Y4 - 5/365: Faux-Hawk Meets Curls?

I can't wait until his hair grows out a bit more and can be styled somewhat! I'm so in love with his curls though, I don't know if I will ever let him have it cut!!

Y4 - 4/365: Jump Start to the Week!

Today was the start of my work week this week and there is rumour that we're due for snow by the weekend (believe THAT when I see it) so when Ryan begged me to, "Go, go, go..." meaning he wanted to go outside in the garden, I thought I would humour him. It was pretty windy so into his jacket and outside we were!

There is a massive growth of wild mushrooms by a couple of the tree stumps in the lower garden and Ryan made a game out of jumping off the stump and OVER the mushrooms! I was pretty impressed!!

We also closely examined some white "berry-like" bits on a bush near his swing. I was worried he might try to eat them so I didn't object when he wanted to pull them off and see how far he could throw.

Only a couple more days of work this week and my weekend isn't far off!

Y4 - 3/365: A Bit of Home-Schooling

My schedule is a bit different this week so I decided to make use of our Monday and take Ryan to the library to return some books and check some more out. He was so helpful taking books out of his rucksack to be scanned back in and then when it was time to go, he handed me the new ones to be checked out and promptly grabbed our receipt ticket and placed it in with the books.

He's still a bit young to be excited about the library and borrowing books as he mostly wants to run around and sit on the furniture. His first book was about Charley Bear, that plays on CBeebies, so I made that one of our four choices.

He also picked one up with some lions called 'Just Like My Dad' so that was a must since he is so much like his own!

He surprised me when it was time to go home by walking ALL the way back on his own, just holding my hand! That's nearly a whole mile!!

After a good nap and an afternoon cheese sandwich, we went out to the garden for a bit more fresh air. He wandered around a bit and finally settled down by some stones where we discovered a baby snail. I did my best to follow his lead but still made sure he didn't try to pick it up and eat it.

Imagine my relief when all he wanted to do was pet him. Unfortunately, he didn't know that Mr. Snail was not as strong and solid as our cat, so his stroke of the hand ended up breaking the suction he had on the rock and he toppled into the pebbles. I decided it was probably best then to go inside before he crushed the poor thing.

Y4 - 2/365: Sunday Funsies

Em & Daz were over this afternoon with Amy for Sunday dinner. After we finished eating, the kids carried on playing with the toys and pottering around the front room...that is, until Ryan spotted something outside. It seems the new neighbours were out doing work in the garden and they had their two Labradors, whom Ryan loves (from afar).

So outside we went with toys aplenty at their fingertips!

Ryan enjoyed a good game of catch with Auntie Emma...

...and even some swinging on the "big boy" swing!

And then...theeennnn...Daddy got out the BUBBLES!!

May as well soak up this unexpected sun while it is still here. We've heard we're meant to have snow by the end of the week!!! WHAAAAAT?!

Y4 - 1/365: And The Beat Goes On...

Ryan joined me in bed early this morning, but since he didn't kick and struggle, I let him stay. However, this meant he was ready to be awake by 7 o'clock on the dot. I did my best to delay him, but he was wide awake and ready to head downstairs.

Judging by the empty space for Matt next to me, I soon realised he must have fallen asleep downstairs, so we did our best to keep quiet as long as possible. His demand for milk was quickly met to keep his whimpering down and we both sat together in the dark watching Peppa Pig and series-linked recordings of Raa Raa while Daddy slept on the sofa next to us -- clearly undisturbed.

Matt managed to carry on sleeping with as little interruption as possible while Ryan and I played all sorts of things together like puzzles, cars, catching-the-ball, and singing.

Now that I am back to work...even for just a few days a week, I sure value our time together.

Y3 - 365/365: Put a Lid On It

A lid on Year 3 of my 365 photo-blog, that is. I have decided...for now...to continue on, although I'm anxious for a new look and willing to take suggestions for background, content, etc.

Speaking of lids...(or did I just use that creatively?)...Ryan is really enjoying colouring so I am starting to trust him a little more with felt-tips. Especially now that I see he is keen to put the cap back on them himself when he is finished.

The state of his vest, however....erm, let's just hope Vanish does its job!

It was sweet when Matt returned home from work because Ryan led him by the hand over to see his artwork and proceeded to place a marker in his hand to add to the masterpiece! This was short-lived when each time Matt would add a bit, Ryan would then colour over it with his own marker, thus improving whatever Matt was drawing.

Our little guy has grown SO much and so much has changed in the past 12 months! This time last year he had little to no HAIR, much less any curls. He wasn't even properly walking yet AND he had only JUST moved into his own room from ours! He was falling asleep in his Jumperoo and still on Mommy's chest most of the time.

Now he's running full pelt in the garden ON HIS OWN, has nearly mastered steps, and gives a tight squeeze when asked for a cuddle. He even rejects cuddles and kisses on his terms with a firm "no," pets the kitty gently saying "aww" and points at everything asking, "What's that," as if it's the most interesting and amazing thing ever!

All of these things are reasons I decided it was important for me to carry on...not to mention it keeps family and friends in the States and other parts of the world updated on how we're all doing.

Some day Ryan will have a virtual living journal of sorts, chronicling his life with his crazy Mommy & Daddy and I feel the more I can add to it, the better.

Until tomorrow...bring it, year four.

Y3 - 364/365: Pulling the Plug?

I'm honestly trying to decide if I want to give a fourth year of my 365 photo-blog a go.

It's a lot of work and the older Ryan gets, the more exhausted I become and the less motivated I am to post on a nightly basis. I do enjoy taking the daily photo and I have eventually gotten around to posting each blog, but sometimes 2 weeks at a time is a bit much.

So, we shall see.