Artist

Vash is really getting good at drawing. He's always been interested in coloring and the like since he was able to grasp a pencil. But now he's actually drawing things that you can see what he's trying to create. When he tells me he drew a whale, I can see the head and tail. He puts the eyes, nose, and mouth in the right place on all of his people. He drew a Vash pumpkin and put hair on top. He draws lines of different heights, and explains that the tallest line is a daddy line, the next is a mommy line, the next a Vash line, and Rhyla is always the shortest of the lines. My three year old is into impressionist art! LOL. His love for art has actually rubbed off on Rhyla. She'll put down her books occasionally to sit and color with us. Sometimes she scribbles all over the pages, but usually she tries to stay in the lines and color like me and Vash. We joke that if he get's an art degree he could go and work as a story board artist for Pixar or something one day. We only joke because as parents we hope his art is a hobby that he finds much pleasure in, but chooses to get a degree and work in a field that's a little more stable. They don't call them starving artists for nothing!

Vash the Builder

Vash loves building things. He loves making legos into a house, he loves stacking boxes and using them as slides. This week Vash got to help Craig build a step attachment that he will use with a ladder when he paints areas from the stairs. Vash enjoyed this activity immensly. He was sweating, handing Craig his tools. He learned what a screw is, he learned that a square is not only a shape but a tool. And he learned to step far back when Daddy uses the saw. (He didn't get hurt, he just knew by the sound it made that staying away was a good idea.) It fills me with joy to see my son spending quality time with his dad while he learns to do something productive and fun. And Craig had so much fun teaching Vash that I think he'll be letting Vash helped whenever something needs to be built in the future.

The Great Protector

Vash's middle name is Alexander, which means defender of the people. I know for sure, after the story I'm about to tell you, that the names we give our children, must have some effect on how they behave. (After all, Rhyla's middle name is Belle, like beauty and the beast, and she LOVES to read. LOL.) Anyway, when Vash is miss behaving, we'll try and talk to him about why what he did was wrong and if he understands why he's not allowed to do it. EX: Vash pushes over Rhyla. We say, "Vash, you need to sit in time out. We never push other people, especially not our baby sister. Do you understand me? Do you understand that it is unkind to push baby Rhyla?" So anyway. Craig and I were talking about something and I got the hiccups. Vash thought I was crying. So he comes running to my side saying, "It's OK mommy. It's OK," then turning on Craig he says," No Daddy! We don't speakin to mommy and crying. Understand me? Mommy's crying." He pulls me down for a hug and I am laughing so hard, that I can hardly breathe. Vash thinks I'm crying more. "Daddy! NO. See mommy cry? Understand me? No, daddy. No speakin to mommy. Say sorry."
It was so adorable. My little defender. We've explained hiccups to him since though.

Lap Sitting

When Vash was just weeks old, my favorite thing to do with him was just sit. We have an amazing rocking chair. So comfortable and the envy of anyone whose's had little babies. Any how, I'd sit there with my legs pulled up, rest Vash on my knees, facing me, and sing to him. (Ok, so I really only know Disney songs, but what's better than that?) He'd smile in his sleep, or watch me intently if he was awake. I'd hold his hands and this is how we'd pass the hours. Just me and my baby.