thursdAy

Yep, still A week. Today we read: Animals should definitely not wear clothing by Judi Barrett (pretty good), All For Me and None For All by Helen Lester (a little too advanced) and The Stuffed Animals Get Ready for Bed by Alison Inches (also pretty good). We talked about Animals and certain dinosaurs (ie. Allosaurus and Ankylosaurus). We also went to Walmart and discussed the fruits and veggie and whether they started with 'A' or not, he did surprisingly well. Then we came home and we made pictures with sticky foam animals, that we hung up on the fridge. We also made paper bag puppets, I told him we could make whatever kind of animal he wanted, his reply: an Allosaurus (not surprised).

Javin with his Allosauras

Our foam animal art work, the captions are: Elephant eating mouth and horn. Giraffes eating, crown monkey climbing and Alligator swimming in water.

Javin is for and against the taking of naps, depending on the day and today was an awful no nap day - I know its terrible to say, but the day just DRAGS on if I don't get a break from him. I love the dear boy, but he's a lot to deal with all day, even when he's well rested.

wednesdAy

Oh LOOK! Nemo and Dori!

We are still in the A week. Today we read Alligator Boy by Cynthia Rylant and Alligator Baby by Robert Munsch (I liked Alligator Boy better). We talked about Aquamarine, he just kept calling it Blue (I think it might be too early for colors within colors). We also talked about about Alligators and we went to the Aquarium, since Javin is still 2 he was free - awesome! It just so happened to be lunchtime while there, we ate PB&Js, Applesauce, Animal Crackers and Cucumbers.

While in the gift shop, trying to find a toy that wouldn't get covered in cat hair the minute we got home, nor would cost more than $10; I hear, "Mommy? Heehee." I turn around to this. Love this kid.

I don't want you to think my day wasn't without strife. As we were eating lunch, Javin decided he didn't want to eat his sandwich. In an effort to persuade him I pulled out the Animal Crackers, but that's when it started, the dreaded meltdown. He wouldn't stop screaming for the stinkin cookies. We had a two-minute screaming thrashing timeout and three bum smacks he was fine and finished eating.

Pictures & Preschool Dilemma

Where else would you put your finger?

Cousin Alex & Javin

Javin will turn 3 on Sept 1st, which means I could probably find a Preschool that will accept him, but do I really want to go through all the work and spend money we don't have for preschool? Plus, he isn't potty training, nor is he interested.

So...I've been toying with the idea of just doing my own mini preschool. I found this website that I'm basing my curriculum on. Time permitting we'll do 'school' from 11-3 M-F. I'm actually kind of excited, I teach Javin things everyday, but to have an actual plan is empowering (is that the right word?).

This week's letter is A.

TUESDAY-

We went to the library, which gave me a chance to teach Javin about being quiet with his mouth and feet. We got some great books with A words. Based on the books we got I gave Wed, Thur & Fri their keywords for the day. We'll read Abuela by Arthur Dorros and Alfred Digs by Lindsay Barrett George tonight.

Halloween

I know I'm a few days late, but better late than never :) I had some inspiration for Javin's costume this year seen here. I started with this:

A few days later I had THIS! The little stinker wouldn't wear his cape, which was AWESOME, by the way. And he was giving me attitude so I bribed him with the candy in his right hand.

This year the SLC Library did a "Haunted Library" for the kids, it was great. My niece, Sabrina, and nephew, Alex, came with us to it. We had a ton of fun and did a lot of chasing two-year olds :)

Cute boy

Nacho, Eskeleto & the Nun

California Trip

On our way to Sacramento at the end of July we stopped off at Tahoe. This plaque is right by the beach access point and I thought it was very descriptive of how I felt looking out at Tahoe for the first time.

Mr. Robbins jumped right into the FREEZING water, but Javin was a bit more on the cautious side.

Javin LOVED being chauffeured around by daddy.

He wouldn't get off, even though his lips were turning purple and he was shaking he wanted another ride.

So that's what he got :)

Cute little family Kodak moment @ Tahoe

Our cousin, Briana, was getting married in the Sacramento Temple - the reason behind our trip - but once we got there the ONLY thing that mattered was the fountain out front. Look at those cute toddler bottoms (mine is on the left).

Another Kodak moment

Cheese

He's only good when you bring the camera out.

After the wedding and before the reception we stopped off at the American River and had some fun. Javin mostly filled his bucket with the sand/mud.

Isn't this the most ADORABLE face ever - I could be bias :)

As some of you know...

Yesterday was my birthday, I'm 28 - ekk! Mr. Robbins and I will use any excuse to go out to eat, but we usually have Javin with us. One of my YW, Maple, was kind enough to watch him for us while we went out with Tara and Kevin. Since we hardly get dressed up to go out and my birthday only comes once a year I thought we'd take some pics.

Myself and BFF Tara - she came to my rescue a few times this week, love you! You always go above and beyond, I don't deserve a friend as good as you, but you stay and I'm not complaining :)

Mmmm..coke at Red Rock. Mmm..Flat Iron Steak. Mmm....onions and horseradish papas. It was GOOD!

Javin Turned Two :)

This is what Mr. Robbins and I got Javin for his birthday - a Strider (its a bike with no pedals, so they can learn balance and steering). He's getting pretty quick.

We had a medium-sized birthday party for Javin on the 10th at Sunnyside Park - it was super fun. Even the big boys had fun until Mags threw the Frisbee on top of the pavilion roof and had to go chase it. (Troy, Jaron, Vince, Mags and Josh)

Newlyweds Brit & Mags and nephew Josh (who helped out a TON with the party, thanks Squash!)

Javin waving to Grandpa as we open his gift. My friend Patty on the right and her cute girl Priscilla.

You can kind of see the paper airplanes I used as decor. Clarissa, Vince and Megan in the background - love you guys!

He didn't actually eat any of the cupcake, just the frosting off three of them.

Javin and Ella Dilley (cutest little sweetheart), I think they'll get married one day.

BFF Tara and boyfriend, Kevin. How's the hot dog Tara?

Ladies from my old ward, Cheryl and Kristi. When the Pull-String Pinata didn't work Kristi had a bat in her car that we used. You could tell her little boy, Alex, had some practice with a bat - he was good! Tanner and Nani were more than willing to be the first at the 'Pin the Propeller on the Plane', Tanner got it REALLY close too.

The Wrathall family, little Clara in yellow and Marian on the right in pink. Priscilla again on the left.

Opening gifts. Javin still needs help staying on task, once he opens one he just wants to play with it.

The Hardcastles and their daughter, Lia, who started out shy, but warmed right up once the candy was on the ground from the pinata.

I had a great time, sorry I didn't get more pictures of more people - I was trying to direct the party. We had a great turn out, the hot dogs and brats were delicious, the frosting on the cupcakes melted a little, but were still yummy. The games were great and the friends were in good supply. Thanks to all those that came to celebrate Javin turning 2 :)