youth

We volunteer with the youth at church.

JT sometimes comes with us. It makes for interesting adventures for a toddler.

Tonight got a little bit messy.

Can you imagine... when he graduates from high school, he'll have been with the youth program for 18 years?

He better learn to enjoy getting messy.

cut and paste

We're in the habit of doing the same things year after year. Every year, we go to the beach with my aunt and uncle, hiking with my family, and host Easter at our house. One thing that I've done the past 4 or 5 years just for me is a scrapbooking getaway weekend.

This past February was again at the Scrap Happy crop in Tiffin, Ohio. I adore this uninterrupted time away with my sisters-in-law. We get to catch up with each others' lives, unwind, and maybe even get some scrappin' done. This page is one I put together at that retreat.


This layout celebrates the first completed art project JT ever brought home. And I use the word "completed" loosely, since it wasn't colored. I am so excited for him to show interest in crayons, glue, scissors, paint, or anything creative. I'm ready for a little crafty buddy! So the working bear paper bag puppet was a really big deal for me.

My inspiration for the layout was from this page at Two Peas in a Bucket. It's not a total scraplift, but I did like the panoramic photo that takes up two-thirds the width of the page. I also liked the simplicity of the design and colors used. I added some Bam Pop papers, Sticko stickers, and the cutest hedgehog stamp ever.

Now if only the pages I created in February will keep me going until next year's getaway crop...

vroomin'

Last weekend I scrapped exactly one page for my own album. Yay! I mean, 10 would be great, but I'll take what I can get, right? I took these pictures on St. Patrick's Day. They aren't anything spectacular, but they do represent right now in JT's life. He's all about the trucks. And we are LOVING the spring weather and sunshine. The title is his own verb. When he drives a truck, he says he's "vroomin' it." I'll ask him to put his trucks away and he'll say, "Can I vroom it over there?"


I ordered supplies for some upcoming projects and threw in some just for fun items. The box arrived last week, so I was feeling inspired. I got Glimmer Mist in Lemon Meringue and Candlelight. It doesn't show up very well on this red background, but it looks spectacular on textured white cardstock - like a little spritz of sun!


The photo booth template is by KristyAnn Designs. I have used this template before on 2 or 3 different layouts. One of the strips of photos is hanging in my office at work. It has pictures of JT when he was about 7 months old. It's a favorite template... highly recommended. Use the template to size and clip your photo, layer under the strip, and select "overlay" as the blend mode. Presto! It's a great way to tell a story in 4 small photos.


I'm pretty excited about the wheat grass in the first picture, too. JT got some seeds on a field trip to Great Harvest Bread Company. Apparently if we take the grass back to them and show that we grew it to at least 2 inches, we get a free cookie. JT hasn't taken much interest in the wheat grass, but I bet he'd notice a chocolate chip cookie the size of his head!

being a boy mom

Being a boy mom means...

• Navigating with the "car cart" at the grocery store.
  
• Keeping your eyes peeled for garbage trucks when you drive around town.
  
• Potty training for 5 and a half months.
• You don't put a toy truck away, you "vroom it" to its parking space.
  
• Reading stories about cars, trucks, trains, and spiders.
  
• Reminding that we don't scream or yell at the dinner table or in the car or in the grocery store...
  
• Getting hugged around the neck so hard it almost chokes me. (But I love it!)
• Being asked "Can I say gross? It's not an 'ucky word?"
  
• Squeezing the water out of an alligator after bath time every night.
• Tucking a boy, a bunny, a blankie, and a plastic spider into bed.
• Washing wet, muddy clothes late at night.
  

no tv

Since it gets dark so early and it's been a little chilly, we've been spending our evenings in front of the tv and our computer screens. Spring is a long way off, so we had to break this pattern.

In combination with the nice weather this weekend, I unplugged the tv. I do this from time to time. John still has his tv in the basement, but we don't spend much family time there. I unplugged the tv on Friday morning.

When I was getting his breakfast, I saw JT try the power button. Nothing. Try again. Nothing. Try another button. Nothing. Walk away. Look at toys. Pick up toy. Start playing.

He has asked a couple times to watch cartoons or a movie. But no meltdowns when I refuse. He thinks the "battery died" on the tv and we have proven ourselves to be less than efficient at replacing batteries, so he doesn't ask further.

