Week 8-Toddally for tots

(whoops, time got away from me)
Week 8-Toddally for Tots

We are ecstatic about the unusual and premature February sunshine and above freezing temperatures...however, it has still felt like a long winter. Em turned one and seriously flipped a switch into toddler-hood. No, she's still not walking on her own, but she became busier, faster, curious-er.., sassier, smarter, etc. over night. The past couple months of unpredictable weather and chill-you-to-the bone temps have left me thinking up random indoor activities to keep my little one entertained, and away from trouble :).

Here are some things we've been up to that are

Toddally for Tots:
--disclaimer: all things are supervised--

(unfortunately there are limited pictures)

*play house/dolls (short-lived but she is so sweet to those babies)
*bubbles in tub or tiled area

*read-a-thons and flashlight activities in various forts



*music/signing dancing time (this girl has got some wicked dance moves, she does an invented sign consisting of an amazing hands-up-shimmy to ask us to turn the music on, I can't resist.)
*"Baby Signing Time" and the occasional "monkey" (Curious George)
*"organize DVD's" --I guess this could be considered trouble, but she is so gentle with them, treating them like her books, and "talks" up a storm. Not to mention she'll often help put them back.

*visit grammies and grampas (or should I say "visit Sadie," the dog)
*have playdates with little friends and cousins (when everyone is healthy; sheesh!)
*or have skype sessions with distant cousins or when there's a bug going around
*balloons--serious entertainment, all three of us were cry-laughing.

*exercise. I worried about exercising before nap time, but the special occasions we exercise together turn into major core work out and tone-age due to serious giggles or Em wanting to go up-and-down while I squat. (there are plenty of games of peek a boo while doing yoga or other forms of floor workout too, I highly recommend this experience to anyone. So. funny.)
*help mommy bake, flour is amazing (and messy)
*getting things out of the fridge (...stinker)

*stickers--fascinating
*chase, and hide and seek with mom and dad (oh the giggles that result!)
*magnets! (there are many more on the fridge...but sitting on the cold tile gets old, score for the pizza pan!)

*one word sign: fish

What do you do with your little ones in throughout the cold months?

Week 2-Chariot Racing

Chariot Racing you say?

 Yes, that's no typo. Also known as "Cutter Races" and still a popular sport in a few states including Idaho. Lucky for us we live near the Idaho boarder and they have a pretty organized set up of Chariot Races just outside of Preston. The winter races run on Saturday afternoons. Gregg & Denise came to Cache Valley for the weekend so we met up with Baylee & TC and headed to the races. Almost all spectators watch the horse drawn chariot's fly by from their vehicles. I didn't think Em would get much out of it, and she was a bit antsy, but picked the horses out in the distance and even signed "horse" for the first time! She loved having the dogs' company in the car!

We also cheered on the Women Aggies at the basketball game Couper had to work. Too bad it couldn't have been a win.

Cousin Surprise

Friday morning we were excited to find four cousins on the doorstep ready to play! It was a bit unexpected but turned into a fun morning filled with balloon fights and homemade puppet shows. Puppet show skills are a little rusty, but we've got time to work on that. Made us miss our cuzzies in Australia that's for sure!