be friends with. They are all very respectful and behave themselves accordingly. And that's good, because then they know they won't get in any trouble. Yay for children who act like good little boys and girls!

Spring Break is almost over. Tomorrow is the last official day and then there are a couple of months until school is out for summer. It's hard to believe another school year has come and gone so quickly.

I'm signing Carli up for summer school and pray that we get the scholarship so she can attend. It's four-week, 4 days a week, 4 hours a day school and although she really doesn't need to go for grades or any kind of serious help in anything, just going and being around other kids, being exposed to learning will keep her occupied long enough to not be bored! I'm also considering signing her up for Summer Day Camp through the UofA Cooperative Extension office which is only 5 days after Summer School is over...I hope that Summer Day Camp works out. I'd really like for Carli to be a whole part of that experience again, especially since she had such a great time last year.

Final Day of Babysitting Sierra

Like I'd said in an earlier post, 'babysitting' is quite an unflattering term, especially when it comes to watching an 8 year old girl who's in Second Grade.

Anyway, today was supposed to have been really fun for the girls, we were supposed to go back to Tempe Marketplace and play in the water and take more pictures of the girls. But alas, it was not to be. Carli decided instead of staying with me at the store she would wander off and look at something else by one of the registers without telling me she was leaving (which is a store rule no-no!). I was going to buy the girls another treat today, but when I didn't see Carli and then discovered where she was, the trip was OVER!

I immediately starting walking out of the store with Sierra following close behind and Carli dragging her feet. We headed toward the orbit - the same one we'd barely left, and as we were walking up to it, I tapped her on the behind and told her to get her little behind on the bus - NOW!

I was not happy and neither were either one of the girls...I took Sierra aside and apologized to her, letting her know I was sorry her outing had been scrapped, thanks to Carli's misadventure at the store. I'm sure she was disappointed, but if she was, she didn't let on.

I wasn't going to let Sierra spend tonight because the girls had been fighting and bickering almost like sisters...it was disheartening because I was hoping they'd get along better, considering they hadn't seen each other in a very long time. Anyway, they managed to pull it together long enough to be decent to one another, especially after the disastrous day they'd had by not getting to go to Tempe Marketplace.

Now, here they sit, on the livingroom floor watching a movie together and actually watching it without talking or playing. I'm surprised at how good and quiet they can be. As soon as the movie is over they are heading to bed for the night. I hope they sleep well and late tomorrow.

I can't believe how fast the week has gone, but I suppose being busy every day this week has been good and what made the week fly by. I've been able to get some really good pictures of the girls playing with each other and with other neighbor kids. All in all, they did really well.

Spring Break Outing 3.17.2010

Yesterday Carli, Sierra and I went to downtown Tempe to walk around and see the sights. It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed frozen yogurt at MoJos, where the girls shared a bowl with lots of sprinkles and other fun toppings and I had my own with some peanuts and almonds on top - it was delicious! After we finished our yogurts we took a walk to the pharmacy (Carli had to use the restroom and it was the closest) I bought a small bag of cheetos (you know the single serving kind?) and we split them three ways...and a pack of gum. When we finished our treat, we climbed about the orbit and headed to the transit center to catch another orbit to Tempe Marketplace. When we got there (about 35 minutes or so later), we went to Target and walked around(for a little while. On our way out we stopped at the Nutrition aisle and picked out three different nutrition bars (99 cents each) and went outside to eat them. YUM! When we were done, the girls were not ready to go home, so we walked over to the District part of the marketplace and low and behold we found a little water play place. The girls were not prepared to get wet, but I let them anyway. I watched them play for 45 minutes - maybe an hour jumping in the water and the got absolutely soaked from head to toe! I took pictures of them playing in the water. They had so much fun. We are going back today, and this time the girls are prepared to get wet!
****UPDATE****
We were all set to return today and even nearly arrived at our final destination - but, Carli couldn't keep it together long enough for us to walk over to the water. We stopped at Target to get a snack and while Sierra and I were looking at the food choices, Carli decided to walk over near a checkout stand to look at an Ariel doll, without telling me first. When I couldn't find her I was terrified. When I finally turned around and discovered where she was, I was livid! I started to walk out of the store and Sierra obediently followed me, whereas Carli did not, at least not right away. When she saw that I was serious, she began to walk with us. She begged and pleaded that she'd stay with me and behave, but by then it was too late. Once she walks away, it's all over. She knows store rules well enough that she shouldn't have walked away without first telling me. Fortunately for us the orbit we'd ridden to TMP was still there. I spanked her little behind and told her to get on the bus, then I apologized to Sierra for having the day be a bust. They were both grounded for a little while and then I let them play. Now they are at Anna's house, and I will have to go get them very soon. Still not sure if I should let Sierra spend the night or not, although they have been getting along better today. We'll see.

