around here: we are playing in our new tent! (Thanks to Auntie Kathy for helping us get this awesome tent from Sam's club). The tent took up so much room that we disassembled our dining room table and put it in the basement for a bit. This created so much more space in our dining room. (The only downside being that Max is constantly changing his mind about whether he wants to be downstairs or upstairs). We added white twinkly lights and fabric bunting to the top of the tent too. So, it's basically a sweet little set up for pretend play! Max pretends to sleep and then yells "wake up!"....or he tucks Pepe (his penguin) under the covers or he hides all his plastic animals and other crap under the comforter!
around here: we got some new artwork for the dining room! I had one of my favorite pictures from our fall photo shoot made into a giant canvas. We debated where to put it but finally landed on this spot above our dining room buffet. As I alluded to - we are sort of using this space as a play space for the time being.
around here: Max and Daddy are super into wearing their winter hats! Remarkably, Max loves wearing his hat and can put it on all by himself...which is totally awesome and helpful in the morning. He also loves to put on other people's hats - especially mommy and daddy's!
around here: we are enjoying our new membership to COSI (which stands for center of science and industry). They have a special space on the second floor called "Kid's Space" which is specifically for toddlers. Lots of sensory activities, art opportunities, imaginative play (picture giant cars, trucks, vet hospital,eye doctor etc.), and even a huge room filled with water stuff! Max loved splashing and dumping water...even wearing the smock. Below he is playing on light table with peg board on top.
around here: I have solidified my status as crunchy, hippy weirdo mama (probably we should move to Oregon) with my new found obsession with essential oils. I started with the premium starter kit from young living....and I'm blasting the oils every night. For example - we did peppermint oil for Max's fever not too long ago. We diffuse "thieves" to clear the air of germs. We diffuse lavender and cedarwood in Max's room at night to help him sleep etc. etc. Basically there is an oil for everything.
around here: Max loves his alphabet magnets. Each letter is a magnet and they fit into the bus. Once you press them into the bus - they say their letter sound and do a little song. The bus also has the option of just songs - like wheels on the bus. Pretty cool. I'm not sure he recognizes any of the letters except M - but we'll get there.
around here: we are still doing donut dates on Sunday!
It's safe to say we all love those :)
around here: we still have snow. We didn't really go out and play in it when it first snowed - but now, it's at a more manageable level. We put on Max's boots, and bundled up for some fun!
He loved walking on the "snow mountains" and splashing in all the puddles. We walked around our neighborhood for awhile last Saturday just exploring all the snow.
around here: Saturdays can feel loooooooooong. Especially when your kiddo only naps for an hour. So, we do whatever to keep ourselves occupied. This past Saturday we busted out the play dough and all the tools we got for Christmas. We rolled it out, stamped in it, pounded it, put holes in it...and then started all over again! ha! This activity kept Max busy for like thirty minutes which is a total toddler win in my book :)
We are totally in that "the days are long, but the years are short" phase right now.
Sometimes I think we might surely go crazy. But then I remind myself that these very long days are all part of the very short amount of years we get the privilege of spending with Max (parents - please tell me I'm right). So right now - we are making the best of time spent inside. Working our way through tantrums and melt downs and short naps. Learning to be patient with each other.
Learning to be mindful of feelings. Learning to put down the phone and be present.
Thankful for the encouragement from family and friends.
xoxo
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