My Google search from earlier today was, “how to get your toddler to stop waking up so early,” in case you’re wondering where we’re at this morning. 

I mean, I feel equal parts annoyed and pleased that he’s such a morning person. 

But, my sweet child, you can still be a morning person and wake up at 6am instead of 4am, y’know?! 

I tried to demand he go back to sleep (it worked yesterday!), but he wasn’t interested.

So we played dinosaur parade this morning. 

And by “we,” I mean I occasionally shouted, “where’s your triceratops?!” from the couch while he ran around the living room saying, “thee owns chi-thay-tops” (three horns triceratops!).

Our neighbors probably hate us. 

Actually, we’ve got the elevators across from us and the trash shoot next to us and I’m kinda grateful because, unless he’s really, really screaming, I don’t think you can hear him all that much.

Phew.

Now he’s currently playing with dot markers while I have a second to finish my coffee and type up this post. 

I was half tempted to turn on Curious George. But since it’s a no-Bella day today and I’ve got some meetings on the calendar, I wanted to save that ’til it’s absolutely needed. Ha. 

We just ordered a huge roll of butcher paper along with some dot stickers and painters tape. There are so many THINGS you can do with a toddler with just those three items.

Yesterday, he peeled off dot stickers and placed them onto the butcher paper. I mean, they didn’t all make it onto the paper. But, still, it really kept him busy for a while. 

The @busytoddler account has SO MANY ideas and none of them take all that long to prep. 

We’ve also been using our Nugget to roll balls and cars down from the couch to the floor. I’d really thought he’d be over that quick, but it seems to be the most fun for him.

I’m happy we’re still very much in this phase of life where most things are still exciting for him. Even though he’s got the attention span of a squirrel right now, everything is so fascinating. 

Except he’s definitely got the attention for bubbles. Last night, we played with bubbles for about an hour (and shout-out to my friend, Kristen, who introduced us to Fubbles that just don’t spill – no matter how many times you throw the container down!). AN HOUR.

You would think that the level of excitement at the 45 minute mark would differ from the level of excitement at the 2 minute mark. But, my friends, this was not the case.

He is pure joy to be around.

And in those few times each day that I can settle down and actually BE with him, I feel so grateful that he’s my kid. He makes us laugh so much. He makes me tired, sure. But he makes me happy. And every day, he seems like he gets a little more fun.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, this little monkey is telling me, “mama meeting over,” “mama meeting all done,” and “bye bye mama puter.”

And now that I’ve got coffee in my system, I think I can get off the couch and dinosaur parade a little myself.

Happy Friday eve!

Question of the Day:

What fun ideas do you have for this little toddler to stay busy?