4.75 years old

 

As lots of kids head of to kindergarten this week and next. I am reminded of just how fast these first 5 years can go. 

 

Next week he starts his final year of pre-school with "the big kids."



 

 

#toddlerproblems: Falling asleep at lunch.

 

 

Blame it on Friday...

 

Ice Cube

I've been trying hard to keep the boys busy with activities this summer. We have been on a quest to try a new park every week (as weather permits) during these warmer months. We have been on some scavenger nature walks, trips to museums, library and of coarse our weekly trips to the donut place & ice cream place.

We have also practically lived on a sandbar, beaches and our whale pool for the last month. The late summer heat & humidity is in full swing in Minnesota.

I pinned this pin Ice Cube  a few months back. Sometimes on the "blah" days I let Harrison pick out something I have pinned on Pinterest to do. Late last week he chose Ice Cube. I let him pick small items to dig out or that became "treasure," and put them in the tub.  Next he picked green food coloring and we put it in the freezer. I think he ended up asking 10 times within an hour later if the ice was frozen yet (it took 2 days to freeze).

This was really fun, I just wish it would have lasted longer and so did the boys. The pin showed using plastic hammers and screw drivers, but meh; we used the real stuff. A bit dangers I admit, especially since Harrison wasn't wearing shoes. As a disclaimer, no toes or fingers were smashed during the smashing of this cube. :)

 

 

 

 We already have a brightly blue tub in the freezer filled with more "treasures."

 

 

 

The everyday Super Hero.

He lives and breathes fighting bad guys and saving the world.

Last week one afternoon I asked him to pick out a book for naptime and meet me on my bed. When I came upstairs I found him like this.

The world of a 4 year old.

 

 

 

Bubble bath.

I can hardly get him out of here most nights.

22 Months.

Two months until two.

There is so much I always want to remember about this age. The in between of older than 1.5, but not quite 2. Time just goes by way too fast.

I swear yesterday were waiting for everyday to pass meaning we would be one step closer to having a full term baby. YEAH, we made it to exactly 35 weeks. I think I still struggle that he will likely our last baby or properly put now, last toddler. Some days (like today) I would say NO WAY... 2 is definitely enough and other days I'm like, "Yeah I could totally handle 3."

I feel like in the last year I have missed blogging about SO much of Miles. I told myself I wouldn't be the mom that slacked with baby #2. It happen and it continues to happens (a lot too). Poor kid. At least we got some of the learning experiences with his older brother out of the way it will be smoother sailing from here on out with him.

22 month run down:

 

1. Big Trucks pretty much continue to rule his world.

2. He's picked a favorite blanket (froggy) which used to be a blanket of Harrison's and it's fraying at the ends. He loves to take the strings and wrap them around his fingers.

3. Plug (pacifier) addict.

4. Showing interest in the potty (even though we haven't started trying yet). He pulls at his diaper often when he has poop and the other day he actually walk into the room, tugged at his diaper and said, "Poop." Since it's summer there is a whole lot of peeing going on outside, whenever he see's Harrison going, he tries to pull down his pants. This kid watches every single move of his older brother. Harrison was fully potty trained by 2.5 years old. I am feeling confident Miles will be too. As much as diapers have never really bothered me---I won't miss paying for them.

5. New word this month: Poop. He loves to say it, almost as much as he loves to point out in the yard. I swear one of favorite family activities is picking up Violet (dog) poop. We do it everyday, yet it never seems to get old to them. Other most used words: Park, Walk, Big Truck, Violet (heard it twice now), bubbles, treat, more, bye, bye & rock.

6. I received his first "naughty" report earlier this week from daycare. Biting friends is a no, no.

7. Hasn't had his first hair cut yet. I can't part with those back curls.

8. LOVES water. He will put his face in it, his whole head even. He giggles practically the whole time he is playing in it. There is no doubt that anywhere we go, he doesn't have a passersby that doesn't say something like, "he sure loves the water." The sound of his giggle is just so awesome.

9. Current food obsession: Fruit snacks, pineapple and bananas.

10. Loves to jump. Sometimes he forgets that not every ground is a soft landing.

11. Totally adorable animal sounds. Roaring like a bear and a lion are his favorite.

12. Favorite activities: Brushing his teeth, picking up dog poop, being chased & tickled.

13. Least favorite things: Waiting, being touched by Harrison  & the word, "no."

14. Best friend: Violet

15. Prefers to be carried when at all possible. He kind have reminds me of a big dog trying to be a lap dog. I'm pretty sure he is trying to keep my upper body toned.

16. Time outs, help a lot. He responds to them well, listens and more often that not he doesn't cry when he is put there. Or maybe since he spends time there everyday he is just used to it..:)

17. All his baby teeth are FINALLY in minus his right top canine.

18. COPY CAT

19. Separation is hard. Often gets sad when either Doug or I leave and still cries every single daycare drop off. Thank goodness mom is the picker upper. The goodbyes are so much harder than the hello snuggles.

20. Shows little interest in most movies or shows. He prefers real life like animal planet or the movie, "Bears" (which is pretty darn cute movie.  If you haven't seen it yet, you should).

21. Loves the game of peek-a-boo and playing market with his piggies (toes).

22. Shows affection. When I lay down on the couch or the floor he will rub my back so sweetly, completely unprompted.

 

 



 

 

 

Handy Manny

His life pretty much revolves around Handy Manny, Bob the Builder, Super Heroes with Ninja Turtles and emergency vehicles in between.

We didn't know how much he loved building with blocks until we went to his conferences at pre-school last fall. We didn't own a single block at our house for him at the time. Finally his 4th birthday rolled around and he got his first set of blocks. Seriously recommend the Melissa and Doug brand---they are pretty awesome.

We were just amazed at his creations. Man this kid has an elaborate imagination....such awesomeness. Since we spend practically 9 months of the year inside (thank you Minnesota winter) we try to spend every waking minute of summer outside if it's not raining. We got to thinking how much building could be going on outside during these summer months... The following week, I sent daddy to our local Menards to pick up some lumber (spent less than $20 in the photos below--CHEAP).

While he gets frustrated often that his little brother is knocking over his garages, parks and movie theaters.... Sometimes he does get lucky enough to build an entire parking ramp without a tornado (little brother) as a line of destruction.

Play.