Always Learning

I am constantly amazed at how kids are just sponges for learning. Not only do they soak up information, but they are constantly learning new skills and navigating new sights and situations. It's understandable that Josh was wide-eyed in observation during a recent trip to Costco, but even Owen tried new foods, asked questions about uncommon products, and learned about the awesomeness of the "sample ladies." It's not surprising kids need so much sleep - all that new is exhausting.

So what have we been learning lately?

Owen - We can safely say that Owen has mastered the physical and mental skills required for potty training. Yes! Solving puzzles with this awesome Castle Logix set. Counting down - 3-2-1 Blast off! My friend Jen has started monthly "Environmental Ed" sessions for our Friday morning group. Last week the kids loved learning all about birds - what makes a bird a bird, which birds can fly, bird hunt walk complete with craft binoculars, etc. We're also trying to hit church more regularly, and Owen's a sponge for Miss Michelle's stories.

Josh - my friend Shannon says that child development works in a spiral - rotating between gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, and verbal, all the while advancing upward. Well, Josh is clearly in the gross motor quadrant these days! He's learning how to tear apart the house - unrolling toilet paper, emptying the pantry, pulling books off shelves, throwing my phone in the toilet. He's constantly trying to climb our stairs and can now get all the way up... but not down. Yikes! He's also rolling and chasing balls down the hallway. Tonight, Josh "learned" to eat fish sticks and tater tots (no, not the most healthy, but we were thrilled that he actually ate something besides crackers and yogurt).

Scott - Scott's finishing up three days of work training in Portland. Last weekend, he learned just how tough it is to participate in Bend's Big Fat Tour - nearly 80 miles on a mountain bike, 5,000 feet of climbing, 7,000 descending, over 9 hours on the bike... in one day!

Myself - Still "learning" my way toward a 1/2 marathon at the end of November. I've also been attempting to learn something more about raising boys - good idea, huh!? I was just getting ready to dive into Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys. The, almost simultaneously, Sarah loaned me Boys Adrift, we received an advance copy of Brain Rules for Baby (thanks Peg!), and our daycare asked all parents to read The Power of Play. Yikes! I'm so excited to dive into all of them. Where to start?

Coming up: swim lessons for both boys start on Friday.

What are you learning these days?