Great Expectations

Over the summer we were rather lax about clothing, and we were lucky to get the Llama into a shirt let alone any other clothes. The only time he got fully dressed was when were were going out for a walk (rare with the high summer temps) or out to the store. But as the weather gets colder we've been trying to keep him dressed so he stays warm. Unfortunately, he has come to associate pants with going out. So once we have him dressed in the morning he gets really excited, and then really upset when he realizes we aren't taking him out right then.

Things like that have been happening a lot recently, the Llama will get an idea in his head, and get really excited about whatever he expects, and then has a meltdown if it doesn't happen. This is quite normal, but so hard for us. I know how it feels to expect something and get your hopes up and get really excited, and then not have it work out. Its a real downer! We've been working on emotion coaching and delayed gratification, but he's still young and that stuff is still a bit advanced for him, so for now we just let him know we understand.

But I gotta admit it's really hard to see him so sad. I know that sometimes to an adult the things he gets upset over seem trivial, but he's just a toddler and things are different for him; the world is so much bigger and the little things are so much bigger to him too. I know he'll understand and learn how to handle his disappointment, but for now all I can do is hug my little boy because he really wanted to go for a walk, but we aren't going until later and he doesn't understand.

NY Sheep and Wool

Warning! Tons of pictures!

We just got back from the NY Sheep and Wool Festival. I didn't buy any yarn this year, but The Llama got to see a ton of his namesakes, and pet tons of sheep and goats.

It was a beautiful ride down (and back) but The Llama missed most of it because he fell asleep both ways.






We arrived just in time for the llama parade. We couldn’t really get close enough to pet any of them, but The Llama enjoyed pointing at them, and there was much squealing and giggling.



After a break for a snack and some time to run around we headed over to the sheep barn. The Llama LOVED petting the sheep, and kept trying to rub his face against them (we have a cat and he has learned from her how to show affection) he was fascinated when they Baa-ed and kept baa-ing back.















Then it was over to the goats. We started to watch an angora goat getting its first shearing, but it was a bit distressed and The Llama started to get upset so we moved on. The Llama enjoyed petting the goats too, but was startled when a few decided to ram at their neighbors. One nice lady let him feed her goats, which was really fun. After that he kept trying to give all the animals bits of hay.







On our way out of the barn we spotted some mini sheep (Shetlands) and we had to stop and pet them too!



After that we wandered around some more, went through the Llama barn (the Llamas weren't very sociable, so no pictures), tasted and bought some cheese, and sat down to eat another snack and have another run around, then it was time to head home. Now we are relaxing after a very fun filled day!

I-Spy

The other day I joined a Swap Bot swap where we had to make an I-Spy postcard to send to our partners.

I drew mine up on 8.5x11 paper first then scanned it in to print out on my postcards to send to each of my partners.

Anyway, after I scanned it I printed a full size test sheet and gave it to The Llama, and he had a fun time pointing out the different items and coloring it in. so I figured I would post the full sized image here too so everybody could enjoy it!



(Click on the picture to go to my Flickr account where you can download the largest size to print.)

posters

As I said earlier, the Llama has been really interested in the alphabet lately, and also is starting to recognize his colors. In an effort to keep up his interest I made up a handful of posters to put up behind the couch. The Llama will stand on the couch and look at the posters and point to letters, colors, or shapes, and we will tell him what he is pointing at. He will do this for up to 10-15 minutes at a time! Occasionally he will point to something and do the sign for it even before we have a chance to say what it is (or if we don't notice right away that he is pointing).

I did two alphabets because we want to teach The Llama ASL and the finger spelling alphabet, and we know he recognizes pictures and drawings. We still sign the letters to him when he points at the regular alphabet letters too, but the finger spelling one is there for when he just wants to look.

Just this morning The Llama Papa was pointing at colors and The Llama was doing the signs for them without being prompted. It was so cute!

The shapes poster is our most recent addition, and the Llama is fascinated by it and already recognizes and can sign star; the other shapes are a little more difficult because the way to sign most shapes in ASL is to make that shape, so it's a little harder for us to sign them and have him connect them with names, but he LOVES having us name the shapes for him. I think he's excited to have another thing to learn. His little brain just keeps sucking up all the info that it can.

I also like these posters because it gives up a little break from all the running around and craziness that he usually keeps up all day.