Thanksgiving

It could be said that Grant was the center of attention…

Toy Rotation

Welcome to Grant's corner of the den :)



Isn't it cozy?



This corner plus a box of trains (and often a push toy of some type), in the opposite corner of the room, are all the toys he has to play with on the main floor of our house. We started with a box of toys under the coffee table. This worked until he was old enough to pull up and started getting into the bookshelves. I started pulling breakable things out and putting in toys until it seemed like toys were EVERYWHERE!

Then I read this post.

I, of course, followed her link to The Intelligent Nest post (another great blog!) and started reading all about the Montessori philosophy. I totally bought into it.

Why did Montessori think that order was so important? She believed that children are very capable, often more capable than adults are ready to or patient enough to allow. Children can learn to find and put away things that they want and need, but they cannot accomplish this if their things are never in the same spot and are scattered all about. Think of how much use that $20 puzzle you bought is if it is dropped into a toy box with a bunch of other toys, with pieces falling out and missing. Rather, a puzzle kept in the living room next to the sofa on the floor is accessible, visible and usable. The child can reach the puzzle, dump the pieces out, have no concern about loosing pieces amongst other play items, and put the puzzle back together when he is done because he can see all the pieces clearly. There is no clutter to sort through. Therefore, your child will use and learn from a puzzle more in an uncluttered location rather than a cluttered one. This principle can be applied to most toys.

I had my doubts a toy rotation would work.  I was wrong.  It has been awesome. I wouldn't say he gets super excited after I've rotated his toys, but he definitely notices. He really plays with the toys that are out much more (even the ones that aren't his favorites) and it's WAY easier for me to clean up.

I rotate them once a week and sometimes I'll keep new toys out for two weeks...I also keep a few toys in his room and sometimes I just rotate them from upstairs to down for the variety.

We also invested in a learning tower.  It's a huge, not so attractive, piece of furniture that brings a child to counter level.  Grant loves to be up!  He plays, eats snack, and helps me cook while standing in it :)



Of course, when you're up at 5am, you get tired of playing with toys inside after a few hours. We are still soaking up our outside time before winter weather really sets in!

Halloween 2013

Poor Grant was sick for his second Halloween - a fever and cough kept him home from school and away from his friends! I was much more disappointed than he was - this year I had it together ahead of time! I prepared for Trunk or Treat at school, ordered his cow costume months ago, and we practiced saying "moo" :) Luckily for us he had a chance to wear his costume the weekend before :)

We carved a pumpkin with Meg!

Grant briefly helped scoop out the pumpkin :) Too slimy!

Luckily Meg was there to finish the job...

I carved using a kitchen paring knife (I'm no expert...plus not prepared enough to buy a pumpkin carving kit), but I must say it was my best job yet!

We were planning to go to a Halloween Parade last Saturday....Grant refused to take a nap (more on that later).  SO - We put on G's costume and posed with the pumpkin :)

Sadly the parade was a no-go. Our nap striker fell asleep on the way so we watched from the car.

We did put on his costume on Halloween, take a bunch of photos, and ride his bike trick or treating at our neighbor's house - so we could say we did!

Sweetest little cow.

Mooooo.

Moo from Chelsea Tedder on Vimeo.

Tractor Parade

The highlight of Grant's fall was the Charlotte tractor parade.  Tractors, cars, trains - he has a deep love for the vehicles already :)  This event is held every year to celebrate the end of the harvest season.  This year there were over 150 tractors on parade - a toddler dream come true!

Here is the tractor lover in action :)

Tractor Parade from Chelsea Tedder on Vimeo.

Leaves

I went out to rake leaves the other day with my "helper" - he enjoyed the rake much more than the pile I made for him :)













That sweet face!  It is the reason we have made it through almost a year and a half of not really sleeping through the night :)

Fall

Our fall has been so beautiful.  We've been lucky enough to have warm weather and lots of sun (NOT typical for Vermont)...My sister shared this poem with me and it captures this season so perfectly!

"with golden string
our universe was brought to life,
that we may fall in love
everytime we open up our eyes"

I've tried to appreciate fall and not just thinking about the impending cold of winter. Brrr. I can't even imagine trying to get outside and keep my busy toddler entertained once the season changes.

Here are some glimpses into a few fun late summer and fall days!

Shelburne Farms Family night with the greats :)

And with Matt's parents when they visited!

We also went to the orchard!

Hikes :)

Beach playdates...

Playground trips...

Farmers Market!

Trip to Montreal!



With babies...

PUMPKINS!

Last but not least - Tractors!

Love

More foliage to come :)