March Begins

One day this week, while out to dinner, Kaitlynn made bracelets for Hanna and Adam.
I attended Bible Study this week and that continues to be a good time for fellowship and networking. Kaitlynn visited with MawMaw Tommie and Linda. MawMaw Tommie gave Kaitlynn her birthday gift.
I love these Mary Jane Crocs that I just bought for Kaitlynn (and she does too)!
Kaitlynn, Aidan and Sassy enjoyed playing outside for about an hour the other day. Thankfully the weather was nice enough. We can't wait for warmer weather.
Kaitlynn, Aidan and I picked up Hanna so that Hanna could babysit Kaitlynn while I went to a SAHM&D Networking Session at the ECC. I was so glad I went. There were 6 other moms there and they all seemed really cool. We are supposed to get together soon. 2 live really close by, which is always exciting. Kaitlynn and Hanna had a good time together, too.

Valentine's Day

Sunday the 14th, we exchanged Valentine's gifts. Dave gave Kaitlynn some chocolates. Kaitlynn and I gave Dave some books, a Valentine's cookie and some crafts the she made. Dave and Kaitlynn gave me a couple Victoria's Secret bras and matching panties and some Godiva chocolates. We gave Kaitlynn some candy, a Bratz doll (Valentine's Day collector's edition), flash cards, notepad with pen, puzzle and activity book.

We went to the Zoo for their Mardi Gras Parade. We got to watch the March of the Penguins again. We were up really close this time. It was so awesome. Kaitlynn loved it! Penguins are one of her favorite animals. Kaitlynn had her face painted like a Mardi Gras mask. She made a penguin with a toilet paper roll. We had a good time, despite the weather. It was snowing and pretty cold out.

We adopted a king penguin for Kaitlynn. This is part of a Valentine's / birthday gift. With the adoption, she received a 12" plush king penguin, adoption certificate, color photo and fact sheet, car decal and t-shirt transfer, name on the Zoo Parents Kiosk for 1 year and an invitation to the Zoo Parents Picnic.


After the Zoo, we went to the evening church service. Kaitlynn didn't get to attend her class. She really missed it, but it isn't offered at that service.

Little Tykes 2 Class

Kaitlynn's been having so much fun in her class.
Dinosaurs

Nursery Rhymes

Let It Snow

Ladies' Night and Crafts

The 17th, we picked up MawMaw and went to the ECC for Hooked on Books and the Book, Puppet and Toy Fair. Kaitlynn made some pretty neat books at Hooked on Books.


The 18th, Hanna came over and gave Kaitlynn her second haircut. She just trimmed it up. Kaitlynn did a good job letting Hanna cut it.

I went to Ladies' Night at The Melting Pot with MomsLikeMe.com producer Heather and the Discussion Leaders. We had such a fun night out.

Thursday the 19th, Kaitlynn, MawMaw and I attended Little Tykes 2. The theme was fall fun. They made a lot of crafts for Thanksgiving. We were so happy to display Kaitlynn's art around the house!

Great End to October

Sunday, October 25th we went to Stuckmeyer's with MawMaw. Hanna, Adam and Brandon met us there. Kaitlynn couldn't wait for them to get there.
Kaitlynn played in the sandbox, rode a pony, played at Fort Spooky, and ran around.

Tuesday, October 27th we attended a MomsLikeMe playdate costume party at the Zoo with MawMaw. Kay Quinn read a Halloween story to the kids and then we all went into Zoomagination Station. Kaitlynn had a good time, but was disappointed that she didn't get to see any animals due to the rain.

Wednesday, October 28th Kaitlynn attended her Kids in the Kitchen class. The theme was Halloween Treats. They made mummies in a blanket, magic wands, witches hats, moonlight milkshake, monster mash and shaky pudding. She also made a cute pumpkin picture, in which she cut the eyebrows out all by herself.

Kaitlynn and I went to MawMaw's and baked a cake, cupcakes and an apple pie. MawMaw made Kaitlynn a special hot chocolate that she really enjoyed.

Thursday, October 29th we went to our playgroup's Costume Party at Kangaroo Kids. Emily and Ella met us there. We brought Halloween cupcakes and Emily brought goodies bags.

