Getting bigger

Deacon is picking up on a lot of words now. He is getting good at letting you know what he wants and tries to say what you say. Last Sunday he kept saying "Church" all day until we finally got to go (our church is at 1 pm this year). His favorite word is probably still "no," although he uses it as yes and no. He still won't say the word "yes" yet. I'm looking forward to when that happens. He likes to play with his blocks, cars, bus, airplane, climb on his chair to look outside, and is still very interested in new things. He quite enjoyed playing with a colander the other day - hey, whatever makes him happy as long as it's safe is fine with me. I'm not sure how much he weighs anymore, but he sure is getting big! He is obsessed with whatever toy Livy has. No matter what it is, he has to have it and will try and try and cry until he is either able to grab it or until she is done with it. He gets pretty upset about it usually. For the most part he is eating well. Sometimes it's still a struggle and he tells me "all done" a little too quickly, but at least he is sleeping great and all through the night still. He is a happy boy and likes to watch the "boys" on the baby channel. He also enjoys dancing, running, jumping, and watching Mickey Mouse and he especially loves to go on rides and on walks. Last Sunday our home teachers came over. While they were giving the lesson, Deacon went over and got his shoes, had Matt put them on him, then gave me my shoes and Matt his shoes and started saying "ride." Silly boy! If I haven't already said it before, he is definitely a Daddy's boy. I think his first words every morning when I get him up are "da da." He loves being with his daddy and playing with him. His favorite food is cheese for sure, but he also really likes bananas, crackers aka "doctors," rolls, and apples.

Deacon is so funny when bath time is over. He scoots his little bum down and sits on the drain to clog it so that no more water will go out. It's so funny to me and i'm surprised that he figured out that he could clog the drain and make his bath last just a little longer.

Deacon and Livy going "night-night" on their pillows together.
Sometimes they are nice to each other... sometimes.

Toddler Activity Ideas

Toddler Activities I have tried or want to try:

-Squishy Bags:
4 cups water
1 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup sugar

Heat in pan until think. When cool, pour in ziploc. Add food coloring, glitter, and toy(s) if want. Seal with tape.

-Balloon Rockets

-Sorting colored objects (can draw circles on paper in colors and sort fruit loops into the circles)

-Put a bit of water in a bowl with some measuring cups and spoons. Put them on a towel and let them play.

-Sensory bottles/jars
Need to find glitter glue and add oil

-Paint in ziploc bag taped to table

-Pushing Pom Poms in container (cut holes)

-Tape toilet paper rolls to wall and drop pom poms in them (pom pom drop)

-Stickers

-Make car track all over with masking tape (hot wheels)

-Make towers with plastic cups

-Paint inside of mason jar with glow-in-the-dark glitter paint (turn upside down on paper to dry)

-Pipe cleaners through colander or empty spice container with holes

-Easy, safe, not too messy, homemade play dough:
1 ¼ cup flour
¼ cup salt
1 package of Kool Aid
1 cup boiling water
1 ½ Tablespoon oil
Mix dry ingredients. Mix liquid ingredients. Pour together in bowl. Knead into ball. Keep in Ziploc.

-Silky soft play-dough:
1 C hair conditioner – the cheaper, the better!
2 1/2 C corn starch
In a large bowl, combine both ingredients until a dough forms then turn out the dough onto the counter dusted with corn starch.  Knead the dough, adding any additional corn starch as needed.  Store in an airtight bag or container.

-Play Dough
3 C flour
1 1/2 C salt
3 C water
3 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 C vegetable oil
Food color (I used gel coloring for a richer color)
Flavoring extracts for scent (coconut, peppermint, almond, anise)

1.  Whisk all the ingredients but the coloring together in a medium sauce pan until smooth.  Add coloring until desired color and intensity is reached.  
2.  Cook over medium-low heat until dough becomes a soft dough consistency.  You will need to stir this frequently until it begins to thicken and then constantly once it does begin to thicken.
3.  Dump dough onto heavily floured counter and knead in as much additional flour to reach a desired consistency that is not too sticky, about 1 cup.
4.  Store finished dough in an airtight bag or container.