Perry Playhouse

Now that Christmas is over and we've begun the New Year, our house has finally been put back together somewhat (just don't look in our garage because its filled with the overflow--- even our Christmas tree is still standing out there (it's a real one and the trash people haven't come yet).  Since Gavin was blessed beyond abundance for Christmas, we realized it was necessary to pack up toys that have been out since he was 6 months old, choose some toys that we could give to others in need, and find spaces in the house to store and organize his toys.  Gavin has lots of small toys, tools, random balls, miniature cars, books, etc and they all needed a place to go. So, we went and picked up an organizing system to give all of his toys a home!  Over the last 2 months, I've been transforming out family room into an office/playroom.  We've removed the couch and coffee table and made room for a computer table and "scrapbook" table and now it has room for Gavin's stuff, too!  Everything fits perfectly!

While we were completing this process, we decided to put together a slide that Gavin got from his birthday and a picnic table that he was given for Christmas. He hasn't been able to enjoy these as much since they are in garage and it's been really cold outside.  We're waiting for the weather to get nicer so we can move these outside and give him plenty of play time.  However, we did "surprise" him and set these up and then let him loose into the garage to check out his new toys!  I think he enjoyed them!

**We're still working on teaching him that we sit at the table, not stand on it.

Gavin had the opportunity to play with several "play" kitchens that were other kids gifts and he LOVED them!  He played more with the play kitchens then with his own toys.  Of course, Brooks and I really wanted him to have one of his own so we went out Wednesday night and got the last one at our Target.  Brooks set it up and Gavin has played with it every single day, non stop!  He LOVES it!!!  Needless to say, our house looks like a play house.
**Gavin was soooo surprised when he walked in and saw his kitchen.

Gavin has been growing up every day.  I think I write that in every post when I talk about how much he is changing, but it's true.  Just in the past month, Gavin has started talking more and more.  It's not that you can always tell what he is saying, but sometimes you can.  He has learned to sign please and thank you (he learned that one today).  He loves saying football and I think he surprised himself when he said basketball the other day.  Gavin has decided that he would rather eat with a fork then with his hands... that was a really simple transition.  We've been working with him on "poking" his food, which he would try now and then, but for the most part, he would hold his fork with one hand, and eat with his other hand.  We think he watched some of his cousins (who are age 2 1/2 to 4) eating with forks and now that's what he wants to do.  It's really funny, because he gets mad if we we give him a plate of food with out a fork.  We're really grateful that this was something easy for us to walk into!  Gavin has found a few new loves... like chocolate milk (he was shocked when he tasted it), cartoons (but this is few and far between), and music instruments (he can really jam on a guitar and drums).  Gavin also learned that a fire place is HOT!!!! He had a small mishap with a fire place on Christmas Eve and touched the glass doors and burned the tips of his fingers.  He cried and cried and cried. It broke our hearts to see him in pain and NOTHING that we did seemed to make him feel better.  He eventually wore himself out from crying and fell asleep in my arms.  He did enjoy the two popsicles we gave him for him to eat and hold with his fingers to help sooth the burn.  He got some HUGE blisters that grew into the sizes of peanut butter M&M's (they have more of a round shape to them).

2009 was an amazing year for the Perry family.  We are looking forward to seeing what 2010 has in store for us.