Play Dates

This month we have had a couple Saturday "play dates" with friends of ours who have kids around Mary Pat's age. First, we had Brighton Jesse over to play and go swimming with his Mommy and Daddy (Suzanne and James). We had a great time at the pool and grilling at the house. Brighton is 17 months old and walking, so Mary Pat loved watch him walk through the baby pool!

Next, we had Claire George over to play with her Mommy and Daddy (Dave and Celia). Claire is only three weeks younger than Mary Pat so they had a wonderful time together! They loved crawling after each other at the house and splashing with each other in the pool!

Mary Pat is becoming much more active and loves playing with other kids so these play dates were perfect for her! Here are some more pictures from the visits.

Playing at the house with Brighton Jesse. Having fun in the pool with Daddy and Brighton.
Sharing toys with Claire George.
Mary Pat and Claire splashing around in the pool.
One of Mary Pat's MANY silly faces!
Crawling with Dada at the pool!

Big Girl Food

Mary Pat has really started to enjoy eating "big girl food" and is doing great with it! She loves turkey, cheese, bread, noodles, pineapple, carrots, peas, and green beans. At school she has also tried mac & cheese, meatballs, cheese quesadilla and has been gobbling these items up!

We have noticed that Mary Pat enjoys going out to dinner now that she can be "included" in the eating. She really likes to make a mess which isn't fun to clean up but it sure is fun to watch! Her hair is wet in these pictures because Mommy already had to wipe her down once during this particular meal.
Preparing to eat her green bean.

Shovelling it in with both hands!
YUMMY!

Here Comes Trouble!!

Well, Mary Pat has found the stairs.

We knew it was only a matter of time and last weekend she decided that she wanted to climb up the basement stairs. Luckily she still has little interest in the main stairs leading from the living room to upstairs. However, this new development meant that Daddy spent last Sunday installing baby gates.

As you can see from the pictures below, Mary Pat concentrated very hard as she climbed and was very proud of herself as Mommy waited at the top of the stairs clapping for her!

Beginning the ascent.

Pausing to look around.
Once she got to the landing she really took off!
Almost there!