Bits o' Christmas

December is definitely a busy month for our family. The little one has been fully enjoying the holiday season. We have been working on different Advent activities every day, and it has definitely contributed to the excitement!

Here are some of the highlights:
We went to a tree farm and picked out our Christmas tree.

We wore our silly Christmas socks:

And went to a special night time Christmas activity:

We decorated the tree. Logan wanted to decorate just the bottom.

Logan painted decorations for our tree. He used a lot of pink.

We have been Christmas-y everyday. It's been a perfect way to get in the holiday spirit.

Why I'm smiling

Logan is standing on a box holding a rattle and a hat on his head saying, "I'm a queen! I'm a queen!"

Advent Day #1

The little boy and I painted ornaments. Which is consequently one of those words that I never know how to spell. My mom got him a pack of ceramic ornaments from Walgreens!

He picked his favorite color and went to town!

I noticed on subsequent ornaments that he picked a color and painted the whole thing that color. Apparently once he makes a decision, he really commits. I might have him add additional colors once they are dry.

I think we need to ask Santa for a smock. And would you check out those eyelashes?

Christmas Advent Activities

25 days until Christmas, chickadees!!!! In our house this is the first year that we will use an Advent calendar to do (at least) one Christmas related activity a day! I know I included more than 25, but some of these will be done on the same day.

Want to know our plans?
1. Wear silly Christmas socks.
2. Bake Christmas cookies.
3. Drive around and look at Christmas lights.
4. Breakfast with Santa
5. Festival of Lights
6. A special night time tour of a local attraction
7. Decorate the Christmas tree
8. Put up holiday decorations
9. Decorate Christmas envelopes/ cards
10. Draw with Christmas colored ice
11. Watch a Christmas movie in our pjs.
12. Read Christmas books before bed time.
13. Make Christmas decorations for bedroom door.
14. Make a snowman craft
15. Play in a Christmas themed sensory bin
16. Paint Christmas ornaments
17. Make applesauce cutout ornaments
18. Decorate a gingerbread house
19. Color 12 Days of Christmas coloring book
20. Write a letter to Santa
21. Dress Logan up in Santa costume and take lots of pictures!
22. Make reindeer sanwiches
23. Make paper snowflakes and decorate
24. Take a winter walk around the neighborhood and check out Christmas lights.
25. Bring holiday treats to our neighbors.
26. Go to Nana's house for a special Christmas eve party.
27. Leave out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
28. Eat candy canes.
29. Make a hand and footprint reindeer

It seems like a nice tradition and most of these things seem pretty easy and fun. And I'm all about fun.

Thankful edition 2010

I am thankful for:

1. My wonderful little family. I love my husband. He is a hard worker who is providing for us. I adore beyond words my sweet little boy. You probably already guessed that if you have read any of my other blog posts. And my two adorable cats. They are great snugglers, wonderful with overzealous children, and constantly making me laugh.

2. The health of my family.

3. My extended family and my friends who are like family to me.

4. I am thankful that my husband is working. Last year at this time, he didn't have a job. We are very appreciative of the fact that he now does.

5. Free printables online that allow me to decorate my home and educate my kiddo.

6. A finished basement. Well, mostly finished.

7. Having food on the table and a place that is warm (even if drafty). Many people do not have these things, so the fact that I am lucky to have them is not lost on me.

8. People who inspire me to be a better person. You know, I'm talking about the people that are completely awesome and totally living their lives to the fullest. Not only do I admire them, it makes me want to do the same. This also includes the few meanies who have made me blue. Without you I would not have reassessed what I believe is truly important in life.

9. Glee and Vampire Diaries. What can I say? I love those shows.

10. Ohhhh..... and I am thankful for the new Harry Potter movie now in theaters that I haven't seen yet, but know I am going to love.

This is just some of the things and people I am thankful for. I think that stopping to reflect on what you feel gratitude for is important in life. And while Thanksgiving is an obvious day to do so, I try to do it all year long. What are you thankful for this year?

