These are exciting time in David’s development. He’s finding more courage, that initially stems from curiousity, and he’s acting on it.  He’s climbing, jumping, running, going non-stop.   He’s all go and he’s got no time to even stop.  This is apparent in the recent hiccup in his napping.   He’s willing to relax.  For TEN minutes.   This is the part of a two year old’s development that I could leave.   Everything else, though?  Totally makes up for it.

For example: On Monday night the kids had soccer practice.  While Olivia was at hers the boys and I set off for the park.  The weather was nice and the boys (read: Davey) needed to get his mind off of falling asleep in the stroller.  I had my camera with me and was stalking the boys around the park.

“Where’s Davey?” I called out.

“Uhhhhhh, he’s sitting on that ladder thing down there,” Mikey said as he waited at the top to intercept the slide-addicted toddler.

“Oh how cute.  What a big boy!” I gushed.

And then he started to climb said ladder.  Me?  I kept snapping.

“Uhhhhh, Mama. Your son!  Your son, Mama!  YOUR. SON,” he advised rather worriedly.

“Take a chill-pill, *Dedo,” I soothed the nervous eldest son.

Of course, I swung the camera around to my backside (you know, like the pro that I am) and helped Davey cross over to the equipment that leads to the slide.   I simply marveled at the initiative that he had taken to climb up.   He wasn’t worried nor was he scared.  He was just full of ambition and guts. 

This is how I wish we all were more.  No worries, no fear…only drive and total bravery!

Back to the nap thing:

Earlier today I tweeted asking moms when their toddlers gave up their naps.  I got some great responses and pretty much decided that if it wasn’t a phase that I’d just do an hour-or-so of quiet time.  Quiet time in his bed, singing, counting, talking about stuff, reading, that kind of thing.

So, after his refusal to nap today, I brought him back downstairs.  He played for a bit and then he wanted “cullies” so I put him in his high chair.

He sat and colored for a few minutes and slowly… slowly… slowly… slowly… slowly… ever so sssssllllloooowwwwlllyyyy…..

Nap!

*Dedo:  My dad is crazy nervous when the kids are doing anything that can be remotely dangerous.

Rewind:

Fast Forward:

This picture of Benjamin is my entry for I Heart Faces Kids:

I’ve got this feeling that there’s
Something that I missed
(I could do most anything to you…)
Don’t you breathe; don’t you breathe
Something happened, that I never understood
You can’t leave; you can’t leave
Every second, dripping off my fingertips
Wage your, wage your war
Another soldier, says he’s not afraid to die
I am scared, I’m so scared
In slow motion, the blast is beautiful
Doors slam shut; doors slam shut
A clock is ticking, but it’s hidden far away
Safe and safe and sound
—Snow Patrol, Somewhere a Clock is Ticking

I can still remember how proud I felt when Mikey read his first chapter book.   Since then he’s read some pretty interesting stuff ranging from War of the Worlds to Old Yeller to any and all of the Eyewitness books.   The Harry Potter Series is his current read and he’s almost done with, the third book, The Prisoner of Azkaban.    A while back he was intimidated by the size of the books, but now he just doesn’t care.  He just wants to read more, and more, and more!

There’s a new movie coming out with one of his favorite actors, Brendan Fraiser, called Inkheart.  This movie looks so good! It’s all about the pages of books coming alive.  For a boy of almost eleven who is constantly reading and imagining various parts of the story, this movie is surely bound to be a favorite.

Great storyline PLUS Brendan Fraiser; we can’t wait!