Observations

I'd forgotten what it's like to have little ones around. Even though I work with a group of active school age children, there's a noticeable difference in energy levels when comparing my classroom and home when there's a toddler visiting.

That said, it's been a delight to see how much my niece has grown and changed since our visit last summer. She's nearly two years old - I've forgotten what milestones are achieved when, but I've noticed her fine motor skills when (trying) to turn the key on a little wind-up toy, balancing little pattern blocks (modeling her mom), and eating with her (tweezer-like) chopsticks, as well as how she's learning and saying the names of colors, shapes and numbers (pattern blocks again, and upon noticing our big clock). I've also enjoyed observing her (quirks and) expressions.

*chopsticks photo by Alex

*crab photo by Alex