Going back through older posts...

So, I went back through some of my older posts just to see what I'd talked about in the past. I found a post on tofu and how much I thought I didn't like it. I remember trying tofu a long time ago and not liking it very much. But, more recently, my husband used tofu in a recipe with chicken and he chopped it so fine I never even noticed it. So, I guess I like it now, especially if it's chopped really fine.

Another interesting topic I'd discussed was meeting biological family members and getting to know them. During all of this, my relationship with my father has not changed. I haven't spoken with him very much, I'm not sure why. And to me, that's sad. I miss him, and don't want him living there anymore. I want to get to know him better, have a real father-daughter relationship with him, and that's hard to do long distance - which anybody would understand. So, over the past couple of weeks I have been discussing the subject with my husband, wondering if he'd be open to the possibility of having my father move in with us for the duration - essentially the rest of my father's natural life.

He hasn't exactly said 'yes' to the idea, but he hasn't said 'no' either. So I still need to find out if having Harry move here is a viable option. We are certainly NOT moving to Libby, MT. We like where we are, James is about ready to start his job w/the post office, I'm a teacher's aide at my daughters school and she will be entering the third grade come August of this year. I already have her teacher decided on, she knows she'll finally be upstairs and is looking forward to staying with all of her friends and classmates. I'd hate to disappoint her by picking up and moving to what I would consider a 'foreign' town . It's windy, cold and snowy for long periods of time in MT and I am (after 10 years in a very sunshiny state) not willing to go back into the deep freeze. Not now, not ever.

That being said, this post has been concluded.

Beginning of Day Two of Babysitting

Babysitting, in all honesty, seems like such a 'babyish' term, especially when one is babysitting an 8 year old girl. So, I guess I should say 'watching' or some other more eloquent term.

The girls had a bit of hashbrowns, with a little extra sharp cheddar cheese melted on top and a glass of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice (yup, the girls decided they'd pick 17 grapefruits off a neighbor's tree and I didn't like the idea - so I told them they had to squeeze the juice out of them! In hopes that they won't do it again). I rinsed them off and cut them in half, gave them a bowl for the juice and two big spoons to help them get the pulp and juice out. I put down a big plastic bag underneath everything on the kitchen table so that if they did make a mess clean-up would be effortless - and it was. I sent them on their merry way to play outside while I strained the seeds and pulp out and into a pitcher. I added some sugar and put it in the refrigerator to get cold overnight. I told them they could have some tomorrow (ok, now today).

Now, on day two the girls are watching yet another movie and eating a healthy snack (they must be growing as they seem to be hungry almost all the time!) of chocolate graham cracker Goldfish. Which, by the way, they both seem to love!

I will end here, for the moment...

End of Day One Babysitting

So...Sierra has been gone for about 4 hours now. Carli has fallen asleep on the couch watching 'Coraline'. This is the second time today she's watched it, me too. I love the movie. I remember when we had it on Netflix - we watched it over and over and over. Anyway...you get the point.

Sierra was a very good little girl...she seemed to be on her best behavior. She even tried her darnedest to get Carli to act better. It was pretty cute really.

The girls got along better than I expected, considering both of them are 'only' children. They were able to share their toys and work together on the rubber jewelry kit Sierra brought. I'll have to put it outside tomorrow, as it still has not dried out enough.

So ends Day One of a Four Day journey.

Beginning of Spring Break - Monday edition

Today marks the beginning of the next four days of Sierra coming to stay with us while her mom Alice goes to school to become a massage therapist. So far things are going well, both girls are getting along nicely and sitting quietly together on the couch watching 'Coraline'. Carli has seen it already, but Sierra has not. So it's fun to watch her reactions to what's going on.

