It's beginning to look alot like...fall?

Since it has been chilly the past few days, and the fact that stores are starting to put out Christmas stuff already, I really wanted to put up the Christmas tree. Ha! I decided to make a compromise - put up a tree but only with fall decor instead. This also allowed me to see how Macyn does this year with a tree. She did pretty well decorating it with me and she is quite proud of it.  She will point at it and say, "eck-or-ate-ing" mommy? me?" I had all the supplies in the house already so it was a cheap project. I had the orange lights from college, same goes for the leaf garland. The ornaments were the brown ones from our tree last year. Macyn got a little bit frustrated with trying to figure out the hooks on the ornaments, but she was okay with you helping her. 

Later on in the night she pointed to the ornaments and said, "ball?" She then proceeded to get out her golf clubs and hit them like golf balls.

I knew there was a reason why we bought plastic ones.

Chalkboard Touch up

Since Macyn's birthday is coming up (can't you tell its sneaking up on me all a sudden? haha) we bought her a play kitchen from Ikea when we went to MN a few weeks ago. The only thing it doesn't have was a fridge to go along with it. So my dad was going to build her one. Turns out we found one on a rummage sale instead and bought that! It actually matches pretty dang well. The only downfall was the outside has a chalkboard on it and it was pretty dinged/scratched up. We decided to hit up Menards and buy some chalkboard paint. Its the weirdest thing ever - pretty much you paint it, and its a chalkboard! It even feels like a chalkboard too. (please forgive my bad picture of the paint - darn auto focus!) They had dry erase board paint too, but it was double the price. So if anyone ever needs a chalkboard or anything, I am willing to let you have some paint! So it turned out pretty well, except where the painters tape didn't cover so well. We had some paint bleed under it. Anyways, here are the before and after pictures. It turned out pretty well!

Before

After

Cupcake Tower

This past fall at rummages, I didn't have too much luck. But I did find some things - such as this (brand new, in package) $1 cupcake tower. I thought I would re-purpose it for Macyn's birthday coming up. We will be doing a Minnie Mouse party with pink and zebra print. Since its already black, its a good start. I will not be using the stand it is on and will be substituting it for canned goods wrapped in zebra print fabric. On the bases themselves, I have made pink circles that will cover up the holes. I have looked into make one completely from scratch, but this is way more cost efficient and way less effort. I hope to make zebra printed and pink polka dot cupcake wrappers as well. I have an idea of how it will look in the end, let's just hope it turns out!

Sunday Best

Since it was pretty cold on Sunday, we had a challenge on our hands on what to dress Macyn in for church. We have a couple dresses, but no tights. So we got creative. We decided to put her in a 2T dress, being worn as a shirt. Then threw on some 3T jeggings (jean leggings), size 6 shoes (which are almost too small) and a 3T sweater. So pretty much what you can gauge from her outfit is, shes super tall and often needs 3T clothes for the length. Oh, and the fact that her mom dresses her very artistically. Doesn't surprise you, does it?

23 Months

Our "little" peanut is 23 months old! She isn't very little anymore as she has a pretty hearty appetite! Some of her favorite foods are chicken nuggets, spaghetti, bugles, bread, waffles, cereal, and fruit snacks. She often likes to ask for "milky cocoa" and sometimes "TEA!" She is usually pretty adamant about drinking out of a cup instead of a sippy cup, but this isn't always the cleanest option. When we are eating at the table she will often put food into her mouth and go "mmmmmmm!" and sometimes she will put food in and say, "yucky!" and spit it out. We have pretty much abandoned all drinks and condiments at the table because if she sees it, she wants it. This usually results in a meltdown and sometimes time out. When she gets mad she likes to hit us, so I usually warn her and then when she does it again, its time out time! She definitely knows how to test us - she usually laughs and smiles when we discipline her.

Her vocabulary continues to build and she is starting to say, "please," and "thank you mommy." She also added, "Grammy," to her list.  She also says something we can't quite understand, but it sounds like "Robby" - so any help deciphering this would help! She also says, "Jay Jay!" (Blue Jay) whenever she sees any bird in the feeder. She also says kids name's at daycare. The other morning she goes, "HIIII Kylee!" She also says, "Addy,"  "Kai (Makai)"  "Holly," etc. However, its looking like she will have to get ear tubes again, but maybe this would help out her vocabulary more too.

