Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

We ventured out to the zoo this past weekend for Sunday Funday.  Chris and I hadn't been to the zoo since we were little so we were pretty excited to go and excited to see how Logan liked it.  It was a special day where admission was only $5 vs. the normal $22.  Of course, it was PACKED!!!  We got there right after they opened and it was getting crowded, but not too bad.  It was pretty chilly, and I think he was a little tired when we got there, so he looks a little out of it in a few of the first pictures. 

It was hard for him to notice the smaller animals and some of the birds, but once we got to the big guys, he loved it!  He really seems to enjoy the gorillas and the pandas.  We kept pointing at them, and looking at us like, "Do you see that?"

We had to bring Logan's animal quilt for the zoo.  (Thanks G.G.)

Showing us the otters

It's still impossible to get a picture of both of us looking

We are thinking of getting a annual membership so that we can take Logan back this summer while I'm off work.  There is also a train that we didn't get to ride because of the crowds, and a carousel we did ride, which we won't be riding again.  Logan did not want to sit on the animal.  So basically, I held him while we went around and around in a circle! 

The membership is only $89 for the year since he's under three.  A good investment for my animal loving boy?

Play with Your Food!

My mom gave Logan this really cute face plate for his birthday and we have been having fun making faces at dinner time.  He loves to find the man's eyes, nose, ears, mouth and head.  It's pretty fun to tell Logan to play with his food, although I'm sure I'll be regreting that sentence soon!

Talking...One Cavity at a Time

Logan has been in speech for about 6 weeks and we are thrilled with his speech therapist.  She is wonderful and so patient.  Logan is super shy, and gets pretty tight lipped around people he doesn't know.  We have spent a lot of time playing and just letting him get to know her.  She suggested trying mini M&M's as a reward for when he talks.  We have a jar of them at the house that I constantly refer to as "Talking M&M's".  Logan's heard me try to coax him into talking with these day after day and he'll occasionally say a word or two, but usually just says no and turns his head like he's not interested. 

I got them out last night while cooking dinner and asked him if he wanted one and he got very excited, so once again I explained that he can't have a "talking M&M" until he said a word for Mommy.  That little turkey stated saying every single word I asked.  I grabbed my phone to start recording and I was so shocked you will hear, I actually went blank on more words to ask him.  I'm sure he would have repeated hippopotamus had I thought to ask him. 

I am so proud of him and the progress he is making!  I guess Pavlov was right...trained conditioning really does work! 

(Yes, I know, I'm rewarding with sugary candy, but if this is what it takes to get him to learn to use his words, I and his dentist will be thankful!) :)

Gone Fishin'

Josh and I drove over to Dad's lake house on Saturday morning with Logan and Mackenzie.  I think Dad had plans to get a lot done around the house and outside, but the weather had other plans.  It pretty much rained the whole time.  The huge lake, Logan's addiction to being outside (especially near water) and the rain made for a few tantrums, but we ended up having a nice relaxing weekend.  Dad doesn't have a TV or even a DVD player yet, so we had to entertain ourselves.  I have to admit I was a little nervous about keeping the kids busy, but they didn't even seem to notice.  We marched, colored, played recorders, ate, cleaned, read, jumped, ran, threw rocks, and so much more. 

It was so great to see my dad with his Grand babies at the lake, just like he has always dreamed about.

Playing the recorders

Sitting on the bar stools just checking out the lake

Our first family dinner at the lake house. (Like how I kept myself out of the picture?)

Bubble bath in the big bathtub

Logan would have stayed in this exact spot the WHOLE time if we let him.  He loved picking up the rocks and throwing them in. 

Get Set...

Splash!

This was right after he fell in.  Can you see his wet pants?

dirty hands!

fishing, but nothing biting

Kenzie and Granddaddy

Logan got a little upset, had one of his biggest fits to date, when I made him come upstairs from fishing and rock throwing.  It was so bad, I actually just let him flop around on the porch and Granddaddy tried to take a few pictures.  I was finally able to coax him inside so we could put some dry clothes on him.  I can't wait to take Logan back in a few months when it is warmer and let him throw rocks for hours and hours!

