I have been a really sporadic blogger lately. We’ve been busy, the weather is sometimes nice and well, sometimes I just don’t feel like it. Sounds bad but it’s the truth!
I thought instead of doing individual posts on our week’s activities I would just do a “week in review” via pictures.
Emily and I met her daddy for lunch on Tuesday. We were listening to her Laurie Berkner CD as we were driving to pick Stephen up. I started singing with the song- it had a catchy tune.
Don’t sing Mommy! Don’t sing!!!
I can sing if I want to and I am going to sing.
Don’t sing Mommy!!!! Knock it off Mommy!!!!!!!
I couldn’t help but laugh. And laugh I did. A lot. I don’t know where she gets it from but I do know that she makes my day!
Stephen and I decided that this was a good year to get Emily a swing set. Once that decision was made, the hard part came. Wood or metal? Just how much did we want to spend? Size? What could we fit in our backyard. Researching, researching, banging our heads against the wall researching. Who knew that there were so many options out there???
We looked at several online and several in stores. There were quite a few that we absolutely loved! But, with the space we had for a swing set, it would cost us an arm and a leg. We went back and forth about spending the money. I think one of the things that pushed our decision was the fact that the city is building a park within walking distance from our house. We couldn’t really justify spending a mint when we could walk to a huge play set.
We made our decision at 10pm on a Sunday night. Got to love Amazon.com. Order any thing, any time! We finally decided to go with a metal set but it wasn’t your typical metal set. It seems a lot sturdier and more durable. It’s German designed. And apparently, that’s a good thing. 😉 The only drawback is that there is no slide. We have a few options with that- we can either save the slide for the park or order one of those stand alone plastic slides. Another option is to just buy some other backyard fun. Thinking sand and water table or playhouse. We haven’t made our mind up yet.
The swing set was delivered by Friday. Less than a week shipment- sweet! We had it up Sunday night and the toddler was able to swing before bed time. And she LOVED it! I had to wake her up from her nap (we were putting it together while she got some beauty rest). I carried her into the living room, all groggy. She saw it out of the corner of her eye. She immediately perked up and was in awe. “My swing set!!!” Didn’t take her too long to wake up!
She’d stay out there all day long if I let her. Too bad the weather is turning yucky this week. But we have all summer long! I will say that Stephen and I do not regret our decision in getting the Kettler set with the glider. We know that it’s going to be very loved!!
Saturday, among a ton of other things, we went to the Shriner’s parade. Emily loves parades! There were lots of cars, demonsclowns and people to wave at. I wouldn’t say this was the best parade that we have gone to but it wasn’t the worst. Emily was easily entertained by all the men shoved into little cars, little bikes and the bands. And of course, Big Cart was there! Big Cart holds a special place in my heart. LOL! I used to work for the company that made it.
All in all, the parade was good. Emily got a sucker so what more could she ask for?? A kid and a parade? There’s nothing better!
This is a story that Emily will kill me for when she gets older!
Towards the end of church today Emily decided that she needed to sit on my lap. She had ants in her pants and couldn’t sit still. All that movement pushed some gas out of her. And it was kind of stinky. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want her to make a scene- as only a toddler can. Maybe I should have said something…..
Mommy! You stink!!!!!
She’s not even 2 1/2 and she is already blaming farts on someone else!!! And it was me, not her dad! Where’s the justice in that? Sometimes I wonder if we are really raising a little boy!
I was checking out one of my favorite blogs the other day, The Crafty Crow, when I saw a pretty cute Easter craft from another site linked there. I am always on the lookout for fun activities to do with Emily so I clicked on the link. I hit the jackpot!!! This site was the mecca of activities, in my opinion.
The site is Preschool Rock. There are tons and tons of craft ideas for toddlers and preschoolers. I haven’t had a chance to really delve into the site yet but I have already seen a handful of crafts that I am going to make with Emily. I am just super excited and had to share the site with my friends! The link I had was just for the craft section. If you go to the home page, you will find even more cool stuff! Activities, food, nutrition, you name it. I can’t wait to check out the site even more! I am seeing much more stuff than just crafts!!
