Chattahoochee Mama: October 2007

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October 2007

Time with Friends

Lately it seems that the busyness of life has kept me from getting out with friends. But today I finally got to hang with my friend Amy and her three kiddos Grace, Micah and Sam. We grabbed some smoothies from Froots and headed to the park, where we managed to keep the injuries to a minimum (pretty good for 4 boys ages 3 and under). Dylan is a little under the weather, but even he enjoyed getting some fresh air.

October 31, 2007 at 03:55 PM in Friends & Family | Permalink | Comments (0)

Halloween, Preschool Style

Wyatt had his first Halloween party at preschool yesterday, which was full of new and interesting experiences for the little guy. Marching in the parade outside and Trick-or-Treating in the classrooms were the Highs of the day. Squishing his hand inside a pumpkin and taking the class picture got 2 big thumbs down. You'll notice he never made it into the final take. =)

October 31, 2007 at 09:31 AM in Family, Preschoolers | Permalink | Comments (1)

ABC, Whatever...

Last night, Ben coaxed Wyatt into singing his ABCs for the video camera. Wy has some trouble with the L-M-N-O combo and, well... you're just going to have to watch for the outcome. =)

October 30, 2007 at 09:40 AM in Family | Permalink | Comments (8)

Okay, I'm no Martha Stewart, but...

Moving into a new place has motivated me to set the mood of our home in a more intentional way. I can't help but splash the holiday colors, tastes, aromas and sounds all throughout the place. Yesterday, while the smell of pumpkin pie filled the whole house (thanks to Yankee Candle), I finally hung my new fall wreath and made a batch of tasty cupcakes for Wyatt. What do you do?

October 30, 2007 at 08:24 AM in House and Home | Permalink | Comments (3)

A cookbook for mothers of picky toddlers

I'm sure you've seen the new book, Deliciously Deceptive, by Jessica Seinfeld, wife of comedian Jerry. The premise of the book came to her when she got tired of battling with her kids at every meal to eat their veggies. So she started pureeing them and adding the purees to different meals - the batter for chicken nuggets, meatloaf, mac and cheese...

I'm sure I'd have to alter the recipes a bit to consider allergens, but I'm gonna give it a try. Wyatt refuses to eat any vegetable other than avacodo (guacamole style) and baby carrots. We don't force him to eat anything, but he's not allowed to snack later if he doesn't eat anything worthwhile.

Jessica suggests still serving whatever vegetable the rest of the family is eating on the plate to encourage them to try it. But parents don't have to worry their kids aren't getting their veggies in the meantime.

A portion of the proceeds for the book go to Baby Buggy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clothing and equipment to New York's families in need.

October 29, 2007 at 01:12 PM in Books, Food | Permalink | Comments (4)

Bonfire Party with Friends

A few friends from my church [and their friends] got together for a bonfire on Saturday night. Wyatt loved the s'mores, but I guess the smoke in his eyes got the best of him because he gave the whole experience a pretty low rating by the end of the night. He's gotta learn to stand upwind. =)

October 29, 2007 at 09:20 AM in Faith & Family, Friends & Family | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bag of gold

Wyatt got a Halloween goody bag at Wegman's Kids on Saturday. He couldn't eat most of the contents, but he treasured it just the same. He kept smelling it on the way home and even fell asleep with it on his pillow. I swapped out some of the candy, so he could enjoy a treat when he got up. =)

October 29, 2007 at 08:16 AM in Activities, Shopping | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Second-Child Advantage

It's phenomenal watching a second child pick-up things so quickly from his big brother. Dylan amazes us everyday with something new he has learned from observation. When it's time to go out, he brings each of us our own pair of shoes. And when we say it's time to clean up, he's the fastest one to pick up all the toys.

Most recently, he has surprised us with trying to use the potty, pulling down his own pants and even getting toilet paper for wiping. Of course, he's not even close. And this morning, he brought me his empty bottle, went over to the refrigerator and pulled out his milk. I gave him a refill, and he was thrilled beyond belief. Wyatt's going to have to work hard to stay ahead...

October 26, 2007 at 04:34 PM in Babies, Family | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fear Factor: Bedroom Edition

Both our boys sleep in complete darkness with their doors shut. They even have black-out curtains on their windows to keep out the moonlight =) But I have a friend whose 3-year-old son has suddenly become afraid of the dark. So much that in order to get sleep she and her hubby have resorted to letting him sleep in their bed - with the lights on!

She often asks me how they can get him to sleep in his room again and not be afraid. I could read about it and see what the experts say, but she's already done that. So I'm looking to all of you for some help...

Have any of you had to go through this with your own kids?

What have you done to ease your child when the fear of the dark reared it's sleepless head?

October 26, 2007 at 09:19 AM in Parenting | Permalink | Comments (4)

Shake, dribble and drool

I was checking out some new stroller designs over at Phil & Ted's when I stumbled across the Shakeaway Latte Bottle. It has a dual compartment design that allows you to keep powdered formula (or rice protein in my case) & water separate all day, mixing them with a simple twist & shake when feeding time rolls around. Dylan is just outgrowing a bottle, but I wish I would have known about this a few months ago, because I love it! If you do, too, you can buy it [here]. It would also make a great gift as it comes in a this really cute milk carton.

