I'm going into work tomorrow, again, while Emily stays home with the kids (she took a day off). It's supposed to be nice out and they'll have a blast, but I thought I'd give her a preview/guide anyway. Usually the day goes something like this.
6:30. Usually breakfast, sometimes a little free play first, on rare occasions TV.
7:00. TV (assuming breakfast has been had). This is the hour I do work, browse the Internet, guzzle coffee.
8:30. Second breakfast. Jack eats a lot at this breakfast: waffles, banana, cereal sometimes, bagel, orange juice, vitamin. Kate eats about half that much but still does fairly well. This coincides with my first breakfast. On occasion we'll walk to Dunkin' Donuts. On occasion.
9:00. Usually I get them dressed around now, remind Jack to go pee, brush teeth. Sometimes I shower, sometimes not. I get dressed. There's usually some play here too, sometimes they play nicely together for a little while. This is when I might make the bed, especially if I'm Emily. Sometimes they play in their rooms, Jack goes into his room and closes the door, Kate cries because she wants to play with him, so on and so forth.
10:00. We often go out. Sometimes a haircut for Jack, sometimes the bank or supermarket or post office (or some combination of those), recycling, that kind of thing. I find it good to get them out of the house in the morning, not too early so it's cold, not too late so Kate falls asleep. It's supposed to be a great day tomorrow, so I'd lean toward the playground.
11:30. Home, free play. Sometimes Jack asks for TV, usually I steer him away from it, saying maybe he can watch something during Kate's nap. It varies.
12 noon. Lunch. Sometimes mac and cheese, sometimes p b and j, usually yogurt or something. I like to save apples and grapes for afternoon snack.
1:00. Kate naps. I play with Jack. Cards, board games, cars, superheroes. Sometimes we draw pictures. There's a new High Five magazine I'm sure he'll enjoy. This is a good time to focus on Jack. I'm not always perfect, but I try.
2:45. Wake Kate up. Don't want her napping much longer than 90 minutes or so.
3:00. Play. Do puzzle with Kate, something like that.
3:30. Apple snack and either water or milk. Much later than 3:30 and they don't eat dinner.
4:00. TV. Whatever they want. Being that it's supposed to be nice, though, I'd lean toward running around the back yard or playing basketball in the driveway. Spider-man ball is at the top of the basement stairs, other basketballs are probably near the front door. Football in the pantry.
4:45. Around now I emphasize CDs and playing in the living room, waiting for Mommy, or in this case Daddy, to come home.
Have fun.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Little Prince
I got up with the kids this morning. They read "Go, Dog. Go" in Kate's room for a bit, both sitting in the glider with their own copies of the book. I went down and made coffee. Gradually they came downstairs too.
As I got them breakfast, I reflected that Mommy was still sleeping. Jack said, "Maybe it's an enchanted sleep." I laughed and said, where did you get that from? He said, "In Miss Ruthie's room, they read it in the mornings."
Then he said, "If it's an enchanted sleep, she'll sleep forever." And I said, well, maybe you can wake her up with a kiss. And he said, "Well, you'd have to be a prince." And I said, well, what about me? I'm kind of a prince.
He said, emphatically, "NO." And I said, why not?
He said, "Princes have capes." Pause. "I have a cape!"
So he went upstairs, got his superhero cape, and went wake up Mommy.
As I got them breakfast, I reflected that Mommy was still sleeping. Jack said, "Maybe it's an enchanted sleep." I laughed and said, where did you get that from? He said, "In Miss Ruthie's room, they read it in the mornings."
Then he said, "If it's an enchanted sleep, she'll sleep forever." And I said, well, maybe you can wake her up with a kiss. And he said, "Well, you'd have to be a prince." And I said, well, what about me? I'm kind of a prince.
He said, emphatically, "NO." And I said, why not?
He said, "Princes have capes." Pause. "I have a cape!"
So he went upstairs, got his superhero cape, and went wake up Mommy.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Guest blog
I worked in an office today; it happens every once in a while. When it happens on a Friday, when the kids aren't in school, Emily works from home. So this morning instead of staying in my pajamas until around noon -- unless it was one of those Fridays I got the kids dressed and we walked the block to Dunkin' Donuts -- I showered, got dressed, and stumbled off to work. And Emily stayed home. Let's hear what she has to say.
Anyway, it was a nice reminder I'm a pretty lucky guy.
- Trying to actually work from home and pay attention to two young children is hard. Very hard. So I'm not afraid to admit it: they watched entirely too much TV today.
- On the bright side, at least they didn't watch the same shows they usually do. They branched out a bit, watching something called "Cyberchase" that had penguins in it, and that made Jack burst out laughing a few times, which is definitely one of my favorite sounds in the world.
- I managed to get them dressed before 10 o'clock, finally bribing them with a promise that mommy would finally take a break and play with them for a bit, but only if they were dressed. So they got dressed, and we played Zoominoes, the new favorite game. Then all hell broke loose workwise, and then I was stressed for the next hour or so, trying to get done what I needed to get done for work.
- For lunch I made macaroni and cheese. They were all, it's too hot, it's too hot, it's too hot. Jack said, "Daddy usually rinses it off with cold water first." I told him I wasn't going to do that, but I mixed it up a little bit and blew on it. I said it was OK and offered one to Kate. She carefully tasted one, ate it, then looked at Jack. "It's good!" she said. The taster.
Anyway, it was a nice reminder I'm a pretty lucky guy.
Friday, March 05, 2010
I running!
February was kind of rough; snow and cold and all that. Oh sure it was fun making snowmen and such, but you know.
Today, the first Friday home with the kids in March, was nice. Not exactly warm, but sunny and clear, so we got into clothes -- I admit, there are Fridays we stay in pajamas, not often but it happens -- bundled up, and went out in the backyard. Brought a couple of footballs, too.
For a little while, we just walked around. They climbed up on the little play slide and swing, which they hadn't seen all winter. Poked around the empty flower pots. Walked along the fence. Got used to the feel of grass under our feet; a week earlier, there'd been snow and lots of it.
Jack and I threw one football around. He almost brained Kate with it at one point, but fortunately didn't. I tossed them underhand, he caught some. He threw with all his might, one or two were in my vicinity. Go long! he yelled. Throw it, I said, I'm far enough away.
Kate picked up her smaller football, made as if to throw it, but instead ran up to me and put it in my hands. Then demanded it back.
At some point, the footballs were put aside in favor of running. Racing. We all lined up on the edge of the grass and ran. Jack ran full tilt, easily outdistancing us. I ran a step slower than Kate, which is to say running a step, stopping, running a step, stopping, waiting while she picked herself up from her knees, running a step, stopping. Jack won easily. Kate and I continued running in stride. She fell on her knees for the final time near the finish line, at which point I stopped, augh, you got me, Kate. She laughed. She laughed as she ran, laughed as she fell, laughed as she got up and laughed as she ran. Jack laughed triumphantly as he finished minutes before we did.
Later that evening, eating pizza, Emily asked about it, said to Jack she heard we raced. Did you win, she said. Jack said, Yeah, I ran like this. And he showed his fast run. And then: Daddy ran like this. And he did a slow-motion, Six Million Dollar Man run that cracked us up. Daddy always runs in slow motion, he said. Then he did Kate's run, waving his arms and legs in a herky-jerky style that cracked us up all over again.
Kate apparently wanted to clarify that she could, in fact, run. She ran into the living room. Yook, Daddy! she said. Yook! I running! I running! As she ran, she turned to look over her shoulder, making sure I was watching. I running!
Today, the first Friday home with the kids in March, was nice. Not exactly warm, but sunny and clear, so we got into clothes -- I admit, there are Fridays we stay in pajamas, not often but it happens -- bundled up, and went out in the backyard. Brought a couple of footballs, too.
For a little while, we just walked around. They climbed up on the little play slide and swing, which they hadn't seen all winter. Poked around the empty flower pots. Walked along the fence. Got used to the feel of grass under our feet; a week earlier, there'd been snow and lots of it.
Jack and I threw one football around. He almost brained Kate with it at one point, but fortunately didn't. I tossed them underhand, he caught some. He threw with all his might, one or two were in my vicinity. Go long! he yelled. Throw it, I said, I'm far enough away.
Kate picked up her smaller football, made as if to throw it, but instead ran up to me and put it in my hands. Then demanded it back.
At some point, the footballs were put aside in favor of running. Racing. We all lined up on the edge of the grass and ran. Jack ran full tilt, easily outdistancing us. I ran a step slower than Kate, which is to say running a step, stopping, running a step, stopping, waiting while she picked herself up from her knees, running a step, stopping. Jack won easily. Kate and I continued running in stride. She fell on her knees for the final time near the finish line, at which point I stopped, augh, you got me, Kate. She laughed. She laughed as she ran, laughed as she fell, laughed as she got up and laughed as she ran. Jack laughed triumphantly as he finished minutes before we did.
Later that evening, eating pizza, Emily asked about it, said to Jack she heard we raced. Did you win, she said. Jack said, Yeah, I ran like this. And he showed his fast run. And then: Daddy ran like this. And he did a slow-motion, Six Million Dollar Man run that cracked us up. Daddy always runs in slow motion, he said. Then he did Kate's run, waving his arms and legs in a herky-jerky style that cracked us up all over again.
Kate apparently wanted to clarify that she could, in fact, run. She ran into the living room. Yook, Daddy! she said. Yook! I running! I running! As she ran, she turned to look over her shoulder, making sure I was watching. I running!
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Monkey
When Jack was 3 (I think), Grandma gave him this stuffed monkey that would say Ooo Ooo, laugh when you tickled its foot, hiccup after being given a bottle, and other stuff. It kind of freaked me out a bit to be honest, and Jack mostly lukewarm on it as well. Every once in a while the monkey would get taken out and play, but he spent a lot of time peering over the edge of the living room toybox.
In the last week, two years later, things have changed. I don't know if it was Kate first or Jack, but now the two of them together have adopted Monkey. In the mornings they give him breakfast, sitting him at their little play table and laying out quite a spread of play food. Jack looks for fruit in particular -- "Monkeys like fruit," he explains sagely -- so all the toy apples, bananas, and what have you adorn the table for Monkey's feast. "Is a cucumber fruit?" he asks. No, Jack. "Is papaya a fruit?" Yes, Jack.
They also put monkey down for naps, covering him with a blanket. This morning I saw Kate sitting facing monkey, as if they were going to play pattycake or something. Not sure if that actually occurred. She was talking to him, though.
When Jack was getting ready for school this morning, he asked me to take care of Monkey. "If he hiccups, that means he wants food," Jack said. I'm not sure I followed his reasoning, but I said, OK.
Evidently not convinced, Jack spent his last 10 minutes before going to school writing instructions out for me. "How do you spell 'monkey'?" he asked. And so on. When he was finished, he taped the note instructions up for me to see.
There was a picture of Monkey, so I wouldn't get confused. And the note read, "Monkey should only be fed when he hiccups."
In the last week, two years later, things have changed. I don't know if it was Kate first or Jack, but now the two of them together have adopted Monkey. In the mornings they give him breakfast, sitting him at their little play table and laying out quite a spread of play food. Jack looks for fruit in particular -- "Monkeys like fruit," he explains sagely -- so all the toy apples, bananas, and what have you adorn the table for Monkey's feast. "Is a cucumber fruit?" he asks. No, Jack. "Is papaya a fruit?" Yes, Jack.
They also put monkey down for naps, covering him with a blanket. This morning I saw Kate sitting facing monkey, as if they were going to play pattycake or something. Not sure if that actually occurred. She was talking to him, though.
When Jack was getting ready for school this morning, he asked me to take care of Monkey. "If he hiccups, that means he wants food," Jack said. I'm not sure I followed his reasoning, but I said, OK.
Evidently not convinced, Jack spent his last 10 minutes before going to school writing instructions out for me. "How do you spell 'monkey'?" he asked. And so on. When he was finished, he taped the note instructions up for me to see.
There was a picture of Monkey, so I wouldn't get confused. And the note read, "Monkey should only be fed when he hiccups."
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Kate talking
Kate can be quite chatty at times. When she wakes up after a good night's sleep, for example, she'll talk for a while in her crib. It usually culminates in a, "Daddy!" Pause. "DADDY!" Longer pause. "MOMMY!"
Before she goes to sleep, she also talks at length. Today, before her nap, I heard her talking to her various stuffed toys. "You good boy, Tyrone? You good boy. You too, Austin?" Talking to her Backyardigans. When I got her after her nap, she'd lined them all up, sitting, like an audience for her nap. Funny.
Emily notes how she can't be bothered with things like prepositions. It's all, "You like waffles? I like waffles. You go gym? I go play. You have coffee? You LIKE coffee? I dohlike (it's sort of a contraction of "don't like") coffee...."
That contraction, actually, comes into use a lot. When something at dinner doesn't agree with her. "I dohlike dat....I dohlike pohtaytoes....You like pohtaytoes? I DO like dem....I dohlike dat...."
She chatters away to Jack sometimes, too. "Hi Jack....you good boy? You nap, Jack? You dohnap? I nap. You do puzzle, Jack? You do puzzle me, Jack? I do puzzle. I like puzzle...."
Folding laundry this afternoon. "I help you? I help. I fold. I folding." She stretches a sheet out on the floor and lies down on it. "I folding. I helping? I help YOU....."
Bedtime. She turns to Emily. "You put ME bed? You put me bed. You put Jack bed? Daddy put me bed? Daddy put JACK bed?" Nodding sagely. Then, "Daddy put Jack bed....You put ME bed." Happy.
Before she goes to sleep, she also talks at length. Today, before her nap, I heard her talking to her various stuffed toys. "You good boy, Tyrone? You good boy. You too, Austin?" Talking to her Backyardigans. When I got her after her nap, she'd lined them all up, sitting, like an audience for her nap. Funny.
Emily notes how she can't be bothered with things like prepositions. It's all, "You like waffles? I like waffles. You go gym? I go play. You have coffee? You LIKE coffee? I dohlike (it's sort of a contraction of "don't like") coffee...."
That contraction, actually, comes into use a lot. When something at dinner doesn't agree with her. "I dohlike dat....I dohlike pohtaytoes....You like pohtaytoes? I DO like dem....I dohlike dat...."
She chatters away to Jack sometimes, too. "Hi Jack....you good boy? You nap, Jack? You dohnap? I nap. You do puzzle, Jack? You do puzzle me, Jack? I do puzzle. I like puzzle...."
Folding laundry this afternoon. "I help you? I help. I fold. I folding." She stretches a sheet out on the floor and lies down on it. "I folding. I helping? I help YOU....."
Bedtime. She turns to Emily. "You put ME bed? You put me bed. You put Jack bed? Daddy put me bed? Daddy put JACK bed?" Nodding sagely. Then, "Daddy put Jack bed....You put ME bed." Happy.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Good evening
We all have our moods. Sometimes they're good, like yesterday....
I picked up Jack at school, where his class was running around the tumble room. He saw me and ran over, nearly tackling me. Happy.
We went to get Kate, who was drawing on the chalkboard when we went in. Normally she runs over to hug me. Today she glanced our way, turned back to the chalkboard, drew a few more lines. Then, apparently satisfied that her picture was complete: "Daddy! Jack!" She ran over and hugged me.
We headed up to Jack's room. Kate ran down the hallway, laughing. Jack ran after her, quickly overtaking her with his longer stride. She laughed more. We went up the stairs, and again, they both ran pell-mell down the hall to Jack's room. Oh, in the stairwell, both love the echoes, so they yell: "Hello! Echo! Hi! Daddy! Hello!"
