Sign of Independence

Today we went to Costco and Henry found a cart of his own and actually pushed it around the entire store.  I was pretty amazed that he didn't abandon his cart after 5 minutes.  He was really dedicated to that thing, especially after he started collecting samples.  I had to put all the yummy things in his cart because Bea was after all the food, being the hungriest baby in the world and pooped three times while we were out.  The entire baby seat was filled with samples that he collected and saved until we got to the tables after check-out.  At some stations he took like 5 samples.  Good thing all those ladies have known him ever since he was an infant with his mohawk and love him to death.  The most darling part was that his little smiling face was peaking through the center of the baby seats.  His dimples are getting more prominent as his face thins out.  Just loving that.  He did run into quite a few people but each time he yelled, "excuse me, you're in my way!"  I apologized many times but most people didn't care since he looked so darling. 

Never too early to learn how to read?

This week I went to a preschool meeting with Henry's teachers and all the other parents.  They were detailing the abilities of children in the three age groups they teach and in Henry's age group they said that they "aren't even introducing letters this year, but they have them all around the room for the kids to see."  I was really shocked at this.  I think they seriously underestimate the abilities of most kids.  I mean, do most kids really not learn how to read until they're 5 or 6 years? If you look back on Henry's blog, he recognized all his letters at 19 months old, probably earlier, because of Signing Time and now he's learning how to read before he's four and at this point I feel like he's pretty average in his development.  I don't know.  You tell me.  Anyway, this book goes really slow and it doesn't take much time each day to go through the lessons.  Even with Henry's short attention span he absorbs exactly what he needs to so he can move on to the next lesson.  Tonight he wouldn't go to bed without doing his lesson so there we were at 9pm doing the reading lesson for 10 minutes together which also includes writing.  He LOVES reading and can't wait to show everyone what he knows, even though it's only 6 letter sounds at this point.  I highly recommend this book to teach your kid how to read. 

Boys love cold

 Henry skiing in Gammie and Grandpa's back yard.  He would go from the top of the slight hill onto the frozen pond.  They also did it with Justin's old radio flyer sled all waxed up.  It was a blast!

Henry skied for the first time before he turned two and did remarkably well.  Last year, however, he had trouble enjoying it but it seems like he's doing a lot better this year since he has his own gear and has practiced at small hills all over the neighborhood and at Gammie and Grandpa's place in CT.

We really hope and pray that he will enjoy it and can learn quickly so that Justin will always have someone to take with him on ski trips since I seem to be pregnant every single winter and can't go.  I'm looking forward to next season!

 Henry shoveling snow in our driveway.  Look at the smile on his face.

Henry and Justin skating at PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh.  The area is so beautiful because the surrounding building is made of mirrors so all the Christmas lights reflect all around you.  Henry thinks it's a temple.

Oh yeah, in case you didn't already know, I'm prego with a baby girl, due in May:)