Trick or Treat

OH, yes...Halloween!! Since the end of September, Lil' SB has been telling everyone she is going to be a pumpkin. Of course, I made sure we found a pumpkin costume for her (even though it was way too hot for the evening...she still wore it) This year she was old enough to really understand how it works...she got the hang of knocking on the door, saying 'Trick or Treat' & receiving candy. Actually, a few times I had to escort her away from the door because she thought she was going to get more candy. Well, here are the pictures & a little movie I put together. Enjoy!

Apple Update

Well, Lil' SB had a rocky start this week. On Monday, she had a medium face (really can't remember what she did); however, the rest of the week has been great..apple at the top on Tuesday, Wednesday & today. Let's hope and pray she can repeat her good behavior tomorrow!!! Stay tuned...

I Have Been Tagged

My friend Buffy tagged me so I am supposed to write 6 quirky things about myself. Since this blog is about my daughter, here are 6 things about Lil' SB...

(1) Freaks out if a fly comes near her
(2) Breaks out in song quite often---makes up the words as she goes along
(3) Can't stand it if she can feel a loose hair on her skin--especially on her fingers or toes (oh, if it's in her mouth...forget it!)
(4) Eats pizza upside down (toppings underneath)
(5) If she starts a book, she has to finish it before she goes to something else
(6) Dances any time, any place to any music

Okay, I guess it would be fun to reveal my quirky side so here goes...

(1) I will allow myself to get disorganized over time, and then all of a sudden, I stress out about it & go into high gear to clean up my mess (stresses Papa SB out!)
(2) I can't let my hair stay down for more than a few hours...I have to put it in a ponytail holder or it will drive me crazy
(3) I am claustrophobic...BIG time!
(4) I'm obsessed about UGA football (scream at the TV, etc...)
(5) I like to clean my house starting from one far end & work my way to the other
(6) I've been known to keep myself up at all hours of the night...obsessing over silly things

Girls' Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Today Lil' SB and I went to a pumpkin farm about 20 miles north of our home. I didn't tell her where we were going until an hour before we left...I wanted to surprise her with the idea. Anyway, we left today around 11:30 (making one pitstop at Walmart) and arrived around noon. She was so excited...asking me tons of questions about the pumpkins, animals, tractors, etc... We paid admission ($7 each which included 2 cups of animal feed & 2 tickets for hot dogs) and walked through the entrance. Immediately, Lil' SB ran to the fence with the goats & then immediately backed up when the goats poked their heads through the giant holes. I convinced her that they weren't going to hurt her so she helped me hold the cup of feed. After a few moments, she spied 2 chickens near the tree. Off she went chasing them (I don't know what her fascination with chasing birds is...she did the same thing at the beach w/ the seagulls.) Anyway, we had fun riding on the hayride, walking through the pumpkin patch, eating our hot dog, climbing on the humongous pumpkins, pretending to drive the tractor & picking out a pumpkin to take home (I told her I would buy any pumpkin that she could pick up...hee hee). Here are some of the pictures I took...

The Apple Doesn't Fall Too Far...At Least We Hope

You know the saying, right? Well, it has a different meaning to Lil' SB. Let me explain...her teacher has implemented a new behavior plan in the classroom (much needed because this group of preschoolers is pretty strong-willed...if you know what I mean.) Anyway, Miss Kim created a construction paper tree which she hung up on the back of the classroom door. She labeled a red apple for each student to adorn the tree. On the left side of the tree, she marked each height with a different behavior--the top of the tree is a smiley face with a huge grin, below that is a traditional smiley face, below that is a medium face, below that is a sad face & at the bottom is a sad face with tears. Every morning all the apples start at the top of the tree. As the day progresses, some of the apples start falling. Well, when I arrived to school on Monday, Lil' SB's class was outside so I quickly went into the classroom to retrieve her jacket. As I swung the door open, I took a peak at the door--ALL the apples were at the top of the tree EXCEPT Lil' SB's!!! My heart sank as I stared at her apple at the medium face. What in the world did she do today to be the only kid with the apple off the top? Come to find out she wasn't very nice to her friends that day. Once I greeted Lil' SB, I asked her why her apple was at the medium face. She didn't want to answer, but I soon heard the full story from her teacher. Needless to say, we had a conversation about the day's events, and I was pretty sure she would have a better day the next day. Thankfully, I was right...her apple stayed near the top at the smiley face. I praised her and told her how proud I was of her (thinking the positive reinforcement would land us another apple on top). So...here comes Wednesday...as soon as I open Lil' SB's classroom door, I look at the tree...she was at the sad face!!! Ugh...what in the world happened today?!?! Apparently, she woke up several friends during nap, pushed a friend on the playground, and didn't follow directions very well (not to make excuses for her, but we did have a very rocky morning so I'm sure that didn't help her today). Again we had a conversation, and I thought for sure that would help. I arrived on Thursday to see her apple at the very bottom--the crying, sad face. Oh, boy, I was not a happy mama. Come to find out she continued her antics from the previous day. Our conversation that night was a lot longer than the past ones, and I made sure she understood the importance of following the rules--even if others didn't. She agreed and told me she would have her apple at the top of the tree the next day. Sure enough...on Friday, it was at the very top!!! I grabbed her and hugged her tightly while praising her profusely. She began to laugh & smile from ear to ear. I hope and pray she continues the positive behavior :)

Go 'Horns!!

Yee-ha! UT won against OU this weekend...a huge relief for me because Papa SB is always in a bad mood when Texas loses to Oklahoma. With OU coming in as the #1 team in the nation, we were a bit stressed about the outcome. However, UT pulled it out for the win 45-35.
Of course, Lil' SB was in the middle of it all...sportin' the horns' sign & her stuffed Bevo.

