Our Backyard Water Park

What could be more fun than water?

 

Okay, water and spraying noodles.

 

Add a dog and some extreme water noodle jumping skills and you've got your own water park.

 

Or so I think.

 

I've never been to water park.

 

Mommy thinks it's important I know how to swim first.

 

But, I do.

 

You see, I tell her every day I know how to swim in the big pool.

 

For some reason she doesn't believe me.

 

But I get around just fine in my Dora tube.

 

And my jumping skills are fantastic.

 

So fantastic that I bring them outside the pool as well.

 

I like to think of our backyard water park as the training ground to try out my new skills.

You know, to perfect them before I hit the big waters.

 

Here's a sneak peak of what's going to hit the big pool soon:

 



This is my prep standing for those backward jumps I'll be pulling out soon or it possibly could be me realizing I just went to the bathroom. All that water can do that to a girl. Either way, the stance is important.

You get the picture.

 

Here I'm really working on getting some air. The more air, the more splash. I like to think of myself as a young, white, female, Michael Jordan. Despite our stereotype, white girls can jump.

 

I'm proof.

 

And who doesn't need a little inspiration for the difficult tasks at hand?

Molly is mine.

I think I am her's.

It's like old times here.

And REALLY white boys can jump too, the landing, well, not so much.

 



 

 

So, when the pool isn't an option, I like to make the best use of my time in order to keep my mad jumping skills sharp.

 

Thankfully, we are fortunate enough to have this versatile water park in our own backyard.

 

Along with good friends and powerful inspiration.

 

Oh and perhaps you'll see me in the future X Games. You'll notice me by my mad skills...and my name.

Mommy's Moment: A Farewell to Diapers

Could it be, oh could it be

that this is my official farewell to messy?

 

seven years of poopy, runny, wet, and dirty

 comes to an end in my early thirties

 

Huggies, Pampers, Luvs, and Generic

You name the brand, my kids did wear it

 

Coupon cutting, finding steals

those days are over of chasing diaper deals

 

saggy diapers full of pee

drooping almost past their knees

 

smells that permeate through the home

as a dirty-diapered bottom roams

 

clothes stained from an unexpected explosion

(you know, one where you need to bring the hose in)

 

are all now a thing of my not-so-distant past

as long as Kate's potty training success lasts

 

So I take a deep breath

I made it through

seven years of sifting through lots of doo

It's an accomplishment I'm proud to announce

for this stay-at-home mom, it's quite pronounced.

 

So, so long dirty diapers and messy bottoms

goodness knows, I've seen a lot of 'um

So I jump up and shout

as I close this door

thankful to not be changing diapers anymore!

 

 

 

 

Influential

 We've all seen it.

 

The trouble.

 

The trouble that my two year old sister continually finds herself in.

 

We'll blame it on her age.

 

And the fact she's the third.

 

And the fact her eyes are as wide as saucers and her smile as sweet as honey.

 

It's a sure ticket out of trouble it seems.

 

But sometimes, she needs more than her wide eyed "innocence."

 

She needs some positive influence.

 

That's where I step in.

 

Being the oldest, I'm more equipped for this role. And so, I gladly use my strengths to lead my little sis in the right direction.

So, I like to pour my life into her, especially when it comes to style. I can put together a great looking outfit. And then accessorize it with a nice basket and one-of-a-kind hairpiece.

 

I think it's important to also model the right way to care for her dolls.

And so, I showed her how to brush her baby's hair. However, the fact her baby is balding at a rapid pace, we may need to revisit this. But it's the heart that counts.I was proud to see her caring for her in such a passionate way even if she was ripping the hair out at an alarming rate. 

 

And like every girl, Kate loves jewels. So much so that she takes mine without asking. So a quick tutorial on how to care for other people's things seemed appropriate. We both share a love for all things glittery and beautiful, it's how to reign in that passion that we don't share. So, I helped. She was an incredible student who soon will be mature enough to borrow some pieces of mine.