(This was right before the flop on the ground)

Baby Anna and Jack came over for a visit.  Isn't she beautiful?

Thanks Granddaddy for the fun visit and relaxing TV free weekend!

3 may be a crowd, but not for us!

This weekend we were so lucky to have not only one friend come over to play, but we had 2 friends.  Mackenzie, who is Logan's 3 year old cousin, and Wyatt who is one of my good friend's almost 3 year old, came over Saturday to play while their parents went out for Date Nights!

We had a blast!  They spent most of the night being super silly and copying each other.  Chris and I had a taste of what it would be like to have triplets or 3 kids and we are certain 2 will be enough for us!  They weren't hard to keep, but we just needed more hands! 

Logan and Kenzie kicked Saturday off with a nice long nap.

Then we got dinner ready and had some play time.

Then, we gave them a bath...but this was a special bath...GLOW BATH!!  They each got a few glow sticks and of course we had to turn the lights off.  I think they had fun!

We got jammies on and we squeezed in a little more playtime before bed.  Kenzie had been talking about smoothies all day, so we had a fruit smoothie before bed.

**I read each of them a few stories before bed, and while I was reading Kenzie her story, she stopped the book and said, "Aunt Jess, Logan and Wyatt are my best friends."  I swear I almost started crying!

Sunday morning, Kenzie wanted to wear her Minnie Mouse outfit, so we found Logan's Mickey shirt so they could be twins!  Kenzie loved this!

We had a fun weekend!  Can't wait to have them over again.  We just need to add Cousin Daniel to the party! 

Be My Valentine?

We've been busy getting ready for Valentine's Day.  I'm excited about this Valentine's Day, but not for me, I think it's for Logan.  We made cards for grandparents, teachers and Daddy, picked out cupcakes and boxes for his teachers, and Logan helped me make a special cake for Daddy tonight. 

Special Cupcakes for Ms. Stephanie and Ms. Cindy

Special cards and boxes for the cupcakes

My little chef helping me put everything in the bowl and mix it up.

Turning the oven on

I told Logan we were going to pour the batter into the pans and bake them in the oven.  He was close!

My Valentines for my kids.  I made the same ones for Logan to give his friends at school.

Logan is having a little party at school tomorrow, and I'll have a little celebration with my kids at school.  I'm not sure if Chris and I have any plans, but a quiet dinner at home or somewhere close with my 2 Valentines sounds great!

I hope you and your loved ones have a Happy Valentine's Day.

Spring Already?

It certainly feels like it!  The weather has been beautiful here and we have been trying to soak it up and enjoy it!  I'm convinced, Logan would live outside if we would let him.  He especially loves being outside at Mimi and Pop's house.  Who wouldn't....a gravel road, a bridge, a nature trail, swings, and a pond....a pond that you can touch!  Oh yes, folks...we are in trouble!  Not only has he discovered that he can lay down and touch it, he also has found out that he can throw rocks into it.  This of course, is not a welcome sport, so we've had lots of talk about how rocks will hurt the fish and we've even had to end outside play because a certain someone couldn't keep the rocks where they belong.

Let's hope that the weather stays this beautiful!  I'm sure there will be a lot more fudgesicles in the future.  Yum Yum!

"Geez...When did it get that big?"

These are the moments I want to freeze forever!  I was snapping pictures of Logan playing on the back porch Sunday afternoon, and as I was taking the pictures and laughing I actually starting getting teary (it doesn't take much).  I am just so in love with him, and all of the funny things he does.  Please someone, invent freezing potion!!!  I need my baby to stay just.like.this!

"Mommy, why are you laughing so hard?"

Sharing snacks

Can't go outside without froggy boots!

My silly boy!