Huntsville Botanical Gardens

I took advantage of the reciprocal admissions program  (I love that program), and visited Huntsville Botanical Gardens while visiting my in-laws. The actual gardens didn’t impress me as much as many that I’ve been to. I did visit in a bit of a slump…summer blooms are gone and fall has yet to fully mature.

But these gardens are first on my list of kid-friendly gardens. Not only did they have a dedicated children’s garden (which was large and fun), but scattered throughout all the gardens were kid-friendly places like a model train, fort, and swing set. The kids with us enjoyed ponds and fountains to splash in (it was hot), ball bins, and butterflies in the butterfly house.

Car Painting

Leave a comment

We had a very successful art activity one afternoon. PB is obsessed with cars. He doesn’t just ask, “Will you play with me?” It is always, “Will you play cars with me?” So I finally decided to break out the paints (not washable which is why we were out on the balcony, PB sans clothes), and let PB paint using the cars as brushes. Not only did he have a lot of fun, but he created a beautiful painting.

Fun with Cousins

1 Comment

Joe’s brother and his family flew in, and we all went out and visited another sister in Alabama. It was fun. (Minus the car ride. CD hates the car for long car rides. PB can also get a bit squeally.) PB loved playing with his cousins.

Fun at the Space and Rocket Center. Very cool place.

Isn’t this guy cute? He hasn’t been sleeping well at all…and then he cut is first tooth. 

Eating sandwiches at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. 

On top of Stone Mountain. PB refused to pose for a picture

Thanks to all my relatives this weekend for a great time!

Fun Times

Leave a comment

Don’t worry, we’ve been having fun. Here’s some proof. (I have missed some good pictures because I forget my camera.)

 

I loved this outfit. And I love this kid. 

 

I didn’t realize it, but Peter had never played with dump trucks and sand at the same time until this. He was in heaven. 

 

We made muffin tin crayons. Super fun for everyone. Peter was having as much fun using them as wheels and blocks as actual crayons. 

Preschool Activities

Leave a comment

Here is my list of things to do with PB. I thought that others might find it useful. I’ll refer to the list to give me ideas and also have a bit of variety in play.

  • Pretend
    • Dress-up, cities/cars, animals, house, food
  • Science
    • Sensory boxes, water, sand, household ingredients, bubbles
  • Art
    • Color, paint, dough, crafts, photography
  • Circle Time
    • Music, finger play, verses, learning, stories
  • Books
  • Table play
    • Puzzles, games, foam, magnet, quiet books, lace-ups
  • Active Play
    • Exercise, hide/seek, dance, sports, balls
  • Build Play
    • Blocks, Lego
  • Snacks
  • Outdoors
    • Walks, playground
  • Outings
    • Store, park, museum
  • Screen Time
    • Music/games/shows
  • Mommy help

Lately I’ve also been putting all the projects we do over on a pinterest board instead of on this blog. It’s a little more organized and easier.

Kids are great excuses to get creative and have fun!

Also, these two blogs have great ideas:

Not Time for Flashcards

Play Create Explore

Callaway Gardens

We went down to Callaway Gardens last weekend. If you are interested at all in visiting public gardens, check out the AHS reciprocal admissions program. Not only do you get free admission to all sorts of fun gardens, but it’s good way to find new ones.

The gardens were fun. If I go back, I think I would only visit in the spring when the azaleas are blooming. There was still a lot of pretty plants, see the pictures for some of my favorite.

Kids Play Outside

Leave a comment

The weather has been wonderful, so we’ve visited lots of parks. We went and saw butterflies, flowers, and fed lots of fish at Callaway Gardens.

Looking at pictures, CD’s skin is looking much better. The doctor gave us a prescription and told me what it probably was (I’ve forgotten), and he no longer looks like a pimply teenager.

PB had a fever early Monday morning and I realized that we have been incredibly lucky. We get colds all the time, but I can’t remember a previous fever. (PB’s fever was gone by the end of the day, and he never really acted sick either.)

Swans are Evil

1 Comment

While I was cooking, Peter asked for some stories. Telling stories is a great way to keep kids occupied while I’m getting something done. And there are plenty of fairy tales and old Disney movies to pull from. I taught him one that I remember my mom teaching me and now he will says, “When the log rolls over we will die, we will die.” If you’ve heard the story, you will realize why that makes me laugh.

Trying to keep everyone including myself fed is far too much work. I wish food was optional. Seriously, I’m losing too much weight because I should eat a lot and I don’t.

Curtis does not share my problem. He is a big healthy boy at 29″ and 25 lbs. He loves food, although I think the whole process is too messy right now.

It was Joe’s birthday. We blew up balloons, hung streamers, ate cupcakes, blew out candles, and opened presents. Much of it was more for Peter than for Joe. But we were all happy.

Last Saturday we went disc golfing. It was a new place and not only did we disc golf, we saw a dog show, equestrian, and played at a cool park. A nice day, a little bit warm but the rain stayed away until we went home.

A couple of days ago we went to a park with water fowl. Peter was attacked by swans.

No harm done, luckily, but here is your warning. Stay away. These guys are mean.

Stepping Stones

2 Comments

I felt a bit bogged down yesterday. I’m trying to get Peter toilet trained. We are both stubborn…it might take awhile. I’m tired of living in an apartment. I would love a backyard and a garden. Carpet in the dining room is not a good idea. We spill far too often (including red koolaid). I would like to have an income. Curtis had been off his sleep schedule. I miss my family.

Anyway, I was thinking about all this and I realized I was still mostly happy about life. Right now is not easy or fun, but it is a stepping stone to a great future. Because I know that where I am going is good and will be worth the effort, right now isn’t so bad. It reminds me of hiking. Hiking is often challenging and not fun but I do it for the destination and the beauty on the way and it’s always worth it.

There is plenty of good in life too. I get to do fun things with my kids all day long. Lately I’ve read a novel, had friends over, visited a museum, did this. We are making cookies today. In just a few months, life will stop being transitory. Until then, I can still enjoy the small joys that are around me.

Camping and to the Beach

Leave a comment

Last weekend we went camping. I had planned the trip for a while and waited for a rain free weekend. It rains too much out here…but we were lucky and had wonderful weather. In the two nights in the tent: everyone slept the night. Camped at Skidaway island, visited Savannah, swam at Tybee Island.  I have now swam in the Atlantic ocean, walked the cobblestone in Savannah, and camped under oaks covered in Spanish moss. I felt threatened on an early morning stroll by the growling of a suspected raccoon. I learned that now matter how much bug spray and sunscreen you think you’ve applied, it is probably not enough. I learned that crying abates in the car if I ignore it after all I can do. I learned the Monday after is too full of laundry and tired people to be any fun.

Sand, mosquitoes, sunburn, and occasional frustration were all a small price to pay for the beautiful time we had. Here’s some pictures to prove it. But only some:  I forgot to take pictures because I was enjoying myself.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it here…but Curtis can sit up now. He’s still pretty tipsy and needs supervision, but can play sitting and not lying down or in the too small bumbo.