Happy Birthday Baby Girl

Sophie is 5 today! Where have the past 60 months gone? It seems like yesterday we were celebrating Thanksgiving at my house and I was just waiting for her to arrive. Now, she's about to start Kindergarten! Time really does fly when you're having fun.

PreK Thanksgiving Feast

Today was the PreK Thanksgiving Feast at the princess' school. It was a big hit full of Native Americans and a few pilgrims. The funnies thing was that none of the children wanted to eat the "feast." There was a lot of "what is that?" going on. Of course, my child says as I give her a bite of turkey..."does that come from a turkey body." Me: "Um, yes."

The Case of the Missing Artwork

Sophie: "What's that doing in there?" (pointing to today's artwork in the trash)

Me: "Oh, it must have been an accident" (lying through my teeth)

Sophie: "It's okay -- it happens all the time."

What happens when the stores market more than one holiday at a time

I'm going crazy

I want to tell Sophie about Disney World so bad I can't hardly stand it. It's going to be a really long 3 days until we go...

Revelation

Sophie has decided that 30+ stuffed animals and dolls in bed with her at night just might be too many.

How did we become so cynical?

Sophie is so excited about today's election. They held a mock election at school a couple weeks ago and she was so proud to have voted. She's the typcial undecided voter -- her first choice was Obama but the was convinced by someone (who was not me) that McCain was the better option. I wish I still had that excitement. I just don't think we ever really have good choices anymore in our policial process. We've made it too difficult. The people who genuinely love public service are finding other ways to express themselves -- and who can blame them? Would you really want to expose your family and friends to the spotlight that comes from holding a public office? And, then there's the fact that this presidential election has gone on for almost 2 years. I'm just tired of it all. I'm so ready for the Bush reign of terror to end but I just can't get excited about either candidate. No matter what happens, I think we will continue to be in for a long road ahead. I hope Sophie can retain her excitement and that our world continues to be a good one for her.

12 Days and Counting

Who Hoo...the Disney trip is almost here and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! This morning Sophie goes "do you remember when we went to Disney?" Then we spent most of the car ride reminiscing about all of our favorite Disney activities. It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to say -- well, baby let's just go in a week and a half. Instead, I say maybe we can go next year. Hopefully, this week will go fast with my big work event on Thursday and then I'll blink and we'll be on Southwest heading for Orlando. Yeah!!!

Titans are 7-0!

Tennessee 31
Indianapolis 21

I've got bragging rights for at least a few more weeks.

Sophie's Halloween Self-Portrait

2007 - Cinderella
2008 - Black Ninja
Need I say more?

That Wonderful Hauer Sister Grace

So, I fell out of a banking center today. Yep, that's right...fell directly out of the door. I know the financial services industry is struggling today, but the Bank is going to be okay -- you'd think we'd post signs saying "watch your step" as you leave not just as you enter. Quite ironic that as I limped away nursing my twisted foot and scraped up knee that I saw the sign posted on the outside! And, nothing makes an impression to BC associates like watching the coporate girl falling out the door. I hope they all enjoyed the donuts I brought them!

Sophie and I had a great weekend visting the fam and friends in the greater Kentuckiana area. We started at Fort Vallonia Days (yummy fish) moved onto mom's taco-thingy-s and ended with cupcakes at Aunt Leigh's new store, the Cupcake Shoppe. If you're in the Louisville area, check-it out! She has lots of yummy flavors -- I just had a key lime one myself for dessert. To tie this whole post together, it's really sad I twisted my foot falling out of the banking center or I might have exercised tonight and tried to walk off some of these extra pounds! Oh well... I think I'll just go eat another cupcake.

Rainy Day

It's been raining off and on all day. I'd like nothing better than to curl up on my couch with my blankie. Oh well... it's off to work I go.

