Friday Family Fill-In: Numbers, Numbers Everywhere

Because of my little buddy's late September birthday, he did not meet the age cut-off for formal preschool programming this year. Instead, we are doing a two-day, half-day mother's morning out program through a local church this year and will register for official pre-school next year.

At first, I was, admittedly, a little bummed.

But. 

I am actually okay with this now, as I remind myself that this means he will turn 6 one month after starting kindergarten in a few years, making him one of the oldest in his class while also allowing me a whole extra year with him before he begins his formal education.

Regardless, it is still important to me that he be exposed to the same types of lessons and learning that other kids his age, born before the September cut-off, are experiencing in pre-school this year. 

However. 

I also recognize that I am his Momma. Not his teacher. So, while I aim to spend some time each day teaching him educational concepts, I try to make this creative and fun for all. And allow this to be only a small portion of our day.

All that to say, lately we've been having fun with numbers!:

A numbers "lunchable" (Side note: Was anyone else PUMPED when they were little and allowed to have a Lunchable for lunch? I know I was! It was like this special, rare treat. Ahhh...gotta love the small things...)

 

Fishing for numbers (thanks Aunt Shelbs!).Cast the rod. Identify the number you catch. Put it in the correctly colored boat. Fun!

 

A Doc Momma original game: Roll the (homemade) dice. Stamp the number of stamps you roll. This was a HIT!

Another original: "Who can find 3 giraffes? Ready, set, go!" My competitive child LOVED this game.

Paint the appropriate number of dots in the number. Anything involving paint always seems to be a blast.

Decorating numbers with stickers

Maybe his favorite (original) numbers game: Feel inside the Kleenex "Magical Numbers Box." Then: (1) Tell Momma how many objects are inside. (2) Try to identify the object(s) by touch. We play this every night now.

Yes, we are having some serious fun with numbers here in the Mill, although I think we're still pretty far off from tackling calculus. Maybe by the end of the year... :)

Instagrammin': Round 2

I've said it before and I'll say it again, outside of an obsession with Facebook and Pinterest (and now, writing this blog), I am a big fan of Instagram.

A writer of one of the blogs I follow recently said that Instagram is sort of like the poster's own little reality show. I love that. And I agree. It is a glimpse into the comings and goings of our daily life.

So, here is a glimpse of the comings and goings of my daily life, lately. Some of my favorite recent Instagram pics:

Our last week in the ATL. And my first as a stay-at-home momma.

SHOCKED to be 8 months old.

 

 Rainy, Fort Mill Tuesday. Meet Banksville.

Jack and Jill went up a hill...

 LOVING my new office view.

Just another day at the office.

"I give up."

Evening putting practice

Baby Blues.

 Momma date with the coolest kid I know.

Worn knees on skinny jeans? Occupational hazard of being a stay-at-home momma.

This view just never gets old.

9 months in. 9 months out (P.S. The bottom right pic KILLS me)

 Headed to Death Valley to see the Tigers play--Raleigh's first game!

Look, Ma. No hands!

Let the "reality show" continue...

Party On: Baby Shower Edition

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was when I found out my sister, Jessie, was pregnant with her first baby. Ohmygoodness! A new baby! My little sister, who I adore and look up to, was going to be a momma! This called for a big celebration! 

Now, anyone who knows my sister knows she (1) loves, loves, loves all things sweet, and (2) is a BIG fan of surprises--in fact, she and her hub opted NOT to find out the sex of their baby. What?! Almost unheard of these days! Regardless, it meant we needed a gender neutral theme for the baby shower (and by "we," I mean my other sisters and me). Taking into account (1) and (2), it was decided that the baby shower would be "Baby Peele's Sweet Shoppe." I gotta say, this was my favorite shower thrown to date! 

And now, the party details...

The invitation, made with love by yours truly
 

 Colorful bunting with "candy" washcloths adorned the mantel of the venue

The menu consisted of nothing but sweets: yummy! A sample of the menu: Icing covered pretzel rods
 

Chocolate dipped fruit

 

Lollipop sugar cookies
 

Sprinkled marshmallows

My favorite part: The candy bar!

 

 With favor bags for guest to take home lots of sweet treats
 

One of my favorite details: the lollipop topiaries

What's a fun shower without a cotton candy machine?!

 

 Homemade "gumball machines" containing baby items for the momma-to-be

The beautiful guest of honor

And by the way...it was a girl...

Who is turning ONE this week!

Happy, Happy (early) Birthday to sweet Cameron. You were loved before you ever even took your first breath, and it is a dream come true to watch you as you grow into the spunky, fun-loving, beautiful little girl that you are. 

Friday Family Fill-In: Free Fun

I take my new job as a stay-at-home momma very seriously. Not only am I now solely responsible for keeping our home clean (which I am finding surprisingly refreshing, likely in part to my OCPD tendencies of wanting things to be perfect, and thus, our home spic and span), our tummies full (still haven't fallen in love with the cooking part. Admittedly, many of our dinners consist of pre-made lasagnas, chili, chicken pot pie, etc. BUT I can say that we are all fed and full at the end of the day), our laundry folded, and our pantries stocked, but I also, most importantly, take pride in ensuring that my babies are having fun, getting lots of exercise, being exposed to different activities and events, socializing and making new friends, getting their own one-on-one time with their momma every single day (this is incredibly important to me), and learning. Everyday. Whew!