I hope you enjoy!!
Naps are interesting here now that Emily is potty training and in a toddler bed. (I don’t want to say “potty trained” because she still does have the occasional accident and is in pull ups at night.) Some days are good and we don’t battle. Some days are ok. I only have to take her to the bathroom once. Other days are ridiculous. She’s like a jack in the box. Up and down, up and down. It’s maddening.
I decided to try a nap sticker chart. The potty chart went over really, really well so I thought I’d give this a whirl. I searched and searched the net to no avail. Frustrated, I decided to make one myself. It’s not the best but I think it will do the job.
The jist of the chart is that she has to nap 5 out of 7 days to receive a reward. The more she naps- the bigger the reward. I know 5 out of 7 days does not seem enough. Believe me, I would prefer 7 out of 7 but some weeks that is not possible. Sometimes one day during the weekend naps are brushed to the side (bad mommy) and almost every week she spends a day at Grandma’s. That day is a huge problem with naps. You are 99.7% assured that there will be no nap taken on that day. Grandma tries but it’s just too exciting.
So, we’ll see how the chart works. Hopefully it will be enough to motivate her to want to nap.
After the way our morning started out, I didn’t know how our day was going to go. I wasn’t wanting the world to endure the wrath of a toddler who woke up on the wrong side of the bed. It’s amazing how taking care of business and a shower will change an attitude. Also, I knew that if we stayed in the house it would not be pleasant. We both would be getting on each other’s nerves.
I decided to get out of the house but not make anyone else cringe in case the monster came back. We went to the park, but not your regular toddler park. This park didn’t have any playground equipment and we had a BLAST! We walked along the river, kicked the ball we brought and blew bubbles. We checked out the trains, the gazebo and ate cookies. Emily said hi to the giant doggy statue and got to pet him. It was great! Getting out in the fresh air did both of us some good. Really brightened both our our moods and made for a much better rest of the day hopefully.
After we left the park, we met Daddy for lunch. Emily was SO excited to see Stephen. She was getting impatient waiting for him to come to the car. “Daddy, where are you??” “Dude!! Where are you?” It was hilarious. She even let Daddy hold her hand while we were walking to the restaurant! Usually it’s mommy or nothing. And she tried new foods today! LOVED beets!
I love the weather that we are having! We have been able to get outside and enjoy. Going outside means wearing out the toddler too. Bonus! I know the weather won’t stay this nice for too long but I am enjoying it while it lasts!
Obviously not just for St. Patrick’s Day in our house! Last night was the first time I made and I will be making the again as they were a huge hit.
Here’s what you need:
4 baking potatoes (I only made 3)
1 tablespoon margarine (I did to taste- ended up being about 1 1/2 tbl)
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped spinach (I used defrosted frozen)
grated cheese to taste (I used mozzarella to taste)
I also added salt to taste
Here’s what you do:
Bake the potatoes
When cool, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides into a mixing bowl. Reserve the potato skins.
Mash the potatoes, margarine and milk.
Stir in spinach and add cheese to taste.
Spoon the mixture back into the potato skins, place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake at 350F for 10 minutes.
If you want to have your child help you in the kitchen, they can help mash the potatoes, milk and margarine and then stir in spinach and cheese.
I wasn’t sure how they would go over with Stephen or Emily. And I am not a big spinach person. But all 3 of us LOVED the recipe so I know I will be making them again.
We might not have had the traditional St Pat’s dinner but we did honor the Irish with potatoes. And the corned beef? Yummy! I had made Emily something else to eat because she is so big on textures and I didn’t think she would like it. She proved me wrong! She thought it was pretty good. Maybe she is expanding her palate a little bit!
Love Overflowing 