Driving on the Playground

Andrew and I went shopping for a nice suit for Andrew for Easter.  We decided to check out Chandler Mall.  After walking around for a while checking out one of Jackson's favorites, a "Choo-Choo" that meanders throughout the mall, we strolled through the pet shop and then decided to let Jackson play at a play yard area near the book store.  We watched from the side lines as he darted into the area and disappeared into the excited crowd of kids sprawled throughout the toys. 

We found him first going straight for a stationary jeep complete with a steering wheel and a passenger seat.  Jackson and about 4 to 5 other toddlers meandered over to it.  A kid was in the drivers seat haphazardly spinning the steering wheel back and forth.  Jackson was too busy trying to get his foot over the rim of the jeep on the passenger side to notice the driver or the line of toddlers standing behind him eyeing the jeep.  The driver was at least 5 and very focused on driving, when he looked over to see Jackson attempting to join him.  A booming "No" came from the really annoyed driver directed at Jackson. 

All of the toddlers quickly scrambled into several different directions, tottering off as fast as their little feet would carry them, all that is, except for Jackson.  He had kept on trying to get into the jeep, completely oblivious of the drivers annoyance with him.  Once again the 5 year old, much louder this time, wailed out a loud "No" in Jacksons direction.  This time Jackson noticed, he paused and looked up and the kid driving.   Jackson's cheeks turned red, he stood up as tall as he could and at the top of his lungs Jackson half growled half roared "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" face full of anger, fists bawled.  It was obvious that Jackson wasn't going to take this, and that this kid was going to share this jeep if he had anything to do with it.

Andrew and I were baffled it hadn't been even 5 minutes since we sat down and we were clear across the play yard from him.  We had no idea what Jackson was like with other kids when we weren't there.  As soon as Jackson stood up to this kid, a little ponny-tailed girl raced in to rescue her big brother (she was 2 1/2 at the most).  She grabbed one of Jackson's arm and with all of her might was trying desperately to pull him away from the jeep and from her big brother.  Jackson however didn't budge.  He instead continued to try to climb into the jeep, dragging the girl along with him as he went.  Their mother must have looked up just then because she darted to her feet and shouted at the little girl to "let go," while racing us to the jeep.

By this time Andrew and I had finally managed to get through the maze of tots and busy kids to reach Jackson.  The mother profusely apologized for her children's behavior and openly scolded them.  We told her not to worry about it and that her son obviously had the jeep first.  Jackson during this time was kicking and screaming in mid-air, arms flailing, as we held him suspended over the coveted jeep and driver.  With each step, as we walked away, Jackson's yells grew louder and angrier as we took him out of the play yard and continued into the mall. 

Out of all of the tots in that playground that day, we learned that ours was by far the most fearless.  He couldn't care less who or how big the kid was in the driver seat of that jeep, all he knew was that this kid told him "No" and he wasn't going to take it from that kid, and it didn't seem to phase him that we were trying to interfere, he still wanted to finish this....Luckily he did get a turn with a steering wheel.  We ended up renting him a mall stroller that was a bright red fire truck with steering wheel and all (which he loved).  We had forgotten to pack his stroller that day. 

Never being very fearless myself, this play yard incident has me a little worried about what adventures Jackson may get himself into for the future and what may be ahead for him.   Life is funny that way I guess.  All I know right now is that we sure do love our little man and that is all that matters ...but perhaps, sewing some extra padding into his clothes wouldn't hurt for the time being.....just in case.

Jackson

Photo slideshow made with Smilebox

GOT TO LOVE SCIENCE: BALANCING GRAPES, THE LAW OF GRAVITY & OTHER THINGS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT FLOAT

1/14/11 Jackson (the littlest scientist) has taught me many things.   Today my lesson was all about a little bit of patience...and a lot of science.

A Balancing Act

 I watched in amazement as Jackson created a one-man-balancing show. He placed a single grape a-top of the thin straw-like rim of his sippy-cup and left it there, a true triumph! I stood there amazed, (What 15-month-old did that?), and to think that he came up with it all by himself too! His grape would stay perfectly in place until a gentle nudge would send it sprawling into the 20 or so all ready aligning the grape splattered floor. This pattern continued for several minutes, often accompanied by Jackson's small "yea!" he would give himself after the grape would stay in place.  I celebrated his little balancing science experiment with him, then removed him from his high chair and released him to wonder the room. I quickly began to attack the grape splattered all over the floor and high chair. I'd forgotten about all of the 'fun things' I'd left around the house.

Who knew? Floating Experiment Act I

After I'd conquered the high chair I began to notice how eerily quiet it had become. I quickly ran to the couch to find that Jackson was not only talented, but had been very observant as well. That's when I'd discovered 2 remotes to our T.V. bobbing in my once very full glass of water (just so you know they were floating - at least I'd like to assume he was going for some sort of scientific angle -right?) So the clean-up crew was at it again...

Apparently...This doesn't Float. Act II

A few minutes later (I was on a roll) I began to gather trash with my little helper by my side. We went from room to room. I'd just reached the bathroom, and had barely began to bend down to gather the trash, when I heard a loud "plop." I then turned to face a very somber and yet, innocent looking little face. My gaze drew me to his shadow which lead me strait to the bright red pen that laid sparkling in the bottom of the commode. So, I did what moms do, I carefully fished it out, washed and re-washed my hands and headed back to the main room..

Cause & Effect

Again my little helper had wondered off in the process and an alarming nothingness was filling the air..something else was definitely a-miss. Into the living room I went. Once there, I'd discovered an extremely soaked little boy. Every inch him was covered with water, an empty cup lay at his side and a big smile was spread across his face. He stood-up, (diaper swishing behind him) and tottered away. Oh, how I love my little scientist!  LOL What will tomorrow bring?

Oh Gravity!

P.S. In the 5 minutes it has taken me to write this, he has somehow managed to learn how to climb onto the couch all by himself (you know, the one he likes to stand on and throw himself back-first off of). Wish me luck!

Little Soccer Player

Jackson is 10 months old, he just started walking before his 10 month anniversary.  We keep trying work work with him, but more and more he wants to drop down and crawl...unless there's a soccer ball in front of him.