We played outside a LOT, which is pretty usual for nice days. But we also got into some art things. Crayons and a coloring book lasted for more than the usual 5 minutes. Ok, it was 6 minutes, but I'll take it!

And I couldn't believe JT was completely enthralled with the watercolor paints tonight. Last time I tried painting he didn't want anything to do with it. But tonight, he found my little paint tray, asked what it was, and immediately wanted to get some paint for it. I put water in each well. He dabbed paint from the watercolor tray into each new spot of water, mixing colors along the way. I have to say, looking at some of what made it to the paper, he has an eye for color!

storytelling

The pic has nothing to do with anything... just an old shot from April that makes me think, WOW, JT has grown a TON!

I've been thinking a lot about storytelling lately. Between reading to JT, devouring some fiction, and writing my own story for Ali's Yesterday Today class, it's on my mind frequently. I also listen to a podcast of This American Life and catch StoryCorps on NPR sometimes.

The other night JT wanted to read Good Dog Carl. This time, I had him tell me the story. Good Dog Carl is a picture book with just a few words on the first and last pages. John and I each read it a little differently. It was much more like a conversation than storytelling, though. He didn't understand the laundry chute because he's never seen one. So I spent some time trying to explain that. And he told me the dog was mean, though we've never told the story to portray the dog as mean. He must have just thought the Rottweiler looked mean. It was a wonderful way to see what he has taken from our readings of the book.

We aren't just reading stories, we are making them up, recitng tales, and discussing old stories, too. Becka mentioned Little Red Riding Hood the other day when she was here. Unfortunately for her, she then had to tell JT the story of Little Red. JT's Nana tells him the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. He looooves this story. I think she told it about 20 times in one weekend.

And the stories he makes up when he's rambling in the car or at bedtime? They are classics. The Halloween decorations from around the neighborhood have provided endless fodder for characters to his stories. He and roof cat have had some amazing adventures in his mind!

It occurs to me that storytelling may be a good way of encouraging learning. I think it appeals to his sense of adventure, forges a connection to loved ones and the world around him, and maybe even helps to develop critical thinking skills. Yet, when I peruse our vast collection of books around here, I have found we're lacking in the wordless books. I made a meager list of the two books we do have. You can find it here.

Won't you share with me the title of your favorite picture book? I can add suggestions to this list and hopefully develop it into something a little more substantial.

accessories

JT: I wanna go to the MALLLL.
Me: Nope, we don't have any money.
JT: Yes jou do.
Me: Oh yeah, I'd like to know where?
JT: In jou SUITCASE.
Me: *huffs* It's not a suitcase. It's my purse.

déjà toddler

I'm scanning some pictures tonight for the Yesterday Today scrapbooking class I'm taking. I came across this picture and had a bit of a panic moment. Suddenly JT is grown, married, and has a kid of his own. Aack! My heart can't take it!

This is my brother in December of 1981. And he is grown, married, and has a baby girl. In this picture he's about 3 years old, just a little older than JT is now.

What caught my eye was the studious look on his face, the long eye lashes, the footed pajamas, and the piles of toys with an emphasis on trucks.

I'm having so much fun talking to JT right now. He tells wacko stories that are mash-ups of what has happened and what he'd like to happen. He says "pick me up like a rectangle". Which means to hold him horizontally like when he was a tiny babe. I have no clue why that's like a rectangle, but it makes me laugh. He always asks, "what brought me that shirt?" which means, who got him the shirt. It's funny that he asks that way and I love that he wants to know who to associate to some toy or shirt that he likes. And he'll say, "I have an idea." And when you ask him what his idea is, it's usually a truck or firetruck. "Good idea," I tell him.

hanging pictures

Our bedroom got a little facelift with some vacation photos. I'm not usually very good about getting pictures framed and put on display, but I was so in love with these shots. I ran right out and bought frames and ordered the enlargements. Plus, our room tends to be a little dark with that wall color, so these add brightness.

JT likes to point out the picture in the waves. He says, "Dada, big one?" John says, "Who's that big wave splashin'?" "Dada." "Who else?" *chuckles* "JT".

