Tomorrow will be the new day that I start my new job. I had mixed feelings about work today. I was a little sad and a little excited about my new beginning. Mostly, I'm dreading it. I'm just ready to be trained and be friends with everyone!
I just bought Mallory's birthday presents. She will be getting a television for her bedroom. I was shocked that you can no longer purchase a cheap 19 inch. Everything was at least $150. I also bought her a cheap trac phone. I'm hoping once she has her own phone, she will leave mine alone.
I am seriously thinking about rescheduling Mallory's party from the evening to the afternoon. I just bought UGA vs Auburn tickets that were kinda expensive. This trip will be our fall trip and will double as an anniversary present between Daniel and I. The game is November 14 and our anniversary is November 17.
If we have the party in the afternoon, then I won't be obligated to serve dinner, right??????
BTW, will need a weekend baby sitter for the above mentioned date. I think you know who you are!!!!
P.S. All donations will be proudly accepted and can/will be recognized on this blog=)
Today our nephew, Braydden, turned 8 years old. His mother, Mallory's Aunt Brandy, treated kids to a day at the Okefenokee Swamp Park.
I didn't go, Mallory was cared for by her Nana but judging from the pictures, a good time was had by all.
They saw several exhibits, reptile shows, and went on a boat ride and a train tour. As you can see, Mallory was very tired at the end of the day.
As a parent who did not attend, I thought this was an awesome party. It lasted nearly 6 hours and when Mallory got home she was ready for bed! It was like having a day off!
This picture was taken about a week before Mallory's second birthday. Not long after this picture, Mallory actually activated the treadmill and got caught against the moving belt and the wall. She was not able to get up and we heard her crying. Although she was not badly hurt, Daniel and I nearly had a heart attack! A moment we won't ever forget!
BTW, Mallory chose the capri pant outfit as her birthday "dress." I tried really hard to convince her to choose the green dress (dress # 1) but couldn't persuade her. I also ordered a new special birthday hair bow.
In 2006 we took Mallory to Disney World. She loved the rides, the sights, the playgrounds, and even at this young age, the water!
This picture was taken after the shock of Mallory being soaked in full clothes! I left Daniel and Mallory to play on the nearby playground while I went to get fast passes for a couple of rides. When I returned, Mallory was soaked. I was not pleased for several reasons. First, it wasn't hot outside (this trip was in November), secondly we didn't have a change of clothing, and thirdly, how uncomfortable is it to be in wet clothes?????
In the end, we stripped her and laid out her shirt and pants to dry on the stroller. She really had a good time.
In the second picture she is responding to my mood, by saying, "what???"
I'm beginning to pack my stuff at work. Three people have already claimed several items from my office, including my desk and pencil sharpener.
Last week, at our staff meeting, my program gave me a going away party. They successfully set up a deli bar that included everything needed for a sub sandwich. It was really good! The big treat: Key Lime Cake, aka green cake. This cake is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!
Today, some other work friends and my sister, outside my program, took me to lunch. We ate at Applebees because they have the best cheese sticks.
I am getting nervous about my move but still feel positive about it. I just wish I could bypass the awkward first month.
Tomorrow is Wednesday=(. Wednesdays are my least favorite and tomorrow, in particular, will be bad. I have to do an intake at work which is a meeting with a new family that lasts for at least 2 hours!
Yep, I have a pool man. After all, I am moving up in the world. In fact, I am so rich that my pool is the only pool he cleans!!!!!
p.s. Grandma and Aunt Peggy: if you would visit, you could swim with us!
Here is a video of Mallory swimming. I took it today. As you can see, she is turning into a little fish. Krystial says she is a "must have" for the Y's swim team (when she gets older).
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Today Mallory's school had picture. Mallory was really excited and literally jumped out of bed.
This is the outfit that she wore. She wanted to "prance" around the dinning room as I took her picture. I think they do this type of "prancing" in dance class.
This week, Mallory's class is learning about the letter G. She can write the lower case g but the upper case is more difficult. Every night we have been working hard. We are also working on the letter y.
We have been using the "handwriting without tears" program. First, you use puzzle pieces (small and long lines and small and long curves) to construct a letter. Next, Mallory traces the letter with a wet paint brush on a chalk board and then writes the letter on the chalk board. When she masters these steps, she writes the letter on paper.
I am proud and more relieved to say that she enjoys the "homework" time. I try to implement the days of the week and the months with play. Tonight we lined up all of her babies and was "teaching" them the months of the year. After we chanted a few times, she said, "mama they are being bad." She went to the toy box and got her toy pistol. She shot each of them. I'm pretty sure that this is NOT normal kindergarten behavior.
The things Grandma does............
1) wears ridiculous hats
2) gets conned into pulling a wagon full of HEAVY children
3) frequents Chuck E Cheese (and pays for this great fun)
4) crawls and sits on hard wood floors
5) spends a fortune on photo developing
6) and everything else that is needed...
I love this photo. Mallory loves this chicken hat and sometimes asks about it.
I think Mallory was around 2 years here. I will have to ask Daniel, he is better with the details than I am.
1) Has not learned to enjoy kindergarten. She told me today, "I had a long day. I need to rest." She is still asking if she could go to work with me or Daniel---nearly every morning.
2) Wouldn't open her mouth so the dentist could clean her teeth.
3) Cannot remember that the number 14 comes after 13. She always automatically skips the number and continues with the rest!
4) Wants to eat everything all of the time
5) She gets our city, state, and nation mixed up. She stays within the topic but doesn't closely listen before yelling an answer. Also learning the days of the week, which she correctly recited tonight and the months of the year.
5) Will be mad when my new pink asics arrive!
