Ezra’s Purple/Brown Period

We trekked up to the Children’s Museum this morning and ran into an absolute buzzsaw of people. There was a free-day happening over at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, so it was my theory (completely wrong) that the museum might be a on the lighter side of the attendance scale. The result of all of those kids was Ezra being overwhelmed by the amount of people, the both of us being overwhelmed by the lack of space to actually do anything, and a force into trying something new.

About the only part of the entire museum where we could find our own space to do anything was in the painting area. We got there and I took off Ezra’s long sleeve shirt in the hopes of a little less possible paint transfer (it was worth it). I proceeded to ask Ezra if he was ready to paint; when I actually think I was asking myself that question….moments later he was wearing an apron/bib, holding two brushes, and painting on a piece of paper. It was cool and fun, and only resulted in minor paint-on-the-hands.

On another note and in another part of the museum, Ezra was getting gently pushed around and cornered (literally in the corner) by older kids. I stood back and watched for a while since nobody was getting hurt and just waited to see what Ezra was going to do. When the vast majority of the kids finally cleared out, Ezra headed for the button that he had been eyeing for some time. However, once he was there an older kid came and pushed Ezra out of the way so he could hit the button himself. Well, Ezra had had enough. He smacked the kid on the hand and said “No!”. The older kid walked away and Ezra was left to play all that he wanted with the button. I understand that ultimately this isn’t a behavior that you would like your kid to exhibit….but I have to admit that I was – against better judgement – a very proud parent. I hope that’s not too weird…

A Future Locksmith/Burglar

Obsessed yesterday with the mailboxes and trying to put the key in the boxes. He tried everything including throwing the keys at the boxes, which unsurprisingly netted poor results. He did, however, manage to put the key in several locks that they didn’t belong, although nothing opened.

On a similarly bright note, in order to get to the mailboxes we have to cross a street. Due to his infatuation with playing at the boxes, we had to walk across the street several times – resulting in a quick learning of the ‘you have to hold my hand to cross the street’ parental safety measure.

Ezra Spells For The 1st Time

Seriously?! He was coloring in a book this evening and started spelling out his name (minus the first letter). You can see in the video a time when he spells his name, then says it, while coloring. It wowed us!

10 Years

I have to keep repeating it to myself to believe it. Sometimes things just don’t make sense.

Jonathan, we miss you terribly.

Our Little Responsible Man

Quick story, but first the set up. We started doing a timeout system where Ezra sits on the bottom step for things like hitting, biting, etc. I think that we discussed this here before, but he generally sits down on the step and waits without complaint just dangling his feet for the alloted time. When done, either Ahna or I will go and sit down next to him to discuss what was done wrong, then he is supposed to say ‘sorry’ (although sometimes he gives us a kiss instead and we accept that). Two weeks ago, I was walking to him at the end of the time, and he looked at me and patted the carpet next to him in a ‘sit here Daddy and let’s discuss’ sort of way….

Now to this evening’s story: he hit me twice out of frustration and I immediately – and for some unknown reason – told him to go to timeout (this was the first time that either Ahna or I have instructed him to do it instead of carrying him over)…and he instantly turned away, and in his best sulking walk went to the bottom step and sat down! It was super cute, and both Ahna and I had to contain our amazement and laughter as he took full responsibility for what he did. Such a grown up sometimes.

Wordsmith

Ezra has been learning words on an hourly basis recently, which is probably mostly normal for someone his age, but it’s been his ability to piece them together in longer and longer almost-sentences and thoughts that has taken us for an amazing ride this past week. Seeing your child every single day lends itself to not seeing dramatic changes, but it feels as though we have been privy to a blatant transformation in his thinking and vocabulary right in front of our eyes.

Things like: “no hitting” “where’s the giraffe?” “love you” “bye-bye Mommy in car” “color train please” “oh no, train fell on floor”

It’s wonderful and fun to witness. As new sayings creep up, we’ll make sure that you know too.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The best gift that we could receive is the opportunity to spend the day (at least part of it) with family. The Smith’s left just after lunch to make part of the drive home, but not before we got to share an amazing brunch and some Valentines exchanges.

Books

All of the parenting literature says that you have to read, read, read to your child. Good thing that they don’t suggest that you drink, drink, drink; or we would be out of luck.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Johnathan and Isaac are in town visiting (along with their parents) and we threw down this morning with a dance session.

Visit Old Friends

Ezra and I spent a day last week catching up with some folks that we haven’t seen in a while….and it was somewhat convenient that one of those stops was by a firehouse. I had to really convince Ezra to go inside to hang out (note the sarcasm). Scotty took the photo and e-mailed it over today.