Fall activities: Leaves

Jump into a great big pile of leaves!

Check!

24 months

Dear Logan,
Happy second birthday. Two years ago I was debating whether or not I was going into labor (I thought yes..... well maybe) and eating Thai food. When we finally went to the hospital you pulled that nasty heart stopping trick and you arrived 20 minutes later via emergency c-section. It was the most scared I have ever been in my life, but the moment I heard you cry it was the absolute happiest.

I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I knew that it was the one thing that I was meant to do. What I didn't know was that I would be so incredibly blessed as to be your mother. You, my little one, have changed me and my life in the best possible ways. You have taught me so much about being a parent and about myself. As much as it breaks my heart to see that you no longer resemble that wobbly giant headed baby, it also fills me with joy. You have become a strong, thriving little boy. You are curious, smart, funny, and so much fun. You can run so fast and can throw far better than I can. You have a creative spirit. You amaze me.

It is hard to sum up what this past two years has meant to me. As much as it celebrates you turning another year older it also symbolizes something more to me. It reminds me that those three months at the beginning of your life that you spent screaming are now far far away. You've spent far more time smiling and giggling. The days where it took me forever to change a diaper are nothing but a memory. Now I can change a diaper with my eyes closed. (By the way..... sorry about the other day when I did change you while I was half asleep and let you walk around with half your bottom hanging out. I didn't have my glasses on, which is basically the same as actually changing you with my eyes closed. It won't happen again...... or at least not often, I promise). I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's not only you that has grown in these past two years. I have too, as your mom and best buddy.
Each day that I get to spend with you is one that I want to always remember. You change so fast that sometimes I'm scared I will forget. But I am the luckiest girl in the world since I get to watch you grow. I love you to infinity and beyond.

Love always, Mama

Halloween 2010

At the start of the Halloween season, Logan wasn't too excited. . He still doesn't like the witches or people in makeup. But he soon realized he would get to eat candy and dress up. He choose his costume this year. When I asked him what he wanted to be he immediately replied, "Boots, the monkey." Boots was not available in his size, so we settled on a monkey costume, without boots. He did not care. He thought it was the greatest thing EVER.

I made pumpkin pancakes for him when he woke up. I added chocolate chips to make them jack-o-lanterns. It was then that he declared that it was his plan that he was going to "eat chocolate all night." He didn't get to eat it ALL night, but he did get to eat some.

He loved trick or treating. He wanted to stay out and "keep walking."


Overall, Halloween was a success!!!

Fall activities: Paint a pumpkin (or a gourd)

One rainy I stopped at a local pumpkin patch around here and bought 3 gourds for $1. When Logan and I got home, we broke out the non-toxic washable paint and he went to town painting them.

He was able to use his favorite color (pink) so he was one happy boy. I wish I had bought more, because he loved this activity so much. It was definitely a great dollar spent!

23 months

Dear Logan,

One more month and you will be two whole years old. Two. You know. You tell everyone who will ask. You also will tell them your first and last name, and just about anything you may want. Sometimes in a very loud voice. One might call it screaming, really, but I like to think of it as exercising your voice.

What are you like? Stubborn. Like really, stubborn. I wonder where you got that from....But you are also snuggle-y, happy, giggly, joyful, creative, and the greatest little guy ever. You love your tumbling class where you can run around, jump in the bounce house, walk on the balance beam, crawl through tunnels, and just burn off lots of energy.

You are just so much fun. I love love love being your mom.

Love, Mama

Fall activities: Pick out pumpkins and Feed chickens

This weekend we went pumpkin picking. We have been reading a lot of books about pumpkins, so Logan has been talking about this for weeks! We took lots of photos, and had lots of fun walking through the pumpkin patch.

Logan finally found the right one!



On the way out, we fed the chickens that were there. He thought that this was the greatest thing! He laughed whenever he threw the food, and when we left he shouted, "Bye chickens!!! Be good boys!!!! Love you!!!"

