So Here It Is

I've received lots of flack for not having posted recently, so here is a new one and the reasons I've not been around the web lately. I've been trying to spend more one on one time with James recently so we've been spending lots of time playing outdoors, going to the library, reading, and baking together. Also last weekend Tim took me to St. Louis for our 4th anniversary. Very fun. James has really gotten into reading lately, he's always enjoyed it but now he can't get enough. A few nights ago we were ready for bed and all of the nightly ritual had been preformed, at the end I asked "are you ready for night, night?" he said no and he turned around and pointed at his books and said "Read more book?". It didn't work out for him, but I did find it very amusing.
Here are a few pictures for our outdoor adventures.

Activities at the Cottage

James is growing so much its hard to keep up with him. He is now big enough that he can ride on the front of a shopping cart, standing on the frame holding onto the basket. He is very proud of this fact. Its so hard as a Mom to keep up with a child's growing and changing needs. You never know what has been changing and developing in that little mind. James is a very sensitive child and I think it would be easy to hurt him unknowingly, but with that said he also is very strong willed and would take every opportunity to have the world his way. With all that wrapped up in one little blond head with a toothy grin and sparkling eyes its not always easy to have all the answers.
Yesterday it snowed all day and finally started to accumulate in the evening. It was the perfect night to stay in and cuddle on the couch. I made a big pot of hot cocoa and left it on the stove so that we could enjoy it all evening. James was particularly thrilled about this development.
The transition from crib to toddler bed is going well, he's slept in it several nights now without incident. I started putting him in it only if he had already fallen asleep in the car, but a few nights ago I put him in it while he was still awake and he merely rolled over and hugged Lumpy. And so its been since then. For naps he is still in his crib really only because I haven't tried laying him down in the toddler bed.

James has recently learned the art of multi tasking. A while ago he graduated from a sippy cup to a sippy straw cup that consists of a leak proof cup with a built in straw. Now he is thrilled that he can drink hands free.Its safe to use something with wheels on as a step stool right?So there it is my random post for the day.

Spring Fever

Do you think God made spring so enticing because He knew that we needed a little push after a long sluggish winter? Every year when spring comes I get a burst of energy and start accomplishing all sorts of things that I've been to lazy or groggy to do all winter long. James is very excited about the promise of spring. Yesterday we enjoyed a particularly nice day I think the high temp was 65* and we got out and made the most of it. In the morning we went out and did a few errands, on the way home we stopped at the park and James played on the teeter-totter for his first time. In the afternoon we rescued his Little Tykes car from its winter hiding place and he spent a good deal of time honking the horn and climbing in and out of the door pronouncing "da done" each time only to hop back in for more honking fun. Today's weather is much the same as yesterday and as soon as he wakes from his nap we are planning on a walk. Now I just have to decide if he should ride in the little red wagon or his stroller. He'll enjoy the wagon more, but the stroller is much easier when maneuvering the many hills in our neighborhood. Hmm...I think since he's been cooped up for so long I will put on my big girl panties and take the wagon. Yes this is what must be done.