Trick-or-Treat Practice

Today we started playing "Trick-or-Treat."

Barker thinks it's just a fun game, but in reality, it's accomplishing so much!

1. He gets used to wearing a mask
(because toddlers don't like to keep hats, masks, sunglasses etc on their heads for too long)

2. He becomes comfortable and familiar with the concept of Trick-or-Treating
(He is typically pretty shy)

3. He practices good manners and is taught what is expected from him

I often try to prepare Barker for new situations, but there are also many times I don't even think about what is completely new to him because to me, it seems normal.  How can I expect Barker to follow directions in a new setting when everything is new and overwhelming to him?

Back when Barker was an infant, I read an article about practicing opening presents and saying thank you whenever Christmas and birthdays are coming up. Basically, teaching your child to be grateful and thankful and not make faces if they don't like whatever is in the package. Now that Barker is just shy of 3, I can actually execute this idea!

First, I peaked his interest by putting masks on his stuffed animals. (And Little Brother)

Then we got out his new bucket. (Thank you McDonald's!)

Next, I set up the closet door like a house. I told Barker to knock on the door and say, "trick-or-treat" then I would give him pretend candy. After receiving the candy, he would say, "thank you," and I'd close the door.

At first he just stood there. So I prompted to get him to talk to me a little. He also thought it was super fun to pretend Legos are candy and to put them in the bucket.

Next, I let Barker be the person at the door and I was the trick-or-treater. This is where he really had fun. He liked answering the door and putting candy in my bucket. Then, I started acting whiney, mean or demanding. I taught him to say, "no candy for you" if I was not nice. Naturally, that then became his favorite part. haha

So there you go, we practiced our manners and discovered what trick-or-treating is all about. Barker has a new favorite game, and hopefully he won't be too shy as he goes out on the 31st.

Now, let's keep our fingers crossed that he is happy to be Gekko that day! Lately, he has started to choose Catboy over Gekko, but the costume is already ordered! lol We'll practice dressing up once it arrives...

Zoo Day

This week we stayed rather busy with swim lessons, play dates, errands and prepping the house for the market.

In the middle of all that, I got to take to the boys to the zoo for the first time!

A friend of mine had a guest pass for me and the littles are free, so we ended up having a zoo play date!

3 Moms

3 toddler boys that were born within a week of each other

And 3 little brothers ages 9mo, 7mo and 3mo

Barker had fun exploring the place and checking out the animals. Sometimes we'd have a stray toddler...or 3. (They looked like triplets running around) But having three moms that know how 2yr old boys work was very helpful! And after an hour or so the boys began to slow down. ;)

Just in time for some water fun!

And we ended the morning with a sweet little train ride. :)

Barker fell asleep on the way home. Apparently while taking off his shoes. Haha

Oh and did you notice we have a new van!? The best part is I can now fit the double stroller into my vehicle. :)

Well, that's all I have time to share for now. Ttfn as Tigger would say! ;)

Everyday Adventures: The Train Station

So I underestimated the bug that got our family last week. We still are recovering with our stuffy noses. That being said, Brett had to fly out while congested and had some serious pain and his ears took a day to finally open up again. Just in time to fly back home... So, he decided to take an overnight train instead.

This led to yesterday's adventure: Picking up Daddy at the Train Station!

There was a lot to see

Barker's favorite part was the free newspapers in the "mailbox" out front. 

And it ended with bringing Daddy home :) 

A fun little errand/outing that lasted about 15min with zero tears! Works for me. ;)

Barker's Growing Vocabulary

Barker is learning and using new words all the time now, so I thought I would list some of his most popular words and what they mean to him. ;)

Ball! --(always with exclamation) "ball" has multiple meanings 1. I want to go outside and golf 2. My ball is stuck under the furniture and you need to get it. 3. He sees a ball 4. His golf club or something he is using as a club

No --no, occasionally yes ;)

Wah --water, kool-aid, basically any drink in his sippy

Dad, Daddy, Dadda --he uses all three terms to refer to his dad whether he hears him coming into the room (very exciting!), looking for him, or missing him. Sometimes he just says it because he is thinking of him

Gool --aka "girl" This is how he calls and refers to our dog ("good girl") Sahara. Other dogs are often called "girl" too.

Bwett -- aka Brett, he thinks this means "I want your attention" (Hmmm I wonder how came up with that...)

Yay yay --Yay! I'm excited! I like that! =)

Up --upstairs, climb-up

Go --go ;)

Sit --sit, chair, sit down

Out --outside

Mom, Momma --I don't hear this often, but he knows who I am 

Yah --yes

Other words I've heard him try but not often include color, open, snack, under, and where. He's more a fan of one syllable words.
We are also getting head nods now which is fun. And of course he understands A LOT and is constantly pointing. It is so exciting to watch him grow, learn and communicate! =)

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We officially have an 18-Month-Old

Barker's half birthday was yesterday which now makes him 18 Months.

He has 16 teeth, is 32" tall and weighed in at 23lbs 13oz yesterday.

My mom has always said one of her favorite ages is 18 months and I totally see why. Barker is like a sponge right now learning new "tricks" and it is a lot of fun to watch. He finally started pointing to body parts when asked a couple weeks ago and quickly learns new ones to point to.

"Belly" is his favorite

 He also is experimenting even more with language. Last week we were coloring and I said, "color" and Barker would repeat, trying to say it better each time. In the end I could tell what he was saying for sure, but he managed to make "color" one syllable. haha Most of his two syllable words have become one syllable. It's quite impressive.

One of the sweetest things Barker does is bring us our shoes. Whenever he wants to go outside Barker first will find a matching pair of his shoes and place them to us. Then he will bring our own shoes. (And he almost always brings the correct shoes to the correct person, and they match!) Then, if that still doesn't work, (or we've waited to long to go outside after putting our shoes on) he will bring a hat and insist on wearing it. Then, it's time to go outside and play "ball!!" He tries to golf every day.

He simply enjoys being outside in general.

We really need to get more outside activities for him, but right now it's mostly golf and chalk.

He plays "ball" inside too, but he gets creative with his clubs. He's used a ladle, shovel, snorkel and ball popper so far.

You gotta love him!

Barker's Snacking Spot

I often give Barker snacks in little bowls and over time I started setting him up with his snacks on an end table shelf by his toddler chair. 

Now whenever I get him a snack he knows that is where it will be set up and he follows or leads me there while I set it up. 

Today I tried letting Barker carry his own bowl. I placed it in his hands and let him go. It was super cute and impressive to watch him slowly and very carefully carry his bowl of Cheerios (apple cinnamon) into the living room and to his special end table spot. Then he sat down to enjoy his snack and watch the morning news with a big, proud smile.

Hehe love him. And of course Sahara is always nearby.

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