Black Butte

Grant and Mommy got to spend part of Spring Break with Gammy and the Aunties in Black Butte. There are lots of fun things to do in Black Butte. We had fun swimming, going on walks, playing at the park, sledding, playing games, and much more. Grant's favorite thing (which I didn't get a picture of) was playing with a wooden Chinese checkers game. He would put all of the pegs in the holes, counting as he went, and then would "dump it" when he was done. His kind aunties played this with him hour upon hour. I think he even got Gammy in on it a few times. I have never seen him so focused! And, yes...I did say "counting". He is starting to count. He doesn't always get the numbers in order, but he definitely knows them all and knows quite a few in a row. Here are some pictures from our fun week.

Ready for the pool

This was before Grant got fully in...it took him a while to get used to the water.

Jumping to Auntie Kate and Gammy

Sledding with Auntie Kate

Fun in the hot tub with Auntie Addy and Mommy

Playing

It is so much fun to see Grant with his friends lately. Up until this point, most of his playing when other kids are around has been side by side. They don't really play together, just alongside each other. The other night, we had some friends over who have a little girl Grant's age. Lydia and Grant were actually playing together! They were chasing each other around the house (I know...it's starting already!), reading books, and coloring. We did have to break up a few stealing/sharing fights, but all in all it was a pretty good step in Grant's social development.

Mt. Ashland

We finally made it to Mt. Ashland as a family. The plan was that Mommy and Grant would hang out outside the lodge, slide down the hill, and make a snowman while Daddy took a couple of runs with Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Eric. Then Daddy would join us and we would play some more. Here is what actually happened...Daddy took off with everyone and Mommy took Grant to the side of the lodge to build a snowman. All Grant could say was "hungry!" and wouldn't get into the building at all. Mommy tried distracting him with sliding down the hill a couple of times, but on the second time climbing back up the hill Grant kept on walking right through the door that led into the lodge. It was only 10:00, but we ate lunch and hung out in the lodge waiting for Daddy.

When Daddy finally returned the real fun began! Grant LOVED sliding down the hill on his bottom! He wanted to slide by himself every time. He has great balance, and would stay upright even as he picked up speed. When he got going too fast, he would spin around and finally stop when Mommy or Daddy caught him at the end of hill. Then Mommy or Daddy got to carry him back up! Whew! That was a workout! But SO much fun!

The Guys at Mt. A!

Organization

So here is what I have been up to the last two days. It wasn't an all-consuming, all-day project, but it was something I wanted to get done!
Organizing Grant's toy shelf. I found this beautiful organizational tool at a garage sale last year for only $5! I cleaned it up, and it has been wonderful for containing all of Grant's toys. The other day though, I came into his room and he had "dump!"-ed all the boxes onto the floor in a huge heap. Some of his friends were over (they insisted that he did it though...which I don't doubt) and were willing to help put everything back, but they didn't know where it all went. I am a huge fan of "everything has a place". I really think that things stay cleaner if there is a specific spot for everything. So...wha-la! Organized Toy Shelf! I think Grant likes it. :)

Speaking of organization (and I think he comes by it honestly) Grant is one organized kid! He recently discovered a hidden stash of binkies I had in a drawer. Now, every time before he gets into bed he has to go get the "hidden" binkies out. When he is done taking a nap though, he knows that these binkies stay in the crib...

And these go "back in".
He makes me put them back in the drawer as soon as he is done with his nap. It is so amazing to me that he know exactly which binkies go where, and that he is so responsible to make sure they get put away when he is done with them. The other day I went to pick him up at the baby sitter's house. He was still taking a nap. We went back into the room to get him. He immediately stood up, handed her his binkies, and said "bag". My organizational heart melts! :) I think he'll do well with the organization of the toy shelf.

What would a post be without a cute picture of my boy? I got out the Easter decorations yesterday (Paul informed me that Easter is still a while away...I know!), and Grant instantly bonded with this bunny. I asked him to hold his bunny so I could take a picture. This is what I got...