Exploring Middle, GA - Ocmulgee State Park

The temperatures last week were perfection, hovering at 70 degrees so we could play without coats. Seemed like perfect weather for hiking!  Until we woke up Saturday to 40 degrees!  But we had promised the kids an adventure so we set out, as planned, to Ocmulgee State Park (located about 30 minutes from our house).

I don't know why I am so surprised by the beauty of our parks and lands here in Georgia.  We visit a lot of them, and each one in unique. Ocmulgee boasted sandy trails, tall pine trees, tons of Spanish moss, cypress trees, and a small lake.

On Saturday we were one of 10 people in the entire park, so we explored and hiked alone, just our little family of four five (can't forget Enda!)

JB took turns wanting to ride in the stroller and wanting to push the stroller.  (Maryn was happy being pushed by whoever - she loves the stroller). He also found several walking sticks to help him on the journey.

While Maryn contently rode in the stroller she also removed her accessories and tossed them along the trail.  Mama got a little extra workout going back to collect them...

My favorite part of the trail was the "interpretive boardwalk" (??) into the cypress trees.  The kids found it magical, too.

JB saw the large playgrounds before our hike and reminded us along the way "don't forget to take me to the playground!"  After our hike we played and played, then enjoyed some sandwiches at the lodge. Such a nice area - and so close!  I doubt it will be our last time there.

Maryn Elizabeth - 17 Months Old!

Maryn is not a year-and-a-half yet, which is the only thing that makes this post easier. I'll probably really struggle next month knowing she's crossed the threshold of closer to two than one!!

Maryn is still so very happy-go-lucky most of the time, but showing us more of her red-headed intensity in situations that displease her.  She's gotten physical a few times (i.e. slapping her brother across the face, throwing a plate at us), and I may try time-outs a bit earlier with this gal!  

A few other fact and funnies about this sweet gal at 17 months:

• This month Maryn hit a milestone - dropping to one nap a day!  Little Miss Textbook took about 3 days to adjust and now sleeps 2-3 hours every afternoon.  

• She still takes bottles in the AM and PM, but we've switched to almond milk due to some "tummy trouble".  She still sleeps with multiple (like, four) pacis.

• Good news - Maryn does have front teeth!!!  YEA!!!  We were actually worried about this one and always bugged our pediatric dentist friend with our concerns. She got in one front tooth, and the other is breaking through (I think). We also started brushing her teeth every night and she adores it.  After her bottle she runs to the bathroom and points to her toothbrush.  

• She also loves:  FaceTiming on the iPhone; play-talking on the phone; being pushed or pulled  in the stroller, wagon, or JB's old red car; swinging; "helping" me (or helping herself to food) in her new learning tower that Mr. Ben built for her; reading books, particularly puppet books and Goodnight Moon; knocking down towers that her brother builds

• Maryn hates stickers or any sort of tape on her.  She panics until someone takes it off.  Now, JB loves putting stickers on himself and other things, so you can see the issue...

• Besides "Enda", she also now says "yeah" very clearly.  Most all questions are met with an enthusiastic "YEAH!" (Unless it's something she doesn't want to do and then there is a fierce head shake).

• Maryn is fearless and "monkey see, monkey do".  I suspect that's common with second children, but, whew, keeps us on our toes.  She's had more goose eggs this month than I care to admit.

Goodness how we love this little angel.  

Winter Festival at the Warner Robbins AFB

The Sassers had such a fun day on Saturday!!  A cooooooold day spent outside, but the kids finally got to wear their puffy jackets this season.  

We had already planned to visit the Warner Robbins Air Force Museum, and found out mid-week that they were hosting a Winter Festival on Saturday.  Perfect timing!  Although we planned to stay home all January and keep things low-key, we can only handle so much downtown at the new house.  :) Plus, Warner Robbins is only 50 miles away so not really a "trip".  

The festival included snow tubes, horseback riding bouncy houses, ziplines, super heroes, and lots of food vendors.  Kudos to the planners for making sure the littles could have as much fun as the big kids.  JB had a BLAST!  He must have gone down the "snow" hill about 20 times by himself (and the bigger one with Daddy just as many times).

He also loved the horse-back riding, and looked so calm and confident on top of the horse. Proud of my little guy (he can be timid around new things.)

It irritated Sissy that she could not yet mount a horse (maybe next year, little girl). She did try to the snow tubing with me and was not impressed.  

Did I mention it was cold?  Like 50 degrees with high winds.  We escaped into the museum several times to warm up, but a separate trip for just the exhibits is warranted in the near future.  Would be a good trip with our Gran Gran.

After the festival events, we meandered over to the playground where the kids asked to swing until their poor hands froze.  