Although I contribute a lot to our family, my contributions are not of the financial kind right now. So, I work hard to find things for us to do that are fun, educational, and FREE. Outside of our afternoon romps to the park, playground, backyard, and anything else in the general vicinity of our neighborhood, two other things that we have done lately are...

(1) Toddler Time at the Fort Mill Library. This is a thematic event, one that involves singing songs, participating in storytime, doing crafts tied in to the week's theme, and free play. This has been awesome for both  my baby and toddler, and something we will certainly continue to do over time. 

Taking in the story...

Ready for the beanbag song

Apple pie arts and crafts

Free play

(2) Playdates with old and new friends, alike. This week, the original event on our pre-scheduled monthly playdate calendar (thanks to my new momma friend, Anna) was to visit a local farm, but alas, the weather had other plans; so, we ended up at Sports Connection, a local bounce house/arcade/bowling arena/gym/cafe-type place. With four mommas, five toddlers, and three babies in tow, it was nice to have so many options for the kids to do, allowing us mommas to socialize (and this momma to get to know some new friends). Although we paid a small fee to bounce to our hearts desire, the arcade was free, given that toddlers find the lights of the games, the rush of sitting on a motorcycle or car, and the joy of playing airless air hockey just as much fun without a single coin being spent. 

Old friends and new, having lots of fun!

Airless air hockey. Is there any other kind?

Who needs a license to drive?

So, free? Yes. Fun? Yes. Great opportunities to make new friends while also getting to know our new town? Yes. I'd say the last two week's family fill-ins have been a success!. On to the next (free) adventure...

The Lesson

He awoke from his afternoon nap to a dreary, overcast sky. Nonetheless, a plan for the rest of the day was quickly crafted: a picnic at the playground followed by a game of football with Momma on the adjoining field.

At the field, another little boy, later determined to be 5-year-old Alex, soon wanted to join the football game. The Momma sat back, allowing her newly 3-year-old boy to enjoy throwing spiral after spiral with his new, older friend. 

Soon, though, a voice rang out: "Alex, it's 4:15. Time for your lesson."

The littlest guy of the bunch, the newly 3-year-old boy, ever the earnest and interested athlete, tagged along behind his new friend, to see where this adventure would take him.

Turns out, it took him to the tennis courts, along with two other 5-year-old boys.

The tennis instructor was ready for the lesson, and upon seeing the youngest athlete, quickly invited him to join. Seeing the smile that immediately spread across the young boy's face, the instructor made a quick trip to his car to grab an extra, pint-sized racket.

The next 45 minutes can only be described as a dream come true.

The first official lesson. The first formal, athletic instruction.

For the next 45 minutes, the littlest boy's Momma, and an 8-month-old cheerleader, sat alone, in the covered stands, and watched every single shot the youngest athlete took. Every great shot. Every missed shot. Every shot that soared over the net. Every shot that sailed to the adjacent court. 

There were drills at the beginning: Run laps around the court. Balance the ball on the racket. Jump over ball tubes. Hit volleys over the net. 

There were practice shots, from different distances from the net, repeated over and over for each of the lesson's participants.

And then, the lesson concluded with a doubles match. 

The score was close: 19 to 17, in favor of the littlest boy's team, with the game ending when the first team got to 20.

And then, the instructor hit the ball to the littlest boy.

And then, the littlest boy hit a perfect shot over the net, which sailed passed his older opponents' waiting rackets.

And then, the littlest boy won the game. 

Immediately, without thought or hesitation, his Momma, the only audience member to speak of, shot her arms in the air in victory, cheering out for her young son, her heart bursting with pride.

This was a beautiful moment. One that will not be forgotten. And not because of the countless pictures and videos that that Momma snapped throughout the lesson. But because it is forever etched in memory.

A little boy. A lesson. A dream come true. 

Banksisms, Part 2

Yes, the quotables continue from our little Banks. He is certainly one who keeps us on our toes, laughing all the way through toddlerhood. Some of my most favorite Banksisms from late:

Banks: "I don't feel good Mommy." 

Momma: "What's wrong?" 

Banks: "My breath stinks. I need to go to the doctor."
 

Momma: "Banks, would you like some broccoli?" 

Banks: "No please. I don't like broccoli 'cause I'm not a girl." 
 

Banks: "Hold on, Mommy. I have to get my drink of wine 'cause I'm an older kid." (then sips his 

cup of orange juice).
 

Momma: "Banks, what is your favorite thing to eat for dinner?" 

Banks: "I don't like dinner." 

Momma: "Why not?" 

Banks: "Because dinner makes me nervous." 
 

Momma: "Banks, did you mean to throw that ball at Raleigh?" 

Banks: "Oh...that was my bad." 
 

Banks: "We don't break the rules?" 

Momma: "No, honey, we don't break the rules." 

Banks: "Because it's glass?" 

Daddy: "Banks, don't push Raleigh." 

Banks: "I'm not. I'm just gonna knock her down." 

Keep 'em coming, little buddy. Keep 'em coming.