Nov. 2014

We took our last camping trip of the year to Devil's Den with the Bells and Donnels.  We did a lot of hiking and the weather was perfect.  Her and Jake did a lot of swinging in the hammock.   We also took her and Lydia to a  Razorback basketball game together.  During the timeouts they would dance in the isle with their pom poms trying to do exactly what the cheerleaders were doing on the court.  It was pretty funny and cute

She really likes the new trampoline park.  She even got me to jump on it with her.  Right now her favorite movie is Big Hero 6.  We took Grandma Mable with us to see it.   Marlowe really likes decorating for the holidays.  She's been such a big help to her mom.  She can really put the ornaments on about 3 feet and below

October 2014

What a great month it has been....one of my favorite month's of the year.  Probably because work is slowing down.  Marlowe really got in to Halloween this year.  She really liked decorating the front porch.  This year she dressed up as a bat.  I was so proud of her for finally stepping away from being a princess and trying something new.  Traci made her costume and she did an awesome job on it. She also dressed up for school as her favorite book character Mary Ingalls.   Her school also had a Fall Festival that she really enjoyed.  She wanted me to do all the games and activities with her.  I better enjoy this because one day she will be doing it all with her friends and meeting me somewhere later on.  She's already in the Christmas spirit, as she has to listen to Christmas music about every day while she dances to it.

Marlowe had a doctor's appointment a couple of weeks ago and she had to get 3 "shocks."  On these 3 shocks they put "cast" on each one.  She was calling the band aids "cast."  Pretty funny.    She's starting to get in to sports some.  She begged me to take her golfing not too long ago.  Just her and I went.  She played in the sand traps mostly.  One time I was getting ready to hit the ball and looked over and she was laying on her back, in the middle of the sand trap, making a "sand angel."  She was covered in sand from head to toe after playing.  I sure didn't mind one bit.  We've been playing catch with the big kick ball and she's starting to really get in to riding her scooter, getting better and better everyday at it.

September 2014

This month Marlowe has lost not one, but two of her teeth.  The bottom two.  She didn't want the tooth fairy to take them because she wanted to keep them and show everyone.  The tooth fairy still came and saw her and left her $5 for each tooth.  She also had a brief friend that I brought her home for her... a turtle we named franklin.  She would sit on the backyard stairs and watch him as he barely moved.  I think she was thinking he would move more and be faster than he was.  He got kind of boring for her I think.

She had her first camping trip with a close friend that stayed in the camper with us.  Lydia came along and they have a blast.  They played with Jake, hiked, and had a club house.  They called each other Anna and Elsa, with Marlowe being Elsa, the entire weekend

Now that school has started, she loves to play school at home.  She has a little song in which she names the months all in order.   She swings really good, saying she pretends there are crocidiles below her feet.  At school she plays with Esma, Maddi (who has a peanut allergy too), and Yevva.  She's not swinging as much during recess at school and actually playing pretend games with other girls.  On the bus she likes to sit next to Evelyn everyday.  They both planned their outfits on the bus and dressed as twins for Chic-filet spirit night.  Pink hair clips of some sort, Janie Darr shirts, black shorts, and black boots.  It was pretty funny.    Also, I got to eat lunch with her one day and she loved it.  The food was just as I remembered it, but much better when I was a kid

The funniest thing she says right now is when we stretch together she says "its like we are editating." Meaning meditating

August 2014

Well Marlowe is really nervous about starting school next week.  We did orientation last night and she's now a little more excited but I can tell the nervousness is still there somewhat.  I can't believe she is already starting school.  I'm gonna miss our winters together.  Going to the library, museums, reading stories and playing games.  Those are probably going to be the best days ever for me.  She's starting to hit a ball really well off the tee.  My favorite thing she says this month is when I ask her "are you sure" and she responds "I'm sure I'm sure."  

She's a lot like me in the way if she really likes a pet or person she will have a nickname for them.  Cleo is Clee Clee, I'm Dad-O, Drew is Baby Drew, and Lydia is Lydee

She's been spending a lot of time with her friend Lydia from preschool.  Especially since they won't be going to the same elementary school.  They've both stayed the night with each other and have had many play dates this month.  I hope they stay in touch because they get along so well.  

