Scrambled States of America

A while back, Jared and I purchased this puzzle for Emma. Emma loves puzzles, and we thought this one might be a fun way to introduce U.S. geography to her.

It ended up in the back of the closet for a while, but now with Emma's new interests in the states, we thought it might be a fun activity to do. I set it out the first day that we started working on the states, but there really wasn't any interest in it until yesterday. The story book that comes with the puzzle is really cute, Emma and I both enjoyed it.


Here is the puzzle put together. 

Some of the puzzle pieces are shaped like states. Emma really like those pieces the best. She also seems to still enjoy putting the state pages together. She'll usually ask a few times a day if we can go work on them. I am not sure if it's because she likes the work, or because I am actually working on them with her, but either way, we both have fun and learn a lot at the same time.

This morning, Emma got a new floor puzzle from Gramma. After breakfast, Emma decided to write Gramma a thank you note.

Now we need to get ready to go hiking in a little bit.

Have a great day!

Swim Lessons

Emma LOVES swim lessons. She loves them so much I am tempted to enroll her in two swim lessons next session so that we can go 2 days a week.

Maybe. It's kinda expensive.

Although it is cheaper then doing gymnastics and swimming.

We will have to see.

After swim lessons we went to a place called The Playground. Emma enjoyed it when we first got there because the number of kids was pretty low. Once preschool started letting out though, the place got packed pretty quickly.

Lunch at the new Olive Garden in Ankeny followed. Emma at bread sticks and some beans from my minestrone soup.

I pigged out on salad. Oink.

Then we opted out of groceries (we have milk and cereal, all is good) and came home.

Emma played on the computer, then had some fun with glitter, then watched the last few kids shows on PBS before the adult shows come on.

A quick, right-before-bed dinner (of rice crispies with soy milk) and a popsicle for desert.

Da gets home, time to brush.

"Wait, can I sit with you so I can warm up?" followed by a few bites of my crockpot chicken, potatoes, and carrots dinner (I waited for Jared before I ate), brush, potty, pj's, and clean off the bed.

A chapter of the latest Bella Sara book (#4), Nike's Great Race while snuggling.

Hugs, giggles, tickles, and kisses then lights out.

It was a good day.

Emma and Da putting together a giant floor horse puzzle last night.