 

 

And finally, who doesn't enjoy a romping good time? It's okay to be silly and crazy, just not destructive at the same time. So, being wiser and older with more years under my belt, I try to shepherd Kate along in learning to value a good time without the damage.

 

And so, I incorporate crazy fashion shows to demonstrate just that. I'm proud of our fashion combinations and think maybe we have something going for us, like fashion design and modeling, as long as it involves heavy winter coats and duck costumes...so Mommy and Daddy say.

 

 

 

 

And so, if you haven't heard from me in awhile, this is why. I've been knee deep in influencing my little sis. It's important to be a good steward of the wisdom I've been given.



I'm an Olympian!

Last Saturday marked a first for me.

 

My first time competing in an Olympics.

 

It was awesome.

 

I guess when you're five, big things happen.

 

And, five I am.

 

 



I was pumped to have my special candle displayed on the Olympic Torch cupcake cone.

 

(don't worry, no one else knew what it was either, but, Mommy did her best and that's all that matters).

 

 Here I am posing before the games begin.

Some Olympics there are people representing countries but I chose to represent the great state of Alabama.

 

Roll Tide, right Grandma?



 

 

 

 

We began the games like any Olympics begin, with the running of the Olympic torch. Being the birthday boy, I had the honor to run around the house to commence the games (I was a little nervous about this duty and so days prior to the actual Olympics I practiced circling the house with the torch). I'm happy to say the torch did not burn out and I arrived safely back to the starting line with the crowds cheering.

 

Man it felt good.

 

The first event was the discus throw. However, Mommy, the official, was unable to capture our mad frisbee throwing skills. We used a frisbee because our arms are yet developed to hoist a heavy metal disc across the yard.

 

Second up, soccer. Grandma and Papa got me a soccer goal for my birthday. What better way to break in a soccer goal than at the Olympics?

Nolan is saying "I'm not worthy" behind me because he knew he was not worthy to play soccer with such a skilled boy. He was overcome with praise. Did I tell you my aunts are soccer stars?

 

Just kidding. About Nolan.

 

That's the real deal about my aunts.

 

Thirdly, we traveled to the shot put area. A.K.A water balloon toss.

Like any good shot putter, the most important aspect of the throw is the face and the grunt. I at least mastered the face.

 

Malachi wasn't impressed.

 Next up, the long jump, minus the sand, minus the three hops, minus the run...well

 

we'll call it the standing jump, which, I think may just be a bit harder. Do you know how much power it takes to explode from a standing position?

 

This much power:

 

And from that jump, we moved to the hula hoop jump, which proved to need just as much power and facial strain.

 

Finally, Mommy's favorite, the relay race. I think it may have been Will's favorite too.

 

 

I have some definite training to do here.

In retrospect, perhaps we should have called this, Track and Field Birthday plus Soccer. Mommy is a little biased. We did have a rousing game of ping pong planned but it proved to be unsuitable for the windy weather outside.

 

No worries, that meant we could get to the cake faster. You know, those torch cones.

 

The wind also proved a bit difficult in the lighting of the next important torch, my candle. Therefore, I was unable to blow out my special candle.

 

I rolled with it.

 

 



And those crazy torch cupcakes were devoured. No one cared that they were strange.

 



Add a few presents in there and our gold medals and that folks is my Olympic (A.K.A Track and Field Plus Soccer) Birthday Party.

 

It was awesome.

 

See you next year.

5 Years

 



5 years ago you entered the world

we didn't know if you were a boy or a girl

But that was not the only surprise you had in store

Nope, we realized you weighed a whole lot more

try adding two pounds to the expected seven

and you wonder why I thought that day I'd see heaven

You sure were a tough one to get to come out

it took many a pushes and many a shouts.

Let's be real, your entry was a bit of a nightmare

But as soon as I saw you I was rid of the fear.



 

That first year, it too was a bit wild.

