How to Eat a Plum

After dinner the other night, I offered Elle a plum for dessert.

At first, I wasn't sure she liked it. Then I realized she just needed to figure out how to eat it.

So, here is an instructional video from a 2 year old.

She did eventually eat some of the "paper" but not much of the actual fruit. We'll try again later!

4th of July in Fairlington

We live in a fairly picturesue neighborhood that likes to think it is still 1950 sometimes. So on the 4th of July, the neighborhood comes together for a "parade". I use the term loosely because anyone who grew up in northwest Ohio knows it isn't a parade without 17 marching bands, at least 1 farm princess and getting Dum Dum suckers thrown at your head.

But in Fairlington, it means decorate your wagons and bikes and head to the fire station.

This picture was taken at the beginning of the walk from our house to the fire station.

I think we had 3 kids too many in the wagon. By the time we actually made it to the parade (a 2 block walk), only one kid was still in the wagon. But it was cute while it lasted!

The parade "route" is about a block and a half long. There are more participants than watchers. But the kids think it is fun and it ends at the community center.

The community center with FREE ICE CREAM TREATS!

What else could a kid need at 10:15 am?

We got all of the kids popsicles so no one would want the other kid's treat.

But, as soon as I opened my "breakfast", Elle swiped it. She only ate the chocolate off of it though. Such a girl!

So, I finished off the soooo not all-natural popsicle!

After our brunch, we headed back to the fire station to check out the trucks.

Elle was pretty excited to get to sit in the passenger seat.

Pretty cool!

Doesn't everyone have a closet labeled "stuff" at your house? Found this at the fire station...hope someone knows what is in there!

After all of the parade fun, we came back to our house and the kiddos played with the water table and got sprayed with the hose. Lots of giggling ensued!

No fireworks for us though. Elle didn't nap all day and was sacked out before 8:00! Lovely!

Hope you had a fun 4th too!

On the Road Again!

Well, the break from travel couldn't last forever. It was a nice run though.

Last week, we were off to Minneapolis for the biggest meeting of the year, our Annual Meeting.

While the meeting was full of excitement (try not to laugh!), the biggest excitement in our house was the flight. Now that Elle has turned two, she got her own seat for the very first time! She was just a little bit excited!!

I opted to leave the car seat at home and try out a CARES harness instead. It weighs less than a pound and fit in my diaper bag. Very cool! I was a little nervous that she wouldn't leave the actual airplane seatbelt buckled but she did great. And only ended up watching Mickey Mouse for about 15 minutes of the flight. Not too shabby!

To be honest, I didn't take any pictures while we were actually in Minneapolis. Work was crazy. Elle did get to spend the entire trip with my Mom though. She was able to meet us there and nanny/get 100% Gramma time. They had a great time and found a mama and NINE baby ducks. Every day they went to visit the ducks and even fed them day old bread a few times.

Back at the airport getting ready to head home, we found a great play area in the terminal. They had something for everyone. Elle found a space shuttle, airplane, bus and slide to play on.

And for the mommies, I found the best vending machine EVER. If you forgot anything, I think you could find it in this thing - pacifiers, wipes, snacks, tylenol, etc. I had to laugh at myself. I don't think I have ever been this excited about a vending machine. My how things change in two years! 

The return flight. She was completely exhausted (Gramma didn't enforce nap OR bed time!) so I had to bribe her getting on the plane. Thank goodness the restaurant by our gate had DumDum suckers at the hostess stand :)

Full Contact Birthday Party

Yay for birthday parties!

The 2nd birthday triple play finally arrived!

Elle celebrated her 2nd birthday with her two friends, Kate and TC. Elle and Kate have the same birthday and TC is 8 days older than the girls.

The party was at our neighborhood pool. The cake turned out fantastic and was banana flavored (and really yummy!).

Elle had been talking about cake for about a week and I kept having to chase her away from the cake until it was time to sing.

Finally!! CAKE!!

This party was full of all things 2 year olds love - swimming, inflatables, swings...

-bubbles and stickers!

What else could they ask for?

Elle and her very proud Mommy

The birthday kids being silly.

