Going Swimmingly

Although the temperature topped out around 110-degrees today, it was relatively overcast, making it seem a lot cooler than it has been in recent weeks.  Alexa and I took full advantage of the opportunity and spent two+ hours in the pool this afternoon.  It was the perfect opportunity for her to burn off some excess energy, as around 10 o'clock this morning she asked me if we could go hiking in the mountains.  Call me crazy, but I didn't think the weather presented the best situation for her first real hike.

Swimming with Alexa has actually become a relaxing activity for me....she's completely independent in the pool now.  As of yesterday, she has graduated to the next level at her swim school, meaning she will begin learning proper strokes.  Today, she wanted to show off the freestyle stroke that Coach Steven began teaching her yesterday.  She's definitely getting speedier in the water, and our races across the pool are now closer than ever.  Her swim skills even enable her to cheat during our races, as I felt her left hand shoving me and pushing me back while we raced to the fountain.  I still cannot believe that this is the same girl that wouldn't let go of her coach's neck as recently as three months ago....

As I was able to sit back, relax and watch my little swimmer, my mind began to drift to thoughts of Granty.  That little boy loved the water from his very first bath, something the broviac port in his chest later hindered.  I felt a sense of sadness as I thought about the pairs of swim trunks, with matching hats of course, sitting untouched in his armoire.  I can only imagine how much fun it would be to have him on an infant raft with his doting older sister swimming around him, showing off her newly found skills.  I don't think two+ hours in the pool would have been enough for either of those kiddos... :)

Taking a break from her freestyle swim...lounging with a pool noodle.

Tea Party for Three

After swimming today, I took Alexa to Toys R Us with the intention of buying her a new tea set (her current one ended up in her sandbox...ugh).  However, the My Little Pony aisle quickly trumped a tea set, and Alexa convinced me that a My Little Pony tea party playset (ponies + miniature tea set) was a much better choice.  The My Little Pony playset was on clearance, so it didn't take to much convincing....

Needless to say, this playset became the popular activity for the day.  The set included three ponies and accompanying place settings for each, so Alexa played the role of the Princess Celestia pony and I tried to juggle both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.  I was trying to be creative and use separate voices for each, but that became way too complicated after five minutes of play.  As Alexa called me out for using the Pinkie Pie voice while holding Rainbow Dash, she suddenly said, "You and I need one more person, Mommy.  I wish Granty were here to play ponies with us.  He could be Rainbow Dash, and there would be three ponies for three people!"  I just smiled at the thought; I couldn't bring myself to let Alexa know that Granty would still be way to young to play My Little Pony with her.

I can only imagine that dynamic that would have existed between Granty and Alexa in a year or two - - I'm sure Granty would have more than his share of princess dress-up clothes and My Little Pony.

Alexa and her perfect playmate....

Educational Snacking

During the past few months, Alexa has definitely endured her fair share of my subtle (and not so subtle) tactics to promote her interest in phonics and numbers.  A few weeks ago, I happened to be shopping at Safeway and saw what I thought was the greatest dual-purpose item....Scrabble Junior Cheez-Its.  Essentially they are simply normal Cheez-It crackers with a letter inscribed on one side, but I was more than happy to pay a premium to buy this educational snack.  I was so proud of myself and thought I had discovered the best snack ever (not the best in the nutrition department, but I was willing to overlook that.)

Initially, Alexa loved the Scrabble Cheez-Its, but after a few snack times in which she had to say the sound of the letter on the cracker before she could eat it, she was over it.  I knew I had turned her off when she opted for raisins instead of Cheez-Its for an afternoon snack.  Point taken.  I don't think I have ever had a "special treat" sit on the pantry shelf as long as these dang Scrabble Cheez-Its.

I don't know if it was the three-week break from the academic snack or if Alexa was simply tired of nectarines and plums, but this afternoon Alexa asked me if she could have a bowl of the Cheez-Its.  I was overjoyed, but I made sure to downplay it so Alexa wouldn't feel like the alphabet was being forced upon her.  Even though the crackers featured upper case letters (she's learning lower case), I was beaming as she began to properly identify each of the letters in her bowl of about fifteen crackers. 

I know it's the Summer Program at her school and not my multi-functioning snack that's prompting her learning.  Nevertheless, I was very proud to eek out a short phonics lesson at snack time, and Alexa was just as proud of her newfound academic prowess.  There's still a half of box of these Cheez-Its to go....:)

Showing off the "X" Cheez-It....one of the "easy" ones.

A Great Holiday

Happy 4th of July!

Although Damon had to work today, I was able to take the day off and spend it with Alexa.  We attended a barbecue/pool party at a friend's house late this afternoon, but Alexa wanted nothing to do with fireworks.  She told me they're too loud, and she only likes the fireworks when the Cardinals hit home runs.  Perfect - - unlike most cities, firework displays are extremely few and far between in the Phoenix area, so her disinterest in fireworks saved me from having to find a show.  Today definitely wore her out, as she fell asleep on me before 8pm tonight - well-before any fireworks shows would have started.

