Boston

PART I: STURBRIDGE VILLAGE
On our first full day in Massachusetts, we traveled a few miles away to a place called Sturbridge Village. This is a neat place, kind of like Nauvoo, in which many old buildings have been preserved so people like us can walk through and learn about life in the 1830's. There was so much to do that we didn't get to see everything, but I enjoyed it because this is my kind of thing. Joel was interested in the buildings, but, like his Dad (far right, below), after going through quite a few buildings, he decided it was more fun to poke his head in the door and call it good. My only regret is that I didn't have the time to read all of the plaques and informational posters around because there was so much to learn that I missed. But, when you have a wriggly toddler, you just can't stop and dilly-dally whenever you'd like.

Us (obviously) and my wonderful In-laws. Joel's Dad ran the Boston Marathon, which is why we were up there in the first place.


Everett enjoyed many of the sights and sounds, including these oxen. There were also cows and chickens. Mostly he just enjoyed running around on the grass and picking up all sorts of twigs, leaves, and grubs (and who can blame him?). As a bonus, he was able to act on his fascination with fences and explore many of them (when this picture was taken he was enjoying the fence more than the ox).


This isn't a very good picture but it is of the inside of a chapel. I thought it was fun to learn about this place of worship, Joel liked seeing the building, and Everett loved the hoards of ladybugs on the warm windows. Something for everyone!



coming up next:
PART II: BOSTON
(I've been having trouble with those particular pictures loading, for some reason. Check back later).

A Day at the Farm

A few days ago Everett and I took a trip to the local farm. It has tons of animals and activities for kids (most being too advanced for Everett now, but it is nice that they have them), and best of all, it is absolutely free! It was a wonderful experience and Everett had a fantastic time running back and forth between animal pens. I had been meaning to teach him farm animal identification for quite some time, but I hadn't gotten around to it. While we were there, Everett learned every single animal. After I said the same of the animal a couple of times, it stuck with him and so anytime I asked where a particular animal was, he was able to point to it and run to see it. A plus--Everett now knows to say "mmmmmo" (yes, I know; it should be "mooo") when asked what noise a cow makes.

This is with a momma and baby goat, which you can't really see, but Everett was happy to be in there. This is in the barn with the other babies (pigs and a lamb). It was the icing on the cake when, of all creatures, the barn cat waltzed in. Everett loves cats and was fascinated by watching him leap along beams and pens.

Surprisingly, the goats were Everett's favorite, by far. There were two goats near the fence here and he spent a lot of time running back and forth between them. Despite what this picture may indicate, I did not let him touch the goat. I did not want to treat any chomped fingers.

"Goat!"

Everett didn't care much for the chickens or any of the winged creatures, which kind of surprised me given that he always likes seeing ducks when we walk to the pond. This farm had ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens, and even a peacock.

Piglets! These piglets had so much energy. You can't tell by this picture, but they were forever racing around the pen and leaping--leaping!--over each other. Everett had a fun time watching them. Kids were allowed to pet these piglets and I helped Everett at one point, but I think he just preferred watching.

Sandbox

Lately I've been trying to think up some activities for Everett to do around the house since he is getting old enough to get restless (and grumpy because of it) sometimes. I settled on a miniature sandbox for the balcony, and he has really seemed to enjoy it. That might have something to do with the fact that he is a boy and a toddler, and so of course that means he really likes making messes.

(We do have a lid for this sandbox so the animals will stay out.)


Seeing as I make him wear one of my old shirts, clean up is as easy as taking it off and brushing off his hands and feet.


His favorite activity is grabbing as much sand as possible in both of his fists, then either walking to the railing and dumping it far below, or placing it on the lid you see behind him (on the cooler). He will put it in the bucket, but he seems to think the other ways are more fun.

All in all, I am glad I put it together for him. Seeing as the sand cost 3.99 and the toys were found in the 1.99 aisle at Target, it was an inexpensive but valuable purchase.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

The National Cherry Blossom Festival has been going on Downtown for the past week or two, and Joel and I finally got up there to see all the blossoms last night. We wanted to go over the weekend, but with General Conference we really didn't have enough time (and it has been rainy most of the other days). Last night was perfect, though cloudy, and we headed up after Joel got in from work. The only hiccup in our traveling was that we ended up fighting the crowds that were trying to get to the Wizards game and (I think) a Nationals game as well, based on the signs. It took us over an hour to get there and only about 25 minutes to get home, but other than that we really can't complain.



