Mommy Daughter Dates

My girls are best friends, but I still feel it's important to have some one on one time with my oldest!  Her favourite activity is going to the park and she loves to play in the sand.  Every day she asks if we're going to the beach (she remembers that best from our vacation in July) and always wants to bring her bucket and shovels to make sandcastles.  I think she could stay there from the time she woke up til she passed out from sheer exhaustion! 

This Wednesday, little sister E fell asleep right before we got ready for our playdate at the park.  My husband was home sick that day and I left little E napping while we went off on our own little adventure!  The local mamas that go to our church started the weekly playgroup again and we decided to give it a shot.  Unfortunately, Pippi's only friend moved and there is no one her age, so she didn't have a the best time while the other kids where there...  So I told my husband we'd be later than expected and let P stay as long as my allergies would allow. 







We had a blast!  We went up and down the slides, "climbed" the tree next to the picnic table, made pretend birthday cakes, and took a bunch of pictures.  The time together was great for both of us and I hope we can keep having opportunities to enjoy each others company for many years to come!

Snugabug

My toddler is not a fan of being wrapped.  She knows that it's non-negotiable in some situations, like when we have to park a ways off at events or in bad weather, but she definitely doesn't like being wrapped at home!  She is far too busy for being restrained!  Sometimes I can bribe her into trying new carries with her paci or a special treat after, then she gets all excited and finally consents.  Just because she doesn't like to be wrapped on me, doesn't mean she's not a fan of wrapping!  Every day, she asks to go snugabug (her words for "snug as a bug") and picks a different wrap for her mood.

Wraps are great play toys and food for imagination!  Not only does it help break them in, but it helps justify the cost for me.  One of P's favourites is "Red Riding Hood" and she'll play it for hours.  "Make me a hood mama!" "Where's my riding hood mama???"  Then she runs around the house and pretends that baby sister is the big bad wolf, "No catch me Evahlee!  Eeeeeeek!"

This busy little toddler is also not a fan of naps...  She hasn't napped regularly since E was born (I would lay down and nurse her to sleep) and some days that can be hard!  There's been a few days where she'll be playing in her pack n play and fall asleep, but this was one of my favourite crash naps.  The handsome husband is pretty much the only one who wears Erna right now, so I like to keep it out for P to play with and make me feel better that it's getting used frequently.  One day she decided she needed the wrap and hauled it over to the couch.  I thought she'd climb up on the couch and play with it, but no!  She decided she was going to just play on the floor in front of the couch.  "Sleep now!"  Wiggle wiggle wiggle... "Wrap me mama!!!"  *I cover her up from head to toe* "Thank you!"  I wrapped the very cranky E up and started walking around to put her to sleep.  Once she had settled down, I noticed it was suspiciously quiet...  *Peek under coffee table* P was out like a light!  Wraps even come with sleepy dust without having to be worn!

Small Town Traditions

Every year we go to the next town over to celebrate "Founders Day." We live in a little valley with a bunch of small towns that each have their own mini holiday and it is one of my favourite traditions. This year, the weather wasn't very cooperative, but we still had a good time. 

The main event we go to is the parade. I swear every year it gets longer and longer! Of course you have the usual police cars and fire trucks, but this parade also has many horse or mule drawn wagons and a special twist. Half the community that participates dress up and represent the settlers and townspeople while the other half that bring up the rear of the parade reenact the "savages" that originally made the valley their home. There is much shooting of rifles and shotguns, war whooping, and your colourful locals that may or may not be wearing anything under their deer skin chaps... My toddler's favourite part is the vintage tractors! She really enjoyed them last year as well. Listening to her little voice narrate the parade was the cutest thing!

After the parade, the settlers and Indians reenact the battle on the elementary school sports field. We haven't gone since having the girls though. Usually we wander on over to the booths put up by local vendors. There's your typical booths with purses, hair bows, and tutus for the little girls made by moms, as well as a local favourite, food storage! Only in Utah... We didn't look at them this year since it started sprinkling as soon as the parade ended and it's a good thing! As soon as we were in the truck buckling the girls in, the torrential downpour started. It will be very much needed for the crops and local wildfires! 

All in all, we had a great day hanging out with family and relaxing at home. We played quite a few games with the blocks, chased each other pretending to be a tickle monster, and couldn't have had a better day!

  

Silent Sunday