Wooden Spoons and Color Mixing

I am just really loving spending time with my kids these days.  They are so fun!  The other night we read Joshua the book Color Chaos.  The next morning we tried it out and mixed our own colors.  Earlier he decided our road needed a more interesting topography.

Like most toddlers, Henry likes to play with wooden spoons, but never ever ever try to give him a slotted spoon.  He will shriek his displeasure.  He has also taken to wearing blocks, an activity that Joshua also loved. 

Words and Hugs

Henry and I have been going to the library and the park on Mondays while Joshua is in preschool.  He loves playing and the one on one time.  I love the park with the view of the water.  Henry has been bursting with words this week including bye, balloon, wow, pop, bubble, burp, and most surprisingly duck.  I love hearing each new word.

Yesterday, we were a bit late for preschool.  Joshua was eager to join circle time so I rushed him through the handwashing routine and nudged him toward his carpet square.  As I turned to leave he looked up and shouted, "What about my hug and kiss?"  Of course, I headed right back in to give him a hug and a kiss, but I was surprised he cared.  Usually he is so anxious to be involved in class I kiss him on the hair.  He won't be asking this much longer so I will always comply. 

Math Minded

I try not to brag about my kids on other social media platforms, but I figure this blog has a readership of about 2.5 so it is a good venue for posting braggy things I want to remember.  I love watching my kids grow, develop, and discover.  Pretty much, I love their brains.

I came home from a kindergarten readiness workshop with some bears and cups to teach children basic math skills.  Henry grabbed the blue cup and proceeded to add only the blue bears to the cup.  I couldn't believe that he knew to sort them.  He has done it since so I know it wasn't a fluke.

Joshua and I have a lot of conversations like:

Joshua:  Yesterday I had 2 vitamins and today I had 2.  That's 4.  Tomorrow, I will have 2 more and that's six.

or

Joshua:  Mom, I want 5 crackers!
Me:  How many did I give you?
Joshua:  3, I need 2 more.

It is so fun watching these kids grow up. 

It's Raining, It's pouring

I have felt very blessed that this winter has been drier and warmer than last winter, and that we've had a lot of rides.  But the rain has settled upon us and my regular rides are coming to an end and thus we have taken to the bus.

I have a bad attitude about it, but Joshua loves it.

Me:  Tomorrow, we have to take the bus to preschool so we ned to be sure to get ready quickly in the morning.

Joshua:  Wow, thanks, mommy!

At the bus stop

Me (in my head):  The bus is never going to come.  It's rainy.  I am so wet.  This is crazy.  Where is the bus?  Why am I doing this?

Joshua (while splashing in puddles):  It's raining, it's pouring.  The old man is snoring ...

Henry recently got his first pair of rainboots which are about 3 sizes too big, but the smallest I could find.  He is warming up to puddle jumping nicely.

2018 Goals

I have so many ideas of the things I would like to accomplish this year and have decided I need to write them down.  This post is mostly meant for myself and will hopefully a a reference for me.

Personal Goals 

1.  Update some of my professional skills through professional training.
2.  Revisit some old reading goals like Literary Tourism and reading 30 books this year
3.  Find a way to learn more about science.
4.  Use technology particularly social media as a tool rather than a time waster.

Spiritual Goals

1.  Improve daily scripture study and prayer.
2.  Attend the temple every quarter or at least 4 times.
3.  Complete my visiting teaching and calling assignments well.

Family Goals

1.  Spend more quality time with my kids.
2.  Create more nutritious meals. 
3.  Record family memories. 

Brotherly Love

This week we had our first round of "I can mess with my brother, but you cannot!" If Henry has a toy and especially if it is one of Joshua's toys,  Joshua needs it at that moment.  The other day Henry was playing with one blue block and one yellow block of which there are many.  For some reason, only those blocks would do, despite the fact that Joshua was playing with trains.

Two days ago, we were at the church so I could exercise with a group of women.  I was doing my best to get any sort of workout with a screaming fifteen pound weight attached to me.  A little girl took one of Henry's toys from the floor.  He was too busy being my screaming fifteen pound weight to notice.  But Joshua noticed and could not fathom that someone else take Henry's toy.  He was very concerned.  Meltdowns are rare in this household, but Joshua melted down, screamed sobbed.  He could not face that injustice that someone would take Henry's toy. 