You proved very soon your temper was not mild.

I won't forget Walmart where you screamed and screamed

One woman even stopped me and she was very mean

as she questioned my motherhood and muttered  under her breath

I likely envisioned punching her face to death.

But with your fierce temper came a tender heart

You loved to snuggle and didn't want to be apart

A passionate fellow I was beginning to see

It manifested itself in different ways to me.

Whether throwing a fit that lasted over an hour

or bringing me a bouquet of our lovely weed flowers.

 

 

That next year, well, my mind is a bit blurry

It seems that time moved in quite a hurry.

With a one year old boy and a two year old girl

my life often felt like quite a big whirl

between changing diapers and potty training

I often felt my energy waning.

I'm thankful for cameras that took pictures of wobbly walking

and a video recorder that captured your voice when you started talking

It's also the time when there became a bond

with your sister, of whom you were quite fond.

 

A two year old boy, oh my, there you are.

Your baby days moving a far.

Your passion, still there, and discipline abounded.

Those screams of defiance, I did not like the way it sounded.

But where there was defiance the tenderness followed

holding my hand at the dinner table each time you swallowed.

A big year this was for little old you

a trip to the beach and a role that was new

A big brother you'd be

and you quickly grew up

the day I came home with our newest little pup.

But you handled it well

no jealousy from you

one sister you had, now you had two.

 

 

Three years old and handsome as can be

You've captured my heart with all your intricacies.

You make me laugh with all the funny things you say

You want to hold my hand and I like it that way.

You play outside with your neighborhood friends

hoping that the sunlight won't come to an end.

Your quite the fan of your Thomas the Train big wheel

and it's about this time when swallowing chicken becomes quite the ordeal.

 

 

Four years old and it's here where we see your passions arise

but these passions come as a bit of a surprise.

Mario and Luigi have become your new friends and if I didn't monitor you, the gaming would never end.

Four years old and you also started your first year of CC.

You jumped right in and participated completely.

Puzzles you also love to put together

and jump in puddles after rainy weather.

Four years old and you are starting to shine through

and reveal to all of us just how the Lord made you

 

 

So five year old, here you are, a new year lies ahead

full of new opportunities (and also your new bed).

Reading, soccer, maybe glasses too

are all new things that await you.

Five year old, get excited, at what the Lord has planned

while He uses another year to chisel you into  a fine man.

Mommy's Moment: Growing Pains

 

Goodbye owl.

Goodbye tree.

Goodbye mural that's entertained all three.

Goodbye blue paint

and holes in the wall

from rocking that rocker while giving it their all.

Goodbye tiny mice that watched diapers be changed.

Goodbye shelf with babies' oddities arranged.

Goodbye long nights of rocking and feeding.

Goodbye to the basket of books perfect for nighttime reading.

And goodbye to that crib where each baby layed

And where they often quietly played

Until my drowsy self stumbled on in

only to experience that Christmas morning feeling again

Just to see those three faces filled me with great joy

two sweet little girls and one wonderful little boy

Oh what memories in that nursery were made

memories that surely will never fade

even as the crib has been taken down

and the mural now is covered with a light shade of brown.

It's time to move on, there's more growing to do.

But those first seven years, we won't forget you.

 

 

 

 

 

Snappy

 

It seems that Kate has been getting a lot of air time.

 

So, I had to think of something fast.

 

Like, in a snap.

 

Literally.

 

I have mastered the art of snapping.

 

I'm proud to say I am the first of the Harman siblings to discover the magic of this skill.

 

And, so as not to grow rusty, I snap

 

ALL.THE.TIME.

 

I snap in the bath, I snap when I walk, I snap when I eat, I snap when I talk.

 

I snap.

 

How's that for some exciting news?

 

I'm hoping Mommy will soon allow me to join in on her song creations. Every good singer needs a back-up snapper.

 

 

Your Head Don't Fit

 

Like I've said before, I like to keep Mommy on her toes.