See the vacation pics here, here, and here.

he loves trucks

On Sundays, John and JT usually head down the highway to to drop off the citin' (recycling). This past Sunday, John was out of town and I had other errands to run, so JT and I tackled the task. I should point out that I wasn't going to take it, since it's not my chore, but JT reminded me. "Drop 'citin'?" he asked. Ok, ok... we'll drop off the recycling!

As luck would have it, we arrived at the drop-off location just as the truck was emptying the bins. To a 22-month old who loves trucks, this was a golden opportunity! And how convenient that Mama had a camera! We watched every bin get dumped. It was thrilling.


When we finished there, JT reminded me that Dada took him to see the planes at OSU Airport last time they were out. Not to be outdone by Dada, we went to the airport. We got to see a small plane land and one take off. THEN we saw a jet take off!


And then I forced a toddler into his car seat while crying and screaming "Mama, jet! Mama, jet!"

an encounter

Oh look, a girl.

I think she's trying to talk to me. Look away, appear busy...

Shwew, she's walking on by. That was a close one.

Easer Bunya

A couple months before each holiday, I start thinking, "this would be a good holiday to make my crafty holiday." I dream up all the possibilities, fill my inspiration journal with pictures of cool things I could make, and maybe even sketch something cool. And then life happens and it never transpires. The holiday gets nearer and I end up doing the same thing as last year, or very little to nothing to note the special day.

This year I wanted to make JT's Easter bunny. Easter is a good time to make something crafty, right? It's just one bunny. I should be able to knock that out, yeah?

Well, I did it!

JT calls him "Easer Bunya".


He's a little wonky and a lot whimsical. Which is my way of saying, "look, it was an experimental first attempt at making a softie."

But never mind that. JT went running to his Easter basket and pulled Easer Bunya out first thing! He got a lot of love until JT realized there was also chocolate in the basket...

It fills my heart when he loves on Easer Bunya.... and then asks for candy.

ba'ketball

JT loooovvves basketball right now. His dada got him a hoop that we have in the house for now. But as you can see, he has a bit more to learn about good sportsmanship...

20 months

JT turned 20 months old yesterday. Oi. He is such the little boy these days. At 20 months, JT...

• is talking up a storm: deer, apple, 'nana (banana), penya (penguin), TRUCK, car, buh (bus), boo (moo, for cow), barn, gong (gone), dardonne (dinosaur), tertut (triceratops). He also says octagon and ambulance... impressive, eh?
• runs everywhere, all the time. 'un! he says!
• loves to hide.
• is obsessed with books. He definitely has his favorites. Though we did recently adopt a Richard Scarry book about trucks and cars. A book with PAPER pages - a big step for him.
• has days where he eats constantly. Which means more growing... which means bigger clothes. I'm kinda looking forward to shorts weather in that respect!
• counts. "Un, two... pi (five)" I think he said "nine, ten" the other day. But I don't know where he got that high up... so maybe I misheard!
• knows that airplanes fly in the sky and the sky is blue.
• has conversations with his parents. One or two words from him... a few words from us... one or two more words from him... etc.
• likes to grab a toy to take upstairs when we go for a diaper change or bath.
• loves to splash in the tub. Really likes throwing the soap bottle from a distance for the biggest splash possible.
• rides his bike by scooting along with one foot or pushing the bike from behind. Not getting the pedals bit yet.
• watches Cars like a boy in a trance. He knows almost all the characters by name.
  
• points out all the cars, trucks, and buses on the road. Also points out flags and counts how many (see counting above).
• likes when I play pretend games where his toys eat his food or his dino-shaped chicken nuggets walk around. hehe.
• is now sporting big boy hair because Mama got tired of the rat's nest of long hair we were always dealing with.

I wish I could actually sum him up for you. He is such a joy to be around. I am loving the silly games, laughter and conversations these days. Just don't make me think about potty training...

socializing

JT is becoming more interested in playing with other kids. For now, it's really more like "near" other kids. So last weekend we subjected him to an entire weekend of play dates and social activities. May as well jump right in, eh?

On Saturday he had a play date with Reagan... his gal pal from WAY back. She used to help him out with binky patrol before he developed fine motor skills. hehe. As you can see, he had a great time.