While at Kangaroo Kids, Kaitlynn started complaining about her vagina hurting (and she was telling everyone). We called her pediatrician and she was able to see her almost immediately. It was quite an experience getting Kaitlynn to pee in a cup, but she did it. I actually just told her that the doctor needed it so that she could figure out what was wrong. Once she knew that, she peed in the cup. The pediatrician said it's probably a bladder infection, but would send it to the lab.

That evening, we carved 2 of our 5 pumpkins and made caramel apples. Kaitlynn had fun putting sprinkles on her caramel apple. She was also a big help with scooping the "guts" out of the pumpkins.

Friday October 30th, we went to the ECC for a Halloween Fun Fair. Kaitlynn made a treat bag, trick or treated at different "houses", had a pony painted on her hand, listened to a Halloween story, ate dinner, played games, decorated a cookie (graham cracker), and had a great time.

On Halloween, we went to Michael's so Kaitlynn could make a craft with the kid's club. She made a super cute little spider. We headed home and got ready for our Halloween party. Dave and Kaitlynn made Halloween rice krispie treats, then Kaitlynn decorated her pumpkins. We went out trick or treating and had fun with our guests. Kaitlynn passed out and the adults continued to party until the wee hours of the morning. We had a fun Halloween!

What a great way to end October!

Again, you can see pictures from these events on my other blog. Email me at everydaymamadrama@yahoo.com if you need the link.

Ottertoberfest

Sunday the 4th, we met MawMaw, MawMaw Tommie and Uncle Jeff at the Zoo for Ottertoberfest. We also ran into our friends Casey and Addison. They did a craft together. We went into the Insectarium to see the butterflies and then to Caribbean Cove. It was the last day to see the stingrays this year. We got to see the 3 stingray babies. The stingrays were ornery. They were splashing and almost diving at our hands. We ate lunch, went to Historic Hill, Jungle of the Apes and listened to the band. Kaitlynn rode the Carousel, we saw the penguins, bears and went through River's Edge.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Manchester Homecoming

Dave, Kaitlynn, MawMaw and I attended the Manchester Homecoming a few weekends ago. We visited and talked with the EMS & Fire Department where Kaitlynn got a cute little stuffed animal, a bag of popcorn and helmet. We went to the Kid's Corner, but they were getting ready to close. Kaitlynn got a coloring book, coloring page, some beads and pipe cleaners to make a bracelet and necklace with. We voted on the cutest pet. We ran into our neighbors and Kaitlynn was so excited to hang out with the girls. We had a great time, except for at the end when Kaitlynn was on a slide with Mya and decided she wasn't going to slide down. She grabbed the side and was hanging off of it. Mya's grandma jumped up on the slide to help Kaitlynn down. It was an awful and scary moment.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Build and Grow and More

A few Saturdays ago, Kaitlynn, MawMaw and I met Denise (Aunt Neese) and Brandon at Lowe's for their Build and Grow event. The project for the week was making a drum. Kaitlynn had fun making the drum with Aunt Neese and MawMaw.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Kaitlynn, MawMaw and I attended Parkway ECC's Bubble Picnic. Kaitlynn blew bubbles, made some crafts, played on the playground, listened to music, ate and played with her new friend Elizabeth. Kaitlynn met Elizabeth at the PEC-PTO meeting.

Make a Smilebox postcard

Kaitlynn, MawMaw and I attended Barney's Sprouterrific Playdate at the Galleria Mall. Kaitlynn did great meeting Barney. She wasn't afraid of him at all. She also met Barney's new friend Chica and did a weather report with her. It was so awesome! Kaitlynn went up all by herself to do the weather report. She answered Kelly's questions and talked into the microphone very well. I was so proud of her. What a big girl! Maybe she should be on commercials, like people always tell us.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Botanical Garden and Mills Mall

Saturday, July 18th, we went to the Botanical Garden. They were having a Healthy You, Healthy Planet Festival.
At the Kid's Corner, Kaitlynn made some chex mix / trail mix, decorated a sock puppet and started on a bead bracelet.
We went through the Climatron and then to the Children's Garden. Before entering the Children's Garden, there was another kid's station set up with crafts. Kaitlynn made a caterpillar and a sail boat.
We went to the Children's Garden where Kaitlynn ran around and played until she saw Finn the frog. She does not like costumed characters at all. They totally freak her out.
Here is a video of Kaitlynn and daddy playing the xylophone.

