Mini Cheddar - She's More Like A Sponge Than A Cheese

My gorgeous daughter (Mini Cheddar) turned 2 years old a a couple of weeks ago (11th March) and now when I look back at how much she's grown in the past year since her 1st birthday it's amazes me.

On her first birthday

A year ago and she was barely walking with nothing more than the odd babble.  She was just beginning to properly explore the exciting world around her interact properly with toys and people.

The development journey she has taken over the past year is incredible and being a stay at home mum I've been lucky enough to be able to share every moment of it.

Now she's stringing sentences together, saying her please and thank yous, starting to count, knows all her shapes and colours etc. - she amazes me with something new every day.

World domination?

She loves to play and I love to play with her, encouraging her to repeat words and interact with me whilst she's playing.  The joy and laughter that comes from her play time is enough to melt any heart.

At the age of 1 Mini Cheddar didn't even understand what a building block was really, nevermind its colour and now I watch as she creates entire villages with a running commentary on what she's doing. Watching the thought process develop in her is astounding - perhaps she's like Stewie from Family Guy and plans to rule the world?

Queen of Clean

Watching her starting to interact with her little friends now, building up her confidence and social skills already.

The next Nigella?

She loves nothing more than to "help mummy", as she says, and will follow me around the house with her very own baby Dyson and duster.  I think she would easily give Kim & Aggie a run for their money!  She's clearly a domestic goddess in training like her mother *cough*

Also, she insists she helps me "whisk bowl" whilst baking.  It doesn't seem like playing, as such, but it is and she adores it.  It will help her in the future too - hopefully steering her clear from becoming a fussy eater like her Daddy!

Mini Cheddar has quite a number of toys, thanks (I think?) to generous grandparents but sometimes the simple things in life are the best. Like getting out in the great outdoors for some play time at the park - simple play like this along with fresh air brings a whole new experience.

               

Park Life

It also allows for some more social interaction with friends.  All together now "Awwwww"...

Best Friends For Ever

What was that Grandad?

A simple piece of paper and a pen whilst eating out provides an emergency play time for those 'hungry' moments when her tummy demands food but the waitress service leaves little to be desired!  Her inquisitive mind taking direction from her Grandad, constantly playing and learning in her own unique way.

Here you go Grandma

Grandparents also provide the perfect environment for a toy mountain - Grandma especially!

Whether it's a complex toy or a cardboard box, Mini Cheddar gains so much from playing and constantly learning about her 

environment. 

Amazing what they'll deliver

She loves nothing more than to make a tent in the lounge and play house or play with her little kitchen set, dishing up some plastic food she's cooked specially for mummy. All great skills for her future indeed - these little things going such a long way to develop her skill set.

Tunnel of learning

Her ability to learn so quickly astounds me - she is literally like a little sponge soaking up all the information that she sees and hears. I have no doubt that she is going to grow up to be even more of a delight than she is now - although sometimes I can't see how that's possible.


Put quite simply, we are loving life and loving learning.  Not only is she learning about life each day, I'm learning about being a mother (and a teacher) and I love it.


Note: I absolutely HATE the way I say 'carrots' in this video *hangs head in shame* What is wrong with me?




This post is linked up to the Tots 100 March Blog Hop - Learning Through Play