Krispy Kreme Dreams

Sophie and I stopped at Krispy Kreme on the way to school this morning. I had to pick up a dozen for a work event and thought she'd enjoy the treat. It was easier to just go inside since I had two orders. Her response "I finally get to see how donuts are made. I've been waiting forever." Who knew? It appears I could have just taken her to get inside KK to get a donut instead of constantly looking for fun activities. Note to self. Unfortunately, I think the novelty wore off with the sugar buzz. Oh well..I was a hero for about 5 minutes.

Sadly misinformed

I really thought that when I took the "important" job at Big Giant Bank, that my days of sitting on the floor stuffing packets were over. Someone lied!

So misinformed

I really thought that when I took the "important" job at the big Bank, that my days of sitting on the floor stuffing packets were over. Someone lied!

The Countdown

Only 38 days to go until we're in Disney World! I'm so in need of a vacation!

Random Thoughts

Whoo Hoo! Vanderbilt just beat Auburn 14-13 making them 5-0 for the season and leading the SEC East. Who'd have put money on that start?

I'm a horrible mother. I really thought my friend Hope's son's birthday party was today. I was completely convinced today was Oct. 3, but guess what -- it's October 4th. We actually realized this as we pulled into the party location at 4:00 p.m. today. Yes, I suck! Of course, no apologies would console the princess. She threw herself on the floor of the car, she cried, she screamed, she told me I was horrible. I tried to explain that it was an accident - "No it wasn't! You did this on purpose!" Yes, because I LOVE melt downs. The kicker to this story -- she doesn't even know who Will is! We eventually ended up seeing Beverly Hills Chihuahua. It was actually very good. She cackled through a lot of it. Of course, we also ate a large popcorn and box of Snow Caps - topping off my day as Mother of the Year.

I'm going to bed...

RIP Mollie Vincent (1995-2008)

Today is a very sad day for the Vincent family. We've lost our sweet doggie, Mollie. Though I often referred to Mollie as my "step" dog, I loved her very much.

Mollie came to live with Damon not long after he moved to Nashville. A friend found her wandering around their neighborhood and knew she needed a good home. Damon accepted. They've been together ever since. Mollie's famous for her "circus" trick -- sitting on her rump with paws up in there and head/torso swaying back and forth -- we call it her circus trick. She was definately a one-trick puppy!

Although in some ways, Mollie's life was better before Riley and I (Damon actually cooked veggies for her every night), I think she found her best friends first in Riley than later Sophie. Although she continued to love Damon and I very much!

Of course, a couple of our all time favorite Mollie stories involve food. The first was when Susan and I baked Christmas treats all morning one holiday season. We left and went somewhere for a few hours. When we came home, many of the treats that had been on the dining room table were gone. Apparently Mollie, Riley and Zarah had climbed up on the table, snatched the goodies and then proceeded to hide them around the house. We were still finding cookies hidden in closets and such months later. The next incident was again during Christmas -- Mom had left the turkey carcas up on the countertop. We came home from our annual movie adventure to find the turkey spread all over the house and three very sick dogs. I don't know exactly how they communicate but Mollie and Riley have a way to "talk" and often got into mischief.

Mollie's life changed again in 2003 when we learned we were expecting Sophie. She was quite mad at first and spent most of my pregnancy getting into the trash. Then Sophie came home. We were initially worried about what the dogs would think of the baby, but Mollie loved her from the first instant. Since Sophie was able to get down and play with her, the two of them have been inseparable. In fact, Mollie won't sleep anywhere at night except in Sophie's room. No matter how much Sophie dressed her up or rolled around on the floor with her, Mollie was her willing companion.

Though we don't know her exact birthday, we think she was around 13 this year. In a good/bad kind of way, she left us fairly quickly. Although she was sick all last weekend, we really thought it was just a "bug." Little did we know that her kidneys had given up and the end was near. After a week of tests and heartbreak, Mollie's life ended today. She will be buried in our backyard in a special garden area we are creating. We will all miss her very much!

Sophie's cheers

Look what Sophie's learned at school?! PreK is so much more entertaining than daycare.

Where's the gas?

