As Happy as I Choose to Be

Your heart will stay with me

I'm in the midst of an awful travel schedule (5 trips in 5 weeks to do site selection for 2 years of a convention + add in jury duty - ugh!).  I was dropping Bailee off at school this morning before I leave for the next city.  Along with her school backpack she also had the house key and her car booster seat and when I was telling Bailee I loved her and would miss her, she just literally stopped me in my tracks when she told me:

"It's ok. Your heart will stay with me."

Wow - isn't that the truth!  But from a 7 year old!  She's brilliant, my little girl.

Overscheduled? We'll see...

Bailee started her tap/jazz dance class yesterday. Looks like she's really going to like it.  I hope so. She needs something to look forward to and build confidence based on how challenging school tends to be. We've cut back on tutoring to 2 days a week now (Tue/Thur) and dance is Saturday mornings.

While at the dance studio I picked up a flyer for Chinese Lessons and asked Bailee if she was interested...which she said yes (I'm so glad). The lessons are on Sunday mornings (bummer) and turns out that by signing up Bailee I've also kind of signed up myself for Chinese. None of the parents left and were in fact encouraged to stay...and I'm glad I did. That way we can practice together. Learned the 4 (5) intonations and already some things make much more sense.

I'm glad Bailee will have an opportunity to gain some insight into her Chinese heritage.

Ready for School?

What a hoot! Last week I walk into her room one morning to find she had put on her clothes under her nightgown in order to save time in the mornings.  We've started a Chore list since school started in order for her to earn an allowance.  Initially the chore list is some basics we need to just be more organized until hopefully we have better habits formed.

One of these nighttime chores is picking out her clothes for school the next morning the night before (eliminate one fight in the morning anyway). So this morning when I go to wake her up I see that she apparently slept in her school clothes (different from what she had picked out last night) but in addition to that...she laid out her clothes for the next 2 weeks.  There are literally 12 different outfits (short or skirt and t-shirts) laid out in sets along every surface in her room.  Her desk. The chair to her desk. The keyboard. Her dresser.  Hysterical!  And she'll probably be upset when I want to put these back in the drawers tonight but I'm fearful we'll be right back to where we started...too many choices in the morning if they all stay out instead of just one set of clothes.  Should be an interesting discussion.

All Dressed Up and Ready for School

So when I go into Bailee's room to wake her up for school on Friday, I see that she is wearing her skirt and shirt for school underneath her nightgown.  Huh? So as I wake her up, I ask, "Why are you wearing your school clothes under your nightgown?" Barely awake and not even turning over, she responds "I didn't want to waste time."  Too funny.

Went to a parent orientation meeting for a program called Take Flight at Bailee's school which is for dyslexics. She hasn't been officially diagnosed as dyslexic but is due for more screening in the next month. After reading up a bit and attending this orientation I'm very impressed with it. Take Flight was developed by Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas specifically to teach children with dyslexia. So many of the traits sound familiar with the challenges we've had learning to read and just generally in school. Mills Elementary only has this program because the mom of 3 dyslexic kids who go to school at Mills got her certification to teach this.  I admire someone who has truly found their calling in life.  She originally set up the Roaring Readers parent-led volunteer program which helps K-2nd graders at Mills. Only 25 students at Mills are in the Take Flight program and Bailee is pulled from class 5 days a week for 45 minutes a day plus we have some work to do at home.  They are teaching them cursive already as studies show dyslexic chidlren can write better and even spell better in cursive than they can in traditional print. It is going to be another interesting year and I pray this helps.

Bailee read 7 books to me tonight!!!

She tells me "I hate reading" which just makes me so sad.  I know it stems from having so much trouble learning to read and I'm hoping that the Roaring Readers and Oxford Learning tutoring and now the Take Flight program will turn her around on how great reading is.  I'll learn about the Take Flight program at a parent's orientation on Friday.  It says it's for dyslexia and is affiliated with the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.  They told me she tested negative for dyslexia this past spring, but maybe they put children in who are challenged in any way with reading.  It looks to be a 2 year program through the school...so it won't be an overnight fix, but...  I've seen a big difference in the last month and know Oxford is paying off.  I just hate that she still says "I can't read" and just doesn't try to read her homework assignments by herself or much else.  Maybe it's like her swimming...she reads much better than she thinks she does so part of it is getting her confidence up. 

