Naptime Blog

How many of you have tried the “mommy & me” swimming lessons given by the YMCA? Recently on our spring break vacation we took our boys to the pool. Our oldest son Jeromy has always loved the water. We didn’t start him in lessons until he was around 5 or 6. He still has a ways to go before I would consider him a fluent swimmer.

Surprisingly, when we put Jayce (15mo) in the water he appeared to have this natural calmness of the water. He was very as ease and was pretty much floating independently. I am really considering starting him in some lessons a little earlier.

I found an interesting site that summarized the benefits, take a look.

http://www.babyswimming.com/benefits.htm

-Shanta

You may remember me sharing a while ago my love for photography. Recently I was able to purchase my very 1st professional style DSLR. After weeks and weeks of online research I decided to go with the Canon Rebel XSi. I have really been enjoying it. It has a lot of cool features and the ability to change out the lens. While I am far from a professional, I would like to think I have an eye for it and it is really allowing me to explore my creative side. I am actually taking a few photography workshops on the weekend and it has been a great outlet for me.

My regular job can be so stressful and demanding at times, I just needed something that I cold enjoy and relax while I’m doing it. I wanted to share a few samples of my work. Feel free to give your feedback; I am learning something new everyday

-Shanta

I live in the south where it’s hardly ever cold in the winter. This year, however, has been different. It’s been much colder than usual and much rainier. In addition, the boys and I have been stuck indoors a lot more than usual because we keep getting sick.

We’ve had a couple of rounds of strep and tons of allergies. I am usually the one who wants as much winter as possible. Summers here are HOT, HOT, HOT so I like as much cold as I can fit in before the dog days of summer arrive. Right now, I am starting to get cabin fever. The boys get bored in the house after awhile and want to explore. This week, however, the weather is getting warmer, so we have been trying to spend time outside when we can.

Between sicknesses, we took the boys to a neighborhood park. They enjoyed playing ball, watching ducks, sliding, climbing, scooting through tunnels and having a blast. Daddy really enjoyed it too (can you tell by the photo?). He’s just a big kid himself!

I thought I’d share a few photos with you.

What do you do for fun when the weather won’t cooperate?

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

Yesterday was SO beautiful out, finally!!! Its been a harsh winter this year so I think we’re all about ready for nice warm weather

We have been going to the indoor play place so long I am not sure Tristan remembered what the park was. LOL. He was running around like a mad man for 2 hours. When it was time to leave he cried, screamed, kicked, yelled, threw himself out of my arms, and caused a big scene. Then I had to drive a half hour home from the park with him freaking out.

I live so far in the middle of nowhere that if you want to go somewhere you have to drive. The indoor play place we go to is a hour away. So all in all it takes up about 4 hours when we go. An hour to get there, two hours play time, and an hour drive home. But with Tristan at home with me, play dates are his only non Mommy/Daddy interaction. 

I want to have his second birthday at this play place but I am not sure people would drive an hour to get there. Most of our friends/family live by us. Maybe I should ask around to see what people say.

On another note Tristan has started calling me Chrystal. It drives me batty. I try to act like it doesn’t bother me. But it does. I want to pitch a fit and yell CALL ME MOMMY!!!!!!

What do you all do for play dates? I am always looking for new ideas. I was thinking of signing him up for swimming at the new pool this summer.

Chrystal

We went to the post office, grocery store and gas station.

