Halloween Sorting Activity

The teacher in me is starting to come out again lately. I found this idea on another blog and just HAD to do it with Hannah.




















She liked everything except the spiders. I think it's a great activity for fine motor and sorting skills. Also, I'm trying to get Hannah used to different textures because she seems a little resistant to putting her hands into unusual things.

Paypakes and Chucky Larms

Huh? Our favorite two (technically three) words that Hannah's having a hard time saying right now. Too cute!


Here's the translation--

Daddy: Hannah, what did you have for breakfast?
Hannah: ?
Daddy: No, what did you really have?
Hannah: Paypakes (pancakes)
Daddy: No, what's in your bowl?
Hannah: Cereal
Daddy: What kind?
Hannah: Chucky Larms (Lucky Charms)

Birthday Party

Hannah went to her friend Jameson's 2nd Birthday Party last Saturday. She had so much fun with all of the kids and toys, especially the balloons. She's playing "Ring Around the Adeline" in the video :)

Three Cedars Farm with Family

More fun at the pumpkin patch!

Three Cedars Farm with Friends

Hannah and I ventured out to a local farm with some friends a few weeks ago. We had no idea how freezing cold it was outside so none of us dressed appropriately. The kids didn't seem to notice much and had fun together!

















Here's Hannah and her friend Sonya.













Grandpa Kronwall would be so proud :)

















Hannah and one of her best friends, Adeline.

Binky Battle

Caleb and I had been talking about pulling the plug for a while now. I was going to do it at 18 mos and didn't have the heart. Now that she's two, we thought it might be a good time to try. For some reason we went with the cold turkey/cry-it-out method. I'm not a fan of this at all based on our other experiences trying this with Hannah...the swaddle, nighttime bottle, etc. It never seems to work for Hannah because she will "cry it out" eternally. She has always been the kind of child that just gives it up in her time and on her terms.

















Anyways, it was a very hard week for everyone. She was an emotional mess and I debated giving her the beloved binky back after the first day, but I figured we had made it this far let's keep trying. One day turned in to 7 days of sobbing and tantruming out of control, but Hannah finally realized that binky was not coming back and she'd better find another way to cope. I have to say it was probably one of the hardest and most trying weeks I have had with Hannah. The Lord gave me the patience I needed and we survived!

















So, out went the binky and along with it....the naps. I'm not quite sure if she's dropping her afternoon nap for sure now, but she's definitely not napping more than she is. Normally, she's pretty cranky by about 5pm (right when mommy's making dinner) if she doesn't nap, but this week she's been a little angel which makes me think she might not need that nap anymore. Hannah will continue to have rest time in her room so she (and I) can have a break, though. Everything I've read said that 2-yr-olds typically still need that sleep time, but as long as she's somewhat quiet in her room for a while I'll take it!

On the bright side, Hannah and I have had more time to do arts-n-crafts together! Still working on getting green and red straightened out. Hopefully in time for Christmas! :)

September Camping

We were able to squeeze in one last camping trip this fall. At the end of September, we packed up the pop-up, headed north to the thumb area of Michigan, and camped out for the weekend at Sleeper State Park in Caseville. JuJu and PaPa were even able to join us all the way from Rochester, NY! They stayed in a local motel that had themed rooms. I hear it was very interesting to say the least.









We had no idea that the campground was going to be celebrating Halloween. At first we thought it was very strange, but we soon became enchanted by it all. Every single camp site was filled with Halloween decorations. Every time Hannah passed the ghosts she had to push their belly buttons. :)












We loved all of the activities that they offered throughout the weekend! Hannah enjoyed the petting zoo, pony rides, and being carried by grandpa at the beach (someone is afraid of the sand). She also found a tree at our campsite that was just the right height for her to climb.







The campground also had a costume parade and trick-or-treating. We quickly discovered that Hannah's afraid of people dressed up in costumes, mostly the scary ones. Trick-or-treating will be interesting with her this year!