Bird Watchin'

BB's class has been learning about birds lately - and doing some really cool bird-related projects. He's made binoculars out of toilet paper rolls, played in egg, watched eggs hatching and more. He can even name a bunch of birds on sight (bluejays, cardinals, etc.). Here are some pictures of the activities.

 

Making binoculars out of toilet paper rolls.

 

 Cutting string for birds to find and put in their nests.

 Taking pictures of morning doves and their babies.

 Reading about birds.

 Scooping bird seed.

Playing in egg.

Asleep

The other night BB fell asleep after some exhausting "note" taking. Must have been thinking hard on some good figures.

Another Random Thing in the Fridge

This time fake pirate gold, or a penny as it is called by our little pirate.

Uh-ho. Someone is bored.

I love this picture of BB.

So I started playing with it.

Click on this one to see the effect.

PhotoShop is fun.

Imagine if I had skills.

He Strikes Again

I totally know how this went down. BB was building something - probably a house, that's what he wants to do when he grows up - and got thirsty. He went to the fridge to grab a pop - his latest beverage of choice, I'm a terrible parent - and in the race to quench his thirst, left his drill in the fridge. Happens to the best of us. (And makes me laugh every time.)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I think this is a sign that Billy and I are doing something right as parents.

The First Snow!

It's only a little, but some snow actually stuck yesterday!
Whew! Now BB can tell us what he wants for Christmas.
He said he couldn't tell us before because there wasn't any snow.

We had a few spoonfuls of the snow for breakfast ...

... and we liked it!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Come again a nudder* day.
(*BB language.)

He's at it Again

It's been awhile since BB's left us surprises in unexpected places, but he's back in full force:

a necklace in the refrigerator ...

... and a drill in the refrigerator.

The other day, he left a saw in the refrigerator. Silly Billy.

He's Been Nice ...

... so I think BB should get this for Christmas.

Impromptu Photo Shoot ... Foiled by Ornery Toddler

'Cheeeeeeese!'

'The Wheels on the Bus' gets a smile.

It's nearly impossible to get BB to look at me when I'm taking a picture.

BB is NOT Going to be a X-Gamer

Since BB was a baby, Billy and Bob liked to say he was going to be an X-Gamer when he grew up. I think they mostly said that to get a rise out of me, but it may have been a bit foreshadowing.

The other day, BB asked to put the ottoman in the middle of the living room floor. He then lined up pillows, a folding metal tray and a plastic lap desk - which he then thought he was going to jump over.

I told him I didn't think it was a good idea, so he moved the trays - but still jumped. ... I can only do so much.

Not So Fast!

Dear God, I am not ready for BB to be 5!

2 is much better!

Fun with Cups

Don't turn your back on a toddler! In the few seconds it took me to grab something from the laundry room, BB pushed a chair to this table and started making a 'castle'.

Then I showed him how to make a pyramid!

If you were thinking about getting BB a Christmas present, don't. All we need is cups!

Love this Smile!

This kid can't be mine - he's always cold!

Happy Halloween!

BB went trick-or-treating for the first time ever at the campground we stayed at this weekend. He made an adorable duck! Everyone said so. They also said it was perfect weather for a duck, which it was - cold and rainy. But, we saw a gorgeous, full, double rainbow! (Real pictures coming as soon as we get them off the camera.)

Back to trick-or-treating.

BB was really shy and his 'trick-or-treat's and 'thank you's were whispered, but he said them. He really liked the concept (surprise, surprise) and has enjoyed choosing which candy to eat next. 'Maybe this one' he says, then picks up another for consideration, 'maybe this one'.

Duck. Duck. ...

... Duck.

You know that saying about asking the same question over and over, expecting a different answer? That's totally what Billy and I (and by that I mean mostly me) have been doing to BB.

When we first asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween several weeks ago, he said a duck.

What? A duck? Why?

We don't know why he wants to be a duck, but that's been his consistent answer. So, a duck it is.

Zolo A Go Go Wow-o!

BB joined me at work this morning and while he was completely happy calling his daddy every two minutes from my work phone, a coworker brought these over for him to play with. I'm in love. (So was he, but mostly it was me.)

I can definitely see them in his future!

That's One Way to Wear Them

Billy and I are taking the laid-back approach to potty training. I truly believe that BB won't be wearing diapers when he's 5, so why sweat it? Plus, he has a lot going on right now, having just started preschool (where they actually LEARN stuff) and moving to our new house.

That said, he's been showing interest for several months and has been doing pretty well. We bought him a potty. We reward him with stickers. We encourage. We support. We never yell.* Even when he pees on my foot.

Since we've moved, we've even been encouraging BB to pee off the porch. Say what you will, he loves it, and my dad swears this is why my brother potty trained so early (you're welcome, Jason).

Billy is anti-Pull-Ups, but we wanted to keep our positive momentum going, so we let BB pick out 'big boy underwear' the other night. They are a hit! He wore them to school yesterday and, we're told, showed everyone the extra pair we stuffed in his pants pocket in case he had an accident. He only had one - all day! Yep, the kid went a solid 15 hours in underoos! (Technically, he kind of had an accident at home. He started, then stopped, but still required a wardrobe change, so we can call it two accidents. Still, not bad.)

Last night, he was pretty sad that he had to put on a night-time diaper. He resolved this by putting a pair of big boy underwear on over his diaper, but not before he tried them on his head.

* There's a mom at school who yells at her kids all.the.time. The worst was when her youngest son peed his pants right after they got to school. You could hear her yelling clear out the door of the building. I don't ever want to be that mom.

Break Out Your Credit Card

Now that we live in the country, BB needs this!
You know, for sticks and stones and frogs and stuff.
Only $8 at Family Dollar!