A Thank You A Day

Sophie is very excited that Mommy has a new car (thanks to great deals from R&H Toyota). She likes the new Highlander.

But more importantly, Sophie is excited to be seated on the driver’s side. It is a whole different world over there and is providing her a good change of pace.

Today, Sophie is thankful for her teachers that watch her during the day. Amelia is as well. Playing Teacher has become their favorite game – waving the flag (with song), circle time, or asking Daddy and Mommy what the weather is.

From Ms. Theresa, Sophie has been learning to count in Spanish.

From Ms. Susan, Sophie has been learning how to spell her name and even to stop, drop, and roll during fire drills.

It is kind of awesome for a parent to see their kids enjoy learning, so that is what I am thankful for.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, another week or two of A Thank You a Day.

The goal for this round is for Sophie to explore things beyond her family (although her being thankful for cuddling with Daddy yesterday is always appreciated).

Today Sophie is thankful for her friends. After a birthday party and a few play dates this week, it is very appropriate. I it very cute watching her become a social being.

Uncle Keith lives far away – in Seattle, so we don’t often get to see him (by my calculus the one family visit we took to see him equals about 50 of his visits to us). But today we are visiting Uncle Keith in Cape May. So not only did we get to take a ferry ride, we get to see PopPop and Uncle Keith. And that is who Sophie is thankful for today.

Today, Sophie went into the ocean for the first time and I now owe her a Disney sticker book.

But let me back up to the beginning of the story. Sophie has been looking forward to going into the water at the beach for days. We get to the beach, walk to the water, and Sophie begins to do the arm and leg death grip. She did not want to go in.

This process happened twice before Daddy came up with the classic parenting technique – bribery. If Sophie would let me did her toes in the water, she would get stickers. Stickers progressed to a sticker book if she would run to the edge of the water, jump in/splash and run out. After several times of this – we progressed to staying in the water and jumping (with the additional bribe/payment of the sticker book becoming a disney sticker book). Only one problem with the exposure therapy – after a big wave when we were running out of the water, Sophie slipped and fell.

But all told, it was a good day and Sophie is thankful for the ocean. In response to the day, Sophie said she had fun at the ocean. A good progression from running from the water.

Ah, daddy is thankful.

I have not been able to get good photos for these, so they are coming, but the last several days Sophie has been thankful for:

Simba the dog (and star of Choose Your Own Simba stories)
Mommy (and star of life)
And todays: The Beach (star of Jimmy Buffet’s world)

This blog helps chronicle the evolution of Sophie’s television preference. Her current obsession is Hello Kitty.

Sophie was thankful for Carey today. Carey is her nanny, and Sophie is thankful that Carey takes her to the mall and bouncearound.

Last night, we had a lovely time at the Bowie Baysox game, minor league baseball at its finest. In addition to joining our friends, watching the game and riding the Carousel, Sophie had her face painted. Unfortunately, the game went to extra innings, so with a tired Amelia, we were not able to stay for the fireworks (I now owe Sophie 10 virtual fireworks and 7 real fireworks this summer, better get on that).

Sophie is thankful for having her facepainted. And the photo below is proof that Amelia also had her face painted. Unfortunately, she kept looking at everyone else’s face painted and was jealous – forgetting that she already had her face painted.  Photos coming.

— As of the photos being posted, Sophie will only need to see 9 virtual fireworks.