Outdoor Activities

With the new H1N1 virus infecting people at such a rapid rate I have decided that I will be keeping my kids out of large public places. Can you say NO FUN! I love taking my kids to the zoo, the science center, the library. It's a chance for them to explore exciting places and a chance for me to feel like part of the real world. I have tried over the last few weeks to keep them primarily at home, but none of us are doing very well with that. "Andrew get off the cat!" Hazel stay out of the snack cupboard you just ate lunch!" "Let's clean the house up again, it's been 5 minutes since we last cleaned!" There are so many positives for taking the kids out of the house, so I had to think of something. Here is what I came up with: The Great Outdoors! Large open spaces, not crowded with potentially sick people, nothing to touch that other people have been touching. It sounded great! And it is! Last week we started our outdoor activities with a trip to the Arboretum. It was amazing! Not only can the kids and I get out of the house we can learn how to identify many species of trees and shrubs that are grown there. I was able to print out a map of the different types of trees and plants in each section of the garden. We got to walk across a wooden bridge, look at beautiful trees, and visit with the ducks. We all had a great time! I look forward to going back and finding other outdoor places to explore.

Pumpkin Fun

Last weekend, our family, on two seperate trips, visited a pumpkin farm. Hazel had been home sick all week so when Saturday came and it was time to go to the farm Hazel just wasn't up for it, so Andrew and I went with Jo, Ted and Ted's family. We had lots of fun but missed the rest of the family. I knew how much Hazel would love to be there. On Sunday we took a drive to Steven's Pass to see the fall leaves and on the way back home we stopped by the same pumpkin farm so Hazel could enjoy it too. There was a pumkin patch, a hay ride, John Deere bikes for the kids to ride and a playground. It took us two days, but we all made it and had lots of fun!

What Hazel and Andrew Like

It is so fun and interestiong to see your child develop. I have been watching Hazel change and grow for four and a half years. I can't believe it! Andrew is getting to that age now where he is showing an interest in certain things. Here is just a few of the things each of the kids like. If you know Hazel at all you know she likes dinosaurs. Obsession comes to mind when thinking about her and dinos. You may not know that she also likes ponies and horses. She likes watching videos (so much that I have to limit the time she watches them). She likes chocolate milk, even made with rice milk and a chocolate powder full of vitamins and green foods. She likes cantaloupe. She likes ice cream. She likes sleeping with the hallway light on. I could go on and on, but I'm sure the list will change soon enough so I will move on to Andrew. He is now 19 months and definitely knows what he likes. One of his favorites things to do is to brush his teeth. He carries his toothbrush around all over the house. When he wants to brush his teeth he says "beef". This is a shortened version of brush teeth that makes me laugh everytime he says it. He also likes having his shoes on even if we are not going anywhere. He will find his shoes and bring them to me and if I don't take the hint to immediately put them on for him he starts crying. It works everytime; don't judge unless you have kids of your own! He likes watching Elmo. He likes opening and shutting doors. He likes oatmeal, almond butter and peanut butter crackers. He likes putting as much food in his mouth as possible and having both hands full of food for when it's gone. He likes taking a bath. Kids are so much fun because they show every emotion without reserve. I love seeing my kids get excited about the things they like and how it makes their faces light up when they discover something new.