This picture is rather blurry, but it's also the one where you can read Caleb's lips. He's learning about "no hitting," "no standing on chairs," "no drawing on walls," "no playing with pencils" for that matter, "no jumping on Mommy," "no taking all Mommy and Daddy's books off the bookshelf," and a myriad of other "no's." At the same time, Caleb gets lots of encouragement as he cleans up his toys, uses his spoon or fork to feed himself, puts his milk away after a meal, tries to put his socks on, etc.
Several weeks ago we visited an apple orchard, which ended up not being a lot of fun for Caleb, but at least we have apples, apple pie, and apple crisp to make up for it. Caleb is enjoying playing in the leaves and swinging in our backyard--even when it's a bit chilly. I'm not looking forward to being cooped up this winter. Snow pants here we come!
I hesitate to post about this because some of you will think that I actually know what I'm doing and others of you will easily recognize that I don't. But either way, Caleb needs clothes that fit, and I can either search stores for hours trying to find long, skinny pants or I can be creative, learn something, save some money, and get clothes that fit. What a deal.
Caleb also discovered plenty of acorns along the way, so he was very entertained. 
Strategy #2: Play with Mommy
When Caleb was fed up with his toys and playing by himself, I’d move into the backseat and we’d play together. Board books were a lifesaver even though we read them over and over (and over). Caleb also had fun pointing to different body parts I’d name or making animal sounds for animals I’d say. “This Little Piggie” was also a good game to get out some giggles. Videos to come!
Strategy #3: Have Realistic Expectations
There will be crying. And yelling. Accept it. Expect it.
Strategy #4: Be creative.
Find toys along the way. Caleb enjoyed navigating for us using a newly acquired (and free) map of Tennessee. Thankfully we already knew where we were going, but it kept him occupied for a bit!
What do you do to survive and enjoy long car rides (with or without toddlers)?
One angle of the view from the top. Cameras don't do it justice. Maybe you need the precarious, "I'm about to fall off a mountain" feeling to really appreciate the view. 
Quote from a fellow hiker: "Dying wouldn't be so bad. Then I'd see Jesus. It'd be falling and living that would stink." Nothing like heights to put the fear of God into you.
If you squint, you can see them.
By the time we hiked down the trail and drove to the Chimney Tops pull out off of Newfound Gap Road, this is what the summit looked like. I'm glad I was there when the sun was out and the rocks were dry!
Baskin Creek Falls
Caleb loved playing in the water.
Caleb--practicing his animal noises as we hiked. Any guesses what sound he's making? (With our own little noisemaker along, we didn't see too much wildlife on our hikes!)
Unless of course, you consider overgrown fungi to be wildlife. Then we saw plenty, in all shades of the rainbow.
Rain gear --They don't make two-headed ponchos.
Bridge along the trail. (I thought of you, Mom! See the nice hand rail on the high, narrow, and slippery bridge?)
Some falls along the trail
Wanting to get some climbing in of his own!
Funny story: In the morning as we were racing to move our tent in between rain showers with the hopes of keeping the inside dry, we left Caleb in his car seat to play with his toys out of harms way. The toys he actually played with were the cookies! I came back to the car to find a little cookie monster with half an M & M on his lip and cookie crumbs all over! I thought about pausing to take a picture, but I really wanted to stay dry that night....