No More Cookie Monsters

I love holidays. Halloween is amazing. I love the decorations, the costumes, the candy. This passion has not transferred to Logan. Don't get me wrong, he LOVES candy. The rest..... eh. My little one is AFRAID. He likes pumpkins quite a bit, but the bats, and ghosts.....nope. And don't get me started on the witches. There is a life sized witch at Target. I can't even go in that area to look at the decorations or tears will start welling up in his eyes. Also, at a local drug store today we were just browsing and came to the toy aisle. At the end of the aisle, you wonder? A scary looking witch holding one of his animated BFF's: Minnie Mouse. Logan turned to me and said, "Mama. Baby Minnie scared of witch.......... I scared too."

Comfort

Today I felt a bit blue, and Logan must have noticed. He came over to me, hugged me, and ask, "Sad, Mama?" Then he rubbed my arm. It made my day. Sweet boy.

Fall activities: Picking apples

One sunny Thursday, Logan, the husband, my sister-in-law, and I ventured to the apple orchard. (Which, by the way, is what Logan calls it).

Last year, this little peanut could barely walk, and now he was running around. He was excited by everything.

We looked at pumpkins.

And raced through the fields. (Okay, Logan was racing. Me? Not so much).

Of course, we picked lots of apples along the way. We even ate a couple. Shhhh.... don't tell.

Fall activities: Go to a large fair

So this past weekend we went to another fair.

There was lots to see...




And lots to do.....




To say that Logan had fun, would be an understatement.

Fall activities: Celebrate grandparent's anniversary

My in-laws just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

It was a happy day.
We took lots of pictures.

And the little one enjoyed lots of food

and lots of dancing.

Happy Anniversary to Grandma and Grandpa!!!!

Fall in love with autumn

New season, new list of activities with the little guy.

Tumbling class for Logan (in progress)

Go apple picking

Go to a large fair

Celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary

Story time at the library

Celebrate Logan's second birthday!!!!! (November 8th)

Pick pumpkins

See how apple cider is made

Visit the children's museum

Go trick or treating

Paint a pumpkin

Make apple crisp.

Make playdough

Go to cousin's birthday party

Celebrate Thanksgiving

Visit the zoo Saw the pumpkin spectacular

Make homemade pizza with my little chef

Feed chickens

Make a leaf garland Made a leaf collage

Visit the nature center

Go to a farmer's market missed this

Make homemade goop

Start a monthly sensory bin

Feed the ducks

Read 75 books (We read 50 new ones this past summer).

Ride a train

Make handprints

Get two year old photo taken

Visit the seaport

Finish our alphabet book

Go for a hike

Take a picture everyday

Make giant bubbles

Have a late night movie night It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Go to Aunt S's baby shower

Visit the beach in fall

Go visit a castle

Walk through a corn maze

Go on a trip

Jump in a pile of leaves

Make a bird feeder

Plant bulbs for the spring

22 months

Dear LoLo Boy,

So, you've been on this Earth for twenty-two months. And you have accomplished a lot. Far more than your mommy has, and I am proud of you. You are a busy boy with a family that just adores you. It makes me happy to see that both sets of grandparents take such an active role in your life. You are just over the moon about all four of them.

You are so lucky to have so many wonderful aunts and uncles too. It's great daddy has such a big family, because beside your two aunts that are Mommy's sisters, you have twelve more from Daddy. They all think you are funny and smart. Which is true. You are a total comedian and I may be biased, being your mom and all, but you are soooo smart.

People stop me in stores all the time, and are amazed with how much you can communicate. You call all old men, "Papa." People are always comment on how cute and happy you are. Basically, you are just plain awesome!

Love, Mama

Letters to my 16 year old self

Dear Justine,
Seriously..... stop harming your body in the nine hundred various ways that only you can do. Dummy.

