Foliage Monday

Today, E and I went over to the Percy Farm Corn Maze. I had no idea how warm it had gotten and was wearing a big sweater. E was still sporting long sleeves and pants from the cool morning, too. We walked down the rec path and over the foot bridge. I stopped to take a photo and got yelled at by a woman on a bike, "You're on the wrong side!!" she screamed as she rode past me and E. "And a fine day to you, milady!!" I called after.

Huh? I didn't even think she was talking to me at first. Then I realized that I was technically on the wrong side of the path, but I had clearly walked to that side to take a photo. It really made no difference. It particularly made no difference because there was no one else on the path, we weren't on a blind curve, and there was more than enough room to simply go around us, as we had stepped almost completely off the path. She was also with her (maybe 4-year-old) daughter who (take notes, lady) kindly rode by me with a friendly smile.

I tried not to let it, but it kind of put a damper on my happy fall moment. E and I continued to the Corn Maze. I could lead you to believe that we spent the day meandering through the winding rows of corn, but I will always be honest with you -- we took one look and thought, "Nah..." When I explained to E that we would just be walking through rows of corn, she didn't seem too excited about it. It's just her age. She was more into seeing the running water at the river. I also couldn't bring my street stroller through. The ground was too rough. I thought I might wait until she was a little older. We walked the rec path instead, along the river. It was nice and peaceful and just what we needed.

Outside the Corn Maze, you could pay $.25 to feed some goats. E was quite content with that experience, and it only cost me a quarter. All and all, it was a great day.

Stay tuned -- tomorrow we'll make fall leaves with some paint and paper towel. E will create her own war paint and fight me at the Battle of I Want to Eat Paint, where she will undoubtedly succeed in a temporary victory.

Here are some more pics from our day!

Fall Foliage Week!

I thought I'd do a foliage theme this week! There are so many great things to do in Central Vermont during peak foliage to really make the most out of the fall season!

This is right in our back yard, so expect to see us on the roads/trails this week: Check out GoStowe's Foliage Central page for fantastic foliage activities. The page includes everything from scenic driving routes to boat/canoe rentals, and biking/hiking trails... to fun foliage facts and a video.

Then, follow me and E as we try out a few of these activities and take on some fall-related craft projects!

The Sophisticated Baby

Here's a quick "coffee" recipe for your sophisticated baby (toddler).

Little E loves to pretend to drink coffee with me in the morning. I didn't have any hot cocoa packets the other day, but they're filled with all kinds of unnecessary extras anyway, and I wanted to make her a baby version of a warm drink she could have with me!

This recipe contains cocoa powder, sugar, water, and milk. If you don't have cocoa powder, you can substitute it for any mini chocolate bar, some vanilla extract, or chocolate syrup. If you use the bar or syrup, you probably won't need sugar.

Also, feel free to substitute the sugar for honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup.

1 tsp. cocoa powder

2 tsp sugar (more or less to taste)

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. milk (any kind)

Put the cocoa and sugar in a mug. Heat water in microwave (about 45 sec) or use 2nd smallest setting on Keurig. Add water to mug. Mix until cocoa and sugar have dissolved. Add milk. Make sure the milk cools the water enough. It should be just slightly warm after stirring.

E absolutely loves her "coffee," and it's a fun treat on the weekend!

Chalk is Cheap

Chalk is one of the cheapest things you can buy at the craft store. I got one box for $.69. E has a plastic patio table that we use for meals, of course, and craft time! The surface of the table top was perfect for drawing on with chalk, and it wiped right off. Also, washable markers wash right off the table, too, so we can practically destroy it with color then wipe it clean!

Black construction paper for $1.99 wasn't a bad deal either!

After E spent yesterday on the town with Auntie Bee, I thought I could get away with keeping her in today. We did a quick grocery shopping in the afternoon. We threw together a play store when we got home, so E could do her own shopping. She loved pretending to use her own "bebit card."

Dinner time, bath time, play time, story time, bed time. Now, it's my time to rest a bit before the weekend hits!

How I Use My iPhone

This is how I use my iPhone as a mom on the go!

First, I move all of the apps that I don't use regularly to folders and put those folders on the second screen, so I can access them quickly by swiping to the right. This also clears up my home screen for a beautiful photo of my family!