Saturday night was a party where he got to play with Ally and Annabel. Again, more playing near other kids. Sunday morning he had a meltdown at the church nursery because they had the nerve to change the rooms around and disrupt his usual surroundings. He got through it and had an ok time playing with the other 12-24 month olds.

Sunday afternoon we went to Zane's birthday party. JT LOVED Zane's toys. He has cool trucks and ride-on things. He played near all the other little boys and had a great time. Sharing may be an issue... he had a LOT of possessiveness over the Cozy Coupe car.

So definitely... let me know if you want to schedule a play date for your kid to play near my kid. If you have a Cozy Coupe, even better. :-)

only a mother

About this time every morning, we partake of the breakfast ritual. I'm greeted by this face. I love this face. It makes me laugh every time I look at it. I'm laughing now.

You're probably thinking... run.away.now. Or... only a mother could love this child.

What do you think? Would it be less freaky if he didn't have red hair?! lol.

Yes, this is going in the "pics to show girlfriends" file. Heeheeeeee!

recharging

I took today to recharge. The pace has just been exhausting lately.

Last Monday I picked up the lens I've waited a few Christmases and birthdays to get. I took it out for an adventure today. Not great photos, but I wanted to get a feel for taking pictures with a new lens. I hadn't realized just how comfortable I'd gotten with my 24-70 until I changed to the 70-200.

And just to certify what kind of woman I am... I also stopped today and exchanged the backpack camera case I got for the bigger, more expensive one that will also carry a laptop. I will pinch pennies over a handbag, but price is no object where the camera is concerned. I can't say I'm surprised at myself... I also wonder who buys jewelry anymore, because I sure don't. Let me think, tech gadgets or diamonds? Gadgets!

It was nice to spend a couple hours alone with my camera and sipping coffee while reading a book for nothing but pleasure. I don't often get to do that these days. Heck, I can't even eat a meal without numerous interruptions. (Which reminds me... I need to make a reservation for Valentine's day, because I am eating sushi with my husband and not being interrupted except for drink refills.)

For dinner, JT and I had Thai food with our buddies Carol and Mike. It was good to have time to chit-chat and catch up with one another. Once again, the pace of life has been keeping us from doing this.

And after some time by myself today, the best part of my day was hanging with JT. He fills my heart to capacity with joy and love.

18 months

At 18 months, JT

- is somewhere between 18 months and 2T in clothing
- weighs about 27 lbs.
- hugs and kisses everyone goodnight
- says goodnight to Mama at least 3 times any given night
- still loves his yobaby yogurt
- says, "Mama?!" I ask, "Yes, JT?" He says, "Truck."
- knows a lot of words and animal sounds
- blows on his food when it's hot
- says "brrrr" when he's cold
- loves going bye-bye
- sings Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star... "up above," he sings
- dances like a cross between Night at the Roxbury and Barney
- asks for the "Elmo" podcast every evening
- loves the race car track toy the most of all the Christmas presents
- doesn't mind going outside even when it's cold
- isn't fond of wearing his mittens
- says "no, no, no" when you ask him what the Mama says
- pinches his belly with the toy pliers and says "OW!"
- has a bit of an issue with throwing food and utensils at mealtime
- captures our hearts more and more every day

at the table

So we are dealing with JT throwing food, spoon, cup, plate, and whatever else is within reach at dinnertime. It's really frustrating. Apparently it's just what some kids go through around this age. We are being diligent about telling him no and taking everything away. It's a lot of mess and frustration in the meantime.

Funny thing though... it doesn't happen for the sitter, or for Nana. I mean, I just don't understand what they do that John and I can't figure out...

first weekend of '09

Today we spent most of the day taking down the tree and putting together a new bookshelf from Ikea. We made some time to get JT a haircut, go for a walk, drop off the recycling, and get a Starbucks beverage.


Guess who peed in the potty tonight? I guess we are thinking about potty training now... John is way more ready than me and JT though. For now, we'll start with peeing in the potty before the bath and see where that gets us.

Oh, John also picked up a space heater for the basement. Aaahhh... I can't tell you how much more comfortable it is downstairs! Maybe now I can tolerate spending time down there scrapping in the evenings. (You know, during all that spare time I'm going to have this year - NOT!)