my world, my true

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: Wow, so you’re my Daddy or my Mommy?

Knox: I’m your Mommy!!

Me: Aww, that makes me love you even more!

Knox: Yes, and sometimes you were so wittle that Lately thought you were a baby just like her!

Me: So is Lately my sister?

Knox: Uh-huh! She is!! Lately is your sister & I’m your Mommy. That’s how you were born!

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 envisioning for sure: strawberries (her favorite), balloons, a picnic, music and flowers.

1. Bowls via decor8blog. {Color Inspiration}

2. Basket image found here

3. Envelope via poptasticbride

4. Baby on picnic blanket image via coreymoortgat

5. Mini picnic baskets via BlueLilyEvents (love this whole wedding!)

6. Balloon picnic image found here

7. Daisy cupcakes via YummyMummyKitchen

8. Strawberry Gingham Bubble Romper

My plan is to keep things somewhat lowkey (ha! those of you who know me are laughing right?), at least so that I am not a stressball beforehand. I’m going to throw some mini-parties instead of trying to get everyone we know together in the same place at the same time - that always makes me crazy. Wish me luck!

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 worked with young children for a while and now have two of my own, I often have friends ask me for gift suggestions for their own children or for a friend’s child, so I thought it would be fun to put together a list of things that I think any one year old would love as I scout out Lately’s first birthday present myself.

1. These blocks are the usually the first thing I recommend to pretty much anyone with a young child. Knox received them as a gift from my parents on his second Christmas and it has been something that he has played with almost daily ever since (and Lately already enjoys them, too). Pretty much every child who has visited us has played with these blocks, including my 12 year old nephew who visited recently! I remember playing with these type of blocks growing up and I feel like they will be a long-lasting gift that have many uses, not to mention the rich educational value they hold.

2. Music-related gifts are always a safe bet for this age group (and beyond). Music is one of Lately’s favorite things, and we have quite a few things she loves to play with already including a mini piano, egg shakers, castanets, triangle, jingle bells, rhythm sticks, whistles and, the most used - drums. I have looked at a few different types of drums for her to add to the collection. Michael Olaf sells a great percussion set (although we have many of the items in it already, it would make a great gift for someone just starting out their musical instrument collection). I told Tarrell maybe we should just get her an iPod for her birthday (ha!). 

3. Puzzles are the perfect gift for toddlers. Engaging, fun, educational and usually pretty, too! I’m looking at this set or this puzzle for Lately, but there are so many puzzle options. Keep in mind when picking one out, that knob puzzles are best for this age group.

4. Books. Of course, we can’t forget the most popular, everlasting gift of a great book. Our shelves are overflowing and still books are one thing I will never have enough of for my children. I have my eye on a few in particular for Lately, but I think the best books for 1 year olds are tactile books and books with real (or realistic) pictures. I love the DK Touch & Feel Books, which you can find pretty much anywhere, and there are SO many to choose from! Knox and Lately also both love this book, which seems to be a great book for toddlers. You also can’t go wrong with a good bedtime story. I love this bedtime book that someone gave to Knox as a baby. He still loves it and if I were being honest, I might tell you that I cry every time we read it.

5. Art supplies are tricky for 1 year olds because they are still in an oral stage. Lately loves to eat play-doh and clay, and, even with strict supervision, she still ends up with it in her mouth, so I don’t think that’s a good choice, but she has recently started trying to color and paint. Bathtub paints might be a fun option for a young toddler, or large crayons for little hands, which are easy to make like this. There seem to be plenty of simple recipes online (like this one), so this would be a great handmade gift. I love the idea of upcycling for an eco-friendly gift! It also means so much to me to receive a handmade gift - there’s just a touch of love that a store-bought gift can’t quite achieve. I’m not much of a crafter, but I try my best to make gifts when possible.

