Learning about gravity...

One of the things we have consciously tried to teach our children is the effect of gravity. Brayton especially, since he has really not had a fear of anything to date. Lauren on the other hand really has not experienced the effects of gravity since she's mostly been crawling around her entire life. When Brayton was younger, it stunned me that the kids had no concept or fear of falling. I'm not sure why this perplexed me so, it should be obvious.
Since we don't want them to get hurt, we have purposely tried to let them fall from time to time in controlled situations we know they won't get hurt. I can't recall the first time we let Brayton fall, but he learned the effects of gravity quickly. He learned big time when he was playing with Drew and Ava in the crows nest of the swingset last summer and got accidently shoved off. I saw him fall from the other side of the yard, he fell about five feet and miracously didn't have a scratch on him.
The other day, I came home from work and Colette informed me that she had the opportunity to teach Lauren a little bit about gravity. Both the kids had been climbing onto the chairs they got from Grandma and Grandpa that are in the foyer. The were climbing up and rocking around to the music that was playing on the stereo. Colette could tell that Lauren would likely fall, so like the good mother she is, she moved the chairs in to the living room where at least the floor is carpeted.
Sure enough, after a short bit, Lauren promptly fell off the chair. Even in these controlled situations, I always worry things won't go well and they will get hurt. But in this situation it was quite comical and Colette actually captured it on the camera. Watch closely as you see the biggest grin on Lauren's face just before falling off the back of the chair. Then after falling, she promptly climbs back up and starts all over again. Enjoy.

Playing "Bank"

One of the games we've always played with the kids is "Bank." Some time ago, Grandma Bernadine gave Brayton a little train bank, I think it was Easter of 2006. At some point we found out that Brayton loved to put the coins in the little slot. This became a game, we'd dump out all the change and B would put the coins back in. It was also a learning opportunity, by the time he was 1 year old B could identify the differences in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. We'd say, "put a dime in" and he'd choose a dime out of the pile. He couldn't say the names, but he knew the difference.


Some time later, I bought a jug of pub mix at Costco. The container was clear plastic with a screw on lid. I cut a hole in the top of the lid and this became our new "bank". I was concerned that with our kids increasing activity the train bank Grandma had given us it would eventually get broken. At least this new bank was plastic and if it was broken we wouldn't care so much.


Lauren over the past few months has really taken to playing "bank". She doesn't know the difference between all the coins the same way B did, but she loves playing. We also think it's good to help the kids tune their fine motor skills. With Lauren, she really loved putting the coins in her mouth so it took us a little while to get her to the point she wouldn't put the coins in her mouth.


The result of all our playing bank was captured this morning before Mass when B was upstairs with me while I was getting ready for church. Colette and Lauren got to play "bank," uninterrupted by big brother.