Outside, on the way to the car, it had rained. Jack used to always stop to splash in puddles, but was holding some pictures he'd drawn (a stack of Wallace and Gromit pictures, his latest fascination). Kate, however, saw the puddles with excitement. She carefully stopped at each one, planted one foot outside the puddle, and stamped with the other one. Laughter. I put her in the car, and she noticed her pants leg was soaked. "My pants!" Yes, Kate, that's what happens.
We went home, and I started making dinner. Kate found a bag of art supplies and wanted to draw. Jack did too, so I made space at the little table. They sat next to each other, her coloring with the markers and Jack drawing -- another Wallace and Gromit, using a DVD cover I'd just taken out of the library as a go-by.
Kate rushed into the kitchen. "Yook!" she said. She held up the coloring book, where she'd colored some. "I MADE this! Yook, Daddy!" I looked, gave the appropriate praise, and she dashed off again.
Jack came in with his latest picture. "Look, Daddy!" Suddenly, he noticed it fading. He'd used one of Kate's markers, which were intended for special paper. He got briefly sad, then ran back out to the living room to trace the lines before they faded completely away.
Both inhaled their dinner. Jack laughed himself silly at a few minutes of the Wallace and Gromit DVD before going to bed. Everyone slept well.
I picked up Jack at school, where his class was running around the tumble room. He saw me and ran over, nearly tackling me. Happy.
We went to get Kate, who was drawing on the chalkboard when we went in. Normally she runs over to hug me. Today she glanced our way, turned back to the chalkboard, drew a few more lines. Then, apparently satisfied that her picture was complete: "Daddy! Jack!" She ran over and hugged me.
We headed up to Jack's room. Kate ran down the hallway, laughing. Jack ran after her, quickly overtaking her with his longer stride. She laughed more. We went up the stairs, and again, they both ran pell-mell down the hall to Jack's room. Oh, in the stairwell, both love the echoes, so they yell: "Hello! Echo! Hi! Daddy! Hello!"
Outside, on the way to the car, it had rained. Jack used to always stop to splash in puddles, but was holding some pictures he'd drawn (a stack of Wallace and Gromit pictures, his latest fascination). Kate, however, saw the puddles with excitement. She carefully stopped at each one, planted one foot outside the puddle, and stamped with the other one. Laughter. I put her in the car, and she noticed her pants leg was soaked. "My pants!" Yes, Kate, that's what happens.
We went home, and I started making dinner. Kate found a bag of art supplies and wanted to draw. Jack did too, so I made space at the little table. They sat next to each other, her coloring with the markers and Jack drawing -- another Wallace and Gromit, using a DVD cover I'd just taken out of the library as a go-by.
Kate rushed into the kitchen. "Yook!" she said. She held up the coloring book, where she'd colored some. "I MADE this! Yook, Daddy!" I looked, gave the appropriate praise, and she dashed off again.
Jack came in with his latest picture. "Look, Daddy!" Suddenly, he noticed it fading. He'd used one of Kate's markers, which were intended for special paper. He got briefly sad, then ran back out to the living room to trace the lines before they faded completely away.
Both inhaled their dinner. Jack laughed himself silly at a few minutes of the Wallace and Gromit DVD before going to bed. Everyone slept well.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Pirate Day
We showed Jack highlight from the Olympics. He watched the snowboarders' leaps and stunts. "That's COOL!" he said. He demonstrated the moves by leaping up in the air and turning around, landing fairly impressively on all fours.
I told Jack it would be Pirate Day. We'd talk like pirates, draw pictures of pirates, and make swords and hats.
Jack decided as part of our Special Pirate Day, we should go to Dunkin' Donuts. He drew a treasure map to help guide us there. He rolled it up and carried it tightly in his fist on the walk.
The kids played at the table, making faces at each other. "I see you," said Kate. "I see YOU," said Jack. Laughter. Kate looked through the donut on her plate to see the picture of Tasha underneath. "I see Tasha," she said.
I want to call this day 'Dunkin Pirates Day'," said Jack.
Jack and I did the pirate ship puzzle. Kate watched the Pirate Treasure episode of Backyardigans.
We sent an email to Mommy.
We made pirate hats out of newspaper. Kate seemed very pleased to have hers, even though she couldn't keep it on for more than a few seconds at a time.
We watched the Phineas and Ferb episode with a pirate theme, the "Ballad of Badbeard."
We made pirate swords out of cardboard. Jack decorated them with fearsome skull and crossbones images, and wrote our names on them. Just like real pirates, I imagine.
I told Jack it would be Pirate Day. We'd talk like pirates, draw pictures of pirates, and make swords and hats.
Jack decided as part of our Special Pirate Day, we should go to Dunkin' Donuts. He drew a treasure map to help guide us there. He rolled it up and carried it tightly in his fist on the walk.
The kids played at the table, making faces at each other. "I see you," said Kate. "I see YOU," said Jack. Laughter. Kate looked through the donut on her plate to see the picture of Tasha underneath. "I see Tasha," she said.
I want to call this day 'Dunkin Pirates Day'," said Jack.
Jack and I did the pirate ship puzzle. Kate watched the Pirate Treasure episode of Backyardigans.
We sent an email to Mommy.
We made pirate hats out of newspaper. Kate seemed very pleased to have hers, even though she couldn't keep it on for more than a few seconds at a time.
We watched the Phineas and Ferb episode with a pirate theme, the "Ballad of Badbeard."
We made pirate swords out of cardboard. Jack decorated them with fearsome skull and crossbones images, and wrote our names on them. Just like real pirates, I imagine.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Two from Jack today
I observed that I had a headache. Jack said, "What's a headache?"
I said, oh, it's when my head hurts.
Jack said, "My head never hurts. My head is the strongest part of my body." Pause.
"Well, except for my hands, they're also strong."
__________________________________
Later on:
Out of the blue, Jack says, "I have my pants on backwards!"
I said, oh, it's when my head hurts.
Jack said, "My head never hurts. My head is the strongest part of my body." Pause.
"Well, except for my hands, they're also strong."
__________________________________
Later on:
Out of the blue, Jack says, "I have my pants on backwards!"
Monday, February 15, 2010
Games with Jack
We're a game family -- board games, primarily. Seems Jack is too.
On Sunday, when Emily and I went shopping, Jack played games with Baba. We came back to find that they'd played Yahtzee, Sorry, and Battleship over the past hour. They were still playing Battleship, with Baba twisted on the floor like a pretzel, peering over at Jack's board, explaining to him how to play. Later, I saw the Yahtzee scoresheet. It appeared they were basically just rolling out dice, adding them all up, and Jack was recording the numbers. So it was JACK 23, BABA 17, in Jack's blocky capital letters, and underneath JACK 87, BABA 76, and so forth; he wrote each name each time.
Later, Baba was playing Solitaire at the computer. Jack was at his elbow; Baba was explaining how to play.
I can remember having to tell Jack to say goodbye to Nana and Baba; reminding him to give them hugs and all that. Today, as we left, he did it on his own.
On Sunday, when Emily and I went shopping, Jack played games with Baba. We came back to find that they'd played Yahtzee, Sorry, and Battleship over the past hour. They were still playing Battleship, with Baba twisted on the floor like a pretzel, peering over at Jack's board, explaining to him how to play. Later, I saw the Yahtzee scoresheet. It appeared they were basically just rolling out dice, adding them all up, and Jack was recording the numbers. So it was JACK 23, BABA 17, in Jack's blocky capital letters, and underneath JACK 87, BABA 76, and so forth; he wrote each name each time.
Later, Baba was playing Solitaire at the computer. Jack was at his elbow; Baba was explaining how to play.
I can remember having to tell Jack to say goodbye to Nana and Baba; reminding him to give them hugs and all that. Today, as we left, he did it on his own.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Kate and Molly
Got to Vermont today, for the first time in about 6 months. Naturally Kate had forgotten all about Molly, and her experience with dogs is limited, so when she saw her, she was afraid. She clung to us and wailed fearfully if Molly approached, or if we got too close to her.
That went on for about an hour or two. Kate would play happily in the living room, Molly would wander in, or Kate would suddenly encounter Molly near the kitchen, and she'd cry and run for us.
Shortly after dinner, Kate decided she wasn't going to be afraid any more. So she stood in the kitchen, a few feet away from Molly, and said, "Hi!" And then, "Hi, Molly. Molly! I'm Hi-ing you! Molly! Hi!" Turns to look at us. "I hi-ed Molly! I hi-ed her! Molly! Hi, Molly!"
Molly, befuddled by this change of events, tried to hide under the table. Kate knelt down near her. "Hi!" she yelled toward her. "Hi, Molly!"
Turns to look at us again. "I'm Hi-ing her!"
Jack, who realizes fully that Molly is essentially a lumpy rug, sits next to her and pets her. He encouraged Kate to come over and pet her. She wasn't ready to actually touch her, but she did kneel very close to her. "Hi, Molly!" she said.
Jack brought out plastic bones and other toys that Molly has no interest in. Kate did the same. Molly left the room. "Bye, Molly!" says Kate.
That went on for about an hour or two. Kate would play happily in the living room, Molly would wander in, or Kate would suddenly encounter Molly near the kitchen, and she'd cry and run for us.
Shortly after dinner, Kate decided she wasn't going to be afraid any more. So she stood in the kitchen, a few feet away from Molly, and said, "Hi!" And then, "Hi, Molly. Molly! I'm Hi-ing you! Molly! Hi!" Turns to look at us. "I hi-ed Molly! I hi-ed her! Molly! Hi, Molly!"
Molly, befuddled by this change of events, tried to hide under the table. Kate knelt down near her. "Hi!" she yelled toward her. "Hi, Molly!"
Turns to look at us again. "I'm Hi-ing her!"
Jack, who realizes fully that Molly is essentially a lumpy rug, sits next to her and pets her. He encouraged Kate to come over and pet her. She wasn't ready to actually touch her, but she did kneel very close to her. "Hi, Molly!" she said.
Jack brought out plastic bones and other toys that Molly has no interest in. Kate did the same. Molly left the room. "Bye, Molly!" says Kate.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
winter
So it was snowing out this morning, a lot, and everyone was home, so the critical goal of the day is building a snowman. First there was breakfast, TV, and probably a puzzle or two, and then it was time to suit up and build the thing.
To their credit, the kids didn't take much coaxing. Both agreeably let me help them into snowpants, boots -- actually it was sad, Kate got her boots on by herself, and was so proud, but I had to take them off to get the snowpants on -- jackets, hats, gloves, etc. Jack had his own complication, he wanted to put his jacket on before the snowpants, So anyway, I got them suited up, then went to look for my own snowpants, boots, et al. Then put Kate's hat and gloves back on.
We got outside and were hit with a wall of wind and snow. It was still snowing, and the wind was strong. Kate: "Pick me up!" She extended her arms to emphasize it. I picked her up and we struggled into the backyard. I put her down, explaining there was a snowman to be made. She stood in place, grudgingly.
Jack traipsed around a bit. I started making the snowman's body, then started another for his head, which Jack finished. We did a pretty good job. Emily came out. Kate raised her arms to her. I went in to get a hat, gloves, and scarf for the snowman. Jack helped me find twigs and rocks for its features. Oh yeah, Emily brought a carrot, which Kate showed interest in. No, Kate, it's the snowman's nose, not a snack.
We built the snowman. At this point Kate no longer wanted to go in. She pointed and smiled. "Snowman!" Jack and I debated building a snowdog or something, but ended up just throwing snowballs at each other. Mine hit him in the legs. His snowball blasted me in the face from 4 feet away. I fell over, at least somewhat playing.
When we went inside, they both said "Bye, snowman." Jack actually yelled from the door. "BYE, SNOWMAN!!!!"
During Kate's nap, Jack and I went outside again. We played around in the snow, then went in the backyard. Again I considered making a snow dog, but it wasn't working. We made a serpent, kind of, but it too wasn't that great. The snow wasn't quite as sticky as would have been ideal. Jack took the serpent idea and started making little hills in the yard. I asked him why, and he said, "I'm making mountains." Then, "Let's make them all over the yard." I said, uh, why? And he said, "Because." He made 3 more and then said, "I don't want to make mountains anymore."
The wind picked up so we went inside.
To their credit, the kids didn't take much coaxing. Both agreeably let me help them into snowpants, boots -- actually it was sad, Kate got her boots on by herself, and was so proud, but I had to take them off to get the snowpants on -- jackets, hats, gloves, etc. Jack had his own complication, he wanted to put his jacket on before the snowpants, So anyway, I got them suited up, then went to look for my own snowpants, boots, et al. Then put Kate's hat and gloves back on.
We got outside and were hit with a wall of wind and snow. It was still snowing, and the wind was strong. Kate: "Pick me up!" She extended her arms to emphasize it. I picked her up and we struggled into the backyard. I put her down, explaining there was a snowman to be made. She stood in place, grudgingly.
Jack traipsed around a bit. I started making the snowman's body, then started another for his head, which Jack finished. We did a pretty good job. Emily came out. Kate raised her arms to her. I went in to get a hat, gloves, and scarf for the snowman. Jack helped me find twigs and rocks for its features. Oh yeah, Emily brought a carrot, which Kate showed interest in. No, Kate, it's the snowman's nose, not a snack.
We built the snowman. At this point Kate no longer wanted to go in. She pointed and smiled. "Snowman!" Jack and I debated building a snowdog or something, but ended up just throwing snowballs at each other. Mine hit him in the legs. His snowball blasted me in the face from 4 feet away. I fell over, at least somewhat playing.
When we went inside, they both said "Bye, snowman." Jack actually yelled from the door. "BYE, SNOWMAN!!!!"
During Kate's nap, Jack and I went outside again. We played around in the snow, then went in the backyard. Again I considered making a snow dog, but it wasn't working. We made a serpent, kind of, but it too wasn't that great. The snow wasn't quite as sticky as would have been ideal. Jack took the serpent idea and started making little hills in the yard. I asked him why, and he said, "I'm making mountains." Then, "Let's make them all over the yard." I said, uh, why? And he said, "Because." He made 3 more and then said, "I don't want to make mountains anymore."
The wind picked up so we went inside.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Real-time Friday
6 a.m. We go get Kate out of bed. She first made noise around 5:30, I guess. Maybe earlier. We don't get her before 6, but she often wakes up earlier. We've tried various things to get her to sleep later, putting her to bed later or earlier, but the best solution appears to be curtailing her midday nap. Shorter naps have had her sleeping late. Of course, waking her up from a nap after she's been up since 5 a.m. also has its drawbacks. Jack also wakes up around this time, either because of Kate making noise or just because.
6:30 a.m. Downstairs, Jack doing a puzzle. Kate messes it up. We tell her to say Sorry; she doesn't. I make coffee, she comes in wanting breakfast. I say, first tell Jack you're sorry. She refuses, so I refuse breakfast. Five minutes later, she gets up, walks into the living room, walks up to Jack and holds her arms out for a hug. "Sorry, Jack," she says. It's a nice moment. Then she offers him her hand. "Breakfast?" They walk hand in hand to the kitchen for breakfast.
6:45 a.m. Breakfast is eaten, Jack and I finish his puzzle. A debate ensues over what to watch on TV. Kate has found the Finding Nemo VHS and wants to watch it, but Jack's not a fan. Something about all the scary stuff early on, which I kind of understand his feelings on. We settle on Madagascar, enabling Daddy to do a little work and drink lots of coffee without interruption.
9 a.m. Second breakfast. We have this because this is when I have my first breakfast, and me eating food prompts them to be hungry too. Waffles, bagels, bananas, it's a smorgasbord.
10 a.m. Jack plays with his castle and Kate plays with the pirate ship. Like talking to a pitcher during a no-hitter, I'm afraid to mention it further.
