Swords and songs

I love that my boys have two completely different personalities. It is so much fun to see what they pick to play with and how they occupy themselves.

Levi has turned into a serious music fan. Although he enjoys songs with a beat while Wyatt enjoyed lullabies when he was a year old. So anyway, all our little musical toys have been used a ton recently as Levi grabs an instrument and just makes noise. He is always so proud of himself as he makes music and bounces along.

Making Music

Wyatt on the other hand has gone into the deep end of playing like a boy. By that I mean he's all about swords and fighting and winning. It must just be part of being a boy because I don't play that way, but then again I am not the only person he ever plays with.

So anyway one of his new favorites (again) is the sword Oma got him while we were in Disney. He loves being a pirate and winning. (Not sure what he is winning, but that is what he says he is doing.)

Winning the sword fight

Of course the boys have yet to play together -  Levi is just too young - he's in the play side-by-side phase. And to be honest, Wyatt would rather that type of play instead of anything else.

My boys playing...

I am sure these differences will lead to many fights and tantrums and time-outs and headaches (for me) but for now it's fun to watch.


And for my own benefit Levi's favorite song of the week:


and Wyatt's favorite song of the week:

Exploring

After a whole summer of interest in the garden, I am sad to report that some kind of bug got a hold of about 75% of our crops. I know sad. But Wyatt has greatly enjoyed going outside every day to check on all the "vegetatables" and other plants. 

Pointing out mommy's flowers that some how survived the summer

So we have used our time outside for other things - like collecting leaves so that the caterpillar will not have a tummy ache (anyone remember the very hungry Caterpillar?).  Wyatt likes to collect different leaves every day we are out - these are from the bushes on the side of the house.

Wyatt's collections of leaves for the caterpillar 

Enjoying some food

Levi has also started to really enjoy being outside. We lay out a blanket and he eats snacks while Wyatt plays in the yard. This worked great for a little while - you know as long as there was food - then he decides to crawl all over the place!

Munching on crackers and sipping juice in the sun - perfect summer fun

Wyatt has been into finding as many bugs as he can outside - I blame the camping trip at Nana and Chief's for that!  He learned how bugs hide under rocks then, and now he hunts all over for them. This is a baby lightning bug he found on a zucchini flower.

Bug on flower

And of course some time outside would just not be complete without a sunning dog!  Bisou is very glad for the days we explore the outside.

Bisou - sunning herself

Exploring Nana's

We have a wonderful tradition of having a meal at my parent's house every week. In fact Patrick and I started this tradition soon after we got married. Amazingly we have stuck with it for just about five years now (yes that's how long we've been married!).

Both boys love the evenings we spend over there.

Wyatt is in a Chief (my dad) phase. As soon as we get there he's all about playing with my dad.

So Levi gets most of the attention from me and my mom.

He found Mr Kitty

 
He's gotten into really exploring the house - I am guessing it's because my mom's house is almost completely carpeted, which means easier on the knees when it comes to crawling.

Then again it might be because Levi has a fascination with cats. And my mom has a gorgeous cat (he used to be my Mamoo's - great story about that cat... but that's another post... maybe...).

Mr Kitty

Also there is the piano - which I posted about earlier this week.

Great table - you can drop things through it!

Plus my mom has more furniture, which equates for more fun places to crawl under.

Crawling away from tickle monster nana

Overall I am pretty sure Levi thinks Nana's is one of the best places ever!

New toys...

I am truly blessed to have some amazing friends that I have grown up with. Even more so that they have gotten married and started families around the same time I have - why you ask? Well because we get to have super fun play dates as excuses to spend time together. So extremely grateful.

One my bestest friends - as we have been super close since we were 3 - is Joellen. And through some miracle her son is just a couple of weeks younger than Levi (remember this post?). We have managed to get together for a few play dates this year (which I think is super impressive as she is a working mama who knows how to manage her mommy time perfectly with all of her responsibilities).

Earlier this summer she dropped by and played with our toys.

And just recently we were able to spend a little time at her house playing with her toys!

I am glad to say that all three boys had a grand time.

