A Shout Out to Texas Friends!!!

Thanks, Jennifer, for this great sweatsuit! Cheers to UT! I am so looking forward to our trip to Austin, coming up soon! Miss you guys, see you in December.

Potty Time!

Success! After months of rejection, Iris tried the potty again this morning. She cheered for herself.

Pumpkins

Who knew that choosing a pumpkin patch was such an overwhelming decision! When I googled my options, about 20 farms popped up! Did we want a giant jump tent or pony rides? A petting zoo or a corn maze? I don't know! We opted for a place with a jump tent (a huge hit) and $5 pony rides (didn't even last 15 seconds before screaming NO NO" We finally had a nice sunny fall day after two weeks of rain and (worse) snow.

Anna's Here

My friend Kristin and I have decided to do some babysitting swapping. Its really perfect because Anna and Iris are just ten days apart. And our favorite Thai place is just 5 minutes from Kristin's house! Saturday night it was our turn to have Anna over. Iris was so excited she kept yelling "Anna's here!" After playdough, books, baby dolls, and a snack, Iris did suggest to Anna that she go home, but Anna is so laidback she didn't seem to be offended.

Bell Museum

A fun family trip to a natural history museum. Iris got to pet a snake!

The park that will save Chelsey from winter blues

As we approach my least favorite time of the year, I have been been developing a mental list of ways to maintain my sanity with a toddler during the cold. Thankfully we discovered this indoor water wonderland at Shoreview Community Center, a true paradise for families desperate to entertain bored children. Iris was suspicious of the waterslide at first, but later could not get enough.

Shoreview Indoor Park

On a much needed day off from work, Iris and I went with friends to this fantastic indoor park. I may just survive winter with a toddler knowing this place exists! It took Iris close to 2 hours to warm up to the idea of this monstrosity of a playground (it was a little overstimulating) but I kept reminding her "I did not pay $4.50 for you to cling to my leg, now climb up there and have fun!" After I basically hurled her down the slide to prove it would be enjoyable, she smiled and said "Gain" (again).

Driving!!

Whenever we arrive home, the new thing is for Iris to "drive" the car. When I ask her where we are driving to, it is always "Elayna's house" (she lives about 3 doors down)

Pushing Gamma in a Shopping Cart

This old cabbage patch doll of mine is now named "Gamma."

Indoor Swimming

The neighborhood pool has been closed for a while now and now there is snow on the ground...Iris is not ready to give up swimming, so in a desperate attempt to pacify her whining for a "POOL, PEASE" this was what I came up with...