Pieces of Me. . .

Pieces of Glass. .  .goes Audible! 

'Read' a good book while you do the dishes, or walk the dog.

I'll admit this moment came with fear & excitement! I ADORE audio books.  They keep the mind sharp while the hands can clean up after little people.    At the same time listening to someone else read your work to you--well it's a little nerve wracking. Thankfully it came out really well-- I'm very impressed with her work and thrilled to be apart of the audio world! 

On My Night Stand

Almost  French 

The Eyes of the Heart by Fredrick Buechner

Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen

Windy City Here We Come!

This weekend we're meeting Daddy in Chicago & the family! Mama Ndjerareou just got back from a month in Chad and I can't wait to see her! (Actually Sophia can't wait to see her, I can't wait to see her reaction to Sophia's new verbal abilities!)  So this afternoon my sidekick and I are hitting the road "On the Road Again!"  This time we're doing it sans video player.  I know, I know, risky!  But last time it was scary!  Any time the Elmo DVD would skip or stop it was a serious crisis.  Factor in Chicago traffic and I was sure we were going to be pulled over.  Cellphones and driving have nothing on fixing a DVD while driving! So this time I'm taking a new tactic.  We're heading out at nap time.  I have a bag full of coloring books that sing and storybooks that read themselves, oh and LOTZ of snacks!   Wish me luck people!

New Family Favorite

Baked Ranch Nuggets 

by Kathy Weirer Hy-Vee

50 Crispy wheat baked crackers, finely crushed

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 skim milk

1 lb. chicken breast 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Mix crackers, cheese, salt & pepper.  In a separate bowl whisk ranch & milk. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces, place in a  zip-lock bag. Pour dressing mix over chicken & let sit for 10 minutes.  Remove chicken-dip into cracker mix. Place on a wire rack on a foil lined  baking sheet.  Bake for 18-20 minutes then broil on high for 2 minutes.

In A New York Minute. . .

 

My little brother brought this shirt home for Sophia when she was only three weeks old. It's been Sassy's P.J.'s for over a year. Today I realized, it fit! I wanted to snap a picture or two. She decided she needed props. The snow globes are "Daddy" and "Uncle Kelly" (No plug here Kelly--she uses them as an audience for her singing!) You should see her moves, she uses the jump rope as a mic and lets loose. Broadway here we come!?

Daddy's Home

Daddy wanted to take Sophia on a date. 

As we walked in the door she knew EXACTLY where she was! 

CHUCKY CHEESE!  She'd never been there before--only seen the commercial on PBS.  

Any question about how susceptible we are to TV? 

Needless to say she had a great time!

Curly Girl Photo Booth

TA DA! Here's the proof. I only got a trim, nothing drastic. 

I have my 10 year high school reunion this weekend so I didn't want to do anything crazy. 

But I'll admit in the past I would've been tempted to straighten my hair. Don't ask me why, maybe in an attempt to fit in, or perhaps to have a little control over . . .something. 

Now I guess you could say Sophia's become a inspiration.  That gorgeous little head of crazy curls fits her vivacious personality. I want tobe like her.  I also want her to embrace every bit of joy and life she been blessed with and that starts with the curls.

All the other trouble I've been getting into well, you're all invited to come and see for yourself. I'll try to get a couple more after pictures posted, but for now there's plenty more to be done. 

Tonight, I switched the light fixture out in the bathroom, that's a whole 'nother story.

Funny how life works.  Every time I get a haircut (couple times a year) Nate happens to be out of town.  Oh did I mention he isn't the biggest fan of surprises either. Thankfully, I'm not very theatrical when it comes to my hair. Love the curls, honestly I'd rather jump out of an airplane than do something drastic to my hair.  'Course that doesn't mean I stay out of trouble while the mister's away. That's half the fun of having a traveling man--the projects I can get done while he's gone.  I'll be the first to admit it.  My name is Sarah Kay and I'm an HGTV addict.  

Like Mother. . .Like Daughter

My little girl gave me the sweetest gift yesterday.  While I was loading the car, I called to Sophia--distractedly, to pick up her doodle-pad laying on the sidewalk.  But of course it didn't come out like that. I ended up saying "Sophia, can you pick up your.  .  .  thing?"

Without missing a beat she dutifully ran to her toy saying:

"Oh!   My thing!"  Sigh .  .  . she gets me!

Warning: Mommy Rant!

Can I tell you how much I DISLIKE this little guy. For those of you who don't watch PBS he's Caillou a bald 4 year old with and incredibly whiney voice!  He NEVER gets corrected or punished but he often has an AWFUL attitude!  His father's ALWAYS at home (he never works?)  His parents NEVER loose their temper, raise their voice, or get frustrated. They ALWAYS ask for their children's help, and drop everything to take their children and their friends places?   Talk about a false reality! The worst part is that after Sophia watches him--she thinks the world revolves around her. Out goes the please & thank you in comes the pouting. (oh yeah did I mention Caillou pouts too!)   I work very hard to include my daughter, never raise my voice and come up with fun things to do--but it's much easier with a polite child then a self-indulged one.    If you're going to have a false reality why don't we have a perfect, unrealistic version of a child instead of parents?  Please!