Dear Justine,
Wait. Forget the dummy part. Stop being so critical of yourself. Stop putting yourself down. And stop thinking you are fat. You weigh 90 pounds. That is not fat. One day you'll look back and wish for your 16 year old body again.

Dear Justine,
Look around at all your friends. The ones you love and would do anything for. You think you will be best friends. Forever. You'll grow up and grow apart. Love them the best you can for the time that you have. One day, the stories you tell about growing up will have them in starring roles.

Dear Justine,
Actually there will be a couple that you will still be friends with. You will think of them like family.

Dear Justine,
The things that devastate you will one day not seem so important. Actually let me rephrase that. Some of them will still break your heart a bit, but you will have hindsight. Others though? The terrible things, the embarrassing things, all the times you screamed, "OH MY GOD!!!!! I will never get over this!!!" type things? You will. You might even laugh about them. No, really..... you will.


Dear Justine,
Purple lip gloss..... not such a good idea. And I hate to break it to you, but crushed velvet isn't really either.

Dear Justine,
Here is what I will leave you with. Try new things. Don't live your life afraid to be hurt. That's no way to live. Make mistakes. Trust me, you will. Love who you love, and don't regret it. Don't rush growing up. It will get here soon enough. There are a lot of other things that I could warn you about. Tell you not to do. Avoid at all costs. But you are 16, and you wouldn't listen to me anyway because, "Dude, you are like totally old." Plus, I kind of like you just the way you are.

Ketchup (21 Months)

Dear Peanut Boy,


Yes. That is one of my many nicknames for you, even though you hate peanut butter. You gave yourself your own nickname. You call yourself "LoLo Boy." I'm not sure where you came up with it, but I blame your Aunt Mo-geek (formerly known as Momo).





What's new this month? You can hold conversations now. You string words into sentences and can sing whole entire songs. Your favorites? ABC and Row, row your boat. You also sing songs you hear on the radio. One day you started singing that you wanted to be a billionare "so freakin' bad." Whoops..... You also love to sing the part in the Paramore song that goes, "you are the only exception." I had to stop for a moment to cover you in kisses. Speaking of kisses, you now tell me whether you want them or not. "No kissing on the nose, Mama" you'll say as you stick your little hand out at me.

You are D-R-A-M-A-T-I-C at times, my little friend. I love it. Declaring your scared is one of your new favorite things. Some of the things that you have claimed to be scared of recently? Smudge and Scout, the library, crayons, leaves, family members, Big Puppy (your stuffed animal), animals, Dora, and ice cream. "I'm scared of ice cream, Mama!" You even add a pretend shake for emphasis. I don't think you are really afraid, I think you just want hugs. I'm happy to oblige.

Love, Mama

Wait it was still broken

Finally my computer is fixed. For good. I am happy.

Cuteness Overload

Tonight I was discussing Logan's birthday party with him.

Me: What kind of cake do you want?

Logan: A glreen one! Blow on candles. Hooray! (claps).

Me: What are you going to wish for? Wait do you know what a wish is?

Logan: (Shrugs shoulders)

Me: A wish is something you really really want. What do you really want?

Logan: (Thinking hard for a moment) I want a friend.

Cows are stinky

I've always loved a fair. Almost as much as I love a carnival. Fairs combine some of my favorite things, animals, crafts, fried dough, and rides. Logan loved the fair too. He wasn't stuck in a stroller and could explore whatever caught his eye, which was everything, but cows in particular. Logan loved the cows. He exclaimed over how big they were and the sounds they made. He kept trying to get the cows to lick his hand. His body would shake with laughter whenever they moved.

Logan was terrified of any of the baby rides. He outright refused, but he did play that duck game. He won a stuffed dog or two. He named them both Cheech after my sister's dog. The husband bought him a bubble gun, which was totally worth the five million dollars that it cost.



He also posed for picture.....



after picture.....

after picture.....

Before we left, he insisted we visit the cows once more. He waved and said, "Good bye cows! Cows stink. Love you."