Morning

• I use the Clock app to wake up bright and early at 6:30!
• The Calendar has my appointments for the day, and any morning Reminders pop up. I pull my calendar from my Gmail account. I love this, because it's separate from my work calendar, and I can add any new appointments via my Gmail calendar from my desktop computer (so, no typing in all my appts on my tiny iphone keyboard -- only when I absolutely have to)!
• While I get ready, I check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Messages, and my blog via BlogGo to approve any comments. I can work while I brush my teeth!
• I check the Weather to see how we should dress for the day and take any cute pics of E's outfit with the amazing new 5S Camera! I tend to use my iPhone camera way more often than my digital SLR mainly for the convenience!

Off We Go

• Once in the car, I can't live without Siri. If I've forgotten anything, I can use the voice commands for hands-free calling and texting.
• E loves playing games on the way to day care. We have a 15-minute drive. Apps she loves:
  Tiny Monsters, Endless ABC, KidsDoodle, Trucks, Real Chalk, Drawing Carl, and Bug Builder.
• Once I drop off E, I sometimes realize that I'm running late. I have my work Email on my phone (but no alerts set up, so I'm not bothered by work email unless I need to be!). I send off a quick message to my team letting them know I'll be 5 minutes behind schedule.
• I answer any text messages from friends asking me to pick up some Dunkin' Donuts, and then I head to the office!

At the Office

• Once settled, headphones go in, and I listen to Music, Pandora, Podcasts, and Netflix shows/movies. My day job involves a lot of email and data entry, so I love being able to zone out a bit!
• Long bathroom visits warrant some games: DoubleDown Casino, Coin Dozer, Water?, Bingo, Yahtzee, and Doodle Fit are some faves!
• Hootsuite is one of my all-time favorite social media sites/apps. It's discrete if you have to check quickly from work, it allows you to post to all your social media sites at once, and it has auto-scheduling. I can write a blog post the night before then auto-post it when the majority of my readers and followers are online. The only downside is that your friends spread rumors about you being a horrible parent for apparently being online all day. Ha!

After Work

• I'm on part-time hours, so after work I go for a walk or run. I use my PRT - Personal Running Trainer app to keep me on task! Or I just listen to music/podcasts while I walk/run.
• Home to pick up the apartment! I use my AppleTV Remote app to put on music or a TV show to clean to. Sometimes I just take 10 minutes to play a game or update my blog.
• Then off to get E!

After Day Care
This is generally phone-free time!

• Maps is handy for finding new parks, directions to new stores or other places we want to visit like museums, the airport, etc.!
• I ask Siri what the forecast is in case there's a chance we may get rained out at the park.
• Facetime lets us have the occasional afternoon visit with Grammie who is just getting home from work.

After E's Bed-Time

• Most days, I can't resist posting at least some photos throughout the afternoon, but I usually reserve photo-editing time for after E's bed time. Here are all my favorite photo apps!
  Instagram -- for all it is! And I like that it shares to Facebook and Twitter simultaneously
  Camera+ -- for editing, sorting
  Afterlight -- for editing, filters
  Diptic -- for making collages
  Squareready -- for cropping, prepping for Instagram
• For design, I like:
  Over (or Overgram) -- for adding text
  Adobe Kuler -- creates a color palette based on a photo
  Flipboard -- design news for inspiration
  I answer all my freelance email on my phone and can keep up with clients throughout the day, even though I work mornings at my day job! Once E is in bed, photos posted, it's time to tackle my freelance assignments!
• Reading
  Kindle -- I use the app when I can't actually find my Kindle
  News -- I haven't really found a news app that I love, but NBC News is okay.
  BBC News -- nice, well-rounded, world-view news!
  TMZ -- shut up...
  The Onion -- news parody!
• Shopping
  Amazon is really the only shopping app I use. I have E's entire Christmas wishlist done.
• Intuitive Apps
  Psychic Tarot is my favorite, and I've had some great readings with it!

And, that's it! Or, at least those are the most important ones -- the ones I decided to bring over to my new phone. Thanks to those of you who asked about the photo apps I use. If you want any more information about which apps I use, help with using them, or advice for photographing your little ones, just leave a comment or shoot me an email at YourMomIsStrange@gmail.com. Happy Apping!