Firefighter Daddy

As a new safety protocol, Jerry is required to wear a safety jacket at all times at work.  To make things easier, he wears it to and from work as well.  Every evening when Jerry comes home, JOshua says, "Daddy Firefighter?"

He is convinced that Jerry has a career putting out literal fires.  Not the figurative fires of an HR manager.  That may be a little too complex/boring for Joshua to grasp at this point in his life.

Merry Christmas

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas!  2016 has been a big year for us.  We have visited family and friends in Texas, Tennessee, and Utah.  We have enjoyed visits from family as well.  But biggest of all were the arrival of baby Henry in July and a move to Washington in September.

Jerry is enjoying his new challenges as the HR manager at the Stretch Island Fruit plant.  Michelle manages to find a little time to write and read and loves teaching the teenagers at church.  Joshua is a burst of energy who loves splashing in puddles, racing trucks, and building playgrounds for his toys.  Henry delights everyone with his sweet smile. 

With every cross-country move, we become increasingly aware of the distance between us and those we love the most.  We sincerely hope that you have a joyful holiday and blessed 2017. 

Jerry, Michelle, Joshua, and Henry

The Garbage Truck

We've decided that we need to document some of the cute, quirky things our kids do.  Joshua loves watching the trash truck.  Our apartment complex has a large trash compactor thing that all the trash is dumped into.  A couple times a week a truck picks it up, hauls it away, and empties it somewhere.  Joshua loves watching the process.  Here's a typical conversation we have.

Me:  Joshua the trash truck is here.  Do you want to come watch it?

Joshua:  Okaaaaaay!

He drops whatever he is doing then sprints into the dining area.

Joshua:  Up, up, up!

Me:  See the truck is lifting the dumpster onto the bed.

Joshua (waving):  Hi, truck!  Hi, truck!  Hi, truck!  Firetruck?

Me:  No, buddy, this is a garbage truck, not a fire truck.

Joshua:  Garbage truck?

Me:  They take all of our trash and send it away.

We watch the loaded truck start to back up.

Joshua:  Beep!  Beep!  Beep!

Then after the truck has gove on it's merry way, Joshua pleads with me.

Joshua:  More, mommy!  More truck.

Me (lifting him off the chair):  It's gone, but it will be back when it is empty.  I'll let you know when I see the truck again.  Go play.

Joshua:  Okaaaaaaaay!

Joshua's Favorite Things

Oprah has list of favorite things to market specific products.  I've decided that Joshua should have list of favorite things to help market his awesomeness.  So here you are.

Favorite Toys: 

1.  Balls
2.  Mr. Monkey
3.  Balls of other sizes.

Favorite Foods:

1/  Blueberries
2.  Oranges  (Are you sensing a ball-like theme.)
3.  Broccoli

Favorite animal.

1.  Dogs ... just dogs ... any dogs ... all dogs

Favorite books:

1.  Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do YOu See?  
2.  Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
3.  Goodnight, Moon

Favorite Things To Play With (Not Toys)

1.  Pots and Pans
2.  Hairbrushes
3.  Daddy's Ties

To be continued ...

The Ramblings of a Toddler

Look! A rock - oh there's some leaves!

I'll stuff the brown ones up my sleeves.
They're itchy  - oh look the rock
I should stick it down my sock.

That hurts a bit - I see a bug
It looks dead. I want a hug.
Mommy, will you carry me?
Down, down!  Another bug!  See.

Mommy, watch me climb those stairs.
One step, two - now it's a chair
Tap, tap my legs against the stone.
Look up - no let's just go home.

Running, running, now I walk.
Let's go – Hey, look, a rock!

Bubbles

Dozens of bubbles drift in the air

Over your shoulders and around your hair.

Your hands clap and bubbles pop.

Your giggles call, Don’t stop! Don’t stop!

Around and around soap bubbles fly,

Whisked by the wind towards the sky.

A shiny bubble slowly twirls

And rests unbroken on your curls

New Words

Joshua babbles a lot, but is going at his own pace when developing distinguishable words.  His first word was "dada," of course.  And in the past weeks he has his own versions of cheese, kiss, and fishies which all sound remarkably similar.  Thanks to grandma entertaining in the car for an hour or so with "This Little Piggy," he says "'iggies" with delight.

