Dressing Up

Could I love this guy any more?

Well, I suppose so, but it's moments like this that fill my heart with happiness. James will go for weeks just wanting to wear his favourite items (red shirts, tan pants, and his foamy mockCroc "sandals") and then pull out all the stops and try on new and funky things.

And I missed the part where he grabbed a play microphone and announced "sugar ... spikes, and everything nice!" I love our little moments of fun and joy.

SOOC Sunday: Secret Smile

I love this new face. James has a secret. Or two or three.

He's using words in sentences and phrases. His Nana is starting to be able to understand him when she's driving and he's in the back seat. He's using the bathroom all by himself at school sometimes.

Today we sat through an entire Irish Dance show and he loved every minute of the music and dance. He talked to me and asked questions in a very nice indoor voice during the performance.

This week, he could be heard counting to 20 (with an assist at 13 and 15) so he could play hide and go seek with his big sister and older cousins in their home. He did a good job, too!

He sings himself to sleep at night and is reading books to himself. He has taught himself to write the first three letters of his name. I know because I saw him writing on the carpet with his finger. He is starting to use his left hand and foot more than his right.

I tell his teacher this and we celebrate.

Sometimes it is the teacher or SHAPE assistant who tells me "Did you know that James can play catch with another boy?" or "I asked James what he thought of something ... and he *told* me!" And we celebrate.


The Slurping Life celebrates the classics. Visit Melody and check out SOOC Saturday/Sunday entries past & present. No cropping or fixing -- it's life, straight out of the camera.



  

SOOC Saturday: Alight

At first I was bummed this photo was not in focus. But on second thought, it's a good capture of James in the moment. Alight, laughing, playing, and moving too quickly to remain in focus.

While the Mom in me sighs and thinks that remaining in focus (for school, tasks, etc.) will be an ongoing challenge for James, the Cheerleader in me is yelling support for the boy who is opening up and engaging with his world with play and exploration.

I see this at his second school program, where he plays with others in the classroom and on the playground, and the other kids yell greetings to him with true friendship.

I see it as he and his sister turn to each other for extended sessions of playtime in our home. I love it when he is singing. He comes alive with music and singing!

SOOC salute to Melody at The Slurping Life. Best wishes for the little one who is coming your way!
  

SOOC Saturday: Handy Man

With apologies to James Taylor:

I'm not the kind to use a pencil or rule
I'm handy with animals, I'm no fool
I play puppet zoo, I know I clearly can

James has always loved the Baby Einstein products. We started with the VHS tapes (I know, so last century). I love them because the music is soothing and no one is talking. Also, 20 minutes is enough time to let me get something done.

James was fascinated by the turning shapes. Then the animals, then the words and noises. His favourites right now are the Baby Mozart, Baby Bach, Baby Gallileo, and Baby Van Goat. Last year, during a rainy week, I loaned some of the VHS tapes to his preschool teacher, for an indoor recess break. She reported that all the kids got excited and started shouting out words, such and the shapes and colours they saw on the screen.

His sister loved Baby Einstein videos too, so we broke down and bought some of the Baby Einstein puppets. So worth the money. It's been some of the funniest, nuttiest return on a dollar ever.


The Slurping Life is running with it! Visit Melody and check out SOOC Saturday/Sunday entries past & present!



  

SOOC Saturday: A Boy & His Mooey

A friend sent the kids these awesome toys as gifts. They are made of wood & pleather, are shaped like ladybugs and patterned like Holsteins. James' sister has dubbed them "mooies," and they both use them to scoot around on the Pergo floors like crazy:



I wish the picture included the laughs and cries of "wheeee!" as they race each other and execute 360-degree turns and spins. Some day I'll video it. Right now I really just want to watch and laugh with them.


The Slurping Life is back on track! Visit Melody and check out SOOC Saturday entries past & present!

This is James: Bus

In the mornings, James adores the school bus. He practically rips open our front door and flies down the driveway, crying "buh! buh!" before he leaps into it. The driver always has a big smile for him and calls him her Little Angel. He giggles, wiggles, and glows with delight while he gets webbed into his seat. Then he'll look at me and shout "Bye!" with a grin.

I always wave to him outside the bus. And James always leans over and puts one finger up to the window. I can see him saying "bye" inside. He doesn't stop until I put my finger to his (on the other side of the glass) and say "Bye James, I love you!" Once I drew a heart too, and he thought that was the Coolest Thing Ever.

Then I wave to him as the bus pulls away from the curb. I wait for the turnaround and wave to him as he passes by, and I stand at the bottom of the driveway and wave some more until the bus turns the corner & out of sight. Mission completion!

Random Bus Thoughts:

1. Sometimes I have trouble getting James to focus, or sit still for socks and shoes. Usually, all it takes is a reminder: "James, bus" and presto, he is on board!


2. I wish I could get going as quickly as he -- angelically asleep to completely awake and demanding "muh-muh" (muffins) in 4.1 seconds.


3. James almost always makes my day happy with his starry smile and big happy eyes


4. The bus keeps me honest for getting James to school on time -- yay honesty!


5. I am so glad he gets an adventure so early in the day, while I am still working on that first cuppa joe