And, the explanation for the blog post title...on the way to the party, Elle got a bit excited about seeing her friend Jacob. She took off running to see him, tripped on the sidewalk and nearly went head over heels. Fortunately, her forehead and nose stopped her tumble. She had a goose-egg the size of a large grape.

To add to the head trauma, today I got a call at work from daycare informing me that they had been playing tee ball and a little friend managed to find the other side of her forehead with the bat. She seems fine but thankfully she has her 2 year appointment in the morning. I know they are supposed to be full of bumps and bruises but, geez, all in one week?

Flashback to Elle's 1st birthday. What a difference a year makes.

I'd like to say she is growing up too fast but since she is wearing the same shorts in this picture as from her first birthday, I am not sure that is true!

Elle had a great time over her birthday weekend and loved sharing it with TC and Kate!

Happy 2nd Birthday to all the kids - it was a lot of fun celebrating with you and your families!

Elle is 2!

It's Elle's Birthday!

Can't you tell that she is 2 by the look on her face in these pictures?

Fortunately, she wasn't a grump for the entire photo shoot!

She can definitely turn it on when she wants to!

It is hard to believe that she is already 2. She amazes me every day with the things she says and does. My current favorite is related to the book "Hoosier Heart". Gram and Grandpa Brown got it for her before she was born. It has been the nightly book for the last week. In it, there is a map of Indiana and it jumps around the state naming different cities. Of all the cities listed, guess which one she has learned to say first? Not Gary. That would be too easy. Not Muncie, that would have too much sentimental meaning.

Lafayette.

"La-yet" - Elle

Seriously??

For her birthday, she is having a joint birthday/pool party with 2 of her little buddies. Photos to come soon.

Her first birthday celebration tonight at Red Robin. After grilled chicken and broccoli, she celebrated with the staff singing to her and presenting her a birthday sundae! She loved it!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY AVERELLE!

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend at home - lots of play dates and time at the neighborhood pool.

Such a cutie! Check our her pigtails!

Last weekend was the first time I was able to get her to wear them. Her friend Kate wears them quite often so I used that as peer pressure. So, she has decided that this is her "Kate hair" and has worn it this way almost every day for a week and a half!

 

Being 1 going on 10, she decided one morning that she didn't want to eat in her high chair but wanted to sit across from me in a regular chair. She did pretty good. Usually she won't sit still but she did that morning.

 

Then we hit the pool with her friends Jacob and TC. If you didn't know better, you would think they were going skiing not swimming with the full body coverage. They all had on swim shoes too! No sunburns in this house!!

 

She did really well with her little duck lifevest. By Monday night, she was trying to swim by herself in the big pool. I just needed to be nearby and guide her back to the steps as she "kick, kick, kick Mommy!".

We also were able to walk from our place to a bridge on Sunday morning and watch the Rolling Thunder come into DC. It was pretty loud - and cool to see hundreds of motorcycles take over I-395.

Rock'n Weekend

Today, Elle and I joined her friends Kaitlyn (her BFF) and Jacob - and their Moms Julie (and Kaitlyn's dad, Chris) and Erica - at a kids concert. We went to see a local kids favorite, Rocknoceros. I had never heard of them before last week but for some reason, multiple parents happened to mention them this week and luckily, there was a concert less than a 10 minute drive from our house.

Jacob, Elle and Kaitlyn patiently waiting in the front row as the band set up. Elle picked the seats and sat there the longest. I don't think I have ever seen her this patient!

I have to say, for being geared to 3-5 year olds, these guys were pretty good. At one point, they even covered a Beetles song (the only cover - everything else was their own).

I think she had a good time!

Quite the little dancer!

The moms even got in on the action.

The band said that they hoped to write a song about all 50 states and they are about 6% complete. Fortunately for me, the one they played for us was OHIO!!

Being the true, new groupies that the kids ended up being, they even waited (sort of) patiently to meet the bass player and get their hands stamped!

All of the groupies!

Kaitlyn and her mommie, Julie.

Kaitlyn and Elle have been friends for probably a year and a half and really seem like they are BFFs. At times, the hugs are borderline tackles...

In a few weeks, Kaitlyn and her parents will be moving to Florida (both are in the Army). It has been so great getting to know them and we are very sad to see them go.

Enjoy Florida, we'll miss you!!

