Family Fun

We had a great time this weekend down at Grammy and Grampy's house in Maryland! As you can see, Noa is having a great time playing blocks with Aunt Leusia, sharing her toys with her cousin Elecktra & doing sign language with Aunt Pate.

It was actually the first time that we felt like Noa really was able to be a part of the playroom action. She really seemed to love the energy of being in the room with the other kids and all the ruckus of cousins running and laughing and throwing things (Noa being the queen of throwing things).

Noa's cousing Abby invented a new toy for Noa - little rings made out of string - that Noa absolutely loved. We decided to call them "finger toys" (I've been trying to think of names for toys that will help Noa learn the alphabet and F is a letter she doesn't know yet and one that is very specific). Noa learned the sign in one shot and asked for them consistently all weekend - and all the way home. When she is motivated she is fast!

Also, because Noa's signs are becoming clearer and her ability to communicate (i.e. her patience) is deepening, she was really able to communicate more clearly with her Aunt Pate who actually knows sign language, and that makes a HUGE difference - not only for the two of them but for me and Ben as well because we felt very comfortable leaving Noa with the family while we went out to our friend Matt's surprise party.

All the way home, Noa signed for Grammy - which was very cute. She really enjoyed spending time with family and she's really starting to have wonderful, special and individual relationships with everyone which is just lovely.