A birthday story in pictures

 

How to....

How to get in a small box:

 

 

How to get out of a small box (enthusiastically):

Summer night outside with cousins

As we let ourselves enjoy the moment tonight, I didn't take any pictures for this post, as I like to do. So you will  have to view the image I describe rather than show you.

We had an impromptu game of well, I shall call it "ball" as it was a made up game with Connor and Charlotte tonight. The main goal was to keep away the yellow ball from Wyatt while he tried to hit us with the red ball. Very dodge ball like. Not sure that he was even aware of the keep away aspect. There were a few other rules and sounds that I can't quite remember, but I am sure if you ask CR or CO, they will tell you in full detail. Wyatt was in his element. Running. Playing with others. Balls. Lots of laughing. It was rare that he actually got anyone, but that did not damper his sheer enjoyment of trying.

Then we had some races. I was mostly competing with Connor (not sure if it was much of a competition as he won all of the races.) And Wyatt's running buddy was Ma. We did all sorts, hopping, running backwards (to which Wyatt told me that "that's not right." -- one of his infamous lines.) I must admit Pa had a pretty pathetic run, but I don't think he was really trying. He was like the energizer bunny, he just ran and ran, and jumped. It was as if the edge of Ma and Pa's back yard was dug up  & recovered just for him to have a mound to jump over after completing each race.

Announcing: New favorite colors!!

As you know, green and blue were THE favorites until now....

The short version:

 

 

The longer version:

 

There you have it: purple and pink.

Though to be honest, it is mostly purple with a little pink.

Hidden Treasure

Today we searched for hidden treasure. No, no need to go to a deserted island, we just looked under all the furniture in the house. The beds, the dressers, the couches, and especially the refrigerator. The most important tools were a small flashlight and a yard stick (for those items in the very back.) Wyatt loved this "game!" And if you could have heard his exclamations, "Look!! Look what we found!!", you would have thought that we had struck gold. No gold, but we did find: Tickle me Elmo, 2 cats, his green shovel, a rabbit, & a token. (The train whistle was not lost, it came along on our adventure.) Apparently, horn blowing is very important when your looking for treasure.

The most rewarding and most challenging was the colored pencils, they were at the very back under the fridge. He was jumping all around the kitchen when he found out that there was a PURPLE pencil to be recovered. It also happened to be the last to be retrieved and the hardest. But we did it! Purple pencil is back with the rest. Probably a good idea not to do colored pencils near the fridge anymore.

Jingle, a splish, & a splash

 
Friday morning we went to the play place for a musical program. Wyatt's instrument was a blue turtle with bells on it. As he didn't want me to be without an instrument, I played the sticks. It was great. There were about 10 children there and they played marching style around the room then in a circle with lots of songs.





This was a special day as he got "new" orange boots (Thanks to Ma and Pa and the consignment sale.) Of course he loves his boots and wanted to wear them most of the day, especially outside. Since it had rained, he wanted to jump in the puddles. (Which is, of course, the purpose for boots.)

Inside adventures at 6am

Something about waking up at 6am on a rainy day calls me to turn to youtube videos for Wyatt.

This morning we stuck to most of his favorites. Here are a few:

 

This has been a long time favorite.

If you are looking for more alphabet train videos, he also likes this one and this one.

 

Paradise by Coldplay

 

We can thank Jack for this one.

Seven Days of the Week (I never go to work) by They Might be Giants

What we are reading this week

Wyatt absolutely loves books that are songs, especially Over in the Meadow illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats. I will sing and he will fill in the number as it goes from 1-10. At about 5, when it comes time for him to say the number, he will whisper, "What is it?" I will fill him in on the sequence, and he will shout out "FIVE" or whatever number it is. He also does the echo {for instance. I will sing, "Dig, says the mother." And he will respond, "I dig, said the one."} And I absolutely love how Keats uses paint and cut out shapes to make the beautiful art.
 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carl is also a beautiful piece of art that goes through the life cycle of a butterfly as well as some counting. Wyatt was a bit scared by the very fat caterpillar. And responded with a "AAhhh," at the sight of the butterfly. {My favorite page is the illustrations of when the caterpillar eats lots and lots.}

Again, can you tell I love sharing books with Wyatt that are pieces of art and teach something. Lois Ehlert's Planting a Rainbow not only identifies many different colored flowers, but she also shows them at each stage of their development. A must read!


I feel confident saying that any book by Keats, Carle, and Ehlert would be a good read, as we have read other books by each artist and they never disappointed.

Inside fun & outside fun

Yesterday we went to "the play place" as we call it, which is really the smart start learning center. That has learning toys to play with for free! We both love this place. The top picture is his train and boat. Later in the day we met our friends at the park and had a blast playing and catching up. I'm gonna let the pictures do most of the talking in this post.

A Grant and Wyatt day

 It was a very Grant and Wyatt kind of day. We started off to the park after we had some waffles. The boys decided they must wear their sunglasses. We got to see a back hoe on the way there. Once at the park, we took lots of water breaks as the summer sun was upon us. They had lots of fun playing together, running and finding "good" sticks. On the way back Grant counted to 100 (with just a little help from me.) "How did you count to 100 all by yourself?!" an astonished Wyatt asked. Grant replied simply, "I count.
We hopped in the pool when we got back to cool off and have fun. Then off to a warm bath and sandwiches for lunch.
Wyatt took a nap and Grant rested, then they had a bit more fun together before it was time for Grant to go.

What a day. Water day.

What a day. Water day.

To the beach:

Jumping waves and chasing his boat.

Italian Ice with a purple straw.

Then to the lake:

Jumping of the pier  

3 boy cousins to run with

to race cars with

Enjoying Fireworks (they are kind of like fireflies I was told)

sparklers and glow sticks

A good day.