Jack wanted to make a pumpkin project with bright orange envelope paper Emmy brought home from work. So we're cutting out little orange pumpkins, and I said to him, Hey, let's get a piece of black construction paper and tape them onto it. He was into the idea, so he got the paper and I got the tape. Then I got distracted, I'm not sure why, probably Kate going upstairs or somesuch. I saw his finished project. I had figured we'd just tape the pumpkins on flat, and it would be like a picture to hang on a wall. Jack went the extra mile with tape on both sides of the little pumpkins, holding them upright, creating a 3-D pumpkin patch. I mean, wow.
Along those sames lines, I drew a picture of the Hulk for Jack tonight. I was then helping Kate draw a picture (she said to me, "Hul! Hul!" so I drew her a Hulk too, and then she scribbled over and around it), while Jack worked on the picture. I looked over and he'd added a web-covered Spider-Man to the picture. AND drawn his own Hulk on another piece of paper, which kind of looked like a much cuter version of mine. It was neat.
We went apple picking today. Kate wanted to have an apple in each hand throughout. She kept eating them and then dropping one and wanting to pick it up, and then dropping the other one, and getting another apple...we went through a lot of apples.
After the apple picking we went to the petting zoo area, where you could feed deer and sheep and such corn. At first neither Jack nor Kate wanted to let the animals eat out of their hand. Jack kind of put it on the edge of the fence, dropping a lot of it on the ground. Kate threw corn in the general direction of the animals. "Here! Here, sheep! Here!" We ultimately got Jack to let them eat out of his hand. He laughed as they ate it. Kate ran toward the fence to yell at the animals, then ran back when they came over. At the sheep area, she climbed up the fence and stood a couple of feet off the ground. "Hi!" she said. "Hi, sheep!"
We got the kids apple juice in little plastic things shaped like apples. They drained them greedily. Jack ate like he hadn't eaten in days, not just eating the ice cream on the apple crisp but the whole thing. Apple picking is hungry work.
After dinner we ate candy apples. Jack just wanted to lick the candy off the apple. Kate just wanted the apple part.
It was messy.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Kate's birthday
Kate's 2nd birthday was last Sunday. Here's about how it went.
- Kate woke up happy, talking about something or other, and we brought her into bed with us. Jack came in too. Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!
- Cereal and fruit for Kate. Backyardigans on TV. Jack's Big Music Show. Kate requests Backyardigans by saying, "Pablo? Pablo?" (Sounds a bit more like "Pabool? Pabool") She requests Jack's Big Music Show by saying, "Music? Music?" (This reminds me of how when Jack was maybe a little older than her, and we showed the show to him once and he didn't like it; something on it scared him. He said, sadly, "Don't like my big music show!"
- I decided I couldn't do EVERYTHING while Kate was napping, so I started setting up the decorations while Emily was out getting groceries. I got the extra leaf for the table out, then threw on the Backyardigans tablecloth. Kate's eyes got big. Of course, she didn't really understand that it was a tablecloth and not a wonderful blanket for her to walk around clutching, but eventually she came around. She knelt in the chair at the table and touched the different pictures. "Pabool! Tasha!" I hung streamers and pulled out the party hats, one for Kate, Jack, and me. Kate gradually laid claim to all of them, including ours, and lined them up on the coffee table. Shifted them a bit, lined them up again. She did this for a good 10 or 15 minutes, while I continued to hang streamers and "Happy Birthday" decorations.
- Jack and I went out to get balloons, wine, and I forget what else. Seems like we had a lot of errands though. I squeezed the balloons into the back of the CRV. I said, Jack, are you being squashed? "No, Daddy, they're barely touching me." I moved the balloons slightly.
- By the time we got back with the balloons, Kate was napping. We set up the balloons across the house. Jack asked about his gift bag. He was kind of focused on that, actually.
-Nana and Baba showed up. Jack showed them pictures he'd made for them. Football started!
- Kate woke up. I had thought she'd wear a dress, but apparently she protested. Polo shirt and little shorts. Very cute.
- Momentarily wary of Nana and Baba, who she hadn't seen in a few months, then came around. Talking up a storm at Baba. Often during the afternoon she'd command his attention. She did this by yelling, "BAH-BAH!"
- Cousins showed up, playing commenced. Then presents. A big hit were these "Tickle Me Elmo" furry hands, that had batteries and could be used to tickle, they'd kind of vibrate when you put them on. For a good 10 minutes, she played with them with Baba as he sat on the couch and she stood next to him. Wearing a hand, she touched him, it vibrated, and they'd both make a big "Ooooooooo" face, and then crack up at each other making the face, and then crack up at each other cracking up. Then she'd reach out the hand again, and it would start all over. It was absolutely awesome, I wish I could bottle it.
