Friday, August 31, 2012

Growin' like a weed!




Sydney Louise
Oh, our baby isn't such a baby anymore! We think she's brilliant and beautiful!



18 month stats:
Length - 32-1/8" (60th percentile)
Weight - 24 lbs, 12 oz (55th percentile)
Head - 18-5/8" (70th percentile)


[July 2012]

Handy daddy!

Kelley is working hard to transform our backyard into a "dream playground" for the girls. First step was clearing out the grass so we can eventually put in wood chips. Then he built a sandbox - total hit with the girls... we've spent many a mornings out there! The first morning we spent hours out there - so fun!

We sure do appreciate all his hard work!








[July 2012]

COUSINS

The girls love their cousins, and I am so glad we live close to them!
(Sorry, no recent pictures of Amanda or Cason.... next time!)

Ring around the rosy, pocket full of posy....

... ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

We get to see Trevin in all his sporting events - what a stud!

The girls had a sleepover this summer. Unfortunately for Ella Seoul is still learning the concept but they hopefully they had fun!
[July 2012]

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

our crafty side

One afternoon we were feeling a bit restless and I'd seen these ideas before so I thought I'd bust them out. I'm not super crafty myself but I try and give the girls opportunities to do different activities. Kids love creative outlets, especially Seoul at her age.

Sydney did pudding finger painting... and enjoyed it for about 5 minutes. Here is a link to the activity, although it's just instant pudding and food coloring. [http://homespunwithlove.blogspot.com/2012/04/kids-play-toddler-pudding-finger-paint.html] Sydney didn't enjoy tasting it, the one teeny tiny lick I saw her sneak. When I tried to give her a bite of the plain pudding that was leftover she burst into tears. Her colors just turned icky brown pretty quickly.




Seoul did a little baking soda-vinegar craft that kept her busy for a while. Here is a link to the concept: [http://www.themotherhuddle.com/colored-vinegar-and-baking-soda-activity/] She had a lot of fun and eventually mixed all the colors together, of course. We went through a whole box of baking soda she was at it so long.




{July 2012}

summer reading programs

We LOVE our library and frequent story times and library activities often! First of all, it really inspires a love of books and second, they're free. Love the free aspect. During the summer libraries have a summer reading program that I encourage all parents to be involved in. I started taking Seoul to story time at 2 weeks old, and Sydney was just 4 days old. Every summer we do the reading programs at both Wilsonville and Canby so we can earn a free book as well as all the awesome little coupons - Sonic, Wendy's, McDonald's, Oaks Park, etc. Both libraries have special summer activities in lieu of story time, so here are some pictures of the various fun we had.


This was The Reptile Man and we actually saw him in both Canby and Wilsonville so Kelley could go see it with us. The giant snakes give the girls shivers.






The girls love all sorts of balls so this juggler guy was a hit with all his tricks.




This magic show in Wilsonville was pretty fun. There were some tricks that even I couldn't figure out!



There were pioneer activities at one of the shows. Seoul really had fun with these activities.




These were dogs that do tricks - catch frisbees and footballs. They've been to national competitions and won. It was pretty fun, although a bit too much talking by the guy for my taste. The girls enjoyed it even though they don't so much like dogs.




If you don't go to the library, GO! Or come with us... we'd love to take you!

[Activities from July/August 2012]

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

July's hot days of SUMMER!

Every year we wait longingly for the hot days of summer. Then when it gets "too hot" we don't love it so much - haha! Without central air conditioning we hit up the splash park and play in water as much as possible to stay cool. The girls love it and I enjoy some good Vitamin D as well!


Sydney's eyes were so often squinty or closed that I'm not sure how she knew where to go! She would "part" the water with her arms before walking through. Seoul loves standing on the holes and then jumping back to let the water shoot up.






Crazy girls had no qualms about getting right into the icy cold water right after I filled the pool!




We even had some impromptu, fully-clothed kid wash play times!



And of course, who doesn't love a good soft-serve ice cream cone now and then?!

We love animals (the ones behind a fence, that is)...

The Zoo was extra fun this year because Sydney identifies so many animals now. Seoul and I sang the elephants the ABC's, which is tradition. There were lots of animals out and about. The weather was a bit funny because it was actually chilly. Glad Seoul thought to take sweaters!

It was cheap Tuesday, about which I have mixed feelings. It was nice to pay less, however, it was insanely busy. I'm not sure but I think I'd rather pay full price and not deal with the crowds.












Seoul is ducking down in the stroller because she didn't want a picture with the bear - goof!
[July 2012]