October 26, 2007 at 08:15 AM in Cool Baby Products | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm grateful for:

Warm beach days in October
Rain
We're mostly healthy this week
The women in my small group at RCC
My hot coffee this morning
The Dollar Spot at Target
Our new home
Wyatt finally picked a Halloween costume
Both my boys being snugglers
My hunky husband

October 25, 2007 at 07:34 AM in Thankful Thursday | Permalink | Comments (3)

Create your own video with just a picture

Wyatt laughed his head off watching himself do everything from scuba diving to water skiing in this cute video that I created with just a picture, courtesy of Goody Blog. Click on My ABC Adventure to create your own, and leave the link in the comments so we can check it out!

October 24, 2007 at 12:07 PM in Media | Permalink | Comments (2)

Workin' it preschool style

Wyatt got his very first school pictures taken a few weeks ago and we got the proofs today. So cute. There's nothing like seeing your three year old pose for a school photographer to bring a sentimental tear to your cheek. Anyway, I was looking over the various poses today when Wyatt came up and said, "Let me see." He paused to look over the shots for a few moments with an introspective tongue wedged into his cheek, and then finally said, "I like this one." Sure enough. It was the best shot of the bunch. The kid knows his best side.

October 24, 2007 at 10:02 AM in Personal stories | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm slowly getting it

Just a few things I've learned in raising my boys so far:

I've learned that dirt really doesn't hurt.
I've learned that I cannot announce dinnertime in front of Dylan and not provide food immediately.
I've learned that 2 boys + 1 toy = trouble.
I've learned that when Wyatt says he has to go potty, he means RIGHT NOW.
I've learned that boys can "play guns" without guns.
I've learned that boys love firetrucks, planes, cars... and kitchen sets and doll houses...
I've learned that boys are innately brave and have the desire to protect.
I've learned that No means No when I mean it.
I've learned that "child-proof locks" are not necessarily child-proof.
I've learned that a one-year old is capable of climbing on top of the dining room table.
I've learned that a boy loves his Mama whether he's a Mama's Boy or not.

October 24, 2007 at 08:25 AM in Parenting, Personal stories | Permalink | Comments (0)

Children's concerts for all ages

In case you're looking for some free entertainment for your children, Pottery Barn Kids at Fair Oaks Mall is here for you. They frequently have in-store concerts by some of D.C.'s best performers in children's entertainment.

The next two concerts will be held on Wednesday, October 24th (that's tomorrow) by C. Shells and Friday, November 9th by Oh Susannah! Show times are at 10am and 11am each day.

October 23, 2007 at 03:27 PM in Activities, Places to Go | Permalink | Comments (1)

Trick-or-Trade

Wyatt is going trick-or-treating for the first time this year. Seeing as it's only a week away, I've suddenly realized that I have to come up with a candy plan. My kids don't eat a lot of sugar, and never eat candy.

Growing up my sibs and I were also banned from sugar =) The first time I had sugar was when I was 7 and I drank a soda at a picnic without my parents knowing. But trick-or-treating was still my favorite thing to do, and I always came home with a pillow sack filled to the brim.

My parents would sort through my booty for safety, but also to assign a value to each piece - a penny for bubble gum, a nickle for a candybar, and so on - and we then traded in our candy for money. We loved it!

I'm pretty sure we're going to do the "trade" idea with Wyatt. But what to trade? I don't think money will cut it for him.

October 23, 2007 at 01:27 PM in Activities, Family, Food | Permalink | Comments (2)

Catch the Ghost Train this Saturday

I just got word that there is a Ghost Train that travels through Burke Lake Park for Halloween. You can catch a ride this Saturday, Oct 29 from 11am to 6pm. According to a friend, it is geared toward younger children - not scary and not too long. The train takes you through "haunted woods" that is full of friendly non-threatening characters and scenes.

October 23, 2007 at 09:46 AM in Activities, Places to Go | Permalink | Comments (2)

What to do with all those apples

Homemade Applesauce

8 apples, peeled and sliced thick (this works better if you have a few varieties)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 nub of fresh ginger, sliced thin
1 vanilla bean, snipped into tiny pieces
1/2 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon (if you are using traditional cinnamon, make this 1 t)

Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a large saucepan. After it has boiled, allow it to go for a few more moments, then add the ginger, vanilla bean, and cinnamon. Let them bubble and mingle for a minute or two.

Add the sliced apples to the pan, stirring to coat all the slices with the sugary-spice syrup. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally.

Recipe courtesy of Gluten-Free Girl.

October 23, 2007 at 07:47 AM in Food, Recipes | Permalink | Comments (2)

If I had a little girl

I have to admit that having boys means I can get away with forgetting to brush their hair on occasion (bedhead can easily be translated into "messy surfer hair").

But I'm pretty sure the hardship of detangling a fussy 3-year-old's lovely locks can easily be overridden with adorable adornments such as this Grosgrain Headband (at left). I don't know the creator of From Head to Bows personally, but I do know one of the models, and I can't help but fall for these snowflake clippies, bedazzled with a Swarovski crystal. Can a 29-year-old woman get away wearing these?

October 22, 2007 at 01:29 PM in Baby Fashion, Products | Permalink | Comments (6)

A Day at the Apple Orchards

Saturday we went apple picking with our good friends Brian and Nicole and their kids Silas and Blythe, where we also celebrated Blythe's 1st birthday. Nicole is a serious apple picker - she ended up with a whopping 28lbs of apples (as opposed to my 10lbs). At least I know where to go for a warm apple pie=)

Pumpkin_patch_035