Can You Find the "I"?

A Puzzley Afternoon

Two new puzzles arrived in the mail today for our little puzzle lover. Since cars, trucks, and buses are Liza's thing at the moment, I opened the chunky vehicle puzzle first. She was ecstatic. 

Thanks, Aunt E & Uncle B! You totally made her day!

Found!

I rotate Liza's books through her room and playroom. There are only about six on the shelf at a time. It's a concept I read about in "Simplicity Parenting". I thought it would drive her (and me!) crazy reading the same few books over and over and over again, but I was pleasantly surprised. The small number helps us focus and really fall in love with each week's selections, and there's the added bonus of less clutter in her room. I get a huge kick out of her excitement when a new group of six magically appears in her room. She treats them like long lost friends she hasn't seen in forever. 

The rest of her collection is stashed in the guest room closet, which she hadn't discovered until today. I went out to the kitchen for a minute and noticed her usually constant chatter had ceased. I found her in the guest room reconnecting with her old friends.

Window Kisses

On Memorial Day

We're feeling so thankful...

Baby Signing Time

Liza is loving the "Baby Signing Time" DVDs. They help her wait more patiently while Mama is preparing meals. She's picked up a few of the signs and approximates a few others. She also has added some new spoken words to her vocabulary, and Mama has a whole new repertoire of catchy tunes to get stuck in her head!

At the Gym

Liza had her first experience playing at Jump Up today. Pure glee is the only way I can describe her reaction. I've never seen her smile for such an extended period of time.
She loved it (and so did I)!

Dear Liza,
Today Mama did something that was hard for her.
We went to Jump Up...even though I knew there'd be kids there whose mamas aren't as germophobic as I'm used to, and even though I was pretty positive that they rarely disinfect the place (at least to my standards), and even though I was sure we'd have to take off our shoes and walk around barefoot. But, I took you anyway because I know that places like this are part of what's fun about being a kid. And, at the top of my wish list for your life is "fun".

It was all true. I wasn't fond of the smell. There were little pieces of dirt all over the carpet (which, miraculously, you chose not to eat!). The equipment was worn and visibly dirty, and there were a couple of older kids who were drawn to you and all your baby cuteness. One girl in particular couldn't seem to help herself and gave you an excited squeeze. Twice.

You climbed & you smiled. You crawled & you smiled. You squealed & you smiled. You loved the attention of those bigger kids, and
You. Smiled.
For seemingly the entire 30 minutes.
Thank you, Bitsy.
It was pure JOY watching you, and I'm so glad I didn't let my fears get in the way of your fun.
Love, Mama

Finding Her Way

While mama was busy making breakfast, Liza found a map, brought it into the kitchen, unfolded it and spent at least 10 minutes studying it intently, chatting to herself all the while.