dentist

Today is a big day for Hugo-the day of his first visit at the dentist. We are a bit apprehensive about that, but it wasn't so bad. I was positively surprised that we didn't need to wait very long for the visit. Last week we called and made an appointment for today.
Poor Hugo had no idea what to expect, so he was quite cheerful beforehand. Even when we entered he looked OK, but the moment the dentist put her finger into his mouth he started to wriggle and cry a little bit. However, the dentist's assistant had a great idea to give him a sticker which said; Brave patient;) and it calmed him down a bit.

Form the dentist we needed to go to the registry office to pick up his ID which is needed to take him abroad. All the way there, I was explaining to him why we were going there and he remembered it so well that when we entered the registry office he said: Good morning! pick up ID;)

The clerk was so surprised that she asked me in what language he was speaking, since she knew from the ID that his nationality was Polish;)
So far the day has been so eventful that he's been sleeping for over 2 hours;)

slow down

Kids learn at the speed of light; all those who disapprove of reading books to kids from day one are really missing the point. They don't realize that children learn with every minute of their life-24/7- even when they sleep-this is the moment to file everything that they have experienced during the day.
Talking to children in a logical way and explaining daily activities gives kids lots of input for the future and you will never know when they will use it and one day you''ll be taken aback.

Just as I was today when I was taking my mother-in-law back home. Hugo was sitting at the back enjoying naming the objects around him and counting to 9 all the cars passing by. When he got to nine, he started right from the beginning-from one. Out of the blue, I had to brake because of the car in front of me and then Hugo said: Mommy, slow down!
I don't remember in what situation he heard this phrase and when, but I know that he used it in the right context. Probably, during one of our trips together, I must have said that I was slowing down, because when we travel together I always turn off the radio and talk to Hugo, describe the actions and the world around and he learns and learns, records and remembers;) amazing;)

Sunday afternoon together

Hugo's creativity is unlimited and amazing. He's able to transfer the knowledge he has into really various situations. Today we went out to church and for hot wafers to our favorite cafe. It's in the center of Leszno, in the town square, on the corner, and it's really friendly for children. A high chair for kids is a standard and the menu is also varied so they cater to all tastes.
But that's not what I want to write about. Having eaten our hot wafers, we left the place and walked around the square holding hands-I love strolling like this with our sonny. He looks around and names things around, like benches, birds and clocks. In the middle of the square there is an old town hall with a tower and a clock. Obviously, Hugo noticed that and said: Mommy, clock, tick tock. I confirmed and then he continued: Mommy, butterfly on the tower. At first, I couldn't comprehend what he was saying and asked him to repeat, so he said again: Tower, butterfly there is. I looked up and then realized that he meant the EAGLE on the tower-the symbol of our country. He just compared it to the butterflies form his children's book.
Day by day I discover, or at least try to, how he perceives the world around and I do believe that at this age the brain is like a sponge, and at some point, we, as humans, lose this ability forever, unfortunately

pansies and daffodils

Yellow, blue, navy blue, deep red... pansies of these color can be found in our garden. Each day, Hugo wants to water them. He can virtually spend over 30 minutes walking from the back of the garden to the front with a big bottle that serves for him as a watering can.
Every time he says: Mommy, need more water! Mommy pour water or Mommy, water daffodils!
It really looks lovely... a little boy carrying a 2-litter bottle trying to water plants-it makes my heart sink.

I try to use this time also to show him various bugs and insects or little animals like ladybirds or snails, which he finds very fascinating. He even attempts to touch them or catch them depending what we can observe. Our daily trips outside are a perfect opportunity for use to explore the neighborhood and to learn of course. Our neighbors are very often surprise to see us walking hand in hand talking to each other. Obviously, I do more of the talking, but Hugo tries to contribute whatever he can;) naming objects and animals like bicycles, motorbikes, chimneys, cars, dogs or cats is something that he does with ease;)

Sunday stroll

Finally, spring has arrived and I do hope that it'll stay with us for some time. The right moment came to hide winter boots, coats and jackets deep in my wardrobe.
Time to wear nice, spring clothes and take Hugo for long strolls every day.
This is what we did today-we went out to enjoy the warm sun, birds singing and people cycling.
I discovered that our son is a great observer of the outside world; he notices noises and details that really surprise me, such as a barking dog, a man on a bike or our neighbor doing gardening. Whatever he can see and name, he always goes: Mommy, look, man on a bike! or Mommy, a motorbike! etc. He can perfectly transfer the words from his picture books which we look at before going to bed each day into the really world. Yet, today I was absolutely amazed when he said: Mommy, man chopping wood! Such was my surprise that I asked him to repeat it twice before I could believe what he was saying;) but as always I gave him a big hug and said: Yes, sonny, you're right! a man is chopping wood.
Strolls are a great inspiration for kids and parents, for us it's always an occasion to talk or name things, but the rule is you must speak with you child, ask proper questions and provoke the child to say something. Forget about a pacifier of course;) who would like to speak with full mouth;))?

1,2,3

For the last couple of days Hugo has been fascinated by counting. Each days he needs to spend at least 10-15 minutes analyzing pictures in his 1,2,3 book and count the objects presented in the pictures. The book is fantastically organized to support the process of learning numbers. Each page portrays a common object from kids' world like: boots, paint pots, boats, apples, a teddy bear etc. In the top right corner there is a number written and drawn. Therefore, it associates the concept with the word. Hugo adores pointing the object and saying: This is a teddy.  or one duck, two ducks, three ducks etc. In this way I know that he understands the concept, sees the difference between singular and plural and can even sometimes correctly form plural form.
What's more, he transfers this knowledge into other activities, for instance, getting dress or playing with building blocks when I hear him say: One sock, two socks, one foot, two feet.
I do believe that it will prove useful when he goes to school or kindergarten.

I'm back;)

I haven't been here for a few days, but I'm back now;) been a little busy cos of Easter preparations first and then celebrations.
It went past so quickly that though it's the first day after, I feel like it was almost an ordinary weekend.
This a little bit gloomy mood can be cos of the bad weather-the winter here seems to be endless and the weather forecast gives little hope for improvement in the next few days.

On a day like today I look at our son or his photo and then I feel much better and long for the warm days from last year when we went out together and enjoyed the first rays of sunshine. This spring we still need to wait for those moment, but I hope that not for long.

Hugo doesn't seem to care much about spring but I hope to teach him to ride a kids bike and I'm sure he'll love it. Take a look at our angel;)