Little Road Trip

We decided to pack up for the day and go visit David's grandmother in "W". Landon and I haven't seen her all summer, and since this is the last official weekend of summer for us, we really needed to go. She is always so sweet to us and she is a wonderful hostess. You would never know that she is in her 80's by the way she gets around and takes care of everyone. She made a wonderful roast for lunch that we truly enjoyed!

It is so hard to get a picture of Landon sitting still. You can tell in this picture that he has one leg lowered in an attempt to make a quick escape...which he did! Ha!

Great Grandma showed Landon how to use a fingernail file, so he "filed" everyones nails.

What a great day we had visiting with Grandma.

*Update*

I blogged last Monday about Landon's great day at school. Well, the rest of the week was the same. When I would pick him up he would give me a look as if to say, "What, you are already here?" I am so happy that he is enjoying it there.

Time for a celebration!!

Last week I started taking Landon to his new school for a couple of hours each day to make the transition as painless as possible. Well, last week was anything but painless, in fact it was one of the hardest weeks I (we) have had since Landon joined our family. From Landon's perspective his new school is big, unfamiliar, and doesn't include David & I, and I really questioned whether sending him to "school" was the path that we needed to take at this time. After lots of praying I think this is where he is supposed to be. He went for 3 days last week for 2 to 3 hours each day, and each day got better and a little easier. Today was the easiest so far! When we got there Landon wanted to give his teacher a kiss, so I'm thinking 'this is good', but then it was time for me to go and he cried and didn't want me to go--it is so heartbreaking. However, his teacher is really great, she takes pictures of him playing while he is there to reassure me that he doesn't cry the whole time. I worked in my classroom today to pass the time and when it was time to pick Landon up I was greeted by one happy little guy. His teacher said that he had a super day and only cried for a few minutes after I left. Such great news...this week is definitely going to be better than last!!

My happy little guy after we got home. Don't you just love his shirt...it says, "Heads..."

"...or tails"

We got it because it has "George" (his favorite stuffed monkey) on it and Landon loves George!

Weekend Review

This picture pretty much sums up our weekend, not a whole lot went on. I love uneventful weekends, they are the best.

This is what happens when a toddler gets into the trash...

Yep, this is what I saw when I found Landon in the pantry...

1 1/2 years

My sweet boy is 1 1/2 today! I stopped doing his monthly blog updates when he turned one so it is time for an update on this precious little boy. Before I start on his update I have to admit that it has been a tough day for both of us. No, not because I'm sad that he is growing up way too fast (although he is), but I took Landon to his new daycare for two hours this morning as a transitional adjustment. His teacher said that it was a hard two hours for him, he cried and didn't want to play, however, he did like playing outside. I'm not sure who has cried more today, him or me. I pray that each day will get easier as Landon goes through this big adjustment. To help him adjust I plan to take him for a couple of hours each day until I have to be back at work later in the month. I know that we will make it through this and in no time Landon will love it there...his teacher is very sweet and there are lots of fun things to do there.

1 1/2 YEAR UPDATE

• loves to be outside
• loves to clean, throw trash away, and be a helper
• his most favorite word is "hello"
• his favorite foods are meatloaf, salmon, talapia, sloppy joes, and fruit
• enjoys listening to and "reading" books (sometimes 5 or 6 in one sitting)
• sleeps all night and loves his bed
• has 6 teeth (4 on top, 2 on bottom)
• wears size 18 months and is beginning to wear 2T
• has a monkey named George that he adores
• he is a climber, runner and a mover
• he loves the water and going to the pool
• knows the parts of his body--his knee and nose are a favorite
• loves to play "ring around the rosey"
• enjoys singing "itsy bitsy spider" and is pretty good at the motions
• goes to bed between 7:30 and 8:00 and wakes up around 7:30 the next morning
• loves to play chase and is such a giggle box when we play chase
• dances when he hears music on the television and always wants me to dance with him, he grabs my hand and pulls me to dance...so cute
• does a pretty good job of following directions, we have only had to use time-out a handful of times
• he is a sweet and loving boy, and loves to give hugs & kisses to us
• he has the luckiest parents--what did we ever do to earn this little guy?!

And a few pictures from a year ago...

This evening I told Landon to get his shoes on so that we could go play outside. Landon usually just brings me his shoes so that I can put them on him, but tonight he came out of his room and he had put them on himself!! Yes, they were on the wrong feet, but I just thought it was too cute...I was so proud of him. In this picture you can see his shoes are on the wrong feet, and as I was taking the picture Landon let out a very long winded toot so he is waving his hand back and forth as if to say, "shoo-wee". Too bad I didn't have the video on! Ha!

Trip To Albuquerque

We got back from our trip to Albuquerque last night. We spent almost a week there and had a great time! We decided to fly this time, as the thought of spending 10 hours in a car with an active toddler just doesn't sound much fun. We enjoyed some quality time with Landon's grandparents and great grandparents.

Landon got to play in a sandbox for the first time. Landon wasn't too sure about the sand so grandma showed him what to do.

Landon also got to be grandma's helper for the week, he helped her crate Molly, throw trash away and clean the floors...if you know Landon this is right up his alley!

Grandma & Grandpa have a dog named Molly and Landon was such a giggle box when she was around. They played chase and Landon would scream with excitement whenever she was around.

We spent some time with David's grandparents. It is always great visiting with them and listening to their stories from the past. We sat in their backyard, had a great visit, and ate fried chicken for dinner...yummy! After dinner David removed a small tree from his grandpa's garden and Landon was there to help.

While we were in NM we drove to Cloudcroft to visit my granddad. David's mom was so sweet to let us borrow her car for the four hour drive. Cloudcroft is a little town in the mountains and it is just so peaceful and relaxing there.

As soon as we got there my granddad greeted us and "took" Landon. Ha! I snapped this picture from the car, because before I could even get out of the car granddad was already taking Landon in the house.

We spent the majority of our time there outside since the weather was so nice...no wind, no city noises, and mild temperatures. I'm so thankful that Landon is able to meet David and I's grandparents. They are all such special people and they are such a part of who we are. Thank you granddad for letting us come visit you. After spending the night in Cloudcroft we headed back to Albuquerque.

We spent one morning at the zoo and we were there just as it was time to feed the giraffes. Gosh they have long tongues!!

The night before we left, David's mom invited the whole family over for dinner and visiting. We had fried chicken and homemade gravy...mmm good!

Landon with his grandparents...I just love his big grin.

Landon playing with his great grandma before dinner.

David's grandparents visiting with everyone after dinner.

Sandra, Aunt Nancy, and Beth.

Sandra, Aunt Nancy, and me.

The trip to Albuquerque was our last trip for the summer. We have to be back at school in two weeks...sniff sniff. So that means that we have two weeks to sleep when we want to, go to the pool when we want to, and just do whatever we want to.