6. Push and ride toys are great for this age because their walking skills are emerging. We have a few different ones that were gifted or handed down to us, but I love this zebra toy for a child who is learning to walk. A similar option would be a wagon, which will last years and could be shared by siblings. I love the classic metal Radio Flyer wagon, but I think one with seats would be great as they get older, too.

7. Lately has also begun putting cars onto her ball tracking toy (also a great gift for a 1 year old) in hopes they will race down like the balls do, so I thought she might enjoy something like this.

8. Lastly, Lately has recently starting showing an love for dogs. She really likes the bunny puppet she got for Easter, so I thought of adding this cute puppy puppet to her little collection. I like the realistic quality of this brand of puppets.

9. I’m also hoping to begin some more practical life activities with Lately as she gets older and becomes more able to participate. A lot of materials needed for these types of activities are found in my house somewhere already, but there are also materials that can help toddler practice skills such as folding, dressing, cooking, washing, etc. This lock box is fun, or a cooking set of some kind. We’re also working on a garden this year and getting ready for some baby chicks to join our little family, so I’ve been on the lookout for something she can use to help out with those responsibilities, too.

10. I think dolls and stuffed animals are almost always a safe bet when it comes to little ones. This may be the one thing that actually motivates me to learn to sew (or crochet?). I desperately want to be able to make a beautiful doll or a cute stuffed animal, I just think it would be so fun to create something like that for a little one. Meanwhile, I swoon over all of the Etsy dolls knowing I’ll never fork over the dough they’re asking for!

So, there you have it. A little list of ideas in case you have a little toddler-to-be on your shopping list this year. Do you have anything to add? I would love to hear more ideas! 

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) personality tell us that she is turning into a toddler right before our very eyes. She’s fearless and strong-willed, loving and funny, and she’s certainly becoming a little attention magnet.

She’s started to express opinions regarding her clothes and accessories already, if you can even believe that. I have to say I’m surprised by this, considering how “typically girly” it is of her. To this day Knox could not care less which shirt or pants he wears as long as they fit and are comfortable on him (though he does often prefer to go without clothes at all), but not Lately. She will tug at her dress, pull on her PJs until I unzip them and change her into something else. She will chose from 2 outfits if I hold them up in front of her (again something Knox has never done), she even loves hair bows suddenly! The other night we had some family over and she put on her cousins headband and pranced around like a little princess. She would accidentally pull it out and then insist it be put back on immediately….and everyday since then has done the same! It’s pretty adorable, I must admit, especially since I haven’t really put many bows on her so far, assuming she’ll just pull them out or that they’ll be uncomfortable on her.

Other than being a little fashion queen, she still loves music and dancing and requests we play her favorite songs for her constantly so she can dance (and gets mad if Knox gets too close to her while she’s performing!). She is just too much.

I’m excited to celebrate 1 year next month with her. Of course my mind is racing with ideas and I think I’ve figured out just what she will love to have on her special day…I can’t wait to make her dreams come true, on her birthday and always.

{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

{Easter Gift Bags}
Handmade Bunny Tail Glitter Globe | Gift Tag Printable

Treat Pouch Printable | Stickers Printable | Foam Flower Paintbrushes

Yarn Bunny in Felt bag | Homemade Bunny Tail Glitter Globe

{Egg Dyeing}

{Egg Hunting}

She knows the way…

Who needs candy? The wrapper was enough for her.

Focus.

{Easter Love}

Happy Easter!

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, thinking for sure he would last maybe 10 pages (the pages are mostly words with 1-2 illustrations). Well, I was wrong. We got to page 40 and I had to tell him we would read more tomorrow. He was begging me to finish the story, and I really think he may have listened to the whole thing but I was so tired my eyes were closing!

This kid amazes me every day. Not even 3 years old and sitting through 40 full pages…not just listening but completely engrossed in the story and following it quite well (although he did insist that the Tin Man was not made if tin, but glass instead).

This also made me realize how fun it’s going to be re-reading all of these wonderful stories again with the children. Such perfect memories we are creating together…this one’s a keeper for sure.