- Dinner, followed by birthday cake. Emily served Kate a plate of cake, which she ignored in favor of sticking her finger into the actual cake for icing and licking it off.
- I gave out gift bag toys. Wacky sunglasses were the biggest hit with Kate. She walked around wearing them, the lenses quickly broken out. She looked funny.
- Family left. We realized we forgot to give her her big present, a tricycle. Brought it out and pushed her around. She put her new stuffed Elmo into the basket. Jack played with gift bag toys.
- I washed Kate up, put her in her pajamas, read her a story, turned out the light. "Sun?" she said. I sang her favorite song these days, Mr. Sun.
-Good night, Kate.
- Kate woke up happy, talking about something or other, and we brought her into bed with us. Jack came in too. Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!
- Cereal and fruit for Kate. Backyardigans on TV. Jack's Big Music Show. Kate requests Backyardigans by saying, "Pablo? Pablo?" (Sounds a bit more like "Pabool? Pabool") She requests Jack's Big Music Show by saying, "Music? Music?" (This reminds me of how when Jack was maybe a little older than her, and we showed the show to him once and he didn't like it; something on it scared him. He said, sadly, "Don't like my big music show!"
- I decided I couldn't do EVERYTHING while Kate was napping, so I started setting up the decorations while Emily was out getting groceries. I got the extra leaf for the table out, then threw on the Backyardigans tablecloth. Kate's eyes got big. Of course, she didn't really understand that it was a tablecloth and not a wonderful blanket for her to walk around clutching, but eventually she came around. She knelt in the chair at the table and touched the different pictures. "Pabool! Tasha!" I hung streamers and pulled out the party hats, one for Kate, Jack, and me. Kate gradually laid claim to all of them, including ours, and lined them up on the coffee table. Shifted them a bit, lined them up again. She did this for a good 10 or 15 minutes, while I continued to hang streamers and "Happy Birthday" decorations.
- Jack and I went out to get balloons, wine, and I forget what else. Seems like we had a lot of errands though. I squeezed the balloons into the back of the CRV. I said, Jack, are you being squashed? "No, Daddy, they're barely touching me." I moved the balloons slightly.
- By the time we got back with the balloons, Kate was napping. We set up the balloons across the house. Jack asked about his gift bag. He was kind of focused on that, actually.
-Nana and Baba showed up. Jack showed them pictures he'd made for them. Football started!
- Kate woke up. I had thought she'd wear a dress, but apparently she protested. Polo shirt and little shorts. Very cute.
- Momentarily wary of Nana and Baba, who she hadn't seen in a few months, then came around. Talking up a storm at Baba. Often during the afternoon she'd command his attention. She did this by yelling, "BAH-BAH!"
- Cousins showed up, playing commenced. Then presents. A big hit were these "Tickle Me Elmo" furry hands, that had batteries and could be used to tickle, they'd kind of vibrate when you put them on. For a good 10 minutes, she played with them with Baba as he sat on the couch and she stood next to him. Wearing a hand, she touched him, it vibrated, and they'd both make a big "Ooooooooo" face, and then crack up at each other making the face, and then crack up at each other cracking up. Then she'd reach out the hand again, and it would start all over. It was absolutely awesome, I wish I could bottle it.
- Dinner, followed by birthday cake. Emily served Kate a plate of cake, which she ignored in favor of sticking her finger into the actual cake for icing and licking it off.
- I gave out gift bag toys. Wacky sunglasses were the biggest hit with Kate. She walked around wearing them, the lenses quickly broken out. She looked funny.
- Family left. We realized we forgot to give her her big present, a tricycle. Brought it out and pushed her around. She put her new stuffed Elmo into the basket. Jack played with gift bag toys.
- I washed Kate up, put her in her pajamas, read her a story, turned out the light. "Sun?" she said. I sang her favorite song these days, Mr. Sun.
-Good night, Kate.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sidekick
Last weekend I had to go out to run errands -- get wine, pick up food. Normally Jack joins me on these little trips, but he was watching a TV show and exhausted, so he declined.
Kate piped up: "Me come!" It was a little new, but I said, well, OK.
We need to get your shoes on, Kate. "Otay!" She got her shoes. We put them on and headed down to the car. I started out carrying her, but she's been kind of into doing things on her own lately. "My walk." So, she walked. I was going to lift her into the car, but again, she's kind of independent right now. "My in." She climbed in.
At the liquor store, she was quite a charmer. She walked along holding my hand. Everyone looked down at her, smiles. Old guy with a beard crouched down to say hello. She's shy, normally, but I don't know, maybe she felt safe holding my hand. Smiled sweetly at everyone. Stood at my feet as I paid. I pointed out the parrot, brought her over to say hi. She pointed. "Bird."
