Toddler Milestones & Recent Funnies

So much has been going on in our little toddlers' lives recently that I wanted to make sure to catalog the highlights before I forget.

Caroline transitioned to a toddler bed! I had absolutely no intention of making this move until Caroline was either climbing out of her crib regularly or she was leaving for college. Matt on the other hand has been so anxious and excited to make this move. Anyway, I finally caved to Matt's regular requests to make the transition!

CGM at 27 months

In preparation for the first night of freedom Matt and Caroline unscrewed the front of the crib together while he explained the sticker reward system for staying in bed all night and not getting out until we come and get her. He also slipped a pool noodle under the sheet to prevent her from rolling out of bed. And added a door lock in the event she decided to roam the house at 2 am. Oh, and he secured all of her furniture to the wall.

I am shocked to report that Caroline has done pretty well with the transition and is obsessed with adding a sticker to the calendar each morning. Over the past six'ish weeks we've averaged one adventurous night per week that definitely does not end with a sticker. One morning we opened her door to an entire collection of Dr. Seuss books completely shredded. She even attempted to hide the scraps of evidence behind the crib. We also had to lock up all her drawers after the night she pulled our every diaper, every wipe and had a field day with the diaper cream. Oh, and she fell out of bed while sleeping once. But other than a few naughty nights here and there she has been sleeping soundly and is so proud of her bed and sticker chart!

Another huge milestone - Tom Tom is officially walking! Hallelujah! Caroline is so dang obsessed with him walking now too. She pulls him around everywhere like he is her baby doll.

TDM at 14 months

Also, can we please stop and reflect for one second that THIS is the exact age Caroline was when we brought Tom Tom home? HOLY MOLY.

Lastly, we said farewell to my beloved Snap & Go Stroller. We had been waiting to ditch Thomas's infant car seat until he began walking to upgrade him to the next car seat. Then unexpectedly the computer system went out in my car so my stroller is stuck in my trunk and I can't get to it. It only took me two days of trying to haul a 20+ pound baby in an infant carrier up a hill at daycare while also trying to hold on to Caroline, diapers and two backpacks before I said NOPE and rush shipped two Graco Contender 65 Car Seats to replace the infant system in both cars. Thomas loves his new seat!

And now, for some recent funnies...

After smuggling a pantiliner out of my bathroom drawer (and into the car)...

Caroline: Mommy I got a band-aid!

 

Why we can't buy nice things for our home. Or eat mashed sweet potatoes anymore.

House parties.

Trash pick up mornings are always such a highlight for the kids. Last week as the garbage truck drove by Caroline exclaimed "mommy! they picking up all the poopies [diapers]!"

Our Football Party

Last weekend we threw a football party! We had 30 adults and 21 kids stop by over the course of our event for hotdogs, beer, bounce house fun and football on the big screen. It was an awesome time.

A few months ago Matt proposed the idea of us throwing a party to watch an Ohio State game with our friends. Our fall is pretty packed out so at first I wasn't entirely sold on the idea. Then Matt proposed that he would throw the party and that I wouldn't have to do a thing. Naturally, I quickly said "okay, fine! We'll throw the party!" And so this party came to be! It was such a success that afterwards Matt and I agreed we'll probably replace our annual summer soiree (which happened only once) with an annual football party.

We kicked off the party at 4:30 pm for the "family portion" of the two-part event. We inflated the bounce house, pulled out all the toys and let the kids run wild. 

In attendance we had all the usual suspects, some classmates and a few neighbors!

We kept dinner simple with a hot dog bar. On the bar we offered chili, cheddar cheese, onion, coleslaw, pickles, baked beans, chips and all the condiments. 

For dessert I made Buckeyes at Matt's request. These are always a labor of love to make but they were too appropriate for the occasion not to whip up. Plus Matt stayed up late with me the night before the party to roll out 60 of these delicious things. And everyone at the party raved about them so it was worth the extra effort.

Couldn't pass up the football cookie cake at the grocery store during my shopping trip.

As for the table decor, I rolled some paper across the table and drew out some game plays for a cute table runner (tutorial here). I also found some festive plates and napkins that were perfect for the party. For the final touch I picked up some fresh fall flowers from the farmers market. Voila -- easy tablescape and party buffet.

For the first time ever I traded in my Gator gear to join the family in Ohio State colors...

Fun fact: I hate wearing the color red. I actually don't own any red tops either so I ran out during my lunch break on Friday to a boutique next door to my office and snagged this cute red top.

I set out a few apps around the backyard for guests. Of course I had to make my favorite fall snack - pumpkin dip!

The hot corn dip was demolished within 30 minutes. 

As was the pirates booty. Pretty sure my kids were responsible for polishing off the entire plate.

Laura brought over pimento cheese and pretzels too!

 

For the drinks we loaded up a cooler with lots of local and fall brews, chilled a few bottles of wine and set out some baby booze -- juice pouches. 

I couldn't believe how well Thomas did in the bounce house this party. He held his own even though he was the smallest jumper.

 

The water table is always another huge party hit among the kiddos. Guaranteed to leave every toddler soaked.

 

My kids after too many juice boxes.

Once the witching hours arrived the toddler party animals were pretty much spent. Matt invited all of the guys to stick around (or return after getting their kids down for bedtime) for the second half of the party to watch the game on the big screen! We reloaded the coolers and fired up the projector. Nine guys returned for the late night festivities.

Matt's only request for the party was that we rent a big screen and projector to watch the game outside with the guys. I searched so many local party rental websites and renting a projector was going to cost hundreds of dollars, plus a screen rental, plus delivery and set-up, etc. etc. After more research I found a really awesome projector on Amazon for less than $90 and Matt made the screen out of PVC pipe (and yes, borrowed our 1,000 thread count bed sheet). But anyway, it worked perfectly and all the guys had a blast. We even let Caroline hang out until 9:30 pm to participate in the viewing. Then she and I retired to bed so the guys could have their man time the rest of the night. It was a huge party success (a win for Ohio State!!) and I have never been more thankful to have AC this time around.