County Fair 2013

We haven't been to a fair in a couple of years (I was preggo with Maddie the last time).  I don't know why, but we usually don't go.  It's usually super hot and up until this point we had babies that weren't at a fun age to take.  But we decided to go last night.  The weather was perfect and the kids were excited to see what it was all about. We have never been to the Bartholomew County Fair and I must say we had a really good time. 

We started with the animal exhibits.  Nate said the bunnies were his favorite but it was hard to tell.  He had to touch every single one he saw.  Surprisingly none of the animals bit either of them.  We saw a baby cow drinking from the mother.  The kids were in awe and thought it was so neat. 

We went on one ride--the carousel. Thought it'd be the best ride for both of them since we were only doing one ride.  Maddie didn't like it and as soon as it started wanted off the horse, so we sat on the bench.  Nate didn't even want us near him on the ride and told us to go away. So I'm pretty sure he would have done fine on a ride by himself. Oh well, next year I guess.

No games for us. We tried to find one that has a winner every time but the only one like that was throwing darts at a balloon, which I didn't think Nate could handle so we just skipped the games, enjoyed a funnel cake, and headed home.  It was so much fun we will definitely be going every year now.

Playing in the Pool

I can't believe we are into the second week of July and it was our first trip of the summer to the pool, especially after practically living there last summer.  But it has been a cooler summer, but even on those hotter days for some reason we just haven't gotten up there.  With the ominous clouds we probably could have skipped it, but we went and it was fun even if just for an hour or so.  We left before the storm rolled in, but the kids had so much fun-we will definitely be getting in more pool time before the summer ends!

We went with a couple of my friends and their kids so lots of fun and kids to play with (7 kids!).  Nate spent most of the time in the kiddie pool but a lot of the other kids were in the big pool and he wanted to give the slide a try.  My friend Kim had a life jacket for him but I still wasn't sure if he was actually going to do it.  He hesitated for a minute at the top of the slide and then went!  Kim was in the pool to catch him.  He stayed in the big pool for a little bit with her but soon wanted to go back to the kiddie pool. It was very exciting to see him in the big pool and hopefully we can spend some more time in there getting used to it. 

Maddie wanted nothing to do with either pool, which didn't surprise me.  She's never been big on the water, not even with our little tinypool at the house. 

 

I don't think she even put one foot in.  She kept to the perimeter, watching everyone else and eating a snack.  Maybe I can get her toes in the water next time...baby steps, haha!

 

Fireworks At Last

Our 4th of July festivities kicked off on the 3rd.  We had Alex and Mi Kayla over for a cookout and then we went to the fireworks show.  We haven't  been in years together and I haven't been since I was pregnant with Nate.  So I was pretty excited to get back to some traditional 4th of July activities!  I had the kids nap late so they would make it until then (the show didn't start until 10pm), which worked out nicely.  Our friend Wanda and her daughter Corry joined us there as well.  Columbus fireworks are always done on the 3rd, which I like because Michael always has off on the 4th but works the day after.  The local radio channel sets up the fireworks with music and it's an awesome show. Except this year. I hate to even complain because they were still beautiful, but just not quite what we remember. The music was off, the show was short and the finale was anticlimactic. BUT, it was fun, the kids loved it-no tears-and stayed awake the whole time, and it was awesome to have family and friends together and to restart this tradition that has been long overdue.



















On the 4th we had our friends, the Herters, over for a pitch-in dinner. We made pulled pork sandwiches, which I haven't done but maybe once a looong time ago. Dinner turned out great and the kids played outside afterwards so us adults could enjoy a visit.  The weather was perfect too-the rain held out and it wasn't super hot. We did this last year but it was so hot that we stayed inside the entire time. Overall, a pretty good 4th of July!

A Couple of Funnies

I don't know if you'll find them funny, but I do and so here it is!

I heard Nate crying in his room. I went up to check on him and he was telling me "throw up".  I heard "nose" in there too, but when I hear throw up I don't stand still for long.  I quickly ushered him into the bathroom just for him to blow his nose into the toilet. "Whew, mommy, my nose throw up!"

I was making out the shopping list.  I explained to Nate that I was writing down new underwear for him because his are too small.  He replied, "cuz my butt's so big?".

He's constantly saying hilarious or random things. I should have a notebook handy because these are the only two I remember.

Let the Potty Training Begin Again

Maddie peed in the potty tonight! She has been taking steps towards getting ready for potty training for a couple of months. She asks to sit on the potty, usually pushing hard with no results but a bunch of smiles and giggles. She has been telling me lately before she poops or right afterwards. 

Nate never used the floor potty seat, just the one that goes on the toilet seat, however Maddie is younger than he was when he started and therefore smaller.  So I thought it might be a good idea to get the floor potty seat out and see what happens. She thought that it was great fun but for not much more than sitting on. So there it has sat not seeing one tiny little drop.  So last week we went to the store and I bought her some Minnie Mouse underwear. This is a big deal.  She wanted to wear those babies so badly.  We gave it a shot.  First pair ended up in the garbage-I don't think I have to tell you what I won't clean out of underwear.  So we just went back to diapers.  Last night she wanted to wear "mouse" so much that after bath I put a pair on.  Not more than 10 minutes in she's wet and so is our carpet. Still not ready. 

And then there was tonight. Ahhh! {music playing and the town cheering} I was giving her a bath and she kept telling me "potty", so I'd get her out of the tub and on the potty just for her to play around. I was getting tired of it and was ready to just ignore her when she cried "potty" again.  But I didn't. I am so glad. She got out of the tub and sat down and we heard the glorious sound of tinkle in the potty!

Now I know that this is just the start. Nate peed in the potty for the first time in August and wasn't potty trained until October, but THIS IS THE START! We are all very excited and after gobbling down some jelly beans and putting "mouse" on again, she is excited and we are hopeful.

Big Girl Bed

Around March, Maddie climbed out of her crib for the first time. She did a few times but fell out and didn't attempt it again. Until last week.  And now she has the hang of it.  Awesome.

So last weekend we went and got her a big girl bed and some bedding.  She was so excited. Mommy was so sad. Yes, I literally cried. She's been acting like a big girl, but now it's concrete. All that's left is the diapers and she's officially old. (let me be dramatic)

It has been going well in her new bed. She likes it and does really well.  Last night before bed we peeked in her room and she had pulled the changing pad off the table and fell asleep on that.  About 2am she woke up and crawled into her bed. Guess it wasn't that comfortable. 

Blessed

Yesterday I updated my facebook status. I wrote "I am so blessed."  A couple of people thought something big had happened. Really, I just wrote it because the kids and I had a great morning playing out in the sunshine and I just thought, I am SO BLESSED.  I am so blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home while my kids are young. To get cuddles and kisses from them anytime.  To hear their laughter.  To watch them grow and play.  To teach them the things I want them to learn.  To read with them. To dance with them.  Sure I don't get a break from the screams and tantrums.  There's a fair share of messes to clean up and butts to wipe.  It's not always easy but it's always worth it. And yesterday I just stopped and soaked it all in. Blessed.