Wordless Wednesday: Potty Serenade

A Little Bit of Magic...

We hadn't planned on going. In fact, we had left our old passes in our frozen drawers back in Michigan. We it came up in conversation, however, we knew Ben and Mia would love a trip to "Mickey's House". I had planned on it being very busy and expensive but I hadn't remember just HOW busy Disney is at Christmas. I also hadn't realized how much the kids would love it! Their initial and prevalent emotion was disbelief. They literally couldn't believe this place existed. Seeing Mickey, whether in a performance or during a parade, incited a nearly manic excitement with the kids. I can't wait to take them back!

Gone Fishin'

It was a bunch of dreary days, Florida speaking. Cold and windy doens't make for the best fishing, but our crew tried their best. Fishing out on the dock, wrapped up in fleeces and life vests they toiled. Mia may be a fishing prodigy. That casting arm worked overtime without complaint. Unfortunately, the kids didn't catch any actual fish. (Surprising when fishing with Lightning McQueen tires as bait.)

Ben really could have cared less about fishing. He was much more interested in the condo owner's fishing boat. While we didn't have use of the boat, Ben loved just sitting on the seats.

Mia could have spent hours throwing that little tire into the water! She would get so excited each and every time it came into sight.

Beaching It...

A New Friend

There's been a hole in our family since we had to put Sage down in September. Always a dog-lover, I've seen Gary missing his canine companionship. So, Zoe came to visit for a day to make sure she'd be a good fit with our family. Sammy's found this new companion for us; a friend was moving and was looking for a new home for Zoe. Zoe was so excited that day that it was a little hard to get a feel for what she'd be like on a day to day basis. She arrived, immediately running out into our yard and catching a large rabbit that was living under the deck! Oy! What an entrance. We're excited to see how she fits in with us in the new year!

Snow Day

What a blessing Friday was! A completely unexpected snow day came along early this December. There was no pre-snow day storm chatter at school or anxious before bed weather checks. I didn't expect it at all! It was so beautiful to hear Ron's voice around 5:30 telling me to go back to sleep and enjoy a day home with my family.

And, enjoy it we did. The kids couldn't understand why I wouldn't put on their snow gear as soon as they woke up (and in the dark). As soon as daylight broke, we were out in the yard digging and playing. After a week of telling Mia that everybody poops, Ben proclaimed all morning that "Everybody snows" as well. They were also thrilled with our miniature Frosty. Mia kissed him repeatedly but later decided that he was only allowed to kiss her on the cheek. I had wondered if our outdoor excursion would last 5 minutes but we were out at least a half hour (an eternity in toddler time). I'm hoping for more of these days than we were granted last year!

Wordless Wednesday: Big Beds

Leo the Lion

Another warm November day invites playfulness and giggles that can't be photographed. Enter Leo the Lion. Our little buddy has been hiding around the house the last few weeks but was really "discovered" this weekend. Ben and Mia are absolutely enthralled with our pint-sized pal, taking him everywhere they go. The dynamic duo don't fight over Leo, which is a miracle in its self!

Autumn Arrives

While it's felt like fall for some time now, the leaves have finally fallen. While these golden leaves announce to our toddlers joy and fun, they signal to me (1) lots of work and (2) the beginning of short days with gray, barren trees. I know that very soon we'll miss these bright colors as we're covered in a blanket of snow. This sunny November Friday, however, after a day home with Gary, the kids had a blast playing in the new fallen leaves. It was cold enough to require some bundling, though the kids could have cared less! Eventually cold noses and fingers prevailed and we coaxed them back inside (no small feat!), but I have a feeling that we'll be dragged out again.

Wordless Wednesday: Costumes

Alright, not the best shot (always cookies at the shop!). But, the kids were so excited to be wearing their costumes!

Country Basket

Well, here it is. The cold winds have blown in and the chill seems here to stay. I can't say I'm exactly sorry that autumn is here, but it just seems to remind me that yet another year has passed. I can't believe that it was over a year ago that we first ventured to Country Basket for cider, pumpkins, and doughnuts! The calendar confirms, though, that it's true.

