Phrases/ funny word pronunciations:
Dinosorn (Dinosaur)
Muffins (Marshmallows)
Hospital: Where kids with owies get better
“Let’s talk!” – If Tom ever puts him to sleep they always do “talking” where Tom will lie on the floor next to Scotland’s bed and they’ll chat together.
“Let’s run!” – Scotland is a running boy. I’ve purchased a variety of games lately that he loves to play together, he’ll sit intently playing and then jump up and run a few laps before returning. Basically, he’s a boy. I can’t tell you how many times I say “Thank you, thank you, thank you” for this long ranch of ours, because of the indoor track it provides Scotland.
“Another scripture story” I pull up a picture from the scriptures on my Ipad every morning at breakfast and tell Scotland the story. He’s come to love it and always requests several stories. He studies the pictures intently asking questions.
“Is Daddy at work or sleeping?” (Sad that sometimes those seem like the only two options.)
“I have an idea. . .”
“I was thinking. . .”
“What do you want to do today?”
“Sure!”
Latest developments:
Increasing desire to do things himself- Sometimes if you help him, he’ll get frustrated and demand things be returned so he can do it entirely himself. Sometimes this is wonderful. This morning as I was getting ready for church he climbed out of his high chair, took off his bib, moved his step stool to the sink and washed himself up! In trying to add more and more things that he is responsible for he now always gets his own drinks, and flatware/silverware, he throws his diapers away, usually dresses himself (with a bit of help)- though today at nap he switched his shirts of his own accord, he gets his shoes on and off mostly himself- depending on the pair, he’s in charge of putting away his dishes and all the silverware. We’re working on him cleaning up his own messes- I really need to buy a little broom and dustpan he can easily handle. He’s good at cleaning up his toys, and has been successful at running errands for me. (Scotland can you go get me some peaches from the garage?- Sure Mom!)
He continues to be mostly very obedient, often asking before attempting something. “Can I try it?” (This is his favorite part of cooking- trying every ingredient, that includes baking powder/soda, you name it! I tell myself willingness to try new things is fundamental to not having a picky eater, so I usually agree.)

Going out lookin’ for bugs!

Making connections- Friday night is movie night at our house. We’ve enjoyed some wonderful classics with Scotland lately like Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang and Dr. Doolittle. He watches very intently, and we talk throughout the show. I’m amazed at how often things he saw during movie night will resurface in everyday conversation. The other day, for example:
“Mom, maybe we could fly in this car!”
“Oh, Scotter, but cars don’t fly.”
“The car flew in the movie.”
“That’s true, the car did fly in Chitty, Chitty, Bang Bang. But that was only because the Dad made that car by himself and made it extra special so it could fly. Maybe you could ask your Dad to fix our car so it would fly.”
“Yeah. When Dad gets home I’ll ask him to fix our car so it can fly.”
(Not wanting him to be disappointed in his Dad.) Well, actually, I’m just joking, Dad couldn’t fix our car so it could fly, because our car would need wings and things if it was going to fly. . .”
Scotter continues to enjoy imaginative play. Anything can be anything in his play world.
Verbal- Scotland LOVES to talk, and does so constantly. He’s quite articulate for his age, and often surprises people with the conversations he’ll start up.
Separation anxiety- the last month he’s started to deal with some real separation anxiety- a first for us. He never wants to go to nursery, and is VERY distressed when we take him. We’ve only left him with a babysitter once since moving to Seattle and it was quite tramatic for all of us. (I think I’ve created this because I haven’t really left his side since we moved here.) He even freaked out when I left him with my Dad and sister while I was home. This has been one of the first times in parenting when I’ve been completely at a loss for what to do. I’m all for leaving him in nursery and letting him cry it out, and realize that nursery is fun. But up until last week the nursery leaders didn’t show any interest in taking him while he was shrieking and clinging to me. Tom stayed with him a few weeks and let them know that we were fine with them grabbing him and holding him while we left the room, if they were willing, and this week they did. Thank goodness. As Tom won’t be able to attend church all next month, and I have to teach second hour. He freaked out today, but calmed down and had a wonderful time. Let’s hope he’ll gradually get over the freak out!

Sewing- concentration

We’re starting to do more school work with Scotland. I’ve been impressed at the power of repitition. Just last week he traced something fairly accurately for the first time. His interest and concentration while doing worksheets is lengthening, and this week we ran out because he kept saying “Another one, another one!” He’s not much into memorizing labels. He understands the concept of two and uses it regularly in conversation, but the idea of memorizing the symbol for two just doesn’t interest him. He’s enjoying art more, especially if I do it beside him.
Books- Finally Scotland has started a real love for books. He’ll sit and listen to as many books as I’m willing to read to him these days. I’m trying to be better at stopping and reading books and various times in the day. He still rarely looks at books of his own accord, however.

I was impressed with how daring Scotland was walking out through the water to this piece of driftwood by himself. (We’d previously been sailing on it together.)

Physical- Scotland is becoming more physical. He wants to wrestle more often, and has become more daring at the playground. I’ve been quite impressed- as have other parents at the playground and store- at his ability to navigate the 15 foot rock wall for example, or intricate climbs in and out of the shopping cart. (As a rule keeper all I can think of is the blaring sign on the seat in front of me “Don’t allow your child to stand, or climb on the cart.” I won’t sue, I promise.)

Toys- Scotland LOVES to play toys. The minute Tom walks in from work he’ll call out “Wanna play toys?!” It’s fun to see how his interests change from week to week. This week he has been fixated by the idea of cars and ferries. The Ark that came with our Little People Noah’s Ark set, that previously got little attention, has suddenly become his ferry and he loves pulling down the ramp and, after lining his cars all up, he’ll drive them one by one onto the boat. “He wants a hug.”

Sweet- Scotland continues to be incredibly sweet and thoughtful. He’ll ask with his head slightly tilted, “Would you like some water?” “Sure, Scotland,” “Okay, I’ll get some water for you!” Today, at lunch, as a means of hopefully convincing Scotland to take a nap, I said “Daddy has to get up very early tomorrow, maybe he should take a nap.” Tom then pretended to fall asleep in his chair. Scotland watched him intently and then tilting his head said “You you want me to put you to sleep?” Tom said, “Yeah, will you carry me to bed.” Scotland thought about it, and replied. “I’ll hold your hand.” He then, holding Tom’s hand, walked him downstairs to our bedroom, instructed him to get on the bed, and then sang him a song and turned off the lights.
Manipulative- If I correct Scotland or discipline him he’ll start crying and say “I want Daddy!” If Tom disciplines him, he’ll bellow “I want Teddy!”
Being the leader- often when we play Scotland likes to tell me exactly how to play along. If I do something of my own accord he’ll say “No, not like that, like this.” The other day when I was scooting in a direction unpleasing to him, he said “Mom, obey!” (Apparently, we need to just make it clear that sometimes Scotland is the leader, sometimes I am the leader, and sometimes we can both do whatever we want.)
Teddy- he continues to love  his teddy. We left teddy at Grandma’s house about a month ago, and I’ve been impressed with how well Scotland has taken it. He still asks about teddy often, and cries about wanting him when he’s really tired or sad. He’ll often say “Let’s go to Grandma’s and get teddy.” But if I explain how far away teddy is, he’ll calm down and accept his fate.
Logical- Scotter continues to be very logical. You can almost always calm him down or convince him by using logic.