She was very excited to feed the koi fish. Here's a video of Kaitlynn and daddy feeding them.


After the Garden, we picked up MawMaw and went to the Mills Mall. Kaitlynn is in the kid's club and they were having a Safe Summer Event. There was a firetruck outside the mall that the kids could climb in. Kaitlynn said she was scared of it. She met a few firemen, got a fire chief hat, stickers, and a sucker. She also got an ice cream bowl and spoon and a rubber duckie.
The kids's activity was making a bug jar. Kaitlynn was too interested in eating her sucker, so MawMaw put the stickers on the bug jar. It was a super cute idea. Kaitlynn is interested in lightning bugs now, but is afraid to hold them. So now she can examine them without holding them.
After eating lunch and walking around the mall, we went into Cabella's. We love going into that store because of the awesome displays. Kaitlynn loved the Albino Catfish. She kept saying "come here, baby."

Mini Chef

Saturday Dave, Kaitlynn and I went to the Mills Mall for a kidgits event called Mini Chefs. After checking in, Kaitlynn got to spin the wheel. She won a dolphin and got to choose between pink and purple. She chose pink. Then we started the activities. First Kaitlynn made a licorice bracelet.
Then she decorated a cookie, using white frosting and M&Ms.

Yummy!

Kaitlynn decorated an apron.

Lastly, she made a lollipop flower. We walked around the mall.

Kaitlynn had fun getting on and off of the rides.

We went into Tilt to get Kaitlynn's gift for being a kid's club member. She got a princess rubber ducky.

We finished the mall event by having a blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Kaitlynn took a nap in the car on the way home. We got things ready to go to Jill, Emil and Nick's.

Kaitlynn and Nick played in his kiddie pool and on his swing set. Kaitlynn had fun swinging him.

We ate dinner and enjoyed some great conversation.

Music Makers

Thursday morning Kaitlynn and I attended Music Makers class at the Early Childhood Center. There were so many people there. The kids had free play, circle time to sing songs, and made instruments (shaker, tambourine, drum, bean bag, and wind bracelet). They also made ladybug puppets. After making the crafts, they had circle time again to use their instruments to songs and then free play before it was time to leave. Kaitlynn's P.A.T. Educator, Amy was there also. Even though crowded, this class was well worth it. Kaitlynn loves music.

After class, we went to my mom's for a playdate with Elliott. We took them to McDonald's for lunch and to play in the play area. Kaitlynn was climbing up in the play area with the big kids. I have learned to kind of let go and let her play. Even though I am so nervous that she will get hurt. I want her to explore and not be afraid to do things. I just keep my nervousness to myself. Of course, it comes out at times. Like when I hear a kid being mean or a little one crying, I rush to make sure it's not Kaitlynn being picked on or crying. Yes, I know I can't always come to the rescue. But you know what, she is only 2. I kept trying to get her to play in the Toddler Area, but she wanted to play with the big kids.
She followed Elliott around like a little puppy dog. That was the only time I could get her to play in the toddler area - if Elliott went over there. She loves to boss him around too. He could be my future son-in-law! Just joking!!

We took Elliott home. My mom, Kaitlynn and I went to Babies R Us where my mom bought her a pair of sandals. We went to Target and Kmart. Then picked Elliott up because my mom had to watch him that evening. Kaitlynn got to see Auggie. I don't know who she has a bigger "crush" on - Elliott or Auggie. Auggie came down to the car to say hi to Kaitlynn and she started acting all shy and wouldn't talk to him. Then as soon as he left, she started calling for him. He came back to the car and she just smiled. Typical girl and she's only 2!! I think I am going to have my hands full. She already knows had to work the boys!

My mom took us to dinner at Casa. Kaitlynn loved hanging out with Elliott and he was really good with her. After dinner, we went back to my mom's, where Kaitlynn and Elliott played together.