11 a.m. We play with Bakugan toys. Well, Jack and I do, while Kate uses the toy Dr.s equipment to check my ears and give me a shot. I get a bandaid, then she jams the thermometer into my teeth. Painfully. I guess I'm glad it wasn't my eye.
11:30 a.m. We're still playing with medical equipment. Kate takes my temperature with great enthusiasm. Jack does the same, and says, "uh-oh, Daddy." He shows me the thermometer with the wheel turned to sad face. I say, oh no. He says, wait! And checks it again, then turns it to happy face. Guess I'm OK.
12 noon. Lunch. Both eat yogurt. I give Kate avocado and tuna fish, the latter of which she doesn't eat, naturally. She takes one dainty, Kate mouth-sized bite. "No like," she says. I eat the rest. I make Jack a turkey burger, because there's leftover from last night. He grudgingly, eventually, eats it. It will be easier at afternoon snack when I'll offer them an apple, and they'll greedily wolf it down.
At lunch, Kate sings, a combination of Twinkle Twinkle and Itsy Bitsy Spider. She kind of mishmashes lines of different songs together, which is funny on its own, plus Jack corrects her. "Kate! It's not itsy bitsy STAR! It's Twinkle twinkle little star, and Itsy Bitsy Spider!" She says OK, sheepishly, but continues on with it anyway. Jack sighs and looks at me.
12:30 p.m. We play with blocks. Jack wants to make cannons, so we do that for a bit. Then he wants to make a dragon, so we do that too. Kate brings out one of her dolls, a baby (used to be Emily's, looks like a cabbage patch kid. Pretty cute). We spend 10 minutes putting her hat on...taking it off...putting it on.
1 p.m. It's time to put Kate down for a nap. "Not now, soon," she says. For Kate, "soon" is some distant point in the future. Even though she could barely keep her eyes open at around 10 or so. I say, yes, very soon.
1:15 p.m. Kate is standing near the couch, leaning back, sucking her thumb. I've been trying to get her to stop, at least at times not associated with wanting to sleep. Now, of course, she wants to sleep. So up she goes. I put her down on the changing table to check her diaper. "No, I'm good!" she says. "I'm GOOD." This is a phrase she's picked up from us. Turns out she is good. And tired.
1:30 p.m. Jack and I play with his cars a little bit, then I let him watch this short DVD that came with one of his toys -- basically a 10-minute commercial for Imaginext toys. I've now got the theme song stuck in my head. As he watches, I write this.
Jack wants to draw a picture of his dragon, using the DVD picture as a guide. I'm going to go watch.
6:30 a.m. Downstairs, Jack doing a puzzle. Kate messes it up. We tell her to say Sorry; she doesn't. I make coffee, she comes in wanting breakfast. I say, first tell Jack you're sorry. She refuses, so I refuse breakfast. Five minutes later, she gets up, walks into the living room, walks up to Jack and holds her arms out for a hug. "Sorry, Jack," she says. It's a nice moment. Then she offers him her hand. "Breakfast?" They walk hand in hand to the kitchen for breakfast.
6:45 a.m. Breakfast is eaten, Jack and I finish his puzzle. A debate ensues over what to watch on TV. Kate has found the Finding Nemo VHS and wants to watch it, but Jack's not a fan. Something about all the scary stuff early on, which I kind of understand his feelings on. We settle on Madagascar, enabling Daddy to do a little work and drink lots of coffee without interruption.
9 a.m. Second breakfast. We have this because this is when I have my first breakfast, and me eating food prompts them to be hungry too. Waffles, bagels, bananas, it's a smorgasbord.
10 a.m. Jack plays with his castle and Kate plays with the pirate ship. Like talking to a pitcher during a no-hitter, I'm afraid to mention it further.
11 a.m. We play with Bakugan toys. Well, Jack and I do, while Kate uses the toy Dr.s equipment to check my ears and give me a shot. I get a bandaid, then she jams the thermometer into my teeth. Painfully. I guess I'm glad it wasn't my eye.
11:30 a.m. We're still playing with medical equipment. Kate takes my temperature with great enthusiasm. Jack does the same, and says, "uh-oh, Daddy." He shows me the thermometer with the wheel turned to sad face. I say, oh no. He says, wait! And checks it again, then turns it to happy face. Guess I'm OK.
12 noon. Lunch. Both eat yogurt. I give Kate avocado and tuna fish, the latter of which she doesn't eat, naturally. She takes one dainty, Kate mouth-sized bite. "No like," she says. I eat the rest. I make Jack a turkey burger, because there's leftover from last night. He grudgingly, eventually, eats it. It will be easier at afternoon snack when I'll offer them an apple, and they'll greedily wolf it down.
At lunch, Kate sings, a combination of Twinkle Twinkle and Itsy Bitsy Spider. She kind of mishmashes lines of different songs together, which is funny on its own, plus Jack corrects her. "Kate! It's not itsy bitsy STAR! It's Twinkle twinkle little star, and Itsy Bitsy Spider!" She says OK, sheepishly, but continues on with it anyway. Jack sighs and looks at me.
12:30 p.m. We play with blocks. Jack wants to make cannons, so we do that for a bit. Then he wants to make a dragon, so we do that too. Kate brings out one of her dolls, a baby (used to be Emily's, looks like a cabbage patch kid. Pretty cute). We spend 10 minutes putting her hat on...taking it off...putting it on.
1 p.m. It's time to put Kate down for a nap. "Not now, soon," she says. For Kate, "soon" is some distant point in the future. Even though she could barely keep her eyes open at around 10 or so. I say, yes, very soon.
1:15 p.m. Kate is standing near the couch, leaning back, sucking her thumb. I've been trying to get her to stop, at least at times not associated with wanting to sleep. Now, of course, she wants to sleep. So up she goes. I put her down on the changing table to check her diaper. "No, I'm good!" she says. "I'm GOOD." This is a phrase she's picked up from us. Turns out she is good. And tired.
1:30 p.m. Jack and I play with his cars a little bit, then I let him watch this short DVD that came with one of his toys -- basically a 10-minute commercial for Imaginext toys. I've now got the theme song stuck in my head. As he watches, I write this.
Jack wants to draw a picture of his dragon, using the DVD picture as a guide. I'm going to go watch.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Ten things we did this weekend
1. Jack had his 5-year-old checkup. It included a finger prick (he cried a lot), four shots (more crying), and peeing in a cup. Since he'd gone before we left, that wasn't easy for him, nor for me with him, Kate, and a cup in a tiny bathroom. Got it on the second try! For the shots, they gave him the first one, and he wailed and writhed on the table, at which point they brought in two more nurses -- one to hug Jack tight so he wouldn't move too much, one at each arm to administer the shots. Ouch. Over the nurse's shoulder (I was holding Kate), I tried to tell him it would be OK and smile reassuringly. He'd have none of it, instead looking at me with an anguished "Why? WhYYYYY!" in his eyes. Afterward, he got a bunch of sticker, as did Kate. And gummi bears at home.
2. I played dodge ball in Port Chester, a fundraiser for local schools. Emily and the kids arrived moments after my first game, and left moments before my second game, 45 minutes later. The timing was poor. The next day I described it to Jack in vivid, semi-accurate detail, which he enjoyed.
3. We had family over, Emily's cousin Marik and girlfriend Maureen. Jack and Kate were both shy at first, but by the end Jack was putting his blue toy lizard on Maureen's shoulder, which I take to be a sign of kindness.
4. Jack and Kate played with their cousins at both Cathy's (prior to dodge ball) and our house (the next night). Kate said hi to Ian, which is a step for her; she's equally fascinated by and wary of him. He said she seemed pleased when he said hi to her: "The monster spoke!"
5. Jack and I drew pictures together. We took turns making dinosaurs on a page, and then their skeletons. So if you drew a picture of a T-Rex, you also had to draw a T-Rex skeleton. This extended to our next picture, which included random animals like a fox. Jack draws a cute fox skeleton. I realize it sounds a little odd.
6. We went to Luciano's birthday party. It was basically kids running around a large gym at a New York Sports Club, playing games led by gym employees. For the most part they had fun, it seemed, although Jack did lament afterward, "It was fun, except you had to sit and listen to what they told you to do." Jack's a bit of a ham; every once in a while he'd look over from running or dancing and give us a goofy smile and a big wave.
7. We had various meals. Jack ate well; we think he's in the midst of another growth spurt. Kate ate sporadically; she's into grazing breakfast and lunch, eating some, saying she's all done, wanting to come back 10 minutes later to eat more. A little aggravating.
8. Jack and I went to the grocery store. We used this scanner which totals your purchases as you go; I'd never done it before but Emily recommended it and Jack insisted. Took me a lot longer but Jack had fun pointing it at things. I would like to believe we only paid for things we actually put in the cart, but it's hard to be certain.
9. I did puzzles with Kate. She's getting better at them; it used to be just me doing them, essentially, but now it's her.
10. Sung both of them to sleep last night, Kate with Itsy Bitsy Spider (she sings along, "Pie....der..."), Jack with Swing on a Star. Kate woke up and babbled away for a while, but it still felt like a job well done.
2. I played dodge ball in Port Chester, a fundraiser for local schools. Emily and the kids arrived moments after my first game, and left moments before my second game, 45 minutes later. The timing was poor. The next day I described it to Jack in vivid, semi-accurate detail, which he enjoyed.
3. We had family over, Emily's cousin Marik and girlfriend Maureen. Jack and Kate were both shy at first, but by the end Jack was putting his blue toy lizard on Maureen's shoulder, which I take to be a sign of kindness.
4. Jack and Kate played with their cousins at both Cathy's (prior to dodge ball) and our house (the next night). Kate said hi to Ian, which is a step for her; she's equally fascinated by and wary of him. He said she seemed pleased when he said hi to her: "The monster spoke!"
5. Jack and I drew pictures together. We took turns making dinosaurs on a page, and then their skeletons. So if you drew a picture of a T-Rex, you also had to draw a T-Rex skeleton. This extended to our next picture, which included random animals like a fox. Jack draws a cute fox skeleton. I realize it sounds a little odd.
6. We went to Luciano's birthday party. It was basically kids running around a large gym at a New York Sports Club, playing games led by gym employees. For the most part they had fun, it seemed, although Jack did lament afterward, "It was fun, except you had to sit and listen to what they told you to do." Jack's a bit of a ham; every once in a while he'd look over from running or dancing and give us a goofy smile and a big wave.
7. We had various meals. Jack ate well; we think he's in the midst of another growth spurt. Kate ate sporadically; she's into grazing breakfast and lunch, eating some, saying she's all done, wanting to come back 10 minutes later to eat more. A little aggravating.
8. Jack and I went to the grocery store. We used this scanner which totals your purchases as you go; I'd never done it before but Emily recommended it and Jack insisted. Took me a lot longer but Jack had fun pointing it at things. I would like to believe we only paid for things we actually put in the cart, but it's hard to be certain.
9. I did puzzles with Kate. She's getting better at them; it used to be just me doing them, essentially, but now it's her.
10. Sung both of them to sleep last night, Kate with Itsy Bitsy Spider (she sings along, "Pie....der..."), Jack with Swing on a Star. Kate woke up and babbled away for a while, but it still felt like a job well done.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Evening
Emily had to go into the city the other day, and got home late, so I got both kids, gave them dinner, and put them both to bed. Here's a quick recap of how it went.
5:15 p.m. Jack's class is in the tumble room, basically a gym at daycare where they run around, climb on things, and ride little cars or push big bouncy balls around. I wave to him and head off to get Kate, since he has fun in the tumble room and dragging him around for everything makes it all go slower.
I go to Kate's room. She sees me, yells "Daddy!" and runs over with her arms out. It's always nice. I gather her lunch and jacket and hat and sleeping toy. She always wants to carry her lunch and sleeping toy, which I extricate from her just to get her jacket and hat on. Sometimes the hat stays on, sometimes she pulls it off. Sometimes it ends up over her eyes. "I can't SEE," she laments. I fix it.
We go upstairs to Jack's room and collect his lunch, jacket, and hat. Exchange pleasantries with other parents. I know some names, others I know merely as "Olivia's Daddy."
We collect Jack. It's a chaos of sheets to sign, jackets and hats to get on, lunches and sleeping toys to keep track of. And that's just Jack and Kate; other parents show up too with similar baggage. I ask if Jack napped, always important because it makes a difference of about an hour in his bedtime.
We walk to the car, both of us holding Kate's hands. Clamber in. "Can we hear Poker Face?" asks Jack. The Lady Gaga CD is a little too omnipresent in our lives these days.
At home, the kids run wildly around the house while I assemble dinner. This is sometimes fine (they play with toys that are out) and sometimes not (they dig out new toys and create a huge mess, often resulting in lost pieces, instructions, that kind of thing). Every few minutes it's guaranteed that one of them comes in wanting water (OK), goldfish (No.), dinner (Soon.), or help finding a lost piece or instructions.
6 p.m. Dinner. Jack normally eats well, Kate, eh, sometimes yes and sometimes no. I bribe them to eat more with the promise of gummi bears. Hate to resort to this, but sometimes I do; kids gotta eat.
6:30 p.m. Bathtime. Kate tends to complain too much. I put shampoo on her head. "OWWWW!" she says. I wash her face. "OWWWWWWW, DAddy!!!!" Good grief, Kate. I do the shampoos early, then let them play after that. Then wash the rest of them (down as far as possible, up as far as possible, then wash their possible, thanks Mom).
I get both out and wrap them in towels. I dry Jack and send him off to his room to get into his pajamas. Sometimes he's quick about this, sometimes I'll find him sitting naked on his floor 10 minutes later playing with some random toy. Jack, it's freezing, get dressed. I bring Kate into her room to get her lotioned up and dressed. She insists on putting on her own pajama pants, which basically means I get her the rest of the way dressed, go check on Jack, and come back and put her pants on 5 minutes later, collecting them from where she's tossed them after giving up and going to play with some random toy.
I brush both's teeth. Kate occasionally resists. "My turn...ME do it....MY turn.!!!!"
I put Kate to bed. Stories, songs, bed.
Jack napped today, so we head downstairs. We play Toy Story Yahtzee Jr., his current favorite (it's pretty cool, a birthday present), then a little bit with his monster truck set. This is a pretty cool thing where the goal is to vault each little truck into a plastic flame in the middle of a cage. The goal is to hit the fire! Kind of funny.
Jack and I go upstairs to read books. Sometimes these are good, sometimes not; I let him pick the books, unless they're all really horrible choices and I have to sub one out. (I need to draw the line about how often I read "Shark in the Park.") Then it's lights out, at which point he decides he wants some water, naturally. Emily gets home in time to kiss him good night. Good night, Jack.
5:15 p.m. Jack's class is in the tumble room, basically a gym at daycare where they run around, climb on things, and ride little cars or push big bouncy balls around. I wave to him and head off to get Kate, since he has fun in the tumble room and dragging him around for everything makes it all go slower.
I go to Kate's room. She sees me, yells "Daddy!" and runs over with her arms out. It's always nice. I gather her lunch and jacket and hat and sleeping toy. She always wants to carry her lunch and sleeping toy, which I extricate from her just to get her jacket and hat on. Sometimes the hat stays on, sometimes she pulls it off. Sometimes it ends up over her eyes. "I can't SEE," she laments. I fix it.
We go upstairs to Jack's room and collect his lunch, jacket, and hat. Exchange pleasantries with other parents. I know some names, others I know merely as "Olivia's Daddy."
We collect Jack. It's a chaos of sheets to sign, jackets and hats to get on, lunches and sleeping toys to keep track of. And that's just Jack and Kate; other parents show up too with similar baggage. I ask if Jack napped, always important because it makes a difference of about an hour in his bedtime.
We walk to the car, both of us holding Kate's hands. Clamber in. "Can we hear Poker Face?" asks Jack. The Lady Gaga CD is a little too omnipresent in our lives these days.
