Maple Sugar Time

Last weekend we took Samantha to Chelberg Farm to experience Maple Sugar Time. I think my mom took us almost every year. It was something I always enjoyed, so I wanted to share it with her!

I love living so close to the National Lakeshore. There are always fun activities going on, and this event wasn't any different. They had a booklet the children could work on while they toured the farm. If they completed it they would earn a Junior Ranger badge! How fun!!!

Our first stop was to learn how the Native Americans tapped the trees to get the sap. Sam was slightly disappointed because I told her there would be real Indians there talking to us, and it was just volunteers. (They have more authentic activities in the fall for Harvest Time.) Then it was off to learn about the pioneers way, and finally how the Chelberg's built a sugar shack.
The day we were there was perfect weather for the sap to be running, so we were able to peek into the buckets and seeing it flowing. Sam even tapped a tree!

As we walked up to the Chelberg's house I was giving her a Sami sized history lesson on the Chelberg family. The most interesting part for her was they immigrated from Sweden...just as her American Girl doll did! =) Her she sampled REAL maple syrup fresh from the farm as well as the store bought variety. They were asked to guess which was which, and she figured it out right away! However she did prefer the store bought variety! Go figure!

I had a lot of fun sharing this place with her. I also enjoyed telling her about the chamber pots! Matt told her it was the youngest child's job to empty them each day to which she replied..."Good thing I won't be the youngest much longer!" =)

A Visit to Dr. Pampel

Proudly displaying her new toothbrush and toothpaste!

Patiently waiting for the hygienist...

February is Dental Health month. Sam had been doing a variety of dental health activities at school, and one Tuesday morning a hygienist came to her class. She came home SUPER excited, and begging to go to the dentist! I had known for awhile that it was time to go, but I think I was letting my fear of the dentist cloud my decision to call! =) They actually told me they like to see children for the first time between the age of 2 or 3!!!! Oops!

I called that same day, and she was able to get in the very next afternoon. It was less than 24 hours away, but you would have thought we made her wait 20 years! I have never witnessed anyone be SO excited to go to the dentist!

Taking pictures of her teeth with the "tooth" camera....

Getting all shined up!

She loved every part of it! From picking out her toothbrush...to the actual cleaning...meeting the dentist...and entering her name in the "no cavity club" jar!

This was taken while she was trying to decide what flavor fluoride she wanted. It is in no way staged...that all her! So silly! Behind her you can see her teeth on the computer screen. She did have two small stains. They said since she is a lefty she pays more attention to her left side, so we just have to make sure we do just as good of a job on the right side. =) So no cavities! Whoo hoo!

When we were getting ready to go she kept talking to me about the sucker they were going to use to clean up after her mouth. She had a good time with this little thing! It even had a name...Herman!

Her mouth was actually too small for the fluoride tray, but she insisted on having it...so they crammed it in!

As we were leaving she asked if we could go back to the dentist the next day! Apparently she had a really good time! I told her the next time we go she'll have a little sister to bring with...can't wait!

He's Been Found!!!

Some of you may remember how devastated (I truly was) that I couldn't find the baby Jesus that goes to our Fisher Price Little People Nativity while decorating this Christmas. I was just beginning my long road of morning sickness at around that time, but I was on a mission to find him! After all...it's not Christmas without Jesus!

Somewhere in the back of my mind I remembered seeing him in Samantha's room. So we searched high and low, but no luck. I really thought we would find him before the "big day"...but sadly we did not.

Last night while I was chatting away on the phone I heard strange rumblings coming from Samantha's room. It was starting to sound like she was rearranging furniture, so I did what any attentive mom would do...sent Matt to check... :)

He emerged from her room with a huge smile and said..."She found baby Jesus!!!"

"What...WHERE???" Apparently...he had been under her bed the whole time. I didn't really think anything could get under there because the crib mattress is stored under there. I guess I was wrong. Ha!

