HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

We went to see Santa at the Falls today. 

What you don't see, is me acting the fool to make Sam laugh. I apologized to the camera lady and she told me she'd seen a lot crazier moms. Apparently Santa says, often, that he should be the one with the camera... so he take a picture of what is going on behind the camera!

BABY FOOD/SKIN CARE

Samantha loved her Oatmeal cereal so much, she decided to wear it as well as eat it. 

Perhaps we should buy stock in Aveeno.

VAROOM VAROOM AT CROOM

We went to Croom for the extended Thanksgiving weekend. (Lot of other folks had the same idea. We were surprised at how crowded the campsite was!)

 Croom is 2,260 acres set out for ATV, dirtbikes and other off road vechicles. Great Trails, a great managed campsite, and great fun! It is part of the larger Withlacoochie state forest. We've been coming since I was on the yellow 80, so about 7 years old. 

 This was Joey's second time, but first time riding the 50. She did really good.

(She only ran into 3 trees.) Sam is ready for her turn!

 It was a bit dry and dusty though. (hence, the dirt beards above.)

Samantha LOVES cool weather. And it got down into the 30's one night. (The motorhome's heater works just fine, thanks for asking!)

We stopped by Uncle Tom's in Tampa on the way home but ran out of time and weren't able to see Bob & Sally.  :(

THANK YOU FOR CALLING FROZEN TREATS

I had to go up to the office the week before Thanksgiving and didn't have someone to watch Sam. So she came with! Her 1st trip to the office.

She could have entertained herself, like this, for a while. But Grandma is physically and mentally incapable of working for more than 15 minutes without a baby fix if the baby is in the office.

BETTY CROCKER JR.

Joey made Daddy's birthday cake with only minor assistance from Mommy. 

That child LOVES to cook! (and because she is so involved in cooking what we eat, she eats EVERYTHING!)

THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON

Joey's school had their Thanksgiving lunch on the Thursday before.

Sam has a fever and a UTI, but even that can't stop this baby from being happy!

NAP TIME

Quality napping is a Meyers thing. 

HAPPY TUMMY TIME = HAPPY BABY

Moms, let me let you in on a little secret: you are going to get boring to your baby. You are actually not enough. Get your baby out of your arms and onto the floor as soon as you can! A baby that doesn't need mommy all the time to entertain itself, is a happy baby. And, that's a happy mommy too!

As soon as the umbilical cord is good, have the baby on its tummy as often as possible. In the beginning ( a few months here) that might mean you are on your knees in front of her keeping her happy. It might seem easier just to hold your baby. And besides, you WANT to hold that baby you waited 9 months for! But the more happy tummy time your baby has, the quicker she will develop physically, and once they can sit and play with toys, life is infinitely better. 

Of course you are still holding and talking to your baby. And helping her stand on your lap. And practicing sitting. But don't start with that. Once you've fed your child and she has digested a bit (putting her on her tummy right after eating will make her spit up/vomit) have her play on her tummy. When she tires of it, then you can play the games on your lap. 

I find that dropping in (while on my way to change loads of laundry) and smiling and talking to her for just a moment and putting a new toy in front of her, keeps her happy on her tummy longer than if I just leave her alone OR sit there the whole time. It allows her to concentrate/play/learn without getting upset because you aren't there OR because you're there and aren't picking her up. It's the happy middle. And I talk to her while she's in the living room and I'm doing the dishes in the kitchen.

Don't force tummy time. If you force it when it's not fun, you are going to make matters worse. She will remember that she doesn't like it instead of trying it openly later. If she goes on strike for a day or two, humor her. helping her to balance sitting on your lap is also strengthening those core muscles. 

AUNT AGNES

We tried to visit with Aunt Agnes on our way to the train at the beginning of our trip, but traffic made us so late it was a quick hug & kiss in the drive way. 

 So we stopped to visit on the drive down again, so she could have some time hold Samantha!

(And Joey sang for her, of course.)

JOEY'S 1ST ATV

We are going to Croom for Thanksgiving and Joey will get to ride the 50!

Yep, the same 50 that I started out on 28 years ago. (Craven beginning riding age is more or less 4 years old.)

So we are having her practice some before we take her to Croom. 

Her first run was in the Keys, the weekend before Halloween.

Grandpa: "I've been waiting to give her this since she was born!"

FLORIDA & OHIO

I just need to know the results in Florida & Ohio in order to go to bed.

I want to go to bed.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY QUESTIONS

I'm having trouble finding an unbiased plain english on the county charter questions. This is the Miami Herald's recommendations. But I still find it very useful, because it is in plain english. You can then decide for yourself if you agree with the opinion or not. 

