The Treadway Chronicles: Enjoying Summer

We've had fun enjoying our summer at home these past few weeks. During this time, I've noticed how Connor is becoming such a big boy. I swear, he's growing up so fast.

For example, he pretty much has all his colors down. He likes to practice a lot and he usually gets it right on the first try.

He also has begun showing more of an interest in counting. He can count all the way up to 10. The cutest is the number "5" which he calls "fibe." He still can't seem to count himself (unless it's just two things), but if you point things out for him with your finger, he'll count along and is getting really good at it.

Here is a video of Connor counting his bubbles. He loves chasing them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4EwpwBaM1U

He is also starting to show more of an interest in letters. He really likes the alphabet song, although he can only sing "A, B, C." He likes when I sing the whole thing though. He also likes practicing saying the alphabet. He can very legibly say each letter now.

Connor is also talking a lot more. People have mentioned it to me and I have to agree. He really tries to say full sentences more and more. He can't quite get them all out, but he's working on it. Of course he is still pretty shy, so if he doesn't know you well, he probably won't say a word, but take my word for it, he's a chatterbox.

Another thing that makes Connor a big boy is that he has transitioned to a toddler bed. What that means is we took one side off his crib and now that front side just has a rail on it with an opening at the front so he can crawl in and out. We also put a pillow in his bed and some sheets, so he'd get the idea of a big boy bed. The first night we did this, we were a little worried that we would constantly be going in his room to tell him to get back into bed. "No more books. No more animals or toys. It's time for bed." Well, we were surprised to learn that Connor didn't try once to get out of bed and the next morning, he waited until we arrived in his room to get out then too. The funny thing is, he'll climb in and out when we're in the room, so he can get in and out, but he just doesn't do it. I am not sure if it's because he thinks of it as his crib still and he never got out of his crib before, or if he just doesn't truly realize he can escape so easily, but either way it's pretty comical.

He also is really trying to jump. He "jumps" off of everything, but it's more of a big step. His feet don't both actually leave the ground. He tries so hard though and it's so cute to see that effort.

He has also learned how to do a forward roll in gymnastics and still continues to really enjoy his gymnastics class. He can't really get over on his own, but he likes to "flip." He loves jumping into the foam pit they have. The only thing that it seems like most of the other kids can do, but he can't is hang on a bar and swing. The coach tries to hold his hands on the bar and get him to hang on too, but his hands are just completely limp. He doesn't have the instinct or maybe the desire to hang on himself. Some of the other kids can hold on for 5 or more seconds, but Connor just immediately lets go. We're working on that.

Yesterday, he also did something that may not be developmentally advanced, but it still seemed like something older kids would be doing. When I went to pick him up from the nursery at church, after I had gone to a workout class, he was playing "Ring Around the Rosie" with two other kids. These kids were maybe three and four, but it was so cute to see them skipping in a little circle and then falling down. That's about all they were doing, but it was still so cute to see. He was trying to sing the song the whole car ride home.

He also seems to be a born athlete, although I'm sure most parents of little boys say that. He really loves all sports and is getting pretty good at a couple. He's got quite an arm and he even seems to throw balls straight and far. It surprises me sometimes when he really zings one across the room. He is also getting really good with his t-ball set. Jeff and I laugh sometimes when he hits the ball clear across the room. Clearly this game needs to be moved outside. He is also getting better at basketball. Jeff was having him run up and shoot from more of a distance the other day and he was making most of his shots. Of course he still prefers to just dunk it right in, but when he makes a shot from a distance, you can see how proud he is. Of course Daddy is thrilled that he also seems to really love golf. He is finally starting to play in the grass (for a while he only played on the cement) and he has also started to swing with both hands on the club, instead of just wacking at it with one hand. Of course he'll still revert to wacking and who can blame him, it's pretty fun. And while this may be something most toddlers do, it does seem like Connor just loves to run. He makes a path from the front door to our bedroom window and runs back and forth. Of course he wants Mommy to run too, but hey, I could use the exercise so I indulge him. We'll see where all his athleticism takes him as he gets older, but for now, it's pretty fun to watch.

Well enjoy some photos from last couple of weeks.

Last week, Connor decided to help me in the kitchen. He kept saying he was "cooking for dinner time."

We are in a severe drought, but we finally got some rain the other night and Connor and Daddy decided to run around in it. They were soaking wet.

Ahh, relief under the umbrella. What fun.

Connor has been wanting to sit in a "big boy chair" lately. It may be time to retire the high chair. That will actually be really nice to get that thing out of our way, but it's a little difficult because he gets up and wants to leave after one bite. We may have to do a booster seat with a strap to get him to stay. We'll see.

Connor pushing his favorite elephant around in the grocery cart.

Connor showing off his golfing skills.

Here is a video of Connor golfing at home. He's working on the two handed technique. What a swing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7etJKszbWo

Connor and Daddy having fun splashing on a hot day.

We've been looking for a small swingset on Craigslist and last week, we found a good one at a good price. Now Connor has a "park" in his own backyard, complete with two slides, two swings, and stuff to climb on. Fun times.

Connor trying out his new swing.

A friend in my playgroup is having a baby, so we had a baby shower/swimming playdate last week. Here, Connor is pushing a clown around in a stroller, decked out in his bathing suit.

Connor eating a yummy rice crispie treat with his buddy Alley.

I couldn't get a good picture, but he was running around the house cradling this football. He looked like a real football player.

Connor showing off his t-ball skills.

Nice hit. He can really hit it far.

Connor playing after nap time in his new big boy bed. What a cutie.

Looking snuggly in his bed. Can you see the short side rail on the side. It stops right about where his pillow is.

Jeff decided to take a mini photo shoot and he got some cute expressions of our little man. This one really shows off his cute cheeks.

A mischievous face.

Hey, what are you looking at?

Confused face. "What is going on?"

I don't know why, but I love this picture. What a face. I just want to kiss his cheeks.

This is his sweet face.

We found these random bows in our play room and Connor actually liked wearing it. So funny. He also seems to like wearing sunglasses at the moment, so he looks both cute and cool at the same time.

On Sunday, after Connor's nap, we went to Riverbend Country Club to play nine holes of golf. Connor loved it. He didn't even want to ride in the cart. He just wanted to golf. We even golfed right during his dinner time and he didn't even care. Of course Jeff was really happy to see his son so into it.