Clean Mud Fun

I've been trying to do a lot of sensory activities with Claire during the summer! They are usually easy, fun and sometimes messy projects we can do inside during our very hot and humid Chicago days!

One activity I've done recently with Bug is "Clean Mud". It's super easy and a lot of fun for kids of all ages and their parents!

Items you need:

1 t-p roll (or more depending on how many kids you are making for)

1 bar of soap

warm water

Start with ripping up the t-p in a large bowl, then you grab the grater and start grating the soap into the large bowl. Add warm water slowly. Mix all the items together until you get a creamy like paste. Add more warm water as needed!

Once Claire played with it, I put the rest in a reusable container so she can play with it again! She LOVED it!

Helping with the ripping of the t-p!

Enjoying the finished product!

Claire's 24 Month Check-Up

 *Claire's 24 month check-up*

Claire had her 24 month check-up and everything went very well!

She was weighed like a big girl and had to stand on the scale all by herself. She's a whopping 25lbs 2oz.

She was also measured like a big girl too! She didn't like it too much when the height thing pressed on her head, we had to get her to stand straight a few times but in the end she's 33 1/2inches tall!
She's in the 25% in both height and weight! We love our peanut!

She was such a big girl she got her blood pressure taken!

The doctor was impressed by everything she can do. From talking in sentences, sing songs, jumping, running, somersaults, standing on one foot, walking backwards, spinning in circles, knowing most of her colors and shapes. The doctor loved that she's interested in her ABC's and spelling. She said she comprehends a lot- I answered with yes, a little too good sometimes!

The doctor checked her from her head to her toes and everything was pretty good! She got one shot - Hepatitis A. I warned her it was going to happen. I said, "one boo boo and then you get a sticker and a sucker!" She did great. She didn't even cry, just a quick pucker and she then immediately asked for her sticker!

The next time we see the doctor will be when Claire is 3! ::knock on wood:: we don't have to see her before then, Claire's been a pretty healthy kid so far. We will be getting her flu shot in the fall but for that we only see the nurse or "lady" as Claire calls her!

 

My big girl waiting for the doctor to come in!

Wordless Wednesday

Claire and Mommy waiting for the doctor at her 24 month check-up!

Summer Time

Summers in Chicago are so much fun. They can be jammed packed full of fun activities or they can be very relaxing. This summer we have tried to "hit" a new local fest every other weekend. It's so much fun, from Greek fest to Piergoi fest to local county fairs. Claire enjoys the rides and I love the family/friend time, plus we get to try new (and amazing) foods!
We try to take a family walk every night (as long as the humidity isn't too high) and we try to get to a park every couple of days as a family also. Thank goodness for my parents pool, that sucker has been a life saver this hot summer. We are over there a lot! No matter how warm or cold the water is, Claire can swim forever! She's my little fish! 
Yes, this summer as been very hot a hot we haven't felt in a few years but I'm enjoying it! Claire will only be two once and I'm truly enjoying every moment of it (for the most part- minus the lovely tantrums!)
Here are some pictures from our summer:

My little monkey!

Swing time!

Best Buds!

Claire loves being outside!

Daddy and Bug at Starved Rock.

We love a good family hike!

And pool time, no summer would be complete without pool time!

Hope you all are having an amazing summer too!!

Wordless Wednesday

That's a face of determination!

She Speaks Like Me

Claire's always had an amazing vocab in my opinion but boy oh boy, it's like I'm speaking to a 3 or 4 year old. Her sentences are strong and comprehensive, it's like she actually knows what she's talking about. The wheels are always turning!
Tonight at dinner she started singing," Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday Claire Constance!" This was the first time she's ever said Claire Constance. I asked her, who is Claire Constance and she answered, "me". It was the cutest thing! She has so many cute "lines". I could listen to her talk all the time with a big smile on  my face!

Some of my favorite "lines":

No! Daddy(or anyone else) No!
I excited!
Mommy(or whoever else she wants to help her) do it.
Over there/In there
More milk please!
Oh Papa(or whoever else is being funny)!
Thank you mommy!
Excuse me.
Pool time!
Oh, baby cryin'
You cryin'?
Aw, man!
Oh Boy!


My favorite songs she sings are:

Elmo Song (the la la la part is super cute)
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (she's got most of this one down and it's so cute sounding!)
Happy Birthday (this one she changes who she is singing "happy birthday" too)

To Rent of Not To Rent

That is the question...
It's a trick, unknown and mystery question that Eric and I have been finding asking each other about over the last couple of weeks. We are still in limbo on where exactly we want to move too. We have a hand full of towns we like but know very little about so our thought (and our realtors thought) is to rent for a year in a given area and if we hate it, we move on and if we love it, we stay. The only way we will rent is if we save a lot of money so we are able to bank some for our savings account. I'm planning on getting a part time job so my resume doesn't go empty for years on end and so we have a little extra money. My pay check would go for a down payment on a house. We have mixed feelings and emotions. It's a big decision, one we will be making soon. No matter what rent, rent to own or own we will make it our home. Plus it will be bigger then our starter home and that's what counts! We want more space, maybe more space in a new area. I don't know what we will find or choose but in the end, it's going to be very soon! Wish us luck!