Staying Busy

Callen is one busy little guy! I can't turn my head for more than 30 seconds, before he has pulled out the contents of an entire kitchen drawer onto the floor, emptied a basket from under the bathroom sink, or opened the lid to the toilet seat and started playing in the water (his new favorite trick that I am not so in favor of)!! There is only so much I can keep him entertained with before he is onto something else. Notice none of the things he enjoys the most are playing with his toys! With the weather being as wonderful as it has been lately, we spend a large portion of our day outside or going to an activity for Callen.

The zoo has a story time on Wednesday afternoons that we have gone to several times. Cal doesn't do well sitting and listening to the story, but he enjoys seeing the animal the 'teacher' brings along for the kids to see and pet (if able). We have petted a duck as well as learned about and observed a tarantula. After the story time is over, we usually walk around the zoo for a while and then go play at Cleveland Park. Cal has quickly become confident in his skills on the equipment. I still follow him around (I am afraid of the large openings with a 3-4ft drop to the ground), but I don't have to jump in to rescue him as much! He loves the wide open space to run and climb. He also enjoys watching all the other kids and tries to imitate them. We also walk to Rockwood Park near our house and play there. This is nice for me as well because I have been able to meet some of the neighborhood moms and their kids. It's always nice to see familiar faces when I am walking the neighborhood.

We haven't been able to make it to story time at the downtown library as often because of Cal's nap schedule. They had a special program last Monday about fire safety. Several local firemen came and rode in their firetruck. After the story time, the kids were all invited to go outside and tour the firetruck. Cal was pretty captivated with the firemen (from a distance), but didn't want to climb into the firetruck on his own.

We tried out Acrosmith gymnastics today for the first time. They have Toddler Time several times a week. Cal loved it! He loved the freedom to run around, but it was nice for the structure and ability for him to be around other kids. He took many tumbles on the soft surfaces, but you could see the excitement and happiness in his face the entire time. We will definitely be going back. Let the boy run around for an entire hour and then pass out in the car...heck yeah!

(This video was taken after we first got there and before the class started. He had no fear and started playing immediately. I was too busy chasing him the rest of the time to take any more pics or videos)

We were able to go and visit my sister, Kim, and her class this past Monday. The kids love seeing Cal, and he loves being the center of attention. He runs the hallways, draws on the board, and tries to act like all the big kids. We found the best way to keep up with Callen in a crowded room...tie a balloon to his pants! (Can you find Callen...hint...follow the red balloon!)

We are trying to stay extra busy these days. I am wanting to get back to taking Cal swimming on a regular basis, as well as going to try a story time at 10:00. As the colder weather draws near, I am trying to find things we can do indoors and out of the house. Cal enjoys being around other kids and adults, and seems to get very cranky and bored when in the house all day. If you have any other ideas for us to do, let me know. Until it gets too cold to play outdoors, we are outside as much as possible (as in after eating lunch until Doug gets home from work!).

Hide and Seek

A few weeks ago, Doug and I started playing hide and seek with Callen. Initially one of us would hide, make lots of noise for Callen to hear us, and then the one not hiding would take Cal right to where we were so he could 'find' us. After a few times of this, Callen quickly caught on to our go to hiding spots. Doug or myself would hide and the other would tell Callen to go find mommy or go find daddy. Cal would walk run to our go to hiding spots to find us. Imagine his surprise if we decided to hide somewhere new! Each time he found us, we were greeted with the biggest grin and laugh ever. 

Once he understood the game, we began taking him to hide with us (we are still working on the being quiet part!). He got so excited when he heard one of us coming to find him...you often saw his hand or head pop out of the hiding spot before you had the chance to look for him. Still, he was so excited to be playing with us.

Not too long ago, I was getting ready one morning, and turned to check on Cal. No Cal. Where did he run off to? I didn't hear his feet pitter pattering down the hall, so I was a little confused. About the time I yelled for Cal, a little head popped out of Doug and mine's closet! He quickly went back into the closet and closed the door in order to play again. 

Here is what I captured on video that day...

Since that day when he started hiding on his own, he loves to go into the closet and sit and hide. Every once in a while you see little fingers poke out the side of the door to close it more. It is too funny to see how excited he gets over such a simple game. 

This past weekend in Charleston, Oupa took an old box and made a playhouse for Callen (cut 2 holes in it...one for a door and one for a window!). Before long, Callen was poking his head in and out of the door or window to play his favorite game.

Yard Crew

As you all know, Callen loves to be outside any chance he gets. He also loves to help Doug. Whether it is watering the plants, doing chores in the basement, or working in the yard, Cal enjoys 'working' with Doug.

Doug has wanted to aerate our yard and lay new seed in it for the last few weeks. Two weekends ago, he prepped the yard by mowing the grass short and raking up all the junk. This past weekend he rented an aerator with a buddy, and the two of them ran it in the yard. Once that was done, Doug had to lay seed and water the yard. Other than when Doug was running the aerator, Cal was right there with him the entire time. This was great for me too because Cal was outside pretty much the entire day both times, so I had the inside to myself to lounge and relax do chores!

Cal is really good when he's outside. He does love to put EVERY acorn in his mouth, but quickly spits it out when you say 'out' and place your hand under his mouth. He likes to push his swing or walk over to the water spigot and hang out there for a while. Very rarely does he beeline it to the road. If anything, he walks towards the backyard where all of his riding toys are located. Doug definitely had to keep his eye on Callen while working in the yard with him, but it was pretty easy to distract him with all the tools and 'toys' Doug was using. 

Doug made Cal his own 'rake' with some left over PVC piping from the basement. (Funny thing...Cal is so used to his own rake, that he picked up our neighbor's yesterday and started raking her newly laid mulch!) He also thinks he is big enough to use all the same tools Doug uses. It is so cute to watch the boys playing working together.

Working hard with daddy

I think Doug grabbed the wrong rake!

Done raking, now it's time to water

Finished working for the day. Time to pack it all up!

Time to lay seed

Hard worker!

I told Doug we need to take advantage of his willingness to help before he expects to get paid  for doing it!

Trucks, Trucks, and more Trucks

There are several construction projects going on around us. One street over, there is a house being built and on our daily walk route, there is one house being built from the ground up as well as 2-3 remodel/additions. A few nights ago, a crew came in and stripped the road intersecting ours, and then repaved it the next day.

Cal has been enamored with all the construction activity. He can hear the trucks coming and going as well as all the sounds from the construction a street over. He quickly starts pointing and 'talking' when he hears the noises. We take many walks in the wagon or his little car over to the construction sites. Callen just stares at what all is going on. He does not take his eyes off the workers or trucks for any length of time. The workers smile and wave to Cal. Every once in a while they get a wave back! Cal also loves Thursday mornings around here because that is when all the city trucks (recycle, trash, leaf picker upper) come. He sits in his highchair, eats breakfast, and stares out the window. If he's done eating, we will stand on the front porch and wave to the men working.

Checking it all out

Making sure everything is going according to plan. I think Cal is going to make a great supervisor one day!

Watching the guys unload a truck

Heading towards the action!

Cal and I are spending lots of time outside these days...it's always a good bribe at the end of the day when I am struggling to keep him busy until Doug gets home from work. 
Let us know if you have a construction project starting at your place; we have the perfect supervisor for you!