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.

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 least until Kindergarten. Knox has  been exhibiting a need and a desire for just a little more structure, so I’m trying out a few new things. 

To the left of the table is a basket of “busy bags.” There are a million and one ideas (and names) for these little activity bags. Here are a few that are sitting in his basket right now. 

1. Color Sorting Box

I pinned this idea a while ago from this website and just adapted it a little bit. I just took a box from this stamp kit (which we already had) and painted the inside. I found some pom poms and pegs of the same colors and put them all together in a large busy bag. He knew just what to do. I have since added the tongs to add a challenge to it since the sorting part is pretty easy for him.

2. Color Progression Star

I have just begun to introduce color progression to Knox. This activity is my version of the Montessori Color Tablets - part of the sensorial materials used in Montessori classrooms. I made another, different type of set for matching the first 3 colors when Knox was younger and posted about it here. I felt like these were a good next step for him. I made a red and blue version just like this yellow one and they have proven to be a challenge, but a fun one, for him (both the fine motor pinching and the matching aspect). I’ve seen this clothespin idea in a few other places (including here), but used what he had on hand to make it our own.

3. Cutting Strips 
With long strips of cardstock paper with toddler-safe scissors, I used the same ideas that my favorite Montessori blogger does here.

4. Pattern Blocks
I cut out patterns with construction paper and included the same color megablocks in the bag. I demonstrate the activity for him and ask him to repeat it. It is still a bit challenging for him and good practice and introduction to math skills.

5. Sticker Activity Books
I’ve mentioned these before, too. They are fun and keep Knox busy. They’ve also quenched his thirst for unending knowledge about any and all animals. There are lots of exotic animals and uncommon animal stickers labeled in these books and he loves to play with them and identify animals. We have also begun to talk about what animals eat, where they live (land, water, and even part of the world), and whether they lay eggs or grow babies in their bellies, thanks also to this awesome map that I happened to find on Zulilly as a Christmas present last year.

I have also begun introducing the concepts of Calendar/Weather/Time.

So far, drawing on the calendar with the marker is much more interesting than discussing dates, weather or time, but he’s still a bit young for this, so I’m just keeping it up as a tool and I know he will begin asking questions when he’s ready to learn more.

These activities are advanced for Lately, but as I have mentioned before, children learn by watching, and I know that she watches everything he does. I know these new changes will benefit both children. There are also a few other things on the horizon for both of them. Knox and one of his playgroup friends will be meeting once a week for a short, semi-structured “school activity” morning which I will be leading along with my friend, her mother, who is a fellow teacher. She also has a baby a little younger than Lately, so this is an attempt to keep the babies entertained so that the older children get a little lesson without too much distraction. I’ll post more about that after we begin, but so far I’m enjoying the new things we are doing and I think the kids are as well.

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.

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.

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. She’s still just as busy as she’s always been and can now even take on a flight of stairs like a champ. She even taught herself to go backwards downstairs, thank goodness, although stairs and her climbing, in general, continue to give me mini heart attacks on a daily basis. Her dance skills are ever-expanding (now including some crazy head-shaking, which I NEED to publicize asap), along with her communication skills (more head shaking here when she is not having any of it). 

She and Knox are becoming quite the little pair. Their twin-like giggles, the funny games they play and the dynamic they are creating is the greatest blessing I could ask for. Watching them bond together the way they were meant to leaves me speechless most days. 

She’s a ray of sunshine, this one. She keeps me always on my toes and at the edge of my seat waiting to see just what she’ll figure out next, truly a joy to watch her grow and learn. It’s all gone by in a short breath, but she knows how to keep me looking forward to the future so I don’t pine too much over the blur of time that has been the past 10 months. Just a couple more and we’ll be lighting a birthday candle. Happy 10 months, my sweet, sweet girl!

At 32 months, Knox knows how to make himself available.

Knox (leaving with Daddy): Bye, bye, Mommy….Call me if you need me.