Apple Picking

We went apple picking in Tehachapi. Of course Mason fell asleep in the car on the way there so when we got there he was cranky because he got woken up. Then it was FREEZING! And not by California standards, I'm sure some of you Minnesota or Utah people would have been surprised. He was not a happy camper at first but he got into it.

The best part of apple picking... eating all the free apples you can before you have to weigh your basket. Just kidding we only tried one to see how good they were and how many we wanted. When we got home, I made a delicious apple cobbler.

Cookie Monsters

Zach and Mason made oatmeal raisin cookies for family night on Monday. Mason's favorite part was licking the beaters. They turned out suprisingly well.

Potty Training

To start getting Mason ready for the idea we checked a few books out from the library about the potty. One was about all these different animals and how they all got "a potty for their bottoms" I found this on the floor and asked Mason what it was and he said all the animals were sitting on the potty. He picked out Cars and Spiderman undies, but since he had an accident in them he refuses to wear them anymore (unless its on his head.) He does really well on the potty and goes every time he tries but he doesn't want to interrupt what he's doing to sit on the potty. Its a struggle getting him to try. This might be a slow going process. I'm not sure what to do to motivate him. We are using candy right now. I might start a sticker chart to earn a toy or something like that. Any tips or advice would be appreciated!

Four Months Old!

She is finally starting to like her exersaucer. She also loves her floor play gym. At her four month checkup she was 24 3/4 inches long and weighed 12 lbs 2 oz. The doctor said she looked like the Gerber baby but I'm sure he says that to all the moms. She even showed off her rolling over ability by rolling from her back to her tummy and almost rolling off the exam table! Then she spit up all over the floor. Like brother, like sister.


In the new highchair eating rice cereal for the first time. She didn't know quite what to think of it. She had this confused look on her face the whole time. I'm not sure if she's quite ready for it. She kept pushing it back out with her tongue and trying to grab the spoon. We'll try again soon.

Mom the Preschool Teacher

My sister sent me the website to her friend's blog. It is packed with fun activity ideas for preschoolers. I got inspired and Mason and I had a blast trying them all out. Here he is making a collage. When he was done he kept saying his collage was "so bootiful."

Here he is during marker masterpiece time. He colored for a little while but was definitely more interested in making marker wands. We pretended we were Harry Potter and he learned how to say "Expelliarmus!" I know we are nerds but it was fun.

We made some sensory activity centers with rice and beans. We colored the rice with vinegar and food coloring and he loves burying his animals in the rice or beans and then digging them out. I realized I need a bigger tub to contain everything in because he had a hard time keeping the rice off the floor. When I get really motivated I'll build him a sensory table.

We made noodle necklaces. I colored the pasta the same way I did the rice. I bought yarn and plastic needles. He kind of had a hard time with this at first but he got the hang of it. He also kept trying to eat the noodles. He says he likes them crunchy. The website is www.likelyclassroom.blogspot.com. I can't wait to try the new styrofoam/golf tee idea. Mason would love that. Thank you Auntie Allison for sending the link and to her friend for starting the blog!

The L.A. Zoo

We went to the L.A. zoo last Monday. It was the first activity we've done as a family since Peyton was born. It was a sunny, 80 degree October day. We went to the San Diego zoo in the spring and I have to say that compared to that, the L.A. zoo was kind of crappy. It was nice to get out of the house and Mason had a good time.

Video Clip

It took some persuading to get him to do it for the camera. He likes to sing to her but not when someone tells him to. Our camera only allows you to record for 16 seconds so it cuts off his finale.