Graham has a secret...

You can read all about his secret at www.princessolson.blogspot.com

Babies in Baskets

To start with, please excuse the sideways nature of the following photograph. For some reason, this website isn't allowing me to rotate it. I've already spent too much time trying repeatedly to get it fixed but it just won't work. So, a sideways picture it is for today...

In our house, we've been working very hard lately on how to treat babies. My mom even brought over a toy bassinet that I used when I was little. Graham is very gentle with his 'baby' and often makes sure he is well fed and warm enough with a blanket. The other day, Graham and I were playing in his kitchen and he was dividing up some goldfish crackers for us to share. I had my little plate and he had his, and then he noticed his baby propped up on the floor. He placed his plate of crackers in front of the baby then paused for a moment. He quickly removed the plate and I figured he just didn't want to share. Instead, much to my surprise, he proceed to break each individual cracker into tiny pieces then put the plate back in front of his baby. His actions were so sweet and tender. For some reason, he's very aware that babies need their food in very small pieces. I think he's going to be a great big brother!

Now, to explain the picture. I had a basket of clean, folded laundry in the family room. Graham dumped it all out, pushed the laundry basket next to his baby then called out for an audience. Pretty creative way to imitate his baby if you ask me!

Belated Weekend Pics

Yesterday Graham had the opportunity to help make gingerbread cookies for the very first time. As you can see in the photos below, he got right in on the action by standing on a chair up at the counter.

Concentrating very hard on getting the molasses directly into the hole...

Spooning flour into the bowl proved to be great fun for Graham

After the cookies were baking, the real fun began for Graham. Grandpa Greer allowed Graham to play with his saxophone! Grandpa Greer doesn't play anymore so nobody, not even Graham, is lucky enough to hear a tune! Maybe if Graham asks really, really nicely, his Grandpa will cave in! :)

It doesn't get any better than a giant horn!

Fitting the mouth piece

I'm sure his look of concern is a result of an out of tune note

Cake Pan Concert

If you read Graham's letter to Santa, you'll know that he loves horns and pretending that my cake pan is a horn. Bright and early this morning, I got a 'cake pan' concert, and I thought it was entertaining enough to share since it's hard to imagine a cake pan as a horn!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Dear Santa,

There are a few things that I'd really like you to bring me this year. Other than the occasional coloring on the walls and climbing on everything I've been a very good boy this year! I have a real fascination with horns of all types. I have such a good imagination that I often take my Mama's angel food cake pan and pretend it's a horn as I march around the house yelling at Annie through the tube. I'm often discouraged from doing this, so I'd like my very own horn! The shinier the better! I'd also love a little sister! I've recently decided that Arthur and I would make great friends. Could you perhaps bring him to life and let him live at my house? If that isn't possible, I guess a baby sister will do too. I'd also love a wooden train table and I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm really getting one! My Dada doesn't think I'm old enough to understand what's in certain boxes, but I am! I saw the giant box and the picture of the train table. Don't worry though, I'll act surprised when I see it for the first time. I just can't wait to play with it! Oh yeah, have I mentioned that I'd love a baby sister? I know she can't be here on Christmas, but a picture of her would be just great!

Love,

Graham

Just a picture..

Here is a very happy Graham enjoying apple slices as an afternoon snack...

Graffiti

This afternoon Graham took his artistic talents to a new level....graffiti...TWICE!!! Early in the afternoon I caught Graham heading towards the couch (the lightly colored upholstered couch) with a bright orange crayon. It really is too bad that he's still faster than me because he was able to leave his mark all over one of the cushions. Luckily, 'washable' crayons really are washable, and I was able to completely erase all evidence of Graham's art project with nothing more than water. I took the crayons away and had a talk with Graham about crayons needing to stay on the paper. The day progressed and after Graham woke up from his nap, he was asking for his crayons. I gave them back with a reminder of crayons needing to stay on the paper. Apparently, my message didn't leave a very strong impression because as soon as the phone rang and I became involved in a conversation, Graham made his way behind a chair and drew a lovely brown circle on our lightly painted walls. This time, the crayons were put into 'Toy Jail'. We'll see what kind of a mood I'm in tomorrow, maybe he'll get them back, or maybe it will be a few days...

Since Jeff was at work missing all sorts of artsy fun at home, I decided to take a picture of Graham's artwork before I scrubbed the wall. As you can see, Graham is very proud of what he did. I never called him over to be in the picture, and I never asked him to smile....

You have to look closely, but next to Graham's head is his first graffiti.