Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work we go...

"Stimulate your kids mind! Brain development, and quite possibly your child's entire future rests upon what you do in the first three years of life!"  Being a parent can be slightly stressful for those who haven't noticed.  Not are you not only trying to figure out the whole parenting thing on the fly; you are constantly reminded that everything you do...or don't do...can permanently screw up your kid for the rest of their lives.

Keeping in mind the importance of the first several years, I've tried to keep Andrew as stimulated and occupied as possible. It was one of the driving forces behind our visits to Discovery Gateway and walks at the park. The problem is that keeping a toddler's brain stimulated is sometimes difficult. As a one car family it is not always possible to drive to children's museums during the day. As it's currently winter and often cold it's not always possible to go outside to the park. 

That leaves us with indoor activities. Andrew and I have a lot of fun playing with blocks, building towers out of legos, rolling playdough,  and "Vroom vrooming" matchbox cars and trucks. There are times though that I sometimes feel like I'm not doing enough to fully expand his mind; to introduce him to new and exciting things every day. 

So it was with some gladness that I read the following from You Are Your Child's First Teacher. The author discusses why she believes that people sometimes struggle with staying home and entertaining their children.  One of her main points was that the modern household doesn't cater to the best environment for child development. 

She believes that the focus of a home instead of being focused on entertaining the child with toys and activities should instead be focused on the "work" of homemaking. With modern conveniences, and time-saving devices such as dishwashers, laundry machines, and prepackaged food the the author believes that what our children see us doing actually isn't providing what children need. The need is to see us doing work that involves movement. Activities that they can observe, then imitate in their play. 

This idea actually resonated fairly strongly with me. It also conforms fairly closely to the activities that Andrew tends to be drawn to.  

Making the bed

Wiping off counters

Doing laundry

Washing the dishes

Cooking

In fact, Andrew has our morning routine down so pat that when I try to skip something he makes me do it. Every morning we have to eat breakfast, wash the dishes, sweep/mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the living room, and make the bed.  When Andrew is sick; he is not interested in silly putty or any other toys; he wants to cook and vacuum...sometimes six to seven times a day. 

After thinking about these experiences with Andrew I can get behind the idea that "work play" is a perfectly viable way to provide the needed brain stimulation.  Thinking about how to best maximize this has changed some of the way I do my housework.  I have tried to involve Andrew before; but now I'm consciously trying to discover other ways to involve him.

Oh and Andrew; I have some bad news for you. Current science shows that brain development continues well into the early twenties.  So my little boy, remember when you are older that when I give you housework or chores...I'm doing it for your brain!

Getting dressed is complicated: Part 2

Andrew has moved on to trying to put his own shoes on.  His operating strategy for today was to roll around on the floor while attempting to poke his foot into the shoe.  The pictures aren't of the greatest quality but you can get the point.

Getting dressed can be complicated

Andrew and I have been working on getting dressed.  Andrew gets dressed in the morning after breakfast. I've been trying to encourage Andrew to choose his own outfits. He just doesn't seem to care which pants or shirts that wears. Now socks...socks are a different issue. Andrew has to pick out his socks. This means that sometimes his socks don't match at all. I am surprised how often the socks actually do match.

Andrew has also started to be able to do simple dressing tasks such as pulling up his pants, taking off his shirt or jacket, or taking off his socks.  A few days ago Andrew attempted to do something he's never done before. He tried to put on a T-Shirt by himself. The following pictures document his efforts.

Which hole do I want?

One arm in!

Two arms in!

Head...almost in.

Maybe it's a hat?

I don't think this is working.

Once Andrew reached the point where the shirt covered his face he stopped trying. He loves to have blankets, shirts, or other cloth items cover his head and then walk around. So he spent the next 10 minutes walking around the house with the shirt over his face.

We did eventually put the shirt all the way on.

Midvale Museum

Wendy as I am sure many of you already know is a museum aficionado.  Prior to being distracted by a husband and a little boy (and another soon to be little boy) Wendy had that goal of visiting every museum in Utah. She hasn't been able to work much on this goal lately. So for one of our date nights we went Museum hunting. This time Wendy chose the Midvale City Museum.

It took a little while for us to find the museum because we didn't trust our smartphones. The museum's address was on main street; our phones kept taking us past 500 West. That didn't make sense to us; so we kept turning around to find main street. No luck. Finally, we kept going West. Main street in Midvale is on 900 West. In case any of you are ever looking.

The museum was a little one room space. There was a volunteer who showed us around. He was excited about everything in the place; some of which he had donated himself.

Andrew and Wendy were both intrigued by the fact that the museum allowed patrons to actually touch and use some of the "artifacts." Wendy got to play an old style organ and Andrew got to use a typewriter. Ben was intrigued by seeing an eight track player actually functional.

We finished up our museum trip by eating a Philly steak sandwich at Moochies. This appears to be a popular place. The place was standing room only at two o'clock in the afternoon.  After eating the sandwich we understood why. Great food.

Cooking with Grandma

My mother has always been amazing about cooking with children. The pictures her childrens' childhoods are littered with baking pictures.  Grandma has continued this tradition with grandchildren. Andrew loves to bake and cook. A major reason why; is a Grandma willing to do this.

"Flying" at Discovery Gateway

Due to the generosity of a family member we have a membership to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum. Andrew has enjoyed visiting the museum every time we've gone. In the past we have stayed downstairs. Today, we thought we would try the second floor.

The first activity the Andrew found fascinating was the Bernouli wind tunnel/tube.  

Up, up, and away! Andrew "flew" all sorts of papers.

We found some blue foam blocks stacked up in a corner. Some had grooves that made it appear that balls or something else should roll through them. We didn't find any balls that worked; so instead we made towers.

Andrew loves to sit in or on anything

Didn't roll as desired

All Hail King Andrew!

Mountain climber

They had an airplane cockpit. We had to wait in line in the "passenger" seats. 

Captain Andrew waiting his turn for take off.

Prepping for flight.

Giving instructions to co-pilot.

We also found a "corkbox."  The box was full of shredded cork. 

It's great idea; it functions like sand but is easier to clean off.

Buried

Finally it came time for us to leave. 

Andrew hid at first...

then waved bye-bye!

Thumbs Up...from the future baby Stuart

On January 14th a day that Wendy has been breathlessly waiting for finally arrived. She is now into her twentieth week of her pregnancy. This means she can finally have the gender revealing ultrasound. (When we got the order from the nurse midwife Wendy called for the soonest appointment.)

As this ultrasound can also find indications of genetic abnormalities, the little baby understood that it's parents were slightly anxious. So the baby made sure the first thing that the parents saw was a thumbs up.

Everything's okay here, Mom!

The little one appears to be a gymnast. Baby was rolling and moving throughout the entire ultrasound session. The technician actually had trouble getting a fair number of the pictures she needed because baby kept moving.

Classic profile of baby's face

Squished

Oh I almost forget...

It is a boy. YEAH!!!!
(Wendy is SO outnumbered!)