Table Time

I try to have a short table-time activity for Landry everyday. It is just a way to add a little structure to our day and to give Landry the chance to focus on one specific task. Usually it is just coloring or doing a puzzle. But every once in a while, we'll do something a little different, like finger painting or making cards for the grandparents. A couple of days ago, I thought we'd do something a little fun and make a pig mask. Not the most creative idea in the world, but there cannot be too many steps involved when working with a 19-month old. I simply cut out two triangle ears and a round snout. I cut circles in the plate for eye-holes and drew a smile. I let Landry glue on the ears and snout and color a little on the plate. Voila, we were done. Nothing too fancy, but Landry was proud of it and thought it was fun to look through the holes.

The Wheels on the Bus

I recently found these pics on my point and shoot camera. They are from a couple of months ago, but they are too cute so I thought I'd post them. This is at the mall food court, where there are several of these riding toys. Landry and I actually went back there today and she played with another little girl in the ice cream truck. She kept grabbing the little girl's hand and turning it up so she could give her a five. Then when the little girl got really close to her face, Landry gave her a big smakaroo. Sorry, I don't have the pictures from today. I wasn't prepared.

Big Shoes To Fill

What kid doesn't like wearing their mommy's and daddy's shoes. Almost everyone can probably pull out an old picture of themselves wearing mommy's high heels or daddy's cowboy boots. Well, Landry is just like every other normal kid. Often times, she will go into our bedroom and close the door. I will walk in to find her stepping in to Cory's gigantic shoes. The only problem is his shoes are so heavy, she can't move once she gets them on. Mommy's flip-flops on the other hand are much easier to maneuver.

Proving them wrong again

I posted in a previous blog about Landry proving the experts wrong. They say Landry should be all about undressing herself right now, and dressing herself will come much later. Well, you've already seen the pictures of Landry putting on underwear. Here is a video of her dressing herself once again.

Great Toys

Ever notice how the simplest things tend to be the most intriguing to kids. I've heard people, over the years, talk about shopping for the perfect Christmas gift, only to have their child throw the toy to the side and play with the box. And what about the video of the little baby laughing hysterically just by tearing paper. Makes me wonder why we spend so much money on toys sometimes. Well, let me introduce a toy to you that is well worth the $4.99 you will spend on it......Stackable Cups. We found these at Toy-R-Us recently, and it has been a huge hit at our house. They are great because they help children learn colors, numbers, biggest to smallest, and it helps them to work on their fine motor skills. Not to mention, it can keep them busy for hours. Here is Landry demonstrating.

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake would be a very appropriate nickname for Landry, because she can eat her weight in strawberries. If she spots "trobears", as she calls them, in the refrigerator, that is what she MUST have for a snack. The other day, I offered her a bite of my dessert, which included strawberries. However, she wanted to have nothing to do with the angel food cake, vanilla pudding, or cool whip. Instead, she stuck her hand straight into my dessert and pulled out a strawberry. Go figure. I'm not complaining though. Hope she keeps her love for fruit. Makes my life a little easier.

My Buddy and Me

As most of you know, God has provided a way for me to stay home with Landry this year. I am so thankful! But last year, while I was working, God really provided a wonderful babysitter for Landry. She has become a great friend of mine and Landry has become a great friend of her boys. Reese, the middle son, is the closest in age to Landry and the one with whom she has spent the most time. Even though they are about a year apart, he and Landry are best buds. It is so cute, because it is so evident they love each other. When they see each other, both form huge smiles on their faces and run towards each other for a hug. How neat to see my little girl's first friendships form. Since Landry won't be going to their house everyday anymore, we are making it a point to spend lots of time together doing other things. Here is a morning we spent at the park. It was hard getting decent pictures of them together, but you get the idea.

Landry and Reese riding the alligator together

Slinding...kind of

That's Corie and Brayden ("Bray Bray") in the background.

The Chair

While my mom was in town, we had to go yard saleing. It's pretty much a given whenever she is visiting. We found a few things here and there, but our best find was THE CHAIR. Mom spotted this cute little recliner, which matches our living room furniture. 15 dollars later, it was ours. And well worth it. Landry loves it. She thinks she is so big climbing into her chair and kicking her feet out. As a matter of fact, it's usually the first place she goes now when she wakes up in the morning. Here are a few pics of her enjoying it.

The Newest Veuleman

Well, we'll be changing our blog name soon to include another little Veuleman. Landry gets to be a BIG SISTER!! And we could not be more excited. We're expecting the little one's arrival around March 18, or 2 weeks earlier if this baby is like Landry. Here are the baby's first pictures...

The heart-rate was strong at 176 beats per minutes.

And that is not a strange growth on the baby's head. That is the yolk sak.

Monkey Joe's, Take II

Well, I previously posted a few pictures of Landry at Monkey Joe's and promised to get some footage next time. We decided to take her back quite quickly because she enjoyed it so much. Here is a video.

As you will see, she LOVED the slide this time. Last time, it wasn't that big of deal to her. But this time, she wore me out going over and over again.

At Least She's Determined....Right?

That is what I keep telling myself when Landry puts on a show like this. With this type of determination, she can do ANYTHING, and I pray that God uses her to do amazing things for His kingdom.

She worked on this activity for about 20 minutes and NEVER gave up. I finally had to pull her away from it, once she got so upset that she banged her head on the floor. I then distracted her with a bubble bath and quickly hid the blocks.

In the mean time, does anyone have any ideas on how to tame this temper without destroying her passion? Anyone can comment. I fixed the settings so you don't have to be a member to do so. Oh, and I'm thinking of sending this video to America's Funniest Home Videos. What do you think?