LIfe with a Little One

So I have found that sometimes it is challening to come up with activities to entertain a little 14 month old but I actually have realized that there are many ways Savanna and I can enjoy our time together. I thought I would share some of the things I have come up with and see if any of you could add activities to my list. Savanna and I are always looking for fun things to do together. Anyway, here is the list I have so far.

Out of the House Activities
1. Kindermusik class (please see a previous post dated a few weeks ago entitled "Kindermusik for more info).
2. Jump on It (They have Mommy and Me time every Wednesday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. for just $3 and then each additional child is $2. It is a fun place!)
3. Story time at the library
4. Play groups with friends and rotating houses
5. Playground at the mall
6. Children's museum
7. Zoo
8. Feeding the ducks at the pond
9. Going for a walk or jog (if you have a jogging stroller)
10. Playing at the park
11. Throwing a ball around outside
12. Water parks (check out seven peaks season passes!)
13. Disney Land/World! (obviously something you can't do on a regular basis but one that is a good trip. We had so much fun when we took Savanna to Disney Land.)

At home activities
1. Reading books
2. Working on her flashcards (We have purchased and made some flash cards to teach Savanna various things such as animals, instruments,etc. We are following a program by Glenn Doman. Let me know if you want more info.)
3. Playing with toys
4. Dancing to music
5. Playing the piano
6. Playing Savanna's musical instruments

Anyway, I have also come up with a list of certain activites that are more challenging with a baby.

1. Temple Open Houses: We decided to go the Draper Temple Open House last night and it was a bit of a challenge for Savanna-maybe it was because she was tired. She couldn't understand that she had to stay on the plastic but wanted to run wild. She also wanted to get a drink out of every drinking fountain that we passed even though we explained to her that they were not working. And there was no where to go when she was crying and it felt weird to have her crying in the temple
2. Church-I do love taking Savanna to church because it is so fun to dress her up but it definetely can be a bit of a challenge. I swear Savanna is more hyper at church than anywhere else-I am not sure why. Maybe it is because we make her stay in the area of the pew through sacrament meeting. It is definetely more difficult to concentrate on the instructors and we spend a lot of Sunday School and Relief Society and Priesthodd running after her. A few weeks ago Savanna was wandering around searching through a couple moms' diaper bags looking for snacks. You'd think I didn't feed the child (but those of you that have seen her recently definetely know that is not true!) Then a couple weeks ago she spilled her Cheerioes everywhere in front of the Sunday Schoo class. It was embarassing and distracting. Nonetheless, Savanna seems to have fun at church some days. We hope she enjoys nursery in a few months-we shall see.
3. Movies-we have never tried because Savanna doesn't watch tv and we don't want to pay for a movie to stay out in the hall the whole time.
4. Concerts-Never tried this either and don't plan on it until Savanna is a lot older
5. Seminars or speakers-any type of event where Savanna has to sit still for awhile and we are supposed to sit and listen becomes a challenge (guess this falls under a similar category with church)

Anyway, but despite its challenges, parenting is a wonderful thing. I love being a mother to Savanna! I treasure the days that I am able to spend with her. She is my little friend who follows me around right now but I know that it won't always be this way so I am loving every minute of it while it lasts! I know that I will be one of those moms bawling her eyes out when I send her off to kindergarten!