 

We don't need her dulling with age.

 

What better way to do that than by requesting original lullabies?

 

We've moved beyond "Your are my Sunshine" and "I Love You Lord," and have moved to more challenging songs like: "Grandma's Fence," "Papa's Girl," "Eyebrows," "Molly's Doll," "My Doll," "Valarie's Doll," "Hannah's Doll," "Ladybug's Wings," and "House with Bird," just to name a few.

 

Haven't heard of these? You aren't alone. Mommy is required to create these tunes on the spot.

 

She's like Mozart.

 

or

 

Maybe

 

Dr. Seuss.

 

Or Wayne from "Whose Line is it Anyways."

 

 

Well, tonight was no different.

 

You see, I have a doll I don't care for. Simply put, she's got a gimpy toe.

Thanks to Molly.

And in an attempt to alienate her from my crib, her head got stuck.

 

Good enough, I thought.

 

"Her head don't fit," as I told Mommy.

 

"She can't get in."

Which was my goal. Keep her out.

 

And what better way to celebrate that accomplishment than with a song?

 

And thus, a new song was born entitled, "That Head Don't Fit,"  which I threw out to Mommy, who creatively orchestrated some words.

 

And

 

Voila.

 

A new lullaby song that highlights my gimpy toed baby doll who has been exiled from the crib of love.

 

If you're interested in the MP3, we'll be working on that.

Mommy's Moment: Living on the Edge

I celebrated another year this week. And how does a 32 year old get wild and crazy on her birthday? By buying electric green running shoes. Want to know what's crazier (and even more wild)? Not only are they ELECTRIC GREEN, but they are also minimalist running shoes...meaning, well, there ain't much to them. It's close to running, well, barefoot. It's such a change of pace for my running...the past twenty years have been dedicated to finding the most cushion-y shoes possible with the most amount of support.

But when you hit 32, life gets a little crazy...

Just like these shoes that while promising so much, are also the only shoes I've bought that come with a warning:

"may cause damage to your calf, achilles, or...." well I can't remember the other body part that could possibly explode upon lacing.

But I decided to take a risk.

Because one time, twenty five years ago, I didn't take a risk. And, I still think about it.

You see, I was a little behind on my math skills. Mom blames it on the Alabama education, inferior to the previous North Carolina education we were receiving. We were being groomed to become Tar Heels (which none of us ever were).

So, what does any concerned mom do? Call Sylvan Learning Center. Yes, I did go to Sylvan Learning Center.

I don't remember much, except receiving blue tokens for something (getting math answers right, smiling, showing up, I don't know).

Upon receiving so many, I was then allowed to go to the wall of glory. It was delightful. A wall of toys begging to be taken home. And one specific toy caught my eye. It was a Muppet Show art set (or something along those lines). I wanted it. I had enough coins for it.

But, I hesitated.

Was it a wise investment? Already my over-analytical nature was taunting me. Would Mom think it was a good decision? Already my people-pleasing nature was rearing its ugly head (and just for the record, Mom could have cared less if I brought that home).

Then, I saw owl glue. Glue. It's practical. I can use it while also enjoying its creative packaging. It's not like I could pick it up at the local store. 

Owl glue? Muppet art set? Owl glue? Muppet art set?

Against my better judgement (I believe today) I bought...

The owl glue.

I neglected the risk of the Muppet game...to the safer (so I thought) owl glue.

And while the owl glue did an awesome job at...gluing, I always pictured the Muppet set hanging on the wall, sad to have been left behind.

And, twenty five years later, I still regret not living on the edge and exchanging my hard earned tokens for the Muppet set.

And so, at thirty two, I have decided to live on the edge. To forego those "safe(actually, literally)" running shoes and take a risk with my new, electric green, minimalist running shoes.

And if you see me limping, well, you'll know why. Either I have a bum calf or my achilles is destroyed.

But hey,

Here's to living running on the edge!