She read 7 different books tonight.  Basic ones, but still for her to go through 7 is unheard of.  And then she tells me "I hate chapter books" so I remind her that she likes Junie B. Jones and I even got out my old copy of Little Women.  Wow, I loved that book SO much growing up!  Still do!  I read a page or two, but granted...it's a bit much for her right now.  Maybe I'll get out the first Harry Potter book and see if she likes that "chapter book".  I just want to instill the love of reading in her!

Austin Eats!

 

So we tried out a new "food trailer" on south Congress today.  The Mighty Cone!  I didn't realize they were owned by Hudson's on the Bend.  No wonder Bailee's burger was so great.  My fried shrimp, fried avocado and slaw cone was great.  nice and spicy.

I can't believe how many trailers have moved into that block in that last 6 months.  Frozen yogurt, popcorn, burritos, veggie tamales (wish they were pork...then I'd try one), and of course...our all time fav - Hello Cupcake!

We couldn't leave without getting a cupcake and tried the Whipper Snapper version (with whipped cream piped into the cupcake).  Next time...won't bother with the whipped cream.  Their cupcakes are SO much better than Cake Loves - the ones in DC area by the chef who had his own show on the Food Network for a while.  I'll stick with Hello Cupcake!  (So will Bailee!)

So today isn't really all about food...it's about exciting things like laundry and trying to clean out old magazines and the guest bedroom closet.  TRYING to make headway on cleaning up and out!  So...I better get back to it!

Chores - ugh!

I took off work yesterday and cleaned out my bedroom closet.  I've lived in this house for 10+ years.  That's longer than I've lived anywhere...by about 3 times.  I think the longest I lived anywhere before this was 2.5 years or 3 years somewhere in Dallas.  Moving when changing jobs when I was in the hotel business may have been a pain, but it kept me a bit more organized and streamlined than I am now.  10 years here plus a daughter who is a "collector" adds up to TOO MUCH CRAP!  So I spent about 4 hours yesterday cleaning out my bedroom closet.  4 bags of clothes donations for Good Will and 1 large plastic trashbag later - and I still wasn't finished.  Ugh!  Oh well - more progress today and I'm even onto the guest bedroom closet now.  Then I went to see the Julie and Julia movie.  Loved it!

So Bailee decided to get in on the cleaning act a bit...she decided to clean out the litter box tonight.  I had just reminded her to feed the cats and she asks "Where's my goggles?"  I reminded her to look in the bag she had taken on her playdate since they went swimming this afternoon.  Wasn't sure why she was asking.  Then she says "I'm going to clean the litter box."  ("Wow!  Cool", I think...since it means I won't have to.  I still didn't make a connection.)  Next she gets one of the small chairs (fits her little kid table) and takes it into the already tiny utility room.  Then I hear "Yuck.  It stinks.  But this helps."  I look in the utility room to find Bailee has put her goggles on...covering her nose instead of her eyes sitting on the chair scooping out poop.  Too funny!  OK...even funnier is that she's wearing only her Hannah Montana panties.  Somehow just hanging out in her panties is a fun thing to do on a weekend for Bailee. (Somehow after you go to the bathroom, it's just easier not to pull your shorts back up. The shirt?  I have no explanation.) I decided not to share that photo...even though funnier!

My First First Day of School with Bailee!

I missed Bailee's first day of Kindergarten and 1st grade because I was onsite at one of the conferences I plan, so when we moved the dates earlier this year - I was thrilled!  (And no, we didn't move the dates earlier just so I could be at the 1st day of school...though that's a great reason.)  So to get to participate in this parent/child ritual...it was wonderful.

For the last 2 years Mom has taken Bailee to her first day of school and walked to school with Emma and her parents.  Well, who do Bailee and I run into while walking to school...but Emma, Kathy and Rob.  Seems fitting.  (And of course Kathy said, "Of course we'll wait for you.  It's the only way we get pictures of Emma!"  Obviously NOT a scrapbooker!)

Boogie Board Bailee

Ah - the photos I don't have from vacation.  Can't believe I forgot to take my camera to the beach!  Bailee and I took a day's rest from all amusement parks while in San Diego and hit the beach with Jill (David's wife), Samie and Max and 2 of their friends.  For a kid who hated swim lessons at the beginning of the summer and wouldn't uncleanch her arms from around the teacher's neck - it was just amazing to see her pick up her boogie board when the other kids did and head straight out into the water.  It was wonderful to see her so brave.  One of her first attempts was fantastic and she rode a wave all the way into the beach...and she was hooked!  Even when the girls left the water to play volleyball for a bit, Bailee was back out there (by herself!  me, scared to death an undertow was going to get her or a wave catch her by surprise).  I'm always thrilled to see her be brave.  Just asking employees at a park for directions is more than I could have done at her age or older, but to see her taking on the ocean after being so afraid to swim!  She's not even a great swimmer yet but she literally had no fear!  How cool is that?!  (Me on the other hand?  I watched her like a hawk ready to run in...and never needed to.) 

