Truck Day

I am fascinated how Frankie already gravitates towards 'boy' things.  He is OBSESSED with buses - especially school buses.  And every time we hear a siren, he stops in his tracks, puts up his finger as if gesturing "listen" and says "shhhhhh".  Airplanes, helicopters, big trucks - he loves all of them, so I was really looking forward to taking Frankie to Arlington's Truck Day. 

 

At first he was a bit apprehensive about the big vehicles.  I suppose it's one thing for a little guy to see a garbage truck from afar versus climb right up on it. 

 

"What the heck am I doing on this thing?"

Driving the cement mixer

While I was in line waiting for the digger, Frank had Frankie in front of the firetruck when one of the kids 'accidentally' made the siren go off.  Apparently it scared the you-know-what out of Frankie.  Immediate tears.  But the digger revived him.  

Warming up after climbing on the digger tools

Operating the digger

 And then there was the bus!  He didn't want to get off. 

The bus driver!

Reflecting on the day

Luckily the weather held up for us - it was a cool May morning, but at least the rain didn't start until later in the day.  Truck Day 2013 was a success!

Mother's Day Craft

This year, Frankie I wanted to make his Grammy & Grandma painted flower pots for Mother's Day.  Knowing his track record with paints, I knew I was likely in for a debacle.  But, guess what??  The pots turned out beautifully!  It also greatly lowered my anxiety by moving the project outside.  And it did help that he didn't try to drink the paints.  He refused to wear his smock, but how much could I really ask for? 

We started out with paintbrushes...



An artist at work

But ended using fingers...

Look at those masterpieces!

 

I didn't get a picture of the final project, complete with plants, but I think they were a hit and am looking forward to future art projects over the summer! 

 

(As an aside note, if you are using washable paints, make sure rain is not in the forecast if your project is drying outside.  It rained later in the afternoon, but thankfully, I realized it before the paints washed off!)