Where'd That Come From

Last night I was at my desk and heard an odd sound, I looked up and who did I find but Fresh Wind (kitty's newest name) all by her lonesome, trying to figure out how to get down, while I wondered how she got up. A few days ago Providence announced that this little sweet looking killer's name was Fresh Air and that she was going to keep it as that, no more changing, it lasted for a bit longer then day or two and now I guess she is slowly changing it, half the name at a time. I wonder what the day will bring...I foresee anything from Fresh Salsa to Soaring Wind.

Providence made it through her first dentist appointment. It went rather well I think. She was quite nervous, despite our playing dentist for some weeks now in preparation of the visit. She got one of those sticky hands (but it was a sticky tooth) as a prize for not having any cavities, though I think they still give out prizes even if you do have cavities. Thankfully Providence has great spaces between her teeth, the only ones that touch are her back molars. Going to a new dentist has always been an interesting experience for me, not because I am scared of them, not in the least, but because I am missing a front tooth on the bottom, it just never grew in, no baby tooth and nothing to replace the not-lost baby tooth. They all grew in touching anyhow so it's hard to tell, in fact I have had to tell some hygienists while they're writing things down, because they didn't notice. Then after noticing (or me telling about) the poor missing tooth, follow the questions of surprise "It never grew in?" and sometimes even calling others to come and see my missing tooth that never was. This time I had a different interesting experience though, while they were cleaning my teeth with the sonic pick thing the hose shot off and sprayed me all over, it was very shocking. Once I was cleaned up and the thing was fixed, we continued on with the cleaning. It happened again thankfully after the second drenching and another jolt to my gums the hygienist decided to do the rest by hand, she seemed frightfully embarrassed. I have no hard feelings about it though, they were good to me otherwise and very good to Providence, I'm just glad it didn't happen to someone who's afraid of the dentist already.

Don't forget to checkout Simple if you haven't already, there are coupon codes, product reviews and giveaways. Even if you have already looked at the blog, it gets updated fairly often so you can check back with it to see if there are any giveaways that would interest you or coupon codes you could use. We are running 3 giveaways right now, one of them ends today. On the Simple page it will show the current giveaways on the upper right, and by the way you don't have to have a blog to enter them, nor do you have to be a mother, the details to enter are in each giveaway post. I will try to keep updates here also, above the Simple button link on the right so you can see if there are new coupon codes, reviews or giveaways easily.

Growing Cousins

I bought the cutest Easter dress for Providence yesterday. And on further perusing I found an almost matching dress for Hope and Joy with the same material, different design; so I of course called up my sister-in-law Kelsey and told her I found the girls Easter dress and would be getting them then. Thankfully I have a sister-in-law that takes me well, and even seems to like me, despite all the bossing around and everything. Today when they came over for Monday play-day Kelsey brought over the yummiest applesauce cupcakes made with whole wheat flour, and sweetened with stevia. After admiring the Easter dresses that I got (which Kelsey does like, strangely even liking the ones I got her girls from the infant/toddler section better, then the much superior one I got Providence from the girls section, but who am I to argue with pregnancy) she wanted Hope to wear her new dress "since it was Hope's birthday" yep Hope is two now, and I guess the dress will pull double duty with Easter since it was a birthday dress also. (That blue frosting better wash out Kelsey!) Although, truth be told, we're not even going to be together for Easter so I guess they're to take the girls pictures together as well, triple duty. Since Hope was wearing her dress yesterday we put Providence in hers also and the result? Cuteness, and lots of it.

Also I just had to share this picture of Providence in an outfit of her own design. See the belt; over the raincoat? It was mine when I was in grade school, I loved it then, and still do, I don't have many material things from my childhood that I loved so dearly. I hope Providence loves it just as much.

Book Ends

Last summer I started reading classics to Providence like Charlotte's Web, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Mary Poppins, etc. They have just enough pictures to enjoy and still be able to need loads of imagination; and written so well that I think I am enjoying reading these as much as she is. We have slacked quite a bit since moving, sticking to easier reads, mostly picture books, though we did check out My Father's Dragon from the library a week or so ago, it is very silly, quick, and fun read. There are two more in that series we are looking forward to reading as well. This past week we started Heidi. Providence's newest role obsession of course is Heidi, once a day she will tell me that she's Heidi "But who will be the grandfather?" This is another ritual of hers, pleading with her question who will be so and so (depending on whatever story she is playacting in) that I will step in and playact also. As I am typing this now, "Heidi" is playing up in the pasture taking care of the goats with Peter and gathering flowers, so off I go to be "Grandfather" and maybe read another chapter of the book before church.

Reviews

About a month ago, my friend Andrea asked me to be part of her review blog called SIMPLE ~Showcasing Interesting Mom Products Loved Everywhere~ Though I have yet to do a review, I am really looking forward to being a part of this. Not only do we feature reviews of many different products from wonderful online retailers, but also offer giveaways and coupon codes. If you want to check us out there is a link button to the review blog on the right hand side of my blog, just after the "About Me" section. I will try to keep updates on my blog letting you know if there has been a new post, coupon code, or giveaway. Enjoy, I know I will!

Phoenix Update

It's been awhile since you have heard about Phoenix, out little flattened cousin. We will be returning him within a few days. Unfortunately my enthusiasm for finding cool things to do here, died shortly after it's little first breath. Actually I found a number of things to do, so I guess it was the doing them that died. I did get one outing in, a few days after Phoenix's arrival (you know while the enthusiasm was still raging) to the Bird's Of Prey with another mother I met out here and her son. We had a good time, and got to see a Californian Condor up close, WOW are they ugly, and if you have never seen one personally, I need to take you to if you come out here to visit. So back to Phoenix, though I had all these activities planned we are now closing in on when I need to send him back, with only a handful of pictures...thankfully my brother Aaron and sister-in-law Kelsey came to the rescue - when we were over Wednesday evening admiring their new baby chicks, they suggested I bring Phoenix to their house. They almost have a little farm with cows, the chicks, and ducks, so the next day (yesterday) I took Phoenix to visit his other cousins and meet some animals.

While we were there we found the first duck egg! The two girls ate it, Providence was very worried that it might be full of a baby duck, but much to her relief it just a yolk and white.

Fashion Sense

See who likes to likes to pick out her own outfits, and accessorize? Full bags are Providence's favorite accessory, and they really make the outfit don't you think?


Little girls, it seems, have a strong natural maternal instinct. They can turn anything, and I mean anything, into a baby, family, or just something to take care of, Providence is no different. While eating a snack the other day she found a little orange slice and began lining up the orange slices into a family. There was the "sweet little baby one" next comes the mama and father, also included in this family sect is a grandma and "the bestest most wonderfulest lovingest kindest grandpa in the whole world!" That little orange slice sure is lucky.

A Right Way Means There's A Wrong Way

Providence looks up to her Papa very much, she likes to imitate things he does and misses both him and Oma since we have moved so far away. Little lessons are remembered though, particularly how Papa folds toilet paper, perfectly on the line square over square. Providence has been trying to teach me this art for quite awhile and though for a period of time I tried to do as she instructed, I have only done it once to her satisfaction. She joyfully exclaimed, "You learned how to fold it right!" However I never did find out what I did differently that time, and so have resorted back to my non-perfect way. She used the toilet the other day and when I half rolled, half folded some paper to wipe her bottom, (which she still needs some help with, as this is not a mastered skill). She tells me (as she very nearly always does) "Papa doesn't do it that way." and I said "I know, but I can do it differently" and in her vast knowledge of toilet paper wiping she says "Yeah, but you do it wrong, huh."