Money, Smarts, and Mission Trails

11/19/09: We opened Miles' first savings account today. He had saved $47 and change in his piggy banks over the last (almost) 3 years. He brought his huge bag of money and coins to the teller and said, “ Savings account please!” He’s getting pretty smart, and crafty.

For example yesterday, Miles was playing with a balloon in the living room. It was just a regular blow up balloon. There was a lot of static electricity in the air and the balloon stuck to the ceiling. Miles called that he needed help and I was busy in the kitchen so he announced that he had an idea and left for a minute. He came back with a broom and held up the handle tall enough to knock the balloon off the ceiling. I thought that was pretty clever for a 2.5 year old.



We went to Mission Trails yesterday with some friends. One of the other Moms thought to bring all the kids magnifying glasses to look for bugs and tracks. Miles thought that was the best idea ever and used it to look for shoe prints, ants and leaves. It was a wonderful hike, despite Miles taking his shoes off every few minutes and insisting I carry him the last half of the way back...

Lake Cuyamaca and Other Adventures

11/8/09: I started reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com) to Miles tonight. I was thinking we could do a chapter a night- if he was up to it. I wasn’t sure if he was way too young to sit through a chapter book. Well, he’s not! In fact, after the first chapter he wanted another, so we read 2 chapters and plan on the 3rd tomorrow. I’m so excited to be able to read a real book to him- something interesting and beautiful. When we get to large words like, “illumination” and “agitated” we briefly discuss them- or I give him examples of the meaning. Anyway, it was nice, and an added benefit, it seemed to make him really sleepy. Some of the books we usually read seem to actually wind him up, so this was a nice transition.



We had a busy weekend. We went to Lake Cuyamaca and rented a boat, paddled to the little island, and went on an easy hike. So beautiful. When we returned to the “mainland” Miles fed the ducks right out of his hand. He was thrilled. Then we made our way to Julian and walked for a while and had pie.

Today we went to Legoland for the first time. There are a lot of things to do for the little ones. Most of the rides had height requirements but there was so much else to do, like playgrounds, musical water fountains, trains, water games, etc…It was more fun than I had imagined it to be. I’m glad we finally went. Tomorrow we’ll be headed to the zoo again to catch up with a friend. I love the zoo walk. I’m trying to squeeze in as much walking as I can since that seems to be my only form of exercise right now.