Cookie Exchange

Last Sunday, I hosted my second cookie exchange. This year was just as fun as last year, plus we had a special addition of SANTA visiting!  It was a wonderful time to catch up with friends, snack on some goodies, and let the kiddos play.  This is a tradition I really enjoy!

A place for the kids to play...and Santa to visit!

Trays ready for guests and their cookies!

Drinks - we also had hot apple cider with mulling spices.

Elfie hanging out.  (We haven't named him yet...)

Some guests start to arrive, including Hadleigh in her adorable outfit!  The light on my camera was weird for most of these pics. :(

Friends say hi and give hugs!

Kids start to play with toys!

More toys!

And more toys!

...AND MORE TOYS!

Beckett greets Baby Josh

A sneak peek of Santa! (More pics later)

Here are the cookies the guests brought:
Jenny - Sugar Santas
Allison - Reindeer Pops
Ingrid - Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Emily - Gingerbread Men & Snowmen
Rachel - Chocolate Chip Stockings
Heather - Holiday Monster Cookies
Carly - Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dorothy - Sugar Sprinkle Bites
Mom - Fingerprint Jammies and Russian Tea Cakes
Kristin - Rolo Snickerdoodles
Treva - Peanut Butter Cups
Jayme - Nutter Butter Reindeer
Janis - Sugar Kisses
Lindsey - Peanut Butter Crumbles
Hannah - Sugar Cookies
Julie - Mint Brownies

Lindsey also served as photographer when Santa arrived and some of the pictures were just precious.  I left the cd at work, so I will have to add them later.  It was a lot of fun!

Camp Camfield

It was such a beautiful day that we took a family hike out at Camp Camfield.  Last summer, Beckett was in the Baby Bjorn.  This summer, he's upgraded to a backpack!  He didn't really like it at first, but snuggled up to Shonn and was ready for a nap by the end of the hike.  It was so nice to enjoy the weather and some time together.

 

When we got home, Beckett was worn out:

 

 

 

Zoo Much Fun

Beckett and I went to Scovill Zoo yesterday, and it was so much fun!  He has always liked animals, but this is the most animated I've ever seen him.  He chased peacocks, talked to all the animals, and ran around.  The weather was perfect - about 70 degrees - and the zoo was nearly empty.  We had a lot of fun.

 

 

 

Then it was time for the CHOO CHOO!  "All aboard the Z-O-O Express!"  The conductor gave us a personal tour -we had the whole train to ourselves!  He also took our picture, which was very nice of him!

 

 

Bright Starts

Sullivan is the Moultrie County Seat, so we are fortunate to have some county-wide programs offered in town.  One such program is the state-funded Bright Starts program, which is run through the Moultrie County Beacon.  I just completed the paperwork to enroll Beckett, which means he will get developmental screenings completed by a Child Development Specialist, monthly home visits with assessments and co-planning, and a structured playgroup he can attend twice a week in the center.  The playgroup is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but you can "drop in" any other day for playtime, which is what we did this morning.  I'm thankful for this resource and Beckett really enjoyed himself today!  (We were the only ones there!)

They have a huge outdoor playground, and what did B find right away? Round and round and round!

He went up the steps and found another steering wheel on the second floor.

Love.

He knows (and can say) eyes, nose, and ears.  Mouth is still a little ambiguous.

Worm tunnel!

There are about 15 little tikes cars, and he went directly to this cool black truck.  He LOVED it.

Next up was the little blue sports car.

And then, back to the truck.

He wanted to climb in and out all by himself.

This picture belongs in US Weekly right before he smashes the paparazzi's camera. Haha

Where's my cooler?

Just a little fender bender...

This is the playroom inside.

You can check out any books or toys for use at home.

He loves that kid almost as much as I do.

He quickly found the playtable with the farmer and animals.

He is saying "MMMMMOOO" here.

We had a great time and I'm looking forward to working with Kathy in the Bright Starts program.

Tam's Coffeehouse

Cousins at The Coffeehouse

I'm so proud of my cousin, Tammy.  She recently purchased a coffeehouse in Mahomet.  It is a wonderful place and she has so many good ideas to continue making it her own.  You MUST visit this place if you are travelling on I-72; it's just off the interstate and it's called The Coffeehouse.

On Tuesdays, one of the things Tam does is hosts a story hour for kids.  This Tuesday, Natalie brought Kaiden and we met them at there at 10:00.  Ashley was also there with her cuties, Payton and Presley, and with Amber and Audrey, it was almost a Cox reunion!  The kids were adorable and the food was amazing.  We had the veggie quiche - I highly recommend it!  The kids had a blast during music and story hour and then they played all kinds of games, including Train. (Apparently it's all the rage in the 6-10 year old set.) 

Smooches from his cousins, Amber and Audrey, Tam's girls.  Such sweeties!

Payton and Kaiden were both so nice to Beckett and very patient with him.  Payton helped him hang out with the bigger kids.  Kaiden helped him with a fire-proof suit, which greatly improved his performance in the game of Train.

He looks so grown-up! (I promise I will eventually stop exclaiming this.)  He was all over the place, so I didn't really get to sit and chat.  It was more like dash and chat.

Music time!

Beckett loves other kids and he got right in the center of the action.  I've noticed he seeks out eye contact with other kids and then sustains it as he leans in for a hug. He is very sensitive and loving.  He's also a bruiser; as soon as the hug is over, he's off running, shaking, knocking things over, and having FUN!  He loved the noise-makers, especially eggs filled with pebbles. (He kept trying to get them open.)  You can see Amber here - she has great rhythm and was adding some back beats to the songs.  Impressive!  The cute pigtail at the bottom of the shot belongs to Presley, who for some reason, reminds me of Mandy.

Beckett attacked Audrey for a tight hug.  She was really sweet with him and she loves him right back.  Sweet pic.

Shake those eggs, brother!

Tam and Audrey.  I don't know how Tammy still looks so cute all the time - she works nonstop and still finds lots of time to be a great mom.

This shot is courtesy of Audrey - the girl has some talent - Beckett was looking right at the camera and the light was great! Way to go! Please note Kaiden thoroughly enjoying one of the enormous - and delicious - blueberry muffins in the background.

After the coffeehouse, we went to The Lake of the Woods park, which was gorgeous.  I don't think I've ever been through the entire park. It's amazing.  The kids played on the equipement for a little while and then we headed home. It was a lot of fun!

Kaiden took the time to show Beckett the big kids' equipment. He will be a great big brother some day!

Beckett found a wooded path and was looking for animals.

He spotted a bunny and said, "HOP," which sounded more like, "OP"

A bunch of blondies! 

Payton was such a great helper at the park.  He made sure Beckett got through the tunnel - what a nice boy!