At home, the kids run wildly around the house while I assemble dinner. This is sometimes fine (they play with toys that are out) and sometimes not (they dig out new toys and create a huge mess, often resulting in lost pieces, instructions, that kind of thing). Every few minutes it's guaranteed that one of them comes in wanting water (OK), goldfish (No.), dinner (Soon.), or help finding a lost piece or instructions.
6 p.m. Dinner. Jack normally eats well, Kate, eh, sometimes yes and sometimes no. I bribe them to eat more with the promise of gummi bears. Hate to resort to this, but sometimes I do; kids gotta eat.
6:30 p.m. Bathtime. Kate tends to complain too much. I put shampoo on her head. "OWWWW!" she says. I wash her face. "OWWWWWWW, DAddy!!!!" Good grief, Kate. I do the shampoos early, then let them play after that. Then wash the rest of them (down as far as possible, up as far as possible, then wash their possible, thanks Mom).
I get both out and wrap them in towels. I dry Jack and send him off to his room to get into his pajamas. Sometimes he's quick about this, sometimes I'll find him sitting naked on his floor 10 minutes later playing with some random toy. Jack, it's freezing, get dressed. I bring Kate into her room to get her lotioned up and dressed. She insists on putting on her own pajama pants, which basically means I get her the rest of the way dressed, go check on Jack, and come back and put her pants on 5 minutes later, collecting them from where she's tossed them after giving up and going to play with some random toy.
I brush both's teeth. Kate occasionally resists. "My turn...ME do it....MY turn.!!!!"
I put Kate to bed. Stories, songs, bed.
Jack napped today, so we head downstairs. We play Toy Story Yahtzee Jr., his current favorite (it's pretty cool, a birthday present), then a little bit with his monster truck set. This is a pretty cool thing where the goal is to vault each little truck into a plastic flame in the middle of a cage. The goal is to hit the fire! Kind of funny.
Jack and I go upstairs to read books. Sometimes these are good, sometimes not; I let him pick the books, unless they're all really horrible choices and I have to sub one out. (I need to draw the line about how often I read "Shark in the Park.") Then it's lights out, at which point he decides he wants some water, naturally. Emily gets home in time to kiss him good night. Good night, Jack.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Outside
Weather has been cold and gray on most recent weekends, or we had plans (holidays, birthdays, etc). But today was relatively balmy; 40s or maybe even 50. Emily was home and Kate was napping, so Jack and I went outside.
In the backyard, we ran around with the football. Jack was Brett Favre, I was Percy Harvin. (These are the two Vikings names Jack knows.) I tossed it to him, sometimes he came close to catching it. He tossed it to me, it crashed into my ankles. We both wore winter hats and jackets. The ground was cold and a little wet, but not bad.
After a little bit of tossing the football, we tossed a little plastic parachutist into the air. It worked better than inside, but the guy wasn't heavy enough to throw it that high. Or I'm getting old, one of the two.
We played tag, kind of, running circles around and around.
We walked to the office park to feed ducks. There were lots of them; the pond was mostly frozen over except for the fountains in the center. The ducks congregated near us as we approached, hopefully. We had a little bread, which was quickly distributed, before the ducks got too aggressive. They seemed hungry; winter. May need to go back soon.
We walked around the water on the pathway. I picked up a rock and showed Jack how the ice wasn't safe to walk on for us, since the ice was thin. "How can the ducks walk on it?" he asked. Well, I said, they're a lot lighter than we are.
We walked up a little staircase and sat on benches. Office workers probably had their lunches there, I explained. I told him not to lean back. We sat in the sun on the benches.
We walked around to the other side of the pond. Looked down on the ducks. Tossed a couple of rocks at the ice. Threw a couple of leaves into the water.
Leaving the water behind, we found some snow. I picked up a snowball and gave him a mischievous look. His eyes grew wide but he laughed. "NO, Daddy!" I tossed it into the water.
We made a tiny snowman. We used little sticks for his eyes, another twig for his mouth, leaves for his arms. I said, OK, let's go. Jack went up to it. "I'm going to kick it over!" I said, aw, no...then, well, OK, whatever. Jack stood close to it, then changed his mind.
"Goodbye snowman!" he said as we walked away. Goodbye, snowman. We walked home. In the yard, we made another tiny snowman, ran around a little more, then went inside for some water and a snack.
In the backyard, we ran around with the football. Jack was Brett Favre, I was Percy Harvin. (These are the two Vikings names Jack knows.) I tossed it to him, sometimes he came close to catching it. He tossed it to me, it crashed into my ankles. We both wore winter hats and jackets. The ground was cold and a little wet, but not bad.
After a little bit of tossing the football, we tossed a little plastic parachutist into the air. It worked better than inside, but the guy wasn't heavy enough to throw it that high. Or I'm getting old, one of the two.
We played tag, kind of, running circles around and around.
We walked to the office park to feed ducks. There were lots of them; the pond was mostly frozen over except for the fountains in the center. The ducks congregated near us as we approached, hopefully. We had a little bread, which was quickly distributed, before the ducks got too aggressive. They seemed hungry; winter. May need to go back soon.
We walked around the water on the pathway. I picked up a rock and showed Jack how the ice wasn't safe to walk on for us, since the ice was thin. "How can the ducks walk on it?" he asked. Well, I said, they're a lot lighter than we are.
We walked up a little staircase and sat on benches. Office workers probably had their lunches there, I explained. I told him not to lean back. We sat in the sun on the benches.
We walked around to the other side of the pond. Looked down on the ducks. Tossed a couple of rocks at the ice. Threw a couple of leaves into the water.
Leaving the water behind, we found some snow. I picked up a snowball and gave him a mischievous look. His eyes grew wide but he laughed. "NO, Daddy!" I tossed it into the water.
We made a tiny snowman. We used little sticks for his eyes, another twig for his mouth, leaves for his arms. I said, OK, let's go. Jack went up to it. "I'm going to kick it over!" I said, aw, no...then, well, OK, whatever. Jack stood close to it, then changed his mind.
"Goodbye snowman!" he said as we walked away. Goodbye, snowman. We walked home. In the yard, we made another tiny snowman, ran around a little more, then went inside for some water and a snack.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Birthday Party
Sunday was Jack's birthday party, and although it was his 5th birthday, it was his first party; at least, first that wasn't entirely composed of family or our friends. This year we decided it was time for a party party, so we rented out a place called "My Gym" in Stamford, invited all his school friends and cousins, and got ready.
It's a bigger deal than you might think; at least, it was to me. I haven't really thrown a ton of parties, especially ones where the guest of honor is a 5-year-old whose happiness and excitement means just about everything. So, I went a little overboard. Multiple trips to every party store in the tri-state area (Phineas and Ferb reference, sorry) for gift bag items -- some with Jack, some on my own. Ordering the cake from Stop and Shop, and going with a full sheet because a half sheet didn't look like enough (it would have been). Getting balloons and other decorations. And then more gift bag items.
Jack and I filled the gift bags on Friday. Naturally, he wanted his gift bag right away. He'd picked out a couple of kooky things, like little bendy smiley face action figures. I'd also picked out some goofy things, like little monster finger puppets. (To my happiness, one of the kids greeted us wearing his at school the next morning; that was kind of cool.) We separated out the boy and girl bags -- boys got Spider-man tattoos, girls got Hannah Montana. I hate to stereotype, but there it is. Jack also felt that the girls should get the yellow and purple finger puppets, and the boys the green and red ones. Boys also got Transformer pencils, girls -- well, this caused me much consternation at the party store. I wanted to get Hanna Montana ones, but they didn't have th
em. Doesn't Hannah Montana use pencils? Then I wanted Hello Kitty, but they didn't have those either. I knew Emily would frown at the Disney Princesses, and I myself frowned at Tinkerbell (who is apparently big now with little girls, who knew? I was told in the store she had a movie out recently). Anyway, half an hour later I settled on sea creatures - fish, seahorses, that kind of thing.
We got lost on the way to the party. See, I'd never actually been there before. We were supposed to be there 15 minutes early, and in fact we arrived 5 minutes late. Last ones there. For Jack's party. It was a little embarrassing. But, Cathy ran out and we got the kids inside and playing, and I struggled in with the cake the size of a bedsheet.
The place was like a big gym (natch) with colorful mats and circles and things to climb on and big vats of plastic balls and the like. The kids loved it. Kate at first clung to Aunt Cathy, or Emily, before finally getting interested in things like the mirrors, and the plastic balls. Jack was running around with two of his best friends -- actually about 6 months older who'd started kindergarten and thus he didn't see them much -- also named Jack. I was apologizing around for being late.
Every once in a while, the madcap was running around was interrupted by structured activity from the friendly ladies who hosted it. It was kind of nice that they went out of their way to make Jack the center of attention. I realize this was obvious, but like I said, my first party. "Can you all say Happy Birthday, Jack?" "Is that the loudest you can do?" So on and so forth. At one point a lady asked Jack who his favorite superhero was. Inexplicably, no doubt because he was nervous, he said, "Superman." I gazed forlornly at the massive Spider-man cake a few feet away.
They played Tag and Musical Chairs and random stretching, dancing, running in place, dodge ball with huge, people-sized balls...it was nuts. I was exhausted watching. Strangely, none of the kids seemed to be. Kate walked up a slide and tried to slide down the carpeted ramp. That was funny. Everyone did this zipline thing --- wheeee! It was pretty cool.
At one point I looked over and Jack was in tears. It's pretty much a given that it will happen at some point at a party or crowded event. I don't know if he'd fallen down, bumped into something, was hungry -- any of those things were possible. So Emily and I tried to talk him down, and managed it more or less, and then I said, Hey, do you want to see your cake? He nodded, and I picked him up and hoisted him onto a shoulder, which never fails to produce peals of laughter. We went to look at the cake, and after that he was all right. It was a nice moment.
After about an hour or so of this insanity, it was time for cake. The woman had the kids make a line (later, she told Emily it was the most impressive, organized line she'd seen -- that's right, our kids get good learnin' at school) and they headed back for cake. I had ordered half white and half chocolate, which turned out to be a waste -- kids who got white and saw other kids with chocolate wanted chocolate too -- fortunately we had plenty. And those kids were right; the chocolate was a lot better. Blowing out the candles was time consuming -- there was a Spider-man candle, Jack letter candles, and "5" candle. Plus both I and the lady were worried she'd drop the cake as she brought it over. But they managed.
And we had just enough goodie bags.
Driving home, I finally relaxed from the whole thing. It's crazy, I was really stressing out about it. I realize he's 5 and will probably have forgotten this particular party in a few days (if not already), but I wanted it to be awesome for him, and fortunately it was. For one day it was his world, he was the center of attention, and the smiles were all worth it.
It's a bigger deal than you might think; at least, it was to me. I haven't really thrown a ton of parties, especially ones where the guest of honor is a 5-year-old whose happiness and excitement means just about everything. So, I went a little overboard. Multiple trips to every party store in the tri-state area (Phineas and Ferb reference, sorry) for gift bag items -- some with Jack, some on my own. Ordering the cake from Stop and Shop, and going with a full sheet because a half sheet didn't look like enough (it would have been). Getting balloons and other decorations. And then more gift bag items.
Jack and I filled the gift bags on Friday. Naturally, he wanted his gift bag right away. He'd picked out a couple of kooky things, like little bendy smiley face action figures. I'd also picked out some goofy things, like little monster finger puppets. (To my happiness, one of the kids greeted us wearing his at school the next morning; that was kind of cool.) We separated out the boy and girl bags -- boys got Spider-man tattoos, girls got Hannah Montana. I hate to stereotype, but there it is. Jack also felt that the girls should get the yellow and purple finger puppets, and the boys the green and red ones. Boys also got Transformer pencils, girls -- well, this caused me much consternation at the party store. I wanted to get Hanna Montana ones, but they didn't have th
em. Doesn't Hannah Montana use pencils? Then I wanted Hello Kitty, but they didn't have those either. I knew Emily would frown at the Disney Princesses, and I myself frowned at Tinkerbell (who is apparently big now with little girls, who knew? I was told in the store she had a movie out recently). Anyway, half an hour later I settled on sea creatures - fish, seahorses, that kind of thing.We got lost on the way to the party. See, I'd never actually been there before. We were supposed to be there 15 minutes early, and in fact we arrived 5 minutes late. Last ones there. For Jack's party. It was a little embarrassing. But, Cathy ran out and we got the kids inside and playing, and I struggled in with the cake the size of a bedsheet.
The place was like a big gym (natch) with colorful mats and circles and things to climb on and big vats of plastic balls and the like. The kids loved it. Kate at first clung to Aunt Cathy, or Emily, before finally getting interested in things like the mirrors, and the plastic balls. Jack was running around with two of his best friends -- actually about 6 months older who'd started kindergarten and thus he didn't see them much -- also named Jack. I was apologizing around for being late.
Every once in a while, the madcap was running around was interrupted by structured activity from the friendly ladies who hosted it. It was kind of nice that they went out of their way to make Jack the center of attention. I realize this was obvious, but like I said, my first party. "Can you all say Happy Birthday, Jack?" "Is that the loudest you can do?" So on and so forth. At one point a lady asked Jack who his favorite superhero was. Inexplicably, no doubt because he was nervous, he said, "Superman." I gazed forlornly at the massive Spider-man cake a few feet away.
They played Tag and Musical Chairs and random stretching, dancing, running in place, dodge ball with huge, people-sized balls...it was nuts. I was exhausted watching. Strangely, none of the kids seemed to be. Kate walked up a slide and tried to slide down the carpeted ramp. That was funny. Everyone did this zipline thing --- wheeee! It was pretty cool.
At one point I looked over and Jack was in tears. It's pretty much a given that it will happen at some point at a party or crowded event. I don't know if he'd fallen down, bumped into something, was hungry -- any of those things were possible. So Emily and I tried to talk him down, and managed it more or less, and then I said, Hey, do you want to see your cake? He nodded, and I picked him up and hoisted him onto a shoulder, which never fails to produce peals of laughter. We went to look at the cake, and after that he was all right. It was a nice moment.
After about an hour or so of this insanity, it was time for cake. The woman had the kids make a line (later, she told Emily it was the most impressive, organized line she'd seen -- that's right, our kids get good learnin' at school) and they headed back for cake. I had ordered half white and half chocolate, which turned out to be a waste -- kids who got white and saw other kids with chocolate wanted chocolate too -- fortunately we had plenty. And those kids were right; the chocolate was a lot better. Blowing out the candles was time consuming -- there was a Spider-man candle, Jack letter candles, and "5" candle. Plus both I and the lady were worried she'd drop the cake as she brought it over. But they managed.
And we had just enough goodie bags.
Driving home, I finally relaxed from the whole thing. It's crazy, I was really stressing out about it. I realize he's 5 and will probably have forgotten this particular party in a few days (if not already), but I wanted it to be awesome for him, and fortunately it was. For one day it was his world, he was the center of attention, and the smiles were all worth it.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
"Ladybug RAAAHHHH!" and Jack's birthday
Emily got Kate some ladybug pajamas. Somewhere along the line, Kate got the idea that Ladybugs say "RAAAHHHHH!" like a dinosaur or something. So the other morning, she looks down at her pajamas, and says, "I'm ladybug --- RAAHHHHHH!" Cracked us all up.
Tonight, Jack puts on his Spider-man pajamas. "I'm Spider-man!" And he poses and jumps and pretends to shoot webs. Kate: "I'm ladybug -- Rahhhhhhhh!"
