Growing up too fast

 The best holidays are here again! 

I had no idea how many farms and pumpkin patches were so close to me here in Gilbert. 

Luckily they had a few rides slightly resembling a train. We can't resist letting this kid take more than one ride. 

As you'll see many times in this blog entry, Lincoln is too busy to pose for pictures...

This kiddo has been giving me a run for my money ever since he turned 18 months! Can the "Terrible Two's" start early? He's always going 100 mph and fights me on everything but man is he a fun! And he learns so quickly! Ive got to keep him busy or else it will be time wasted for this guy.

I was shopping at Frys and to my annoyance both buckles in this cart were not staying connected and after he tried climbing out too many times, I decided to MAKE them work. That right there is an intricate knot with four random length straps that held him in the rest of the shopping trip. I was also impressed with myself that I had to document.

 His new $1 store sunglasses were a hit! 

He didn't even try to take them off.

 AND of course, one of his favorites, "trucks"! 

At Walmart he spotted this a mile away and had to try it out. Even after about 10 minutes, he fought me when I tried to take him out. Luckily, a screaming child at Walmart isn't unusual...  

The other day I checked to see if Lincoln had woken from his nap and had to take a second glance... 'his diaper doesn't usually form to his butt like that...' I thought to myself.

Yep, he tore his diaper off! AND peed on the sheets. This was a first for us. Needless to say, he goes to bed with shorts on now. Knock on wood he doesn't start taking his clothes off anytime soon, otherwise I'll need to start duck taping is diapers on.

 Lately I've been wanting to work on learning colors with Lincoln. I saw some sensory play ideas on pinterest and it ended up looking like fun.  

To my dismay I found out that Lincoln really doesn't like anything sticking to his hands. So instead of playing in the salt... He just chucked it everywhere.

 Everyday Lincoln amazes me with his desire to learn. One of his favorite books is called "Words" and on the last two pages there are all the words and pictures presented throughout the book in one big collage. We usually take his chubby little finger and guide it over the pictures saying the various words and accompanying sounds, but lately he's decided he wants to be the "one in charge".

Thats my independent boy!

 It may have been that whatever he picked up was conveniently sticky (or that I helped him) but this kid is moving from forks to chopsticks like a pro!

I figured we should brush up on a few skills before we head over to Japan...

And in the moments when I need to just catch my breath- I turn on one of his favorite shows! Luckily he will sit and watch atleast 10 minutes of an episode. If Im lucky he'll watch the whole 30 minutes, but its gotta be a good one...

 OR I just wait for bedtime... Ah the lovely hour that is 8pm.