Home Depot, Rain Gauge

We decided to take a break from swim lessons (largely because of the huge class size this session, forcing us into the BIG and COLD pool) so we wanted to find some other activities.

A friend told me about this kids workshop thing, the first Saturday of every month, so I called them. You can show up anytime between 9 and noon at any Home Depot. Each child gets an apron, a set of parts with instructions and a work area. Amara and dad sat down and got to work, with about a dozen other kids and families, of all ages. We found out AFTER we got there, that it is "targeted" at kids 5-12, but they insisted she come in and of course, she had help.)

When she sat down, I can't explain the smiles we were getting. It was a cross between "I can't believe you're ENCOURAGING ME to play with these tools," "look at all these kids!," and "WOW!"

She took right to sitting with daddy, and breaking out the parts. She took to the little rain gauge part that came with the project (they were making a rain gauge)--and wouldn't really let it go, though she did, just long enough to help daddy with the wood glue. She LOVES tubes, anything IN a tube, looking like a tube, etc.

Next was the pounding--that was mostly daddy, and I think that's when she was about ready to be done.

They proudly took the finished project up to the desk and received a certificate of completion, a pin for her apron, with the rain gauge project on it, and some stickers too!

It was a great time and great first project. We proudly have it in the kitchen (not sure any of us want it outside for 'real') and we can't wait for the next projects, butterfly houses and a picket fence planter!

Newest COSI family!

I can't believe we didn't do this sooner! That was pretty much the phrase I kept mumbling to myself over, and over, and over again. I had told myself that COSI was really for older kids--and frankly, I can't tell you the last time I was there--so in my defense, I plead ignorance...

...well, a friend from Amara's music class (well, his dad) and my mom were talking last week about classes they go to, from time to time. That got me looking at their website, and one thing led to another, and Eric and I decided to take Amara to COSI today.

They don't open until noon on Sunday--so it worked out ok for us. Around 2:30, when Amara got up, we all got ready, dressed and out the door. We hit McD's on the way up--since lunch was kind of skipped--Amara usually doesn't eat much right after eating, but we thought we'd have something for her, for a quick bite.

Upon entering, the amazement on Amara's face answered any questions about "becoming members" we may have had. The neon lights, kids everywhere, unicyclist overhead, etc. had her mesmerized! Dad got our (2 year) membership--and we headed for the "little kid area." I have no idea what it's really called, I just know that some super-smart doctor planned this amazing area for kids aged infant to 5 or 6, and I couldn't wait to see it.

I figured it'd be large, but it was HUGE! And it's in the old part of Bicentennial High School (I think that's what it was) with this great light, huge windows, and great view of the river and downtown.

Of course, kids everywhere--but like I said, PLENTY of space, and toys to accommodate the ages and levels of everyone there. Amara just took off going, and exploring, her little head spinning around and going as fast as she could go. Every so often, she'd turn to see if we were "keeping up" with her--but that was about it!

She found familiar things--a level (just like daddy's) and plenty of balls, but also new things too--like this cool bike/trike thing and a fun water table, where she dove right in!

The windows weren't just great for ambiance either, Amara LOVES buildings! We spent a good chunk of time looking at the river and talking about the buildings--and dad caught this shot ( I LOVE ) of her point at them as we talked about all of them.

I'm not sure if we'll ever make it to explore the REST of COSI--but for now, we are all LOVING this experience--and can't wait to go back.

We had passed a dippin' dots stand on the way in (which sounded like a perfect ending to a lot of playing) but it had closed--as we LITERALLY stayed till the "COSI is closing in 15 minutes..." announcement. So, without missing a beat--dad got us a Jr. Frosty from Wendy's, which hit the spot.

That little girl (and us, frankly) played our hearts out--we all enjoyed every second, and I do believe, that is MY new favorite place too--on the way out to the car, Eric said "now Beanie, when we say we're coming to COSI--this is what we mean..." and she echoed "COSI..." so I hope she gets it. If not, we have a SLEW of photos to remind her!

Dirty & Clean

For some reason, I have this believe that regardless of the mess it makes, 99% of the time I let it go--because I think Amara is "learning..." (clearly a character fault:))

That said--and with the knowledge of last summer's pudding painting, etc. it should come as no surprise that I encourage Amara to feed herself, try new tastes, activities, etc.--which often causes quite a mess (and cleanup for mom and dad).

A while back--I think it was Grandma (or daddy) who tried chocolate pudding, and surprisingly--Amara wanted nothing to do with it. I think I even tried it soon after the fact, and chalked it up to being "too sweet," ...though it was sugar free...oh well.

I should also mention that I try to "re-introduce" foods (because I read somewhere that works) several times to truly determine if a toddler doesn't like something, or was just surprised by it, or perhaps has a temperature/ texture issue (which I TOTALLY get).

For some reason, a pudding found its' way out onto the counter. Amara spotted it and asked for it, so I put a bib on and held my breath. Immediately she loved it--so much that she walked off with it! At that point, the "trying to get it back--" or even enough to get HER into her chair, was a dance between her, the pudding, the dog, and each other (oh, and dad with the camera).

In the end, we gave up, got out the little green clean machine (to clean up the aftermath) and just laughed about it.

LUCKILY--the same day, we received a BOAT LOAT of bath paint/soap products I had eagerly ordered a few days prior. Amara loves the bath--always has, so getting her in there has never really been an issue; however, one of her favorite toys recently bit it, and frankly--there wasn't a lot for her to do in there that didn't seem "too baby" for her now.

