Tuesday, October 13, 2009
St. Jo, MI
Well we took somewhat of an impromptu visit to St. Jo this past weekend. A week ago, Brandon brought up that we have a ton of hotel points, so lets get away (the 4 of us) for the weekend and he suggested St. Jo, MI. He'd seen an advertisement and away we went.
We left on Saturday, Oct 10th. Of course, before we'd left, we had done research and decided that we would head up to Jollay Orchards & do some fruit pickin. That morning, Brandon took the dogs to Petsmart hotel so they would be well taken care of while we were gone. Loaded up the car, put the address into the GPS and headed out. We noticed our directions kept changing and what was supposed to have been a 2 hr trip, ended up being almost 4 hrs. LOL Was starting to feel a little like Gilligan's island. The drive was the scenic route & it was some of the most beautiful scenery i've ever seen. The trees lining the Indiana, Michigan border were just incredible. I would like to say that they were red, purple, green, orange & yellow (which they were) but just saying the colors doesn't even begin to explain it the absolute majestic beauty.
Went out to lunch when we first got up there and then headed over to the Orchards. It was so stinkin cold out & we just kep hoping that it wasn't going to rain on our fun. As soon as we got to the farm, we realized that we had left our camera at home and only had our cameras on our phones. (BOOO!!!!)
We took a hayride to the apple trees, spent about an hr picking different types of apples. Then took the hayride around the rest of the farm. We really want to go back in July-there will be about 6 different fruits to pick and we can go to the beach afterwards. I think we spent about 2.5 or 3 hrs at the farm. After picking apples & hayrides, we fed the goats and sheep, played on the play area & took pictures.
Afterwards, we headed a mile down the road to Grandpa's Cider Mill where they made fresh cider. Of course, what's a trip to the cider mill w/out getting cider & apple cider doughnuts? We then finished off by going to the Chocolate garden. Of course, we expected this fabulout place where everything was made of or for chocolate. Really, it was just over-priced (but delicious) chocolate truffles.
Sunday, we made our way home. Stopped at an outlet mall that was in the area and then took a direct route home. Not as pretty, but much much shorter.
We left on Saturday, Oct 10th. Of course, before we'd left, we had done research and decided that we would head up to Jollay Orchards & do some fruit pickin. That morning, Brandon took the dogs to Petsmart hotel so they would be well taken care of while we were gone. Loaded up the car, put the address into the GPS and headed out. We noticed our directions kept changing and what was supposed to have been a 2 hr trip, ended up being almost 4 hrs. LOL Was starting to feel a little like Gilligan's island. The drive was the scenic route & it was some of the most beautiful scenery i've ever seen. The trees lining the Indiana, Michigan border were just incredible. I would like to say that they were red, purple, green, orange & yellow (which they were) but just saying the colors doesn't even begin to explain it the absolute majestic beauty.
Went out to lunch when we first got up there and then headed over to the Orchards. It was so stinkin cold out & we just kep hoping that it wasn't going to rain on our fun. As soon as we got to the farm, we realized that we had left our camera at home and only had our cameras on our phones. (BOOO!!!!)
We took a hayride to the apple trees, spent about an hr picking different types of apples. Then took the hayride around the rest of the farm. We really want to go back in July-there will be about 6 different fruits to pick and we can go to the beach afterwards. I think we spent about 2.5 or 3 hrs at the farm. After picking apples & hayrides, we fed the goats and sheep, played on the play area & took pictures.
Afterwards, we headed a mile down the road to Grandpa's Cider Mill where they made fresh cider. Of course, what's a trip to the cider mill w/out getting cider & apple cider doughnuts? We then finished off by going to the Chocolate garden. Of course, we expected this fabulout place where everything was made of or for chocolate. Really, it was just over-priced (but delicious) chocolate truffles.
Sunday, we made our way home. Stopped at an outlet mall that was in the area and then took a direct route home. Not as pretty, but much much shorter.
Catching up
Alright, so I know i've been absolutely horrible about keeping up with our blog. I mean, seriously the last one was in the beginning of June w/ Nora's potty-training (which by the way, was awesome & super easy and she was totally potty trained w/in about 2 wks). I have thought about updates, of course usually those thoughts are during times that i'm not actually able to get on & update.
Just a quick update til now....we had a great summer. The weather was really moderate & quite enjoyable. Nice temps, decent humidity, not too much rain. Headed out to So Cal for 4th of July and spent the holiday in Bakersfield visiting mostly with our parents & those who came up for our annual party. We were there for 5 days and spent pretty much the whole time in the pool. A couple weeks later, we celebrated my 31st birthday and the following week had the Pankey's out for their first visit. We sure did keep them busy, taking them to the city, downtown Naperville & some of our favorite places to eat. My mom came out for her 2nd visit at the end of August. We took her to the city as well, then the girls & I kept her busy shopping at various locations. Finished off the summer with Last Fling, the annual Naperville Labor Day weekend fair.
