Category Archives: Early Childhood

Religious Education

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I still haven’t received any of the digital family pictures from my brother’s wedding, nor the two actually in-focus digital pictures from my in-laws from our time in Utah, so I don’t have any pictures to share with you.

But I have a cute story for you!

Starting in early July, I began reading Paul The Book of Mormon as we ate breakfast. We read about five verses a day. My brother and his wife were my inspiration, since I know they started reading The Book of Mormon to Daniel when he was quite young.

Now it is September, and we are still in 1 Nephi. Ah well. The most important thing is that Paul loves it.

If don’t get the book down, he points at it and calls out “Book! Book!” I get it down and we sing “Book of Mormon Stories” together (and lately “Nephi’s Courage,” as well, since Nephi is building a boat and all). Then I read a few verses while Paul finishes up his oatmeal.

Some days, especially at the beginning, he’d talk over me. Now he listens.

This week, we entered a new stage. We were eating lunch together (not breakfast, lunch) and he pointed to the bookshelf. “Book! Book!” and he started trying to sing “Book of Mormon Stories.” I read him five verses, and he called out “More! More!” So I finished the chapter.Today at breakfast, he also kept saying “More! More!” Five verses is no longer enough.

He’s young. My guess is he isn’t “learning” anything, other than that we love The Book of Mormon. And isn’t that way we do this?

I got a catalog in the mail from the church today. I noticed something: The Gospel Principles book is to be the Priesthood/Relief Society manual for the next two years. What a wonderful way to remind us that Sunday church meetings really is about being reminded of the basics!

I was excited, until I realized that, by being in Primary, I’ll never get those lessons. Ah, well.

Easing into Fall and Saying Goodbye to A Slow Summer

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Now that I’ve finally finished scrubbing out the refrigerator, I can come back and tell you how much I love fall.

This summer was great, don’t get me wrong. I felt we were busier than normal, even without a change from school to no school. This year’s summer weather was wonderfully mild, and Paul didn’t fuss on the days when I said, “Sorry, but it’s just too hot today. We’re staying inside.” (I have a feeling that won’t work so well next year.)

But now the weather is back to a reasonable average, and I just love to sit in the (pleasantly cool) sun and watch the leaves fall from the trees.

Today, the weather is staying in low 80s and the coming week has a perfect partially sunny forecast of 70s and upper 60s. It’s cool enough to walk to the library without dying of misery and perspiration. It’s cool enough to play in the back yard for extended periods of time. It’s cool enough to sit on our deck and eat dinner.

I love my yard. The landscaping keeps the neighbors in their own yard, so even when they had a party and football game the other night, our yard was still blessedly private and quiet. We had our own dinner outside too. I love privacy: good fences truly do make good neighbors (and we don’t even have fences; just perfect yards!!).

In the fall, I go to the library and it’s not overrun with noisy, cranky kids. In the fall, I go to the park and there aren’t any big kids sharing sand with Paul (I hate sand). In the fall, I can call up my friends and schedule play dates again, since the big kids are back in school.

In retrospect, I realize now how much I didn’t finish over those crazy weeks called “summer.” Why did they feel so crazy? It seemed all the people we met with were on “hyper” mode, trying to fit things in to the short time.

We didn’t do any fun “activities,” per se, and our budget kept us close to home (until we finally made it to Utah in September!!). But Paul and I both had a great summer all the same. Paul played with his cousins a few times, we visited Grandma and Grandpa in Naperville a few times, and we did little things together, just the two of us.

I’m realized I’m just not an activity girl. I’d rather sit and chat with people than “do” something “exciting.”

As I ponder the fact that I’m a sitter and not a “do-er,” I realize that my son may miss out on some things. He’s not going to have memories of busy childhood summers. Ever. I know I’m not going to drag him around all over the place next year either. We’ll do the special things that he loves: playing on the swing set, going to the library, going to the petting zoo and park, playing with friends, going on picnics. Maybe next year we’ll find some new favorite thing to do together. But I’m not a “crazy summer activities” Mom and I never will be. I like to keep life simple.

