COSI!

Today, we visited COSI (Center of Science and Industry...Columbus's children's science museum). A.K.A. toddler heaven! COSI's "Little Kid Space" has all of Evynn's favorite things. Climbing,

toys,






water play,

and everywhere you look...BALLS!

Coloring

A few weeks ago, we let Evynn try using crayons, but she decided she would rather eat them. Today, we gave it another shot, and while she still thinks they're pretty tasty, she also liked drawing on paper! After watching Mommy draw some lines on paper, Evynn added her own! She drew several pictures, here's one:

Another HOT day!

More fun in the pool.

Followed by some cuddle time in the hammock.

My very busy day

It has been mentioned (by several people) that my blog needs to be updated more often. :-) So, here's what I was up to today.

It started at 6 am, because I LOVE to wake up early! After breakfast, play time, and crawling around in bed trying to wake up Daddy, I got to go to Mansfield to see Papa, Grammie, and Great Grandpa George! I had lots of fun exploring a new house. Grandpa George collects toys and trains, so there were lots of fun things to look at and play with! I loved watching his trains go around the tracks. They make noise and even blow smoke! Then, I got to play with a

cool car!

We went out to lunch, and everyone watched, amazed, as I devoured two dill pickle spears...yum! I watched the fish swim in the pond outside the restaurant and practiced my walking with Papa.

After we got home from our trip to Mansfield, I got to play in my little pool in the backyard! I had fun scooping up water with cups and pouring it out on the grass. Then, I took all of the cups out of the pool, then put them back in the pool, then took them out...you get the idea. After this fun-filled day, I took a nice, long nap!

Mommy's little helper

Evynn loves to try doing things by herself! She brushes her hair and her tooth, she's starting to practice putting toys away, and her newest trick...:-)

Some rainy day fun

What to do on a rainy day...read books? Did that. Do a puppet show? Done. Make towers with blocks and knock them down? Yup, did that too. What to do.... Fingerpaint!

Easy and non-toxic homemade fingerpaints

1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 c. water



1.In a saucepan, gradually add the water to the flour while stirring with a whisk. Cook until it bubbles and becomes thick. (About 7-8 min)

2. Pour into bowls and add food coloring to make your desired colors. Let cool.

3. That's all! Now you can paint.

Evynn's favorite breakfast

Well, besides her toes...

Banana Blueberry Pancakes

1 egg

1 banana, mashed

1/2 cup blueberries

1 1/2 cups of your favorite pancake mix

Mix together and add water until they are the right consistency.

Yummy, healthy, and something that mommy, daddy, and baby can all enjoy. No syrup for the little one, and they're so sweet that the grown ups only need a little bit.

Evynn eats these every Saturday morning, so if you ever wonder why her fingers are stained purple on the weekends...

Hmm, what's this?

I'm sure mommy put this here for me to play with! Too bad it was at the end of the roll...

Did you know...

...that young children should stay rear-facing in their car seats well beyond the one year and 20 lbs required by law? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear-facing to the limit of your child's car seat. Rear-facing is far safer for children. All covertible carseats are made to safely rear-face until the child is 30 lbs, and most are made to safely rear-face until 35 lbs or more.

From http://www.car-safety.org/

• Rear-facing is safest for both adults and children, but especially for babies, who would face a greater risk of spinal cord injury in a front-facing carseat during a frontal crash.


• Rear-facing car seats spread frontal crash forces over the whole area of a child's back, head and neck; they also prevent the head from snapping relative to the body in a frontal crash.
  


• Rear-facing carseats may not be quite as effective in a rear end crash, but severe frontal and frontal offset crashes are far more frequent and far more severe than severe rear end crashes. Rear end crashes account for only 4% of crashes.
  


• Rear-facing carseats are NOT a safety risk just because a child's legs are bent at the knees or because they can touch/kick the vehicle seat.
  


• Rear-facing as long as possible is the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatricians, and can reduce injuries and deaths. Motor Vehicle Crashes are the #1 overall cause of death for children 14 and under.

Still not sure? Read this article and watch this very convincing video. Many people are unaware of the benefits of extended rear-facing, so please share this information with anyone who has young children.

Look out, Beyonce!

Evynn likes to dance! And sing!

It's small, white, and very sharp...

It's a tooth! Evynn's first little chomper made an appearance today. Well, almost. It's pretty hard to see it, as it's just poking through her gums, but a quick check with a finger confirms that it is definitely there! She's handling it very well. She was a little fussy this morning, but between teething toys, cold snacks, her amber teething necklace, and teething tablets, she appears to be pain free. Let's hope it stays that way!