Ice Skating!

The Virginia Tech Hockey team uses the Roanoke Civic Center for home games.  The nice part about this for Roanoke residents is that on weekends when the Hokies aren't playing - they open up the rink for Community Open Skate.  I had not been ice skating since I was about 6 or 7, Katie had never been ice skating before and neither had Matt. So, we knew this was going to be an interesting little adventure. All the same, we wanted to give it a try.

When we first arrived there were about 3 people on the ice.  I was relieved because I was worried it would be PACKED and poor little Katie would just get run over.  Fortunately, there were a couple of other small kids there and lots of beginners like us.  Also, a nice man who had a 4 year old gave us some tips on teaching Katie.

At first Katie just wanted to bend over and touch the ice - ha!  It was a bit amusing....but for someone who has never seen an ice hockey rink before, I'm sure she was just curious.  Eventually we convinced her to actually SKATE!  Her natural tendency was to try and walk in the skates, which was pretty funny to watch.  Eventually she figured out how to glide a little....but I must say we were not moving too quickly.  I was good with going slow since most of the time I was balancing myself - and her!  Amazingly, she only had a couple falls today.  I tried to hold her hands and skate with her between my legs most of time to prevent any falls (she has already had one broken arm....really don't want to repeat that!). 

Matt unfortunately didn't skate much.  He had injured his back at the gym earlier in the week and ice skating isn't exactly good therapy for an injured back.  So....he took pictures of us instead.  :-)

After we had been there about 2 hours, I figured we had better head home for some lunch.  Katie wasn't happy about leaving and I'm sure would have stayed another 2 hours.  We had to promise to bring her back sometime soon.

Fall Festival

This will just be a posting of pictures.  Its nearly midnight and I've been going all day.  So much fun though - enjoying this beautiful fall day with my little family!!  Love this picture below because it marks the first time Katie has ever let someone paint her face.  She was a little nervous until her preschool classmate Stella went first, then Katie decided it was safe territory.

Part of the fall festival was a petting zoo.  Now, I expected a bunny or maybe a pony.  But, a chicken?  Seriously?  Most of the chickens I've seen do one of two things when people are near....RUN or FLOG!  I couldn't believe how calm these two chickens were. 

I actually got to meet Katie's Preschool classmate Stella and her parents today.  These two girls just look happy, don't they!  :-)


This one might be my favorite picture of the day!

After we got home from the festival, we finally got around to turning our Pumpkin into a Jack-O-Lantern.  Despite her smiling face in the picture below....Katie was rather grossed out by the "stringy, spaghetti stuff" and seeds inside the pumpkin.  So Matt and I did most of the pumpkin cleaning.  She did have a fun time picking what shapes to use for the eyes, nose and mouth.  And of course, we have a Happy Pumpkin.  She said she didn't want a Spooky Pumpkin or an Angry Pumpkin.

So much for only posting pictures.  HA! Our finished product below...

Pumpkin Patch 2012

I missed my usual weekend post last week, so I'm catching up a bit.  Last weekend Matt, Katie and I headed to the Pumpkin Patch.  We are new to Roanoke - in a family sense - so we had to research the Pumpkin Patches.  Based on online reviews, we selected a location called Leyman Farms located between Bedford and Roanoke. 

When we arrived I was pleasantly surprised at how large, well organized, and popular the farm was.  They had so many nice games for kids to include a HUGE Pillow (similar concept to a bouncy house), a corn pit, a cow barrell train, horse swings, a tunnel slide, farm animals, and much more! 

After playing several of the games/rides we finally convinced  Katie it was time to hop onto the tractor and ride out to the Pumpkin Patch.  She took her time selecting her pumpkin, but finally made a great selection.

  

Finally we headed back for lunch and dessert.  While we were eating I spotted a sign advertising FRIED Oreos for dessert.  I had never even heard of a fried Oreo before, so I told Matt I just HAD to try them.  What is a fried Oreo, you might ask?  Well, you dip an Oreo in funnel cake batter and deep fry it.  It comes out looking like a round ball of dough - of course with a chocolate cookie inside.  Me and my little sweet tooth enjoyed those immensely.

Katie spent the last week asking when we were going to make her Jack-O-Lantern.  More of those pictures coming in the next blog post....which I will hopefully get around to tomorrow. 

This last picture is SO Katie!  She really is such a sweet little girl....and yet every once in a while, totally full of mischief.  She just looks like she is plotting something here.  Love it!

