Montessori-ing

You may have noticed, or not, that some of the things I have been trying to do with Cedrik are along the lines of Montessori.  I have fallen in love with the Montessori method.  There are only a few things that I am not at all trying to adhere to (they cross with my love for attachment parenting techniques--baby wearing, co-sleeping, etc).  Since starting to do these methods more often, Cedrik is starting to concentrate longer and do things on his own.  Jordan is so great.  He seems to trust me implicitly with finding new parenting techniques.  I am not really sure why, but he is always up for trying something new.   

Another accomplishment: Cedrik has ceased being scared to poop in the toilet!! HOORAY! 

Here we tried a transferring activity with rose petals and tweezers.  He was much more interested in the tweezers but did like watching me demonstrate how to move them from one plate to the other. 

This was just something I saw on a pinterest.  He hasn't quite figured out that the tape is a road for his trucks, but he does move (and toss) his trucks around the kitchen now--much easier than the carpet.

I have one friend.  Well, one friend who is also a Montessori fanatic...at least I think she is.  It helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of.  Also, neither of us can afford to deck out our house with Montessori "equipment" so it's nice to have someone else that "feels my pain."  We decided to start doing grace and courtesy lessons.  The first lesson we decided to try to teach the kids (her son, 3, Cedrik 20m, and her daughter, 17m) was introducing themselves politely.  Her son, Connor totally grasped the concept.  Cedrik has been introducing himself at breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, but won't say anything.  He'd rather just shake our hands.  This activity is geared towards older children, but it was still fun.  Afterwards, Adrienne (the mom/my friend)...and the rest of us made chocolate banana muffins.  They were great and all of the kids enjoyed helping make them...notices the boys' faces.  Next we will be learning how to shut doors quietly.

If you don't know what Montessori is, or want to read some great books here are some ideas (all at the library):
How to Raise an Amazing Child, The Montessori Way, Tom Seldin
Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three, Paula Polk Lillard
The Child in the Family, Maria Montessori

Cedrik The Toddler

Cedrik is only 20 months old.  At times he can be so independent.  Other times, he needs to be coddled.  This stage in his development is amazing to watch and also hard to understand.  It takes time to observe him all the while contemplating when the next melt down will be.  He can drink from a glass cup (so far he's only broken one), likes to dust and clean with water, put his boots on and takes them off, picks out his clothes, takes his underwear off.  Yes, underwear.  He's been potty training for almost a month now.  He does very well if he is reminded and it is SO nice not to have to deal with washing cloth diapers daily anymore.  The first couple of days were intense.  But I knew when he used the potty once he would understand...and he did!  It has been great.  Now if he could only learn to use it when he poops...some things are harder to learn than others.

Playdough & Valentines

Fred Head

My Friend Fred:

My Friend Fred is so cute and chunky.
He absolutely loves his sleep and hangs on me like a monkey.

He doesn't like gas bubbles, but who really does?

My Friend Fred, I LOVE you just because. 

He is 13lbs of lazy, love and smiles. He is awesome.

Asleep during tummy time...again.

glue!

I found the idea for this on a random blog...and now I can't remember where it was!  Anyway: bowl of glue, paint brush, paper, something under the paper so it doesn't get glued to the table, patience.  It was very hard to keep my mouth shut.  Especially when he insisted on tasting the glue over and over (not too many times, and it is non-toxic). :/ Eventually he realized that it in fact was not appetizing and ceased tasting.  Thank goodness.  I remembered how much fun glue actually is.  Cedrik doesn't like when his hands get dirty, so this helped him step out of his comfort zone for a few minutes.  After this day, he has insisted on putting everything in his hair.  Any guesses why???