Wyatt was in toy heaven - he didn't seem to care that most of them were for the babies

There was toy exploration.

Levi found the one toy of Landon's that is the same as his at home

There was book reading.

Wyatt is off to the side helping Landon find the animals in the book

There was giggling.

Landon just loved the extra attention

There was smiling.

Levi was so into the toys he could barely hold still

Overall it was a smashing success.

Again - I am so blessed to have such a friend.

Time for a Change

We stretched it out as long as we possibly could, but Wyatt has officially been moved into a real big boy bed. No rails - no extras to keep in during the night. Nope he officially his a big boy!

So after hunting for a great deal on a new mattress Patrick went out to make our purchase (with cash... remember we're on the Ramsey get out of debt program). We decided it would be easier to play the "that's not good enough" game if there weren't two children running around screaming during the process.

Enjoying the big matteress on the kitchen floor as we got the frame put together

 Needless to say I am super proud at my hubby's negotiating abilities, because we got a great deal!

And what happens when you leave behind the little boy bed? Well mommy must go to the store and buy a comforter, new sheets and such right?

So I of course enjoyed my first childless shopping trip to Target to purchase a new "bedroom" for my little big boy (this is what Wyatt refers to himself as - I love it).

Loving the new pillows and Cars bedspread

Granted Wyatt was going to join me on this great shopping trip, but his little preschooler fascination with his big bed wouldn't allow him to leave the house. So I did it alone.

Reading a bed time book with mommy in his new Cars room

I think I did pretty good at picking out stuff he'll enjoy for a little while at least - what do you think?

Oh and because it was just so cute here's a super short video of both boys before going to sleep:

Nana's Piano - take two

Remember when Wyatt first fell in love with the piano at Nana's house?

Wyatt tickling the ivories

Well Levi has been bitten by the same love bug.

playing a tune

The piano has done it's magic on both of my boys.

Lovin it!

It's a good thing their mommy knows how to play - and teach.

Oh and a video:

Silly faces at dinner

Had to share Levi's current silly face - my personal favorite. He scrunches up his face and then snorts his nose, and yes it is cute!

Wyatt has been taking pictures a ton, and that is why he is telling the pancakes to say cheese - to get their picture taken.

Levi was enjoying some of the pancakes as well. 

Overall it was a fun dinner as a family, glad I have this when there are the dinners that seem like they are torture! Here is proof we do actually have family dinners like they show on TV once in awhile - well minus the clothes... did I mention we had been playing in the sprinkler outside before hand? Oh well guess that's life!

Progress, in the cup area...

I started to think that an update was needed on Levi's cup using abilities. I mean after I originally posted about Levi and his cup it only seems right to follow up when there is progress, right?

Well there has been progress, and I'm super excited. It looks like there might be a birthday gift for me in six weeks - my life back (those moms who have nursed will understand). 

What a face!

Yes Levi still only takes a little from his cup. But it's some. In face there are times when he asks for it, or searches through his bag for his cup. He'll even drink a couple of ounces from it in the middle of play times! 

So silly

Gotta have a sip in all the silliness

All great signs. Truly an answer to many prayers thrown up from this mama who started to think that the tether would never be easily cut. It's amazing how some prayers might sound so silly to someone not in a certain stage of life while being the only concern of another. Puts perspective on the idea of meeting people where they are in their pain and going from there, not expecting someone to be where you want them to be so it's easier for you.  Sorry, back to point...

Loves it!

Here's hoping Levi moves to the cup alone in the next six weeks (yep that means a birthday is on the horizon!).

Levi's ode to the olympics

In honor of the Olympics the past couple of weeks, Patrick decided that Levi needed to learn to wrestle.

Mouth guard in - ready to start

Going for the nose

Final blow & he's down!

Wyatt's all about football so it appears that wrestling could be where Levi learns to get a chance at the football!

The Letter A

The official decision has been made - Wyatt is going to stay home with me this year instead of going to three-year-old preschool. So I figured we would try to have a mini-preschool hour 3-4 times a week. 

Mostly it means that for an hour on preschool days, Wyatt will spend an hour doing some activities with just me - so he'll have some serious one-on-one time. It is just a nice coincidence that those activities are going to have some purpose besides mommy/son time.

