Drum Roll Please....

McClellan went #2 on the big girl potty today!!

No, we aren't potty training, which makes this even more exciting to us!  Let me explain...

For a few months now McClellan has been telling us, occasionally when she is "wet" or has "pooped"-these are the words she uses even.  It's always been after the fact but our Pediatrician says that this is a good indication that she knows what's going on and may be ready to potty train sooner than the "norm."

Anyhow, today I went to get her up from her nap and as soon as I opened the door she stood up in her crib and said "poop."  I assumed, as every time before, this meant she'd pooped her diaper.  I laid her on the changing table, took her diaper off...nope, no poop.

As I changed her she kept saying poop and pointing towards her diaper.

So, not knowing if I should go with it or just ignore it, I went with it.  I asked her if she needed to poop "yes" and then I asked her if she wanted to poop on the potty "yes."

I thought what the heck too her into the bathroom, disrobed and un-diapered her, sat her on the toilet and waited.  She said "poop" again and I asked her if she wanted to "put her poop in the toilet" and she said "yes."  I told her to go ahead...

And she did!

Crazy!

First of all, let me just say that I can't believe I'm blogging about this. 
Second of all, I'll say thank goodness I'm not putting this on Facebook.  That uber creeps me out.
Third and Finally, you can thank me that this post comes with no photos of this momentous occasion.

(Yes, I'm aware that I haven't blogged in a month, actually more...I'll get some December stuff up soon.  Ha!  Yeah, right!)

Recipe Review: Moist Pumpkin Protein Muffins

Another hit from Dashing Dish!

These were super yummy and super easy! 

Click here for the Recipe:

The only thing I would warn you about is that these little yummies should probably be kept in the fridge.  That is if you have any left after the first couple of days!

OH!!  And if you are following Weight Watchers, there are points listed after each recipe on this website!  I have not looked them up to see if they are correct...but if they are...each one of these little yummies is only 1 pt!!

Recipe Review: Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups

Another new recipe and another big hit in this house!

The last recipe review I posted was from this same site, Dashing Dish - if you haven't checked it out yet, you really need to! 

Here's a photo of my finished dish ... just looking at this photo...

 makes me want to run to the kitchen and make this again!

Everyone loved this!  Matt was really impressed and McClellan ate way more than I thought she would!  Take a look ...

I'd say that mess and that smile says it all...YUM!

Mary Lou's got nothin' on our girl!

McClellan started gymastics a few weeks ago and we're seeing a future Olympian in our little Punky!

Take a look-Mary Lou Retton's beam routine-

And now McClellan's beam routine. 

 I mean honestly, look at that concentration and artistry with the ribbons.   

And now Mary Lou's bar routine-

And McClellan's bar routine-

Look at that upper body strength and her pointed toes.

You're looking at a Future Olympian, folks.

Here McClellan is doing her duo-beam routine with her friend Reese.

Daddy going over her beam routine before the competition begins.

Beam routine using the noodle this time.

Trampoline time!

Alright, we're not sending her off to Bela Karolyi anytime soon.  We'll give her a few years to develope, at least.  The truth is, I'm not sure if we're doing this for her, or for our own entertainment.

Either way, it's been so exciting watching her improve over the past few weeks.  These photos are from her first week in class and since then she's practically running across the balance beam on her own!  We're planning on bringing along the video camera for future classes.  When McClellan goes to the Olympics they'll want some footage of her early years.  ::wink wink::

Goat Kisses & Cock-a-Doodle-Doo's

Today both Matt and I were off work for Veteran's Day & Matt came up with the idea to head over to Chatfield Botanic Gardens for what ended up being a gorgeous day. 

The weather was perfect and we had the whole place to ourselves!  Seriously.  When we pulled into the parking lot there was only one car there.  Ours.  I have no idea why, it really was the most perfect day.

We didn't waste any time exploring, as you'll see.

Like always, McClellan did a great job of following the trails.