Baby and Kid Expo

Kaitlynn made it to Saturday afternoon without any more vomiting incidents, so my mom and I decided that it would be OK to go to the Baby and Kid Expo. My mom spent the night because we were planning on going to the expo all day. With Kaitlynn getting sick Friday, we weren't sure if we should go. Since she was felling fine Saturday afternoon, we decided to go. We got Kaitlynn a monogramed backpack. It's super cute! Kaitlynn made a butterfly, put her handprints on this paper with a really neat poem, and made a mask. Kaitlynn got to choose "flavors" for a free bottle of kid's shampoo. We chose banana split. It smells yummy! I bought Kaitlynn a really cute flower hair clippie. My mom bought Kaitlynn and me bracelets and me a pair of earrings. We ate lunch at the expo. We had a good time and Kaitlynn continued to feel well. Kaitlynn fell asleep on the way home and slept for several hours. As we took my mom home, we stopped to eat dinner at Bread Company. I am so happy that Kaitlynn is feeling better (and hasn't gotten diarrhea). She doesn't have much of an appetite yet, though.

Dr. Seuss and Kangaroo Kids

This morning Kaitlynn and I went to Seuss on the Loose at Grand Glaize Library. There were a lot of kids there - babies, toddlers and bigger kids. The librarian started with an elephant song (from a CD) that they sang along to and danced to. Then she read " Green Eggs and Ham". After the story they sang and hopped to another song (from a CD). She read "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish". During this book, Kaitlynn was eating snacks and playing with a little girl. After that book, they sang, danced, jumped around to another song (from a CD). Then they made a tree from pipe cleaners. Kaitlynn danced with the librarian before we left story time.

After story time, we looked at books, CDs and DVDs. Kaitlynn found a book that she really liked. She went over and reclined on one of the bean bag chairs in the children's area and read "Eco babies wear green." She wouldn't put this board book down. We got a few other board books: "Awake to nap", "When I'm big" and "Manners are important." We also checked out some Easter books: "Easter bunny's on his way" and "Queen of Easter." We checked out a DVD called "Is your mama a llama?" and a few CDs ("Alphabet Songs", "Go baby go" and "A to Z: the animals and me". I checked out "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" for myself. Kaitlynn really likes the library, but thinks she is supposed to get on the computers every time we go.

We left the library and went to Kangaroo Kids. On Tuesdays, they now have a Pop-in Toddler Playgroup. I met Bhu and Sarina there from the Mommy and Toddler playgroup. Kathy and John Paul were also there. Kangaroo Kids just moved to a different building right down the street from where they used to be located. It is much cleaner and I like the new store. It's just going to take some getting used to. Kaitlynn and Sarina played for a while then we went through the Taco Bell drive thru and picked up lunch. We went over to Bhu and Sarina's to eat lunch and let the girls play for a bit. Kaitlynn and I weren't able to stay long because of Hasnain coming over.

Maryam and I pulled up at the same time. Hasnain cried for 45 minutes after Maryam left. She said he already had a nap, but he was still tired, so I finally got him to go to sleep. Kaitlynn and him napped together. They slept for 2 hours!

While they napped, I had some much needed me time - computer time. Also talked to my friend Jill. She called to see if I could watch her little guy next week. Her babysitter needs a few days off for personal reasons, so I told her I could do it.

Hasnain was still kind of fussy after his nap, but eventually calmed down. When Maryam came to pick him up, we talked for awhile. She told me that her MIL, mom and brother were going to be coming in town and staying with them for awhile (at different times). She had also told me that she wouldn't be returning to school next semester. I asked her when I would stop watching Hasnain. She told me March 19th. So now I am going to need to find another child to watch. Hopefully I can find a toddler for the same days and times, but I'll work with what I can find.

Kaitlynn and I went to my mom's. We visited awhile before I had to leave to meet Dave for an appointment. Kaitlynn stayed with my mom.

Valentine's Crafts, Babysitting and Stupidity

Monday Kaitlynn and I worked on some Valentine's Day crafts. We made 2 love bugs and several pictures.

I watched Whitney that afternoon. Kaitlynn, Whitney and I went to my mom's because I had to take her to get her medicine. Then we came back to our house to eat dinner and wait for Whitney's dad. Whitney was pretty fussy for a few hours. She didn't like my mom, which is weird because most kids / babies like her.

I did the stupidest thing. I put my car keys in Whitney's diaper bag as we were coming into the house and I forgot to take them back out. So Whitney went home with my car keys and I couldn't take my mom home. Dave ended up picking them up after school from their house. Kaitlynn and I didn't get to take my mom home until 10:15PM. Then we got stuck on the highway because of a really bad accident. It involved at least 6 cars! Kaitlynn and I didn't get home until midnight! Thankfully she was sleeping the whole time.