Just cute...

Catch up...

Since Parker is a bit older, I have loved trying out activities I read on other Mom's blogs, preschool curriculum etc. We tried painting with water (I was mowing the grass and this kept him very busy!) and a second was hiding little toys in ice and letting it melt. This was a huge hit, it melted fast and he loved finding little things (I toss any little toys he gets into a travel basket that I use for flights, I pull out little toys he has never seen and could care less if we drop them on the plane...as is typical!) I have started to think about preschool readiness (numbers, shapes, colors etc.)

If you have ideas of fun ways to teach, PLEASE SHARE!

Finding a bouncy ball in the ice Our ring of ice, it melted quick
Showing me his paint brush

I look back a year and I feel like I am not documenting as much about Parker, nor am I taking pictures! I forget what he was like, just a few months ago.. He was such a big boy last week, and visited my parents at their lake house for 5 days. I came to pick him up on the weekend, and he kept saying "Mama come back!" he wanted to hold my hand and sit in my lap during dinner. Such a sweet boy...on his terms of course.

He is obsessed with my Dad, he has decided to call him "Papa" and my Mom said everything was "For Papa, Thank you Papa" even if she did something for him.

He is strong willed, or maybe just a two year old. He insists on things going his way...if I use the wrong plate, or cut his food the wrong way I hear about it. (I see many similarities to my work with psych patients and toddlers) The great thing is he distracts easily and responds pretty well to 1,2,3 magic...now in the grocery store is another post.

August is almost near and I have many PRN shifts scheduled, almost full time for a few weeks. We are going to attempt to schedule some family time, poor Jim has not worked less than 80 hours each week. We are fortunate that we have these opportunities, and that is what keep me going!

Summer is...

Outdoor concerts...

with Mommy friends...
Spray parks...Fun party hosted by a MOPS mom complete with petting zoo..

and first pony ride!

I feel like summer is flying by, I am working lots of extra shifts and sadly feel like I am wishing away time to we can be closer to our little girl.