Today was Jack's birthday. He had honey nut cheerios for breakfast, plus raspberries on the side. Arguably his two favorite breakfast things. Went to school, and I spent some time out buying balloons and the like. He came back to decorations, which he immediately wanted to walk around holding. He cut the string on a balloon I'd tied to a chair, then couldn't reach it anymore. I helped.
Hot dogs and fritos for dinner. Cake for dessert. We'll have more cake the next few days.
He made me laugh when I was putting him to bed. We were reading the shark book, which has big pictures of shark, and he'd taken the top of his "gel cling" Christmas tree off his wall. It was a little green triangle with a red circle in the middle (ornament). I said, what are you doing with that? He said, "I want to give the sharks scary eyes. See?" And he placed the triangle over the Great White Shark's eye, giving him a red eye. "Scary eye." And I laughed, and said, you're right, that's pretty scary. He put it over the Hammerhead Shark. "It's scaarrrrryyyyy," he said, dragging it out for effect. I laughed more.
Then he turned the triangle upside down. "Now it's SAD eye," he said. "See? The pointy part is like a tear coming down. Saddddd eye." It was pretty funny.
Tonight, Jack puts on his Spider-man pajamas. "I'm Spider-man!" And he poses and jumps and pretends to shoot webs. Kate: "I'm ladybug -- Rahhhhhhhh!"
Today was Jack's birthday. He had honey nut cheerios for breakfast, plus raspberries on the side. Arguably his two favorite breakfast things. Went to school, and I spent some time out buying balloons and the like. He came back to decorations, which he immediately wanted to walk around holding. He cut the string on a balloon I'd tied to a chair, then couldn't reach it anymore. I helped.
Hot dogs and fritos for dinner. Cake for dessert. We'll have more cake the next few days.
He made me laugh when I was putting him to bed. We were reading the shark book, which has big pictures of shark, and he'd taken the top of his "gel cling" Christmas tree off his wall. It was a little green triangle with a red circle in the middle (ornament). I said, what are you doing with that? He said, "I want to give the sharks scary eyes. See?" And he placed the triangle over the Great White Shark's eye, giving him a red eye. "Scary eye." And I laughed, and said, you're right, that's pretty scary. He put it over the Hammerhead Shark. "It's scaarrrrryyyyy," he said, dragging it out for effect. I laughed more.
Then he turned the triangle upside down. "Now it's SAD eye," he said. "See? The pointy part is like a tear coming down. Saddddd eye." It was pretty funny.
Chatterbox
Kate, like her Daddy, sometimes wakes up slowly, and is grouchy and uncommunicative for a few minutes or more. As she did this morning. But when she's awake, sometimes, she can't stop talking....
"Happ Bir-day, Jack."
"I want waffle. Do YOU want waffle?"
"I have green apple. You have red apple. I have green apple ....all time!"
"Hi Daddy. Daddy. I have tell you something. Daddy. I have.... tell you something?"
"Sleeper, off? Sleeper off."
"I can't DO this!"
"I have cantaloupe. YOU have cantaloupe? Jack have cantaloupe. Pease?"
"Watch ABCs? I watch ABCs?"
"Happ Bir-day, Jack."
"I want waffle. Do YOU want waffle?"
"I have green apple. You have red apple. I have green apple ....all time!"
"Hi Daddy. Daddy. I have tell you something. Daddy. I have.... tell you something?"
"Sleeper, off? Sleeper off."
"I can't DO this!"
"I have cantaloupe. YOU have cantaloupe? Jack have cantaloupe. Pease?"
"Watch ABCs? I watch ABCs?"
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Bedtime for Kate
One of the few times Kate takes an interest in the toys in her room is right before bedtime. It's time to get washed up, or brush her teeth, and suddenly she's fascinated by some toy she's walked right by for weeks.
I separate her from the toy of interest and we head to the bathroom. I get a washcloth wet to wash her face. As I reach it toward her, she says, "Ow! Ow, Daddy! Ow." It's awesome, especially when I haven't come within a foot of her.
I manage to wash her face, and we go back into her room. As I change her diaper, she says, "Elmo? Elmo?" She is referring not to her stuffed Elmo, but rather the kind of diaper she wants. With Elmo's picture on it, rather than Big Bird or Grover. So I find the diaper, and get her dressed in her onesie and pajama tap. But, she wants to put on her own pajama bottoms. "I do! I do it!"
So I sit her down on the floor and she happily busies about putting on her pajama bottoms. I wander off, because this is a 5-minute exercise. Sometimes she puts them on backwards. Sometimes she gets them halfway up, and walks out all proud: "I DID it! I DID it!" And they're still below her butt. Sometimes she turns them inside out and returns to the toy she was interested in earlier. Sometimes I'll hear her: "I can't DO this! I can't DO this!" Eventually, we manage it.
I brush her teeth. This is also a back and forth ("I do it! I do it" and "My turn! My turn"), which gradually gets done. Then it's time to say goodnight to Mommy and Jack, which we do. Sometimes she gives big hugs, kisses, nose rubs. Sometimes she's all coy and runs away. Then changes her mind and runs up and hugs them.
We read stories. Maisy, Goodnight Moon, Backyardigans books, etc. "One more book," she says. Sometimes I relent, sometimes it's too late.
I turn out the light and rock slowly. I begin with Take me out to the ballgame. As I finish, she says, "Sun." So I sing Mister Sun, sometimes she joins in. As I finish, she says, "Moon." I sing Mister Moon. Then: "Edelweiss." I sing that, and we conclude with Eensy Weensy Spider. She says, "Itsee Py-der" with a smile. I sing that, complete with hand gestures, and she chips in a few of her own, raising her fingers up in the air for "up the water spout."
Then I put her in her crib, tell her I love her, and close the door, goodnight.
I separate her from the toy of interest and we head to the bathroom. I get a washcloth wet to wash her face. As I reach it toward her, she says, "Ow! Ow, Daddy! Ow." It's awesome, especially when I haven't come within a foot of her.
I manage to wash her face, and we go back into her room. As I change her diaper, she says, "Elmo? Elmo?" She is referring not to her stuffed Elmo, but rather the kind of diaper she wants. With Elmo's picture on it, rather than Big Bird or Grover. So I find the diaper, and get her dressed in her onesie and pajama tap. But, she wants to put on her own pajama bottoms. "I do! I do it!"
So I sit her down on the floor and she happily busies about putting on her pajama bottoms. I wander off, because this is a 5-minute exercise. Sometimes she puts them on backwards. Sometimes she gets them halfway up, and walks out all proud: "I DID it! I DID it!" And they're still below her butt. Sometimes she turns them inside out and returns to the toy she was interested in earlier. Sometimes I'll hear her: "I can't DO this! I can't DO this!" Eventually, we manage it.
I brush her teeth. This is also a back and forth ("I do it! I do it" and "My turn! My turn"), which gradually gets done. Then it's time to say goodnight to Mommy and Jack, which we do. Sometimes she gives big hugs, kisses, nose rubs. Sometimes she's all coy and runs away. Then changes her mind and runs up and hugs them.
We read stories. Maisy, Goodnight Moon, Backyardigans books, etc. "One more book," she says. Sometimes I relent, sometimes it's too late.
I turn out the light and rock slowly. I begin with Take me out to the ballgame. As I finish, she says, "Sun." So I sing Mister Sun, sometimes she joins in. As I finish, she says, "Moon." I sing Mister Moon. Then: "Edelweiss." I sing that, and we conclude with Eensy Weensy Spider. She says, "Itsee Py-der" with a smile. I sing that, complete with hand gestures, and she chips in a few of her own, raising her fingers up in the air for "up the water spout."
Then I put her in her crib, tell her I love her, and close the door, goodnight.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Football
- On Sunday we occasionally throw soft mini-footballs around the living room. Jack brings one out and we start throwing it back and forth. When he catches it, he looks as proud as you can imagine. Kate sees us, and also wants to play. So we bring out a second one, and get her involved. And then Emily comes over. This can continue for about 10 minutes or so. It's kind of nice.
- Jack drew me a picture of a guy with a 4 on his shirt. (Even though the 4 is backward.) "I drew a picture of Brett Favre for you, Daddy."
- Last night I was working and he brought me in small picture he drew. It's a football, with a little guy drawn on it. Wearing a 4 jersey. If that doesn't ease the pain of watching a heartbreaking overtime loss on TV, I don't know what does.
- Jack drew me a picture of a guy with a 4 on his shirt. (Even though the 4 is backward.) "I drew a picture of Brett Favre for you, Daddy."
- Last night I was working and he brought me in small picture he drew. It's a football, with a little guy drawn on it. Wearing a 4 jersey. If that doesn't ease the pain of watching a heartbreaking overtime loss on TV, I don't know what does.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Present Stuff
A quick rundown of some present stories....
- Jack and Kate played "Elefun," a game with an Elephant shooting butterflies into the air for kids to catch with nets. Emily: "Jack, why do you have all the butterflies and Kate doesn't have any?" Jack: "Because I'm REALLY GOOD AT IT!" Later, Jack lets Kate catch some, which is usually them landing on the floor and her bending down, picking one up, and placing it in her net. "My GOT it, Daddy! My GOT one!" They continue to catch them, noting the colors each time. "I got a red one!" "Green! Green!" Later in the afternoon, Kate said "Elefun! Elefun!" on more than one occasion.
- Kate played with her dollhouse while a few feet away, Jack set up the Mousetrap game. Jack sang "Jingle Bell Rock" throughout. This continued for a while. Emily and I wept with stunned happiness.
- I walked into Jack's room yesterday morning and he was modeling his superhero cape over his pajamas.
- I changed Kate's diaper and as we went to leave the room she said, "My dog! My dog!" We collected her stuffed dog off the shelf. "MY dog!"
- Kate busies herself at her kitchen. At the sink: "I wash mah hands," she explains. She brings me a cup of water. Over and over again.
- Kate and Jack both got K-Nex sets from Aunt Robin. One is age appropriate for Kate, the other for Jack. Of course, she likes his set, which makes dinosaurs. This morning we made some, and she continued trying with his set again this afternoon. It was very frustrating to her though. After dinner I was in the kitchen washing dishes and heard her alone in the living room (Emily and Jack were upstairs) saying, "I can't DO this. I can't DO it." I walked out there, and she sat in the midst of a pile of green dinosaur blocks. I helped her, and she made me a waffle in her kitchen.
- Jack and Kate played "Elefun," a game with an Elephant shooting butterflies into the air for kids to catch with nets. Emily: "Jack, why do you have all the butterflies and Kate doesn't have any?" Jack: "Because I'm REALLY GOOD AT IT!" Later, Jack lets Kate catch some, which is usually them landing on the floor and her bending down, picking one up, and placing it in her net. "My GOT it, Daddy! My GOT one!" They continue to catch them, noting the colors each time. "I got a red one!" "Green! Green!" Later in the afternoon, Kate said "Elefun! Elefun!" on more than one occasion.
- Kate played with her dollhouse while a few feet away, Jack set up the Mousetrap game. Jack sang "Jingle Bell Rock" throughout. This continued for a while. Emily and I wept with stunned happiness.
- I walked into Jack's room yesterday morning and he was modeling his superhero cape over his pajamas.
- I changed Kate's diaper and as we went to leave the room she said, "My dog! My dog!" We collected her stuffed dog off the shelf. "MY dog!"
- Kate busies herself at her kitchen. At the sink: "I wash mah hands," she explains. She brings me a cup of water. Over and over again.
- Kate and Jack both got K-Nex sets from Aunt Robin. One is age appropriate for Kate, the other for Jack. Of course, she likes his set, which makes dinosaurs. This morning we made some, and she continued trying with his set again this afternoon. It was very frustrating to her though. After dinner I was in the kitchen washing dishes and heard her alone in the living room (Emily and Jack were upstairs) saying, "I can't DO this. I can't DO it." I walked out there, and she sat in the midst of a pile of green dinosaur blocks. I helped her, and she made me a waffle in her kitchen.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Eve, Christmas
Christmas Eve
Dropped the kids off at school. Kate often wants to get her waffle or yogurt out of her lunch herself. ("Me do it. ME do it!") Jack quickly disappears amongst his friends in his room, playing superheroes or somesuch.
Picked the kids up at school. (half day) They were singing -- well, Jack's class was, and apparently Jack was shaking bells -- but there was nowhere to park and I dropped Emily off but got there too late myself. Will leave earlier in the future.
Went home and put the last sticker on Jack's advent calendar, the Christmas tree. Gave them lunch, put Kate down for her nap. Wrapped some presents. Got Jack's help making tags for Grandma, Grandpa, and cousins. Nana and Baba showed up. Aunt Linda and Grandma showed up. Jack and Kate are quite fond of Aunt Linda. They played with musical instruments and read books.
Jack and I wrote a note to Santa. Jack drew a picture of Santa on the note.
We all went to church. Kate wore a beautiful red Christmas dress, Jack in a nice red sweater. Jack sat with his cousins, Kate sat with me. For a while she was fine drawing in a pad, then she wanted me to draw. "Make face," she says. "Make face, Daddy." So I drew faces for a bit. When I stood, she sat at first, then stood on the seat, then I held her. It was past her bedtime so there was a point when I thought she'd sleep; she clung to me and was very heavy in my arms. But then she'd see someone she recognized and get interested, or hear music, and talk a little, and wake up.
The kids were called up for the children's sermon. Jack headed up and I was told that he'd take Kate up, but he was already gone when I put her down, so Emily walked her up. All the kids sat up front and listened. I could just see Kate, and she'd stand up and wave every so often. Sit down again. Then, big smile, stand up, wave. Pretty funny. Jack raised his hand to respond to a question about Christmas. I didn't catch the question, but his answer was "presents."
At the end we lit candles. Kate was intrigued. Jack wanted to hold one, then didn't. I said it was OK.
We went home. It was late and I didn't read Jack stories, just lay down and we talked about Santa coming. Emily had found noradsanta online, which tracks Santa's sleigh as it travels across the world. Jack enjoyed it; they checked it again right before bed. He had just been to Ireland!
Christmas
Kate woke up making noise at 5 a.m. We put her to bed an hour late, she wakes up an hour earlier. It's bizarre. Jack also woke up, we heard him go in the bathroom, not exactly being quiet. At 6 a.m. he came in, I think Kate slept off and on, he probably watched his clock.
We made coffee and finally let the kids go downstairs. Got a lot of "Wows" from Kate as she saw her Fisher-Price kitchen. (Kate-size.) And Jack's Hot Wheels Dinosaur Trick Track. (There were Wows from Baba and Daddy too.) We played with it for a bit, then opened stockings. And then Jack noticed his Bionicle, and Bakugan, and showed me how to play with them. We opened more presents. Jack had breakfast at some point, once we reminded him.
At some point he went up to his room with some new toys to play. Didn't want Kate playing with them too, I think. Granted some of the new toys he brought up were hers.
I went into his room and saw him playing with this little windup monkey. He was sitting watching it spin in circles, and he'd wind it up and do it over again.
The next morning, this morning, I heard him wake up around 6, go to the bathroom, go back in his room. Then we heard him playing with his toys. Then the voice of Optimus Prime, and the WooWooWoo of the siren. Around the third time, I said, OK, that's got to stop. I went in. Jack was there, just blissfully happy, playing with his new toys. Optimus Prime, the little train cars that spelled out "Jack", the Bakugan. Happy.
Dropped the kids off at school. Kate often wants to get her waffle or yogurt out of her lunch herself. ("Me do it. ME do it!") Jack quickly disappears amongst his friends in his room, playing superheroes or somesuch.
Picked the kids up at school. (half day) They were singing -- well, Jack's class was, and apparently Jack was shaking bells -- but there was nowhere to park and I dropped Emily off but got there too late myself. Will leave earlier in the future.
