May 2013
3 posts
2 weeks late, but...Lately is ONE!
“She is just not happy on the ground, is she?” Tarrell said to me recently as he placed Lately safely on the floor after interrupting her climb up to the coffee table. He’s right. She’s always looking, reaching, climbing, stretching, jumping, tip-toeing…yearning for up. A lot of children are perfectly happy sitting with some interesting toys and books on the floor, crawling, playing down there -...
April 2013
11 posts
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Knox Knows...
At almost 3 years old, Knox knows about familial relations.
Knox (playing his piano): Okay, I am going to sing a song about when Mommy was born.
Me & Tarrell: Oh sounds good, lets hear it!
Knox (singing): Mommy was a wittle baby in my tummy…
Me: In your tummy?
Knox: Yes, sometimes you were so tiny you could fit in my belly and den you comed right out when you were born!
Me:...
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1st Birthday Inspiration
I’ve been collecting lots of party ideas here recently, so I thought I would share some of the images and colors that have inspired me to get to crackin on Lately’s first birthday party. I don’t have any details ironed out, but I’m a sucker for a theme party, so whether we gather in our front yard, with lots of people or just a few, there are a vew things I am...
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Gifts for a One Year Old
As Lately’s first birthday approaches, that desire to make it special and perfect begins to set in. We are so blessed to have received so many gifts and hand-me-downs over the years, that neither of our children want for anything. But, of course, when the big day rolls around, it’s tough to resist finding that perfect present that you know they’ll just love. Since I’ve...
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I wonder how long we will call Lately “Baby?” I hope long after her baby days are over, especially since they are technically coming to an end here very soon. I can’t imagine Knox not referring to her as “Baby,” I think we all use that term more than we do her actual name.
But, all of the climbing, talking, dancing, singing, running, pointing and (most of all)...
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Knox Knows...
At 33 months, Knox knows why he loves his mom.
Knox (hugging me at bedtime): I really love you…since you have a cool face.
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Montessori in the Home →
Great information about how to live the Montessori philosophy and why.
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{The Children’s Easter Baskets} DIY Easter Baskets (Adapted from this idea) Knox’s Basket: Lego Bunny Set | Sticker Book | Handmade Bunny Tail Glitter Globe (adapted from this idea) | Beautiful Printable Puzzle | Foam Flower Paintbrushes in Felt Bags Lately’s Basket: Pat the Bunny | Handmade Bunny Tail Glitter Globe | Rabbit Puppet | Foam Flower Paintbrushes in Felt Bags
...
March 2013
14 posts
7 tags
Tonight Knox requested that I read him “The Wizard of Oz.” I picked up the book when I saw it on sale recently, but assumed it would be years before we really read it to him. The illustrations are beautiful, so I thought at least he would enjoy thumbing through them for a while until he was old enough to sit through the entire 94 page book.
So, when he asked me to read it, I obliged,...
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Knox Knows...
At 33 months, Knox knows about getting comfortable.
Knox (struggling to take his PJ pants off before bedtime): Ugh! I can’t get these off!
Me: Woah woah woah…why are you taking your pants off?
Knox: Because they are too comfy.
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A Little Learning Corner
This is the new little learning corner that I mentioned in an earlier post. We are trying out a little more structure when it comes to “school time” for Knox. He will be 3 in June and most of his peers are in a structured preschool program (or will be soon). We have decided that, instead of enrolling him in a preschool-type program, I will continue to guide his learning at home at...
Spaghetti Love
and, just for fun…see some Knox spaghetti love here
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Knox Knows...
At 32 months Knox knows how to say another prayer.
Knox (at bedtime prayers after being told he couldn’t watch a movie before bed): God! I’m so sad that I can’t watch a movie! Amen.
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Knox Knows...
At 32 months, Knox knows how to say a prayer (and melt his Mommy’s heart).
Knox (at bedtime prayers in a whisper): Dear God, I love Mommy.
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Knox Knows...
At 32 months, Knox knows how to reach me.
Knox (after being sent to his room for quiet time by Daddy): MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY! *pause…sigh* (quietly to himself) I’ll call her on my finger phone.
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Lately is moving right along as usual, picking up new tricks like clapping and climbing, even puckering up for a nice open-mouthed kiss every now and then. She has become quite the little flirt, flashing her squinty smile at anyone who looks in her direction, waving hello and goodbye at anyone coming or going (or just putting on a jacket) and just being generally cute and attention-worthy....
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Shared Learning Space for a Toddler and an Infant...
Since I completed my most recent Day in the Life post, I decided to make some changes to our routine and our space especially because Lately (9 months) has begun to gain more independence and mobility, so I wanted to accommodate her needs and to try my best to coordinate them with Knox’s. Knox (32 months) has enjoyed re-exploring and mastering the toys and materials I set out to challenge her...