You can see the blossoms way in the background. They go all along the monuments and along the Potomac. It is really very pretty, but our pictures don't do them justice (it was starting to get dark). We missed all of the festivities and things, but that also means we missed the crowds, which was a very good thing.
{For those of you wanting a pregnancy shot, here you go. Now, wasn't that just so exciting? :) }

The Jefferson Memorial. This is my favorite building, for aesthetic reasons. It is very neat.

This is self-explanitory, but I will point out that you can see the Jefferson Memorial in the background to the left.

I was excited that we were there to see the sun set. It was gorgeous (again, our little camera doesn't do it justice). We took this picture toward the beginning, and the sky kept getting prettier and prettier. Unfortunately our other pictures didn't turn out very well.

Benjamin Franklin, one of my favorite people from that era.

We tried to get Everett excited about Mr. Franklin, but he didn't see the point of posing next to a chunk of metal. Go figure.

Exercising Child Restraint

Joel and I have been having an ongoing debate discussing the merits versus the drawbacks of using a toddler harness on Everett after Ashley joins us. Really what this means is this: I have been discussing the merits and Joel has been saying "no way, I am not putting my child on a leash", after which I think to myself "okay, that's fine, then you don't have to..." while picturing a trip to a busy mall--by myself--with an active and inquisitive toddler who has a penchant for running off and doesn't like the stroller (or holding hands), and a newborn baby in tow.

After considering that, a ten dollar purchase of a puppy backpack with a long tail-handle seems like the investment of a lifetime. Of my lifetime. Meaning, I will be able to go places with both children and not worry about Everett running off or yelling his head off that he can't be let out from the stroller.

So, here I am going to lay it out with all the pros and cons I've thought up about using such a restraint--okay, leash (sigh).

PROS

• Everett, being an active child who loves (lives for) roaming and exploring, will be able to do both of those things with me conveniently being able to "keep a handle" on him.


• I can manage Ashley (and her carseat, diaper bag, stroller, or snugli) while single-wristedly maintaining control of Everett's whereabouts.


• I no longer have to worry about Everett running off in parking lots, parks, stores, or down flights of stairs he can't manage (nowadays I just carry him, but that will be more difficult with the baby already in my arms).


• I will be able to let Everett burn plenty of energy when we go places because he will be able to walk around.


• He will not mind the restraint because all he cares about is getting down and walking around.


• When we go on our daily walk, Everett can actually get down and walk if he so chooses, and I don't have to worry about him executing any grand "get away from Mom as fast as possible" schemes (which are absolutely ongoing).


• Everett loves puppies and all things stuffed and cuddly.


• I have read multiple reviews of the very backpack system pictured, and all parents agree that their children actually ask to be able to wear it and have great amounts of (safe) fun being able to move around.

• Isn't it so cute?
  

• One word: SAFETY (from baby-snatchers, cars, rabid squirrels, you name it).


• Three words: PEACE OF MIND.

CONS

• Joel doesn't want me to get it.


• I may receive dirty looks from other people (probably mostly those who don't have any small children).


• I shouldn't care about the above risk, but I do.


• It is one more (albeit small) thing to cart around with us when we go places.


• It's...not....free.....?

(yeah, that's all I've got.)

This may all seem rather one-sided to you. I realize this, and I accept it, but if any of you can think of any other cons you are more than welcome to let me know what they are so I can weigh them in my decision.



And, I full well realize that in order to get Joel to come around, I may have to send him to the most crowded place I can think of, after nap time (most energy), with both kids, one stroller, and without me. I think that just might do the trick.



By the way, lest you think I feel otherwise, Joel is an absolutely amazing father who cares very deeply about my comfort and ease with the kids (and anything else), and their safety and happiness. And I sure appreciate him for it!


P.S. I have added a poll to the upper right side of this blog because I am interested in seeing what your opinions are about using child harnesses (so this is your license to be gut-wrenchingly honest). Anyone and Everyone is invited to participate (please do). Obviously this is anonymous, so answer however you feel is best. [disclaimer: I am not doing this to "prove a point" or anything; I'm just curious.]

PLAY!ground

Today Everett and I went to a playground we had never been to before. This particular playground is really nice because it has a lower level for children ages 2-5, and an upper (larger) level for the older kids. This way Everett wasn't up too high and the slides were not tall enough that I was overly concerned about him running around close to them.

Everett loved the new experience because there were a lot of walkways he could run around on (his latest thing is climbing so he can be at an elevated level). He spent most of his time with the kind of "ooooh" expression on his face that you see pictured above. There was so much for him to discover.




Here he is, about to crawl into a tunnel. He spent a lot of time crawling back and forth and thoroughly enjoying the fact that he was elevated somewhere where he could peek out at me and laugh his little head off.