 Probably the funniest thing about our trip last weekend was our total lack of preparation!  We knew it was going to be a bit cooler, but didn't realize it would be FREEZING on the Leyman Farm.  I had packed long sleeves and a blanket for Katie, but not an actual coat.  So, here I go 5 minutes after our arrival - back out to the local Dollar Store to buy all of us coats/sweatshirts.  So, while Katie's hot pink coat with butterflies is not my favorite on the style charts, it DID keep her warm....which was the point.  Oh well....its a memory, right?

Woolwine OctoberFest

This weekend we joined my Papa, Grandma (Gigi), Aunt Connie, Cousins Angie & Walter, and Angie's little ones at the Woolwine Octoberfest.  The festival is a fund raiser for the local fire department.  The events include apple butter making, bean bag toss (that's cornhole for you adults), toe-tapping Bluegrass music, and yummy homemade food/treats. 

I was worried that the large crowd would intimidate Katie and she wouldn't get off my lap the entire time.  As always - she's 100% unpredictable.  When other kids are around, she is much more brave than normal.  I was shocked!  She spent all day chasing her older cousins around - especially Allie.  They ran, played, danced, ate - then did it all again.  Katie even danced on the stage in front of everyone....pretty amazing for a kid who is "scared of people."

One my favorite parts of being back in Roanoke is that we get to see Katie's cousins on my mom's side of the family more often.  My grandmother was especially pleased.  With the crazy schedules we all have, it can be difficult to get everyone together.  On Saturday, Gigi had time to watch all 3 of her great-granchildren play together - and spend time with each of them.  A pretty special day!

Apple Pickin

Since I only have about 3 days a week with Katie and Matt, I try and plan some family fun each weekend.  I know the first weekend in October is a little late for Apple Pickin, but I thought we would give it a shot.  Katie has been learning all about Johnny Appleseed at school - so I thought some real life apple picking would be perfect.

 

I found an orchard online called Johnson's Orchard in Bedford, VA.  We drove the 35 minutes out to the farm and what do we see when we drive up?  A huge statue of Johnny The Appleseed.  Oh - Katie's face was just priceless.  She immediately started singing the Johnny Appleseed song she had learned at school and saying "Mommy, I want to go play with him!" 

Its a good thing that Mr. Johnny Appleseed was there, because otherwise I think the trip might have been a BUST.  Turns out, the apple harvest happened about 3 weeks earlier than normal this year.  When we arrived there was a sign posted saying "No more u-pick-them apples."  I thought I must be mistaken....but no!  UGH!! 

When I inquired about the many trees I saw outside with fresh, ripe apples still available - I was informed those were reserved for several upcoming school field trips this week.  DOUBLE UGH!!!  Meanwhile, my 3 year keeps asking when she can go pick her apples....because that's what I've promised for the last 30 minute car trip.
 


So, I start to explain to Katie why she won't be able to pick any apples off the trees.....instead we will get some out of the apples crates (pre-picked).  I'm doing my absolute best to keep Katie from being disappointed when a lady who worked at the orchard, overhearing our conversation, finally took pity on us.  She directed us to a small couple of trees off the beaten path where Katie could pick one or two apples. (WHEW!!!!!).  At that point, the afternoon was saved - as Katie was able to pick a whopping 2 apples from the tree.




 The orchard really was quite cute.  They had several farm animals - Katie's two favorites were the peacocks and chickens.  My favorite part was "Johnny's House"  (aka - the bathroom).  Seriously, it was a fully plumbed bathroom which looked like an outhouse - and quite appropriately named Johnny's House.  Pretty funny actually....wish I had gotten a picture of it.  Next year we will definitely go back, just a little earlier in the season to be sure there are apples available.

3 Years Old

I just realized I didn't do a post for Katie's 3 year old statistics and things to remember.  Gotta write these down before they escape my memory.  Here goes...

Weight:   27 1/2 pounds (10th %)
Height:    36 3/4 inches  (25-50th %)

Special Items to Note:

1)  Katie's Bunny goes everywhere with us.  Bunny and her UVA/VT blanket are must haves at bedtime.

2)  We have a budding artist.  Okay, you can't call her pictures art....but this proud mommy thinks her pictures are pretty good.  There is one on this post from about a week before her 3rd birthday.....a picture of herself.

3)  Katie LOVES to play doctor and school.  Apparently she has even convinced her new classmates at preschool to play doctor with her - to the point that her teacher is now looking for a doctor's play kit for the classroom.

4)  Katie tells everyone the most embarrasing things about our private household activities.  She basically just spills her guts....to anyone.  Its AWESOME!  No really, it is.