Well I have come realize why I love blogging so much- I get to tap into some genius moms who blog about what they do with their kids! 

Punching out the letter A with a pushpin

So we are starting with the ABC's and numbers!  And I have two great blogs I am going to for the bulk of my inspiration.

Takes concentration

 We had a lot of fun with the A worksheets the past week (all from this site).  I surprised myself having animal crackers in the house, so that was amazing. Wyatt really had a good time using the sharp pushpin to poke the holes into his A, I think it was mostly because I said he was old enough but Levi wasn't so we had to do it while Levi napped.  (This was on our first day of "preschool").

He colored his letter A then covered it with animals!

I am starting to realize that even though Wyatt loves Levi, and is a super big brother. The realization that Levi is going to be here forever, and that means Wyatt isn't the only one around for mommy and daddy to spoil, and this is hitting harder than I thought it would, at least at this point in time. It might be a little backwards, but this little "home school"  period of time might just help Wyatt to feel more secure in his position as a loved  baby in this family.

Sorting largest to smallest

I really liked the resources at these sites because even though we are only going to focus on letters and numbers for now, there are a ton of activities that will lay a solid foundation for Wyatt when he does go to preschool in the future. And although I have nothing against homeschooling families, I don't know how to they do it! First off, it is crazy expensive to keep up with all the supplies and such. Then there is the time and patience it takes to really teach your own kids. Sure you would think a little of the preschool teaching abilities would have rubbed off (my mom has taught and cared for this age group for more years than I can count) but I'm sorry to say that isn't in my strong suites. Especially the patience needed!

We are already looking forward to working with the number zero, one, and the letter B, in the near future. So stayed tuned for more fun "preschool" adventures!

Opa's favorite

I guess it must have been about 18 months ago, or even longer, when we visited Oma and Opa in RVA and Wyatt was gifted one of Opa's favorites - a Gumby toy.

Wyatt was interested enough at the time, but sadly, he quickly put it aside once we were home.

Recently Wyatt discovered this special toy in a box of toys - oh man, how did Opa know it would such a hit? Gumby is a new favorite.

Gumby helps to clean up.

Gumby helps with meals.

Gumby washes bikes.

Gumby even dances!

Gumby is helping Mater and Thomas - what a multi-tasker

I love how Wyatt plays with toys in a way that shows incredible imagination and sensitivity. He will be one awesome young man some day, I can see glimpses every once in awhile, and they way he shows Levi what Gumby can do help to show those moments.

So thank you Opa for a toy that allows character building in a little character that has captured generations of little hearts.

Lovin' the Dog's bed...

Patrick and I have had our dog for as long as we've been married so she has had to make some adjustments over the years. As a result we got her a fairly nice dog bed.

Wyatt really loved the bed when we first got it, but he realized it wasn't his and for the most part let it be.

Crawling around his favorite spot

Levi on the other hand does not realize it isn't for him. He thinks it's the best place to lounge with a toy in the whole house. We often watch him search through his little toy box, pick out his favorite, and head straight for the dog's bed. He then rolls around it all smiles and giggles. It's adorable. Of course he ends up covered in fur, which doesn't really bring many smiles to my face. And I'm not too sure the dog likes having his smell all over her zone. But again adjustments.

First camping trip...

I realize that being the mom to two boys will mean I have to actually go outside and get dirty once in awhile. And trust me when I say, this is not high on my list of things I look forward too - I mean I like being a clean and tidy girl...

So one of those things that involve dirt and outside would be camping right? Yep.

Camping is one of those "vacations" my family used to do in the summer, and I was never really a huge fan. I mean everything is dirty, I mean everything, and then there is the sleeping in a tent part. And don't get me started on bathrooms and showers!

Of course there is the redeemable part of camp food - cooking over wood always makes for great food. That is probably the only reason I endured so many camping trips growing up.

Well you will shocked to know that Wyatt experienced his first tent camping night this summer - yep you read that right - a tent!

Saying Hi

Okay, okay, it wasn't out in the wilderness, it was in my parents' backyard (so that took care of the running water issue). But there was a tent, and a fire - perfect for s'mores!