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Knox Knows...
At 32 months, Knox knows how to make himself available.
Knox (leaving with Daddy): Bye, bye, Mommy….Call me if you need me.
February 2013
12 posts
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On Breathing...
{Lately, mustering a smile despite her sickness}
“We are all four in the same room, and we are all breathing. Do you know how amazing that is?” Tarrell asked me dramatically with tears welling up in his eyes last Sunday evening as we sat on the floor of our bedroom playing with the kids. He makes powerful statements like this when he’s feeling sentimental. They’re...
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Knox Knows...
At 30 months, Knox knows nothing about root vegetables.
(After having read a story that mentions turnips the night before, while playing with his frog toy)
Knox: Come on, froggy, let’s go get some turnuts.
Me: Some termites?
Knox: Turnuts.
Me: Turnuts? What are turnuts?
Knox: Turnuts. Turnuts…they are a type of nut.
Me (remembering the story): Ohhh, turnips!
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A Day In The Life (revisited)
The last post I wrote documenting our daily routine really helped me to take a good look at how was managing it all when I felt we were stuck in a bit of a rut. It helped me find new ways to navigate our days and give everyone all of the things they need.
I find it therapeutic to see it all laid out on the page in front of me like a perfect little story. It also helps me to see the happiness that...
Carrots Are Orange Giveaway
Just wanted to share this awesome giveaway from Carrots are Orange. If you’re a Montessori homeschooler, you’ll love this as much as I do.
Knox Knows...
At 2 1/2 yrs old, Knox knows about lollipops.
(After having his first taste of a lollipop today at his Valentines party)
Me: Will you be my Valentine?
Knox: Silly Mommy, I’m not a lollipop!
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9 months is awfully close to 1 year. With all of her new skills, she seems pretty ready to leave her baby days behind her, and, I guess I’m coming to terms with that since she’s really left me no choice. She’s already got the toddler stuff down pat, so neither of us should have much trouble adjusting.
Lately is the most curious little girl I’ve ever met. She’s “walking,” but still crawls (and...
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Knox Knows...
At 2 1/2 Knox knows how to play his Daddy like a fiddle…
Knox: Mommy, can I watch Diego?
Me: No, honey, I’m sorry. Not right now, it’s bedtime.
Knox: I could ask Daddy if I could watch Diego. Sinced I give him a kiss I could watch Diego.
(At bedtime, a little later…Lately woke up & needed me just as I was putting Knox down & I hear this on the...
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Making Room...
{blurry Instagram}
The challenges of being a mother of two are currently overwhelming me. Life is constantly changing; pulling the rug out from under me on a daily basis, throwing me for loops, slipping through my fingers, keeping me on my toes (I’m sure there are more idioms I could list, but I’ll stop there). I know Tarrell feels the same way, we’re both just trying to keep our heads above...
January 2013
19 posts
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Knox Knows...
At 2 1/2, Knox knows how to tell a story…with a punch line.
Knox: I’m reading* a story about Cherry Mountain.
Me: Ooh…what happens on Cherry Mountain?
Knox: On Cherry Mountain, a fox climbed allll the way up. And Buddy** found him & knocked him down. A bear got up to a top and came all a way down to a bottom of a ground.
Me: And then what happened?
Knox: I pee-peed in my...
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{drawing butterflies}
It’s hard to tell from the picture, but what happened here was that Knox found a dead butterfly (“Let’s take him to his Mommy!”) that he wanted desperately to “play” with. His matching obsession combined with his love for uniting babies and their mommies had him searching for his toy butterfly which matched perfectly it’s real life...
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Heard through the monitor at bedtime...
“I need to get the snot out if my nose so I can be a humpback whale cuz I’m not a humpback whale right now.”
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I have so many drafts in my folder right now it’s sad. Blogging has definitely taken a back seat, and I’m bummed about it pretty much every night as I fall exhausted into bed around 11 pm without a single extra moment to spare. So I’ve decided to, as they say, “make” time for blogging from here on out (and no, I don’t mean hitting “share” on...
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Knox Knows...
At 2 1/2 years old, Knox knows what he loves.
Me (reading the end of a book): What are some things that YOU love?
Knox: Ummm…I love dinosaurs…and baskets*…KK**…I love stars…(looks at me sweetly)… I love you and, and…I love my cookie***. And Daddy. And Lately.
*there was a basket sitting next to us
**referring to his Care Bear
***he was...
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Knox Knows...
At 2 1/2 yes old, Knox knows how to avoid bedtime.
Knox (climbing out of bed): I need to go do something & I’ll be right back.
Me: What are you going to do?
Knox: Clean up.
Me:??????
And he did.
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