Can We Build It? Yes We Can!

I have an amazing husband who is a very involved father. He has made it a priority.  Today, Kevin and Titus built a free 'Build and Grow' project together.  I love these bi-weekly father-son times, they get to do a fun project together.  They're given the tools, materials, an apron, and receive a patch for their accomplishments.

Grand Time with Grandparents

We had BaBa and Papa Rex stay with us for several weeks this summer during their annual trip back to the States.  Now we are trying to adjust back to normal life.  Titus enjoyed the many books his grandparents read to him multiple times a day and I enjoyed a couple of mornings of sleeping in.  Together we all enjoyed a trip to Branson/Silver Dollar City, eating out, shopping, and lots of ice cream (IT'S REALLY HOT HERE!!!!).  Papa Rex and Baba are ending their ministry in Moscow and will soon be living minutes away from us.  So, there will be lots more Papa Rex and Baba over the next several months. 

Splashing Good Time

For a little over a year I have stalked Cr*igsl*st and garage sales for a water table.  Since we currently have a postage stamp for a back yard we are a bit limited on what toys we can and can't have.   But, a water table was the perfect fit for some summertime fun. And with 3 months of 100+ degree weather this summer it was a hit! Titus loves his water table and has spent countless hours outside almost every day playing, splashing, and exploring.

Mess free finger painting

As soon as I saw this finger painting in a bag idea on Pinterest, I knew it would be a success.  Mess free for Mama and engaging for Titus; a perfect combo!   We started with two different colors of primary paint in a baggie, taped to a white piece of paper and onto Titus' little table.  I was hoping the yellow and red would mix a bit more, creating a secondary color for a fun color mixing experiment.  But it didn't really work out that way.  However, we still had a lot of fun practicing shapes, letters, and free style drawing.

"I made an 'O'!"

Just an update

Oh yes, Tuesday and Thursday mornings are still exciting at our house!

See Part 1

 

Fireworks, Family, and Fun

We enjoyed a full day on the 4th of July.  Time with family, lots of yummy summertime food, and dozens of fireworks.  Year after year it's pretty much the same old same old, but that's what makes family traditions, right?

Snakes

Chasing parachutes

Got 'em!

When the last firecracker exploded, we turned to find Titus asleep in his grandpa's arms covering his ears.  So, we loaded up the gear and our sleeping babe and pulled into our driveway 90 minutes later with our little one in the happy-sleepy state.  It just doesn't get any better than that.

Reading is fun!

One of my favorite childhood activities was our library's summer reading program.  So, when I found out Titus could join in the fun this year, I didn't hesitate to sign him up.  He loved going to the library every week to find his star, check out new books, and to color in his reading log. 

To add to the summer fun, our library also now has a computerized return book drop.  Titus loves to return his books one by one, watching the computer scan the book and then go down the conveyor belt to the different bins.  The fun at the library never ends!

Beep, Beep, Coming Through

Titus loves trucks.  He can name them all and many of the parts too.  I think we've read every children's truck related book our public library has to offer. So, when we heard that our town was having a Touch-a-Truck event we quickly wrote the date on our calendar and counted down the days.  Titus loved the event but all in all I think he was a wee bit overwhelmed.  There were hundreds of kids and parents and big trucks all packed in one large room at our convention center.  It was overwhelming for me as an adult so I can only imagine how it would feel to a two year old. 

Yes buddy, we're going up to see the trucks!

We loved the Touch-a-Truck event!  The kids were allowed to climb on, sit in, honk the horns, and explore to their hearts content. As soon as the doors opened my son made a beeline for the shiny red firetruck.  I think he could have sat there all day.

Can you guess what was up next?

 

 You're right, if you guessed a great big green tractor.

The Big Rig with it's loud horn was a hit for every kid.

And finally, what Titus had waited for with great anticipation-construction equipment.

Titus' favs!

And the best for the last-The Digger!!!  

We can't wait for next years' Touch-a-Truck event to coming rolling through.