Disney's Latest Stalker

Just back from vacation and absolutely exhausted!  We left just 1 day after I returned from the e4 conference onsite (enough time to unpack, do laundry and pack).  San Diego AND Disneyland...so will try to catch up with multiple posts, but the first just has to be on "Bailee the Stalker!"  I think she has a future with TMZ as a paparazzi!

We started our Disneyland trip at Disney's California Adventure and I had booked reservations at Ariel's Grotto for dinner with the Princesses. Good call as it turns out!  Bailee's first comment as we got to the park was "I forgot my autograph book" so we bought one at the park (of course) and she proceeded to be on the lookout.  Thank goodness our dinner reservation was just an hour after we got to the park because she was disappointed not to see characters around every corner.  I was a tad nervous because Bailee had informed me for the last few months that "I'm not into Princesses anymore...they're for babies...like 5 year olds!"  Yet, I believed the minute she saw a princess she would change her mind...  I was right.  Just to be sure, during dinner I did say to her "I thought you weren't into Princesses anymore."  Bailee explained "I'm not into princess COSTUMES, Mom."  (I know I heard the "Duh!" she was thinking too.)

           

Well - this was just the beginning. 

Over the next 3 days, Bailee seemed to have radar, plus we specifically sought out at least some of the characters. 

I had been slightly concerned that being 7, Bailee would be past some of the "magic" but I needn't have worried. 

It was wonderful to see her face light up, run to catch a character, and wait patiently in some long, hot lines to get the autograph or picture with some of the characters.  

Maybe we didn't ride Space Mountain or the water rides as Bailee didn't have interest in roller coasters, but we had a blast and the delight she got out of meeting these characters was wonderful to see.  The roller coasters can wait until she's older...believing in these characters wouldn't. 

 

I even got into the act occasionally. 

My horserider is home from camp!!!

Went to pick up Bailee and Emma from camp yesterday!  Was SO ready to see her again!  The first thing she wanted to do was introduce me to her "big sister" Hannah - who was just adorable.  She was wearing pants and the cowboy boots we bought for horseback.  They were very dusty and she just looked so cute. 

After a quick hot dog cookout we loaded up their duffle bags and suitcases and went over to the corral for the Horse Show for those kids who had taken horseback riding. Emma and Bailee both did FANTASTIC!  To see my little girl (I do think she was the smallest girl at camp) on the horse...yes a very gentle horse...but still a big horse - named Gidget, was just so wonderful to see her looking so confident up there.  And both Bailee and Emma trotted on their horses.  Wow - how great is that?!?!

Wonder how Camp Life is?

Seems like this week has been nothing but work (15 hours alone just on Monday, 12 hours a day the rest of the week so far trying to get ready for this August conference) and wondering how camp is going for Bailee. 

• What's she doing right now? 
• Has she learned to make herself a peanut butter sandwich? 
• Do they really inspect how they make their beds? 
• How many new friends has she made?
• Wonder how loud she's singing by now when they do camp songs?
• Is she roasting a marshmellow right now?
• How was the horseback riding?  Or did she back out and change her mind?
• Don't they all think she's the cutest kid ever, too?

They post photos on the camp website and I must have to the site 15 times a day to see if there are new photos.  In the first few she looked shell-shocked but then I started seeing a few smiles and even a huge grin.  So that made me feel better.  I loved seeing Bailee and Emma in their "war paint" from the first night when they selected which camp team they would be on.  They both are Cowpokes!!!

One of the funny things is we had packed her some pre-addressed and stamped notecards so that she could write me during the week to tell me how camp was going.  I go to the mailbox on Tuesday and I get all 4 of them!  and one of them she didn't even write anything in.  Just licked the envelope and mailed it.  One of the others had her "usual" note to me.  "You are sweet.  You are nice.  You are kind. I love you. I miss you. You are cool.  Love Bailee" but one note did actually tell me she had met her camp big sister and was having fun.  Yea!!!  She's a hoot, that girl of mine!  From the looks of one of the photos, maybe she'll even come back from camp knowing how to swim! 