I planned on trying to keep Wyatt outside as much as possible so that he would get an idea of what it was like to actually camp. You see he has a slight obsession with Curious George Goes Camping (well he did until Levi tore up the book...) and I figured my lack of interest should not stand in his way. So my mom and I put together a camping evening and night.

Seriously focused painter

We made sidewalk paint. It was a great hit. (Thank you pinterest!) And that was a huge hit - we spelled out names, made funny shapes, and Uncle Jordan created a camping face (it is amazing what going to school for art can do...).

Papa Chief's signature

Uncle Jordan showing Wyatt how to pain on different surfaces

Uncle Jordan's camping face

Wyatt had an outdoor scavenger hunt. I put together a little chart with images that I figured he would find in my parents backyard that night and when he found one of them he got to put a sticker next to it. It was a big hit! (Wanna check out my list? Click here)

Scavenger Hunt

We grilled up foil dinners with burgers and veggies - so great on a fire!

Truly enjoying tearing pieces of grass

Levi really enjoyed the time outside. He's still not too sure about crawling in the grass, but he would sit on a towel and pull the grass out. He actually seemed to really enjoy that. He also got to spend some quality time in the tent, exploring!

Time in the tent

Of course there were s'mores and popcorn. Wyatt sat around the fire with all of us adults eating popcorn just  watching the fire (isn't that what you do when you go camping?)

Exploring

The downside you might ask?  Well Patrick had bronchitis, and I was fighting it off, and Levi was starting to cut teeth. So we were not the best sports. In fact at nine the three of us left for the hopes of a good night's sleep at home (it did not happen).

Wyatt got to stay at Nana's and he stayed up late I was told. He had his turtle star light, which made for great fun in the tent. But when it was finally time to go to bed, he did not want to sleep in the tent. So he went into his room at Nana's and slept like a rock.

So first camping trip wasn't a complete fail, it just wasn't a complete success. I guess that is how it works! If only I could get away with this kind of camping with two boys in the future...

A new food!

I realize I was a picky eater. And I know I drove my mom insane when it came to lunch time, but I didn't really care. I was never hungry, so really what else would cross a child's mind? Well now I know just how crazy that had to make her, and she is 100 times more calm and relaxed about things than me... Yet I am realizing I just have to make dinner and either Wyatt eats or not. Period!

Was playing with the jar - but the camera is just more fun

So I was pleasantly surprised when he started to go for the idea of peanut butter sandwiches! Yep we are now a peanut butter eating family - it's great. If he refuses to eat a meal, and asks politely he can have a peanut butter sandwich with the family. Such a nice alternative for all of us.

It makes great sandwiches and a fun toy - two in one!

The secret you may ask?

Well it's my, now well stocked, collection of cookie cutters! Yep, he always picks out a shape for his sandwich and then goes to town.

Guess cookie cutters will have to be one of those things I look for at garage sales and clearance aisles from now on.

Although I found it doesn't work quite as well with grilled cheese sandwiches... at least right now. But slices of cheese cut into his favorite shape... big hit. Guess we will continue to try cutting our sandwiches and such into shapes and see if that adds to this picky eater's diet.

Aero's baseball game

As part of Father's day this year I got Aero's tickets (minor league baseball) for my dad, Patrick and Wyatt. I wanted them to have some real bonding time to build memories - I couldn't think of a better gift for any of them.

Tossing the ball

So a couple of weekends ago was the big game (the same weekend we had Colorado family in!).

Getting some help from Chief

It was great because they got to go early and toss the baseball around on the field!  Of course this meant my dad had to get Wyatt his first baseball glove and ball. Wyatt was thrilled. He won't even get that mitt out now because it is too special (his words, not mine).

Plus they had the chance to get autographs - which means Wyatt's first baseball is signed!

Wouldn't smile for daddy at all

They had great seats, first row, right behind home plate - I know Patrick and my dad loved the seats, but  Wyatt's attention span is still not long enough for sports games yet. But still he saw some of it, and he got to spend the time with his daddy and grandpa (fondly referred to as Chief!).