By 11:30 we had departed to find real food. None of the restaurants we wanted to try were open on Saturdays (guessing because they are only open for the Base), but we finally found a Mexican restaurant that was yuuuuuuuummy.  We also saw lots of  Greek, Vietnamese, Korean, and Indian places.  Gotta love a city that boasts lots of ethnic food.  I miss that in our small little town!  

I love days like this!!!  And excited I got to experience a new Georgia town (my first time to WR).  I see lots more Middle GA exploring this Spring.  

Sweet Enda Girl - 5 Years Old!!

This vizsla of ours.... she's FIVE YEARS OLD, y'all!  That's 35 years old in Dog Years.(Coincidentally, Enda and I turn the same "age" this year, sort of funny).

Although she has calmed so much this year (in terms of her energy), Enda is increasingly more high maintenance and neurotic as she ages.  She firmly believes this household should revolve around her and her needs, and is in the middle of everything.  She's highly offended if she's not included in any and all car trips (even trips to Kroger), and needs us at her immediate disposal to open doors, rub her haunches, and serve her food.  Around 9PM she makes it known that she's ready for bed and starts whining if we don't start towards the bedroom.  Enda still has no sense of personal space and lives up to the Velcro stereotype for her breed.

Now, because we love Enda way more than people should love an animal, we tolerate (and really enable) these traits of hers.  And, in return, she gives us more love and affection than I thought canines were capable of.  She's even better with the kids these days, which is good news since little Maryn (the red-headed sister she most resembles) is obsessed with her.

JB is really into birthdays, so naturally we threw a party for her.  The kids picked her out new toy, wrapped it, and gave it to her this morning. Enda was so excited.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!

A Family that Cooks Together...

Unless y'all want to hear about contract negotiations, end user testing, or James' and my busy travel schedule, nothing too much to report on the blog.  We've purposefully tried to make January a low-key month of lazy family time, free of weekend excursions or commitments.  It's been nice!  

One thing we've done more of lately is cooking with the kiddos.  Both are very enthusiastic about helping us prepare food.  James is a pro at making waffles in the new waffle iron (which I admittedly told my parents we didn't need, but they got us one anyway and it's been a super big hit.)  Maryn likes to watch the iron and tell us when it's ready (i.e. when the light turns green).

JB and I like to bake desserts and snacks after Sissy goes to bed.  Last night we made these Milk and Cereal Bars - super tasty!  They are slightly healthier than rice crispie treats (as long as you don't eat half the pan like I did.)  JB doesn't understand why he can't eat them for breakfast (um, loads of marshmallow sugar goodness.)

Maryn still continues to be my fantastic little eater, devouring anything I put on her plate and eating a wide variety of food.  JB has gotten pickier and pickier.  Last night I got brave enough to say "this is what's for dinner.  It is this or nothing until breakfast".  He was able to hold out until 8PM when he finally realized MAMA MEANS BUSINESS.  

He ate about half the plate before he declared that he "DID NOT LIKE THIS".  Because he fulfilled his end of the bargain (trying it), I rewarded him with some bread and apple butter. 

I'm not sure if that is the right parental move.  Probably need to read a book on how to win the dinner time battle (any suggestions?)

What to Do When It's Freezing Outside?

It was a very brisk, cold 20s this weekend, which we are not used to in these parts of the country. It even snowed for a minute or two! So what do you do with a weekend in barely survivable temps??

First, we (and by "we" this includes the muchkins) make banana bread. Because it warms the soul.

We build "spaceship bouncy houses" with our magnatiles in front of the fire.

We also hit up REAL bouncy houses at an indoor gym to burn off some energy!!

After naps (because cold air makes us sleepy) we naturally need cold ice cream.

Oh, and Mama gets crazy with a colder, "winter" color with her hair!

You also do crazy things in the cold, like take BOTH toddlers to Kroger. It naturally required balloons and in-cart snacks.

You wear house shoes in the cold. Even if they are 5 sizes too big (and your big brother's).

And you climb on your Mama lots and lots of times!!

It's also a good time to whip out new Christmas presents, such as your snazzy new slow cooker and nifty air fryer.

It's the perfect time to whip out our fuzzy-wuzzy sleepsacks, too!

And it's the PERFECT time to catch a movie (The Imitation Games and Spotlight) while crocheting by the fire.

Kiddos do weird things in the cold, like get up at 5am (well, that's normal for JB), climb into bed with their lazy Mama at 730am, then snooze till 9!

Parents do crazy things like think "I wonder if I could potty-train my 16 month old...?"

(The cold air has definitely affected our brain!!)

Here's hoping everyone stayed safe and warm this weekend!! We enjoyed all these "cold weather" adventures. But we're happy to see those 70 degree temps creeping back in the forecast by midweek!