We went to the grape festival again this year, the 3rd year in a row with the Donnel's.  Jake and Marlowe had grape ice cream together again and Traci and Jenna played Bingo again and Scott and I talked about hog football practices again.  Its a nice little tradition I hope we can continue for many years.  Marlowe was much different with all the rides.  She used to ride anything and everything she could ride on.  Not anymore.....She was scared of a lot of rides for the first time.  I did get her to ride the ferris wheel with me.  She refused to let go of the bar in the middle even though it barely moved.  I did get to take this picture of her up at the very top

July 2014

We had a great camping trip with the Donnels and Hass' out at the lake this month.  Bobby took us all out on his boat and it was Marlowe's first time.  She was really nervous at first, but of course she liked it after a few minutes.  The kids all had fun on the tube.  Hopefully we get a couple of more lake trips in before summer is over.  At the campsite they had a park that had all sorts of equipment from the 70' and 80' from when I was a kid.  Teather ball, monkey bars, aluminum slide.  This is picture of Marlowe riding one of the old horses there.

Tired little girl and the end of the lake day curled up with her mommy.  The boat was going about 35 MPH and she was sucking her thumb trying to take a nap

Marlowe has really gained some strength this summer.  Gymnastics and swimming are the main reasons.  She now jumps in the pool at the deep end all by herself and swims to the ladder.  She can tread water for up to 20 seconds.  I can't believe how much she has progressed swimming this year.  Very proud of her.  She's even trying to ride her scooter and playing catch with the soccer ball with me.  I didn't think she would have any interest in a ball of any sorts but she's starting to come around.
Here is a pic of her wearing my favorite dress we got her while in Jamaica.

June 2014

I was just talking to Marlowe about her favorite snacks at school and she said it was Banilla Wipers (Vanilla Wafers).  She just finished pre-school up at First Baptist Church.  She said she would miss her teacher Mrs. Brenda.  I'm not sure she really understood that she will more than likely never see her again.  She wasn't sad or anything when I picked her up.....I may have been more sad than her given how good the school, teachers and principal have been over the past 3 years with her and us.  She says she doesn't want to go to big school because she will have to wipe herself - which she already does.  

Mrs Brenda and Marlowe on the last day of school

One thing she does when she is really excited and talking is she swings her arms in the large circles.  She has also out of the blue become a worker around the house.  Packing her own clothes for trips, dusting the entire house, picking up around the house.  She gets in to a zone and seems to really like it.  One of her favorite toys here lately has been a redneck balance beam of just a 2X4 and some landscaping blocks.  She likes to perform tricks on it for us

May 2014

Ahhhh finally some great weather to be outside.  Traci and Marlowe both got new bikes this month.  Marlowe was so scared at first, but now she loves being pulled along.  Its kind of humorous watching these two.  If she's not riding her bike then she has been on a tea party kick with her dolls.  That keeps her pretty busy.  She's started a new art class with her friend Lydia.  She seems to like this one better than the last one in the winter.  Her artwork is much better and she actually wants to talk about it some.  Probably the funniest thing this month is our bathrooms....we have 3 bathrooms and I can tell you every time Marlowe has been in one of them right before me cause the toilet paper is all jacked up and messy.  At least she's gotten to the point in taken care of herself in those situations.  

Marlowe and Traci on their new bikes

Getting so tall and beautiful in her Easter Sunday dress

April 2014

This month Marlowe has started to read.  She's been really obsessed with all the Frozen books and is actually starting to learn the words.

Grandpa Bob died this month.  It was really fast as he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just 3 weeks prior.  Marlowe had a ton of questions but did really well with everything.  He will be greatly missed by all.  I worry about Grandma Mable and how she will do.  Marlowe has no problems snuggling with her as she moved in to her new place

Good ole Grandpa Bob...We'll miss you Boss.  Still can't pull for the Cubs but every time I see them play you come to mind first thing.  Man could we get on a BS'ing roll when I would bring Marlowe over for a couple of hours.  Thanks for the trip to D.C. my friend and we'll meet on the other side

