Kindermusik

Savannah and I have been participating in Kindermusik for almost a year now and we absolutely love it.  Despite Savannah's shyness, that for some reason only comes out while in Mrs. Rebecca's house, I can tell that she is having a great time.  I haven't quite figured out why she becomes so attached to me while we are at this class.  Maybe it's being confined to only one room or maybe it's all the loud commotion coming from everyone else.  Either way, I'm hoping that she'll soon break out of her shell and give me a break from holding her.  Trying to jump and dance while holding 30 pounds can get exhausting.  Mrs. Rebecca even commented today about how much she enjoys watching Savannah light up at various times throughout the class.  She especially gets excited whenever instruments, shakers, or scarves are brought out.    

Last semester one of the moms in the class took pictures and finally today she shared them with the rest of us.  Here are just a few of them.

hmmm, I guess the hand chewing occurred back then, too

such a sweet group of babies and toddlers

our youngest classmate

dancing around with my 30 lb weight

she's having so much fun

cute little Waverley

checking out her reflection

notice how Savannah is still in my lap

and now she's hanging on my back

sweet Hazel

the wonderful Mrs. Rebecca with Lila

Another fabulous fall weekend

This past weekend started with our annual trip to Ganyard Hill Farms to pick pumpkins.  Unfortunately it was a little warm and it took a little longer than expected to get there so we ended up not staying for long.  After a quick hayride, we picked our pumpkins fresh off the vines and headed home.

I don't think she liked this bale of hay or else.... 

she didn't want to share the picture with me.

another Saturday another hayride

Savannah supervising my pumpkin picking

"Nope, this one is no good.  See that bad spot, mom?" 

inspecting the pumpkin vines

after lots of rejects, she found one she liked

"Back away folks! This pumpkin is mine!!"

trying to get a comparison for last years pic but S didn't cooperate

Oscar had Monday off from work due to Columbus Day so what did that mean----daycation!!!  We planned a last minute overnight trip to The Greenbrier in West Virginia.  This was our first time going and we all fell in love with the place.  It's the Sea Island of the mountains.  They have everything---horseback riding, golf, spa, shooting, croquet, kids camps, pools, playgrounds, hiking, zip lines, and the list goes on and on.  Now that we know what a great place it is, we're definitely going back for longer.  

After our 4 hour drive, we spent the afternoon just walking around the grounds, playing on the playground, playing croquet, enjoying afternoon tea, and watching the horses come in from a ride.  Then we had a yummy Italian dinner and spent the rest of the evening going in the shops and having lots of fun in their amazing toy store.  

"Can we keep him?"

Savannah's first time on a seesaw

she LOVED playing croquet

this is only one of the side entrances

self photo

here come the horses

tea time

enjoying some down time in the room

the front of The Greenbrier

On Monday morning after a short trail run for me and a room service breakfast, we drove to Cass, WV to ride the scenic railroad.  This was such a cool experience!  We rode an actual steam engine train further up into the mountains.  The foliage was absolutely beautiful!

here comes our train

all aboard

such amazing views

short break at the top

always a good time for M&Ms

What a wonderful weekend! Not sure how we'll be able to top this fabulous fall weekend.

The last one.....

Well, this is it---my sweet Savannah will be turning 2 in just 28 short days.  So that means this will be the last regular monthly update.  I've really enjoyed chronicling the past 23 months of her life and I know that one day we'll all look back at those entries and laugh or I'll more than likely cry :)

My sweet Savannah Grace at 23 months

Just a few of the things we've been up to during the 23rd month:
~I created a sensory box for Savannah (a Tupperware filled with pinto beans) like the ones we used to have NYKC.  Our 2 and 3 years olds loved playing in them so I thought Savannah would enjoy it, too.  I think she actually enjoys it a little too much.  She started off doing exactly what I wanted to her to do---burying various objects, filling cups up, transferring beans from one cup to another, etc.

Then she decided the beans would probably feel pretty cool on her feet.

If only she had stopped there.  Instead she decided to find out what the beans would feel like all over her.

And then I looked up one day and saw this....sitting in the beans while watching a movie.  Good grief!

~We've also been spending a lot of time playing with play doe---rolling it out, pressing out shapes, and attempting to use plastic scissors to cut it.

~We've been taking advantage of all the wonderful fall activities in our area.  Savannah has had a blast picking apples and pumpkins; riding hayrides, trains, and ponies; and decorating the house for Halloween.  She's even been helping me bake lots of yummy apple treats.

decorating the front porch

attempting to peel an apple

~Savannah has figured out that she is capable of opening the freezer drawer on the refrigerator and is therefore able to go get ice cream whenever she wants.  I turned around one morning and found this....

~She got her first pair of rain boots after a very messy afternoon of picking apples.  She wore them home from the store and then proceeded to wear them for the next two days straight.  For some reason, she won't wear them on rainy days.  I guess she doesn't want to get them dirty :)

~She is really starting to mimic a lot of the things that I do especially the things that I do with her.  For example, she nows will tell me that baby Molly has poop and she will try to change her diaper.  She also loves to read to her babies.

~She LOVES to play with Lilly when Lilly will allow it.  Sometimes they play in a fort together and I often find them dancing to Fresh Beat in the living room.

~She is starting to become a little particular about the clothes she wears.  Oftentimes, she will pick out her own outfit in the morning and when she does, it is normally a dress and a matching bow.  I LOVE that girlie side of her.  Just be sure not to compliment her or else she'll give you a "NOOOOOOOO!".

~She's still the little cleaning fairy.  She is always grabbing the swifter or the vacuum and saying "clean".

~The biggest change is that Savannah started sleeping in her big girl toddler bed through the night about a week and a half ago (October 2).  I didn't even have to force her.  One night after stories, instead of pointing to her crib she walked to her toddler bed, lied down, and slept all night.  The next day I took her crib down and she's never looked back.  Just another step towards being a big girl...sigh.

I've been busy planning her 2nd birthday party and I've even been getting in touch with my crafty side.  I can't wait to share all the photos that we'll be taking during her birthday week.  Sooooo many exciting things coming up :)