Today, instead of her usual nice dresses, we opted for something different. We chose this "cowgirl" outfit. It was completed with her red boots. I thought Mallory looked so cute.
She even wore her butterfly-clip on earrings.
Yesterday we tried something different. On Friday nights we have a family night out, which means we go out to eat. This past Friday was a little more expensive than usual so I asked Mallory if we could skip Jerry J's. We agreed to go to the YMCA so I can go to spin class and afterwards we would swim in "aunt Krystial's big pool" It didn't work out because the child care teacher was sick. We ended up going to Jerry J's. I guess this is proof that you shouldn't change something good.
The pink or the black???
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Isn't it fab that I can fit into kids sizes??? So much cheaper.
Mallory's left ear repair is scheduled for November 24, 2009. Her pre-op visit will be 11/19/09 and she will also have an extensive hearing exam at this time.
For now, everything looked good. Her right ear has perfectly healed and Daniel and I both agree that she seems to be hearing better.
Here is a video of Mallory reading "David Goes to School." In the book, David is a little boy who does a lot of things wrong on his first day of school. Since school has started, this has been Mallory's favorite book. We read it nearly every night! I am hoping Mallory is not personally relating to the story.
This book was given to us by Aunt Peggy.
p.s. you should recognize the background noise. Its the Braves game!
Some of you already know, but not everyone.
I accepted a position with Babies Can't Wait nearly 2 weeks ago. I will be leaving my job as a case manager with Satilla Community Services on August 31. It was a very difficult decision for me. I really enjoy my job with Satilla but my program is slowly phasing out, I haven't seen a raise in two years, and I was not getting fully reimbursed for my Master's degree.
I start my new job on September 1. I will not be considered a new employee but a transfer within the state of Georgia. My new title will be Early Interventionist Specialist. I will be testing/evaluating babies and toddlers to see if their developmental delays are strong enough to warrant services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.
Someone asked me today if I was excited about my new job. I must admit, I'm excited about the pay but it is work, after all. I am really worried about the clients I leave behind and the staff. I will not be replaced within my program so my caseload will be divided between three people who are already busy and they won't be getting pay raises. The state of GA is in a bad situation and if funding for this year is any indication, it won't be getting better anytime soon.
I have also already been guaranteed to be off when Mallory has her second ear surgery. We go to the doctor for the final post op on the right ear and to schedule the left ear's operation this Thursday.
I think this move is wise. The funding seems to be more secure and the hours will be a little more flexible.
Mallory and I picked up the Raulersons and headed to Papa's house. We brought chocolate chip cookies and a cheese cake.
The girls had a good time playing with each other and showing Papa new tricks. I cannot tell you how many times I heard, "watch me Papa."
The Raulersons joined us for an afternoon swim. We had so much fun. We played Marco Polo, sharks and minnows, and the girls had fun when Daniel would throw them into the water.
After swimming, we were starving. We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Doritos, and ice cream for dessert.
I am proud to say that we have finished our first week of kindergarten. It started a little rough but Mallory has adjusted. Above are two pictures that I took this morning. Please notice that her name is monogrammed on her book bag. Nice touch, don't you think?
She is still wearing new outfits to school. I must admit--and I am not being biased--as far as i can tell, Mallory is the cutest and best dressed in her class.
Note: Mallory only wants to smile whenever she wants her picture taken, not when I want or can take her picture!
As you know, Mallory started kindergarten on Monday. She had a rough first day (are you really surprised???) Apparently she didn't want to write her name or color. In fact, she was given 45 minutes to complete this assignment and still refused. As a result, she missed most of her recess time. Needless to say on Tuesday she didn't want to go back. She wanted to go to work with her daddy.
On Tuesday, she did better. She wrote a bunch of M's and finally the rest of her name. She also used one color crayon to BARELY color the 3 objects on the paper. It took her 20 minutes to do this. However, she completed other worksheets with satisfactory speed and quality--she got smiley faces.
Today, she begged me to drop her off as opposed to walking her in.
When checked today, she got a smiley face on her behavior chart and her work appeared to be completed. Thank goodness!
On Monday night she went to bed at 7:00, last night she went to bed at 6:45 and tonight she fell asleep at 7:45. Tonight was later because she had gymnastics.
This was her first week back to gymnastics. She wore a new leotard to celebrate. Tonight she also expressed a desire to re-enter the combo class which includes dancing with the tumbling. I am really excited because now she will be in the Christmas play. The play will be on December 12--so mark you calendars!
Last week we celebrated Daniel's birthday. Mallory and I baked a cake, decorated it, and made home made ice cream. I think Daniel appreciated our effort. The cake and ice cream were really good. In fact, I wished I had some ice cream right now! Daniel's mom is the lady in the bottom picture. 
Today was Mallory's first day of school. She awoke at 4:30 and 6 am to ask if it was time. At 6:20 we got up and got dressed. The second picture was taken at the entrance of her room. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Rideout and she lives directly behind us. Therefore, she goes by our house every time she leaves hers.
Mallory said she had a good day. I asked what she did today and she said, "I write." I asked what else and she said, "color." This is ALL she has said about it. Thankfully, she wants to go back tomorrow.
Day 4, like the other days, was filled with beach time. Mallory and I truly love the beach and Daniel loves us so he tolerates it.
This was our last day and after an early morning beach jaunt, we had decided to leave tonight.
Thankfully, no one was rushed until after the sunset.
Grandma, the sunset, in particular, made me think of you. Why didn't you retire to the beach?
Each night I set my alarm to get up to watch the sunrise but never made it. I guess I was too lazy. If you would have been here, I would have gotten up though!
