Surviving and Enjoying Sly Park

From Life with the Bjorks

Last weekend we headed up with our church group to Sly Park.  Last year I was freaked out about taking a baby camping.  This year I was less nervous because I had come to terms with the fact Rachel and all her clothes would be filthy.  Several times throughout the weekend I had to take a deep breath and remind myself that the dirt will wash off, she is having fun, and being dirty will not kill her or me.  We don't have any pictures of it but take my word for it Rachel was covered in a fine layer of dirt and food by Saturday evening.  The trip started off with a lovely tantrum that seemed to last forever.  I know it didn't only because it is not still going, but it was a long one.  Rachel was over tired and over excited which was not a winning combination for a nap.  She finally fell asleep for a very short nap and after that our weekend improved drastically.  Here are Rachel's highlights:

1. The Lake:  We had a great time swimming in the lake both days.  Someone even brought up a baby raft that Rachel was still small enough to fit in.  She loved being pulled around in it.  The lake while murky was an excellent way to wash off the dirt and make room for new dirt.  The lake was also fun to throw big rocks in.  Big rocks are more fun to throw in than little rocks even if you can barely lift them because they make a way better splash.

2. The Hill: Near the fire pit and eating area there was a great little hill that made an excellent ramp for rolling a ball down.  After the hill the ground was such that the ball would stop rolling so Rachel could go get it and do it all over again.

3. Camping Chairs:  Just like Goldilocks and the three bears, Rachel had to try out many different chairs before she found the one that was just right.  Some were too big to get into and some were too easy to pinch finger in (Rachel luckily did not discover this on her own).  Actually, she found 2 perfect chairs: a little toddler one and a medium sized one.  Both were great for climbing up and down on and even sitting in.

4. S'mores:  Rachel was introduced to toasted marshmallows and s'mores this year.  Not surprisingly they were a hit.

5. Playing outside all day long!
 

Little Lessons and Life

As summer vacation nears an end Rachel and I decided to resume tot school with a month of activities revolving around pond animals.  I found a blog with lap book printables geared toward toddlers.  In case you don't know a lap book is basically a file folder with activities glued inside.  Rachel's pond lap book includes a pocket with letters to spell her name which we use to sing, "there was a girl who had a name.." (the BINGO song), a counting mini book, a who lives in ponds mini book, and a coloring directions worksheet.  Each day we do tot school we start with her lap book.  Then we do a craft or coloring activity followed by either a bible story or other story about pond animals.  Rachel knows the routine, and if I try to change up the routine she lets me know that it isn't right.  Rachel loves routines and schedules.  When I ask her if she wants to do tot school she yells out, "tot school" and runs to her table to start.  I love that she is developing a love for learning.

Rachel is also learning to use the potty.  She has been super easy to potty train and has given me unrealistic expectations regarding how easy it is.  Rachel had been interested in the potty for months, so we finally headed to the store for a potty seat to fit on our toilet.  We soon noticed that while she really liked it her success was limited by her petite size.  Even with a stool she was just too short to reach the potty or the sink.  I broke down and bought her froggy potty chair which she loves and made a sink extension from an old lotion bottle (yet another great idea from pinterest).  About every 30 minutes she sits on her potty and goes.  At this point she primarily relies on me to remind her to go before it is too late.  In fact, the little stinker loves her potty so much that if she doesn't like what is for lunch and dinner she will claim she has to go potty and go sit down on it with a book.  There is now a rule of no books when you go potty during meal time.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:

 

From Life with the Bjorks

We took Grandma and Grandpa to Fairytale Town when they visited.

From Life with the Bjorks

We had a tea party and she helped all the dolls by eating their cookies and drinking their water.

From Life with the Bjorks

Isn't she adorable!  As you can see we are still battling a rash that appears to be caused by the heat.  Only a month or so more until it should start cooling down.