Tactahs and Neigh-Neighs

How children develop is an amazing and curious phenomenon.  How do little ones become so interested in one or two things?  My little dinosaur LOVES tractors and horses right now.  He will identify tractors and horses (he calls them neigh-neighs) in books, in fields and on TV (gasp, I know, he's too young for TV).  I have made sure that my little dinosaur has been exposed to all toys. He has his cars and tractors, tool kit and every kind of ball you can imagine.  He also has his baby and kitchen toys.  As someone who used to teach kids to play, I follow his lead with all the toys around the house and we play many games with all his toys.

While I'm curious as to how he decided what his interests would be and what he can play with and read about for minutes (not hours, he's only 1 for goodness sake) at a time, I will entertain him and find opportunities for him to explore his current favourite things.

The last two weeks of summer, we were able to head to Old Home Week and the Exhibition, Elmira Railway Museum, the Dundas Plowing Match and Farm Day at Orwell Corner.  I have watched my little dinosaur dance with excitement when he sees tractors and horses.  It is the cutest thing to see how excited he gets and every bit of him is happy.

 Dundas Plowing Match

Elmira Railway Museum

 Reading Good Night Construction Site with Great-Grandma

So in the meantime I'm learning lots about tractors.  Green ones, blue ones, red ones and orange ones.  There are lawn mowers, excavators, dozers and trucks that also seem to fall into this category.  I love finding new places to take my little dinosaur so he can watch and learn about the machines around him.

Back on Track

It's been far too long since I've taken the time to sit and write a post.  Although the intent has been there, I have not made the time.  I'm hoping as the summer winds down and a new 'school' year starts that I'm able to get back into some healthier habits of years gone by.

Little Dinosaur and I have been busy as usual. That does not change. Neither of us enjoy being inside for any length of time. Outside is where we belong.  Thankfully, the island has lots to offer and we have enjoyed the beach, camping, and hikes through our Acadian forests.

Clintonia borealis 

As sitting up became crawling, and crawling became walking, my life in a sense has actually slowed down. I don't trust myself to keep my phone handy when my Little Dinosaur and I are out and about because he is so curious and takes off every which way to learn more about his surroundings.  Because of this, I leave my phone in the car or in the house when we are out. This has slowed down my thoughts and is allowing me to actual be present in the moment.  I'm not usually in the moment, it's a real struggle for me to just be and enjoy what's happening.  So, thankfully my little dinosaur is helping me to be in the moment.

I'll need to start carrying around my plant book as he loves all tees (trees) and plants.  It'll be good to get back to learning names of plants and trees. This is an aspect I miss from the forests and mountains of BC, as well as the marine life off Vancouver Island and the Red Sea.

Here's to a new year! Happy learning to all of us!