March 2014

This has been a very eventful month for all of us.  First, we went on vacation to Florida with my parents.  We spent 3 days on the beach and 3 days at Disney's Magic Kingdom.  The beach was great….relaxing as always.  Marlowe loved it.  She would sing and dance at the top of her lungs while strangers strolled by singing Let it Go from the movie Frozen.  We made a sand castle and played in the water.  The water was chilly, but not to a 5 year old.   Disney was out of this world crazy.  We did pretty much the entire park in 2.5 days.  She got to meet every princess there.   She even dressed up, got her hair done, and put on a little bit of makeup on the day she met most of them.  It was really cute and funny.   Disney was almost overwhelming at first but once we had it figured out it was great.  Kind of like learning how to get around NYC

She's been doing really well in gymnastics.  She just moved up to the next level with her friend Lydia.  I can tell she is getting stronger and more flexible.  She's also starting to ride a bike with training wheels.  Before I know it, she will be riding without them.

We went camping for spring break at Petit Jean Park with the Bells.  We stayed 4 nights.  It was a lot of fun.  She really enjoyed spending good time with her cousins, especially Ellis.  Her Poppa Jim and Grandma June made it down for one night.

About to go to the beach in Clearwater

Mommy and Marlowe Camping Spring Break at Petit Jean

February 2014

This month Marlowe turned 5.   We just had a small party at our house with just the immediate family over.  We made quesadillas (her favorite) for everyone and she had a pink unicorn cake.  She did have her first sleepover with her friend Lydia at our house.  They both did really well.  However, Marlowe was pretty embarrassed and shy with sleeping with Lydia because she didn't want her to know she sucks hers thumb when going to bed.  Which was pretty funny.  We also took cupcakes up to her class at school for a little party with her classmates.

A few things that have been cracking me up at her is her words for past tense.  Haveded, maded, driveded, madder.  Its all present tense…just add an E and D to the end of it.  We've also been hearing the songs from the movie Frozen "do you want to build a snowman"  "for the first time in forever" "Let it go" over and over.  At least one of these songs have been stuck in my head for at least 3 weeks now.

Next week we're off to the beach and Disney World with my parents.  My goal is to act like a 10 year old for week.   Looking at all the pictures I've taken the past couple of weeks, this one is one for the books.  I really love this pic with her Poppy - which is my Dad

Late January 2014

Marlowe and I have had a pretty busy winter with each other so far.  I was really hoping for that since she will be in school full time starting Fall 2014.  We've been in an art class at Crystal Bridges for the past 3 weeks.  Its pretty fun in which we get to do the art together.  She loves creating and doing art, but she could care less about learning about it.  Maybe its her age right now and that will change.  We did get our picture in the local paper.

She's been doing really well in school.  She is now starting to learn to write her last name.  Everyday they learn about a new letter and on the way home from school we discuss what all starts with that letter.  It can be pretty amusing and challenging at times…especially when going over the letters C and K.  I've been doing the watchdog Dad thing at her school.  Its been good for both of us.  I just help out the teachers and read to the kids.  The teachers seem to really appreciate the help

She really likes gymnastics.  She's about to move out of the little kids class.  From looking at the girls in her next class they look as old as 6th graders.

January 2014

My New Year's resolution is to have a Daddy Daughter Donut Date with Marlowe at least once a month.  Just her and I.  Our place is Daylight Donuts in Lowell, unless they build a Dunkin Donuts sometime soon.  I hashtag this on twitter and instagram as #DDDD.  Chocolate with sprinkles is her favorite.

She's already behind in school 7 days due to snow this year.  It seems like she hasn't gone hardly at all in the past 6 weeks, especially once you include Christmas break.   Its been a pretty cold and snowy winter so far.  One thing we've started is a Parent/child art class at Crystal Bridges museum.  We painted some snowy trees this week that we should be getting back next week.  We also walk through the gallery and discuss some paintings for about 10-15 minutes, then she is ready to go.  The picture below is her about to give me a puppet show and introducing herself

Also we joined the YMCA.  She loves to run around the track and play basketball.  She says when she gets older she is going to be a "basketball gurl"  Right now she is running once around the track in 35 seconds.  Its not a normal size track.  16 times around is a mile.  But still not bad for a 4 yr old.  I plan on timing her once a month or so and letting her know how much she progresses and how well she's doing.  Her run is pretty humorous.  Really need to take a video of it.  I sure hope she gets her mom's running speed and not mine