Wednesday, December 31, 2008

"You mean you want me to open presents before I eat breakfast? This is crazy!!"

"Can we open yet? Can we? Can we?"

A "shootin' gun" AND bubbles!


Expect some big performances from this kid!!!



The perfect book for the boys :)
When it was all opened, Landon headed to the breakfast table and Gary outside to celebrate with Colton across the street. He got a new four wheeler and they were dying to ride with him! Once again...their presents were left behind for bigger and better things (last year, the card board box, this year, the neighbors 'wheeler)...

Monday, December 15, 2008

There's nothing like the brutal honesty of a child! Yesterday, I sang a smidgen of a solo at church. When I sat back down, Gary told me, "Mom, that didn't sound like your voice coming out of the speakers...... it was good!" I'm hunting for a new "biggest fan" because my old one is working on a one-way trip to a foster home!!!!!
He also showed me up Saturday at the nursing home. I made him practice Saturday morning before we left and was honestly concerned that this was going to be his final performance. He hadn't practiced like he should have and it was evident. We got to Pilgrim Manor that afternoon and he, as cool as a cucumber, played "We Three Kings" like he's been doing it all his life! Way to go, Gar-Bear!!!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Mouse Trap

Landon's teacher shared the funniest story about him and the computer. Apparently when it became his turn to start the computer story, he had the mouse up in the air trying to "click" the monitor with it. By the time she was finished, we were both in tears! Anyway, I didn't even realize that he was "behind" the other kids in his class with his computer skills - or obvious lack of. Over the Thanksgiving break, we had a lesson and found some games he enjoys playing that will increase his computer fluency. I let him sit in my lap at the 'puter and placed my hand over his on the mouse until he got the hang of the buttons. I never left his side, as he got pretty frustrated if he hit the wrong button and it didn't do what it was supposed to. If you have a toddler/preschooler age child, I've started a new column of free online games. They are extremely elementary, but remember that they love repetition AND they love to be successful, especially when learning a new task. If you find that a link doesn't work or would like to share some other links, please email me or leave a comment and I'll update the list. The following is plagiarized from an online source (I can't remember which one) but it explains some of the importance of toddler computer experience. And trust me, you don't want your kid to be the only one in the class who doesn't know how to start the story!

Toddlers are on a huge learning curve and have many skills that they can be developing online, even while they are having fun! Online toddler games generally involve-

Hand-eye co-ordination- using the mouse to catch moving objects

Problem solving- puzzles, matching pairs, learning about opposites
Recognition- colors, shapes, sounds, animals
Social/interactive fun- singing, rhyming, ABC's, stories


Online toddler games will be helping your child to develop keyboard skills as well as the ability to use the mouse effectively, but be patient, if it is your child's first attempt at using a computer they will need some time. A mouse is a tricky new tool to learn to use, especially if it has multiple buttons. But look out, once they have the hang of it there will be no stopping them!

Right of Passage

Both my boys crossed milestone's worthy of adding to the baby books last week.

Gary was singing "na na na na, na na, na na Can't Touch This" which sent me straight back to 8th grade. I asked him if he knew the singer or the whole song and he looked at me like I was crazy! Thanks to youtube, I was able to share some quality "hammer time" with him. He stared wide-eyed and giggled occasionally at the original MC Hammer, "U Can't Touch This" video only asking, "yall thought those pants were cool?" No, son. We didn't think they were cool, they WERE cool!!! Click Here for a tour around the world, from London to the Bay.

Landon, went a little different direction. He spurted his first "Hey Yall, watch this!" followed by a "stupid trick" on his bike. He's uttered the words before, but not completely in the right context. Landon, I've ordered you your very own frequent visitor's card for the E.R. Daddy can explain what to do with it!