Everett did not appreciate my many attempts to help him (I spent a lot of time up on the platform area with him, but later I decided to keep to the ground. There were so many railings it would have been difficult for him to fall off). He is becoming more and more independent, and gets angry when I try to hold his hand to guide him. Do you see that little step? Everett knows how to go up and down stairs, but when going down he prefers to simply step, probably because that is what he sees Joel and me doing. He gives no regard for the height of the step or the amount of steps and does not concern himself with anything to hold onto for support. As a result, he just confidently steps without even looking at the ground beneath him, bent on continuing to the next task without mobility getting in the way. When he falls he gives no indication he has even noticed and will continue happily toward what he wanted in the first place.

I love seeing his confidence and independence develop. I am glad he feels comfortable enough to take risks (although of course he doesn't see them as such, given his age), but sometimes he makes me very nervous. Because he yells and cries whenever I leave the apartment--even for a few seconds to get the mail, and even if Joel is there with him--It is encouraging to me to see that he is not so attached that he will refuse to leave my side.

**************

I have decided to include a couple of video clips of Everett having fun at the playground, which translates into him doing his latest thing and teasing me by running away and laughing heartily. There are two videos, and they are actually almost the same, but I am including them anyway. They are really only interesting for Everett's Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles, but the rest of you may enjoy them, too.

(In this first one Everett backs down the step, which is probably the only time he did it while we were there.)

He spent the entire time we were there with this much energy. It was fun for me to see him enjoying himself so much (and of course he came home and took an excellent nap, which was also a plus for me).

Everett Angst

Everett has anger management issues. The usual toddler frustrations seem to feel insurmountable to this little guy. Many of you may have or know children who, when confronted with a situation in which they need to figure out a solution (eg. fitting a block into a hole), will sit with a furrowed brow and quietly try to determine how to be successful with that particular issue. This may last a few seconds or a minute or two, but many of these children give a good attempt.

A "good attempt" for Everett is trying one or two times, then throwing said item and yelling his lungs into oblivion. He just does not have the capacity to handle the frustration. What does this mean for me as his mother? It means that I am in a constant puzzle as to whether to make him try to figure it out despite all of his frustrational yelling (I don't), or to calmly help him myself, thus feeling guilty that I may be ridding him of the opportunity to figure the issue out entirely by himself (I do).

I have determined that Everett is a hot-cold child. Nothing is ever in the middle. If I am cutting up his dinner and ask him to get his bowl, he will immediately (excitedly) hurry and bring it to me, and if I am not finished by the time he has arrived, his yells echo off the tile floor like rubber bouncy balls. His world will be ending for those few seconds I am busy (I am trying to teach him the meaning of "wait" or "one minute", but all he understands is that it means he can't have whatever it is right now). Then, the exact milisecond I am finished, his yelling evaporates into who-knows-where and he acts as if the whole thing never happend, usually with an exuberant smile spreading across his face.

In a similar manner, it is very rewarding for me to say "yes" to whatever it is he is asking for, because he gets so wildly excited that he laughs and runs to wherever the item is. He is also enthusiastically affectionate, and loves to give kisses, hugs, and cuddles.

Take these experiences and times them by one hundred, and that is roughly the amount of these kinds of outbursts (good and bad) we experience all day.

I sincerely hope I am not sounding as though I am complaining (I'm not). I am simply letting you all know just in case anyone has any brilliant ideas of how to teach a toddler to manage his anger. At his age this month, Everett is (naturally) entirely ruled by the emotions of the moment, and I can not imagine that he currently has the capacity to understand either why controlling his anger is important or how to do it. I just do not think he has this ability.

What this does make me think is that he will always struggle with anger. I may be wrong, but I am very sure that I will need to work heavily with him on how to manage frustration and anger in a more positive way as he gets older. Fortunately it will start with simple things. I am hoping that I will be able to help him find outlets that work for him and teach him ways of coping that suit his personality. Fortunately I have a couple of years to think about it because right now my idea well is bone-dry.

On another note, Everett is doing well with his cognitive skills. While his verbal skills may be lacking, I have realized over the past few days that he understands pretty much everything I say to him. He knows how to get out and put everything away, including:

• shoes (his and everyone else's)
• clothes
• bowls
• toys
• his bubble bath
• napkins to wipe up messes

He also likes to point out the picture of Jesus above his bed and say His name (it sounds like when he says "this", but he is really saying "Jesus"). He is making very good progress with words, but I have noticed he has trouble with "p" sounds and "b" sounds (when he tries they end up being "m"s).

I'm sure he'll get the hang of it soon.

Thanks for listening! Sometimes this blog is nice because it helps me sort out my thoughts.