A 3 year old's perspective -simple

So T and I were driving (well I was) out to the reservation where I am implementing a summer evening program with the kids, she pipes up, where is my grandpa? Just out of the blue. How do you answer your little one, when there is no grandpa and you've already had to also explain about the MIA dad? For those 20 seconds it took me to answer, my tears welled up and I felt so bad that I had to tell her she didn't have a grandpa -cursed the fates that took her Papa (my dad) and the absent grandpa from her dad's side. As is my way and to keep it real I told her that she didn't have a grandpa, as is her way she immediately stated that yes she did! Hmmm what to do now? So I said , welllll you do have a Papa -his picture is hanging up in our house but he's no longer with us. To my amazement she said yes, she had a Papa and his picture is by our room. (Happy as can be she was). She then asked me where my grandpa was, I had to tell her he was only in a picture too, that he had died a long time ago. She was so excited that we both had grandpas....in pictures. I just had to laugh, yes that was true, it was all so simple to her and she didn't feel left out. I know this will change as she grows older and asks more questions, but for now all is well in the Jack household. (I told my mom this story and she said that her and T had a conversation about Papa last week.)

Humboldt Exercising

We went to the Humboldt coast again for work, had wonderful smoke free weather. Barely made it through 299 before they closed it again, it was only open for about 3 hours that day and we made it through, though the side of the road was burning! Anyway, we hiked down to Agate Beach at Patricks Point State Park (steep grade). T practiced some of her yoga moves on the beach and on the hike back up she took a short break on the steps -I didn't have to carry her at all this time, yeah!

Hope you all have a nice 4th of July.

New Item at Trader Joes

Bet you didn't know you could get a cute little Paiute at TJs! (Be aware, she does not come with combed hair.)

Enjoy the Weekend...and the Heat!

Ridin a Horse

Sequoia Park and Zoo

I had a business trip in Humboldt County, so I took Mom and T along to visit the ocean (I'll upload those pics later). While I was in my meeting they went to the Sequoia Park and Zoo, where T had lots of fun and her favorite animal was the cat with the mouse in its mouth! Too funny.

More Spring Vacation Pics

Spring Vacation

Mom, T, and I were able to take a spring vacation and took the long way to Ventura to spend spring break with my brother and his family who were on spring break. We left here, went over the sierras to Mono Lake, Lone Pine (Alabama Hills State Park), Death Valley, and then to Ventura. Spring is here -the desert is alive!

Tasty

Simple pleasure, no guilt, yes I will have the cupcake and the large lollipop -no problem, it's my birthday ;)

I'm 3! March 10

Disney Princesses on Ice

T had a great time watching all her favorite princess characters skating (scaping as she likes to call it). Here you see her shyly modeling her dress, which later she exclaimed, when she saw the "real" Sleeping Beauty -my dress, that's my dress! Oh yes and we must not forget the 12 dollar plastic cup I had to buy, oh boy the icee came with it -no charge...lol what a rip off, expcept for that she loves it.

Words to live by

One of the women from my MPH program shared these thoughts she read at the bookstore, I thought the message was important and good to pass along. I know that there are times when I need to be reminded to be positive. Raising Ms. T I know she is watching and listening and I really want her to have a healthy outlook on life...so these are words to live by!

-Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words.
- Keep your words positive, because your words become your behavior.
- Keep your behavior positive, because your behavior becomes your habits.
- Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values.
- Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny.
(Gold 2002)

Snow

Whew, I'm crossing all my fingers and toes and putting it out there....you all keep your germs to yourselves! LOL I know what it's like to be sick and have a little one sick -no one's cup of tea. Hope all my friends and T's play pals get better soon.

On an up note, we went to our friends mom's house up in Strawberry Valley and had a snow day last Saturday. Ms. T luvvved it!

Our Xmas Vacation

T and I had a very enjoyable winter vacation, it was great to go south and spend time with my bro and his family -T loves her cousins. As a bonus the weather was very nice, the day before xmas it was 70 degrees! This didn't last, but it was still nice. We were able to enjoy the beach, go to Magic Mt. (the day after xmas is a great day to go, hardly any people -they're all shopping), visit my sister-in-law's family from Utah (they were in Anahiem for Dizzyland), and of course just be lazy. Now that I'm back to the real world, I'm not looking forward to the hectic pace that my life tends to be. It' s back to not only being a mom but work, consultant work, school, and whatever else life throws at me. Though I'll have to say that getting my Master's degree has been a dream a long time in the works....so I won't complain too much -anyway my mom is moving from ID to live with us to give a little relief and enjoy time with family while she pursues her dream of going back to school. I hope this new year brings great times and memories for your families -I'm looking forward to all the fun mine brings me.

XMas Fairy 2007