The Swimming Song

We bought Rio a new pool to brighten her spirits.
To take her mind off of those pesky teeth.
And to satisfy the part of her that asks every day,
" I go in da beach? I go in da pool? Gammy's pool? I go in da beach?"
Thankfully, the Targets here in Florida get rid of their summer stuff as if it turns cold in September.
Silly, Target...this is Florida!
Every year I scoop up all the summer goodies at 75% off. Score!
I'm just glad Rio enjoyed it.
Of course, she kept telling the neighbors she was in the tub.
Go figure.

Chiquitita

Dancing has all but ceased.

Laughing has been replaced by crying.

The thumb is free as the finger is on the scene.

The molars are breaking through.

"Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong?

How I hate to see you like this

There is no way you can deny it

I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet

You'll be dancing once again

and the pain will end 

Let me hear you sing once more like you did before

Sing a new song, Chiquitita"

--Abba

Dear {Rio}

Dear {Rio,} won't you come out to play

Dear {Rio,} greet the brand new day

The sun is up, the sky is blue

It's beautiful and so are you

Dear {Rio} won't you come out to play

Dear {Rio} open up your eyes
Dear {Rio} see the sunny skies
The wind is low the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear {Rio} won't you open up your eyes?

Look around round round
Look around round round
Oh look around

Dear {Rio} let me see you smile
Dear {Rio} like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear {Rio} won't you let me see you smile?

Dear {Rio,} won't you come out to play
Dear {Rio,} greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear {Rio} won't you come out to play 

--The Beatles

I Know I Know I Know

Disclaimer: Photo was taken in a parked car in a driveway

In my futile attempts to discipline this wild little child, I can't help but laugh most of the time.
Definitely not when someone is collapsing her body weight onto the floor in a public place however
But I find the responses I get are pretty funny.
I don't really know what I'm doing
and I love to read how other people have handled situations.
I'm all about learning as I go
but I do have consistency going for me.
If I'm nothing else, I'm consistent.
I always have the same instructions and tactics.
And while she doesn't always listen, at least she knows what I'm going to say.
When Rio is climbing on something, she says "be careful!" as she's climbing...
When she is standing on an object that is obviously too far off the ground, she says, "sit down!"
And when I guess I have exasperated her,
she says, "I know I know I know, Mom."
I hear that one a lot.

Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye

The view from my outside shower.

I've mentioned our outside shower before - see here.

I think I miss this the most.

I'm sure many people think I'm crazy for taking showers outside, but those who questioned were quickly converted once they tried it.

Not that I forced guests to strip and go take showers outside...that'd just be weird.

But there is nothing like enjoying the fresh air and sunshine while getting clean.

And it made getting ready easier with a toddler.

Rio loved to play in the water.

It was great to come home from the beach and not drag sand

all through the house.

It was even fun to take a hot shower on a cold evening under the stars.

And I won't even go into how romantic a night shower can be with candles all around.

So yes, I miss this.

I'm already plotting a way to build one at the new house.

But for now, I'll just say my final goodbye.

But I'm taking her with me.

Verb: That's What's a'Happenin'!

"When I use my imagination (Verb!)

I think, I plot, I plan, I dream

Turning in towards creation (Verb!)

I make, I write, I dance, I sing

When I'm feeling really active (Verb!)

I run, I ride, I swim, I fly!

Other times when life is easy

(Oh!) I rest, I sleep, I sit, I lie."

--Schoolhouse Rock

FYI: If your two year old decides to draw a masterpiece with two pens

on your cream-colored leather sofa,

perfume takes it right off.

It seems we have officially entered the terrible twos

That's what's a'happenin'!

That Home

"Where the windows are breathing in the light,

Where the rooms are a collection of our lives,

This is a place where I don't feel alone

This is a place that I call my home... "

--The Cinematic Orchestra

Home.

I never thought I'd be okay leaving our other house

Where we brought home our long-awaited baby

Where we were finally a family

Where she stood, walked, laughed, cried, and blossomed.

I made it out by not lingering.

If I spent too long in that empty house, I felt tightness growing in my chest.

So I made a quick departure.

I'm facing forward towards our future

And watching her run, bound, dance, and grow in this new home.