Just Playing Around!

My husband and I thought of a great idea. What if we toured the US trying to find the best playgrounds?! We've already made our mark in SC, so all we would need to do is venture off to other states hunting down the best playgrounds for kids and write about it. Sounds pretty cool huh? When it's hot outside and you have to entertain a toddler inside, there comes a time to find a break and get out for some exercise. So we have been looking around to find some good playgrounds for Allie-Ann. We usually take her to our church to play but I fear that she is becoming very bored of it and wants more action. So on our hunt for great places to slide, we came across a playground that is right down the road from us that she truly enjoys. They have a seesaw, and ol' timey play equipment that I remembered when I was little. How playgrounds have changed, now everything is so darn safe that we have to literally pull Allie-Ann down the slide, how bad is that? I'm all for safety but how Allie-Ann would love those old metal slides. I took some pictures of our time. We went early in the morning to beat the heat but the only problem we came across was the dew on the slides. Allie-Ann is quite a girly girl and doesn't like a lot of dirt on her nor water unless she is in a swimsuit. So to persuade her, I went down first and as you can see in the picture below was a BIG MISTAKE! Oh well, she did follow after me and at least she now understand that a little dirt and wet doesn't hurt anybody.





See what mother's do for their children...they slide down the wet slide first.

Enjoying the indoors with a cool juice and snack.
No Rusty, you can't have my snack this time.


Trying to get a picture of Allie-Ann in her 4th of July dress, not successful
Somewhat successful!
NO MORE PICTURES PLEASE!

Who does Allie-Ann look like and Fourth of July Dress

People have told me different things as far as who Allie-Ann looks like. When she was first born all I ever heard was, "Wow, she looks just like Kyle" I believe because she was born with jet black hair. But now I'm starting to hear the opposite and more people are telling me that Allie-Ann looks just like her mommy. So I took some pictures of her yesterday playing and found some of my old baby/toddler pics and had to compare. Tell me what you think. :-)

Obviously, I'm the one on the left with the hideous outfit but the bunny looks pretty cute.



On another note, I made Allie-Ann's 4th of July dress. Now all I need to learn how to do is monogramming because this dress would be complete if I had a big "A" in the middle.

Our Blueberries or as Allie-Ann calls them "Boobies" and Toddler Time

Blueberry picking in our own backyard!!! Yes, our blueberries have arrived and Allie-Ann goes out daily to pick them. She now understands the color blue and will only pick those color blueberries. The only problem is that is LOVES blueberries and calls them "BOOBIES." She will yell, "BOOBIES, BOOBIES" all through the yard and luckily none of our neighbors have been around. But it is quite a problem in the grocery store where she has continued to call them "Boobies" when she sees them. When I shush her, it only makes things worse and she screams even louder. I've gotten some looks but what do you do, the poor girl loves them but can't say blueberries. I know that I could write a book on toddlerlogy. It would be so much fun and I'm sure those of you who have a toddler or had a toddler at one time could very well write one too. So here are some pictures I took of her in the HOT, HOT heat picking our very own "BOOBIES."









Another day at Toddler Time. She just loves this time to listen to great stories, play some music and dance with the other 1 year olds.

Happy Father's Day!

Allie-Ann couldn't have a better daddy and I couldn't have a better husband. Kyle, Happy Father's Day!!! I hope you enjoyed your cold bagel this morning and your toddler-free soccer games.



Also, here are some pictures of Allie-Ann and Rusty's tea party!

Kindermusik

We took Allie-Ann to her first Kindermusik class and she loved it. The class is completely dedicated to music awareness, so they have lots of fun instruments for the toddlers to experiment with. She had a great time and especially liked all the songs and music.


Now what is it that I'm supposed to do with this......

200th Posting, Letter to my Daughter

This is my 200th post!

I started this blog when I found out I was pregnant with Allie-Ann and it has honestly been a blessing to capture all the memories of our first baby. I still to this day have not put together an actual scrapbook, I have all the pictures, keepsakes, hair pieces (yes, I saved Allie-Ann's hair from her first haircut) but haven't had the time to devote to making a book. But this blog has been a lifesaver and when I finally do have some time to complete my scrapbook of Allie-Ann's first couple of years this blog can be a reminder of those experiences. I decided to not add pictures for my 200th post but instead write a letter to my little baby girl.