Holland started school at the end of August & she absolutely loves her new school, teachers and the kids in her class. She's currently going 4 days a week, 2.5 hrs a day. Every day she comes home excited about her day & eager to tell me what happened that day. Between motor room or playground, art center, sensory table & dress-up center, i 'm not sure which is her favorite. In September, both girls started classes at the Y. Holland is once again enrolled in ballet (she was also in this during the summer & last before we moved). Nora is in tiny-toes (ballet), 1,2,3 Come Sing w/ me & Tiny Tots multi-sports class. In between school & classes, we are constantly busy with our playgroup-going to the park, playdates, bookstores, mall & library.
Brandon is enjoying his new office & has settled into a consistent routine w/ the train and his schedule. No more late nights (YAY) or travelling. While he's gone from the house longer each day, its better now that it is consistent. As for myself, i've made some absolutely wonderful friends from my moms group. Not only do I get to see them during the day w/ the kids, but a few times throughout the month get to see them w/out the kids (bunco, Moms night out & book club).
Fall has rapidly approached w/out much warning and we can feel winter in the air already. We're all looking forward to our first real winter, but not wishing it to come to early. Just a couple more weeks and Halloween will be here. We all know that once halloween passes, its just days til Thanksgiving & Christmas and then the year will be over. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Well, maybe it won't be 4 mos til I remember to post again. :)
Just a quick update til now....we had a great summer. The weather was really moderate & quite enjoyable. Nice temps, decent humidity, not too much rain. Headed out to So Cal for 4th of July and spent the holiday in Bakersfield visiting mostly with our parents & those who came up for our annual party. We were there for 5 days and spent pretty much the whole time in the pool. A couple weeks later, we celebrated my 31st birthday and the following week had the Pankey's out for their first visit. We sure did keep them busy, taking them to the city, downtown Naperville & some of our favorite places to eat. My mom came out for her 2nd visit at the end of August. We took her to the city as well, then the girls & I kept her busy shopping at various locations. Finished off the summer with Last Fling, the annual Naperville Labor Day weekend fair.
Holland started school at the end of August & she absolutely loves her new school, teachers and the kids in her class. She's currently going 4 days a week, 2.5 hrs a day. Every day she comes home excited about her day & eager to tell me what happened that day. Between motor room or playground, art center, sensory table & dress-up center, i 'm not sure which is her favorite. In September, both girls started classes at the Y. Holland is once again enrolled in ballet (she was also in this during the summer & last before we moved). Nora is in tiny-toes (ballet), 1,2,3 Come Sing w/ me & Tiny Tots multi-sports class. In between school & classes, we are constantly busy with our playgroup-going to the park, playdates, bookstores, mall & library.
Brandon is enjoying his new office & has settled into a consistent routine w/ the train and his schedule. No more late nights (YAY) or travelling. While he's gone from the house longer each day, its better now that it is consistent. As for myself, i've made some absolutely wonderful friends from my moms group. Not only do I get to see them during the day w/ the kids, but a few times throughout the month get to see them w/out the kids (bunco, Moms night out & book club).
Fall has rapidly approached w/out much warning and we can feel winter in the air already. We're all looking forward to our first real winter, but not wishing it to come to early. Just a couple more weeks and Halloween will be here. We all know that once halloween passes, its just days til Thanksgiving & Christmas and then the year will be over. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Well, maybe it won't be 4 mos til I remember to post again. :)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
PT day 5
Nora is awesome!!!! That's all I have to say. :) Ok, maybe a little more. For 3 days, we had no accidents, we also had nothing happening in the toilet either. She was very willing to sit on potty, to wear her panties, but would actually hold it until she was in a diaper for nap or night time. On monday, she went pee on the toilet, 4x in fact. I knew that once she relaxed a little more & started going on the toilet, then we would probably start having issues getting to the bathroom in time. Tues, Nora pooped on the toilet. She fights me when I put a diaper on her for nap time & she is already telling me when she has to go. Unfortunately, she doesn't quite have that sensation of having to go prior & by the time she tells me, she already has a drop or two in her panties. NO biggie though. We rush to the bathroom where she finishes. I couldn't be prouder of her. I can't believe how incredible she is doing & so quickly. I feel like she's practically training herself, i'm only there to put her on her seat (poor thing is so tiny that even w/ the step stool, she can't reach. :-D ) Nora loves it when she does completely make it to the bathroom & panties are totally dry and she is so proud of herself (as she should be).