Woo Hoo! After going to/driving past 7 gas stations this morning...I finally found gas! "They" say that the only in Middle Tenn gas shortage should end by the weekend.

Damon's Heroine

So, yesterday afternoon Damon called to tell me he had lost his wedding ring. Now, I know other men out their have lost theirs more than once (KC--you know who they are!) but this was most upsetting becuase it was originally his Dad's wedding ring! It's just not something we could replace. When I got home I tried talking him through all the places it might be...sinks, bed, Kinkos... we were getting very discouraged. Mainly because this is the house that eats jewelry - how I lost a diamond earring that was in its case I still haven't figured out! About this time, the princess got in the bathroom and announces "Daddy I found it!" Sure enough, she was holding his ring. The cutest part was she was so afraid she'd be blamed for it being there. We were praising her and she kept saying "I didn't put it there. " All is now well again in the Vincent household!

On another note, I think informercials may be the root of all evil. Sophie can quote them verbatim. This morning after discovering I had forgotten her library book she says..."you need that organizer. It comes with a button you push to help you remember. It's also big enough to hold an umbrella." Pretty much direct quotes from a commercial we saw months ago! It's not wonder the child wants everything she sees on tv!

TV Addict

Yes, I know I'm addicted to primetime television shows. A girl has got to have a hobby and I am proud to say I pretty much stay away from reality tv! Anyway, I'm so excited -- tonight is the season finale of The Closer! I was originally also sad that it would go away until next summer, but TNT just told me it would be back with all new episodes in January. Yeah!!! Sad, I know, but oh well! And, it just ended with a heck of a cliffhanger....

On the regular Sophie topic -- we realized this weekend we have created a spoiled little princess. Yes, Hauer-sisters, I see the eye rolls... I took her to see Disney on Ice Friday night and every 3 minutes she was asking for something else. She ended up crying all the way home because I had only bought her 1 toy. Seriously! We've gone on a buying hiatus for awhile...the time has come to stop indulging the princess. The problem is, when is enough enough? It's so hard to tell. We live in a world now where the commericalism is every where. There is a constant barrage of opportunities to entice the preschool set. And, they so know how to make you feel guilty. "I hardly have any toys." Yeah right. ..just that whole playroom full. We'll see how long we can last...

The difference between a preschooler and a quarterback

In Nashville this week, all the talk has been of the Vince Young drama both on and off the field. If you aren't a Titans fan (and shame on you!) it all started when VY looked like he didn't want to get back on the field on Sunday, he was subsequently injured and then on Monday -- his Momma called Coach Fisher because she couldn't find him and was worried. The police were called and all came to a relatively happy ending. Now, according to this article, Vince just didn't realize he needed to tell his Momma where he was going any more! Now, even a 4 year old knows that if your Momma is in the house -- you always tell her where you're going, who you're with and what you are going to do! Silly NFL quarterback -- he's being paid something like $50 million dollars to throw a football and get himself beat senseless -- that's just the name of the game. Now to be fair, VY is young and by all accounts the NFL is rough (although this is just one more reason why I think college athletes should be required to use up all of their eligibility). If he's going to play in the big leagues, it's time to grow up. I hope this enforced time out (2-4 weeks) will help. I also hope Jeff Fisher makes him prove he's up for the job. At this point, he needs to earn both the Titans and Nashville's trust. Sophie's starting to learn all about that as well. Last week, she was watching some tv show that I decided was inappropriate. We made a new rule that she couldn't watch it anymore. The other day she said, "Momma, if xyz show is on and you aren't in here with me, what happens?" My response, "I have to trust that you will make a good choice and not watch the show." Trust has to start somewhere.

On another note, I recently read a fictional book that dealt with child abduction. It was a good wake up call for me to have a conversation with Sophie about strangers. Take a few minutes and have a conversation with your kids. Tae Kwon Do has been really good for us -- Sophie knew exactly what to do if someone tried to get her to go with them. I just want to make sure the rules are so ingrained that she could remember them in an emergency.