Paul is the happiest, least cranky kid I know, and I sincerely believe that a regular nap and bedtime schedule helps him to be so. In order for him to get his sleep, we sometimes have to say “no thanks” to some of those “crazy” activities in order to be home by sleep time. And you know what? I really like it that way.

As he gets closer to age two, Paul is becoming more independent. He resists obeying, and he’s begun to have screaming fits when I misunderstand what he says or when I decline his requests. The next few months of autumn will be interesting as I adjust to this new personality he’s developing. And yet, he’s still, overall, an incredibly happy, well-adjusted boy.

I suspect he’ll turn out just fine, our non-exciting summer be darned.

Paul and Cowboy Joe

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Paul hasn’t been particularly interested in Cowboy Joe in the past months. I haven’t been encouraging him to play with Cowboy Joe — Joe’s a bit fragile as he’s all knit, and some seams are coming out already, even without regular play.

Last week, though, Paul was holding Cowboy Joe and pointing out various recognizable things: “eyes!” “ears!” “feet!”

I went to get the camera and by the time I got back, of course, Paul turned in to a big ham. He just loves to smile for the camera! Cowboy Joe was mostly forgotten, I’m sorry to say. I think Paul was trying to get Joe out of the picture so he’d keep the limelight to himself!

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A Little Chef

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I prepare breakfast granola one or two mornings a week, and Paul loves to help! He often gets up from breakfast and runs to his stool saying “cook! cook!” I found a pre-schooler cookbook and I’ve been taking it’s advice to heart: it’s not the end product that matters to a young cook, it’s the action things that they like.

Paul loves to help. From cracking eggs, to stirring, to eating the coconut flakes off the counter, he loves to cook with Mommy.

Here he is helping me cook a little pizza two weeks ago.

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And then videos are the most fun!

P.S. I think Paul is smiling a cheesy smile and sitting still in the second video because he thought I was taking a regular picture, not a video.

Time Out for the Reids

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We certainly had a Sorenson-filled summer, with my family visiting for the Fourth, my brother getting married, and my sister being in town for so many weeks. Lots of play time for those little cousins, and plenty of visiting with family.

So it’s certainly time for some one-on-one with the Reids! Just three days and we’ll be on our way for some Grandma Peggy and Papa Paul time out in Utah.

I have some house updates to post but I am just so excited for our upcoming weekend. Before all the fun, of course, I have to manage a 23-month-old on my lap for three hours. I admit I’m not looking forward to that all that much.

An In-Between Stage

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Paul is caught in between ages this month.

One day he wants to sit on the toilet every hour. (He’s usually successful.) The next day, he won’t go near the toilet without crying.

One day he wants to sit at the table in a regular chair. The next day he cries unless I open up his high chair for him.

One day he wants to go down the stairs ALL BY HIMSELF walking on two feet like a big person. The next day he cries for someone to come take his hand or he slithers down on his hands and knees.

One day he wants to sit and cuddle for ten minutes after his nap. The next day he won’t come near me and cries if I try to hold him.

And then there are the signs that he’s figured out the system. He slipped on the floor and sat down and fake cried for a few seconds. I was taking something to a different room and as soon as I was out of his sight, he stopped crying. As soon as I walked back in, he started up again. He wouldn’t stop until I’d picked him up and given him a “feel better; I love you” hug.

I love the baby stage, but it is exciting to see the “I’m getting older” stage too!

Red Day

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I met another mother who has a child Paul’s age and I was shocked to hear him recognizing colors. So I decided to start emphasizing colors. We had a red day the other day. Paul wore a red shirt, he ate on his red plate, we went to the barn (which is red), and he played on the red slide.

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See full set on flickr.

And here’s the life-action shot:

I’m not sure our “Red Day” made a difference in my son knowing the color red, but it was fun.

Paul’s Unusual Words

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If Paul’s toys aren’t working he turns them over and brings them to me, saying “battery.” Do most one-year-olds understand that concept and know that word?

I shouldn’t be surprised that Paul says “laundry” when he sees clothes. After all, I collect, wash, dry, fold and put away five loads a week. And yet, it’s always so cute to see him go after a random shirt and put in in the laundry, saying “laundry” over and over again.

