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.