But occasionally she'd decide to blaze her own trail and Matt would guide her back.

 McClellan loved ringing the "dinner bell" at the Green Farm Barn.

The tractors were definitely one of McClellan's favorite things today. 

Look at my girl, she's a natural.  She belongs on the farm!

But there's no discrimination going on...she's a John Deere girl too!

 And just when we thought we'd left the tractors behind...McClellan ran right back to them.

Luckily we were able to capture her attention with some goats.  They quickly became her second favorite thing about the day.

 If these pictures had audio you'd hear "Hey guys...Hey guys" ... she's a Goat Whisperer. They came right over to her. 

And the Goat Whisperer was so proud of her goats that she kissed them.  That's right, she kissed the goat...and the goat kissed her back.  Lovely.

After getting friendly with the goat was over, we headed to the chicken coop and McClellan was fascinated.

However, this was her reaction when one of the roosters let out his very loud

"Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!!"  She let out the most hilarious whimper and then immediately turned around and waited for it to happen again, and again, and yes, again. 

 . 

Today was the most perfect day,

spent with my most favorite people. 

Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes

I found a new website this week, Dashing Dish.  After looking over all of the amazing recipes and drooling over the photos, I decided that this would be a great first recipe to try out...and, I was right. 

Not just right,  but really right!!  They were delish!  Matt and McClellan both loved them-so much so that I had no time to take any photos of my own!

You definitely need to try these!

Not only are they easy but they are healthy too!! 

Run to the kitchen and try these...NOW!!

http://www.dashingdish.com/2011/09/pumpkin-spice-protein-pancakes/

Enjoy!!

FestiFall at Hudson Gardens

Today was absolutely gorgeous!  It was definitely warm for a mid-October day but it was perfect for enjoying some fall festivities!

We decided to head to Hudson Gardens to enjoy their Hudson FestFall today & we're so glad we did.  It was a blast!

Of course we had to visit the pumpkin patch and see if we could find The Great Pumpkin.

 McClellan decided to play "Duck, Duck, Goose" with these pumpkins.

Once she found this "ball" it was her's and there was no convincing her otherwise.

Daddy& Daughter in the Hay Bale Maze

 We're not so sure that McClellan didn't think this horse was real ... she kept petting his nose saying "Nice." 

There was an area of "Hay Art" and McClellan found this one particularly interesting.  She stood there and stared for what seemed like forever!

Who would have thought that the cider press would have held her attention for as long as it did?  She watched forever as this guy demo'd the press and explained the process. 

He even let McClellan do some apple pressing with the help of Daddy!  She was fascinated and probably would still be there doing this if we'd let her.

 The Bee Keeper demonstration was another hit, much to my dismay.  I'm not much of a bee fan.  In fact I'm terrified of them, but not my Punky!

You can't tell in this photo but she's dancing.  She loves music and dances whenever she hears it, no matter where we are, no matter who is around, no matter what's she's doing.  She was cracking up everyone up and put on quite the little show.  In fact, she was such the Dancing Queen that the "DJ" that was in charge of the music even came out to give her a little stuffed animal!

Ah...love this little girl.  Today there were moments when I'd look at her, watch her laughing, dancing, "singing", running through the pumpkin patch...and it would take my breath away.  How did I get so lucky?

 After all the festivities it was time for lunch followed by a few minutes of relaxing in the grass...McClellan decided her Dad had a pretty good idea and joined him.

What would a Fall Festival be without carved pumpkins?  How cool are these??  McClellan saw the Lion and Tiger and made her famous "Raaarrr" sound effects.

              ~*I Love Us*~

What a gorgeous backdrop for a pumpkin patch!

 Toward the end of our day we took a quick horse drawn ride around the gardens.  McClellan thought this was pretty darn cool and loved it!

 This was the 1st Annual Hudson Gardens FestiFall ... we're already looking forward to the 2nd!

 Wiped out from a perfect day!