This is part of Amber Strocel’s monthly “What I learned” link-up. Check it!
1) FACT: August is the best summer month for vacationing. The clouds parted in August after a miserable July and we finally got to swim, camp, and eat popsicles.
Bathing beauty.
2) Camping with a toddler has its up and downs.
Sleep ... finally ...
3) Put a boy in a house of girls, and watch him play with Pink Ponies and baby dolls for days.
Aw ... baby...
4) Victoria may be known as Vic-bor-ia but it has some wonderful spots for kids including a giant watering can spray park and a lovely petting zoo.
Giant watering can at Beacon Hill Park.
5) I’m not the only adoptive parent who sometimes struggles with how to chat with other adoptive parents in public.
6) Kids grow a lot between one and two. Theo is now 37″ tall, just over 3 feet, roughly half the height he’ll be as an adult. No wonder he’s often erratic and grumpy; his body is growing by the minute.
Growing!
7) Food and sleep patterns consume parents of toddlers. I am no exception. Theo frequently has Jack-in-the box nights, and it’s hard to predict when and what he’ll eat.
Raar!
8) Fruit off the bush is worth hunting for.
Fresh raspberries
9) Sometimes, it’s the simple pleasures that make summer memorable like playing in a cardboard box in a couple of inches of water in the backyard.
Who needs a pool?
What did you learn this summer?
Looks like a GREAT August! So much fun and memories are really being expressed in your pics. As for what I learned… I learned that it’s best to let your child decide when they are ready for potty training – so much less hassle and stress!
I love all of this, but that last picture is priceless!
I’ve learned that, even if you have a horrible quarrel with your siblings, they will welcome you with open arms, and you will watch the clock in wait of meeting those open arms. ♥
I love the watering can, and all of the resting and ease these pictures sing!
I learned that it is OK to dramatically change directions/plans/intentions even when they are in full swing and felt so right at the time….if staying on that course is no longer what IS best for your kid. I learned that what a kid thinks he wants, and what a kid really NEEDS can be wildly different. I learned that listening involves all the senses. I learned that public parenting (blogs) and private parenting (what we can’t share) are really important to hold onto too. I learned a lot–and loved August for that.
(pfew. thanks for the chance to scratch surface there…)
I’ve also learned that there is rarely too much moisturizer in July and August for my son’s cocoa brown beautiful skin.
What a great month! And that water park in Victoria looks amazing – will have to check that out someday. Theo is welcome to come over and play with Lilah’s babydolls anytime (that is, if she’ll relinquish them for even a moment).
I’m in love with that giant watering can – and your beautiful son! The cardboard box picture is epically frameable.
It took me a minute to figure out what was what in that watering can photo. Little person for scale! EEEK!
What did I learn? Yeesh. That I love to run and if I go three times a week I actually get better at it.
Whoa watering can.
Ah, I was just at the in-laws – did not get to the watering can though. Boo. Great pictures – all that growing is crazy isn’t it? I learned that anyone under the age of 20 is a must if you want your kid to be entertained so you can finish your conversation!
Oh wow! So fun. I love the picture of Theo playing with dolls. Ari loves dolls. I can’t believe how big he’s getting. And I so feel you on the erratic food and sleep patterns of toddlers. Yikes! They are so unpredictable!
I loved all your popsicle tweets this month