My little smarty pants

I walked in to pick up Preston from daycare yesterday, and Mrs. Karen let me know, again, how smart he is. She says it must be from me being a teacher, but I know that's not true because I know nothing about 2 year olds. I'm just learning as I go. I think he's just naturally a smart kid, and I'm not saying that just because he's my son. I give Karen the credit too because she really does a great job with those kids. She does things with them I wouldn't think a toddler could do. So anyway, she told me she's been making file folder games for them to play. Yes, these are games made on file folders. She said Preston is so good at it. This probably doesn't mean much unless you are a teacher. These games are big in lower elementary grades, if you can stand to make them. She showed me some that she had made and let me take a couple home. He was so proud to take them for homework:) He played the matching color bear game at least 20 times in a row. He was very good at it. So even if it is just matching colors now, I'm sure it will be advanced something or other soon enough. I can help with the file folder games and Daddy can help with the algebra.

Outside Fun

We have been trying to get out and play as much as we can when the weather lets us. Preston loves to play outside. He loves cruising around in his Jeep with Ray. Or lining up balls in the backyard to kick. He loves to go to the park, but of course never wants to leave. He is such a boy. He is fearless. Yesterday he just joined a big group of kids from a home daycare that was playing. He popped bubbles, chased big wheels, threatened a few with a stick. He only stopped once when he heard the ice cream truck. It's just so funny to watch him play. He is pretty amazing.

Birthday Fun

Yesterday, Preston and I went to birthday party for one of his daycare friends. His buddy Aaron was turning 2. It was at McDonald's and as soon as we walked into the play area, he looked up at me and asked me for cake. Then he noticed his buddies and the cake wasn't so important anymore. It's so neat to watch all those little boys together. You can tell they all love each other so much. They take of one another. I think Preston is one of the leaders. The little kids would come up to me and ask, "Where Preston?" Most of the time I couldn't see them because they would disappear into the tunnels, pop out of a slide, and run back up. They had fun holding balloons and letting them go. They would all laugh and look up at all the balloons and of course ask for more. Preston and his friend Carter (those two are partners in crime) got into a little trouble. I noticed them in front of a much bigger boy, maybe about 8ish, and they were pointing there fingers at him and saying yahhhh. Then they would spit at him. Of course, as soon as I said no to Preston the waterworks started. Overall it was a really fun time.

NO FAIR!!!!

Yes, somehow this little boy has learned the phrase "No Fair". We were hanging out in the living room and things were fine when all of a sudden he threw himself on the ground and said those words. At first I didn't realize what he was saying because I wouldn't expect that from him. Then he ran inside his Diego tent saying those words over and over. I asked him what was wrong and he would peek his head out the door, point his finger at me, and say "No Fair". It was like he was making himself throw a tantrum. I didn't do anything that was unfair. I guess he suddenly remembered seeing this outburst from someone during the day and he was going to act it out. He's good. We could be seeing this kid on the big screen one day. I hope he forgets about those wonderful words at least until he's 20.

Yesterday, he said another funny phrase. He was carrying around a piece of a railroad track(like always). He calls it his stick and he points at you and says Yahhhh. Well, he was standing on the couch pointing the stick and said "I am King". Maybe we have been watching too much TV.

Preston and the Gang

Preston loves his sleeping buddies. His little entourage just keeps growing and growing. It all started with a glow worm I got him when he was about 6 months old. I started putting it in his crib when I felt it was safe to have something comforting in his bed. Then came along brown bear and his MiMi (fleece blanket). His Grandpa gave him a small, yellow bear beanie baby that has become his favorite. Then Sponge bob and Wubbzy joined the crew. We went to get Preston hair cut a couple of days ago, and I got suckered into buying Wubbzy's friends, Widget and Walden. All of these guys must enter and exit the crib as Preston does. Oh, did I mention two more blankets he has adopted as his own, big white and blue. We move the gang from room to room on a daily basis. It's a challenge to get us all down the stairs in one piece. The things I am willing to do for his happiness and no tantrums.

My little scaredy cat

These days Preston is a little scared of new people and new situations. Me, Ray, and Preston made a trip to the gym today. Thought we should start the year off right, but Preston would not let go of my leg. "Mommy, no play" through the tears made me rethink my idea to work out. This has been my experience lately. Dropping him off at daycare has been the same gut wrenching process. Mrs. Karen says, "We will need to have a quick drop off". Yeah, easy for her to say. It's not her heart breaking into a million pieces. He also is not keen on people, I mean all people we have to come in contact with. At the mall he hid behind the stroller top that folds out. He says, "peeeeeople" and away he goes. At wall mart he hid in a storage bin we bought for Christmas decorations. He wanted nothing to do with Santa this year. "Mommy, no Santa" was the response when we asked. We went on a carriage ride to look at Christmas lights, and when he saw the horses he screamed bloody murder. He ended up having a great time, but I was worried at first. I'm sure this is just a stage, and sometimes it's kind of cute, but sometimes it's hard. I hate to leave him somewhere when he's crying, so for now I will not leave him at the gym play center and I will help him hide from the people.

Welcome 2009

Well, another year has come and gone. I wouldn't be so sad except that my little boy is changing so fast. I guess that is why I am starting this blog. I want to remember all the precious memories this new year brings. Preston is 2 now and he is absolutely amazing. He is super smart, seems to be very athletic (didn't get that from me), so silly, and caring. Did I mention handsome too. Now, don't get me wrong, he can be a handful at times. We are beginning to learn what the terrible two's really mean. He knows how to get his way with me. He definitely has me wrapped around his little finger. That's OK. I know I'll look back some day and wish for all these moments again. I am starting to understand what people mean when they say, 'It goes by so fast". I look at Preston and think, I finally did something right.