Thursday, June 10, 2010
Sugar and Spice
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Left Brain, Right Brain
Just the other day when Tyler got home from school, he rushed outside with popsicle sticks in hand so he could create this....
Hailey on the other hand grabbed a piece of paper so she could work on this....
She's had some sort of break through with letter writing the last few weeks. She still has some frustrations but we went from a couple letters to almost the whole alphabet overnight and she seems to be more accepting of her penmanship. I'm quite impressed with her grip which she has figured out all on her own. Notice which hand she is using though. I'm told right/left handedness doesn't cement itself until they are older and I've just been letting her do whatever she wants (not saying a thing). She's definitely using her left hand more and more exclusively though. Not sure how I feel about it (not that it makes a difference, it is what it is) but it seems like left handers just have a harder time of it all.
A couple more examples:
Tyler is often found doing things like this...
and this....
Hailey is often found doing things like this...
and this (tracing)...
Dave and I were talking today about all this. Hailey loves art projects and drawing and all but she LOVES doing it. Tyler on the other hand LOVES imagining what do and going and doing it. His imagination is huge right now. And Hailey is only three and it's probably not fair to compare them next to each other but still there is definitely a difference between the two.Art
I just love how he draws palm trees in lots of his pictures. I LOVE palm trees and it makes me ahppy just seeing them. I have no idea why Tyler is inspired to draw them though.
This is just a picture of a house and a tree but I love the tree...and the little critter in the tree.
Hailey was inspired by jewels the other day and spent a long time creating this master piece. Unfortunately she didn't use any glue so we had to take a quick picture of it before we lifted it up. She worked very hard on it.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Hailey at Three
3 years old
We went to the doctor today and Hailey's three year stats are:
As I think back over the past few months so much has stayed the same and so much has changed. There are characteristics that I am sure will always be a part of who Hailey is. She is still fiercely independent. She gets no greater satisfaction in life than accomplishing something all by herself. Of course when she wants to do something by herself but figures out she needs a little help it seems to be the biggest insult and nothing makes her more upset. Still she is just so able for just turning three. She gets her self dressed and undressed. She's able to go to the bathroom all by herself (when she chooses to do so), she can put on her shoes and socks, she's excellent at putting crackers on cream cheese, she's a wiz on the computer, she's already starting to read, she tries really hard to buckle her own car seat (but it is really hard and ends up being a LONG and frustrating process. every. single. time.), and she's starting to write her letters (another one of those things where she feels great pride and extreme frustration all within a matter of seconds). I'm sure there is lots more I'm forgetting but the gist of it is one of Hailey's first phrases was "Hailey do it". Now we hear, "I want to do it by myself" all the time.
A good writing example was yesterday when Tyler asked how to spell "gold" so he could write it. Hailey turned around and asked how to spell "anniversary" and then fell to the floor in sobbing tears when her "n" didn't turn out just right.
Hailey is a great talker. She speaks very clearly and uses complex words. She has a few words all her own: "bidit" and "bambaid" and a few words that are just a little mixed up in her mind: bare feet are berry feet, potatoes are tornadoes, grilled cheese is gorilla cheese. She speaks in full sentences and paragraphs but she still is working on her past tense though I happen to love the way she talks right now. Did is "doed (as in dude)" like "he doed it". Here he comes is "here comes him".
Hailey loves reading books, working on puzzles, dancing, coloring, running around the house with Ty, playing with Ty, riding her bike, swinging on swings, listening to music, and she can't get enough TV (which is why we have to limit her). She likes to play pretend and loves playing with her animals. She could still care less about dolls though.
Hailey is very excited to go to preschool next year. As a matter of fact she can hardly wait. Toddler group day is currently one of her favorite days. She adores circle time.
Hailey's emotions still run strong and wild. She can quickly flip from happy to frustrated to mad all with no notice often without any clear reason. When she is upset she needs to be by herself until she feels better. Her misery does not love company. On the flip side, she is a very funny happy girl. She can always make Tyler laugh and has a great sense of humor.
sometimes she's sweet as an angel 
....sometimes she's not
When you watch her close she is constantly observing and often copying Ty but she's definitely not a follower. You can't talk her into something she doesn't want to do. But she does learn a lot from Ty and really looks up to him. It drives her absolutely nuts when she talks to Ty and he doesn't respond (and Tyler knows this which amounts to a lot of "fun" times at our house.....ie drive your mother crazy times). When they are both in good moods Tyler and Hailey can play really well together and have the cutest conversations. All the rest of the time, Hailey has mastered the scream and whine, and most often for no reason at all.
Hailey's got some beautiful crazy hair and we are no where close to getting a haircut.
It's so fun (and sometimes challenging) to watch her grow. I can't wait to see who she turns into. Then again a big part of me wants her to stay little forever. She is already way too old for her age and is growing up way too fast.
Baseball
Swing and miss but good form
The good looking pitcher
Tyler and Dave have also started playing catch which Dave has been looking forward to for a while.
And a throw
Sometimes baseball leads to soccer.
And family muscle photos
Hailey wants in on all the action as well. She's working on her hits.
and being cute
and like to close her eyes on contact
