Kolten is feeling confident in the slide. I think that’s part due to the toddler room!
We’ve been catching little smiles from Cora. They’re so precious and a sign she’s getting bigger and growing so quickly.
I have been trying to make a habit of spending some dedicated time with Kolten each day when he gets home from his toddler room. Some days that may be an art project or a special toy that’s been tucked away. This day he and I made some crock pot apple sauce spur off the moment. We had a few extra apples and he had just made at school that he really enjoyed so I wanted to give him another opportunity. He loved participating and using the materials himself. Most of all I think he liked to sneak bites of the apples. We recently got a “kitchen helper” which is basically a wooden stool that goes up to counter height. This allowed him to really be involved safely. It is going to come in so handy over the next few months with the holidays.
This past weekend we attended our real first outing as a family of four. This is one of mine and Jim's favorite events here in Humboldt, Pastels on the Plaza. This is a yearly event (with the exception of last year due to Covid) that is a fundraiser for Northcoast Children's Services. This event is special to us because Jim has been volunteering/attending with his mom since he was a toddler. Typically, Jim, his mom, and siblings would show up before sunrise and assist with things such as marking off the squares and helping with sign in for the artist, etc. This year due to Kolten and Cora's unpredictable sleeping pattern, Jim didn't attend early to help with lines, but everyone was understandable and hopefully he'll make it out next year to help set up and maybe even complete a square! Since Jim's mom has passed away, we've been continuing to attend in her honor. This year, pastels was on two days (Saturday & Sunday) instead of all the artists arriving on Saturday. We only made it out Saturday, but I found some photos that friends took and want to share those below. Even Little Learners had a square done by Teacher Amber!
This year was special because my dad was able to come down from his home in Oregon, and he went with us. Now, I will say, getting out of the house with two kids under two years old was not not stressful, ha! It was a lot- and there was a lot of stuff because I tend to be over prepared & overpack. Also, a double stroller definitely takes up a lot of car space. But, we did it! Kolten had fun finding some pastels and drawing lines on the ground in the kid area. Jim got to chat with the director of NCCS, who is now retired, but knew Jim's mom Janet very well. My dad got to see some of the artist action, and we also scoped out the farmer's market. I got to see some familiar faces that I haven't seen in a while and so that felt good to be out. Overall, it felt amazing to see the event happening and for me to be off the couch.
