time flies
 
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On our way to Colorado Springs today, Sophie & I were admiring the fresh fallen snow. On a meadowy (It's a word) stretch between the highway & a heavily forested area we noted tracks. When Sophie wondered what might have made the trail of prints, I answered that, "it could have been a deer, a rabbit, maybe a coyote or an elk...."  
She exclaimed, "Elves!! I didn't we had elves in our forest!!"
 
3 am 01/05/2010
 
...& have been up for almost an hour, which is normal.
Believe me, I am NOT complaining! When Sophie was this age she didn't sleep. She was a bit fussier. Hindsight being what it is, I'm sure it was my fault. I think I know more this time around. I'm sorry Sophie, and thanks for putting up with my ignorance and "mommy education" while you grew. You are still putting up with my learning curve! You are such a great sport about life.

Thea, you are so funny, "talking" up a storm at 3am! You are an amazing little one!

Puzzles!! Sophie is so good at puzzles! Thea, totally discovering her voice! Uhoh, we are in trouble now! When Sophie discovered her voice, she didn't discover the off switch to it. We are still looking for it. Although, she can read now and she has been enjoying reading to herself. I am proud.

Made side by side photos of Sophie & Thea at similar ages.
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Sophie on the left, Thea on the right
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Here Sophie is in the top frame.
 
 
Much calmer now after yesterday's storm...
During the middle of my appointment with my midwife, I recieved a phone call from David saying that a tornado just touched down in Lake George! When I got home two hours later there was still hail all over the ground. Some of the hail nuggets were the size of a quarter... wonder how big they were 2 hours prior! Glad I had the truck in town... it would have been hammered.
Today is sunny, warm and a typical glorious august day in the Rocky Mountains.
David is out today documenting the carnage left in forested areas.
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The little girl in the video is too cute to not share... and this topic is pertinent these days as we, apparently, have been having monster and ghost invasions in the middle of the night. With the advice of some wise, experienced mothers (including my own) Sophie and I mixed up a special concoction to deter the pest of the monster variety. We are still working on something that will deter ghosts.

Sophie thinks a new and different spray might work. I guess we will try that. Pixie dust hasn't worked yet.

Oh yes, the update from the midwife appt; I have gained approximately 20-25 pounds so far, all measurements are on track and the heartbeat is strong and healthy (Old Wives tales predict boy according to the heartbeat rate).  I did have blood  drawn this time but do not expect that there will be anything strange about it. I have been feeling pretty good. Been taking more vitamins lately, especially calcium because it helps my hips from hurting when I sleep. I have a concoction figured out that has worked three nights in a row so far... I first drink an emergenC vitamin drink, then have a tablespoon of liquid calcium in juice. As well as a prenatal vitamin. It seems like a lot, but most of that stuff doesn't store in the body and just gets peed out if I don't need or cannot absorb it all.
Other than that, i need to eat just about every 2 hours or so, and take a nap if I can in the afternoon. Naps only happen about half the time, but I'm hanging in there.  I know, I know, I need to update my belly photos. I haven't done a photo for a while. I'll try to get one soon.

Tomorrow is an end of summer gathering with a bunch of homeschooling families. Some of whom are in Sophie's cottage school program, others are just people we know whom homeschool. Should be fun. I'll be bringing a chair to sit in :0)
I'll take photos!!
Xo
 
 

When Sophie gets up in the morning, she and the little MaggiePie like to sit on the couch and cuddle before anything else happens in the day.
This is good. . .Yesterday Sophie asked me if we could sell Maggie because Maggie ate a butterfly. . .the Butterfly was "Sophie's friend, named Sara"
I guess she's over it today :0)

 
 

Sophie's Birthday weekend of activities. . .And Peaceful Prairie is by far the most popular.

She still talks about the HUGE pigs. She looks so tiny in the photo where she is petting the snoozing "Sunshine". She still laughs about Sienna rolling in a mud puddle and splashing her in the face. . ."Two Times!"
And Lucas, "he's too big to pet, he wants to rub all over!"

She loves Seymour, "But he can't see!"  He's sheared now. We should ask Michele for a photo of the now-seeing Seymour. (He's also the one that hung out with us all for a while. We all have our photo taken with him. The other Sheep were more shy.)

OH!! The Chickens. I think those critters were her favorite, although she wouldn't dare pick a favorite.  And Justice, the slobbery Steer. Too many new friends to name here.
Overall, a wonderful day with the animals. GO VISIT! It's wonderful!


 
 

The Dance studio that Sophie attends had their Spring Recital on Saturday.  I was backstage helping with the class and didn't get great pictures. Or at least, nothing interesting. The girls are beautiful and very excited about the entire "thing". Very cute. They barely remember their dance once they are on stage and see all of the people. It's pretty amusing.

I'm hoping some of the other parents got some photos of these girls (my girl) while they were on stage. I'll add them if I get any.

Sophie is already asking when she gets to do another show! She's a goof. This is her third one, and she's finally feeling like she's understanding the process of "Show Night".

 
 

I'm sure that all the mothers say this, but. . . .

I CANNOT BELIEVE I HAVE A FIVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER!!!

She is absolutely amazing.

I'm not going to lie. I do have to tap into major patience reserves at times.  .. but that is more about my "adult mentality" than about her "being a 4 year old." Regardless, this girl is something else. Always awing me with her little mind, her compassion, her understanding, her developing sense of humor, and her vitality.

Anyway, with out boring you with all of the details that mothers swoon about, she is having a birthday soon. This Friday, the 16th.

Of all of the events this weekend has on it's schedule, the highlight of the planned festivities is the trip to the Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary on Sunday, for their Picnic on the Prairie.

I will be sure to take photos!! Check back here next week for the update!
 
                     until then. . .
                                  be well. . .
xo-p