She also has started to undress herself, going on the potty more often, and taking off her diaper. She also likes to pick out her own clothes and demands, "no me!" if you try to help her. Its times like that you just let her try, and eventually she will want your help. Ever since she has been able to go up and down stairs without crawling, she is very adamant that's how you do it - she wants to do it herself without being carried.

She has definitely started the terrible 2's and its anyone's guess how she will act outside of the house. This usually limits us to where we go or what we do with her. She no longer will sit in a shopping cart or stroller, so this is part of the problem too. Even though she always has a meltdown, her sweet personality overshadows all the tantrums and whining. I love seeing her develop and gain more skills and her loving nature. Nothing beats a, "Mommy? Daddy?" in the morning when she wakes up. Love her! It's hard to believe she will be 2 in a month already. Good thing we taught her how to show you 2. Not your typical 2, but its 2, nonetheless!

Queen Cruise

Waiting to go on the Queen

For my work, we had a "surprise summer gathering!" All we knew was that we were supposed to meet in Arnold's Park at 4:30. It turns out we were going for a cruise and having a meal on the Queen II. We first all sat on the top deck and took it all in. Then after we cruised for about 45 minutes and enjoyed some pop and popcorn, it was time to go down on the bottom deck and have our meal. It consisted of chicken, green bean casserole, cheesy potatoes, dinner rolls, and peach cobbler. It was delicious! Macyn wasn't too excited about eating anything, until I convinced her the cheesy potatoes were french fries....then she ate all of them :)

After the meal we all hung out on the top deck again and enjoyed each other's company. It was nice to hang out with coworkers outside of work - even better since it was a perfect night for a cruise on the lake! Macyn enjoyed running around like a maniac on the boat, and the VP taught her some tricks, such as how to steer the boat. Every time I couldn't find her, she was always by the boat captain! After the 2 hour cruise we got off the Queen and the boss took us out for home made Nutty bars. They were soooo yummy! Macyn ate a lot of mine, so she approved too. All in all it was a great night/day and nice to have a company outing. It was a ton of fun!

Macyn loooves the boat (if you couldn't tell!)

Macyn steering the boat

Enjoying the view

Our family

Sooo fun!

After Macyn ran laps around the boat, she was out within 10 minutes of leaving. That girl has some serious energy!

Labor Day Weekend

Our labor day weekend consisted of attending my high school's homecoming game, visiting my sister and nephew, relaxing, playing outside, and fishing (where I caught a fish!) It was nice to relax instead of being busy all the time. The weather was absolutely perfect too! Here are some pictures from our weekend.

Macyn and Mommy at the football game

Saturday we went and visited my sister and nephew, Caden and did some shopping along the way. She just bought a new house and we had to check that out. We also did a little bit of shopping (and reminded myself why I don't go shopping on weekends - too busy!) and had some time for Macyn and Caden to play together.

Caden is army crawling now and its so cute! Macyn was pretty good with him, except when she hid his dinosaur toy underneath the table and then pushed him over when he tried crawling to it. Oh boy! She also liked to tickle him, but gave him a nice hug and kiss before we left. She always gets super excited to see him and we often ask her if she "wants to go see Caden" if shes having a meltdown. She usually stops crying and gets excited instead ;)

We also spent quite a bit of time outside too. Macyn decided to draw some chalk pictures on the patio. She also spent time pushing her baby around in the stroller and pushing her in the swing, etc. I convinced her to come inside after being out for 2 hours for a snack, only to find out how upset she was that we were staying in after her snack.  Shortly after that, she completely konked out on DH's lap.

 After a nap and lunch, we went out fishing. It was pretty windy and the pond was pretty rough. I, however, managed to catch a blue gill. Macyn wasn't quite impressed. She simply said, "blue?!" The girl knows her fish. Macyn managed to fall out of her chair and roll down the mud embankment and about only 2 feet from the pond. She was pretty scared, but we just gave her some Bugles and she calmed down. She was upset though, her hands were dirty. What a girly girl we have on our hands!

Fishing with Mommy

Let me tell you, she never put that fishing pole down!

All in all, we had a great outdoor weekend and visiting family. I could really get used to these 3 day weekends!