Building Language, Part 2

In part one, we discussed the importance of using straws and talking to your child. The next step is to give everything a name. You child does not know that a table is a table unless you use that term when talking with her. By using the proper name of each object you will be providing so many new words each day. Just think about it!! In sitting down for dinner you could have 10 words alone (plate, chair, table, meat, milk, cup, corn, napkin, fork, spoon, bread...see I told you).

The important part to naming each object is to stay away from the word "it." This useful little word incessantly finds its way into our vocabulary. Our job, as parents or caregivers, is to be aware of the word it and try to use the proper name of the object, not the pronoun for it. I just did it. OH no I did it again. (See it is insidious.)

Don't stress about the word it. If you find that you said "put you cup on it" just make your statement again with the noun "put your cup on the table."

Growing so fast

Every day I look at my beautiful children and am amazed at how far they have come, how truly kind, compassionate, helpful, and strong they are.

Ethan:


-Is now seven
-has another loose tooth
-Needed new shoes and pants (he must be all legs)
-Loves to help with his sister, always wants to holds and help with her.
-won't try to change a diaper (I really don't blame him)
-Excels at math (he complains that he isn't doing the "x problems" in first grade)
-Writes detailed stories
-draws pictures with detail and action!
-has seven year old behaviors at times.....
-Loves his family and God.
-is very technical savy. He can play all types of games online and on the computer.
-reads very well. His favorite right now is Calvin and Hobbs!
-takes great pictures with his camera.

Ayla:


-Has a tooth!
-pulls up on things
-crawls, and is even starting to crawl traditionally
-parallel plays with a toddler friend at daycare (not a 10 month old skill!)
-plays catch
-can pass/ throw the ball with some direction
-is beginning to sign (she has finished and more down pat!)
-loves to laugh and smile, showing off the dimples on both cheeks
-grabs everything and puts anything in her mouth....she keeps us VERY busy
-Told grandma NO, verbally while shaking her head no, when mema tried to take the -pretty pink sparkly shoe back. Guess what Mema is getting Ayla :)
-loves food with flavor! She will eat almost anything. But for some reason won't touch peaches.
-is enthralled with puzzles! She can entertain her self for a long time.
-stacks things. I was trying to put away the train puzzle and found pieces on top of her activity cube, on top of peek-a-blocks.She is always playing with her stacking cups.

(I have to do the ages and stages assessment again, but I know she has some very advance skills)

Growing so big

Ayla has been standing in her crib for a while. She still does her funky crawl, but she moves fast. Ayla discovered cat food today...YIKES


Big Brother to the rescue!

Built a Wall

Even though he built a wall between them, Ethan put aside his differences to show his love for his sister.

This Year's Cake

This year Ethan turned 7 on the 7th! So I had to do something "great." We decided to have a bowling party complete with cake and pizza. Ethan chose Star Wars as his theme. This is what I came up with:

Belated Christmas Post

I realized with to my chigrin that I have not posted since November. So here is December in a quick blur.


Wthan and I made our first gingerbread house. We had a wonderful time. I think this will be added to our "traditions."


Ethan's Stocking


Ayla's Stocking. Santa got her a stuffed tiger, just like I got my first Christmas.