Went home and put the last sticker on Jack's advent calendar, the Christmas tree. Gave them lunch, put Kate down for her nap. Wrapped some presents. Got Jack's help making tags for Grandma, Grandpa, and cousins. Nana and Baba showed up. Aunt Linda and Grandma showed up. Jack and Kate are quite fond of Aunt Linda. They played with musical instruments and read books.
Jack and I wrote a note to Santa. Jack drew a picture of Santa on the note.
We all went to church. Kate wore a beautiful red Christmas dress, Jack in a nice red sweater. Jack sat with his cousins, Kate sat with me. For a while she was fine drawing in a pad, then she wanted me to draw. "Make face," she says. "Make face, Daddy." So I drew faces for a bit. When I stood, she sat at first, then stood on the seat, then I held her. It was past her bedtime so there was a point when I thought she'd sleep; she clung to me and was very heavy in my arms. But then she'd see someone she recognized and get interested, or hear music, and talk a little, and wake up.
The kids were called up for the children's sermon. Jack headed up and I was told that he'd take Kate up, but he was already gone when I put her down, so Emily walked her up. All the kids sat up front and listened. I could just see Kate, and she'd stand up and wave every so often. Sit down again. Then, big smile, stand up, wave. Pretty funny. Jack raised his hand to respond to a question about Christmas. I didn't catch the question, but his answer was "presents."
At the end we lit candles. Kate was intrigued. Jack wanted to hold one, then didn't. I said it was OK.
We went home. It was late and I didn't read Jack stories, just lay down and we talked about Santa coming. Emily had found noradsanta online, which tracks Santa's sleigh as it travels across the world. Jack enjoyed it; they checked it again right before bed. He had just been to Ireland!
Christmas
Kate woke up making noise at 5 a.m. We put her to bed an hour late, she wakes up an hour earlier. It's bizarre. Jack also woke up, we heard him go in the bathroom, not exactly being quiet. At 6 a.m. he came in, I think Kate slept off and on, he probably watched his clock.
We made coffee and finally let the kids go downstairs. Got a lot of "Wows" from Kate as she saw her Fisher-Price kitchen. (Kate-size.) And Jack's Hot Wheels Dinosaur Trick Track. (There were Wows from Baba and Daddy too.) We played with it for a bit, then opened stockings. And then Jack noticed his Bionicle, and Bakugan, and showed me how to play with them. We opened more presents. Jack had breakfast at some point, once we reminded him.
At some point he went up to his room with some new toys to play. Didn't want Kate playing with them too, I think. Granted some of the new toys he brought up were hers.
I went into his room and saw him playing with this little windup monkey. He was sitting watching it spin in circles, and he'd wind it up and do it over again.
The next morning, this morning, I heard him wake up around 6, go to the bathroom, go back in his room. Then we heard him playing with his toys. Then the voice of Optimus Prime, and the WooWooWoo of the siren. Around the third time, I said, OK, that's got to stop. I went in. Jack was there, just blissfully happy, playing with his new toys. Optimus Prime, the little train cars that spelled out "Jack", the Bakugan. Happy.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Big Brother Jack
More and more these days, Kate wants to play with her big brother. She can say it now: "Big brudder Jack!" In the mornings she sees him and lights up: "Hi, Jack!"
This afternoon Jack came home from school, where he'd had a Christmas party, and received a Secret Santa gift. He opened it and it was a bunch of Tonka cars and trucks. He sat down to play with them.
I looked up and there was Kate struggling over to Jack with his big Digger, a truck about as large as she was. "Here, Jack!" she said, proudly, hopefully. "Here, Jack! Play with diggers!"
This afternoon Jack came home from school, where he'd had a Christmas party, and received a Secret Santa gift. He opened it and it was a bunch of Tonka cars and trucks. He sat down to play with them.
I looked up and there was Kate struggling over to Jack with his big Digger, a truck about as large as she was. "Here, Jack!" she said, proudly, hopefully. "Here, Jack! Play with diggers!"
Monday, December 14, 2009
Heartbreakingly beautiful
Cleaning up Jack's room a bit this morning I saw a little decoration he'd made that I hadn't noticed before. A happy, cheerful Santa face he'd drawn, cut out, and glued to a Popsicle stick. Something about the little faces he draws; so sweet. On the tree, later on, I noticed a star ornament he'd apparently cut out and colored -- maybe Kate colored it. That got me choked up too. Must be the holidays.
Kate was playing with laundry this morning. She walked out into the kitchen with a washcloth around her waist. "Ma dress!" she said happily. "Ma dress!"
I can barely take it sometimes.
Kate was playing with laundry this morning. She walked out into the kitchen with a washcloth around her waist. "Ma dress!" she said happily. "Ma dress!"
I can barely take it sometimes.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday blog
Jack puts on music. "I like No. 8." It's the "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" track from Charlie Brown Christmas.
Kate holds the Baby Jesus from the Playmobil Nativity scene. She bounces him up and down on the arm of the couch and looks at me, big smile on her face. "Baby Jeebus dancing!" she says.
Kate picks up a marker. I say to her, only color on the board, Kate. Not on your hand. Jack adds, "Or your stomach," something she did once recently. I say, that's right. Jack adds, "Or your forehead." Then: "Wait a minute, we don't have foreheads." I tell him they do. He says, "Why is it called a forehead? Maybe it's because you can put four fingers on your head." He proceeds to illustrate. Hmm, maybe.
Jack asks for water and a napkin, because he has hiccups. I say, Oh-kayy.......
I use a rag to wipe up spilled water.
Kate rips pages out of her Backyardigans coloring book.
"Can I have my second breakfast?" says Jack, which interestingly enough coincides with me wanting to have my first breakfast.
Kate comes up to me, dancing to the music. "I'm dancing! I'm dancing."
A minute later, she holds up the stuffed Molly doll. "Molly dancing! Molly dancing. Doo, doo, doo!"
I hang another Christmas decoration. Admiring it, I say, Merry Christmas. Kate: "Mewwy critmas!"
We make a Gingerbread train. Jack and I make it, while I do my best to keep Kate from destroying it and Jack from eating too much icing, which is the glue that holds the train together. We manage, although the picture on the box suggests a lot cleaner job than what we come up with. We're pleased. Jack eats more icing.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Education
We turned Jack's calendar page to December, and it was a character he didn't know - Martian Manhunter. I don't know the character all that well myself, but I know more than Jack does so I could pretty much say anything. Plus I knew he could fly and was strong and had some kind of beams from his eyes and came from Mars....OK, yeah, I know a little bit about him.
Anyway, Jack asked me to tell me more about superheroes he didn't know. So as I was putting him to bed I told him about a few. And then HE started telling me about Transformers, which I guess Teddy (from school) knows a lot about. And he went on to tell me about Power Rangers, which somebody else knows a lot about, and how the red guy can make fire or whatever to attack bad guys. It was all very interesting.
This part was funny.
"The Transformer Bumblebee can turn into a car....he's big, but he's slower than the littler Transformers." Pause. "Which is funny, because I'M bigger than Kate is, but I'm faster than her, too."
He stopped to reflect on this for a minute. I just laughed.
Anyway, Jack asked me to tell me more about superheroes he didn't know. So as I was putting him to bed I told him about a few. And then HE started telling me about Transformers, which I guess Teddy (from school) knows a lot about. And he went on to tell me about Power Rangers, which somebody else knows a lot about, and how the red guy can make fire or whatever to attack bad guys. It was all very interesting.
This part was funny.
"The Transformer Bumblebee can turn into a car....he's big, but he's slower than the littler Transformers." Pause. "Which is funny, because I'M bigger than Kate is, but I'm faster than her, too."
He stopped to reflect on this for a minute. I just laughed.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Gah, it's been 9 days!
Sorry about that. Maybe I'll blog about Thanksgiving at some point....
Kate's talking a lot these days. When I get her out of the crib, it's "Ma Fends! Ma Fends!" And I have to get all of her Backyardigan friends out of the crib. And then: "Bunny!" And, "Boofish!" (Bridgeport Bluefish.) And, "Elmo!"
We read books, and she keeps me up to date on what's happening in the pictures. Family sitting at a table: "Dinner time!" Monkey on a bed: "Monkey SLEEPING!" And big smiles at the news she's given me.
Kate dances in the kitchen like the letter Y, with both arms in the air and her feet together, smiling and swaying back and forth.
She carries a stuffed snowman around these days that Jack allowed her to have. "Thangyu, Jack!" She likes to hold him up, bend the brim of his hat back so his eyes are more fully exposed, and say, "See me! He see me, Daddy."
She sings along with me when I put her to sleep. "Take....out....Ball....GAME!...." And, "Misser Moon....MOON......pease.......down......me......HIDING.....na......TREE!"
I got her and Jack matching Christmas pajamas with monkeys in Santa hats on them. They love them, of course. Kate sleeps in a sleeper over her pajamas, but the other morning as soon as she saw Jack she remembered that she, too, had monkey pajamas on. So she said,
"Sleeper OFF, Daddy......See ma Monkeys!!!!!"
Kate's talking a lot these days. When I get her out of the crib, it's "Ma Fends! Ma Fends!" And I have to get all of her Backyardigan friends out of the crib. And then: "Bunny!" And, "Boofish!" (Bridgeport Bluefish.) And, "Elmo!"
We read books, and she keeps me up to date on what's happening in the pictures. Family sitting at a table: "Dinner time!" Monkey on a bed: "Monkey SLEEPING!" And big smiles at the news she's given me.
Kate dances in the kitchen like the letter Y, with both arms in the air and her feet together, smiling and swaying back and forth.
She carries a stuffed snowman around these days that Jack allowed her to have. "Thangyu, Jack!" She likes to hold him up, bend the brim of his hat back so his eyes are more fully exposed, and say, "See me! He see me, Daddy."
She sings along with me when I put her to sleep. "Take....out....Ball....GAME!...." And, "Misser Moon....MOON......pease.......down......me......HIDING.....na......TREE!"
I got her and Jack matching Christmas pajamas with monkeys in Santa hats on them. They love them, of course. Kate sleeps in a sleeper over her pajamas, but the other morning as soon as she saw Jack she remembered that she, too, had monkey pajamas on. So she said,
"Sleeper OFF, Daddy......See ma Monkeys!!!!!"
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Stuff I want to write down before I forget it
Kate and Reanna played the piano at Ian's parents' house tonight, sitting on the bench together, Kate smiling as she plinked away. I sat next to her at dinner, and she said, "I payed peeno, Daddy." Very proud of herself.
I fed Kate pasta at one end of the table while she ate and looked around for the people she knew. "Papa!" And: "Mommy!" And: "Aunt Caffee!"
She was beautiful in a little pink dress and tights tonight.
On the way home in the car, she kicked a shoe off. "Help you, Daddy," she requested. Well Kate, I can't, I'm driving now. "Help you, Mommy-Mo," she said. She sometimes calls Mommy "Mommy-Mo," and knows she's being funny to do it.
We told her Nana and Baba were coming down for Thanksgiving. She said, "OHH!" and made a happy face.
She's been saying "Yook," a lot. "Yook, Daddy! Yook!"
Jack became quite attached to the 9-month old (Josh's) at the party, Ben. Ben was fascinated by Jack and wanted to touch his hair and face. Jack lowered his head and let Ben touch him and bat at him. At dinner, Jack wanted to sit next to Ben's high chair; it was very important to him. He got to.
When we were home, Jack said to Emily, "I want Ben to come to my birthday party."
Went to get Kate out of bed early this morning. Jack came in and asked if he could go downstairs. Before I could answer, Kate pointed at him and said "No!" It's something she does these days a little too much. I said to her, Kate, don't point at Jack like that. Kate said, "Oh. Hug? Hug." I lifted her out of her crib and she gave Jack a big hug. After the hug she said, "Nice!" (Another thing she says a lot these days.)
Jack said, "Kate, want to come in my room and read books? I can bring your hippo chair."
So they did.
I fed Kate pasta at one end of the table while she ate and looked around for the people she knew. "Papa!" And: "Mommy!" And: "Aunt Caffee!"
She was beautiful in a little pink dress and tights tonight.
On the way home in the car, she kicked a shoe off. "Help you, Daddy," she requested. Well Kate, I can't, I'm driving now. "Help you, Mommy-Mo," she said. She sometimes calls Mommy "Mommy-Mo," and knows she's being funny to do it.
We told her Nana and Baba were coming down for Thanksgiving. She said, "OHH!" and made a happy face.
She's been saying "Yook," a lot. "Yook, Daddy! Yook!"
Jack became quite attached to the 9-month old (Josh's) at the party, Ben. Ben was fascinated by Jack and wanted to touch his hair and face. Jack lowered his head and let Ben touch him and bat at him. At dinner, Jack wanted to sit next to Ben's high chair; it was very important to him. He got to.
When we were home, Jack said to Emily, "I want Ben to come to my birthday party."
Went to get Kate out of bed early this morning. Jack came in and asked if he could go downstairs. Before I could answer, Kate pointed at him and said "No!" It's something she does these days a little too much. I said to her, Kate, don't point at Jack like that. Kate said, "Oh. Hug? Hug." I lifted her out of her crib and she gave Jack a big hug. After the hug she said, "Nice!" (Another thing she says a lot these days.)
Jack said, "Kate, want to come in my room and read books? I can bring your hippo chair."
So they did.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday
5 a.m. Kate wakes up. She's been doing this lately. Not wailing, not unhappy and sleepy-eyed, but wakeful and calling for Mommy and Daddy. We've tried dressing her in warmer or cooler outfits, tried putting her to bed earlier or later....haven't figured it out yet. Today I went in and firmly said, "It's night time, go back to sleep." And left. She wailed for 5 minutes, then returned to babbling and stuff. Naps too long is one thought. Today I'll wake her up after a shortish nap and I guess we'll try putting her to bed later.
6 a.m. After lying in bed and maybe dozing a little over the past 45 minutes, I get her up. She's in good spirits, I feel unwell. We go through the morning ritual of her lining up all of her stuffed toys in the crib, then handing them to me one by one. "Aw-tin....Ty-nohne...Uma....Pabool....Sasha!" We lift the various Backyardigans out, then I get Katie out. I hear Jack getting up and shambling into the bathroom. As he's coming out, I turn on the hall light, surprising him with the brightness. Sorry, Jack. He rubs his eyes in confusion. We play upstairs a little bit, Emily and I taking breaks to make coffee, drink coffee, etc.
7 a.m. Coffee kicks in. Breakfast occurs. Both kids eat large bowls of cereal. I thrill Kate by discovering we do, in fact, have another box of Shredded Oats. "Dotes," she says happily. I say they can have cantelope after they finish their cereal to be sure they'll actually eat cereal, too. Kate finishes her bowl and drinks the milk in it and holds it up. "Done, Daddy! Done!" The girl is terrible at dinner time, but she's a pretty decent eater when the sun is up.
8 a.m. A mish-mash that includes TV (Backyardigans) and second breakfasts (first breakfast for me, second for them; usually waffles or somesuch). I'm working on my Saturday column when Jack brings me over an envelope of things and gives it to me. In it are little squares of paper on which he's drawn different things: a happy face, a monster, a kitty, a dog, a Mommy, a Daddy. About a dozen in all. "For you, Daddy." Awesome.
