Lately we've been...

Wow, have we been busy lately. We've been up to a lot of fun things but that hasn't left me much time for recording it in the blogging world. Here's a little update for you!


We've been cooking a lot!


We met good friends at the apple orchard and
enjoyed some delicious apple cider donuts!


We've been playing with balloons!


To relax, we've been sitting in boxes.

Mirror Games

My local library shared some cute and simple games to play in the mirror with baby! These games help babies to learn to recognize themselves.

- In front of an unbreakable mirror hold up a cloth or your hands to make baby "disappear," then remove...your classic "Peek-a-boo!"

- For older babies, make faces in the mirror to illustrate emotions. Try happy, scared, surprised, sad, etc. Ask your child to imitate you!

Be Inspired

- I need to look into $1 end rolls of paper for kids entertainment!

- A simple ministry opportunity for families.

- Make an air tent to enjoy these last days of summer.

- I want to make this soup...could it possibly taste anything like Panara's?

- Look at these cute handcrafted gift ideas - dryer balls and silhouettes.

- My grandma used to make pop-corn balls!

Free Paper for Coloring

My 19 month old has recently taken an interest in coloring. A quick tip for coloring with these little ones is to use the blank cardboard from cereal boxes and other packaging items. It's a great way to recycle, plus it's extra big so you have less chance of having crayon markings where you don't want them!

Print Awareness

This week Luke and I attended our first class at the library together! Our local library offers some fun little classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our first class featured several fun songs and books promoting "print awareness." Have you heard of this?

Print awareness is basically just understanding that the printed word has meaning. It also means that one understands how a book works.

Here are some tips shared by my library to help your little one learn print awareness.

- Hold, open, and read the book in front of your child (teach them how the book works.)

- Track the words as you read (with your finger.)

- Draw attention to book parts (front, back, cover, etc.)

- Point out print in the environment (on shirts, in the store, anywhere!)

- Encourage scribbling and drawing.

When Queens Ride By - 1926

I really enjoyed reading this story today. What an encouragement to make the most of your current situation and to make your house a home!

Thanks to LivingOnADime.com for the story!

Backwards Edition

Today Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer is hosting a backwards edition of Works For Me Wednesday. I thought it'd be fun to join in and ask my readers and Works for Me Wednesday visitors for some advice!

So here's my question for you all - What did you do to prepare for baby #2? Hint hint...there is a reason I'm asking this!

We are overjoyed to be sharing that we will have another little one join our family in March! I thankfully seem to be over the worst of the morning sickness and am starting to wonder what steps I should start taking to be prepared!