Tuesday, July 31, 2012

My Baby Can Read (not to be confused with "Your Baby Can Read")

So I took these videos and I cannot just let them sit on my computer.  They are just too cute!

I just love how Dylan enjoys books.  Being a reading teacher, it warms my heart and gives me a grin from ear to ear when he picks up a book, brings it to me and says "book".  Then he points to the seat next to me and says "sit", "chair".  We snuggled for a long while today reading his two favorite books.  It was raining outside so it was a perfect rainy day activity.

As of right now, his two favorite books are Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney and Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems!  He also enjoys getting new books from the library.  Mostly the ones with trucks, animals and things he can touch on the inside.

Here is a video of Dylan reading a few of his books after our library day on Monday...


And here he is asking me to read to him...


In this video Dylan is reading Knuffle Bunny...


The next two videos are of Dylan reading Llama Llama Red Pajama.  This book is by far his favorite and you can tell by these videos that he LOVES this book!


 



I love this little guy so much!  He surprises me everyday with what he can do :) 

Water Park with the BOYS!

Did you know there is a water park in Columbia?  I didn't until last week when some friends invited me and Dylan to go Palmetto Falls Water Park at Fort Jackson.  We had a BLAST!  Dylan, Beckett and Ryan played and played!  They all had the best time together.  Here are a few pictures from the best water day ever...

Ahhh...such a sweetheart :)

Beckett, Ryan and Dylan running through the splash pad!

There were several different sections to this water park.  There was a splash pad, a wading pool with a slide, a lazy river, and a few larger slides for older kids to go down.  The boys loved the splash pad and the wading pool.  Dylan LOVED the slide that was in the wading pool.  He went up and down, up and down!  He didn't need swimmies or a life vest.  He would slide down the slide, go under the water and pop back up.  It was just like swim lessons when he learned how to go under the water.  He figured out quickly how to stand himself up, which helped me relax so I could enjoy the water while he played!  I can't believe he's getting to be such an independent little man...sometimes it's too fast, but it's so amazing!

Dylan and Beckett checking out the water!

 He LOVES water!!!

 My little explorer!

He has the funniest surprise faces!  He gets so excited!  I love it :)

If you live close by and want something fun to do for all ages...this is the place to go, especially on a hot summer day!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Swim Lessons for Little Man

Before our little family even moved into our new house with a POOL we were already thinking of pool safety for little man!

Dylan has been around water since he was young.  His first trip to the beach was 4 months old and he squealed when the water rushed past his feet.  Even though he was really LOUD during his first bath, he absolutely loves bath time!  I know he only screamed because the water was cold and I had the baby tub turned the wrong way! I had NO idea what I was doing...but we managed!

Today, he loves water even more!  He wants the faucet on the whole time during his bath so he can fill up his cups and pretend to drink.  He gets on his belly and "swims" and he loves to blow bubbles! When we are all in the pool, Dylan doesn't want to be held and he really doesn't like the inflatable gear I put on him either. He really has no choice with that though!  So the best thing for the whole family was to sign Dylan up for swim lessons!

First, we had to decide where.  Most people recommended the YMCA and Columbia College infant/toddler swim lessons.  I checked out both online and found that Columbia College had several times that we could choose and would work with Dylan's schedule.  (He usually takes a nap from 12-3)  We signed him up and so did his best friend Allie!

Here is Allie and Dylan on the last day of swim lessons!

Dylan and Allie were called the Sea Horses.  Each group had their own name!  Dylan wouldn't cooperate for a picture beside the sign but I got one of Allie!  They really had a great time together!

Say Cheese!


I did get a quick shot here!


There were 4 kids in Dylan's group.  Dylan was the youngest at 19 months old!  There was Alex and he's 2 almost 3, I think!  There was Corry and he's almost 2.  And of course Allie Jane who is a whopping 9 days older than Dylan!  They were all so close in age that they really enjoyed learning together.  And on the last day Alex brought everyone a treat.  CUPCAKES!

Dylan and Allie enjoying their cupcakes!

Throughout the week I could really see Dylan getting better!  I was most proud of his kicking skills by the end of the two weeks.  He learned how to jump in the pool to me and turn around and kick back to the side of the pool!  He learned how to throw a toy in the water, jump in and kick to grab it :)  But, I think he liked dunking the most!  Every time he went under and popped back up, he would have this surprised face that would make me and Ms. Ashton (swim lesson teacher) laugh out loud!  He's such a funny and outgoing little boy and I can't wait to see what he will learn next!


Saturday, July 21, 2012

A House, July 4th and An Anniversary...Oh My!

    The Plyler's have moved!!!  Our old house SOLD after a year of being on the market.  Out of the blue we had two different agents call us up and ask to show our house one Saturday afternoon.  That very night we had an offer.  After a few days of negotiation we accepted the offer to buy our house and then we were on the HUNT!  

    We had been looking for a new house for quite some time but really couldn't find what we were looking for.  Our agent, Steve, shared that he was about to put a house on the market that would be perfect for us.  The only catch, it was more than what we were wanting to pay (of course, right!).  It was perfect!  Fell in love and put in our best offer.  Luckily, Steve had spoke highly of us enough that they came to our ball park to play and negotiate!  Just a few short days later...We had a new HOUSE!

    We couldn't be happier!!  Our old house was about 900 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. This house has 2500 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and a POOL!!!  And what comes with a POOL???  That's right, cookouts!

    July 4th was one of our first experiences having people over and entertaining.  Living in such a small house before...we just didn't couldn't have people over.  Now, we want to have everyone over and we do!  Here is a picture of us hanging out in the pool on the 4th. 


    We enjoyed the few 4th of July staple foods...hotdogs, hamburgers and WATERMELON!!!  This is truly a Dylan favorite.  Here's a picture of Allie and Dylan hanging out at the kiddie table together :)


    So as if we didn't have enough to celebrate...a new house, independence day, great friends...and our 3rd Anniversary!  Late that afternoon my aunt Inez came over to play with Dylan while Daniel and I went out for an anniversary dinner to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse!  Yum!  Here we are before we left!


    We had a wonderful day and an even better evening!  We are truly blessed with a new home to grow our family, wonderful friends that can keep us entertained along the way, a sweet little boy that we love oh so much and each other...happily ever after!

Love,
Kristi, Daniel and Dylan :)