Sunday, September 16, 2012

Layla - 37 months

 
 

Some highlights from this month:

- Layla enjoyed many day trips this month, including evening visits to Turtleback Zoo and Sesame Place.  Weeks later, she is still asking us what our favorite parts about each trip.  Her favorites were the train ride at the zoo, and the teacup ride, Elmo's World show and the parade at Sesame Place.

- Although she doesn't yet have the attention span for fishing, her cousin Tommy, who's (quite the fisherman, let her reel in her first fish!

- We were Italian for a day at the Hoboken Italian Festival, where Layla indulged in fresh squeezed lemonade, ice pops, and several bouncy castles (and mom and dad sampled some delicious Italian food).  Afterwards, she played at the fun waterfront playground before running for cover from the wind and rain.  Luckily, we made it back to the car in the nick of time.  We finished this fun evening with a quick visit to Aunt Nadia and Uncle Jay's. 

- An early morning drive down to Philadelphia for the Kids with Food Allergies Expo was a beautiful way to spend a Sunday! Layla had so much fun playing in the Kids Zone at the Plymouth Meeting Mall, grooving to the music of Kyle Dine, collecting allergy-free goodies from all of the vendors and of course, riding on the double-decker carousel.  After the Expo, we grabbed lunch at Chipotle and then headed home.  That evening, we received a phone call that Layla won the raffle for the Star Wars Lego set! What fun!

- Perhaps the biggest milestone of the month, however, was Layla's first day of preschool.   After meeting her teachers during Welcome to School Day, Layla began attending her Wee Three classes 3 days per week.  She is also enrolled in a sports sampler class after school on Wednesdays.  Layla had a great first week meeting new friends, painting, reading new stories and becoming acquainted with her teachers, classroom, and class pet, a hamster named Coconut.  Mommy and Daddy are overjoyed that the school is entirely nut-free, and that her teacher is personally and professionally familiar with food allergies.  There wasn't any doubt that Layla was going to love school, but everyone is surprised that Mommy didn't cry on her first day!

Funny Layla Quotes:

Layla: "I want bunk beds like Mimi."
Mommy: (laughs)
Layla: "It's not funny.  It's serious."

"It's raining, Mommy.  Know why? Because the flowers are saying, 'I want a drink! I want a drink!'"










Friday, September 14, 2012

Layla's Backyard Pirate Party

I wanted to post some pictures of the decorations and activities from Layla's 3rd birthday.  A pirate theme was lots of fun to plan, and from what the kids have told me, they had fun participating!  This was my first party that I planned witht he help of Pinterest, which of course made things much easier (and also made me more ambitious!) Feel free to duplicate my treasure hunt, but please "pin" my blog!


Layla's double chocolate brownie cake - adapted from Parents.com
Digging for treasure
Surrender the Booty - BEFORE
AFTER

 
Table Decorations
 

Entrance to backyard

One scary pirate birthday girl!

Pirate graveyard




Davy Jones' Locker - baby pool filled with water "cannons"

Scallywags

 
Pirate name tags and 1st treasure hunt clue!
 
 
 



 

 
Iced tea "grog"
 




We somehow didn't get a picture of the kids digging up the treasure, which was a Pirate Pinata!  They had a blast taking turns trying to break the pinata and filling their goody bags with lollipops, tootsie rolls and stickers!



 
Time for dessert and cake!


 
Happy Birthday to my favorite little pirate girl!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Dylan - 10 months



 
 
Here are some highlights from the past month:
 
Dylan began standing on his own, at first hesitantly and now with confidence.  No first steps yet, but you can almost see the wheels turning in his head.
 
He enjoys ripping paper (and eating it).
 
Dylan is learning how to share.  He always offers a bite of whatever he is eating, and is known to occasionally stuff his pacifier in an unsuspecting person's mouth. 
 
My usually easy-going boy has been showing his frustration with grunts, screams and clenched fists.  In an attempt to alleviate some of his frustration with communication, Layla and I have been using a lot of sign language around Dylan.  He recently began signing "all done" and waves hello and goodbye. 
 
Dylan says "da-da", "up", and "hi" frequently.  He also says "na-na" (night night) when he's tired. The verdict is still out as to whether he truly says "pop" (Poppy) or" eat." 
 
His favorite song is "We Will Rock You" by Queen (his big sister prefers the Spongebob cover).
 
Dylan joined his sister as participants in a nap strike, which thankfully, has ended.
 
He continues to be a voracious eater and has taken a liking to gnawing on his crib, as evidenced by the scrape marks on the side rail and paint flakes on his chin.
 
My favorite new skill this month is the big open mouth kisses that Dylan gives on request!
 
***
 
Dylan had a fun play date with some other CHS alum babies, Ryleigh, Emily and Maddie, at the Orange Avenue Pool.
 
He had his first zoo trip at Turtleback Zoo on a cool Wednesday evening.
 
An impromptu day trip to Sesame Place proved to be an exciting adventure.  Dylan especially enjoyed the carousel and lazy river ride.
 
 
 



With Daddy at Turtleback Zoo
 
Swinging at Orange Avenue Pool
 

 
Dylan with his best bud, Poppy
 
 

 
Relaxing with Dad
 

 
Sleepy Boy
 

 
Hanging out with some beautiful ladies
 

 
Dylan and his little cousin, Alexiya