Cold Days

Soooo COLD! It's not easy to keep a toddler contained indoors - especially one who wants to keep moving. So, with a little help from the internet, I found some fun activities to keep Rebekah busy. 

The Pom-Pom Throw

(throw the pom-poms aiming for a certain number step)

Hot Lava

(only step on the pillows)

She really had fun with this one

And she did AWESOME!

Then she made mama play while she took pictures

But after a few minutes she wanted back in.

Then we stopped for a lunch. And Rebekah took pictures again

After lunch there was animal run:

What we won't do to keep a preschooler busy!

Snow

It snowed and ironically the snow warmed up the weather. Rebekah was very happy.

All decked out in her winter gear.

She is so useful:

 Helping us move that big pile of snow.

 

Dusting off our electrical

Throwing snow on daddy. Very very useful. 

Valentines Day

Here is what Valentines week looks like for us:

My attempt to be festive, thank you Pinterest, went okay. I have discovered I'm not good at this crafting thing. But, just like with Rebekah's hair, I figure I have a few more years to practice before it really matters. So I push onward.

Rebekah and I made valentine holders for the family. (Notice top right: Rebe wanted to do her hand print. I turned away and she was continuing up her arm. So I embraced the art and made and arm and hand print.)

This idea was fun for the both of us. Rebe really got into it.

So much fun!

Turned out great!

That is until we took the tape off. Very sad. Maybe my tape was old? Don't know but I did something wrong. The one on Pinterest didn't rip. 

Then there was cookie making.

Rebe wanted to help with the powdered sugar

and help she did

Yummy cookies....

Then there was Valentine story time with its accompanying chocolate covered Twinkie. This was a first for Rebekah. Here she is pondering over the taste of said Twinkie.

We did more Valentine's crafts. Not sure how everything seems to end up on our nose....

Thursday we did some more valentines crafts at the library, which included this chocolate covered pretzel she made her grandma. She's just sampling it before she gives it away....

The next day we decorated the cookies with Anabel.

Cheese

Tasting her creation

Pondering which one she'll have next....

On Valentines day grandma got Rebekah a musical card.

I gave Don his valentine. When I gave it to him he actually smiled. Score one more for me and Pinterest!

Rebekah and I finished these cookies together. I'm actually quite proud!

Don took me out to Chuy's for some chicken tortilla soup - or Soup of the Gods as I like to call it. He even got me another portion to go. 

Then we swung back home to drop off said soup, picked up Rebe to deliver cookies, and to do a little Valentine shopping. We dropped off some cookies at Kelly's and she had something for Rebekah.

It was received with much happiness.

Apparently in our rush to get in the car with cookies and Rebe's bag and such, Rebekah's coat was left. 

So she used mine. And Don's. 

After we got home, Don attempted to eat a cookie without having to share it with Rebekah. Notice the panic on his face as he realizes Rebe may come back at any minute....

Then, knowing how much I like organization, Don and Rebekah organized gummy bears for me. 

Happy Valentines day to me!

Muncie Museum

I was planning on taking Rebekah to the children's museum, however, she wanted a doctor's office, and she wanted a semi truck. As far as I know, neither are at the Indianapolis museum. So I went online and found coupons and mom spotted the entrance fee and we were off. 

Half way there Rebekah suggested it was taking longer to get there then she thought, but it was okay because we would get there soon, right....? I promised her we would. 

We eventually did and Rebe was off. First stop, the tractor. It's not every 3 year old that can safely back up a tractor.

Then there was a cow to milk. Grandpa Stirland would be proud.

Fishing was next on the list.

We planted flowers...

And practiced our cooking skills.

And of course, drove the semi. A lot.

Then we went grocery shopping - Rebe looking for cheese:

Then Rebekah put on an awesome dance show:

After we spent a good portion of the day at the museum, Rebekah was ready to head home (after I promised a snack when we got to the car). We did have one more picture to take:

Another Trip

Rebekah's been asking to go to the Children's Museum again so we packed up and headed out. 

Rebekah wanted to take Miss Kitty and Frank the Frog with us, but they had to be safe. Here she is acting as a seat belt for the both of them. However, she soon decided it was too hard and Frank had to take his chances on his own. 

Last time we went the carousel was brought up by multiple people. Rebekah's most recent experience with a carousel was not pretty. She would get on and then want to get right off. The one time she stayed on long enough for the machine to start she freaked out and I ended up holding her the whole time. I was not looking forward to doing that again. So, last trip I ended up skipping the carousel. 

This time Rebe made sure that wasn't going to happen. She walked right up to the woman at the front desk and asked how to find the carousel on the 4th floor. The lady smiled and talked directly back to her. Rebekah was intently listening. I just watched the whole thing with the realization that we were going to the carousel. 

I talked to her about it and she assured me she wanted to do it and would stay on the carousel the whole time. So we went. She picked a nice black horse.

But when she saw the deer she had to move over. 

And stay on she did. I was very proud of her. I, however, got dizzy. Something happens during your mid 20's that make things like carousels and swings less then fun. Have your kids early, that's my advice.

I let Rebekah take the lead and we next went down to build with the plastic glass sculpture. However, this time she mostly wanted to look at the real glass sculpture from the rotating seat.

Then she wanted to go back to China. First we played some music. 

Then we painted.

Then more music.

Then we had a China Opera photo shoot. I let Rebekah have some fun. She chose both picture. I think her picture turned out much better but you be the judge. Here's Rebe's:

Mu Guiying

Mu Guiying Takes Command

Mu Guiying is a wudan, or warrior woman, whose father is a bandit king. Her makeup is that of a beautiful young woman, but her costume shows she is also a skilled warrior.

And mine:

Dou Erdun

Stealing the Imperial Steed

Dou Erdun is an bandit chief, who plots to steal a valuable horse from the Emperor's hunting camp. His blue face paint shows that he is both an outlaw and a hero - much like Robin Hood!

Then we went to a new exhibit and found the Simpsons couch. Thought Joseph may appreciate this photo:

I tried to get Rebe interested in seeing herself on tv, but she didn't seem to care.

She did care about the car outside the exhibit though and she spent much time there.

But soon we realized we were hungry. And good thing for us, Don forgot his lunch so we took it and made out great! Rebe loved his cookies, although I only let her have one - not the three I packed for Don.

Rebekah finished before I did so she went across the hall and found the bouncy toy.

Then it was time for "Playscape" again. 

Ah, sand...

Singing away

Loving the wind tunnel

Then we went back up to the 4th floor and found this. Rebe was in heaven!

And the carousel was calling again. This time a tiger ride was in order.

ROAR!

What girl doesn't love a tree house!

Then she found a horse. Yee-HAW!

She practiced her artistic skills and made this:

We finished with the hall of mirrors. We had fun so much fun. I found one that made me look taller. I need one of these at home!

I love seeing things with Rebekah. It is so much fun playing with her. It is truly an honor to be the mom of such a special little girl.