D

I think it's fitting that Denver should get a post now! Can't forget about our little 2-year-old! Where do I even start? Denver - or D, as he is most often referred to in our house - is a one-of-a-kind little boy! Steve and I often talk about how God has big plans for this little guy. He is one of the most tender-hearted little boys I know, but also very independent and sometimes strong-willed. He has so much energy and life in him I can hardly keep up. Parenting a two-year-old boy has proven to be so much fun but also quite challenging. We are still figuring out how to train up this little boy to know Jesus, be respectful, use his manners, obey, and so many other things. I am reading Bringing up Boys right now and it has offered so much insight into the way little boys are created uniquely and helping me understand how their little minds and bodies are wired. Probably the biggest thing I've taken away from it so far is that little boys "masculinity" needs to be praised and encouraged. God created them to have a tendency towards rough-housing, climbing all over everything, being more reckless than girls, etc. I've learned I need to offer him more opportunities to do big guy things and the freedom to use that rough and tumble side. If he and Steve wrestle on the bed and the covers all end up on the floor, that's okay! Denver needs that time with his dad. If he jumps from the coffee table onto the couch then from the couch to the floor, I'm learning to be okay with that and cheer for him as he wants us to see how far he can leap. When he wants us to watch him golf ALL DAY LONG and nearly takes off our heads with his mighty swing, knocking over some of my decorations...well, I can only encourage him and say Nice shot! (with a little "be careful" in there too!)

Anyway, here are a few of Denver's favorite things to do these days.
*As always...EAT. This boy can eat with the best of them. He loves pretty much anything I make and eats veggies like a champ. He also loves to dip things. It doesn't matter what it is, he'll dip it in something if he can. Today it was his ham in peanut butter and cheetos in his milk. And this was not done to be funny, it was like it was normal for him. I just chuckle.
*Read books - we went to the library this week and checked out a big stack. His favorite is Biscuit. He loves reading Biscuit books and if you know him - you know he has a little stuffed dog named Biscuit that often sleeps with him and gets tucked in right beside.
*Watch tv and movies. Yes...this is a frequent occurrence at our house. His favorites: Curious George, Clifford, and most any other PBSKids shows. Veggie Tales come in on top for movies.
*Golf. Anyone who comes over to our house will probably get to watch Denver golf. It is crazy how good he is! Daddy is very very excited for when he can take D out to the course and play a round with him!
*Play outside. Though we've only gotten out a few times lately, we love to go for walks. Denver picks up all sorts of rocks, sticks, leaves, and carries them as we go. We went to the park this week! I carried Noelle in my baby bjorn and D walked. It was so nice out and we had a great time!
*Read his Bible and tell Bible stories. He talks about Jonah, David, and Daniel a LOT. He can tell each of the Bible stories and it is so cute to listen to.
*Get on pbskids.org and play some of the games. He can actually work the mouse or use the laptop and play. It is fun and he is learning a lot while doing it.

Denver is such a smart little boy. We are realizing that there was so much going on in his mind that is just starting to come out through his words. He knows all his letters - both upper and lower case, can count to 12, sing the abc's, spell and recognize several words, knows all his shapes and colors, and can sing quite a few songs. We haven't really "taught" him any of these things, he is just so observant and soaks everything up like a sponge.

Ok, this has gotten very long. I know this was probably boring for most people to read, but it's more for me to look back on and remember these days. I need to make a post of some of the hilarious things he says these days, but that will be for another time! I'm not getting any work done during nap time!!!
Here are a few pictures of our big boy who is growing up so much these days.

Ready to go choring with Papa Donnie....well not quite ready!:)

 Yes, he ate the whole carrot stick.

 I came into Noelle's room to find this. He heard her in the monitor and was helping get her up from nap.

 This kid will find a way to golf no matter how cold it is outside!

 CANDY

And probably my favorite. He found our box of cheez-its downstairs on top of the cupboard by the deep freeze. I should have zoomed this picture out so you could see the clothes basket turned over with his potty on top which he used to climb up onto the freezer to reach the box. Also on the floor was a little ziploc baggie he was going to put them in, but dropped on the way. Oh Denver, we love you!!!