Counting down, a new 'pool', pretending, and a challenge to myself

Alex has begun pretending a lot more lately. She creates these games for herself which usually incorporate some sort of backyardigans theme or dora (i am not a dora fan, but, unfortunately she is). Anyway, a couple days ago we were sitting outside with the girl while she played in her baby pool and she began asking, "where's my crown?". She then would slide down her slide into the pool and ask, "oh no! where's my crown!?" to which we were to answer, "here it is! (while pretending to find it outside the pool hand it to her)" in which she then would pretend to place it on her head and say, "there it is! here's my crown, thanks, mama! (and then ramble something about a mermaid kingdom)" Then the actions were repeated again and again. I was sort of needing something to mix it up a bit so I scrounged through some of my old headbands and found one that looked sparkly and told her I had found her a real crown. It was a hit!

ANother thing she loves to do these days is to sing and dance and act out cartoons (ones she's seen enough to remember the story and actions). She will go to quite elaborate extremes to act out the scenes. For example, in one backyardigans episode they are pirates and fall off a rock in one scene. Leading up to this part she will prepare by setting pillows around the couch and then, when the time is right, tumble onto the pillows (falling off the couch) and recite the lines that are said on the show. She also has very particular dance moves that she does during the singing parts to match the moves of the characters and sometimes T and I are required to do them with her which is always fun to watch! Sometimes I can not believe how old she is and how 'grown up' she seems lately. She is quite her own person and so much fun to be around. I love watching her imagination no matter what she is doing, especially when she has tv time and gets very dramatic and very in character! I will have to make a video of it and post it! If i ever figure out how to post the darn things!

SHe has just a little over week left in school (daycare). I'm counting down the days because it means that I will be part time at work AND getting to do more with the girl and spending more quality time with T during the week. I am going to try to work mostly days as I have discovered I am not a fan of night shifting. I feel like I'm not a very good nurse as I make dumb mistakes not to mention I'm totally wiped out for the next couple days. I suppose you'd get use to it if it were all you worked, and you liked staying up late, but I am not a night owl anymore and I don't think it's good for my health. I always seem to get sick after a string of night shifts. Owell. I will survive!

In the pictures above you see the baby pool we had last summer. Yesterday,I upgraded our pool to a bigger one. Our neighbor's have one and so I wanted one! Now I could actually get in it if I wanted! I hope to have some little guests this summer (neice and nephews, and Mac?) so the bigger size will be more fun for all. I also bought a trampoline (mini one) yesterday with the recommendation from Brooke. I played on it for a little today and it WAS fun!I know Al will like it, too.

As for my new personal challenge, it is to push myself to make more friends (who have children) in our neighborhood. Alex is going to need to socialize with little buddies so I'm just going to have to go out there and do it! I've been known to be shy with this type of thing but with T and my mom encouraging me I can do it! I have met some of the neighbors before, it's just such an effort I suppose, especially when those people you do meet don't seem to interested to 'be friends'. Arg! I sound like a child, but it's true. It is harder when you're older. Anyway, I shall keep you posted of my 'friend quest'.

I suppose I am going to go take a nap before I pick up the girl from school. I hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer so far!

One more thing, Tim's been traveling this week so I've got in a few movies and the like so I'd like to recommend them:

Lars and the Real Girl (super super touching and funny)

The Kite Runner (I also read the book and it is pretty spot on with it...also very touching!)

Weeds (season three...just released last week. If you haven't watched this show, you should! Except, you, mom--I don't think you'd like it :)... it's about a upper class single mom who starts selling pot when her husband dies in order to keep up her lifestyle. It 's a pretty unique story line and well, just watch it and decide for yourself.)