Daniel and the forklift (jan 5, jan

It was about a year ago that I noticed that Daniel especially liked the page of "Things that Go" in a first-words board book that I had.  We could ask where the plane was and the bike and the bus and his chubby little finger would point them out.  So for Christmas we got him the book "1,000 Things that Go."  I've written a post about how much he has loved that book and how he would watch music videos about trucks. Then one day I was talking to Uncle Troy about Daniel's love of trucks and how at the time he especially liked the "Forklift Boogie" music video when Troy said they have a forklift at their warehouse and that I could bring Daniel by any time.  I was stoked!

After dropping Kate off at preschool one morning I told Daniel that I had a surprise for him.  We drove to Uncle Troy's warehouse and I told him that we were going to see a REAL FORKLIFT!  Daniel said he would stay in the car.  "Forklift scawry." I convinced him to go in, but he was quite nervous to get in the forklift.  Troy got him onto the forklift and I have some video of his shaky voice saying, "Mama...?!"  They did a little driving around, but not much.  He was too nervous.  Sweet boy.

Jan. 5, 14, and April 19

We went back a week or so later (Jan. 14) and tried again.  He sat on Uncle Troys lap and pushed the level to lift up the forks... and then he was done.  I'm pretty sure he only did that much because I told him Uncle Troy had "fishies" (Swedish Fish) for kids who tried out the forklift.  Troy was so good with him, really encouraging him to keep going but not pushing to hard.  He's that way at Lake Powell, too, when he's helping someone get up on their water skis. 

I thought it might help if Kate came with us and tried out the forklift.  So after we picked her up from preschool that same day we went back.  She thought it was awesome to drive it.  My favorite part was when Uncle Robert volunteered to be lifted up on a pallet to pick up a few boxes on a top shelf.  Kate was quite pleased with herself.  Daniel sat on some other boxes, watching everything, and eating his Swedish Fish.  I loved this picture of these two uncles helping some little people grow up.  We'll keep working with Daniel and I'm sure he'll come around to driving the forklift. But for now, we'll let him be 2.

 

Oliver's First Food

Right on his 6 month birthday, this little guy was introduced to solid food.  Squash was the main (and only) course.  He didn't know what to do when I put the spoon up to his mouth, so he did nothing :)  I persuaded his mouth open and at first taste he did one of those funny little shivers that Daniel does when he doesn't like something. I think it was just surprising.  Mom videotaped him as the first bite went in and out of his mouth multiple times.  All the family was home for Sunday dinner, so the video is funny to watch because you can here them all chatting as Oliver eats,  and an "Oooh!" when the food would get pushed out of his mouth and put back in again and again... and again.  He'll get the hang of it, I have no doubt.  Love these pictures. Love these moments.

Winter Wiggles

28 January 2016

I've been trying to think of ways that we could get out and move around during the winter. These months can be so long and kinda dreary. This tricycle has been sitting on Matt's workbench for weeks. Every once in awhile I would back the cars out and let Kate and Daniel take turns riding it or the scooter in the garage. Today I realized that Dad would be working at the Family History Library in our church building. So I asked him if we could come and go for a visit and a ride in the gym. Daniel has loved it, to say the least! He hasn't stopped moving since we got here.

Bow Tie Boys

How I love these boys (plus 2 others not pictured)!!  Oliver got the tie and suspenders for Christmas. He's such a good natured boy.

Our Little Sunbeam

Sunday 3 January 2016

It was Kate's first day as a full-time Sunbeam. For the last month her nursery teachers have taken all the 3 year olds to sharing time. Kate thought that was great. During sacrament meeting today I asked her if she was ready to be a Sunbeam. She said she was... after nursery. I told her starting today she didn't go to nursery at all but just went to primary to be a Sunbeam. Apparently that had not been communicated accurately to her before this. She at least one major concern was that she would not get a snack in primary :). 

When I took her into the primary room I introduced her to her two male teachers. At that point she hugged my leg and was not anxious to take a seat.  After promising her that I wouldn't leave the room for a few minutes but would stand on the side, she sat down. She looked over at me several times, always somber faced and looking nervous, and I'd wave. After just a few minutes I made my way out of the room and got teary-eyed out in the hallway. Kind of hated leaving her in there when she wasn't feeling settled.  I knew she'd be fine and would love primary, but at that moment I wanted her not to be worried or scared.

Part way through the Relief Society lesson I realized I didn't know where her class was so I went to find out so she wouldn't have to wait too long at the end of the class for me to find her. Turns out her classroom is the first one outside of the Relief Society room. I listened at the door for a minute and heard the teachers saying they were only giving crackers out to those kids sitting in their chairs (Snacks? Check.)  Then I heard her giggle and knew she was fine. I knew she'd be fine all along but apparently I needed a little reassurance myself. Her laugh gave me just that.

When I went to pick her up after her class she was all smiles and her teachers said she did great. They also mentioned that when they held up a picture of Moses in the bulrushes she was the only one who know who he was and what the picture was about. 

It's been a long (read: "challenging") few months with tantrums and stubbornness and independence.  But this little soul in the yellow sweater is permanently part of me.  I love her.