Gavi loves to...
- look out the window (stands on her chair to do so)
- water, water, water: wash her hands, play in the spigot in the backyard, be carried through the sprinkler, take a bath, etc.
- stand behind curtains and just hang out there
- play behind a big chair in the living room, so we've turned it into a kids clubhouse
- wear hats and headbands and minnie ears and sunglasses
- snuggle anything under her chin - stuffed animals, blankets, toy cars, remote controls
- monkey see, monkey do! Gavi does everything Leo does. They sit across from each other at the table and if Leo does something, Gavi does the same thing - both good and bad
- bite. This one is not so great
- sound like a gremlin
- drink water (so much water)
- smell flowers...and smell everything. She sucks her nose in so hard to tell us she wants to smell something, it's so funny
- doggies! And elephants too
- baby beluga (there's a seal in our book that looks like a dog and she gets so excited every time she sees it)
- She started saying "dada". Yes, this is the second child that has said dada before mama. She said dada last week, but then a few days later said mama and has said it a few times since
- she can follow instructions really well - sit down on the step, bring this to Leo, give me your foot, etc.
Leo loves to...
- scream really loud (and then Gavi follows suit and screams really loud too)
- do flips on the couch
- check on the plants outside and water them - the tomatoes and herbs on our porch as well as the planters and flowering bushes we have outside. I also have some houseplants and he monitors the new leaf growth!
- ride his bike
- help with Gavi - bring her things, try to carry her (drag her), give her snacks, make her feel better, etc.
- wear soft shorts (refuses to wear khakis or jean shorts)
- talk with our across-the-street neighbors (both the adults and their teenage daughter) - full on conversations
- get ready by himself in the morning - potty, brush teeth, pick out his clothes and get dressed, all by himself! Brad starts work at 7am so often times I come down in the morning and Leo is on the couch with Brad, watching a movie while Brad works. I think Leo waits in his room and then as soon as he hears Brad wake up, Leo gets ready and goes downstairs. We're making it work!
What they both love:
- making forts to hide in and pillow castles to jump on
- hiding in general. Why are they always hiding?
- having snacks
- eating popsicles outside
- play on the swing set
- and in the pool
- and in fountains
While this has certainly been a strain on us (and everyone), I'm secretly not hating it. I'm getting to see my kids a lot more than I would have gotten to otherwise. I get to see the cute, silly things they do daily. I get to hear the funny things Leo says, have real conversations with him, and see his brain forming. So yes, this is a really hard and scary time we're living through, but I feel lucky that I am at home, with my kids, getting to spend so much time with them. Don't get me wrong - it's hard and frustrating and none of us get any alone time - but I'm really enjoying it. For moments like this:
Bonus pictures:
