some ice cream with your sprinkles?

Dad let her put her own sprinkles on.  Maybe he should have been paying a little better attention.  That's 3 empty sprinkle jars in that bowl...but who's counting.  She was thrilled.  The girl loves 'frinkles'.

the sweet smell of success.

In June, Hadley graduated from Physical Therapy.  She got her kudos from us, her Ruby's Diner dinner, high fives, a senior trip to Mazatlan, a tassel, pomp & circumstance played on the iPod for a week, trust me, we celebrated...but I've yet to blog about her success.  And a success she is!  Our Hads had been going to 'jumping school' since she was just a wee one....13 months old to be exact.  It was at that time we realized this little slug wasn't in any hurry to do anything (ie, crawl, walk, pull herself up, roll over...nada) and our pediatrician recommended she be checked out.  He was nice about it, he didn't take our parenting license away, he just thought she needed a little nudge to keep her on par with the other kids.  We didn't let our egos get in the way and quickly realized that Hadley certainly was behind in her moving and shaking.  Physical therapy proved to be an overnight success, here's proof.  So two years later, after a brief sabbatical, and a lot of homework, she passed!  She did it!  She graduated Magna Cum Laude!  Maybe she'll get that letterman's jacket afterall.  And here are some bits and pieces from her final progress note:

Hadley has been seen for physical therapy one time per week since November 2009 to address gross motor skills, jumping, balance, and coordination.

Short term goals

1.  Hadley will improve her coordination skills, as demonstrated by her ability to:

i.  Ascend one flight of stairs reciprocally without cueing or assist from the handrail.

ii.  Pedal a tricycle greater than 100 feet without assist.

iii.  Walk backwards for 30 feet without assist.

2.  Hadley will improve her balance skills, as demonstrated by her ability to:

i.  Statically stand on one foot for 5 seconds.

ii.  Hop on one foot two or more times.

iii.  Jump off a bench onto the floor without falling.

4.  Hadley will demonstrate improvements in her gait pattern, as seen by:

i.  Demonstrating a proper run with good trunk rotation, reciprocal arm swing for 25 feet or greater.

ii.  Subjective report of decreased frequency of falling with running from her parents.

GOALS MET.

After reading all of this I came to the conclusion that our child really didn't need Physical Therapy at all.  She needed an intervention, a quick detox, and a 90 day stint at the  Betty Ford Clinic.  She's a drunk...which is way better than 'unathletic'.

school days.

Two days of preschool down...

Day #1 was kind of a cheater day because parents stuck around and got to know the room, the teachers, etc.  But Miss Jane couldn't have been more excited for school, hugged both of her teachers when she met them, and quickly dropped me and Ry like a bad habit. 

Day #2 I was a little worried when she realized I would be leaving.  But she didn't miss a beat.  She went right in, put her backpack on her hook, her coat in her cubby, washed her hands, and as I was saying good-bye she whispered in my ear 'you put my show-n-tell in my backpack right?' 

And I did this.  Did I mention that preschool is a little slice of heaven?  Although, I gotta admit, I could hardly wait to pick up my little pal and hear all about her morning.

still growing.

Time is a flying!  You stay in there baby, we are in NO hurry to meet you.  Although I am in a hurry to see my waist again, my ankles, my single chin, and my peaches go back to where they used to be.  Other than that though, you just stay put, and continue playing kickball with my insides.  I really do love it.

what's a little house paint?

In May we decided, we really gotta paint this house.  So Ry called a few guys, got a few quotes, and told me 'you have until Tuesday to pick the color.'  I picked a color, after milling through a few samples.  I didn't put color swatches on the house, I don't work that way.  I'm all or nothing.  And I thought 'it's just house paint...I'm sure I'll like it.'   

I pull into the driveway day #1 of painting and cried.  I HATED it.  I mean seriously, no question in my mind, the sky is falling, hated it.  I called Ryan and said, 'we're going to have to start over.'  I called Jocelyn and said 'get over here.'  I called a work friend who had the day off and made him drive by it and tell me his opinion.  I was frantic.  I was polling complete strangers about the color.  I called Ryan again and said 'How much will it be to repaint?'.  I cried some more.  I decided we were going to have to move.

But, I knew repainting was not an option (especially not at the low, low price of $2400...yep, Ry actually called...what a guy!), selling and moving was looking bad too.  So I tried to figure out how to make it look less San Diego Padres circa 1979...and more look at that cute, hip, color loving neighbors house.  I decided the problem was the garage doors...this is what was dating the house.  This will be the answer to my prayers.  This is the only option, besides a for sale sign in the front yard.  We called, we bought them, they were installed the next week...AND

...I LOVE IT!!!  And here's the double bonus...I actually saved us money by not repainting or moving...So Ry owes me $600.  I'm a genius.