• When you grab your DSLR grab your Memory card too.
• I can drive on unplowed roads and not die.
• Tristan will laugh when you bump, grind and slide all over the unplowed roads.
• The parking lots won’t be cleared well so this will lead to mass panic.
• Because the parking lot is not clear police officers will be directing traffic.
• Also because the parking lot is not clear a guy with a shovel will offer to shovel you a spot for $25.
• After you say no you will wish you had paid the $25. TRUST ME!
• The store had tons of milk, eggs, bread, and toilet paper but NO FROZEN VEGETABLES.
• When your son is the only kid not screaming his fool head off in the store and he smiles at the manager she will give him a cute little stuffed sesame street character for making her day.
• I can carry $100 in groceries and a toddler up the stairs and only drop a sippy cup.
• Old ladies are mean when you grab the last two packages of cubed beef stew meat.
• Three aisles later when you see the cranky old lady be sure to check your cart for said beef stew meat. 
• 3 of the 4 gas stations in Prince Frederick are out of gas.
• Giant is better than Safeway. They had all registers open and I waited all of two minutes in line. At Safeway I waited over 45 minutes.
• The site of Tazo tea concentrate will make your day!
• You will be so tired from your adventures you will feed your son a lunchable and he will LOVE it.

Can my winter weatherland go away now? I don’t want to build anymore snowmen in the meadows.

-Chrystal

We just got home a couple hours ago from a weekend out of town. It was a nice weekend spent visiting my parents, sister and her husband, and friends. The boys had a fun time and were totally spoiled by their family and friends and loved experiencing different scenery.

My oldest son (he’ll be three in late April) really loves the farm my sister lives on. He wanted to spend the entire day outside today. It has been raining a lot over the last few days and he had cabin fever. He kept leading me around, showing me different things. He would eventually end up at the big area where the dogs were outside playing. He would stand at the fence for the longest time, just watching the dogs. I had to stand there too. If I walked away to the nearby carport to sit down, he would turn around quickly and walk the 30 or so steps (actually he almost ran) to get me. Once he fetched me, he would take me back and put me in my place. It’s funny because he struggles so much with his walking, but if he REALLY wants something, he can do really well. I think he over thinks it sometimes (as we all do in life).

He would also take his little Thomas and Percy trains that he hauls everywhere and line them up at the fence, facing the dogs so they could “watch” his furry friends as well. Once, I picked his dear trains up to put them away and he got frustrated and put them back, carefully arranging them, faced towards the fence.

At one point, I tried to take a nap while my family was awake to watch the boys, but my sweet son woke from his nap and I was awakened with the ear piece of my eyeglasses poking me in the eye. He was trying to put my glasses on me while I slept. Once he got them on, he grabbed my finger and took me right back where I belonged… outside (and fully awake). At least he was thoughtful enough to get my glasses for me so I could fully enjoy the scenery. My youngest son was content watching football with daddy and rearranging his aunt’s house.

I sure will miss these days when they’re all grown up.

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

I love fall. It is hands down my favorite season; the crispness in the air is amazing. It is chilly here in the Washington DC area. I love the smell of fire places and the smell of all the yummy things I can from the Apple we pick. Here is a picture of Tristan eating an apple picked fresh off the tree like a big boy.

Mommy didn’t even have to cut it up. Tristan went on a hayride, picked apples, picked a pumpkin and tasted all kinds of new and exciting foods. He also made lots of friends. I love that my baby is open and loving. See the super cute jeans he is wearing. Those were $5 at Wal-Mart. I had him in jeans. When I changed his diaper at 8am he was bone dry from the night before. So I put a new one on him and when we made a pit stop 2 hours later he had peed all through the diaper and his pants. I had shorts as backups in the diaper bag but it was way too chilly for shorts. I was so happy when I saw those pants for $5. That is a steal. They have Mickey Mouse on this little tag on it and Tristan loves to point to it. He loves Mickey Mouse. While we were at Wal-Mart I picked up some more of the microwave meal for toddlers. They are wonderful when we are having a busy day and I can’t cook him lunch. In each one is a full serving of vegetables. Parents Choice makes them and I can’t get them at my local Wal-Mart so when I saw them at that one I jumped all over the deal.