But on Father's Day, he mastered a new word, "mama."  But it is more like a desperate command, "mamaMAMAMamam."  We felt the timing was ironic.

A Boy and HIs Books

Joshua loves to read books on his own.  It's as if he studying for his "Intro to Board Books" final.  He is working on skills like turning the pages, reading right side up, and imprinting teeth marks.  His favorite authors are Anna Dewdney, Sandra Boynton, and Eric Carle.  He gets an A+ in my book. 

The Lord of the Rings

The world is my toy box

and I am the King.

Five Days of Joshua

This week has been characterized by snot, drool, and sleepless nights.  And yet, I still think about ninety percent of what Joshua does is absolutely adorable.  I'm constantly tempted to update Facebook every three seconds with the utterly genius thing that Joshua just did.  I've decided to document this week  by the happy things Joshua did.

Monday - Joshua took Peek-a-Boo into his own hands.  While sitting on my lap he would push my face away.  Then, pull it back.  He would giggle wildly as if he didn't know he was going to see my goofy faces.

Tuesday - Joshua stood up on his own without support.  First, he pulled himself up on the laundry basket, then just let go.  He stood there looking around while I praised him.  Without wobbling, he decided he was done and grabbed the basket again.  Great changes are coming!

Wednesday - I went through a bag of hand-me downs from a friend and found overalls.  Every little boy should have a pair of overalls.

Seriously, I can't stop looking at this picture.

Thursday - During pizza night, Joshua ate and loved his first olive.  This guy eats anything we give him.  Now I can pick the olives off my pizza sans guilt.

Sunday - Friday and Saturday were rather unremarkable, but today after months of coaxing Joshua decided that clapping is a pretty cool thing to do.  

Neonatal Follow-Up

I took Joshua to Columbus yesterday, and learned that my little preemie isn't so little anymore.  At 19 lb. 2 oz., he's the size of a typical 11 month old.

First, we played with the physical therapist who thought that he was on target for a nine month old (which is where he should be).  She gave me some exercises to do to help him along.  After that the nurse practitioner said that he looks great in all other ways.  We sure love this kid.

Joshua's Favorite Things to Play WIth

Joshua has a fair number of toys.  Our home isn't overflowing with gizmos for him, but he has enough.  He has a beautiful rolling wood whale, a ring stacker, tons of plush animals, and balls.  Besides constantly wanting to carry around his O and 0 from his alphabet floor mat, other traditional toys don't seem to interest him.  His favorite part of the saucer toy is the tag; his favorite thing in the toy box is the toy box.  Three dozen times a day, I am pulling Joshua away from computer or lamp cords.

Keeping a close eye on him can be exhausting, but we sure love his goofy grins. 

Changing Fast

It seems that Joshua is growing and changing even more quickly than ever.  Two weeks ago, he could barely sit on his own.  Now he is doing ...

 

... this

 

 

,,, and this

 

 

...and this.

This rapid change in abilities has left me feeling 1/3 relieved that he is developing at the appropriate times, 1/3 heartbroken that he is leaving his littleness behind, and 1/3 terrified that if I turn my back my house will be torn apart.

Jerry jokingly scolded me saying, "Remember when you thought he was too small and would never grow?"

The House

During our long wait for a home, Jerry and I watched ridiculous amounts of HGTV.  It's embarrassing really.  But as I describe this house to you, imagine the narrator of House Hunters, Property Brothers, or Love It or List It.  They are all basically the same show anyway.

A 1 1/2 story fully detached home with:

• 4 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• An open concept kitchen, dining, and living area
• not-so marble countertops
• an unfinished basement
• a detached garage
• and a fenced in backyard

And it's dripping in character which according to HGTV, just means it's a bit old.

There's a lot about the house that I love.  I sit on the couch and stare at this staircase and our mantle, and feel like we have the cutest house ever.  I love that it is not a cookie cutter house.  No homes on the street match it.  I love that I can see Joshua while I'm cooking, and I love the previous owners were good at decorating. 

The house has its quirks.  If you ever decide to come stay with us you will likely stay in a violent pink room.  Maybe in the spring or summer we will get to that.  I'm learning a lot about sump pumps, roofing, caulking, etc.  The joys of home ownership.