Grayson's Imagination Kickin' into High Gear

Last night, I had to check to make sure that my viseo would play in Kids Thang for Sunday morning's Word segment. I wanted to show a clip from ONe Night With the King as I'm doing the story of Esther this week. janita and I were talking when she quietly gave me the head nod to which I turned around to see Grayson. He had climbed up onto the stool in front of the other computer, had put on the headphones, and was proceeding to be the "airplane pilot" getting ready for takeoff. A full conversation was taking place. He handed me the headphones and asked me to put them on and let the passengers know to get ready for takeoff. He proceeded to punch more buttons and get ready to "fly".

Between this and his imaginary friend we have living with us now (that is another story in and of itself!), I am enjoying very much this stage of increased imagination!!

Thanks Grandpa and Gran

I kow the table gift didn't go over as we had planned, but here is what Grayson has chosen so far with his money: a new GeoTrax piece, a Backyardigans book, and a Minnie PEZ (If you look closely, you can see these smaller ones to the left of Grayson)!! Thank you!!

A Grayson First!!

It may have happened before, but this is the first that I have ever witnessed. We were at Chick-Fil-A on Indian River today to have lunch and play. Daddy is out of town and it is bitter cold for the park playing. Grayson never, and I mean never, goes into the playplace area to play. It's always "too many kids" or "too noisy" for him. Well, today he surprised me by first of all entering the room, but more than was what I heard as he was playing. MY GRAYSON MADE A RANDOM STRANGER FRIEND AT CHICK-FIL-A!!!!!

I have never seen him interact with a complete stranger like this before. Now this little boy, Noah, and his parents sat close by to eat. And if I was not mistaken by their conversations, were Christians too. He and Grayson just struck up a conversation together and proceeded to play together. He was also quieter and seemed to have a gentle spirit. He had a younger sister and interacted with her with kindness. All of these things probably made a HUGE difference.

It made me smile and say a quick prayer of thanks! Maybe my shy little boy will be okay going to school surrounded by a bunch of children. Maybe he won't be bullied, play by himself, and not speak to anyone. It actually will be okay! My sweet Grayson made a new friend today. We talked about it all the way home. So, God, thank you for little Noah, and the small impact he made in Grayson's life today!

My best friend Daddy

On the way home tonight I was discussing with Grayson that we were going to church tomorrow morning for a meeting. I told we had to leave early. He asked about morning cartoons, and I told we would have time for that, a quick bath, adn out the door. I told it was like church mornings. We had to get up and get ready like on Sunday mornings. To which came the following conversation:

Grayson: Mommy, Daddy and I are sometimes late to church on Sundays.

Me: I think that only happened once or twice though, right?

Grayson: Weeellll, somtimes we're late becasue I don't listen too well to Daddy in the morning times.

Me: Well, I don't think that's true because each Sunday morning when I come home I see that you and Daddy have stopped by for your special treats and drinks on the way home from church.

Grayson: You're wrong Mommy. I get the special treats because Daddy loves me sooo much!!

Me: (laughing) That's probably true Grayson!

Grayson: Yup, me and my Daddy are best friends!!

Don't you just love these kinds of conversations with your kids. I need to get better about recording some of these sweet moments! I am so blessed to have a man in my life like Trevor, and doubly blessed to see the relationship between my son and husband growing and being nurtured. I used to be really jealous of their obvious bond, but now I celebrate it. So here's to the 2 men of my life that are the "bestest buddies in the whole world"!

Wild and Wonderful WV!

There was no snow when Grayson was there but he had a great time anyways. A couple weeks ago we took Grayson "over the mountains and through the woods to Papa and Grandma's" we went. We actually met 1/2 way in MD, just outside of DC. It has been a while since Grayson has gone "by himself" to their house. He was so excited as were they to have him for 6 days. As you can see in the pictures they had a great time being together, and even with no reason to need the snowpants, there was still lots of fun to be had! He can't wait to come back again Papa and Grandma!!

Yes, he took a whole tub full of his favorite trains and track with him. He loves those things!!

Making his own pizza for supper! Yummy!! We've never done this at home.

Playing Bibleland with Papa before bedtime (it's a really great spin-off of Candyland!)