Now, if they would just post some more photos!  No new photos posted today.  I'm in Bailee-withdrawal.

Pick her up tomorow!  Can't wait to give her a hug and hear all about camp!

Bailee goes to Camp!!!

Hard to believe I just dropped my 7 year old off at "away" camp!  Kathy, Rob and I drove together to take the girls to camp today.  I had been fine with it for the months planning...until a little bit of nerves creeped up on me last night and this morning.  Maybe it was the visit to the doctor's office and realizing that Bailee is in the 15th percentile for height and knowing that she's still not swimming (though doing much better and realizing it can be fun, so she's letting go of the side of the pool now with a kickboard) but I just had this overwhelming sense of "My baby is so little!  She'll be the smallest one there!  Who will look after her?" 

Now having met the 2 counselors (high school and college students and one is a lifeguard) who will be in the cabin with the girls - and only 4 little girls plus the 2 counselors (nice ratio) - I'm feeling better.  The young ladies were sweet, calm, cool, reassuring, mature...all the things you want your daughter to grow into.  Kathy had some of the same anxiety though a little different. Emma has never slept away from home before except for 1 weekend at her grandparents.  I'm not worried about Bailee as far as social skills or sleeping fine.  In fact, I know she'll have a blast!  Who knows - she could come back having learned to swim this week.  Plus she'll learn how to take showers since she hasn't loved that up until now.  Who knows how grown up she'll be when I pick her up on Friday!

I thought of her so many times tonight.  Well, she should have selected which team she'll be on by now.  She should have met her "big sister" by now.  She should have eaten dinner by now.  She should have had her first shower and is getting ready for bed by now.  I know she's fine.  I miss her.  The house is quiet.  My baby has gone to camp!!!

Butterflies are Free!

We finally set the butterfles free in our backyard this morning.  And we both got about 6 mosquito bites while we were doing it.  The cats were just getting a little too fascinated with the butterflies.  I learned it's really hard to take a photo of a butterfly on your finger with your kid in the background.  I already knew butterflies tickle...it's fun.  Hopefully the 106 degrees didn't get them on their first day outside.

Bailee's already ready to order more caterpillars!

Have been doing laundry and putting things aside to pack for Rocky River Ranch "away" camp for Bailee.  I drop her off at camp on Sunday!  Pretty exciting.  She tells everyone she's going to do kayaking (if there's enough water in the river) and then she makes the motions for a bow and arrow (archery) plus horseback riding and crafts.  She's so excited to meet her 'big sister".  All the little ones or first-timers get assigned a big sister who helps them learn their way around camp and I think this is what she and Emma are most excited about. I wonder what changes I'll see when she comes back.  They say they gain self-confidence and independence.  This will be wonderful to see.  But then again...I wonder if I'll think "where did my little girl go?"

Bailee hadn't been to the doctor in 2 years.  She hadn't needed any booster shots and she's so healthy that there hadn't been the need.  (Yes, I know I'm blessed.)  We did have to go in at the last minute to get a physical before camp.  Bailee is currently 45 3/4 " tall and weights 48 lbs.  She's in the 15 percentile for height and 25% for weight.  Yes...she's a little thing. I wonder if she'll end up being the smallest one at camp. 

I wonder if she'll come back too big to do birthday brownies for her stuffed animals.  Right now it's any excuse to light candles, sing Happy Birthday and blow out a candle.

I'm a featured scrapbooker on BPS - How cool is that?!?!?!?!

Wow!  Got the email late Friday that the Featured Students part of their website would be up and running by end of weekend...and guess who the first featured student is?  ME!!!!!  Can't believe it!  (Also - can't believe the answers I provided to the profile questionnaire they asked me to complete.)  I've never submitted any pages to the scrapbook magazines to publish though that would be a thrill, so this is so amazing that they picked me out of all the students who've taken their online classes as one of their featured students.....Wheee!!!!! (as one of the layouts I submitted says or should I say "Wowie! Wow! Wow!" as Junie B. Jones says...a phrase any gradeschool parent probably knows).  I also had to pick "3 layouts I love".  How tough is that?  I sweated that...do I pick out ones that have meaningful journaling or even just quirky, funny Bailee stories or do I just pick some beautiful/fun layouts that I simply like?  I went with the latter.  Kind of funny really, since most of my layouts tell a story, but who cares...basically I picked layouts I love...guess those instructions weren't so tough afterall.  Here's link to featured students page.