We went up to DeSoto and Helton Creek Falls for a fun fall family hike. The trails were pretty close to each other and short. Each trail had both an upper and lower falls, so we saw four waterfalls in a couple of hours. It was a beautiful way to spend a fall day.
Birthday
PB turned three. Three sounds better than two to me…minus the fact that I have to start paying for him at some places. He loved his birthday, and is still creating happy birthday presents to open. We had a little birthday party in the park with friends, ate his favorite foods including tons of cupcakes and opened presents. I told him we would open presents just as soon as Dad came home. I thought that he would be taking a nap when Joe got off work at 2:00, and then we would open them that evening. He wasn’t sleeping though, so we opened presents about thirty seconds after Joe walked in the door.
I love to play with PB. He is old enough to sit and enjoy activities I think of. We played Cooties today. It took a lot of effort on my part to keep him interested and rule-abiding, but with encouragement (and a bit of rule modification) he played the game all the way through. He is usually very cheerful, except when he is tired and then he can be horrid. (He has a not desirable habit of waking up whenever he hears someone up. I’ll get up at 6:00 or earlier, and this is much too early for him.) A couple of things he needs to work on is eating a better variety of foods, and potty training.
PB favorite activity is to sit in the rocker and listen to songs. He loves listening to music. His second favorite thing to do is play cars. He is getting more creative in his play. Here are some things he did that I found cute:
- Dumping out his boxes used to organize his toys and sorting, stacking and turning them into roads, stepping stones and hats.
- Tackling his brother. And CD is usually okay with it. Sometimes he laughs and laughs. My greatest joy is seeing them make each other laugh.
- Trying to erase the crayons with his chalk eraser…but also coloring a picture with deliberate marks more than scribbles
- Gaining more independence: helping me with laundry, other chores.
- Playing with friends. I love that he is old enough to make friends.
Tidbits
I am enjoying the cooler weather. I forgot how wonderful it is to go outside in a jacket and not be surrounded by mosquitoes.
Last Saturday we attempted to go disc golfing. After the first hole, we were cheerfully informed the course was closed to put down milch. We were bummed at first but played at the playground and decided to go shopping for PB’s birthday. When something doesn’t work out there are often better things to discover. In the parking lot for the store was an event with crafts, firemen, police, free food, and bounce houses. I think it was a fundraiser and safety fair. It was great fun and a bit educational. I did sneak away while Joe was with PB and bought him a few presents.
My favorite thing lately is seeing the kids make each other laugh.
I want to commit to be happy more. It is a choice. I can avoid dwelling on my mistakes or problems, and simply strive to do better. My life is wondrous only as I choose to see it that way.
And conference was wonderful, wasn’t it?
You only get one picture today, but there’s some good ones of our family at the end of this post (kudos to my awesome sister-in-law).
Huntsville Botanical Gardens
I took advantage of the reciprocal admissions program (I love that program), and visited Huntsville Botanical Gardens while visiting my in-laws. The actual gardens didn’t impress me as much as many that I’ve been to. I did visit in a bit of a slump…summer blooms are gone and fall has yet to fully mature.
But these gardens are first on my list of kid-friendly gardens. Not only did they have a dedicated children’s garden (which was large and fun), but scattered throughout all the gardens were kid-friendly places like a model train, fort, and swing set. The kids with us enjoyed ponds and fountains to splash in (it was hot), ball bins, and butterflies in the butterfly house.
Car Painting
We had a very successful art activity one afternoon. PB is obsessed with cars. He doesn’t just ask, “Will you play with me?” It is always, “Will you play cars with me?” So I finally decided to break out the paints (not washable which is why we were out on the balcony, PB sans clothes), and let PB paint using the cars as brushes. Not only did he have a lot of fun, but he created a beautiful painting.
Fun with Cousins
Joe’s brother and his family flew in, and we all went out and visited another sister in Alabama. It was fun. (Minus the car ride. CD hates the car for long car rides. PB can also get a bit squeally.) PB loved playing with his cousins.
Fun at the Space and Rocket Center. Very cool place.
Isn’t this guy cute? He hasn’t been sleeping well at all…and then he cut is first tooth.
Eating sandwiches at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens.
On top of Stone Mountain. PB refused to pose for a picture
Thanks to all my relatives this weekend for a great time!
Fun Times
Don’t worry, we’ve been having fun. Here’s some proof. (I have missed some good pictures because I forget my camera.)
I loved this outfit. And I love this kid.
I didn’t realize it, but Peter had never played with dump trucks and sand at the same time until this. He was in heaven.
We made muffin tin crayons. Super fun for everyone. Peter was having as much fun using them as wheels and blocks as actual crayons.
Preschool Activities
Here is my list of things to do with PB. I thought that others might find it useful. I’ll refer to the list to give me ideas and also have a bit of variety in play.
- Pretend
- Dress-up, cities/cars, animals, house, food
- Science
- Sensory boxes, water, sand, household ingredients, bubbles
- Art
- Color, paint, dough, crafts, photography
- Circle Time
- Music, finger play, verses, learning, stories
- Books
- Table play
- Puzzles, games, foam, magnet, quiet books, lace-ups
- Active Play
- Exercise, hide/seek, dance, sports, balls
- Build Play
- Blocks, Lego
- Snacks
- Outdoors
- Walks, playground
- Outings
- Store, park, museum
- Screen Time
- Music/games/shows
- Mommy help
Lately I’ve also been putting all the projects we do over on a pinterest board instead of on this blog. It’s a little more organized and easier.
Kids are great excuses to get creative and have fun!
Also, these two blogs have great ideas:
Callaway Gardens
We went down to Callaway Gardens last weekend. If you are interested at all in visiting public gardens, check out the AHS reciprocal admissions program. Not only do you get free admission to all sorts of fun gardens, but it’s good way to find new ones.
The gardens were fun. If I go back, I think I would only visit in the spring when the azaleas are blooming. There was still a lot of pretty plants, see the pictures for some of my favorite.
Kids Play Outside
The weather has been wonderful, so we’ve visited lots of parks. We went and saw butterflies, flowers, and fed lots of fish at Callaway Gardens.
Looking at pictures, CD’s skin is looking much better. The doctor gave us a prescription and told me what it probably was (I’ve forgotten), and he no longer looks like a pimply teenager.
PB had a fever early Monday morning and I realized that we have been incredibly lucky. We get colds all the time, but I can’t remember a previous fever. (PB’s fever was gone by the end of the day, and he never really acted sick either.)
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