Same deal at the pizza place. Heads turned as I carried her in. Smile and wave, girl, smile and wave.
We got home with the wine and pizza. Emily came down the staircase to meet us coming up. "Mommy!"
Last night, I was going out, and ordering pizza in. At around 5 I told Jack and Kate, I need to call and order pizza. Kate: "Me come! Me come!" She disappeared, then came back holding her sandals in her hand. "Me come," she said. I had to disappoint her by explaining the food was being brought to us this time.
In a couple of hours, she'll be two years old.
Kate piped up: "Me come!" It was a little new, but I said, well, OK.
We need to get your shoes on, Kate. "Otay!" She got her shoes. We put them on and headed down to the car. I started out carrying her, but she's been kind of into doing things on her own lately. "My walk." So, she walked. I was going to lift her into the car, but again, she's kind of independent right now. "My in." She climbed in.
At the liquor store, she was quite a charmer. She walked along holding my hand. Everyone looked down at her, smiles. Old guy with a beard crouched down to say hello. She's shy, normally, but I don't know, maybe she felt safe holding my hand. Smiled sweetly at everyone. Stood at my feet as I paid. I pointed out the parrot, brought her over to say hi. She pointed. "Bird."
Same deal at the pizza place. Heads turned as I carried her in. Smile and wave, girl, smile and wave.
We got home with the wine and pizza. Emily came down the staircase to meet us coming up. "Mommy!"
Last night, I was going out, and ordering pizza in. At around 5 I told Jack and Kate, I need to call and order pizza. Kate: "Me come! Me come!" She disappeared, then came back holding her sandals in her hand. "Me come," she said. I had to disappoint her by explaining the food was being brought to us this time.
In a couple of hours, she'll be two years old.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Burgers, Fries and Shakes
Opening night of football season, so we decided to get burgers, fries and shakes at a restaurant called...er...Burger, Fries and Shakes. Emily had to work late, so I left work, picked up the kids, and headed to the restaurant.
We got a place out front and I brought the kids in. First ones there. I ordered, and we had the run of the place. First Jack climbed up on the big tall chair. Then Kate wanted to, too, so I put her up on a big tall chair. Then Jack wanted to sit on one of the smaller chairs looking out the window, so he moved over there. Kate wanted to, too. I took a picture of them sitting in chairs looking out the window.
Jack asked where the burgers were. I lifted him up, way way up, so he could see over the pretty tall counter to the grill. Kate wanted to, too.
We got the food. Jack wanted to carry the shakes but I thought that would be a bad idea. We made our way out to the car, and home. Jack: "I'm so hungry. Hurry, Daddy! I'm so HUNGRY!" Not whiny though; enthusiastic. We got home, and Jack was first out of the car and starting up the stairs. "Let's GO!" Sorry Jack, I thought I'd unbuckle Kate from her car seat.
We go through what is an occasional, recent dilemma about where Kate will sit. She's tiring of the high chair, so we give her the option of sitting at the table, but then she wants to go into a different chair....yeah. Anyway, everyone's finally in their seats, all around the square table, and Jack and Kate have their milkshakes and I'm scarfing down my burger because I too am hungry.
Jack drinks his milkshake quietly. Kate is struggling a bit with the straw and then she figures it out. She gives us the "OOOOoooooooo" look as she tastes it. She's also started saying "Yay-uh!" for "yeah." It's like she has an accent. Pretty funny. I watch as she struggles with the straw a little more. She patiently waits for it to come near her mouth, then tries to get it, and it moves again. Funny. She finally gets it though, more milkshake. Big smile.
Jack has been quiet for a few minutes. Then: "I think this milkshake has made me sick." I reach over. He's basically polished off the entire 12 ounce milkshake in the last 3 minutes. Oops. I'm sure that will have consequences later.
"Is a milkshake ice cream?" Jack asks. Yes, we explain. It's basically like having dessert while you eat dinner. Jack likes this idea.
Everybody enjoyed their burgers (well, me and Emily, and Jack ate half a one, which is amazing for him, especially given all the shake he drank), fries (all of us) and shakes.
Especially the shakes.
We got a place out front and I brought the kids in. First ones there. I ordered, and we had the run of the place. First Jack climbed up on the big tall chair. Then Kate wanted to, too, so I put her up on a big tall chair. Then Jack wanted to sit on one of the smaller chairs looking out the window, so he moved over there. Kate wanted to, too. I took a picture of them sitting in chairs looking out the window.
Jack asked where the burgers were. I lifted him up, way way up, so he could see over the pretty tall counter to the grill. Kate wanted to, too.