Who Is More Stubborn?

Alternate Title:

"Playing Chicken With A 22-month Old"

Sunday night during dinner, Elle started pointing out the window and repeatedly saying "eat outside". Sounds like a great idea for a spring dinner right? Well, last weekend when we ate lunch out there it was around 80 degrees and beautiful. Tonight, it was a cold, rainy 56 degress.

Try explaining that to a 22-month old.

At some point, she decided that she was done eating in her high chair and insisted on going outside to finish. Fine...I'll let you go outside.

Want your coat or shoes? No! Eat Outside!

Ok - we'll see how long this lasts.

So, I opened the back door, told her to go sit at the table and I would bring her plate out. My little barefoot child headed to the patio. I figured she would put one toe out on the cold wet step and be done with it. But, nooooo. She actually made it about halfway across the patio before she came back to the door.

But, she wasn't done yet. It took about 7-8 times in/out without ever making it to the table before I finally convinced her to just take a blueberry and eat it on the step. That should count as eating outside, right?

Well, after 3 more times in/out (and 6 more blueberries), Elle and her little red feet finally came back in and closed the door.

Final score: Elle - 1; Mommie - 0

Yep, I think I lost at Chicken against a toddler.

Determined and independent barely describe her some days!

Weekend at home

Yes, another weekend at home!

Friday, Elle's daycare hosted "Kinderfest" - complete with a horse, bounce house, balloon animals and McGruff! She went back to him 4 or 5 times. She really does love all characters!

Saturday, we did a few playdates but started the day with Mickey pancakes. Not bad for my first try - too bad she only ate about 4 bites. From the ears, of course.

Sunday, we went to Elle's first concert/performance. We went to see ZooZoo. It was pretty good and kept her and one of her little buddies entertained for nearly 2 hours. Impressive.

I will say, while the kids did pretty good, I think this show was probably better for the 4-6 year old age group. There were a lot of "jokes" that 22-24 month old kids don't understand. And, the ever empathetic, Elle really had issues with a skit that had some hippos falling off of a bed. I had to tell her they were just playing...

Elle Sings!

For the first time tonight, I caught Elle trying to sing a song. I was able to get her to sing it for you :)

Granted, she only uses one word throughout but she is definitely carrying the tune of Baa Baa Black Sheep! She has been demanding B-I-N-G-O for about a month in the car - glad she finally found another song. Even better that she can sing it instead of me!

Enjoy!

The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll!!!!

YES! Elle and I are very fortunate to be friends with Kate, and her mom Kim. And, that Kim is always on the look out for fun stuff to do in the Washington area. And that she remembers to put her name in to lotteries. AND that she was super lucky to get tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll this year!

Oh, and we were super lucky to get to go with them on Monday!

First stop, the Sesame Street stage with Abby and Elmo!

Averelle and I on the South Lawn.

Kim and Kate on the South Lawn.

(In case you were wondering, Elle is not the only kid still carted around in an Ergo...)

We aren't exactly sure who this is, but Elle wanted to meet all of the characters. I think he is associated with healthy eating but she only cared that he was a cat...

You can't see them, but President and Mrs. Obama were on the portico welcoming everyone to the event.

I swear.

One of the few group photos we got. Kim, Kate, The Cat in the Hat, Elle and me - and some lady that was in all of my photos for this stop.

Elle and Elmo!

After her Disney experience, she was ready for this. She just ran right up to him and turned around so I could take her picture. No smiles, but trust me, she was soooo excited!

Then Clifford the Big Red Dog!

Kim and Kate with Clifford!

Kate was not a fan of the big crowd - here is Elle "checking" on her. Such good buddies!

Elle, Kate and me.

With Babar!

Oh yeah - I also got to shake hands with First Lady Michelle Obama!

Seriously awesome.

She is as nice and beautiful in person as you would imagine she would be. She thought it was great that Elle and Kate were snacking on whole apples while we waited to meet her.

On the way out, we were given souvenir wooden eggs like on the WH website. Elle got a blue one with an Easter Bunny on it.

Thanks so much to Kim and Kate for letting us tag along! This was an amazing day and it was great to share the experience with Elle's birthday buddy! We owe you big time for this one!