I decided to go creative. She LOVES to draw, paint, do crafts, etc. so I hoped this would work.

WOW, did it ever! She loved getting the paints all over her, mixing the colors, and getting it everywhere--and the best part? It didn't matter! We painted each others' hands, she painted her belly, she even tried to paint poor Ily! The soap paint smelled like bubble gum too, and didn't stain a single thing, so bonus for me!

Not only did we get to bring her love for art into the tub, AND help pudding clean-up, but we now are not shy on things to do in the tub for the next month or two (hopefully!)

Grandma Lucy

The same day as the "C'mon, people" incident, mom had taken Amara to Mt. Carmel East, to visit her friend Jeanette. They had been in the cafeteria, eating lunch...

Walking down the hall on the way out of the hospital--Amara says "Lucy."

Mom turned around and saw a lady--who, believe it or not, resembled Grandma Lucy. Through their tears, Jeanette and mom explained to Amara that Grandma Lucy was with Jesus and that the pretty lady wasn't her--something I was glad for, because as much as Grandma loved Amara, I would never want Amara to think Grandma Lucy was ignoring her--something she never did.

Amara was just over 11 months when Grandma Lucy passed last year. We talk about her often, and we have photos around--one in particular of Lucy holding Amara at around 4 months old--that is in her family photo book...but she hasn't seen or been around Lucy in almost 10 months.

I wondered if Amara would remember Lucy from all the photos, video, songs, etc. that we were lucky enough to have with her--but that moment, that one tiny moment, makes me realize the impact Grandma had on that tiny little girl--and all of us.

Looking through photos, these have to be some of the last we got together of them. The one in the sweatshirt was at one of Amara's swim classes in April--where clearly Granny was cheering Amara on as if she was going for the gold medal...and the others, (although not so flattering of Amara) were just after Easter at mom and dads, in mid-April. I would bet money that there--like always, she was singing "Here we go round the Mulberry bush" as she did a thousand times with all of us.

I was so amazingly lucky to have my Granny here with me until I was almost 34 years old. I enjoyed her so much, and miss her terribly. I know Amara had fun with her while she was here, and I don't think has the capacity to truly miss her--but maybe Amara reaching out to that lady in the hospital, was somehow Granny's way of reaching out to Amara--to let her know she's there for her, like we all know she is.

C'mon People!

In the category of "things Amara is picking up" from her caregivers...I heard a new one this week.

Mom was sick--so Eric and I got to stay home with her. I was home Monday and Wednesday--so I got to take her to gym class, and I decided to hit the library too!

We had a great time, and she enjoyed the G.C. library (as well as getting her own library card to check out one of her new favorite books "Please, baby please!")...but the real gem of the day was on the way home.

I'm driving up 62, and it's just after school had let out--so there's a fair amount of traffic. I'm pulling up to a light, and I hear this little voice say "C'mon people!" in kind of a bewildered tone...

I looked up to the rear view mirror--mouth open wide, to see this smiling face looking back at me. She said it 2 or 3 more times before I couldn't help it and just cracked up. I said "what did you say?" and then SHE started laughing and giggling, and putting her hand over her mouth as she snickered (also a new development).

I immediately had to make a phone call. I knew this, right away, to be the work of my mother. I can't TELL you how many times I've been on the phone with her (with Amara in the car) that I hear mom say "c'mon people..." so it was just a matter of time before she picked up on it--like anything else toddlers hear over, and over, and OVER again.

I asked mom if she had ANY IDEA where Amara might have picked this phrase up?

(I mentioned mom was sick...) but she laughed (HARD) and said "I really needed a laugh today..." and that was the end of it.

Two days later, I'm at work and I get a phone call, from mom--Amara in the car...saying "I just heard it! I had said "c'mon people at some old lady who couldn't drive and Amara said it right back at me!" She was laughing so hard she almost couldn't talk--but did get out "at least I don't swear!" I guess she's right :)

Well--there you go. Don't say anything around this one, you don't want repeated back!

Ummm...

We've officially crossed over into the realm of "game playing..." as far as I'm concerned. Playing "getchu" (as in "I'm going to get you") is a multiple-times-a-day event, usually with Daddy.

The latest addition to this game is the "Ummmm" element. As Eric is walking around the room "looking for Amara..." he would often say "Umm...is she outside? under the table, etc."

After Eric catches her, we started noticing that if Eric didn't "start" trying to find her soon enough, she would start saying "umm..." on her own, as in "get to it dad! I'm hiding here!"--as if to coach Eric as to how to play the game.

He and I just looked at each other in astonishment, that she had picked up on this tiny detail that he and I never really paid much attention to.

Now, whenever they are "hiding," or playing various games--and there is a lull, you will often hear Amara start in with the "ummmm" portion of the moment. It's evident now more than ever that she REALLY hears, and interprets what you're saying and doing, every second of day.

EARMUFFS!

Daddy's hat

We kind of have a hat "thing" in our family. We really always have, and it has just grown since Amara.

I think Eric and I each have given a full trash bag of hats to Goodwill over the last 2 years, and now Amara seems to be following in our footsteps--she LOVES them!

Here, she snagged Daddy's right after he got home one day.

She was still under the weather from her cold and not feeling her best (still in her jammies) but this made her perk up a little and smile, even if just for a few seconds.