April Showers

This is not a blog to document what the weather was like on particular weekends but it has been all over the place! We survived another monster rain storm last Thursday where the western suburbs saw over 7 inches if rain in 24 hours. Rick worked from the wee hours in the morning to prevent and minimize any damage but I don't recall the previous floods bringing this much rain. Once that was all said and done, we had a great weekend! Friday we went out for pizza and ice cream with Teagan. Saturday we ran errands and ended up meeting the Littles at the Children's Museum for some afternoon fun. Teagan RAN around that place like everybody there was her best friend and she was the Queen Bee. She had flushed cheeks and sweat drips by the end! We headed to their house for a spontaneous dinner on the grill and more play for the kiddos. Sunday we visited the Schneiders baby, Sam. We went to lunch with them and had the chance to catch-up on their new life as a family of 3! Teagan was a smidge jealous but she just wanted to be sure we remember she is our baby! Monday was a beautiful spring day spent outside all day long. Teagan was exhausted and filthy at the end which is a sure sign of a good time! We brought the Witherows dinner that night which meant a visit with Elle the woof woof. I think we all slept well that night!

XO,
EAT

Out

Outside is the best place to be when the temps start to rise. We again spent most of our Sunday out and about taking in lots of fresh air! Rick even knocked out a little side project laying some patio pavers for the grill area off the deck. Teagan cracks us up as she mocks us over and over. When Rick was measuring, she would pretend to measure. She would stomp in the sand and pick it up and move it. At first we tried to prevent her from getting sandy but she was having too much fun. We let her play the afternoon away and stripped her down afterwards. T and I even got to the park today before the rain came moving in. Man alive does she love the weeeeees!

Cowgirl

I bought this little cowgirl outfit while in Nashville for our girls trip last year. My mom bought the boots for Teagan while we were in Colorado over the summer. Together they made the perfect cowgirl outfit for some country dancing during the American Country Music Awards on Sunday night! Rick even taught her how to ride her stick horse!

Fresh Air

We have been experiencing the exciting time of year when the birdies chirp, the bulbs begin to sprout and the temps start to climb. It appears Spring has Sprung and we have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get outside at every chance we can get! Teagan has loved getting back to the park, running around the backyard, going on walks and just being "side" as she calls it. I swear it helps improve the mood as well as makes her tired at the end of the day! Today she was outside at least 80% of the day. She was riding her big wheel (with several times down the stairs), collecting sticks, kicking the ball, searching for the neighbors woof woof and just marching all over the yard. When it came to dinner, we can only contribute her appetite to all of the fresh air. She ate corn, hamburger, rice, grapes, cucumber, pickle, lettuce and carrots.
This was an hour after she had a granola bar and apple as a snack! We can't wait for all of the warm weather activities to come. Teagan is at such a fun age and full of wonderment and the desire to explore!

XO,
EAT

Gymnastics

We have been going to toddler gymnastics for the past few weeks and man alive does Teagan love it. The room is completely padded with things to bounce on, dive in, balance on, climb on and just expend serious amounts of energy! The first couple classes Teagan didn't quite participate in the group activities. She ran out of the circle and turned the lights out on the class! Let's be real though, a fourth of the class is organized and the rest is just open play which is perfect. But today, we made big strides...the theme was balance and the coaches set up different balance beam challenges. Teagan actually waited in line and walked across the balance beam (holding my hand) and then kept going back for more. She walked across the low beam at least 12 times and by the end she was side stepping and not looking where she was going! We have so much fun and she never wants to leave! I want to ask the coaches of they ever have open gym because it is the perfect space for indoor play!

Are you smarter than a toddler?

Teagan has been teaching us a thing or two from school. She talks non stop but she has recently started signing to us as they encourage the use of and teach sign language in school. It was a bit of an eye opener for us as she was taking her pointer finger to the palm of her hand and we thought it meant she wanted to play on the iPad or iPhone! It turns out that is the sign they use for "more." She also rubs her belly when she says "please" which is the correct sign. It made us realize just how teachable she is and how the things she is learning are applicable in day to day life. Plus, we need her to teach us the signs she knows!!

XO,
EAT