So baby Jesus is once again safe and sound...even if it is almost Easter!

A Day at the Movie!

My friend Karen is very good at finding deals (as most of you know from previous posts)...
She called me Saturday and asked if I had $9 because "Hotel for Dogs" was playing at the "cheap theatre" in Merrillville...
Our bank doesn't have debit/atm cards, so if we don't plan ahead many times we don't have cash...but alas we had exactly $9! :) We ran to Wal-Mart before the movie to buy some candy. I know you aren't really supposed to do that, but I have a hard time paying $3 for a candy bar you can get for 50 cents! I remembered you can write a check for a little bit over to get some cash back there, so I said we could get slushies at the theatre.
I was so excited when we got the tickets because there were COUPONS (you know how I love those) for FREE popcorn! Our drinks came to $11 which really stunned me, but...$20 for the three of us to see a movie and have our favorite snacks isn't that bad when you really think about it...
Matt had never been to the movies with Samantha before, so it was fun for him to watch her reactions and how she handles herself. The poor thing doesn't weigh enough to keep the chair from folding up on her, so she kept sitting like an accordion!! She even got her feet stuck a few times.
All in all it was a good wintry day activity...I'll be checking the paper more carefully for movies she wants to see at the "cheap theatre" :)

Have You Given Up?

So I am thinking that most people have given up on me! We were without a computer for a VERY long time...but I'm back!!! The sad thing is I can't find my camera...but...hopefully I'll find it soon and post a bunch of fun new blogs!!!!

Pumpkin Fun

Carving pumpkins has always been a Daddy and Samantha activity. I tend to sit back and snap pictures while they carve...and dig...and get gooey seeds everywhere! This year Sam drew her own face on her pumpkin for Daddy to carve. She did a great job cleaning the "guts" out...and we think the finished product was pretty great!

American Girl Place~Chicago

When I was a little girl I used to drool over the American Girl catalog every time it arrived in the mail. I would circle and re-circle the items I loved, and hope Santa would grant my wishes! One Christmas he did...and I received a Kirsten doll. I cherished her! I kept her on my shelf well into high school, until one day it was time to pack away my dolls...and I saved her in a box with the hopes that I would be able to one day share her with my little girl.

American Girl has grown A LOT since I was little. There are many historical dolls and dolls that look like you. They even have a line of baby dolls. Samantha received one of these Bitty Baby dolls for her 2nd birthday, and they have been buddies ever since. Samantha is now excited when the catalogs come in the mail. She loves going through page by page and picking out things for her baby "Addy"...

Two weeks ago my mom and I took Samantha on her very first trip to the American Girl doll store! I must admit...I think I was more excited than Sam! But...then again...she didn't really know what was in store for her!

She had her very first ride on a train...

Her first trip downtown!!! This included her first taxi ride! She was pretty upset that our cab was white instead of yellow, but she got over it when she realized she didn't have to sit in a car seat!

It was "Bitty Baby Day" so there were special activities going on for preschool age girls and their dolls. There were crafts, snacks, and a circle time where they learned little songs and fingerplays for their dolls!

The store itself was a bit overwhelming to her. It was really crowded, and a lot of the displays were over her head. She had fun looking at all of the historical dolls, and picking out a few new outfits for Addy to take home.


We ate at Gino's East for lunch! YUMMY!!! Sam loved all of the graffiti all over the walls, and she was such a good girl while we waited about an hour for her first Chicago deep dish pizza!

On the way back to the train we decided to walk. It was a little over a mile, but she didn't complain ONCE! She just kept looking up at all of the buildings and commenting on how tall they were! We walked over the Chicago River where she even saw a water taxi!

When we got on the train she decided to change Addy into one of her new outfits. It was SUCH a fun day, and we are hoping to make it a yearly trip.

When we got back to Nana's house I decided to pass along my Kirsten doll. I know she is in good hands, and I know we have many more years of American Girl doll fun!