Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Grant ~Summer 2015~

Size:
Height:  41”
Weight:  38 lbs

Grant’s is still in 4T and some 4/5 but those items usually run a little big on him.  Undies are still 4T and he wears a size 9-10 shoe.  Overall, Grant is still on the small to average size when compared to other children in his class and activities.

June

Favorite words, sayings and/or things:  When Grant is fighting sleep or bedtime he will tell us he is asleep and that he is just sleeping with his eyes open.  He can also now wink and calls it “eye winking” or “aiming.”

Funnies/Grant-isms: We got to meet Grant and Amelia’s new cousin Simon to which Grant promptly asked Ashley “how baby Simon got out.”  Ha!  Not ready for that conversation yet so we had to fumble our way through an explanation which included “God decided it was time.”  Grant also saw Simon the next day for just a brief second and said “every time I see him he gets bigger and bigger.” 


Grant takes his big brother roll seriously and loves teaching Amelia stuff… both good and bad.

Observations: Grant can buckle his five point harness by himself. 

We’ve had alot of defiance and sassiness this month it seems.  He is really pushing the limits to see exactly what he can get away with. 

Firsts/Adventures: Grant began his first organized sport:  T-ball.  When he has practice or a game it is hit or miss as to whether he will actually like it that day.  Normally, he appears to be having fun (when he isn’t playing in the sand or rolling around) but when you ask if he had fun when it’s over he normally says no.  He also had his first game this month.  He got a hit both times he was up to bat and didn’t even have to hit off the tee!


I also had the chance to go on another field trip with Grant to a dairy farm.  He loved the bus ride of course but very much enjoyed seeing the cows, heavy machinery, and feeding a calf!



Illness/Owies:  None

Matching scrapes

July

Funnies/Grant-isms: A not so proud mom moment ahead… After t-ball one afternoon, we came home and the kids played in sprinkler.  Well, when Grant decided he had to use the bathroom at some point, he pulled his undies down and pooped in the front yard.  Mind you I didn’t see this happening until he was finished and while he got scolded I was laughing so hard he probably didn’t take me seriously. 


Observations:  Grant will now dunk himself underwater and hold himself momentarily and come up (thank you Florida vacation!).  This is big progress because while he hasn’t been scared of water, at swimming lessons he was never brave enough to completely submerge himself or dunk. 

T-ball is still going well and most days he likes it.  He does well batting and enjoys that most.  His throwing has gotten better but he is still timid about catching the ball or grasping the concept of moving your glove to get the ball. 

Firsts/Adventures:  It was a jam-packed month with fun stuff!

4th of July was a blast.  We had a cookout and family over and then headed to my work to watch the big ones. 

Safety first!  Grant's outfit of choice for fireworks
Grant and Matt had their first campout in the backyard.  Grant made it the entire night and never asked to go inside. 


While boating, Grant asked to ride the tube and did well.  He didn’t ride long and asked to stop but I was happy he was brave enough to want to go out there.  He also rode the hot-dog tube which is a multi-rider tube Matt’s parents have.  They ended up tipping off while in motion and going under.  I thought Grant would freak but he didn’t.  On a different occasion, he asked to ride with me and we tipped off as well and he went under.  Unfortunately, since that episode he no longer wants to ride.  He is a little gun shy now. 


The biggest adventure included our trip to Florida which you can read about here and see pictures.  Grant loved the airplane and was a natural beach bum by the end of the week.  He loved splashing and playing, riding the boogie board and even ventured out on the paddleboard with me.  Grant got to pet a dolphin at SeaWorld and ride his first rollercoaster along with some other rides.  We fed sea lions and saw the killer whale show which he loved. 


As a family, we went to see the Minion movie in the theater and overall it was a fun family night!


We also went to the Meyer Antique Tractor Show!


Illness/Owies:  None.


August

Favorite words, sayings and/or things:  Dolphin is still a must and would come everywhere if we would let him.  Grant still loves all things trucks/tractors and tools. 

Funnies/Grant-isms:  Grant likes to clear his throat by grunting but makes sure to tell us that he is doing a throat clearing grunt not a mean/mad grunt (which he has a history of when he doesn’t get his way). 

The cutest, solitary freckle has made an appearance on Grant’s nose. 

Grant loves facts and likes learning about the Presidents with our presidential fact flash cards.  According to Grant however, the Statue of Liberty is in Washington D.C.   I guess there is some work to be done still.

Grant was steering the lawnmower on Matt’s lap and got a little too close to the mailbox.  Matt said Grant barely bumped it and the mailbox tipped right over.  Grant thought it was the most hilarious thing and was rather proud of himself.  Needless to say, it gave Matt and Grant a reason to build something.  We now have a new mailbox complete with welded angle iron post.   

Observations:  He has been talking more about being something other than a fireman when he grows up.  The latest is a policeman or to work with daddy and drive a dump truck.

We have been trying to work more on reading, sight words, and writing letters but he still shows very little interest. 

Firsts/Adventures:  We recently went to a cabin on a lake that Matt’s grandma rented and Grant swam for hours jumping off the dock and swimming from dock to the shore.

Grant attended VBS at church/daycare and his Aunt Ashley, Simon, myself, and Amelia went to the closing ceremony and singing thing then did lunch together. 

We celebrated Simon’s baptism and Grant enjoyed repeating much of what the Pastor was saying throughout the service including facts about George Pfefferkorn.  I guess we know he is listening!

Grant had his last t-ball practice this month which was probably his best all season as far as listening and participation.  Unfortunately, the last game was cancelled because of weather.


We had a cookout with several friends from daycare and the kids had so much fun.  It was a very hot day so we had the slip n slide, kiddie pool, sprinkler, and plenty of water guns.  I am kicking myself for not taking more pictures but did get this cute one of the boys. 
These boys have been together at daycare since just a couple months old.  Now everyone is beginning to part ways.
We had our first camper camping experience and Grant was so excited.  We didn’t tell him the plans right away because we didn’t want to be asked for a month when we were going camping.  A week before we had calendar that he crossed the day off to countdown.  His favorite part was probably the upper bunk in the camper and flushing the toilet but we also did some hiking, played on the playground, took a short and very rough boat ride, and roasted marshmallows.

Hiking


Grant officially started 4K.  While it isn't really too different because he is still at daycare which has an in-house 4K program he seems very excited about it. 


We squeezed in a trip to Lakeside Park to ride the rides before it closes for the season.  Grant had his first whip experience which for anyone growing up in Fond du Lac you can fully relate to.  He loved it!  We also rode the train and carousel as well as checked out the animals of course. 


This month was capped off with a surprise 80th birthday party for Matt’s Grandma Gloria.  Grant did surprisingly well without a nap. 


Waiting patiently for cake!
Illness/Owies:  None