The fair has a way of bringing out the kid in all of us. While Oliver is his own cute self as always in these photos, it is really Papie's boyish glee that must be noticed. Watching our parents interact with our children offers us a whole new angle to understanding them. I love these moments.
Oliver caught his first fish while up at Grandpa and Grandma's cabin. He loved being outdoors, going on walks with the dogs, listening to the loons, sitting around the campfire, swimming in the lake, riding the four-wheeler, and "driving" the boat.
It was fun for me to see Oliver enjoy a place and set of activities that were also so much fun for me when I was younger. I also enjoyed watching Oliver bring out the little boy in my dad. The two of them really enjoyed each other's company. This video below of my dad teaching Boon (and Oliver) how to play "fetch" offers a glimpse of this special relationship taking shape.
In the beginning of August,Oliver made a move from the crib to a big boy bed. At first he was afraid of the bed, unsure what to do with all the space. The safety gate gave him some comfort.
Concerned that he might just get of his own bed and crawl into bed with us, we told him that when he gets up in the morning he has to say "Mama, Papa, I'm awake; come get me." Lucky for us, this practice has stuck and now we wake up every morning (around 6:30am) to Oliver's sweet little voice saying "Mama, Papa, come get me." -- what a nice replacement to the previous crying that was common practice when waking up in the crib.
The photo above of Oliver sleeping ... so still ... so peaceful, almost makes me cry. Do we adults looks so beautiful when we sleep?
This July, Oliver was a special guest in Papa's linguistics class. He was invited as an "expert on child language." Talking to him in French, James had Oliver name different objects juxtaposed with other objects. I love watching Oliver maneuver so smoothly between French and English as he participates in Papa's game. While he doesn't produce much French, he understands everything James says. The video below highlights Oliver's growing vocabulary and his excitement about words.
Oliver loves his trains. It is not uncommon for him to play at his train table for an hour, organizing the track, building the bridges, and lining up the cars. He knows the names of all his train cars (Thomas the tank engine names). Mamie and Papie have encouraged Oliver's love of trains, reading him books about trains and bringing him to the local train shop, Choo Choo Bob's every time they visit.
One of Oliver's teachers at "school" took this picture. I love his smile. He looks so coy.
I feel so lucky to have found Oliver's school. His teachers are great! They give him so much love and attention. They write these notes everyday filling us in on Oliver's daily events, his new words, his favorite toys, and his burgeoning friendships. While there are hundreds of words to offer, I share here only a few.
February 26, 2008
Oliver was very focused on puzzles today. They're still a bit too challenging...but he's persistent and only needs a little help. He made some block towers and lined up cars with Keshav. He was part of a group of 6 boys reading books in the sun after lunch. when one of them said "I like the sun," Oliver smiled and said, "I like the sun too." : ) --Molly
February 28, 2008 Oliver was quite proud of his Winnie the Pooh diapers! He came charging out of the bathroom, pulled his pants down and said "Pooh diaper!" He had to show each of the teachers and a few kids too! When it was time for a diaper change, he was quick to request "Pooh diaper?" and grinned when he saw the Pooh diaper! --Molly
June 24, 2008
Oliver had a great day. He was asking where mama was and I said she was at work. "Why?" Because it was a work day. "Why?" Because Tuesdays are work days. "Why?" Because in this country people work on Tuesdays. "Why?" Because that is how it works around here. "Why is that how it works around here?" --It was quite the conversation. --Leann
May 29, 2008 Oliver had a good day. He was busy "doing" my hair with shampoo and blow dryers. While working on my hair he was talking on a cell phone and said he was calling my mom. He played with the dishes in the room. He stuck a spoon in the teapot and thought it was hilarious! Outside he was cruising around in a cozy coupe. -- Leann
July 17, 2008
Oliver had a good day--very interested in the rain he was asking Leann, "why it comes from the sky?" Told me about his sighting of a backhoe today on the street! Also, building with wonder blocks and reading many books. --Kelli