9 a.m. Kate is playing with dollhouse. "Help you, Daddy! Help you." Kate wants help, so I go over, and she's sitting the Mommy and Daddy at the table. "Help you, Daddy," she says. I help put the Daddy in the dinner chair. Kate beams. "It's dinner!" she says. Minutes later I'm across the room again and she heads into the kitchen, then back to her dollhouse. She's brought her own breakfast plate with leftover waffles out to the dollhouse. "Again, Daddy!" she says. The Daddy has fallen out of his chair, probably because his daughter woke him up at 5 a.m. and he's really tired. "Again, Daddy," she says. I tell her we need to get play food for them. "Oh," she says. She wheels the shopping cart of food over to the table. Then: "Daddy fall! Help you, Daddy! Help yoooouuuuu!"She feeds the Daddy a giant toy pancake. Better get him some coffee, too, Kate. She makes eating noises. Pretty funny. "Some? Some?" she says. Five minutes later, she's still loading up the tiny table with giant facsimiles of food. I check in. "It's dinner," she explains. The Daddy falls out of his chair again, knocked aside by a mammoth piece of bread. "Help you.....!" Kate wails. Then: "Daddy fall again!!!!!" A minute later, "Mommy fall again." Then: "I did it!" Then: "Daddy fall again." I could go on; the monologue continues for a while.
10 a.m. We decide to go to the library. Kate brings over her sneakers. "Sneakers? Sneakers?" I nod. She gets one on and hold up her foot proudly. "I did it!" she yells. "I did it!" Later, when one comes off in the car, I discover she's put them on the wrong feet. This happens, with statistical likelihood, about half the time.
11 a.m. We arrive at the library, me yelling at Kate every once in a while to make sure she's not sleeping. We go on up to the kids room and they run around while I try to find a good book for Katie. Jack picks out "Dino Hockey" for the second time. I try to talk him out of it without success. Kate plays with the puzzles; there's a turkey one that's missing the piece that's his head, which later strikes me as a little macabre. Anyway, we have fun and sign out four books, all of which I'm certain I'll be sick of within 2 days.
12 noon. We get home, eat lunch, and I put Kate down for her nap. Not as easy as you might think; she wants to stay up and play with Jack. Jack to me: "Daddy, isn't it time for Kate's nap? KATE, it's time for your nap!" Kate: "NOOOOOOOO. No! No nap. No....."
1 p.m. I put Kate down for her nap. For a little while she shakes the bars futilely, then gives in.
2 p.m. Jack breaks a toy, and holds it up for me to see. "Look, Daddy!" I say, "oh, it broke." Jack, in a deep voice, says, "Don't worry, Daddy." It's a little odd. Like he saw part of Mission: Impossible or something. Anyway, he fixes it. "Fixed it!" He's very pleased with himself.
2:15 p.m. Jack wants to play cars. And so off I go.
6 a.m. After lying in bed and maybe dozing a little over the past 45 minutes, I get her up. She's in good spirits, I feel unwell. We go through the morning ritual of her lining up all of her stuffed toys in the crib, then handing them to me one by one. "Aw-tin....Ty-nohne...Uma....Pabool....Sasha!" We lift the various Backyardigans out, then I get Katie out. I hear Jack getting up and shambling into the bathroom. As he's coming out, I turn on the hall light, surprising him with the brightness. Sorry, Jack. He rubs his eyes in confusion. We play upstairs a little bit, Emily and I taking breaks to make coffee, drink coffee, etc.
7 a.m. Coffee kicks in. Breakfast occurs. Both kids eat large bowls of cereal. I thrill Kate by discovering we do, in fact, have another box of Shredded Oats. "Dotes," she says happily. I say they can have cantelope after they finish their cereal to be sure they'll actually eat cereal, too. Kate finishes her bowl and drinks the milk in it and holds it up. "Done, Daddy! Done!" The girl is terrible at dinner time, but she's a pretty decent eater when the sun is up.
8 a.m. A mish-mash that includes TV (Backyardigans) and second breakfasts (first breakfast for me, second for them; usually waffles or somesuch). I'm working on my Saturday column when Jack brings me over an envelope of things and gives it to me. In it are little squares of paper on which he's drawn different things: a happy face, a monster, a kitty, a dog, a Mommy, a Daddy. About a dozen in all. "For you, Daddy." Awesome.
9 a.m. Kate is playing with dollhouse. "Help you, Daddy! Help you." Kate wants help, so I go over, and she's sitting the Mommy and Daddy at the table. "Help you, Daddy," she says. I help put the Daddy in the dinner chair. Kate beams. "It's dinner!" she says. Minutes later I'm across the room again and she heads into the kitchen, then back to her dollhouse. She's brought her own breakfast plate with leftover waffles out to the dollhouse. "Again, Daddy!" she says. The Daddy has fallen out of his chair, probably because his daughter woke him up at 5 a.m. and he's really tired. "Again, Daddy," she says. I tell her we need to get play food for them. "Oh," she says. She wheels the shopping cart of food over to the table. Then: "Daddy fall! Help you, Daddy! Help yoooouuuuu!"She feeds the Daddy a giant toy pancake. Better get him some coffee, too, Kate. She makes eating noises. Pretty funny. "Some? Some?" she says. Five minutes later, she's still loading up the tiny table with giant facsimiles of food. I check in. "It's dinner," she explains. The Daddy falls out of his chair again, knocked aside by a mammoth piece of bread. "Help you.....!" Kate wails. Then: "Daddy fall again!!!!!" A minute later, "Mommy fall again." Then: "I did it!" Then: "Daddy fall again." I could go on; the monologue continues for a while.
10 a.m. We decide to go to the library. Kate brings over her sneakers. "Sneakers? Sneakers?" I nod. She gets one on and hold up her foot proudly. "I did it!" she yells. "I did it!" Later, when one comes off in the car, I discover she's put them on the wrong feet. This happens, with statistical likelihood, about half the time.
11 a.m. We arrive at the library, me yelling at Kate every once in a while to make sure she's not sleeping. We go on up to the kids room and they run around while I try to find a good book for Katie. Jack picks out "Dino Hockey" for the second time. I try to talk him out of it without success. Kate plays with the puzzles; there's a turkey one that's missing the piece that's his head, which later strikes me as a little macabre. Anyway, we have fun and sign out four books, all of which I'm certain I'll be sick of within 2 days.
12 noon. We get home, eat lunch, and I put Kate down for her nap. Not as easy as you might think; she wants to stay up and play with Jack. Jack to me: "Daddy, isn't it time for Kate's nap? KATE, it's time for your nap!" Kate: "NOOOOOOOO. No! No nap. No....."
1 p.m. I put Kate down for her nap. For a little while she shakes the bars futilely, then gives in.
2 p.m. Jack breaks a toy, and holds it up for me to see. "Look, Daddy!" I say, "oh, it broke." Jack, in a deep voice, says, "Don't worry, Daddy." It's a little odd. Like he saw part of Mission: Impossible or something. Anyway, he fixes it. "Fixed it!" He's very pleased with himself.
2:15 p.m. Jack wants to play cars. And so off I go.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Attention seekers
-Kate puts on goofy plastic sunglasses with star-shaped lenses and stands at my elbow at the computer. "Seeeeee, Daddy. See me! Eyes. Eyes? Seeeeeeeeee."
- They had school pictures a couple of weeks back, and they came in yesterday. The company always gives them a little gift with one of their pictures on it; this time it was a little lunch pail kind of thing. Jack holds his up and looks at his, with a picture of him on it. "It's like a little mirror!" he said.
- Went to the playground today. Kate got hooked on climbing up the slide, then sliding down backward on her stomach. This was great fun to her. Later she moved on to the swirly slide. She climbed halfway up, and slid in a spiral down. "See me, Daddy!" she said. "Dad-day!" (Sometimes she yells "Dad-day!" Sometimes it's "Daddy-Doh!" It's more frequent for Mommy: "Mommy-Moh!") "See meeeeee..." and goes down the slide again.
- Jack likes to put his hands inside his sleeves. I vaguely recall that maybe I used to do the same thing? So his arms look like elephant trunks. And then he occasionally flaps the lengths of sleeves around. And then pulls his shirt up over his head, too. He was doing that tonight. "Mommy! OOOOOoooooh! Look at me, I'm a scary, googly monster! OOOOOOOOOOoooooh!" Then collapses in peals of laughter.
- We went out with our neighbor the other day; she takes great pictures of the kids. So we asked her to take our pictures for Christmas cards and the like. We went to the beach and she snapped about 200 pictures. Kate didn't smile much. Jack smiled too much. Hammed it up every now and again, all immortalized on film. All beautiful.
- They had school pictures a couple of weeks back, and they came in yesterday. The company always gives them a little gift with one of their pictures on it; this time it was a little lunch pail kind of thing. Jack holds his up and looks at his, with a picture of him on it. "It's like a little mirror!" he said.
- Went to the playground today. Kate got hooked on climbing up the slide, then sliding down backward on her stomach. This was great fun to her. Later she moved on to the swirly slide. She climbed halfway up, and slid in a spiral down. "See me, Daddy!" she said. "Dad-day!" (Sometimes she yells "Dad-day!" Sometimes it's "Daddy-Doh!" It's more frequent for Mommy: "Mommy-Moh!") "See meeeeee..." and goes down the slide again.
- Jack likes to put his hands inside his sleeves. I vaguely recall that maybe I used to do the same thing? So his arms look like elephant trunks. And then he occasionally flaps the lengths of sleeves around. And then pulls his shirt up over his head, too. He was doing that tonight. "Mommy! OOOOOoooooh! Look at me, I'm a scary, googly monster! OOOOOOOOOOoooooh!" Then collapses in peals of laughter.
- We went out with our neighbor the other day; she takes great pictures of the kids. So we asked her to take our pictures for Christmas cards and the like. We went to the beach and she snapped about 200 pictures. Kate didn't smile much. Jack smiled too much. Hammed it up every now and again, all immortalized on film. All beautiful.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Shampoo
Took Jack for a haircut today. Afterward the barber always uses gel to give him a neat, sharp part and shiny look. It's pretty cute.
Anyway, later on I was sitting in the kitchen with Kate, who was snacking on an apple. I heard water running in the bathroom. Jack needs to be told to wash his hands and stuff, so I thought it was a little odd. It continued running for another minute or so. "Jack?" I said. "What's up in there?"
Jack walked into the kitchen. His hair was soaking, plastered onto his forehead. It actually had kind of a style to it, like some '90s boy band act or something. And it was hilarious. "Jack," I said laughing, "What on earth have you done?"
Jack said, "I didn't want to have to have a shampoo tonight. So, I washed my hair."
After stopping laughing and snapping a couple of pictures, I brought him into the kitchen and had him lean over the kitchen sink to rinse his head out.
Kate pushed a chair up to the sink. "My turn!" she said, and then, when I said no, "My turnnnnnnnnnnnnn......" (tears).
I let her help dry Jack's hair.
Anyway, later on I was sitting in the kitchen with Kate, who was snacking on an apple. I heard water running in the bathroom. Jack needs to be told to wash his hands and stuff, so I thought it was a little odd. It continued running for another minute or so. "Jack?" I said. "What's up in there?"
Jack walked into the kitchen. His hair was soaking, plastered onto his forehead. It actually had kind of a style to it, like some '90s boy band act or something. And it was hilarious. "Jack," I said laughing, "What on earth have you done?"
Jack said, "I didn't want to have to have a shampoo tonight. So, I washed my hair."
After stopping laughing and snapping a couple of pictures, I brought him into the kitchen and had him lean over the kitchen sink to rinse his head out.
Kate pushed a chair up to the sink. "My turn!" she said, and then, when I said no, "My turnnnnnnnnnnnnn......" (tears).
I let her help dry Jack's hair.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
KateSpeak, Proud Jack
Kate's become a chatterbox lately, but a lot of it has a similar ring to it. She likes announcing she's done something, eager to share her little achievements, like putting on her shoes or picking something up that's tough to reach. "My got it!" "My did it!" "Got it!" "Yes!"
She's taken to carrying these AutoBlox cars around that were Jack's. They're really awesome toys. She can spend up to 20 minutes just taking them apart and putting them back together over and over again. (And on completion, "My did it!") One is bigger than the other one. She calls it Big Car. One is smaller. She calls it Baby Car. She'll walk around saying, "Big car...baby car....Big! Car. Babycar." The other day she carried them everywhere, upstairs, into the bathroom when it was time to brush her teeth. I got her out of her crib one morning and the first thing she said was, "Big Car? Baby Car?"
The guy next door has a giant (8-foot-tall) inflatable Thanksgiving Turkey on his lawn. How do I know it's a Thanksgiving turkey, you ask? Well, it's wearing a Pilgrim hat, obviously. Anyway, we visit it each day. Kate has taken to calling it "chicken." "Hi, chicken!" "Bye, chicken!" The other day she apparently corrected Emily when Emily called it a turkey. "No," said Kate, seriously, reproachfully. "Chicken."
Halloween brings candy, and Kate has developed a taste for it. (Shocking, I know.) At random times when we're in the kitchen, she'll come in. "Candy?" she says hopefully. Then nods, smiling, sweet. "Candy? Pease? Candy?"
She likes identifying things she knows. Like when she sees a picture of several dogs, or looks at refrigerator magnets of dogs. She points to each one. "Dog." Pause. Points to another one. "Dog."
"Dog."
______________________________________________________________
Went to the playground with the kids on Tuesday, they were home for some odd reason. There, Jack climbed up this ladder thing he'd avoided in the past, and carefully stepped over onto the jungle gym. When he got there, and was safely standing on the platform, he was so proud.
"I did it!" he yelled down to me, beaming.
______________________________________________________________
We were watching football last Sunday. Brett Favre threw a touchdown. I got excited: "Touchdown!" Jack ran over. "Chest bump!" he said. Me on my knees, him standing up, we chest bumped. It doesn't get old.
She's taken to carrying these AutoBlox cars around that were Jack's. They're really awesome toys. She can spend up to 20 minutes just taking them apart and putting them back together over and over again. (And on completion, "My did it!") One is bigger than the other one. She calls it Big Car. One is smaller. She calls it Baby Car. She'll walk around saying, "Big car...baby car....Big! Car. Babycar." The other day she carried them everywhere, upstairs, into the bathroom when it was time to brush her teeth. I got her out of her crib one morning and the first thing she said was, "Big Car? Baby Car?"
The guy next door has a giant (8-foot-tall) inflatable Thanksgiving Turkey on his lawn. How do I know it's a Thanksgiving turkey, you ask? Well, it's wearing a Pilgrim hat, obviously. Anyway, we visit it each day. Kate has taken to calling it "chicken." "Hi, chicken!" "Bye, chicken!" The other day she apparently corrected Emily when Emily called it a turkey. "No," said Kate, seriously, reproachfully. "Chicken."
Halloween brings candy, and Kate has developed a taste for it. (Shocking, I know.) At random times when we're in the kitchen, she'll come in. "Candy?" she says hopefully. Then nods, smiling, sweet. "Candy? Pease? Candy?"
She likes identifying things she knows. Like when she sees a picture of several dogs, or looks at refrigerator magnets of dogs. She points to each one. "Dog." Pause. Points to another one. "Dog."
"Dog."
______________________________________________________________
Went to the playground with the kids on Tuesday, they were home for some odd reason. There, Jack climbed up this ladder thing he'd avoided in the past, and carefully stepped over onto the jungle gym. When he got there, and was safely standing on the platform, he was so proud.
"I did it!" he yelled down to me, beaming.
______________________________________________________________
We were watching football last Sunday. Brett Favre threw a touchdown. I got excited: "Touchdown!" Jack ran over. "Chest bump!" he said. Me on my knees, him standing up, we chest bumped. It doesn't get old.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Halloween Parade
We went to see Jack and Kate's school's Halloween Parade today. We had to park half a mile away, so we walked up the sidewalk and saw his class already lining up. There was Jack, in his Black Costume Spider-Man costume, holding hands with a little girl dressed as Supergirl (I guess; it was no Supergirl costume I've ever seen, although it did have the S logo on the front), wearing some sort of gold Mardi Gras type of beaded necklace. Lots of kids had them, I'm not really sure what was going on there.