I can still remember the day we brought you home from the hospital, the feeling I had in my heart that I was yours and you were mine. I knew that the day you were born I would do anything in the world for you. Even though I was very nervous and insecure about being a mom for the first time, you helped me through it. It was your precious face, little fingers, and toes that gave me the confidence to protect and guide you. When I held you, how you would squirm, you have your own personality that makes you your own and I love that. I sometimes find myself just staring at you when you play, when you eat, and when you sleep because I can't believe that you are mine. God gave us a huge blessing that I will never take for granted. You have changed my life in ways that you probably will never understand. I promise to teach you how to love others and treat the world with kindness. You are loved and will be loved by your Mommy and Daddy even when battled with ups and downs. You are our precious Allie-Ann, there are no others quite like you and when your eyes opened for the first time in this world, you were looked upon by your parents with love and will forever be cherished in the sight of our eyes. I love you Boo Boo!

Orchid Farm and Hot Days of Summer

Yesterday my mom and I went to the Orchid farm in Newberry. We had quite a good time considering that I didn't have to chase after a rambunctious 21 month old and had the opportunity to see some unique orchids. I usually take Allie-Ann with us when we go to new places but decided against this trip since she has been traveling for the past two weekends, I thought she needed a break. It was a good thing because these plants were expensive and the walkways were narrow, they even had to take my purse because they thought it was too big. We had a great time and the orchids were beautiful. We then went antique shopping and had lunch. Very nice to have some time just with my mom.

So this weekend has been ridiculous as far as the weather. So HOT!!! We've had to come up with some stimulating activities indoors. We did go to the park early this morning to get some energy out, but even as early as it was it was still so hot. Wowzers!! We've been playing a lot of games inside. Kyle has been teaching her all the soccer moves with the World Cup on. He has set up makeshift goals in the kitchen and each time she kicks the ball, he screams...."GOOOOOAAAAAAALLL" and now all I hear is Allie-Ann screaming, "GOOOOOAAAAALLLL" oh brother, what's a girl to do in these conditions. So here are a few pictures of the orchids I took yesterday and all our indoor/outdoor fun.








This is Allie-Ann when we told her it was time to go outside. She put on Daddy's shoes and since she knows that she must wear a hat she picked her winter one. I'm sure we would have gotten some looks on this.
Camping out inside the house!!

21 months today

Shhhhhh....I have a secret to tell you.....
Guess how old I am?
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I'm 2 today............

Gotcha, I'm only 21 months, but very close to being 2!!!

21 months, wow, how time flies. It's so hard to believe that we will be celebrating her 2 year birthday in 3 more months. I have an idea for her birthday and I'm going to make her cake myself this year. I'm going with the Giraffe theme since she is in awe of Giraffes. But until then, here is what she has been up to this month.

*Speaking using multiple words ("Hey Momma, Hey Dadda, another one, I love you, baby milk, baby bear, baby giraffe, etc., go outside, my baby, Rusty sit, Rusty stay, pink pig, etc.)
*Knows all her letters but has a hard time with /v/, /w/, and /z/. She mixes the /m/ and /w/ and /z/ and /N/. Her latest trick is when she sees an upper case letter she says..."Momma A" and when she sees a lower case letter she says...."Baby a." It's too cute.
*She colors on the objects in the pictures as before she was just marking all over the picture. Now she tries really hard to just mark on the details in the picture.
*She is starting to decipher her colors, really good with the color "pink." Go figure?
*We still haven't attempted potty training but she does take off her diapers when wet so maybe it's time.
*Can jump somewhat using one foot and the next
*Starting to say her foods
*Loves to run
*Kicking the ball a lot more
*Really starting to understand puzzles and where all the pieces go
*More imaginative in her playing

Well that's all I can remember, these months seem to fly by. I'm considering putting her in a dance class in the fall or gymnastics since she loves to move. And soon she will start going to Sunday School which will be great. She's just getting so big, too fast.