Book Love

While Drew plays in his room, I walk in to see what he's up too. He's usually playing with his stuffed animals, toys or foam blocks. Books are all over the place since he pulls them off the shelve once he's up for the day, but that's ok.

I sit in the middle of his floor, indian style. Ask him if he wants me to read him a book while I tap my thigh for him to come on over. He looks all over for this one particular book, he grabs it from where ever it landed and climbs on my lap while handing me the book. The first book in this routine is always, Goodnight Moon.

Drew will sit there while I get through the book, while he helps turn the pages and points things out to me. After we are done with that one, he gets up and searches for the next one. The second one, now-a-days is a toss up between his truck book or the one about the tractor.

It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy how he climbs on my lap, fits just right with my legs crossed, sits with full attention on the words in the book while I read to him.

Happy Memorial Day!

With Such Ease

Jeff and I commented the other night, how easy Drew makes it look to stand up from the ground, with no help. This is a no brainier for me and you, but for someone who is just learning all this stuff, its an amazing task.

Drew did learn to walk first before he could stand on his own, but he was definitely standing up with help at that time. Using everyone's legs, reaching up for hands or pulling himself up on furniture was his means of standing up.

But now-a-days, as you watch the big/little guy, its amazing how easy he makes it look. It seems like he doesn't even have to think about it anymore.

There are times though that he may lose his balance because he's not thinking about, he just pops right up and wants to go, go, go. But if he falls (sometimes he can catch himself), he'll smile and get right back up and continue on his mission.

What's next on this guys list to check off? Climbing by himself? Opening round door knobs? Or feeding himself using a spoon?

Busy, But Great Weekend Planned

I can't wait until the weekend rolls around. Its a long weekend for Memorial Day and the weather should be decent.

On Saturday, we may head up north for a drive through Vermont to visit some family. We haven't seen Jeff's aunt and uncle since summer of last year, so its an over due visit. We are only going to go for the day so there are no worries of where to sleep or they having to accommodate us with a night time routine with Drew. My FIL is still debating if we should call ahead or just show up. I'm leaning towards calling ahead since I don't want to drive all that way and they not be home for some reason. It won't be too fun to just turn around with a one year old in the car.

On Sunday, I found an antique tractor show in a near by farm town. I thought about Drew's new found interested in the machines and thought this would be a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Also, there will be a petting zoo, hay rides, farmers market, tag sales and so much more at the same location. And the best part, its FREE! So, that should be a blast.

Then, Monday we will hit some tag sales and end up at the mall. We have to get some things at the mall (for fathers day crafts) so, we have to make that happen over the weekend.

I hope to fill in the "down time" with some rest and relaxation. Woo-hoo for long weekends.

Wordless Weds - Fun For Fifity Cents

Speaking Of A Tractor

A few years ago, way before Drew was born, we gave my niece Ally a motorized John Deere Tractor for her birthday. Her dad loves the green machines, so we thought it was appropriate to give Ally her very own tractor. Well, the plan didn't go so well since she was afraid of the movement while sitting on the tractor while it was in motion. She didn't mind hitting the petal and walking along with the tractor, just don't put her in the drivers seat.

Fast forward 3 years later, and the tractor found a new home, with us! It was set up in Drews room, all set and batteries charged. He went straight for it and loved to touch it and wanted to climb on it right away. So, Jeff placed him in the seat and started to show Drew where the petal was to make it move. Drew's foot touched the petal, but barely covered it to give it enough umph to make it go anywhere. But, Jeff kept showing him that the tractor could move and each time his smile got bigger and bigger. They were having so much fun, the games had to be moved into the living room.

Once in the living room, there was plenty of room to move around. Jeff showed Drew all the buttons to make the flashers work, make the engine start and beep the horn. Drew was loving it. The best part was cruising along the living room floor. I lost count how many times Jeff would press the gas petal, drove Drew across the living room only to back it up and start over again. It was so much fun watching the boys play.

A couple of times Drew got the concept of pressing the gas petal and reaching it to make the tractor move. He would fly past us all and crash (lightly) into the couch or entrainment system. It was hilarious, I couldn't stop laughing out of excitement while watching Drew's face light up with wonder because he was on a moving tractor.

Now the tractor is outside in our shed. Every time the shed is open and that green and yellow are seen by Mr. Drew, he runs right over to it and touches it. He wants to have it out in the yard so he can play!

McCrays Farm

Last weekend, it was beautiful outside. It was a Saturday and we had planned a mothers day outing. Usually we go to a beach town on the east coast to explore. We had planned on going to a state park in CT with mom, Drew and me.

Last minute, Drew was having a hard time sleeping (more then usual) and I was exhausted (more then usual). I couldn't see myself driving an hour away from home, spend time walking around in the sun and drive back home. So, we decided to adjust our plans and stick around home to explore.

I do miss seeing the ocean, but I was so happy we chose to change our plans and explore things in our area with Drew. We went to some tag sales and found an adorable country store that I've driven by countless times but never stopped in. After that, went to lunch at a deli on a farm, stopped by Drew's day care who is expanding to a new site for preschool and ended up at a petting zoo/homemade ice cream/farm that Drew never has seen. I've been there many times, but I couldn't wait to get there for Drew to see all the animals.

Our first stop at the farm was for ice cream. They have a little sit down area inside with booths so customers can eat their treats. Drew decided to help himself to Grammies ice cream with his spoon. He was having a blast dipping his spoon into her gooey ice cream and getting it all over himself. After he was cleaning up, we headed outside to the petting zoo.

Drew walked right up with me to the animals and just stared up at the llamas, goats and cows. He even wanted to touch them, so I helped him out with petting their noses. He just watched while mommy fed the animals too, he didn't want a part of that thought. Once we looked at all the animals, we made it to the end of the line where there is an old retired tractor for kids to play on. As soon as noticed that, be made a bee-line towards the old machine. He was loving it, hitting the tires, walking all around it, pulling on the motor parts and making his vroom, vroom sound effects. I think he liked the tractor more then the animals!

It was such a great day! I am so happy we stuck around and explored the farm towns near us for new things to do with Drew. What a great way to spend a belated mothers day.