-Chrystal
www.everydayoates.blogspot.com

I dislike bugs, I know boys love them. I thought I had a good four years before I had to worry about Tristan playing with them. Just this week I have pulled two daddy long legs, one praying mantis, 2 worms, and one cave cricket out of his hands as they were on the way to his mouth. I love my little one but I hate the bugs. The other day I was going downstairs to do laundry, above the door was a praying mantis. I in my typical helpless female role when it comes to bugs screamed bloody murder. This brought Rick running with Tristan. Rick was laughing at me so Tristan did too, I know he doesn’t understand why Daddy was laughing at Mommy but he did it anyways.

Tristan has another favorite hobby… taking his diaper off. It is so annoying, I was cooking the other day and I turned around to step in his cold wet diaper. Then I had to chase Tristan to get a new diaper on him. These are the fun times my Mom keeps telling me. I love my son but some days I really want a little girl that does not bring me bugs, a little girl that is calm and gentle. Tristan is like a storm, but he is also very peaceful at times. He has a habit of running up and giving huge hugs for no reason, and I love it!

-Chrystal

Tomorrow is the first day of fall, well officially, but the weather tells a different story here in the south. Just look at the weather forecast for this week according to our local television station.

I hear a rumor that there should be a cold front on Thursday. Um, ok, lol. A low of 70 is no cold front to me.  I know there are many people who would love this weather, but realize that along with it comes scorching hot summers. The summers are so hot that we literally can’t go outside many days because it’s unsafe for small children and others at risk of overheating. It sure can make it hard on parents to find budget-friendly ways to entertain the kiddos during the hot months.

You’d think malls or indoor play areas would be a good idea. Well, I guess the economy has those places cutting back, because the few I went to this summer were almost as hot inside as it is outside.

I crave cool weather. I yearn to be able to wear a long sleeve shirt without sweating and to fix my hair and have it stay fixed without melting from the heat and humidity before I’m through diapering and dressing two little ones. I think I could totally be one of those people who buy an RV to drive to cooler climates when it’s so hot. I’d love to visit a place where the leaves turn a beautiful fall color and there’s little to no chance that shorts will be required on Christmas day (yes, I have worn shorts many times on Christmas day).

On the flip side, I know there are people that are miserably cold during the winter, having to dig their cars out of the snow and have the opposite problem. These people have to stay indoors for safety during the winter while I am able to enjoy the warmer climate. So, yes, I definitely realize the grass isn’t greener. I’m just wishing for a little fall for us, too. Honestly, I was in early 30s before I saw snow in person and that was on a trip to a colder climate. Anyone want to share?

My wish is that I can put my boys in long sleeves for their annual pumpkin patch photo in October without feeling like I am overdressing them for the weather. I’d like to sip hot chocolate on a hayride and warm my chilly hands over a campfire. Is that too much to ask?

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

Last Sunday we went to a festival in North Beach, MD. It was called Bay Fest, as the name suggests it is right on the bay along a boardwalk. North Beach is a relatively small town so it doesn’t get over crowded and a fun time was had by all. Tristan tried Cotton Candy, French Fries, and Funnel Cake for the first time. He loved all of them. Tristan is such a ham, he waves now so everyone that walked by us got a “hi” and a wave. People just love to stop and chat with him. There were live bands at both ends of the festival, Tristan was delighted. He loves to dance, his version of dancing is a half squat with a little hip movement and he throws his arms up and waves them around. I will have to get it on video one day. 

We met up with a friend of Rick’s from High school, they have a daughter who is my nieces age so of course we had to ride the rides and get airbrush tattoos. At the end of the day we were exhausted but I love my family and friends and it was a perfect ending to the weekend. We picked up a great wooden rattle that was made by an American Indian, who was also playing a flute. Tristan was in awe of this man and his flute. It amazes me how Tristan pays attention to everything. I sometimes forget that he is only 10 months old because he often acts older.

 The picture in this post is of Tristan and Dee our family friend saying goodbye, I taught Tristan to rub noses and I call it an Eskimo kiss. I am not sure where the name comes from but it is Tristans favorite thing to do now.

-Chrystal