Some fun with the boys!

Drew had a fun play date with Will (my friend Sarah's, little guy) and Connor (Will's cousin). We didn't get to see Sarah she was working, but Kate was watching the two little guys so we got to catch up with her. Drew loved playing with the boys and he loved all their toys. He is a t-ball expert. He had never played t-ball before, but he knew right what to do. He also loved the boys' little purple car! Drew enjoyed his morning!

All three boys (the pic would have been so cute if Drew wasn't crying)!

Will

Drew pushing Connor

Updates on Drew

We haven't been up to a whole lot. Just enjoying our time together. Drew is saying all kinds of new things, but one thing we've noticed lately is when he wants up, down, or out, he says "up me", "down me", and "out me." He also wants to know where everyone is at all times. If Mike leaves the room he automatically says..."Daddy go?" Drew is putting words together and getting close to talking in sentences(if you can understand what he is saying) . The funny thing is Mike is able to decipher most of what he is saying, even thought I've spend a lot more time with him this summer.

Drew has also become a puzzle pro in the last couple days. We've had several different puzzles for quite some time, but he hasn't really paid any attention to them. The other evening Celia came over and found Drew's puzzle and he was immediately able to put a couple of them together. We were quite impressed! He's definitely into working with his hands and he pays close attention to detail (maybe he'll be a dentist). Drew is definitely not working too much on his gross motor skills(other than playing basketball...he's very good). He is still learning to jump. Lucky for us he isn't a climber. He would rather be carried up and down the stairs, which isn't a bad thing (although one of these days I'd like for him to be proficient on the stairs).

Some of Drew's favorites (in no particular order):

• Mommy - he's very attached
• peanut butter sandwiches
• warm milk (spoiled I know)
• playing with cars
• carrying his duffle bag everywhere
• playing "I'm going to get you"
• watching Franklin
• reading Franklin books
• singing Old McDonald
• taking bubble baths
• chasing poor Patton around
• walking wherever we go (doesn't like being in the cart or stroller)
• having mom or dad sing "Rock Baby" to him (the version Mommy made up)
• playing with "birdie" (a little bird house toy from his little people set) - he tries to stuff birdie in his little tikes mini car (all day long)
• Little people sets (train, farm, and airplane)
• pushing firetruck toy
• blowing bubbles
• eating snacks (he asks for a snack the second we get in the car)
• walking around with hands in his pockets
• being a helper (throwing trash away, putting cup in the sink, putting laundry in the laundry room)

Some new pics:

Drew and Celia having a dance party

Some pics from our visit to the Midwest Kidfest

Tunnel time
Looking at Scooby from far away and holding onto mom for dear life!
Working on an art project.

Our latest visit to Great Nana and PopPop

Drew loves their puppy made out of stone.
Drew & Nana relaxing and catching up!

Pool time:


Drew and his cute little friend, Lucy

The Farm

Drew's favorite part of the farmstead!

Drew loves Deanna Rose Farmstead. He calls it the "farm." We got to take two fun visits to the "farm" this week! We went with Grandma (aka "Ma") on Monday. We also went today with our play group. The boys out numbered the girls today, which was a change. Drew got to play with Sam, Will, Nadia, and two Jacksons (cousin and friend).

Here are the pics from our visits!










Some other recent pics:

Drew playing with Patton's tail.
Patton decided to jump on the couch like she belonged there. She's watching her dad to see when he tells her to get off.
My family!

Drew fixed his own hat...check out the velcro!

My boy eating lasagna (yes that is right).

serious boy
my silly boys

Buckles, Bags, A New Potty Chair, & Silly Patton

We haven't been up to much this week, but Drew has kept himself busy! He's been really into buckling buckles and carrying his duffel bag around. He has to buckle everything, which of course adds about 3 minutes to every outing and activity. You don't really realize how often toddlers are buckled in things until they insist on doing it themselves! He's getting pretty good at it, but of course once it is buckled he wants me to unbuckle it and this goes on and on throughout the day!

Lately we can't leave the house without about 5 toys or so in Drew's hand. Drew's hands aren't quite big enough to carry all these toys so I recently found his little duffle bag and we now pack that up before going anywhere. I think Drew received his packing gift from me, he crams this tiny bag until it is completely full. I tend to do that myself! The bag has gone to the park, to the store, to friends' houses, etc.

Getting ready to leave the house (bag-check, snack-check, and calculator (aka phone)-check)
Pretending to leave (notice the bag).
The contents of Drew's bag (toy cars, calculator, fish, lotion)

As Drew goes through these little phases it just amazes me. Where does he get these ideas and why do these phases hit around the same time for every child? As I read parent books or websites about each stage Drew goes through it sounds like they are describing him. It is just so funny how toddler brains work!

Some other new pics:

He looks so grown up in this outfit. mad at mommy for not letting him feed himself

still mad at mommy...the deal was you can feed yourself, but you have to wear a bib (I know I run a tight ship)
Not really wanting his picture taken!
Standing in his hat..silly boy!
Sitting on his new potty chair...and no I'm not planning on having him trained until next summer (if it happens sooner then that will be a bonus)!
He loves sitting on the chair, but has yet to use it for its intended purpose. He also insists on taking his shirt off too, so I guess he'll be stripping down every time he sits on the potty!

Now for a short little Patton story:

This dog loves sleeping on her bed or a blanket. I had cleaned the downstairs yesterday and put her bed out in the garage. While I was gone last night she must of missed her comfy bed and pulled her blanket out of where we store it and laid on it.

The red blanket is stored between the end table and the couch.

She pulled it out and sat on it.

When I saw her laying on the blanket I asked Mike if he got it out for her, he said no. Apparently he didn't notice her pulling it out and sitting on it!