New Blog

I am sorry to be changing blogs but I have been having a little trouble with this one since it won't let me change e-mail addresses. I have started a new blog for our family that I will be able to update a little more often because of the better e-mail.
To see our blog, go to:
http://simply-sanders.blogspot.com

Jim-the-fix-it-man

I love having an engineer for a husband!!! I also love that he enjoys fixing things and can figure out what is wrong generally.

We have had more problems with our swamp cooler. The water pump shorted out so he spent some time and fixed that. The next day, we noticed water coming through the ceiling again. He was able to figure out what was wrong and fixed that, also. He has also changed the oil in both cars and has done a lot of other things around the house! I really appreciate him!

Violatte's Speech

I have been worried about Violatt'es speech for quite a while. She doesn't say most words clearly and that really concerns me. She knows what she is saying and we can usually figure it out because a couple of words in each sentence are clear, but in general, she struggles some. She has done better since she started preschool. Her language has come a long way, but I am still worried.

Today her teacher did an evaluation on her and talked to me. She was concerned also and wanted to know what I thought about having Violatte referred to a specialist. I think it is a good idea. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I really hope it helps.

Her teacher also commented over and over how incredibly smart Violatte is. For example, the teacher always gives the class a five minute warning before it is time to clean up the toys. As the kids were playing Violatte went up to her teacher and said, "Teacher, five more minutes." Sure enough, it was five minutes until clean up time -- the same time when the teacher would have said that to the class.

Violatte also knows her shapes, colors, months of the year, she can count, etc. Her teacher said that once she could talk better, she wouldn't be surprised if Violatte could explain that she knew even more. What a smart girl! I am so proud of her!

yahoo!!!

Something so fantastic and wonderful happened today!!!!!
Annalee has been wanting to sit on the potty for a long time as she has seen Violatte use the bathroom. We would put her on the big potty, but nothing ever happened and it was pretty frustrating how often she would ask to be held up there.

Well, I decided to pull out the little potty chair for her. Each time Violatte has gone to the bathroom Annee goes and sits on her little potty chair fully clothed. Today, she was very insisted that we undress her so she could sit on the potty the right way. Well, we did . . . and she went potty!!!!!!!

But, wait . . . it gets even better. A little later on, Annalee came running up to me and told me she needed to go potty. I was right in the middle of something and took an extra couple of minutes to get to the bathroom to help her. By then, she wasn't so excited to sit on the potty because she had just wet her diaper! When I saw that I realized that she had known when she needed to go!!!!!! Yay!! Although it may be a few months until we can actually potty train her, each step is exciting!

August Update

It's been quite a while since I have written about what we have all been up to, so I thought I'd do a quick update of everybody.

Violatte is loving preschool! She has made friends, she is learning lots, and she loves that they eat at school. In fact, that is usually the main thing that she tells me about school.

Annalee has been having a really hard time with Violatte being gone. She has gotten really cuddly (which I love!) We have been having some good times together in the mornings while Violatte's at school. I think she is starting to enjoy the one-on-one time with Mommy.

The pregnancy is going well. I am not quite as sick as I used to be, so that is a nice break. I have started to have trouble with the migranes again now that I am in the second trimester. I'm not quite sure what I can do about that. I have an appointment on September 19 and I am really hoping we'll be able to see what gender the baby is.

Jim has been working on some really exciting things for his job. He is just loving it!

We had been having some trouble with the tire on our van. During out trip we had to keep filling it up with air. We didn't think there was a big problem, but since we got back it got really bad. Jim took it to a tire place and got it fixed yesterday. It is such a relief to have that done.

We have been putting in some time walking for Proposition 8. We hand out flyers and talk to people about supporting the Proposition. It's a good feeling knowing that we can help some!

Yesterday I was able to can 12 jars of peaches. A friend of ours was going down to a orchard and offered to get us some. They are huge peaches and soooo yummy! We saved a bunch and then I canned the rest. It is wonderful to have bottled fruit again!!!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Here is another example of how Violatte is getting so big. She really wanted to have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner, so we decided that would be fine. She got out everything (bread, jelly, knives, peanut butter) and started making the sandwiches by herself. She did a pretty good job, too. She is so independent and grown-up!

Oh, and she couldn't resist licking the knife off

First Day of Preschool

So, I'm a couple of days late on this, but Violatte had her first day of preschool on Monday. She was so excited! She was proud of her backpack, she dressed herself, and she wanted her hair done in a special way -- in braids like her Aunt Elliana. I also have to say, that I did not cry! I won the bet with Jim. It sure was hard for me to drop her off, but I actually think it was harder for Annalee. She cried out Violatte's name for ten minutes. She was so upset that we weren't taking her home with us.


Violatte did enjoy her first day. She seemed tired when it was done, but she was so excited to tell me about what they did and what they ate. She always asks if she gets to go again tomorrow. She sure is growing up!