sniderkin

Cavan is 14 months old now, he’s independent, curious, and fairly fearless. Last week we had a playdate at the Chicago Children’s Museum and Cavan loved it! They have a whole floor appropriate for toddler play and Cavan didn’t miss a square inch of it! We’ll definitely have to go back and bring the camera next time.

Lately Cavan has been entertaining himself by walking backwards and crawling backwards, trying to stand on his head, and dragging various things behind him. We think he’ll really enjoy one of the wooden clacker toys that kids can pull behind them, but we’ve got to try to find one.

Cavan still loves dogs. Yesterday at the park there was a big friendly black lab with a toddler the same age as Cavan. Cavan ran over to the dog and after I made sure the dog was okay he had a good time watching the dog play fetch and petting him. The little boy that was with the dog was 14 months old as well, according to his father, but wasn’t as adventurous or as active as Cavan so they didn’t play together.

For Easter Cavan got a basket with a pinwheel in it, a puppy dog puppet, and a few small candy treats. The pinwheel and the puppy dog were big hits, he loves them both and likes to spin the pinwheel in the sun and watch it cast light across the living room.

And, without further adieu… Pictures!

We went to Soldier Field to watch the Easter Candy Grab, a race where kids are sorted by age and allowed to run across the field and grab as much candy off the ground as they can fit in their baskets. Here the kids are lining up…

And bunny says “GO!”

Cavan was a big boy and sat in a stadium chair to watch the race.

And… here’s your dose of Cavan weirdness:

No, lettuce doesn’t grow out of boxes here - Cavan stuffed it in there. Bunny disapproves.

Some weirdness!

This is the suction thing that goes to the clean/dirty dial on the dishwasher. The dial has been missing for quite some time because it was a favorite toy for awhile.

The other day he got 2 balloons at Trader Joe’s. The cashier was spoiling him because he’s cute… I turned around and found him sitting like this, he then proceeded to walk all around the apartment with the balloons somehow tied under his arms…

And… Cavan likes to use the waste paper basket next to the computer desk to store his toys and other treasures in…This collection includes the rabbit’s lettuce, his sippy cup, the cat’s toy, his soccer ball, a shirt, and some blocks.

For awhile Cavan has been sitting on things and having a great time doing it. He likes to walk backwards and back his little butt up to something and sit on it, nothing is safe. We decided it was time that he got his own chair so I ordered one online ($40 at Wal-Mart) and Cavan loves it, the box is also so much fun! As an added bonus, Cavan likes to stand on the chair and look out the window, or play with his cars on the windowsill. Note: These pictures aren’t as nice because I took them with my phone in low light.

Exploring the box-house Daddy made him

Peeking out the window

Hi Mommy!

Am I supposed to stand on this?

Oooh, it’s for sitting!

Relaxing and watching some… whatever that thing is…

During the really nice weather we had not to long ago we visited quite a few parks and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Here are a couple pictures from our super-happy-it’s-so-nice-outside-fun-time.

Cavan’s first carousal ride, he really liked it despite the look of concentration on his face!

Slides are fun!

Tired out and relaxing in the Stegosaurus

A few weekends ago we decided to go explore Chinatown….

A street in Chinatown with the Sears Tower (soon to be the Willis Tower) in the background

Some pretty architecture

The Chinatown Arch

Part of the Dragon Wall (it was too big to fit into one shot…)

Cavan sitting the the main square after burning off all his energy running around it

Shannon by his Zodiac Statue - The Pig

Me by my Zodiac Statue - The Ram

Cavan by his Zodiac Statue - The Rat

For St. Patrick’s Day the city dyes the Chicago River green, bright green! We went down to the river to see it, and afterward there was a parade south of town. Cavan had a lot of fun looking at everything, especially the people all decked out in their sparkly green gear staggering through the streets.

The green river!

Mommy and Cavan by the river

Watching the Parade with Daddy