After we watched the Longhorns defeat the Sooners, we turned the channel to see the UGA Bulldogs beat the TN Volunteers...the more important game...hee hee. Overall, it was a great football weekend!!! (By the way, Papa SB & I have discussed whether Lil' SB will attend UT or UGA, and we both agree...as long as she doesn't go to Texas A&M or Florida it'll be alright.)

Let's Dance

After school yesterday, Lil' SB and I walked into the house, and she immediately screamed, "I want to dance! Mama, put on some ballet music." How could I deny my child of one of the most liberating activities life has to offer? While I was poppin' in a little Vivaldi, she managed to pull off her shoes, socks & shorts. Barreling through the kitchen with her 'princess' outfit halfway up her legs she continued to say 'Yay, let's dance, mama..let's dance!" Here's a glimpse of our afternoon...

Even Papa SB joined in!

It's amazing how fun life can be with a youngster in the house. She allows us to be as silly as we want to be and loves us for it--ultimate, unconditional love.

Model Search

A few months ago I saw an ad for a child model search that was going to be conducted at a local mall. Like most mothers, I think my daughter is cute so I considered taking her to check it out. In order to participate, you had to pay a fee ($35 pre-registration...$45 the day of the event). I figured, since the proceeds were going to a local children's hospital, it was worth it. A week ago I asked her what she thought about having her picture taken by some photographers. She lit up and said, 'Yeah, mama...I want to take a picture.' I thought to myself...hmmm...maybe she would enjoy the experience. I still had mixed emotions--not wanting her to put so much stock in appearances, but yet, I had a bit of hope that she could be 'discovered.' I hate even admitting that 'out loud' because it seems so artificial and presumptuous. Anyway, again I asked her Friday night what she thought about the idea, and once again she seemed excited. I told Papa SB that I would wait until the morning to see if Lil' SB was in a good mood, and he agreed. Well, yesterday morning Lil' SB was in a great mood. I fixed a hardy breakfast for the three of us (scrambled eggs w/ cheese, raisin toast (Lil' SB's favorite) & turkey bacon..Yum-O), and while we were eating I asked once again. 'Sweetie, would you like to go talk to some people and have your picture taken?'---'Yes, mama...I'm gonna have my picture taken!' So, I knew we would go for it. I decided not to doll her up because I figured the 'competition' would do that. I went for the understated elements...khaki bermuda shorts (the only shorts she'll wear these days), a multi-colored floral print shirt & her new white leather Keds. She loves jewelry so I placed her cross necklace around her neck & her silver cuff bracelet around her wrist--Lil' SB squealed w/ delight. With several books in hand (book junkie she is), we were off to the mall. Now, I knew it would be crowded, and I had already decided that I would not 'torture' her if there weren't activities for her to do along the way in line (which the website claimed---'lots of games and activities for the children'). We arrived to a sea of over sized brightly colored bows, 'fufu' dresses, coiffed 'dos & finely manicured tots. I looked around for the games and activities---no such luck. It turned out that the tables were set up by local businesses pushing their wares. What a disappointment. I walked around to the registration table where I politely asked the woman in front of me if I was in the right place. I was met with quite a snotty attitude that I was immediately turned off by the whole experience. Amidst the mobs of serious parents, restless preschoolers & bored teenagers, Lil' SB was dancing along behind me (in her own world as usual). I looked at her and instantly knew she didn't deserve to be suffocated by this good idea gone wrong. That's when I said...come on, let's go to the playground...she immediately jumped for joy & led the way. Doubt I'll ever think about participating in this type of event again, but I know one day she will be 'discovered'---it may not be modeling, but she will definitely leave her mark in this world.

Summer Memories

The other day Lil' SB grabbed my camera & wanted to see all the pictures..."my camera, mama..mine." After I pried her hands off the expensive equipment...uh, I mean...after I gently took it back, I sat with her as we viewed the memories I captured throughout the summer. She delighted in seeing herself & other loved ones...recalling minor details about many of the events. Man, she has a sharp memory...either that or I'm getting old. Anyway, I decided to experiment with the website Smilebox & created this slideshow. This is just a glimpse of what we did...enjoy :)

Lil' Snow Bear & Football Cheer

It's fall and that means one thing in our house....FOOTBALL!!!! Saturdays are always crazy for us, and last night was no exception. When Mama SB gets ready for the Georgia games, Lil' SB gets fired up, too...screamin' 'GOOOOO Dawgs!' & running around the house in a frenzy carrying her stuffed bulldog. AND of course her favorite sight is UGA VII, the Bulldog mascot. (Who doesn't love UGA?!?!? Even Gators have to admit that our mascot rocks!!) Anyway, I was a bit nervous because Georgia was playing the #8 'Bama Tide & you could tell it was rubbing off on Lil' SB. As the game started and the Tide rolled over us in the first half, I became more and more visibly upset. Lil' SB kept asking me if I was okay, and I had to reassure her that I was just sad that Georgia wasn't playing well. As usual, she tried to 'console' me...what a sweetie. Well, half-time quickly came so I rushed Lil' SB off to bed. I usually lay with her for at least 15 min, but I was so antsy to get back to the tv that I left early...she walked in two minutes later, 'Mama come lay with me.' Ugh! Usually I wouldn't mind, but this was a HUGE game. Needless to say, I ended up laying with her until the beginning of the 4th quarter. Sitting there watching my Dawgs' defeat, I regretted my impatience.