Birthday presents

1) Rocking horse Mamas and Papas Pockets Pony - the main and the most expensive present.

It has different textures to stimulate child's sensory perception - I didn't think it was such a big deal and was thinking that maybe we should have bought an ordinary looking brown rocking horse, which would be more according to montessori/waldorf teaching but Teodor, unexpectedly, likes to feel/pat the horse, so it seems we hit the jackpot with buying this one. There is a hole in the nose he hasn't found out about and a hidden squeaker in one of the ears he doesn't know about either. We don't want to show him the squeaker because it is going to drive the dog crazy. I just like it that there are still things for him to explore.

Another reason why we bought a rocking animal is that it should help with developing a sense of balance.

He was a bit suspicious to the horse at the beginning (well, it's almost as big as he is, so no wonder he was not throwing himself at it), but he was driven to come back and rock the horse, touch his nose, etc....well, a day later, after a few tries with daddy (he has holidays now), he has learned to rock on his own. He is even very close to learning getting off without our help. Definitely a good gift and would recommend for a one-year olds, do not regret money spent on it.

2) Hape Duck - Great for developing gross motor skills.

Teodor likes the duck but he is not pushing it in front of him, he carries it, which is funny. He is probably not such a good walker yet, he still has to focus on what his legs are doing instead of on the duck. I am sure he will enjoy it soon.

3) Drum - I guess it's good for motor skills, hearing and rhytm (and annoying our neighbours:)

We got it from our friends and he loves it. He is now in this stage when he likes to hit things with another thing, so it's just perfect + it is bearable sound :)

4) Sound book - he actually got it before his birthday because we didn't want to shovel him with gifts plus I am horrible at keeping stuff I buy from him. I like that the animals are very real-like and that the sounds comes when he turns the pages, he doesn't have to press anything. He is trying to imitate the chickens and cows, so I guess it is a very good present, too. 

5) Ball run - good for motor skills and learning the basics of physics (?)

 His dad made it for him, he finished it last night and it was standing in the living room when we woke up :)