The Toddler Chronicles, Its summer time!

The weather here in Fairbanks alaska has been great! upper 60's and 70's. It is practically beach weather! We have been loving it. After such a long cold winter, we are outside every day, sometimes twice a day. We go walking on the trail by the river in the morning and then play at the playground when we get back. In the evening we may go on a walk or play in the playground. This time of year after about 6 pm our playground is shaded, which makes it really nice. One drawback to the warmer weather is the Mosquitos! They are out in force. This time of year they are stupid. They land on you and stay. You have plenty of time to shoo them away or kill them. By the end of the summer they are fast as lightening and you hardly even know you are bit till you are scratching at this invisible bit mark. Everyone's moods seem to have lifted. Lots of people are out and about walking, riding bikes and running.

Wesley has been having a blast on the swing at the playground. He would stay in it the whole time if I let him. He can also climb up the jungle jym to the slide and goes headfirst down. He is so fun to watch. He is still a picky eater but we are slowly working on that. Last night he woke up with a sore throat. He has had a lot of drainage lately but I figured it was a cold that would work itself out. Then I found out that some of his friends had strep. He got a doctors visit today and was prescribed Azithormycin. I hope it helps. His nose has been buggerrry for way to long.

John Michael is doing lots of fun things. Today he finally figured out how to ride his little 3 wheeled bike. He was so proud of himself. He can also take off his own shirt. I try to praise him in every way that I can. I had to take underwear away from him and leave him in just pants, because he started pooping in his underwear instead of the toilet. For the last two days, he has gone in his little potty during his quiet time. I tell him how proud and glad I am that he is being such a big boy. I will introduce underwear soon, once I am sure he is trained to go to the potty and not in his pants. It is definitly a work in progress.

John Michael has entered a jumping phase. He likes to climb to high places and jump. Sometimes its ok, like when we are at the playground. Sometimes its not ok when I catch him trying to jump off the couch or the table or his dresser.

A few weeks back when there was a ton of snow in our playground, John michael climbed up to the top of this mountain of snow and was scared to get down. I came as close to him as I could but there was still some considerable distance between him and I. I told him to jump. He hesitated for just a second then jumped and landed safetly in my arms. I have often thought about this. He had the faith and the knowlegde that I would catch him even though the space between us was wide. I think that is how God is with us sometimes. He wants us to have the faith to jump into the unknown, knowing he will catch us. I really want to have faith right now because my future as a single mother is pretty far into that unknown category.