I found this little white table at a yard sale for something like $10 or $15. The sticker underneath it says the name of one of those fancy stores (pottery barn? restoration something? can't recall) and a price of $150. I'm guessing that means its solid wood.
It is the perfect height for children about 18 months to 4 years old to stand and play. Toddlers move around a LOT, so they actually do better playing while standing than while sitting. I mainly wanted to get toys off the floor of the kitchen, onto some other surface. I spend a great deal of time each day in the kitchen, either preparing food or cleaning up from food, so Jax ends up spending a lot of time in that room too, playing while I work.
I change out the toys that are on the table 1-2 times per week, or when I notice he is ignoring them instead of playing with them. I put away whatever is out, and replace it with something from a shelf in the back hallway, just rotating things every so often. It does wonders.
I don't have a complete toy system I'm happy with, but this table, and changing out what is on it regularly, is definitely a piece of a developing system that works fabulously.
Also, Jax is wearing a super cute ponytail on the top of his head in that photo. He watches me put my hair in a rubberband nearly every day, and was begging for me to put one in his hair too. It was long enough at the time, so I finally obliged him. Benjamin about died when he came home and asked me to please never do it again ha. Don't worry, this child is all boy. All bugs. All mud and leaves and grass. All climb and tumble and cars and motorcycles and bulldozers. When he asks to paint his toenails, I give him a bottle of clear lip gloss to keep him happy. He feels like he's doing it, and it washes off. I finally let him put neon yellow polish on one big toe the other day. That's my limit people.
There was a day when I was cleaning up in the kitchen, and it suddenly dawned on me that Jax had been playing at the little table, ALL BY HIMSELF, H-A-P-P-I-L-Y, for at least forty five minutes straight. This had NEVER happened before in his life. He is an extremely social (small interactions not large groups), and extremely affection person. Since the day he was born, he has hated to be alone, and just not tolerated it. I could hardly get him to stay in a swing, bouncer, walker, or other "entertainment" type of toy for longer than 5-10 minutes a time before he would wail and let me know he was tired of being alone.
Once he was old enough to start playing with toys, he would only do so when someone would play with him. I'm grateful to share a home with my parents, and have a husband who joyfully interacts with our son on a daily basis. So I was not the only one who could play with him. But it still was tiring at times, to always be his playmate, and have him unable to play by himself.
So while I don't recall the date, I will never forget that day I realized he had turned a corner and learned to play by himself. We still play with him now, but he will also play independently for a couple hours each day now. It's a huge relief really. And I love to hear the little stories he makes up with his toys.
Benjamin might hate me for posting this. But, eh, we've stuck through worse. I bought a new diffuser for my big flash and he obliged me when I was testing it out. Daddy is the best playmate slash toy of all. He comes up with the zaniest games and it never fails that I hear peals of laughter on a daily basis when they play together. He comes home from work, puts his things down, gives us all a cheerful hug, then plays with Jax for an hour or two while I cook dinner and have a bit of toddler-free time. He is amazing.
I haven't ridden my bicycle since college I think. When we went down to one car, I knew I would need to get out of the house some days. I had dreams of doing my grocery shopping with Jax in the little seat and a bike trailer behind me, but I think I've decided that's a bit much. We have still taken several rides, 1-3 miles one-way, on nearby trails, to parks, libraries, or to the farmer's market close to our house. We'll see how long my strength holds up, and my belly fits between my seat and his!
This awesome play system we found on Craigslist for $120. These normally sell for $800 or much more, so we were thrilled. Jax's favorite part of it turned out to be the tire swing. He wants to spin and go faster! The back of the wall you can't see is a rock wall.
Those were from when he turned two years old. You can see his Latin side coming out. :-)
