Smashed

A little over a week ago Maggie and I went to lunch with friends. Everything was great: the food, the company, the kids' behavior...and then it happened. Just before we were getting ready to leave two of Maggie's fingers got smashed inside a heavy industrial strength metal door. CRAP! She was immediately able to move and use them so we knew they weren't broken, but the skin on the underside was torn-the-heck-up. She didn't cry right away. She looked at me in shock. Then the tears came and she was super sad. I was sad for her. I ran as fast as I could but just couldn't get there fast enough to save her.

It's funny (just slightly) because Maggie is all about safety. She loves seat belts, helmets, etc., but for some reason her little fingers are completely fascinated by the cracks in doors. Maybe this incident will stop this fascination? We can only hope.

Art Club

For January's toddler art club we painted butterflies. Chad drew the butterfly template, I cut them out, and 11 kids painted them. Seriously, they loved the craft. In fact, a few of them painted two because they enjoyed it so much. Basically you let the kids paint as they want, then fold the butterfly in half and press the wings down. After pressing, let the child open the wings to unveil the neat pattern they designed. At the end we taped antennae to the back of the butterflies and then let them dry while the kids destroyed the house played with Maggie's toys and chased each other around. The children played so well together that the moms got to (mostly) relax for a few hours and chat. Fun art club day for everyone.

oranges

Last week, because our area has been freezing overnight, we picked the oranges that have been growing in our backyard. Maggie helped me. Our tiny trees produced 12 oranges this year, all full and round and bright and, well, slightly sour. Not sour enough to toss, but not sweet like the few we had last year. Darn! Fortunately I like fruit, even when it's slightly on the sour side, so these oranges will not go to waste.

fun visit

Last week Maggie and I spent the day with my grandma (GG) and my mom. We went shopping, had lunch, and Maggie got to show GG some of her new and favorite toys. Always a good time when the four of us are together.

Monarch butterflies

While we were at the coast we took a side trip to see the monarch butterflies. Since it's the time of year they migrate to the sound end of Pismo Beach, I really wanted to take Maggie so she could see them as I did many years ago. Chad and my parents had never been to the grove either so it was a first for most of the group. Anyway, I have to be honest: I was not impressed by the grove. While they've made many improvements (like fencing in the trees, adding paths, opening a gift shop, hosting lectures, etc.) the butterfly population itself was nothing to get excited about. Where there used to be huge blobs of butterfly clusters everywhere in the mid-late 90s, there were just a couple this time. And I remember butterflies swirling around like falling snow, and this time we saw just a few flutter here and there.  And at the risk of sounding old, I have to say it was a much neater experience way back then. Oh well! (Oh, and unrelated but funny, while there Maggie needed to find a good hiding spot so she could poop, and apparently this small cone/sign combo fit the bill.)

Central Coast

A few days ago we returned from a long weekend at the Central Coast. While there we ate plenty, walked around San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach and Morro Bay, hit up a few parks, saw some monarch butterflies, and spent time with the family. The purpose of the trip was our annual get-together with my dad's side of the family. As always it was a brief reunion, but we enjoyed spending time with them.

Helmet Head

The bigger kids all wear helmets (as required by law) when they ride their bikes on our street. Maggie noticed and excitedly decided that she wanted to wear one too. Lucky us! My parents bought her one for Christmas and boy does she love it. She always wears it when she rides both of her trikes and her red car. Proud as can be.

(It looks huge but is really quite snug. And yes, in these photos it's on backwards. Didn't realize it until I took it off. Ha!)

Maggie's Gym

At the beginning of the month we started Maggie in classes at My Gym. (<--Click on the link if you want more info about it.) We started last Monday and will go once a week. Part of the hour-long class is structured and the rest is free play with the teachers (and parents). Fortunately Chad had the day off for her first class so he got to play with her while I took the photos. Maggie loved it. Let me know if any of you have more questions about it or the classes.  They are lots of fun and not far from our house.

Sew Craft Create!

2012

Maggie stayed overnight with my parents on New Year's Eve. Chad and I went to a movie that afternoon, had dinner reservations that evening and then were off to a party for the rest of the evening. These are the hats I brought home for Maggie to play with the next day. She thinks they're beautiful. Happy New Year!

Last post from 2011

For some reason at Christmas I neglected my camera. I had it with me, in my lap even, but still forgot to take as many photos as I wanted to. I did manage to take a few, so here is the best of Christmas 2011.

holiday luncheon

Just before Christmas Maggie and I were invited to our friends' house for lunch. It was a moms/toddlers Christmas luncheon with Christmas tree decorating, homemade mac and cheese eating, playing and, of course, a little dancing.