Darby Acres Farm

The sun finally came out for five minutes in March, so we made sure to GO OUTSIDE. We found the cutest place in Charlotte called Darby Acres farm. I thought Shepard would be fascinated by all the animals...he wasn't.
What he loved more than anything were ALL THE TRACTORS that he could climb on, plus a little stash of tricycles, big wheels, etc. I mean, there were BABY GOATS, y'all, and I couldn't tear him away from the plastic big wheel. He had fun anyway. There are lots more animals, but I was sticking with him...so didn't capture all of them on video.
This is an insanely long video, but it's fine. One day I'll be cherishing every second of video I took to remember the glimmer in his eyes, his voice and expressions.

Yee haw.

While you're waiting...

...for delinquent Mama to post something funny or meaningful, here are Shepard's April 2013 "school" pictures. When did he get so big?
I will also add that the "no free time" issue that has prevented me from posting anything awesome in two months is directly tied to my little night owl who refuses to sleep before 9:45 pm and the mama who refuses to let him just run willy-nilly around the house until then.
I have a delightful backlog of items that will be getting a proper blog post.
But yes, until then...here's sweet Shepard:

 

This week, Shepard has been talking non-stop about fire ants. After our "rain walk" a few weeks ago when we saw the poor, flooded fire ants having ant parties on top of their mounds, he's been searching for and observing them. He helped Daddy eradicate several mounds from the yard yesterday. 

He's also really, really good at delaying bedtime. Here's an uncomprehensive list of tactics.

 

"I gotta go potty." --what do you say to that? I can't deny him the potty. We've barely gotten that party started as it is.

"I need some chocolate milk." --bring chocolate milk-- "NOOOOOO! I need regular milk!!!!!!"

----um. I brought you what you asked for, so that's what you have. Deal. (yes, I say this)

"Can you read Llama red pajama again?" --ad infinitum, ad nauseum

"I need to go say night-night to _________ (insert anyone here)."

*poop in diaper* *change diaper* *wash hands* --if he's on his game, he can turn this one into a good 10-15 minute situation

"Let's play blocks/cars/anythingexceptreadingabook!" --um. No.

I want to squeeze him and spank him all in the same moment. Most nights I end up falling asleep in his bed and just hope he's ok until he falls asleep himself.

 

A little song

In addition to some of the perennial toddler favorites, such as Old McDonald and Row Your Boat, Shepard also composes some of his own tunes with great vigor:


I call this one "Sunroom Tune."

SNOMG!

The video really does all the heavy lifting for me this time. Just watch and enjoy Shepard watching and enjoying his first real snow...followed by a few pictures of him in snow when he was much smaller (sigh). Sorry for the delay. I have had numerous technical difficulties getting this one saved and published (???). It's has taken about a week and a half to get it worked out. Oh well. ENJOY!

Whoa. What's going on, Mom? January 2011

 

Don't worry, I was only sitting here like this long enough for Mommy to snap three pictures.

Eating my hand at the Cracker Barrel, Bristol, TN: December 2010

It's a Snow Gang Sign.

Snug as a bug in a snowstorm. December 2010

More catch-up! Valentine

I'm so woefully behind on all this. And that darn facebook makes me think I've already shared it all...but I do want to be sure and share the good stuff HERE.

Here was our Happy Valentine's Day "card."

We went to Georgia on Feb. 8 - 10 for Mommy's 20th high school reunion and were able to get some fun shots of our fun boy. At Gigi/Pop's house and the park.

Snow shots coming soon!!!

Can I have some "catch-up" with that?

Between my video camera being stuffed in a sofa and an over-full schedule of late, I've been remiss at posting some of Tidbit's videos. I'll start catching up now. I mean, you don't mind having Christmas in February, do you?

Here's Shepard with a Christmas gift, JINGLE the dog. Jingle has an accompanying storybook and iPad app, and responds when you read certain phrases with barks and such.

Thanks Aidan and Melissa!

You cut my French toast! And other calamities.

I just read THIS WONDERFUL LIST, entitled 46 reasons why my three-year-old might be freaking out. (no, really, you should at least browse this.)

So, I'm feeling pretty inspired now. While our little man is only 2 and a half and some change, below are actual moments of freak out from HIS life. In no particular order and grouped by category.

Reasons that Shepard might freak out/melt down: 

(based on actual experiences...could also be titled "reasons that I think sometimes I might be legitimately crazy")

BANANAS:

• Someone peeled the banana. We are only to "open" it.
• The banana "broke." Into pieces. Cannot possibly eat it now. The taste is altered.
• There is a sudden remembrance that we aren't to eat seeds. (i.e. apples) Cannot eat banana.

DOORS:

• He indicates a desire to enter a particular room (usually sunroom) and the door is locked. Person unlocks door to help him enter the room, but carefully refrains from actually opening the door because person knows better.
• However, person unlocked the door of the room he wanted to enter.

BATH:

• Eager to take bath, we ensue ritual of removing clothing items before entering the water.
• While he is not actively participating in removing items that he is able to (i.e. socks), and seems ready to bathe, he is not complying with any sweet requests to assist in clothing removal.
• Socks are removed by an adult.

MERE PRESENCE:

• Mommy walked into the room. A shared room, such as a kitchen.

MILK:

• The sippy cup has suddenly become empty.
• The milk has been lost. (i.e. under the sofa, on a coaster/side table, in the fridge). These locations are all LOST/GONE!!
• Preference is water after asking for milk.

TOYS:

• Person looked at toy.
• Person put away a toy that had not been played with in at least two days.
• Person attempted to engage him in play with toys that seemed age-appropriate and fun.

GENERAL FOOD:

• Stirred yogurt.
• Cut French toast.
• Suggested salad.
• Did or did not put lid on snack-catcher.
• Used a bowl.
• Used a blue bowl.
• Used a red cup.
• Used a blue cup.
• Filled an empty cup.
• Sampled a bite to be sure it wasn't too hot.

DIAPERS/POTTY:

• Adult attempted to assist with sitting on potty after desire to sit on potty expressed and multiple attempts at climbing up unsuccessful. For the record, adult asked, was given permission in advance.
• Adult attempted to change a really wet diaper. "MY WET DIAPER!!!!"
• Adult suggested potty.
• Striped big-boy underwear are unacceptable today.

There are hundreds more, but we'll just leave it there for now.