A Messy, Fun, Day

 

Today JV wanted to do "projects".  I found a cute candy cane craft at No Time For Flashcards.  Since we were downstairs I simplified it a bit and here's what we got:

 

JV wasn't ready to stop gluing after finishing his candy cane so I gave him a gingerbread man pattern that was too small for another project, a couple pieces of left over scrapbooking paper, and the glue bottle.  

 Above:  He is gluing a "hat" onto the Gingerbread man

Below: He is applying glue from each side of the table. 

 Next he wanted to play with his Lego's so we cleaned up the crafts and brought his box of Lego's downstairs.  I set it up and then went to the computer to order Christmas presents.  He was happily content for at least 20 minutes.  I think it's safe to say his attention span is getting longer!

Nice work!  This "baby" has a house.

Because he has been reluctant to take a bath lately, I persuaded him into the tub with colored shaving cream that he could paint the walls with.  

He also painted his body.

 "Yellow!"

Look at that focus.

Night night Tally the Elf!



Orange juice and a movie

While at Target, Jackson asked for some orange juice.  He has a cold so I thought that the vitamin C would be good for him. 

 Yummy!

 Cheese!

  Pictures with mom.

♥We love one another ♥

 

 



Creative Dressing

I learned a long time ago that fighting with a 2 year old over matching clothes wasn't worth my time or energy.  (There are exceptions, of course.)  At this age, 2 year olds are simply learning to master dressing themselves.  My son is no different.

 

 Most of them could care less about how it actually looks.

 They just want a since of accomplishment.

 

Here he is dancing before bed.

Don't worry.  I didn't let him sleep with the necklaces or the underwear on his head, but he was having fun as he learned, and that's what matters!



A 2 year old's Christmas Tree

A Christmas Tree

 

We've decorated our tree, hung our stockings, and Tally the Elf has made his appearence for the season.  The only thing left to do is a Christmas project!



This is a look of concentration.

 

Squeeze! 

Watching the glue come out.

 "Can we stop with the pictures, mom?"

Posing for a picture with his Christmas tree. 

 He was very proud of himself and he should be☺

A 2 year old's Christmas Tree



Happy 2nd Birthday!

Look who's birthday it is!

For about a week now, I have been telling JV that he's gong to be 2 soon.  It's going to be his birthday, but there have been quite a few birthdays lately and so every time I mention birthday he references a friend.  This morning I excitedly told him "Happy Birthday!  It's YOUR birthday today!"  It didn't take him long before he started to get the idea.

Self portrait during our (still in progress) t-shirt craft.  That blog is to come soon.



We borrowed It's My Birthday by Helen Oxenbury from our local library and have read it at bedtime for the last week or so.  It's a story about a little boy and his animal friends who work together to make a cake for his birthday. 

Yesterday we picked up cake mix and icing and I told JV that we would make a cake or his birthday just like the story.  I didn't catch his expression with the camera, but when he saw the cake mix it was priceless!  He knew exactly what we had to do next.

 

It wasn't long after pulling out the cake mix that daddy came home early (yay!) and we were all working together to make JV's birthday cake just like the book.



Pouring oil in the cake mix:



Stirring the mix:

And of course tasting the mix! 

(Yes, I know you shouldn't eat this, but it's too yummy to resist!)

Out of all these presents...

He ran strait for the tricycle! 

It took about 30 minutes before we could get him off the tricycle and that was only for cake.

 Looking at daddy while we sing "Happy Birthday".

"Yay!" I blew out the candles.

Finally, tasting the cupcake.

Apparently I'm in his way:

Sharing a cupcake with daddy:

After daddy took the tricycle to the garage he was able to focus on present opening:

And card reading:

Then it was back outdoors so he could ride again. 

Daddy teaching JV how to use the pedals



Checking off the Bucket List: Maple Grove Days

I was very excited to go to Maple Grove Days this year since it was the 1st year that JV would really be able to participate.  I couldn't wait to get there.  We were forced to park in the grocery store parking lot which was roped off with carts to separate the Maple Grove Days parking from the grocery story parking.  I don't know why they used the kids car cart, because just like JV I'm sure every kids that passed it wanted to play there instead of walking to the festival. 

JV refusing to leave the car:

The 1st exhibit we went to was the animal petting.  I couldn't help but love this chicken!



The camel was the most popular.  He had a lot of personality and wasn't afraid to introduce himself.   JV and BV and lightly hesitant but warmed up after a minute or two.  

This is the main reason I wanted to bring JV to the festival.  I always heard my mom talk about riding ponies as a child and thought that it would be so fun.  JV liked the idea until it was time to hope on.  You can see that he was holding onto me more than he was the pony!

Playing at the park beside the festival is probably JV's favorite event of the day.  Look how strong he is.

 Good thing dad was there to catch him!

Time for BV and me to race!

I had a good start but then I lost momentum :(

Now JV wants to race me.  

Pony ride #2!  Here BV is showing JV how nice the pony is.

Cheese!  JV looks more comfortable riding with dad.