Fall Activities

We've enjoyed many activities this fall and since it's quite likely I won't get a chance to write a separate post about each, I'll just lump them all together.

Oktoberfest at Trader's Point Creamery

Trader's Point Creamery is one of Mark's glass clients and they asked him to "be sure to attend".  So we were sure to attend. ;) It was nice and is something we'll do again in years to come! We even went on our first hayride with the kids.

Looking for Leaves

We didn't get to make it down to Brown County to enjoy the fall colors but instead drove around Indy and found some!

Fort Harrison State Park

We've had some gorgeous weather this fall! We have loved every unseasonably warm day the Lord has given us. One such Sunday, we headed over to Fort Harrison State Park to explore. Is it sad to admit we have never been there and it's only about a 15 minute drive from our home?! They have a fabulous playground.

Raking Leaves

As we all know, we have a lot of leaves drop into our yard this time of the year. The kids got to "help" rake this year and sit in a pile of leaves once their chores were completed. ;)

Zoo Boo

The Saturday before Halloween we dressed the kids up and headed to the Indianapolis Zoo. It was pretty crowded with other parents of tots in costume but the "trick or treat" lines went fairly fast.  Raelyn, of course, was dressed as Minnie Mouse and Max wore a dragon costume.

If you read this far, thanks for sticking with us. ;)  What was your family's favorite fall activity this year? 
Happy Fall!

Raelyn Right Now

There are several things that Raelyn says or does these days that are super cute and I don't want to forget them.

• If I say "all gone" or "last one" about something, she replies "More buy." Like, hello mom just run out and buy some more!
• One day last week she was playing with her potty doll and she said, "Go potty." Then she put her doll on the potty and closed her own eyes very tightly like she makes me do when she is on the potty. Then she said, "all done" and ran to the bathroom with the doll, grabbed a piece of toilet paper and wiped dolly's bottom.
• When we drive past a gas station she says, "Gas? No gas."
• She says "no day" when she means "not today". 
• She asks for Minnie Mouse tv about a million times a day by saying, "Mimi teebee?" And usually answers herself with "no mimi teebee". 
• When asking for help she says, "op".
• She hands me a book and says, "Mommy be" (Mommy read).

Raelyn's vocabulary is increasing daily! She is repeating EVERYTHING and saying new words on her own that she has been storing up in her brain. For example, she knows what a teapot is, of course, and if I were to say go get your teapot from your kitchen she would go get it. She has been doing that since about 13-15 months old, I would guess. The other day, without prompting from me, she brought me a little teapot and said, "teapot. drink tea." These little advances in speech may not mean a lot to others but to me, they mean the world!

I am so very proud of you, Raelyn! Keep talking, my sweet girl. I know you have a lot to say!

Before "school" last week.

Recipe: Homemade Granola

I've made this recipe several times and both Raelyn & Max love it! It's super quick & simple to throw together. Max eats it as is and Raelyn likes to mix in raisins.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter (I use sunbutter)
2 tbsp. honey
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. oats

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Combine sunbutter and honey in a bowl and microwave until sunbutter melts (approximately 20 seconds). Stir. Stir cinnamon and vanilla into peanut butter and honey mixture. 

Add oats and stir until oats are completely covered in peanut butter mixture. 

Spread out oat mixture onto prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 7 -8 minutes until granola is slightly browned. Let cool until granola is crunchy. Break apart and add any mix-ins (raisins, dried fruit, mini chocolate chips, etc).

 Watch your kids enjoy eating and try not to eat the whole pan yourself!

Find the original recipe here.

What are some of your favorite kid snack ideas?

End of Summer

Summer weather has come to an end here in Indy. We took full advantage of what was most likely our last summer weekend (9/15-9/16). 

Saturday afternoon we took an impromptu stroll along the gardens at the IMA. 

Sunday afternoon we spur of the moment headed downtown to walk along the canal. Such a "hidden treasure" in our city!

And now we welcome Fall and all it brings! Where are your favorite places to explore in the city?

Max is 15 months!

Max had his 15 month check up last week. 

Max's stats:

Weight: 22lb 8oz (22%)

Height: 33 inches (93%)

Head circumference: 18 1/2 inches (45%)

Max is happy and healthy, as well as, tall and lean. Dr. Rob discussed Max's word count and that it needs to increase before his next appointment at 18 months. I knew this conversation was coming so I spoke with Raelyn's speech therapist beforehand and asked her opinion since she sees Max every week during Raelyn's appointment. She told me that we have nothing to worry about at 15 months. That although Max doesn't have a lot of words, he is making all of the age-appropriate sounds and the words will come. 

He started walking (without holding onto something) the day before he turned 14 months. He goes non-stop all day. However, I'm about to buy him a helmet! I don't think a week goes by that he doesn't have a goose egg and/or bruise on his forehead. I'm not even sure how it happens. He's walking one second and then next he's on the floor, smacking his head. Poor guy. 

Max is a great eater as long as it's something he can feed to himself. He no longer likes to eat yogurt or much of anything from a spoon that mama is holding. Right now his favorite fruit is pear and his favorite vegetable is broccoli. He doesn't eat much meat unless I can "hide" it in a tortilla. His favorite time of the day is milk time!

He has 3 teeth on top, 2 on bottom, and 2 more working their way out on the bottom. He can often be found with his fingers in his mouth working on those gums.

Max enjoys to play in the play kitchen and to stack blocks and Lego's. He recently has become our little "Linus" and drags his blanket around the house with him. He will even put it on the floor and then lay down to snuggle. 

While we waited for the doctor last week, he played peek-a-boo with said blanket.

We are so very thankful to be blessed with Max. He is such a precious little boy and we couldn't be prouder of our son! We love you, Max!!

ABC's

Working on our ABC's and letter pronunciations...

Thank you Summer Olympics 2012

We had actually been thinking about enrolling Raelyn in a gymnastics class before the Olympics, but watching those girls on tv and realizing that in 14 years (and 3 summer Olympics) Raelyn will be eligible we decided to get on it! ;-)

Thanks to a recommendation, I decided to try out Rec Room Gymnastics (a non-competitive gym). My decision was made when I called to inquire and the gal who answered was so much fun to chat with about the Olympics. 

After enrollment we went shopping for her first leotard. Oh.My.Word.  How stinkin' cute is she in her leotard?!?!

If you think she's cute just sitting around our house in her pink leotard, just wait until you see her wearing her serious black leotard in class! Again. Oh.My.Word. A gymnastics class of 2 year olds just oozes cuteness.

At this point Raelyn has attended 3 classes (once a week on Thursday morning) with her 4th tomorrow.    She is having a blast and I love to watch her. Her exuberance for life brings me so much joy!