5)  Katie is unbelievably shy.  We went to the Roanoke Market a couple weekends ago and she told me when we entered one particularly crowded store that she was scared.  When I asked her why she was scared she said, "I'm scared of all these people mommy."  I have NO idea how to help her cope with this fear....or what words to say (goodness knows I wasn't shy a day in my life).  That day I told her mommy was holding her and that she didn't have anything to be scared of because I would keep her safe.  Crowds and new places seem to exacerbate her shyness.  Hoping we can work on this....or that it magically will get better with age.

6)  Enjoys riding her tricycle and climbing on everything in sight.  Fire hydrons included.  :-)

7)  Has learned how to open the door - and unlock the bolt lock above the door.  This is a serious problem!  She will wait until you are occupied in some capacity (like using the restroom) and will use that opportunity to just walk out the front door.  And NO - I'm not kidding.  We have had multiple conversations about the extreme danger of going outside without and adult.  I think its getting a little better, but if she wants to go outside and you tell her no.....she just walks out.  We are going to have to find a baby proof door contraption that she cannot take apart (the last type I purchased she took apart and hid in her room so I couldn't find it and put them back on the door).

8)  Katie is still having some sleep issues.  Who can blame her when she is in a different place every couple of weeks?  Richmond one week, Roanoke the next.  We have resulted to putting a sleeping mat on the floor of our bedroom.  We have told her that if she needs us during the night she can just come into our room and lay down on the mat next to our bed.

9)  Katie is starting to write her own name.  We have to help her with the "K"....she really struggles with that letter.  But the "ATIE" part is pretty legible.

 
10)  Katie is such a tender-hearted, kind little girl.  Even her teachers at school comment that she is the first to go and console a classmate if they cry or get upset.  If there is one thing we teach her, I hope it is kindness.

11)  Tantrums are getting better....and Katie is starting to reason a bit.  Not much, but its an improvement.

Katie, I hope one day you will read these notes/posts.  I want you to see, remember, and understand how much your mommy and daddy love you.  Each day you grow and change and we have the opportunity to learn a little more about you.  Last night before bed you said thank you for being your best friend.  I know I won't always be your best friend, but I am so honored to be your mommy.  Love you, Katie Bug.

The Art of Negotiation

Every day with a 3 year old is about negotiation.  Katie seems particularly adept at negotiating.  But since she's our only child, I don't have much to compare to.  I'm not sure if its a good sign or a bad one that I find myself negotiating so often with my 3 year old.  It could either mean that we are working to find some compromise......Or that I'm a total softy.  Negotiation takes patience!  Virtually everything I say during a given day is met with rebuttal and a counter offer.

These are some of our typical discussions...

In the morning...
[Me]     Katie, it is time to get dressed so let's go upstairs. 
[Katie]  No mommy I'm not ready to get dressed yet.  I want to stay in my nightgown a little while longer.  (She also says, but why do I have to get dressed?)
[Me]     Katie, I said its time to get dressed. Let's go.
[Katie]  Mommy, can I please have a few more minutes to play before we get dressed? 
[Me]     Okay, fine - 2 minutes....you get to play for 2 more minutes.  I'm setting the timer for 2 minutes.

After Dinner...
[Katie] Mommy, I've been a really good girl today so I think we should go to Sweet Frog and get a treat.  [Me]    No, we can't go to Sweet Frog tonight.  Maybe another time.
[Katie] Mommy, we have popsicles in the freezer - how about I get one of those for my treat?
[Me]    Well, you have been a good girl today.  I guess we can have a popsicles and eat it outside.

Before Bed...
[Me]     Tonight we are going to read 2 books before bed.  Please pick out which 2 books you would like to read.
[Katie]   No mommy, I want to read 5 books.
[Me]      Katie I said 2, not 5.
[Katie]   How about 3 books....I'll pick out 3.
[Me]      Okay, we will read 3.

*** How can you say no to a child who wants to read?


I realize as I read through these examples that I cave, quite often, to Katie.  I have found though that if I give her two extra minutes in the morning, for example, she is MUCH more cooperative with me.  If I don't give her the 2 minutes - it is an all out war of wills. 

Matt and I have noticed a decline in the "terrible twos" behavior.  (By terrible twos behavior I mean the defiance just for the sake of defying).  I don't know if the change is just a product of her getting older - or if it is because she's getting her way a good portion of the time - ha!

I want to give Katie everything she needs for comfort and development of a healthy self-esteem, but I don't want to flat out spoil her. Such a careful balance....and one I'm forever trying to figure out.

 


So, this last picture has nothing to do with the post....just Picture Proof that my Bug will climb ANYTHING!!!