Morning cartoons in Papa and Grandma's bed! With blankie and thumb of course!!

Lazy Saturday Mornings

Trevor had work to do in the Office and Grayson and I couldn't go outside due to bad weather. What to do with a 3-year old needing excerise and entertainment? Indoor bowling of course! We have a perfect place in our house for this. A long hallway with hardwood floors. Just make sure the doors are closed and throw away! We had a great time bowling together, chasing the balls, setting up the pins, and even bringing Daddy out of the Office to join in once!

Valentine's Day

I hadn't been feeling well the few days before Valentine's, but when I woke up Trevor said that he wanted to take me to Cracker Barrell for breakfast. It might not sound that glamorous unless you know how much I love breakfast food and Cracker Barrell's all-day breakfast menu! The three of us got ready and went to the front door to find that there was a dusting of snow on the ground!! What another great surprise. Being a Northern girl, I'll take snow in whatever form it comes. Thank you God for that Valentine's gift!

And as you can see in the pictures, Grayson brought "his friend" with us to Valentine's breakfast. Minnie got the royal treatment at breakfast and enjoyed her pancakes fed to her by Grayson!! Look out Grayson's future girlfriends-royal treatment is on the way!! Grayson also decided he needed to bring his own digital camera to breakfast to capture the day for us.

What a great Valentine's Day: Cracker Barrell breakfast, snow on the ground, being with my 2 boys!!

Visit with Gran

My Mom comes over every Spring for a few days to visit Grayson (and Trevor and I!) on his turf. She loves to see him in his environment, play with his toys, and visit all of his favorite places here! I even get to squeeze in some game time in the evenings. I say game time, but it's always Scrabble-and yes, she still beats me almost every time!!

We loved relaxing and playing with toys, watching cartoons, having meals together, going to Grayson's 2 favorite parks, a little bit of spoiling, and just being together! Thanks Gran/Mom for coming to see us here and for the fun couple of days.

Grayson and Gran "fixing" each other's hair with the sticks from the Kerplunk game!!

We were the only ones there, so the playground became the Polar Express train, and Gran and I were Conductor Grayson's little helpers. Here Gran is on the lookout for snow and ice that may be ahead!! Oh the imagination!

"Park" playdates

We love the fact that there are so many great outdoor and indoor park options to choose from. We also love that there is one within walking distance from home and another just 3 minutes away. With the weather all over the place, we still make it a point to get out and get some fresh air. The pics below are from 3 different park dates all in the last 2 weeks. Isn't it amazing the weather changes that we have been experiencing? Coats and hats one day and short-sleeves another. Whatever the weather, all of these fun days are for my "park-loving" Grayson!

"Mommy, it's still wet"--so I proceeded to go down and came home with a wet bottom!

"You can't have any of our food"--said to the seagulls as we "picniced" in the 45 degree weather

"I don't need any help Mommy! I can do it all by myself 'cause I'm bigger now!"--he really has grown to be able to do it alone-YEAH!!

"Take my picture Mommy! I made it to the other side. Daddy will be soooo excited!!"

The unconventional way to go down the slide! (Hamilton and Grayson)

Alexander and Grayson and Hamilton--I can see you but I can't hear you!!

Digging for dinosaur bones

Hamilton loves the see-saw! Grayson not so much!

Deep thoughts from Grayson

How did a whole week and a half go by without a post? It's not for a lack of things going on! Just a few great lines from Grayson I don't want to forget:



--"I guess there's a good reason to be naked sometimes" (said on his way to go poop on the potty--and by the way, we are over that hump. that's for another post but we came back from Christmas and he has had 2 minor accidents in a month. WA-HOO!!)



--"I don't want to share, and I don't need friends. You and Daddy play with me" (but Grayson when you get bigger and go to school you need to learn to share and you'll want to have friends. even mommy and daddy have friends) "When I get bigger, I'm just going to drive a truck with my Daddy!"



I have forgotten the rest. This is why I should post every day!! I know their were 4 thoughts. If I remember, I'll add them later. Heidi, in an earlier comment I read you mentioned that you lose brain cells after each child--so I should quit while I'm ahead a little