The Little Things

Post-birthday super wish list

Greg turned four (four!) a few days ago and although we are awash in fun new gifts thanks to thoughtful friends and family, a few big toys have been on my mind recently, if money and space were no object!

1. Plastic play house. The kids had more fun playing in front of Toys 'R Us in all of their display houses. This one is looking good to me:

2. I've had my eye on this barn ever since we visited Kline Creek Farm for one of their maple syrup making demonstrations. 

3. Greg is crazed for this fire station at Land of Nod every time we go there. The last time was for the free Justin Roberts performance!

4. I've also had my eye on this Bruder Caterpillar Grader. I'd have one of every Bruder truck/machine if I could! We are lucky enough to have a bulldozer, cement mixer and fork lift. 

5. Future Christmas present here. Greg made the jump from Duplo to Lego in the past few weeks. And my do we ever love the fire station. Again, wouldn't you have (almost) every Lego set if you could?

6. My newest discovery is a Go Diego Go slip 'n slide. Could be fun, especially if I can acquire it cheap enough. Probably the only item on the list that is likely to join our family of toys anytime soon!

7. And just so Joey doesn't miss out. Here's a nice stacking toy I'd like to get for him. I'd also like to get him the Plan Toys Walk 'N Roll.

OK. Enough dreaming already. Time to go and enjoy all the toys we do have. Because we certainly have plenty!

Today

Our typical day includes a morning outing. For some reason today I thought it would be fun to stay home. Maybe play in the sprinkler, let Greg ride his trike around the block, just keep it low-key. I guess I needed a reminder that staying home just doesn't work for us. Back to our regularly scheduled program tomorrow (and Greg's last day of school!).

But I do have to mention a one cute little thing about Joey from today. I was cleaning up the dinner dishes and he crawled up the stairs from the basement with Greg's play ambulance in hand. Then he slid back down on his belly and crawled up again holding the broken-off door to the ambulance--and wanted me to put it back on the ambulance. Well, it's way too broken to be put back together, but I was quite blown away that he made that connection. He was so happy when I praised him. Toddlers are so easy! 

Growing a little every day

New words today for Greg: familiar, patient

For the past week or so, I have been able to count two to five new words Greg uses each day. And they are standout words like the ones above. Very cool.

Tonight I offered Greg some water after we brushed his teeth. He had already had a glass of water before we started the bedtime routine. He said, "No, I don't need any more water. I'm already full from the water in my tummy." I really like the way he thinks.

New words today for Joey: sock, stick

Joey's favorite word is Dog (every animal is a Dog) followed closely by Dada. Hi and Bye are good ones too, and come with the appropriate arm movement (he especially likes to say Hi to white-haired ladies--he knows just how to make their day!). I like today's new words a lot.

We met some friends today at our favorite place, The Morton Arboretum, today. Our friends had to get home for earlier naptimes, so we ended up viewing most of the new Steel Roots pieces on our own. Greg was really into it. And a volunteer stopped and got right down next to him and talked to him directly and asked him what HE saw in the sculptures. I love that place and that is just one of many reasons why. 

 

During Joey's nap, Greg was very busy playing with Uncle Andy's old Matchbox cars. He had all sorts of conversations and activities going on amongst the different cars. I was allowed to play with the ice cream truck for a little while and he had me delivering chocolate ice creams all around. 

 

Hoping to past a recap of our fun long weekend visiting Granny & Papa in Nashville soon. 

Music together

We are spending more time in the playroom/basement recently. It's a great place for Joey to crawl around and explore. But more importantly, it's a great place for us all to enjoy music together. We play lots of They Might Be Giants (especially the "No" album) and Justin Roberts, and Greg & Joey play along on the drums, cymbals or harmonica. I love enjoying music this way. And I love seeing Greg & Joey enjoying each other.

A Crafty Christmas

Planning some crafty Christmas gifts. These pretty fabrics from Fabric Shoppe are begging me to get started. Just need to find/make the time!

Brothers

Barefoot in November (in Chicago!)

The water has been turned off at Morton, but there was still this trickle up at the Secret Stream. And who'd think we'd still be enjoying footloose and fancy-free afternoons in the grass in November. Heavenly.

Grocery shopping is fun again

Grocery shopping. What a chore, right? Well not when you have a baby with you. Not a brand-new baby, though, that's no fun, worrying about when they'll need to eat, managing the infant seat, and all that. But maybe from six months on, when they are stable enough to sit in the cart and are fascinated with all the new sights. I love having a little shopping buddy again. And it's such a great excuse to sing along to the cheesy songs playing in the big grocery stores. And then when your baby gets his first balloon. Well you hardly feel like you're at the grocery store at all. 

Wishlist

A few pretties that are on my mind right now...

Boots. I'm dying for these Madewell Workwear Boots:
 

And these Foldover Boots from Anthropologie:
 

Want to make one of these myself (Free People one-of-kind necklace) (and love the background of this pic):


And how about this gorgeous tree topper from Anthropologie. So in love. Really putting me in the holiday spirit:


But this one is awfully sweet, too, and reminds me of the vintage one in my own collection:
 

Going to watch for one of those pairs of boots to go on sale!

 
 

My best helper

He seems to be coming out of the terrible twos, which started almost exactly at 2 1/2 (one month before Joey arrived) and are just starting to subside a few months before 3 1/2. He's quick to say "No" and "I'll do it myself!" Which for the most part makes me chuckle, but at other times frustrates me to no end. On the other hand, there are moments when he is so enjoyable, the best he's ever been. Like the other night when he helped me bring in the recycling bins. He was so proud of himself for helping. Troublesome or not, he's still my best, best boy.

Which reminds me, I need to come up with an equally endearing term for Joey!