Alice dropped off quite a few movies (dvd form) which will help out a lot. I have plans for the girls tomorrow and Wednesday. I'm hoping my girlfriends will come through for me and join me. It'd be more fun to have adult company when I'm out and about. I can do this by myself, but I'd rather not have to.

Well, I suppose I'd better wrap this up and go get breakfast. I'm starving and have only had coffee so far.

Thanks for reading!

Weekend Edition

Here I sit, watching (ok, listening) to the t.v. and also hearing my precocious 7 year old pretend to cry because she wants to be carried to bed, instead of walking herself there. Well, she is just going to have to wait, dad is busy on his computer and I am diligently busy on mine. She has her 'benny' blanket in her hands - one she has had since she was an infant and loves it to pieces. It's starting to tatter now - imagine that after all these years.

I have been going through other blogs on here and even found a few that I would like to (and am actively) following. Some I have done anonymously, and others where I have let it be known who I am. Not that anyone would care, but it's fun to scroll through and see what others write, how they write and what they think.

I've been blogging on here for quite some time now...a year or longer, I think. My husband just started posting the other day and already has three followers - me among them. He's doing quite well at it, I'm proud of him. Really I am.

Friday, March 12, 2010 and beyond

Yay, the override passed! What that means, for me exactly, I'm not quite sure. Good news is all the teachers at my school will have jobs come next year, provided they want to continue teaching. Some may retire, others may return. It's up to them.

As for what else is going on next week during Spring Break, well, let me tell you! Since Carli and I are not in school/at work, I was wondering how I was going to keep my precocious 7 year old entertained for 5 days (well, 9 if you count the weekend before and after). When I noticed a friend of mine on Facebook was searching for someone to watch her precocious 8 year old, I decided to take her up on it. These two attended Summer School together and became fast friends, so much so you'd think that these two had grown up together and had known each other forever.

It's going to be interesting for me to have two children in my home, especially since I'm used to having only one child. I hope they are able to entertain each other without serious repercussions (fighting, basically not getting along). They are both pretty much only children and are not used to sharing their personal belongings with others. It will be definitely interesting, that's for sure.

Any thoughts and/or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Sunday Edition - March 7, 2010

Once again, it's Sunday. It's been an interesting week at work because things are coming down the pike about the states budget. We might have funding for one more year for teachers, instructional assistants and administrative staffing. Provided the override for Tempe passes on March 9th. If it doesn't, some will be out of work. Teachers included perhaps. And that's sad. I hope it passes because I would like to be able to continue working where I am. I love my job and my co-workers are some of the best to work with. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of the Holdeman Family. We're voting 'Yes' for the override. I hope other Tempe residents will consider doing the same.

It's Sunday - family members are in town

We have family in town this weekend and this week. My husband's parents are here from Washington State and so is our daughter-in-law and granddaughter (also from Washington State) and no, they didn't all come together. It's kinda funny how it happened, really.

My in-laws are driving around visiting family in their motorhome and my DIL flew in yesterday to visit us for the afternoon and then be with her parents the rest of the week up in Prescott. She'll be back on Saturday to return home so we'll get to see them one more time before they leave.

YAY! I held my granddaughter lots yesterday and it was nice to see her. And my DIL too as I love her as if she were my own. It's nice having family around and getting to see them. We are going to my in-laws sometime today to visit with them one more time and then I don't know if we'll see them before they leave on Wednesday, but perhaps.

Carli's growing up and fast!

It's amazing (and a little bit scary) just how fast Carli is growing up. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that she is already seven years old and with a mind of her own! She's half way to becoming a teen-ager, wow...where has the time gone! I know Carrie and Becki are amazed at how fast their little ones are growing up, you guys - just wait until they're Carli's age! You think 5 months or a year has gone fast...you're right it has gone by quickly. And it will continue to do so...no matter if you have another child. I have only the one and time flies. But it's all good.

She loves going down the street to any neighbor that will welcome her in. People seem to adore her and allow her in their homes. It's funny you know? As she's growing up and becoming more of a social butterfly, people open up to her. Today she found a new little friend to play with. Her name is Anna and she lives two houses down. Carli went over and played with her for a couple of hours both inside and outside, just having a lot of fun. There are also two little chihuahua puppies at the house (one boy, he's the runt and one girl)...the lady of the house wants $150.00 each for them...kinda steep, but I understand why. They aren't ready to be sold just yet and that's ok...we are not getting another puppy. They are adorable though!