Sit & Color

When I was pregnant and visiting a friend, whose little toddler (boy) was running around, she told me that I'm lucky to be having a girl because from what she's observed, little girls are so sweet. They sit and color and seem to be less boisterous than boys.

Well, I think she jinxed us! Our toddler is definitely not one to sit and color. We would not have it any other way, but, there are days when I wish she would just sit and color!

I introduced the crayons and a coloring book to Miss P. She's done finger painting a lot at her daycare, so I figured she'd be ready for this.

Lo and behold! She was! Hope is not lost. While she is more interested in packing away the crayons at this point, maybe she will be able to sit and color for longer periods of time as she gets older! We'll see...

Daddy & Me Swim Class: Lesson1

We finally started our swim lessons. After a couple of failed attempts to get it organized with a couple of friends and then a few week of delays (RT's knee surgery, friend's new daycare, etc.), and a recent illness, we got in the water!

P had been sick for a few days with a fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash associated with the virus. She missed daycare for a couple of days and just wasn't her usual self. So, today everyone was back at work and "school" and immediately after that, we took off to 5 Cities Swim Club where she was going to get her first swimming lesson with the Goldfish group.

We missed the first class but it probably wasn't a big deal.

When we got there, it was pretty loud. Lots of kids splashing about and lots of things to look at. You could tell that P was overwhelmed. She did not smile once throughout the entire lesson--which for our smiling baby, that's so rare!

She did great and didn't cry. She was really focused. I think because she was recovering from being sick and it was an especially long day for her, it was a lot to take in. P even went underwater and "swam" to her Daddy twice! We're so proud of her! Daddy had to sing lots of songs, and even had to "fake it" since we didn't know all the songs. Our friend Jen and son Bode were singing along. I know that Jen was giggling and winking at me during all the singing!

As the next few lessons progress, we think she's going to love it!

Whoa! What is all this?

This is a pretty big bathtub!

Swimming to the instructor.

London bridges falling down--pool style!

Pancake song?

Ring around the rosy! Splashes. Splashes. We all fall down!

Walking across the hippo...nice balance P!

More jumping...

Coming up from under water!

More jumping and she's done!

Moo! L♥ve Is In the Air

We went for a stroll by the park in the evening. We have been reading lots of books that include cows, so P is familiar with the moo sounds. We saw some cattle grazing on the adjacent property by the park and thought it would be neat to check them out!We were innocently watching them graze when out of the blue, this happens!

Now that's romance for you!

Whoops! Try explaining that one Mommy!

Little Drummer Girl

Miss P has seen her daddy play his drums. One afternoon I sat down with her and "rocked out". The next time we sat at the drums, she decided to take the sticks on her own. A drummer was born...

Look Ma! Both hands!

I can't reach the cymbal!

 

How do you think I got these guns?



Look out Carter Beauford!

It's Learning Time

P's daddy had to feed some of the critters in the biology classroom as a favor for a fellow colleague. Miss P and I decided to go and help feed the sea creatures.

Not only did we see the ocean critters, but we saw some reptiles and other interesting animals.

P got some hands-on learning this evening! What a fun outing right before bedtime (hence the pjs)!

What have we here?

Bat star

Is that a snake?

Ooh...it feels rough and slimy.

What is that? [Black bear skeleton]

I like those! [Steer heads mounted on the wall]

Practicing being a student.

We Have the Park to Ourselves!

With all this nice weather and no commitments this Friday morning, we decided to take advantage of it and headed to Del Mar Park right down our street. Because we were early enough, besides the occasional dog-walker or power-walker, we had the park and the playground all to ourselves! Any other time we've come to this park, there's usually lots of kids milling about.

This was the perfect time to do some exploring on the playground equipment.

We went to our favorite stand-by, the swings. That is always a fun time!

We ventured to the big attraction, but Miss P was a bit hesistant at first. Because she has been climbing over everything around the house and shows no fear, I figured this would be a great way for her to climb on things that are permissable. I'm sure she's getting tired of us saying "no" all the time!

We had a really fun time together. And, the bonus was that once we got home, she was ready for naptime and I got to enjoy my coffee. Win-win!

Oh, can't lose my hat!

Hmm...how can I get up there?

Now what?

Let's go check this out.

Omph! This is a bigger step than I realized!

Who Knew?

We have been saving our yogurt food containers so Miss P can play with them in her special cupboard. Once in a while, we'll get a bonus, like the Country Crock spreadable fake butter tub.

Well, today, she decided that this particular tub had another use...

Yes, that's right--a step stool!



This isn't the big ol' tub--it's the 15 oz. one!



Clever girl!