We got the food. Jack wanted to carry the shakes but I thought that would be a bad idea. We made our way out to the car, and home. Jack: "I'm so hungry. Hurry, Daddy! I'm so HUNGRY!" Not whiny though; enthusiastic. We got home, and Jack was first out of the car and starting up the stairs. "Let's GO!" Sorry Jack, I thought I'd unbuckle Kate from her car seat.
We go through what is an occasional, recent dilemma about where Kate will sit. She's tiring of the high chair, so we give her the option of sitting at the table, but then she wants to go into a different chair....yeah. Anyway, everyone's finally in their seats, all around the square table, and Jack and Kate have their milkshakes and I'm scarfing down my burger because I too am hungry.
Jack drinks his milkshake quietly. Kate is struggling a bit with the straw and then she figures it out. She gives us the "OOOOoooooooo" look as she tastes it. She's also started saying "Yay-uh!" for "yeah." It's like she has an accent. Pretty funny. I watch as she struggles with the straw a little more. She patiently waits for it to come near her mouth, then tries to get it, and it moves again. Funny. She finally gets it though, more milkshake. Big smile.
Jack has been quiet for a few minutes. Then: "I think this milkshake has made me sick." I reach over. He's basically polished off the entire 12 ounce milkshake in the last 3 minutes. Oops. I'm sure that will have consequences later.
"Is a milkshake ice cream?" Jack asks. Yes, we explain. It's basically like having dessert while you eat dinner. Jack likes this idea.
Everybody enjoyed their burgers (well, me and Emily, and Jack ate half a one, which is amazing for him, especially given all the shake he drank), fries (all of us) and shakes.
Especially the shakes.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Artists
Before dinner tonight Jack saw something and asked what it was, and Emily said it was for Mikey, since his birthday was coming up. And Jack said, I want to make a card for Mikey. And so he did. I was in the kitchen, and here's what I heard.
Jack: "I'm going to draw Mikey a Bionicle. How do you spell Bionicle?"
"I also want to make Star Wars. Mikey likes Star Wars. He's going to think it's so cool!"
"I made Mikey a picture of a gun. I know there's no guns allowed in the house. But, it's a Star Wars gun. (Pause.) Because Mikey likes Star Wars. (Pause.) It's a laser gun."
"He's gonna really like this. He'll be so excited."
"I want to put Abbey's name on the card too. How do you spell Abbey?"
Emily: "I don't think Abbey likes Bionicles and Star Wars. We should make Abbey her own card."
Jack: "OK. What does Abbey like? Does she like castles? I'm going to make a castle with a Queen in it. And a dungeon."
"This is the dungeon. How do you spell dungeon?"
Kate came into the kitchen. Big, hopeful smile on her face. "Goldfish?" No, Kate. Dinner's in 5 minutes.
Kate came into the kitchen again. Earnest, proud smile on her face. Holding up a piece of paper which she'd colored on with three or four different colors. Her artwork. "Mine," she said. Holding it up so I could see. Very proud. That's a great picture, Kate. Sweet smile from her.
She returned to the living room. I looked in after her. She was crouching down near Jack, who was still busily drawing. She wanted to show him her picture. "My picture," she said. Jack was oblivious. Emily: "Jack, Kate wants to show you her picture. Jack? Jack, please tell Kate it's a nice picture."
Jack looked up. "That's a nice picture, Kate."
Kate was happy.
Jack: "I'm going to draw Mikey a Bionicle. How do you spell Bionicle?"
"I also want to make Star Wars. Mikey likes Star Wars. He's going to think it's so cool!"
"I made Mikey a picture of a gun. I know there's no guns allowed in the house. But, it's a Star Wars gun. (Pause.) Because Mikey likes Star Wars. (Pause.) It's a laser gun."
"He's gonna really like this. He'll be so excited."
"I want to put Abbey's name on the card too. How do you spell Abbey?"
Emily: "I don't think Abbey likes Bionicles and Star Wars. We should make Abbey her own card."
Jack: "OK. What does Abbey like? Does she like castles? I'm going to make a castle with a Queen in it. And a dungeon."
"This is the dungeon. How do you spell dungeon?"
Kate came into the kitchen. Big, hopeful smile on her face. "Goldfish?" No, Kate. Dinner's in 5 minutes.
Kate came into the kitchen again. Earnest, proud smile on her face. Holding up a piece of paper which she'd colored on with three or four different colors. Her artwork. "Mine," she said. Holding it up so I could see. Very proud. That's a great picture, Kate. Sweet smile from her.
She returned to the living room. I looked in after her. She was crouching down near Jack, who was still busily drawing. She wanted to show him her picture. "My picture," she said. Jack was oblivious. Emily: "Jack, Kate wants to show you her picture. Jack? Jack, please tell Kate it's a nice picture."
Jack looked up. "That's a nice picture, Kate."
Kate was happy.
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