Friday, May 29, 2009
Potty training Day 1
Well....today is day 1 of Nora's potty training. I decided to chance it & take that leap. A couple of weeks ago, we talked to her about going potty on the toilet, took her to target & let her pick out her own panties. We told her that if she wants to wear them, then she has to go potty on the toilet. We also bought her an elmo seat. For a few days after, everyday we asked if she wanted to wear her panties (yes) & sit on the potty (no). Ok, no potty-no panties. Then about a wk ago, she finally said yes to sitting on the potty. Sat her on the elmo seat, after a couple of tries, she was a lot more comfortable sitting on elmo. However, sitting on elmo she couldn't reach the step stool. So we went out & let her pick out a floor potty. She picked out the pink princess. Since then, she's sat on it a couple of times.
The other night, Nora comes out yelling "I did it, I did it". So, she grabbed my hand, took me to the bathroom & there was about 2 drops of pee in her potty. Of course, we gave lots of praise. For the last 3 days, i've asked her if she wants to sit on her potty-nope. Today, asked her again-yes. So I told her that today we're going to start sitting on the potty, she can wear her panties & I want her to try to go potty on the toilet. I've got her little floor potty in the front room, in front of the tv & i've put her on twice in the last 20 min. The second time, she gave a real effort to go potty. In fact, every few seconds, she would grunt, stand up & say "poopoo on the potty mama?". Not yet, lets keep trying. Nora is so excited to be wearing her panties & she loves her little princess toilet....i'm hoping she catches on quickly. She's already told me "no panty wet".
Wish us luck. :)
The other night, Nora comes out yelling "I did it, I did it". So, she grabbed my hand, took me to the bathroom & there was about 2 drops of pee in her potty. Of course, we gave lots of praise. For the last 3 days, i've asked her if she wants to sit on her potty-nope. Today, asked her again-yes. So I told her that today we're going to start sitting on the potty, she can wear her panties & I want her to try to go potty on the toilet. I've got her little floor potty in the front room, in front of the tv & i've put her on twice in the last 20 min. The second time, she gave a real effort to go potty. In fact, every few seconds, she would grunt, stand up & say "poopoo on the potty mama?". Not yet, lets keep trying. Nora is so excited to be wearing her panties & she loves her little princess toilet....i'm hoping she catches on quickly. She's already told me "no panty wet".
Wish us luck. :)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day weekend was quite interesting. First, it was the first one that we can remember, not having a BBQ or party to go to. Nor were we at the pool the whole time. But, we did have a great weekend. We kicked off Saturday with our weekly visit to the chiropractor (fun I know. :)), then onto Holly's ballet/tap class, followed by lunch at Pot Belly. After Nora's nap, we headed over to Bollingbrook (one of the town's just to the East of us) where they had a tiny carnival. The girls rode 3 rides and had a blast. It was an expensive little carnival & we were there for about an hr, but it was fun. Finished off the evening with a trip over to Target.
Sunday afternoon we headed out to St. Charles (about 30 min west) to the Kane County Fairgrounds where they were having a Greek Festival. We had some yummy greek food, listened to some music, watched the dancers, checked out the wares the vendors were selling & let the girls play in the bounce house. Finished off our evening buying baklava & cookies to take home.
Monday morning we went out to breakfast at Cracker Barrell. I haven't been to Cracker Barrell in 15-20 years. Our breakfast was so good. They have a country store with the restaurant and outside, about 30 rocking chairs (of course for sale). Then we headed North to Brookfield to the Brookfield zoo. This is such a nice zoo, it has just about every type of animal you can imagine. Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short since it started raining. It had been gorgeous all week until yesterday.
Life is good. We've all adjusted to our new home and we're making friends. The people here are so nice, that its been pretty easy to make new friends & become involved in the community.
Sunday afternoon we headed out to St. Charles (about 30 min west) to the Kane County Fairgrounds where they were having a Greek Festival. We had some yummy greek food, listened to some music, watched the dancers, checked out the wares the vendors were selling & let the girls play in the bounce house. Finished off our evening buying baklava & cookies to take home.
Monday morning we went out to breakfast at Cracker Barrell. I haven't been to Cracker Barrell in 15-20 years. Our breakfast was so good. They have a country store with the restaurant and outside, about 30 rocking chairs (of course for sale). Then we headed North to Brookfield to the Brookfield zoo. This is such a nice zoo, it has just about every type of animal you can imagine. Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short since it started raining. It had been gorgeous all week until yesterday.
Life is good. We've all adjusted to our new home and we're making friends. The people here are so nice, that its been pretty easy to make new friends & become involved in the community.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
