Great Stuff from Dee Dee's Morning, Sept 12

This morning after our breakfast together, Daniel looked at me and said, "Dee Dee SOO happy."  What a heart melter.  Its true he got cream cheese AND almond butter AND jelly on his waffle and that we had a dark chocolate square for breakfast-dessert.  But I think maybe he was so happy because we were sitting together for breakfast and having great conversation.

We did dry undies all morning and he was so proud of this.  He beamed as he told me they were dry!

We discussed getting some new construction tractor toys.  He wants them and seemed like he would go for "selling binkies to buy new tractor toys".  He actually SAID THOSE WORDS!

He also keeps getting after me to watch him play.  I do a little chore here and there and have to go back in and watch for a few minutes.  Its great he wants the extra attention, I think.  Especially while sister is asleep!

Your Toys.

 You have  A LOT of possessions, kid.  Some of your favorites are the tiny blue duck on the window ledge (freebie I got at a store), an Ernie plush (before you even knew that "Ses" would become your favorite show),  an old oatmeal container with a square hole in the top and a collection of blocks that you plunk into it with such seriousness over and over and over again, a train with pegs and blocks, and the Christmas rocking horse.

This is in the front corner of our living room.  Your toys don't totally overwhelm the house, but then again, we make a huge effort to only have one or two toys/toy sets out at a time.  You can definitely trash the place in fifteen minutes!  We also take some toys away and put others back out from time to time so you don't get bored of them. You never seem to notice or miss the toys that have gone away.

Lots of New Fun Toys... But...

He insists on playing with the salad spinner.  Sheesh!!!  Its to the point that he throws a tempertantrum if he sees it in the fridge, but I don't get it out for him to inspect or take apart.

Loads of Fun with a Tiny Car

Daniel LOVES playing at the steering wheel of our vehicles.  Don't worry... never with a key!  Earlier this month my mom found this car for him at a yard sale.  I think he is getting his $10 worth of fun from this re-used toy!

I enlarged my favorite photos from the playtime.

He is turning on the ignition.

This is a much faster way to go!

He really played with the doors, going in and out and opening and closing them!

He kept trying to get in the side without the car door.  Hew as persistent, but the results weren't so good!

Dad gave him a push.  This was less fun for him than just playing with the doors or pushing it himself.  I think this is his independent streak showing!

Funny Play Time.

Daniel has had a blast playing with this yellow step stool, a birthday card, and a blue mixing spoon lately.  I am not sure why he loves these toys, but I am glad that he smiles and laughs so freely.

A New Toy

We were given this climbing toy from our parent educator, Kim. We decided to leave it inside for now since the weather is SO HOT and pull it into the living room for a few hours each day.

 Here are some photos of Daniel enjoying the heck out of it!  

When we showed it to him first, he trembled with excitement.  He was actually shaking!!

He walked a lap around it first.

He scampered up the green climbing wall.

It did not take much practice at all to climb up it!

Once he gets to the top, he just stands there.

He spins the wheel and puts his hands in the window.

He is so excited about being higher up and seeing things from a different perspective.

He giggled and giggled when we tried to show him how to sit down on the slide.

We had to bend his legs and waist in order to get him ready to slide down!

He enjoyed sliding, but hesitates until we are holding our hand out or watching him.  He is cautious.

He is cautious when looking beneath the slide, too.  He hasn't crawled through the tunnel yet!

He tried to climb up the slide, but it didn't work.

Peek a boo!

So happy with this new activity!

Daniel pushed the toy around the house.  

He used it as a step ladder to reach new places.  

I didn't think the slide could be a mobile toy! Or that it would help him practice walking!

What a curious learner!