 Sophia & I have found a show we can both watch: John & Kate Plus 8!  They have 6 three year olds (yes I said six) and so she's fascinated by it all.   These parents understand kids will be kids, but they are far more disciplined with 8 then I am with one. I guess you'd have to be.  

A Moment's Wonder

Photography is not my art, and my simple camera hardly does her justice.  But after this afternoon's delight I begin to understand the obsession to capture these moments of innocence

Sophia's Magic Castle

Nana's weeping willow is Sophia's favorite place in the whole world



My adorable sweet princess. . .her favorite place to run.

This is as close to heaven as any little girl could dream of. . .

What do you do with your John Deere

She maybe be Chadian by birth but she's Iowan by practicality. . .

Sweet Sophia

How Did You Know?

No this isn't a comment on my intuitive abilities.  It's a thank you to the GREATEST COUSIN EVER!   I'm always touched when anyone in my family checks out my blog.   But my cousins creative talent & taste makes me ever so thrilled that he's a regular reader.  (Yes I know he probably wants see pictures of his little cousin but this is my moment people.)   You've probably seen his work on the Super Bowl, he's the guy who gets you watching shows like Lost, Alias, Monk even Psych (if you've never watched any of these shows I'm not sure we can be friends.)   Kelly modestly claims he has the best job in the world, because he gets to watch TV all the time, but see some of his work and you'll consider him gifted too!

Imagine my surprise when I began to unpack a box from Kelly this weekend.  I couldn't stop laughing.  It was a Psych care package!  The best medicine for my short-term status as single parent while Nate travels!  Sophia fell in love with a squishy pineapple.  It's  been showing up in the oddest places.  She's like a squirrel tucking it into her shoe's, her tooth brush drawer, her baby stroller, even frying it up and serving it to me with a cup of pretend tea.  I'm just as bad though proudly wearing my pineapple shirt to the gym!  (If you're wondering what's with all the pineapples you're obviously not a fan!)  Since Nate & I now share the home office (thank heaven for laptops) that's where I've stashed the other goodies making us look very creative & in the know! This is one of the rare times I wish I worked in a real office so I could brag!    Thanks Kelly for making my month!

Psych Out!

Sophia's New Career!

This week G.G. and Grandpa officially moved to town.  My grandparents Harlan & Ethel, are in their early 80's and just recently made the move from North Dakota to Iowa (how brave are they?)  I'm so proud of them, they have such a great attitude.  Sophia's great grandma G.G. (get it--well I don't think she does, but Sophia loves it!)  commented that they love their new place, but they've never had a hard time sleeping in strange places.  "I guess we sleep around!" Wink.  

Mom & Sophia are tag-teaming G.G.  Mom's her massage-therapist and now Sophia's her trainer!  Mom's wanted to get G.G. in the pool to strengthen legs & hips.  But you know any daughter doesn't have the pull grand kids do, or great-grand-kids in this case!   The whole family "visited" the pool area in their gorgeous 55+ community.  (I'm serious people it's GORGEOUS!  In their 1 bedroom they're kitchen is bigger than mine! And they get 2 meals a day at this great restaurant! Someone else cleans, they have a movie theatre, gym and a pool! I'm trying to get into the apartment next door!)  

Here comes the sneaky part.  When they left without getting in the water Sophia was obviously upset.  This was all according to plan I guess.  When G.G. saw how much "simming" meant to Sophia she couldn't say no.   

You know how mom got me to be complicit in this arrangement--babysitting.  I will do anything for babysitting. . .I'm easy I know.  Sophia & my mom teaming up that's scary! Because Sophia is an intense trainer.  She has a never say die attitude and she wants to make sure EVERYONE comes along.  "Mommy come on! Get it!  Get up!  Play me Mommy!  Swing me Mommy!" Oh yeah, she's been my trainer for quite some time. The other day after I pushed her in a stroller for 2 miles to the park and then she wouldn't let me sit down.  Do you think Nate's in on it?

Overheard. . . .

While doing dishes:"Mommy, yeah pretzels?"  

"I don't think that's a pretzel baby, I think that's a dried up tomato"

"Oh.  .  . yucky 'mato!"

Saturday morning. . . "Mommy let's talk!"

"Um, ohkay Sophia. What do you want to talk about?"

"Animals!"

In the car. . ."Mommy, you holding daddies hand?"

"Yes baby, daddy & I are holding hands because we love eachother."

"Oh. . .great!"

A typical day. . . "Mommy, time for yunch?"

"Yes, baby, what would you like to eat?"

"I want sandwich, and applesauce, and milk and. . .chips!"  

"Mommy, I need to go seep!"  This is typically a response we get when Sophia's scared (Curious George can scare her if George gets into too much trouble.)  Or when she wants her pacifier.  She can only have it at bedtime.  So I make her go lie down and tell her she can come down when she's ready.  Five minutes later.  .  ."Here go mommy!" Proudly come down the stairs pacifier in hand.

7am Saturday morning. "DADDYEEE--GET UP!"