random outside pictures

Fun with the new playset

More pictures from the new playhouse

The new edible classroom

The Greensboro Children's Museum just added an edible classroom to their many other interesting exhibibts. We went to the opening ceremony and Oliver got to ride a tractor, make a medallion and plant spinach seeds. There were a lot of different vegetables planted in the garden there.

Since the last time we were there they also added a new train exhibit. Oliver liked that a lot. He didn't really want to go look at the garden once he saw it. There's a hole in the engine compartment where you can shovel big fake coal pieces. There's also a conducters hat. It was extra busy because of the ceremony so we didn't get a lot of pictures OR a lot of turns.

Our latest craft project

We had tiny sodas as a treat then we put water and beads and ribbon and glitter in them to make a new toy. Oliver had lots of fun putting things in his bottle. I also tried to incorporate learning about recycling/reusing. Either way, they love these things!

fun with the new computer camera

following the exploits of the locavores...

http://locavoremakeoverproject.blogspot.com/

I saw this article in the Gso news and record. I was interested so now I'm following these families to see how they do eating local, seasonal food for one year. I think it will be easier than they anticipate. I might try doing this at some point but right now is crazy so I'll stick with my current mix.

I made for dinner tonight:

(local) pasta (purchased at the Farmer's Market, made in colfax, nc) topped with Ragu (obviously not local) mixed with squash and zuccini (from the farmer's market). We had a side of cherry tomatoes from a friends garden.

The boys ate it up! I did, too. it was so yummy! I might try to go to the farmer's market once a week from now on. We had also gotten some sweet potatoes that I made fries with and everyone loved those, too.

Wyatt potty...

Yesterday morning when we woke up I went to the bathroom just like usual and Wyatt followed me just like he always does. When we got in there, though, he pointed to Oliver's little potty and then sat on it. Well, he's peed in it a few times and pooped once so I stripped him down and put him on it. He peed right away! I decided since I had to go out and get diapers anyway that it might be time for his own potty. He picked out this one. We brought it home and he sat on it again and peed right away (he was still dry!) and then pooped in it, too. After our nap he did it again. That's 3 times in a day! He sat on it twice more but was clothed and I'm sure he peed when he sat because he was dry before and when I got him up he was wet. I tried a few more times before bed but he only sat there, no pee. I'm ok with this because he's so young but he really likes sitting on the potty!
He did pee again today when he first woke up but only a little bit. We'll keep trying!
HOOOORAY, WYATT!!!

Wyatt playing with Bella

They were so cute together. This is the first time Wyatt has gotten to play with someone close to his own age so he had a great time!

What a good sharer!!

Wyatt with his new best friend

Introducing "kitty kitty". Kitty kitty is a gray and white cat that Wyatt picked up at Toys & Co. He now takes Kitty Kitty everywhere and sleeps with him as well. He's learned the word and the sign kitty.

playing the "guitar" and singing the cutest songs ever

how old...

Oliver, how old are you?

What about you, Wyatt?

Oliver's glee face...

The face he makes for pictures now

who's under that basket?

For some reason Oliver loves to cram himself into small spaces...

Wyatt's glee face...

I tell Oliver to make a "glee face" when I take his picture so that he'll smile really big.
This is what Wyatt does when I tell him to make a glee face...

Not a good day

Today was very trying. Every time I turned around Oliver and/or Wyatt were doing something they weren't supposed to. Every time I tried to do something they were fighting every step of the way. I know they were tired. I was, too. I ended up yelling quite a bit. I hate yelling at the boys! They are such sweet well behaved boys most of the time. It just seems like there are days when EVERYTHING goes wrong and neither one of them wants to listen. I'm going to try harder to be patient and yell less. No excuses...they are kids and they're going to whine and cry and misbehave. From now on only correction, no yelling. Consequences, but gently. Most of all, understanding.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OLIVER!!

My big guy is 3 today. He's 3. Three! I can hardly believe it. The time has really flown by and he's changed so much. I haven't weighed him but we measured him today and he's 38 inches tall. He talks like a kid - full conversations. He's got an imagination! Always talking about spacemen and aliens and he's got several imaginary puppies and babies running around. His new thing lately is that "he's a baby". He says that when he's tired or just upset.

His favorite toys are legos and stuffed dogs. He builds the coolest towers and the ones he's the most proud of go on top of the entertainment center for a few days to be admired. He can climb any ladder at the playground and slides all by himself. He's started pumping his legs when he swings so I don't even have to push him anymore. He's all over the place, running and jumping and climbing. Another of his new favorite things to do is "wash his hands" or ...play in the sink. He "helped" me do dishes today and it was too cute. He rinsed everything sooooooo well before I put it in the dishwasher. He was really upset when we were done.

He goes potty all by himself as long as the light is on. He can wash himself in the bath. He dresses himself, even socks and shoes! He colors pretty well for a 3 year old, I think. He's started to recognize words. He knows moon, room, woof, Biscuit and we. For his birthday today we got him a "learning to read" book call Biscuit - biscuit is a dog so I thought it went well with his puppy obsession. Anyway after reading the book to him twice he already learned woof and biscuit! I think he is going to love reading as much as I did as a kid. He carries books around all day long and tells me stories out of them. He has a children's encyclopedia (he calls it the multopedia) that he's learned quite a bit out of already. He likes planets and space a lot so he knows Saturn (saturin) and Jupiter (joopter). He knows what the rings of Saturn are made of and that Jupiter is the biggest and has a red spot. He also knows (sort of) Neptune and why it is blue.

He's a good big brother most of the time. Very gentle with Wyatt. He also helps Wyatt learn signs and new words. Wyatt will do anything Oliver does, though, so we have to be careful about what we let Oliver do.

Anyway, Oliver is smart, strong, and super handsome. He's my big guy and I love him!!!

Oliver last year
Oliver 2 years ago
Oliver 3 years ago

So much to do...

It seems like housework is never ending. Every time I turn around there's another load of dishes or laundry to wash, diapers to stuff, toys to pick up, toilets are dirty again, towels are everywhere. There's always a meal to be made. There's shopping to do and exercise to squeeze in somewhere, hopefully. Bob managed to mow our grass and part of each of our neighbors' yards yesterday. The boys are getting more cooperative as the days go by. I can usually sneak a load of dishes (10-15 minutes) or laundry (5-10 minutes) in while they play nicely with each other. Oliver is in the "MINE" stage. He's also throwing things lately and SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. Both of which land him in time-out. It doesn't seem to work sometimes but sometimes he gets up and says he's sorry. Then off he goes - usually he does pretty well after that.

Wyatt still wants to be where I am most of the time. I don't know if it's still separation anxiety or if it's just baby neediness. Either way it makes it hard to get things done. Don't get me wrong, I love that he needs me so much and that he's always there to get snuggles or play with. He's such a happy little boy. I just wish sometimes I could have two minutes to go to the bathroom by myself.

Work is getting crazier and crazier. I can't get into details but wow...the nerve of some people!

Anyway, the boys are asleep and I'm going to veg out for a bit then head to bed early. I have to work a long day again tomorrow and I've been SO tired lately.