It was cute to see Alexa's expression this morning when she realized that I was taking the entire day off work.  She was ecstatic to know that I wasn't doing any work-related things today, allowing her to have me at her complete disposal all day.  Normally, I'm always checking e-mail or doing some sort of spreadsheet when I'm home during the day.  Instead, the two of us made Rice Krispie treats for the party, using a star-shaped cookie cutter and red & blue sprinkles to make them more appropriate for the holiday.  In addition to our dessert, we spent the rest of our time playing dress-up, "volleyball" with balloons and even watched a portion of "101 Dalmatians." It truly was quality time with my "not so little" girl.

Today's cooking experiment....

Happy 13-Month Birthday, Granty!

Without fail, I always have a restless night of sleep leading up to the third of each month.  I cannot tell you how many hours I have laid in bed and relived moments of Granty's life - the fateful MRI, days upon end in the hospital, the morning of his surgery when he laughed hysterically for the first time....  It's still hard to believe that all of my memories of him will always be contained to five short months, not the thirteen we should have today.

Thankfully I always have Alexa to brighten my spirits and remind me how good our lives truly are.  Today was a very exciting day for Alexa, as not only was it the last day of school for the week, but she also had a make-up gymnastics class (no class this Saturday) after school....and she had a brand-new leotard to wear to the gym tonight.  I buy her leotards online, and this time I gave Alexa all decision-making power as to which leotard she wanted.  I did have to steer her away from a pink velvet number (too hot!), but she opted for a flashy purple sparkled leotard with crystals and purple zebra print accents.  I have to admit, I was skeptical at her decision, but it is much cuter in person, and I could tell from the viewing area that she loved wearing her fashion statement.  I wish running clothes were this cute!

When Alexa was getting ready for bed tonight, she made sure to find her huge floppy giraffe - - she refused to go to bed without it.  As we laid in her bed and watched light formations from her DreamLights giraffe, I couldn't help but think how much Granty is still a part of our lives.  There's not one room in our house without a giraffe or picture of the little guy.  I just wish Alexa were cuddling with him instead of the floppy giraffe.

One happy boy....we miss you, Granty!

Just Saying "Hi!"

As Alexa and I were driving home from school today, I was mindlessly flipping through the radio stations from the control on my steering wheel.  Suddenly, Alexa screamed, "STOP!!  Go back, Mommy!  Granty's saying "Hi" to us!"  Sure enough, when I went back a few stations, the song "Gone Gone Gone" was playing on the radio.  I have no idea how she heard it, but needless to say, I was impressed at her self-described "great listening skills" (I wish those skills were on display when I ask her to clean her room).

As the song wrapped up and she was able to belt out her favorite verse, "Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating," she looked at me with a pouty lip.  "I like hearing this song because it makes me think of Granty because this is his way to say "Hi" to me.  I just wish that I could play with him again...I really miss him."  Sweet and heartbreaking at the same time.  That little boy surely left an indelible impression on all of us.

On a separate follow-up, the pudding pops turned out well!  My brother Steve was razzing me today for using Cool Whip, but considering he used to can his own jams and jellies, I didn't take it to personally.  The Cool Whip actually helped to make the pops nice and creamy.  I knew they were a huge success when Alexa rated the homemade pudding pops even higher than the mini-Drumstick cones she loves.  Looks like we have a new summer sweet!

Finding ways to just say "hi."

Pudding Pop Revival

I don't know if it's the stifling heat or spending all day with a rambunctious four year-old, but I have crashed two nights this week without first updating the blog.  Oy!  I'm making a conscious effort to resume my daily postings, as this blog is one of my personal continuances of his spirit and legacy.

While I was at the grocery store before I picked up Alexa tonight, I felt a tug on my handbag as I reached for bananas in the produce section.  I turned around and I saw a little boy cooing at me from the seat of his mother's shopping cart.  He started giggling as soon as I acknowledged him, and I felt an instant pang of sadness.  Even before his mother told me, I knew that he was between twelve and fourteen month-old.  Yep - - when I commented what a cutie he was, his mom responded that he's a thirteen month-old ball of energy.  Moments like these are so bittersweet; I love to envision what Granty would be like today but seeing a little guy his age reinforces what I'm missing.

One good thing about the sweltering temperatures is that the time at home has forced me to become more domesticated as I search for indoor projects for Alexa to do.  On Saturday, Alexa and I made a recipe I found in People magazine for crinkle cookies (I knew them as chocolate pixies); these were a definite hit with Alexa and Damon.  Even more impressive (for someone with my kitchen acumen), I searched on the Internet for a recipe for Pudding Pops (like the ones Jell-O made in the 1980's), and Alexa and I made a batch of pudding pops tonight.  We'll find out tomorrow if they're just as good as the ones I remember.  The recipe was simple: instant pudding, milk and Cool Whip; let's hope they turn out!  We might have a new summer go-to dessert if this recipe works.

The domestication is very limited though....after Alexa and I put the pudding pops for set in the freezer, I pulled out the ready-made rotisserie chicken I bought at the grocery store.  :)

Geeked to be making another thing in the kitchen;
two recipes in as many days.

Busted!  Caught sampling the pudding pop mix.