Coloring Just Keeps Getting More Fun

Coloring just keeps get more fun as Stinky begins to choose colors, color on the paper and to color with intent.

Mt Hermon Vacation and All the Things You Can Do At Camp

Along with an adult pool they have a kiddie pool just the right size for Stinky. She loves to swim.

Boating was a blast. At first she wasn't so sure of it, but pretty soon she wanted to touch the water, paddle the boat and her favorite thing of all was sinning "Row row row your boat".

There is something to be said about reliving childhood memories with your own child. I grew up going to this camp and feel as though it is my second home. When I was old enough I worked 3 summers at camp. There was a transition for me as I slowly crept into adult hood where the magic of camp had disappeared and the realization that I was now looking at things with adult eyes. Though camp had lost a little magic I still have enjoyed going back just to remember what good times where had. Then another change happened, I had a child. This year my magic was regained as I watched my daughter begin to make her own memories. But these memories she is making, the enjoyment she is having, and the activities she is doing bring not only excitement for her but excitement for what I once had as a child. The smells, the sites and the emotion. It is almost more fun watching her experience it all. I only hope that this place can be as special to her as it is to me.

It's Amazing How Much They Want to Be Like You At This Age

We recently received as a gift American Idol 2 singing game for our Wii. I have to admit with help from some friends (Little Chu's parents) we have been enjoying a little singing. Ok maybe a lot of sinning. I think we logged almost 40 hours in the first 10 days. Most of the time we put the girls to sleep and then break out the mic. So with that said I am not sure how Stinky had time to see us singing. But she must have because one day she pulled the mic down off the shelf and began going "lalalalala" into the mic and dancing.

It amazes me how much they pick up from our modeling behavior. It's time to start watching what we say and do because our little sponge is watching every word and action.

A Little Time With Papa

My DH came home from work early today and coincidentally Stinky blew through her afternoon nap. Did I get lucky or did I get lucky? Taking this great opprotunity to bring the two of them together and give me a little time to finish up some projects, I set them out to finish a Father's Day activity I had begun. I had intended for Stinky to help me finish this project as a surprise Father's Day gift but in the middle of the project I broke my thumb. Ouch! This resulted in a stop of all things that take the use of a thumb which is just about everything. So with quick thinking we gave Daddy a "to do" Father's Day gift. But any excuse to spend time with Stinky is worth far more to my DH than any materialistic item.

It caught me off gaurd a little when my DH started panicking when Stinky immediatley tried to eat the glue, taste the materials and explore them in everyway other than put them on the ceramic stepping stone frog. It made me realize that it isn't often that he sits down with her to work on a project that isn't open ended. With a little guiding the two of them were able to finish the project and enjoy some bonding time along the way.

Cooking With Mommy

Often times Stinky gets really hungry which equals cranky while I am making dinner. Lately if I am not cooking anything on the stove I will let her sit on the other side of me while I cute and prepare dinner. She has really enjoyed this time. We will talk about the foods that I am preparing and I will often let her taste the fresh fruits and veggies before they are cooked.

She liked this special treat. I gave her the mixing bowl and spoon after I made a cake. I am excited to begin introducing her to baking and cooking. Soon I will begin letting her stir and then we will move onto other cooking projects. For now it is just observing and tasting. Sounds like a good deal to me. Where do I sign up?

Water Play

I took Stinky's sensory tub and put it on a small tables to where she could reach it. This is the first time I have put water in and set it up off the ground. At first all she wanted to do was climb into it like she had down many times when it was on the floor. I wanted her to experience the water tub as a sensory table instead of a pool. I put a few bottles, boats and blocks in it. Once she realized that the purpose of this activity was not to play in it like a bath tub she began exploring the items in the tub.

I used a small pouring pitcher that was retrieve from a laundry box before being thrown out and I showed her how to use it. I scooped up water and then poured it on her hand. I then picked up a small strainer and poured the water through it. When new tools are introduced to children they need to be taught how to use them. Once they have a basic idea then it is time for them to explore and be creative. When adults are given new tools we want to learn how to use the. For example painting we take classes to learn techniques so we can paint, or mechanical classes so we can learn how to use tools when fixing a car. I want to treat Stinky with the same respect and teach her how to use the tools I introduce to her.

She was really interested in the strainer. At one point she put it on her head when it didn't fit she returned it to the water. She was also very interested in using the small pouring device. She wanted me to hold a small bottle as she attempted to pour water through the hole. Then she would grab the bottle and squirt out all the water. This was a great activity to teach hand-eye coordination. (Trying to get the water into the small hole) And to teach measurement/volume. (How much water did she pour through the hole equals the amount of water she could squeeze out.)

Surprisingly she wasn't into the blocks and the boats during this activity. I will have to reintroduce this another time.

Building a Lasting Relationship with Simon and Lucy

Stinky loves the dogs. She has signs we taught her using American Sign Language for both of the dogs. Every day the first thing she does when she wakes up is sign's the dogs names.

We rarely let her watch TV in fact have made a big effort to make sure she doesn't watch TV. Every once in awhile she will get 15 minutes of KQED cartoons. This was one of those times and she took full advantage of the cuddle time with Simon. She put her head on him with one arm around his neck petting him and relaxing. Before she was born we were so worried about how the dogs might react to this new being that took attention away from them. They have done so well and become very protective of their little person/sister. They love her and let her love on them even when the love shines through in many different colors. It is hard think of what her life would be like with out Simon and Lucy. She has such a love for animals and is so interested in the sounds they make, what they look like and their names. Perhaps this wouldn't have been the case if she didn't have dogs. She loves her doggies.