Miami-Dade charter changes - Editorials - MiamiHerald.com

CUTLER BAY BALLOT

There is a lot of Cutler Bay charter stuff on this ballot.
The article below talks about those charter issues briefly, and in much clearer language.

Cutler Bay Vice Mayor faces reelection challenge - Cutler Bay - MiamiHerald.com

SAMPLE BALLOT

Please follow the link below to the Miami-Dade Government website where you can put in your name, birthday and part of your address and then view and print a sample ballot for YOU. 

It is recommended, by voting officials, that you fill it out in advance and take it with you into your voting booth. Things move MUCH quicker that way and you can double check your answers and feel more confident. 

http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/voting_system_sample.asp

MY FELLOW REPUBLICANS...

Well actually, I'm a liberal Democrat, but I AM addressing my Republican friends and family right now. (Yes, I actually have quite a few of those.)
I am not going to discuss anything Obama or Romney right now. 
I want to talk about the Judges and the amendments. 

I know several people, my parents included, who tend to vote Republican because of money issues. But on social issues, they actually are pretty liberal. Please don't dismiss the Judges or amendments when voting tomorrow. It doesn't have to be difficult. 

Are you a right-wing-crazy-Christian-Coalition type? 
If not, then simply vote opposite of what they recommend. 
They Judge recommendations are based on pro-life or pro-choice. 

http://christiancitizens.org/christian_voting_guide_2010.html

http://www.unitedchristiansofflorida.com/ballots/general-2012-dade-miami-dade-county-christian-voter-guides-candidate-endorsements-sample-ballot-election-recommendations

Another quick and painless way to cut to the chase is to look at the endorsements. (and this works for all candidates.) Not your kinda people? Then vote for the other guy. 

This is a great way to get informed in less than 15 minutes if you just haven't had time to research and are getting ready to head to the polls.

WE WON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN

A decent opinion piece on some of the State Amendments. Might help put things in perspective for those who have not done any research and are reading this amendments for the first time, and therefore, out of context.

Florida voters won’t be fooled again — or will we? - Carl Hiaasen - MiamiHerald.com

STATE AMENDMENTS

Below is a link to a Miami Herald article that put the proposed State Amendments into plain English.

State amendments: from health reform to tax relief - Issues & Ideas - MiamiHerald.com

HALLOWEEN 2012

That's not Joey & Sam, that's Captain America and The Incredible Hulk.

The weekend before Halloween down in the keys.

 Grandpa helped Joey carve her pumpkin this year.

She really likes witches. 

She picked a different witch last year, but still a witch.

Don't worry, we didn't really gyp Sam out of a real costume. 

She was Minnie Mouse on Halloween. 

 Grandma & Grandpa & Uncle Chris (Frozen Treats) gave out water again at the Track or Treat that was held at Evelyn Greer Park. 

 Kevin & Sue, Kennedy & Bradley, and Sue's sister's: Cynthia & Jennifer, came to trick or treat with us!

BABY BUMBLE BEE

LITTLE ELLIE

Took the girls over to see Ellie last week. 

Even Samantha got to hold her!

SAM ROLLED OVER

This is from 10/17 and she first rolled over in the doctor's office on 10/1. I am a few weeks behind in posting.

SKY PHOTOGRAPHY

Aunti Becca takes AMAZING pictures!

This wasn't even planned. The boys when to the store and we were playing in the front yard when I realized that we hadn't taken a pictures of Joey & Emma this visit.

So when she busted out the fancy camera, I put a nicer dress on Sam (Thanks Bradys!) and took some pictures in Becca's front yard.

They came out fabulous!

 And our two angels... playing with guns and knives instead of barbie dolls.

(Check out Marty McFly on the left.)

 Too much fun. Too bad they live so far away!

LEAF FIGHT

FALL FUN

Grandma Higgins went with us to the West Woods and we walked the path down to the overlook.

Some of us got into a leaf fight. Don't know how that got started!

Mark and I were so excited to get to preserve some of the pretty leaves that Joey collected.

That isn't sarcasm, we actually took turns on the ironing board. It is just a fall tradition that we Miamians had never gotten to do before!

 I could do nothing else but play cards at Grandma's house and be happy with my trip.

Here, we are playing GO FISH with Joey.

 Sam is part of the action too! She's old enough that she does more than just sleep all day.

 Outside for some swing time.

Another Sammy 1st, though she didn't really react either way. I think she is too young to appreciate.

 I could make an entire album out of family pictures with bunny ears on them. My mother and grandma Higgins are definitely the biggest offenders. Even worse than Chris & Dad.

 Grandpa & Sam, looking oh so comfortable in front of the camera, as usual.