Today's Laugh

Thanks to John McMurtrie for sharing!

I really need a new hobby

So, for the past several months I've been amusing myself with Free Cell. I've always been mildly addicted to games be it cards, computer, whatever. However, I think i've reached a new log -- I've now completed 987 out of 1,000,000 games. At least I'll have something to keep me occupied until Sophie goes to college.

Nice to have a happy child

Me: "So, Soph..what are you thinking about?" (as she gazes out the window.)

Sophie: "Princesses, Fairies, pretty colors"

This is what childhood summers should be

The Vincents and Caillouettes took the children canoeing yesterday for Labor Day. The most amazing thing -- all three children came back alive! No one accidently fell in the river (although Sophie tried), no one stood up in the canoe and everyone listened. It really was a great way to end the summer. We may have even convinced Kathleen that outdoor activities can be fun once in awhile! We decided the trick to being on the river with a 5, 4 1/2 and 4 year olds is to make frequent stops for swimming. I think it is so funny, though, that both Sam and Sophie independentyly had to be convinced that there would be no crocodiles, alligators or sharks in the water. Amazingly enough, no one cared about getting dirty or wet -- they just had FUN. At one point, we found an old tire swing in an area we used to picnic. The kids loved it. I truly belive that summer for small children should be about being sweaty, wet and dirty -- there is nothing like the joy you see in their eyes as they discover all the world has to offer. Of course, Sophie continues to insist that she likes "pretend adventures" better than real adventures. Luckily for her -- Disney on Ice is only 10 days away. Nothing says adventure more than Tinker Bell and Ariel on ice skates!

Uniform Musings

The age old question -- why do the young always want time to go fast? I've entered a whole new world now that I take Sophie to school in the mornings. Depending on traffic we have anywhere between 30-45 minutes each day of "quality" time together. Sometimes, the conversation borders on the mundane -- how many times can I explain why their are dotted lines between lanes on I-65? Other times the sweet -- I want to live with you and Dada forever. And sometimes, she'll even tell me what they did at school the day before. Then, there is the constant barrage of when can I ride a school bus? When will more of my teeth come out? When can I wear a uniform every day? I keep trying to convince her that if she stays in private school that in a few years she'll be wishing for the days she could wear her comfortable shorts and dresses, but she's convinced the uniform is the way to go. So, this morning she and I went to FRA's semi-annual uniform consignment sale and bought two uniforms. I convinced her that the jumper and peter pan collar shirt were just too cute to pass up, but she's much more interested in the skort and polo--who wouldn't be?

I keep trying to convince her to enjoy being little for awhile. Of course, I have to remind myself to enjoy her being little as well most days. It's sometimes hard when she's clingy or wants me to lay down with her at night or those other daily things to wish she would just grow up! But, I need to treasure every day that she's still my sweet little angel - it's amazing how fast 4 years have gone -- I know that one day I'm going to wake up and she'll be 16 than 30 and I'll be back to wishing she was my little sweet pea again buying her first school uniform.

90210 (2.0)

I can't decide....should I be excited or scared about the new 90210. I really, really don't need to be sucked into a new TEEN series, but if this is true than I'm probably so there!

Deal or No Deal

Quick shout out to our friend, Fran "Crazy Girl" Smith, part of the production staff for the new season of Deal or No Deal on NBC. You have to look hard, but her name is in the credits. Yeah Frannie!

Why Is It Always the Mommy's Fault

Margaritas anyone? I've once again broken Sophie's heart -- this time for getting a few sprinkles of water on a picture while she complained about me combing out the tangles. It's always Mommy's fault!

My first blog!

Well, I've decided to actually join the internet age of the 21st century and try to blog! Welcome family and friends -- if any of you actually visit me! This will be my new spot to chat about Sophie, post pictures and generally comment on life.

Out of the mouths of 4 year olds: "Only the "hook up friends" usually wear rain coats. "Hook up friends?!" Is she in PreK or college?