And, the kids enjoyed it as much as last year, though kittens were scarce this year. We squeezed in our quick visit between ominous clouds and even a little hail (!) to grab a couple of pumpkins. Feeding the goats remained a favorite activity; Mia talked about it for days! I'm astounded by what big kids they look like in these pictures.

Wordless Wednesday: Stretching

Helpful, or not?

Recently, the twinks helped me clean up the high chairs that were being retired from the dining room. The hose, scrub brushes, sponges, and bubble. Combined with Mia's love for cleaning and everything pointed to a good toddler activity. Everyone got a little wet, but the chairs were cleaned and the kids were happy.

The next afternoon started out as more of the same. Mia, spying the scrub brush on the counter, begged for me to pull out the bucket. Living on a dirt road there is no shortage of dirty things around our backyard. Everything started out fine...chairs being wiped and washed. However, things quickly took a turn toward the unusual. Mia started with her arm, Ben began to brush his hair with the scrub brush. Before I knew it everyone was drenched and bubbly! While we've since had requests for the bucket, I think we're going to hold off for a while!

The Big Lake

Without the cottage, that big body of water to the west just isn't what it used to be. Something about the sand up there was a little better, the water a little more perfect, and the air a little less filled with gulls. That said, we've really got to head to the beach more often. I anticipate that it will get easier and easier to tote two tots to the beach, especially as they grow less weary of the sand. This particular day was perfect; not to hot but not exactly chilly either. Kathy knew the perfect parking spot, Theresa supplied a good dose of conversation, and even the children were relatively cooperative.

While Mia looks perfectly content here, she was not as impressed by the whole beach bum thing. She wandered constantly toward the area where we came down from the pier, as if to say, "Mum, I'm ready to head out." Both kids, however, thought the gulls were hysterical, much to their mother's chagrin.

Ben would have stayed hours longer if we could have. After watching Lilyana and Max lounge on their towels, B rolled in the sand to emulate them. Without the towel under him, he looked like he'd been rolled in sugar--so sweet!

Wordless Wednesday

Wait, I'm at a Tech Conference and I'm not lost! Maybe I'm a little more techy than I thought... and I'd never be reading my favorite blogs during the sessions!

Blueberry Picking

My memories of blueberry picking were always of wild blueberries deep in the Upper Peninsula's forests. Our Saturday excursion was vastly different (and much more productive) than anything I experienced as a child. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing better than going out on a blueberry hunt in the wild areas of Northern Michigan. It's a wonderful experience that I hope they'll have one of these days. But toiling over small bushes of blueberries is not what we did Saturday. After walking down a two-track path, we stumbled into bushes literally dripping with blueberries the size of large, sweet cherries. "Gigantic," the kids kept exclaiming. It was so easy if felt slightly wrong. And, I honestly felt a little guilty about the number the kids must have eaten right out of the buckets.

Wordless Wednesday: Otters

My goodness, they love the otters at the zoo. It's the only animal they talk about when we get home.

Oh, Toddlerhood

If this was all you saw of our breakfast this morning, you'd think Ben always loved to hop in his chair and eat his yogurt. (The reason for the smart little smock. It's reserved only for applesauce and yogurt.)

This, however, was about 30 seconds beforehand. Ah, the seasons of trouble when you're two are so much shorter.

Grandpa Jeff's

After enjoying a rather unusual week camping in Alabama, we traveled the short distance to Gary's Dad's house in Knoxville, TN. The weather there was gorgeous, as was the company. Aside from the big, big ball, there wasn't a whole lot to keep the treacherous two busy. When the Club's pool was open, it was a hit. That, however, left a lot of unoccupied time! This left us saying "don't touch" more times than I care to count. The playdough, left over from the camping trip, gave us a solid 30 minutes of fun!

Ben's concentration was unparalleled.

Big, ig ball.

How do you play with your playdough?