Do most one-year-olds know how to say “salt” and “pepper“? I don’t think Paul realizes what they really taste like, but he certainly likes to put both salt and pepper on his food and asks for it by name. It doesn’t matter which foods. I blame this on Ryan, who is never satisfied with my seasonings. I admit: dinner usually tastes better after Ryan adds more salt and pepper. I can’t say the same for Paul’s seasoning.

Paul doesn’t say “Kangaroo” but he recognizes one. And yet, he doesn’t know a zebra or an Elephant. Why is this? Does he have an innate sense that he was born where kangaroos are native? Or have we just read and watched enough Winnie-the-Pooh that Kanga is familiar now?

And then there are the cute words he says. The diphthong for “mail” is so cute in a one-year-old’s mouth, and he loves to go to the mailbox with me most days. And then there is the most challenge fruit ever: “banana.” It normally comes out as bi-ya-a or bi-yi-a. The strange sound is impossible to capture in print. It’s just plain cute. And “cook“? It’s adorable to me that he loves to cook already. It’s become a favorite word. I plan on nurturing that.

What Paul Loves

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I don’t have wedding pictures yet, and I don’t have time to find some from my camera (most of mine didn’t turn out anyway), but here are some quick Paul “favorites” updates.

Paul loves:

  • Trains, Planes, and Automobiles. Yes, he’s a boy.
  • New things, including people, places, and events. He (normally) loves new situations and just watches fascinated as new things happen. Case in point: the haircut last week. He didn’t even squirm, just sat there with a big smile on his face. There are always exceptions, but normally, new things are fun.
  • Nursery. I’m not sure why he loves nursery, because whenever I go in for singing time (I’m the song leader), he’s knocking over kids trying to give them hugs and kisses.
  • Hugs and kisses. He finds these fun to give. I love the moments he lets me cuddle, even for the briefest second. I hope this isn’t top on his list when he’s 15.
  • Schedules. Paul has had a few non-scheduled days lately because of family events, and he’s been a whiny puss. Even when his nap is shorter than normal, he becomes a basket case when something isn’t just as he wants it. I certainly encourage schedules, but I try to follow what he needs too (i.e., unlike some moms, I don’t wake him from his nap at the same time each day. That’s nuts!). It always takes a least a day to recover from an “off-nap” day or a “stay up too late” night. I like to stick with the normally planned schedule just so I can ignore those whines!
  • Daddy. Oh, he loves his daddy when he’s home! He’s a fun daddy.
  • The toilet. What fun to sit on the Winnie-the-Pooh chair and clap when something comes out!
  • Winnie-the-Pooh. Still a favorite friend. We’re rereading the books right now, and Paul definitely likes me to read it to him.
  • Puzzles. Paul is very good at puzzles, and normally has the patience to put all the pieces in the right spot, even the 26 piece alphabet puzzle!
  • Dancing. We watched Mary Poppins this week, and he was dancing, and trying to do somersaults, when we got to the Stepping Time “rooftops of London” scene. Very cute.
  • Outside. Paul loves his hat, he helps me put his sunblock on, and then he runs to the swing and slide. When I’m weeding, he “helps” by digging in the dirt.
  • Mail. Paul likes to help me get the mail. For some reason.

Okay, that’s a start for a bunch of stuff he loves. Hopefully I’ll post some cute wedding pictures or cousin pictures in the coming days!

Bye Bye Curls!

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It was time. The curls, while adorable, were beginning to look like a mullet. Or a girl’s long curly locks. Since Paul will be two in just two months, it was definitely time for him to get his first haircut.

The Before Pictures

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I’d say Paul doesn’t care how long his hair is, except he does definitely care. It gets so snarly that he cries out when I try to comb it. There is no reason for a little boy to have to yell “Chopsticks!” while getting his hair combed. It was definitely time.

The Haircut

100_3815-3< 100_3817-3Paul was very interested in what the guy was doing. In fact, he thought this whole thing was a lot of fun! Paul held one of the very large combs as his hair was cut.

My son’s baby-hood came to an end with all those lovely, whispy baby-locks on the floor!

Now he looks like a little boy.

I’ll post some “After” pictures later, maybe tonight or tomorrow.