He pointed at us, and we waved and took pictures. Kate's class was further back in the parade. She was wearing her monkey suit -- literally a monkey suit -- and holding hands with Miss Dionne. Very cute.
We walked down the street, trick or treating at stores, me asking Jack every two minutes if he could see, him saying yes, then walking uncertainly along and pulling at his mask, me stopping him and adjusting it, then continuing on.
On the way back to the school he asked me if he could take off the mask. I said sure. Then he wanted to take off the costume. I said, let's wait until we get back to school.
Tomorrow comes actual Halloween, and I'm thinking maybe he should have gone as a Mummy. Granted, I would have looked extra silly in my Spider-Man costume if he wasn't the black costume Spider-Man, but....
He pointed at us, and we waved and took pictures. Kate's class was further back in the parade. She was wearing her monkey suit -- literally a monkey suit -- and holding hands with Miss Dionne. Very cute.
We walked down the street, trick or treating at stores, me asking Jack every two minutes if he could see, him saying yes, then walking uncertainly along and pulling at his mask, me stopping him and adjusting it, then continuing on.
On the way back to the school he asked me if he could take off the mask. I said sure. Then he wanted to take off the costume. I said, let's wait until we get back to school.
Tomorrow comes actual Halloween, and I'm thinking maybe he should have gone as a Mummy. Granted, I would have looked extra silly in my Spider-Man costume if he wasn't the black costume Spider-Man, but....
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Random stuff
- We carved our pumpkins on Sunday. I only cut my thumb a little. When they were happily glowing -- well, happily and scarily, we did one of each, so they look kind of like the theatre happy/sad faces image sitting next to each other -- the kids just admired them for a while. Kate put her face up close to one of them. "Hi, punkin! Hi.......punkin!"
- Picture day today. Naturally both kids woke up too early and Kate had a runny nose. Getting them dressed was horrendous, and I was certain somebody would trip in the driveway and end up with a bloody nose. Nope. I'm sure they'll be great.
- Jack and Emily decorated Halloween cookies on Sunday. (I did a couple, but I also had to watch football.) Jack made Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez cookies. OK, they weren't all Halloween cookies. He also made bats, a really cool ghost, and a haunted house. I made a Frankenstein monster.
- I sang various songs to Kate at bedtime tonight. Rock a bye baby, Mr. Sun, Eensy Weensy Spider. She seemed rapt with attention and happy, which I don't always get. She just had a little sweet smile on her face throughout.
- Picture day today. Naturally both kids woke up too early and Kate had a runny nose. Getting them dressed was horrendous, and I was certain somebody would trip in the driveway and end up with a bloody nose. Nope. I'm sure they'll be great.
- Jack and Emily decorated Halloween cookies on Sunday. (I did a couple, but I also had to watch football.) Jack made Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez cookies. OK, they weren't all Halloween cookies. He also made bats, a really cool ghost, and a haunted house. I made a Frankenstein monster.
- I sang various songs to Kate at bedtime tonight. Rock a bye baby, Mr. Sun, Eensy Weensy Spider. She seemed rapt with attention and happy, which I don't always get. She just had a little sweet smile on her face throughout.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I love Halloween, etc.
I love Halloween, for so many reasons. I love all the decorations, I love the themes, I love the costumes, I love the colors. And fortunately, my kids do too.
-Every day after school we go to look at the neighbors' decorations (on both sides). They touch and/or hug the big inflatable pumpkin snowman, wave at the big scary-looking bat (I think Kate is a little afraid of it, but she gamely approaches it anyway), say "Hi, ghost!" to the ghost.
-Jack is drawing ghosts, skeleton, bats, haunted houses. I'm attaching a picture; he drew all the pieces himself, cut them out, pasted them on his wall. I took them off today to scan them.
-I got him the Ed Emberly book of Halloween. We had lots of Ed Emberly books when I was a kid. We drew things from it last night. And this morning. And probably for the next week or more.
-I got Frankenberry and Booberry cereal at the store today. I never had it as a kid (and didn't care, I don't think). But the box looks so awesome I had to get it. (It was $1.88 -- are these 1970s prices? Or is it because it's so bad for you they're apologizing by at least not making it expensive?)
-We got Mr. Potato Head Pirate pieces (Emily found them somewhere), and decorated a pumpkin with them. The pumpkin has an eyepatch and the actual pumpkin has kind of a scar on it -- perfectly fitting. It's currently rotting in our living room, 'cause we poked holes in it and stuff, so we'll put it out on the steps soon.
-This weekend we carve the pumpkins, and I'll re-create the same goofy looking pumpkin I've done for the last, I dunno, 10 years or so.
-Jack and I have been to the party stores for Halloween decorations and kitschy things. Three or four times. "AGAIN, Dad?" "C'MON, JACK!"
- I got Kate an adaptation of the Backyardigans Halloween special. We gave it to her last night. She's been home and awake about 4 hours since then....I think we've read it 27 times. Kate loves the Backyardigans these days. She carries around all five stuffed toys, which used to be Jack's but he's moved on. And I say "carries around," to mean that they accompany her into the crib...out of the crib...into the living room....into the kitchen....she walks along slowly, with all of them clutched in her arms. "Pabool....Tawon....Sasha....Awtin...Unkwa" (Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, Austin, Uniqua).
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Other stuff, because I haven't blogged in a while.
-Kate's a little afraid of the stone gargoyle in our garage. She ran away from it the other day. Jack and I explained it wasn't real ...just a toy. "OH!" she said. "Toy!" And laughed. But she still keeps her distance.
-When I pick up Jack in the school playground, Kate immediately runs to this one bouncy thing and bounces up and down happily as I'm getting the details on Jack's day. "Did he nap? Did he eat? Was he too annoying with that Halloween book that has an evil laugh when you turn to the last page?" (Which he loves.)
-Kate got her first real haircut the other day. She looks beautiful.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Halloween Pumpkins
Nothing gets kids out of the house on a Friday morning like a trip to get Halloween pumpkins. Here's how it went....
9:45. Kids have had their second breakfast, I've gotten them both dressed, and Jack went to the bathroom. I get on Kate's shoes and jacket and get coffee for me and water for them while Jack gets his shoes on. It's important to get an early start so Kate doesn't fall asleep on the way there, forcing me to wake her up and thereby ruining her nap and everyone's day.
10:00. We're on the road and as we pass the Y I decide I really should stop and look for Jack's swimsuit, which he somehow managed to lose after swimming the previous day. How does a child lose a bathing suit? Anyway, there was nowhere to park, except deep in the parking garage, so I drove in and drove out. We have to get our pumpkins!!!!
10:15. We pull into the pumpkin patch parking lot. Kate is still awake, fortunately. I get her out and Jack eagerly piles out too. He sees the gift shop first. No! Pumpkin patch!
10:17. I've discovered wagons. It's a bit of a walk to the pumpkin patch, so I pile them in. Jack wants to sit facing Kate, which clearly doesn't work in a wagon with no walls on it. I sit him in it and plop her down with him. That works (see pic).
10:20. I haul them down to the pumpkin patch, resisting the urge to go too fast. Most of the time. They enjoy fast though, there is much laughing and giggling as wind whips in hair. On the way, we see all kinds of Halloween decorations...pumpkins stacked on each other to look like people, clothing filled with leaves to be people and dogs, fake eyes on trees, ghosts, witches, all that kind of stuff.
10:25. We're there! There's a big old tractor which immediately they want to climb on. They do. Jack climbs up, which is fine, as does Kate, which is mildly worrisome, but she's kind of a thrill-seeker. They sit in the seat and I take pictures. Jack looks like he wants the thing to move. Kate just enjoys herself.
10:30. I get them down to go find a pumpkin. After a few minutes I find the perfect one. Jack agrees. Kate is walking around trying to pick one up. They're all bigger than she is, essentially -- certainly heavier -- so it doesn't happen. Then she goes and gets her own wagon, seriously, and starts pulling it around.
10:40. I've found two pumpkins and am ready to go. I let them pick two small ones for themselves. Jack grabs his immediately, then backs away with it because there's a huge Daddy Longlegs spider. I reassure Jack calmly, all the while backing away myself because I've always been scared to death of those things myself. They're creepy. Kate picks out a little reddish pumpkin, a fine and unique choice.
10:41. It looks like rain.
10:42. We head back, me pulling the pumpkins and Jack pulling Kate. We say hi to the leaf people and such.
10:50. Back at the store to pay for our pumpkins. The two big ones are 30 and 20 pounds, which works out to about 34 dollars. No, really! Then I spy this awesome Halloween ghost made out of metal on a spring, that bounces up and down. Jack spots it too. "Can we get it?" he asks, as I'm looking at it, wondering if we can get it. I say, well, we'll have to put one of the pumpkins back. He runs outside to tip the wagon over. OK, not really, but he easily parts with his smaller pumpkin (Kate keeps hers) and I set aside Pumpkin No. 2, and we buy the ghost. And the big pumpkin, and Kate's.
11:00. Everyone is happy. It only rains after we're back in the car. We go back to the Y and search high and low for his suit, with no success. Going back to the car, we get rained on.
11:30. The ghost smiles at us from atop an end table.
9:45. Kids have had their second breakfast, I've gotten them both dressed, and Jack went to the bathroom. I get on Kate's shoes and jacket and get coffee for me and water for them while Jack gets his shoes on. It's important to get an early start so Kate doesn't fall asleep on the way there, forcing me to wake her up and thereby ruining her nap and everyone's day.
10:00. We're on the road and as we pass the Y I decide I really should stop and look for Jack's swimsuit, which he somehow managed to lose after swimming the previous day. How does a child lose a bathing suit? Anyway, there was nowhere to park, except deep in the parking garage, so I drove in and drove out. We have to get our pumpkins!!!!
10:15. We pull into the pumpkin patch parking lot. Kate is still awake, fortunately. I get her out and Jack eagerly piles out too. He sees the gift shop first. No! Pumpkin patch!
10:17. I've discovered wagons. It's a bit of a walk to the pumpkin patch, so I pile them in. Jack wants to sit facing Kate, which clearly doesn't work in a wagon with no walls on it. I sit him in it and plop her down with him. That works (see pic).
10:20. I haul them down to the pumpkin patch, resisting the urge to go too fast. Most of the time. They enjoy fast though, there is much laughing and giggling as wind whips in hair. On the way, we see all kinds of Halloween decorations...pumpkins stacked on each other to look like people, clothing filled with leaves to be people and dogs, fake eyes on trees, ghosts, witches, all that kind of stuff.
10:25. We're there! There's a big old tractor which immediately they want to climb on. They do. Jack climbs up, which is fine, as does Kate, which is mildly worrisome, but she's kind of a thrill-seeker. They sit in the seat and I take pictures. Jack looks like he wants the thing to move. Kate just enjoys herself.
10:30. I get them down to go find a pumpkin. After a few minutes I find the perfect one. Jack agrees. Kate is walking around trying to pick one up. They're all bigger than she is, essentially -- certainly heavier -- so it doesn't happen. Then she goes and gets her own wagon, seriously, and starts pulling it around.
10:40. I've found two pumpkins and am ready to go. I let them pick two small ones for themselves. Jack grabs his immediately, then backs away with it because there's a huge Daddy Longlegs spider. I reassure Jack calmly, all the while backing away myself because I've always been scared to death of those things myself. They're creepy. Kate picks out a little reddish pumpkin, a fine and unique choice.
10:41. It looks like rain.
10:42. We head back, me pulling the pumpkins and Jack pulling Kate. We say hi to the leaf people and such.
10:50. Back at the store to pay for our pumpkins. The two big ones are 30 and 20 pounds, which works out to about 34 dollars. No, really! Then I spy this awesome Halloween ghost made out of metal on a spring, that bounces up and down. Jack spots it too. "Can we get it?" he asks, as I'm looking at it, wondering if we can get it. I say, well, we'll have to put one of the pumpkins back. He runs outside to tip the wagon over. OK, not really, but he easily parts with his smaller pumpkin (Kate keeps hers) and I set aside Pumpkin No. 2, and we buy the ghost. And the big pumpkin, and Kate's.
11:00. Everyone is happy. It only rains after we're back in the car. We go back to the Y and search high and low for his suit, with no success. Going back to the car, we get rained on.
11:30. The ghost smiles at us from atop an end table.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Halloween decorations, siblings, etc.
Our neighbor has some pretty wild lawn decorations around the holidays, with Halloween particularly impressive. At the moment he has a huge black vampire bat with glowing red eyes on his fence, a huge carful of ghosts on his lawn, and a glowing orange pumpkin snowman, among many other decorations.
So when I get home after picking the kids up every day, we of course have to go see them. Every day. We walk over and walk around and around them, and Kate touches the ghost car, and Jack touches the pumpkin snowman, and they say hi to everything. I have to admit the bat thing is kind of scary, but not to them as near as I can tell.
Kate, in fact, says "Hi!" and "Bye" to it as we arrive and leave. And to the stone bunny figure on the guy's lawn (which is not, incidentally, a Halloween decoration; it's just a stone bunny).
The other night, Jack had gone upstairs for some such reason, while Kate was looking at the decorations out the kitchen window. And talking to them.
"Hi, Bat!" she said happily. A pause, as though waiting for it to answer. And then: "Hi, Bat!" Then laughter. "He funny!" she said. "He funny....." More laughter, from her and from me. Not, one presumes, the bat.
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The other day after dinner Kate was talking to herself. Her reflection, that is. In her spoon.
Normally she uses plastic spoons, but I had given her a real spoon. And there she was, sitting at the table, holding it, looking at herself.
"Hi, Kate!" she said. "Hi!" Pause. "Hi, Kate!" Then she went off on a little monologue, something about Mommy, I believe. She seemed quite happy to be having this conversation with herself.
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There are times when Jack doesn't want to be bothered with Kate. And other times when he's the sweetest big brother in the world.
Yesterday it was at the end of dinner, and Jack wanted mixed fruit or somesuch, and of course once he mentioned it, she did too. And I wanted Kate to eat more of her dinner, and wasn't having any of her "No!" stuff. And then she wanted more Orange Juice, and I wanted her to say Please. And it wasn't going well and she was getting upset and I was getting frustrated.
Jack, who was sitting in his spot at the table, leaned over to her and grabbed her hand, trying to get her attention. "Kate," he said gently. Then, plaintively, to get her to look at him, "Kate!" She looked at him through her little mini-tantrum. "You have to say 'Please,' Kate. Kate! Say 'Please,' to get more orange juice. 'Please.'"
Kate quieted down. She said please. She got more orange juice.
Today she found an Elmo coloring book in the car. She held it on the way home. Jack said, "Kate, do you want to color in that together when we get home?" She said, "Yes." And so they did.
So when I get home after picking the kids up every day, we of course have to go see them. Every day. We walk over and walk around and around them, and Kate touches the ghost car, and Jack touches the pumpkin snowman, and they say hi to everything. I have to admit the bat thing is kind of scary, but not to them as near as I can tell.
Kate, in fact, says "Hi!" and "Bye" to it as we arrive and leave. And to the stone bunny figure on the guy's lawn (which is not, incidentally, a Halloween decoration; it's just a stone bunny).
The other night, Jack had gone upstairs for some such reason, while Kate was looking at the decorations out the kitchen window. And talking to them.
"Hi, Bat!" she said happily. A pause, as though waiting for it to answer. And then: "Hi, Bat!" Then laughter. "He funny!" she said. "He funny....." More laughter, from her and from me. Not, one presumes, the bat.
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The other day after dinner Kate was talking to herself. Her reflection, that is. In her spoon.
Normally she uses plastic spoons, but I had given her a real spoon. And there she was, sitting at the table, holding it, looking at herself.
"Hi, Kate!" she said. "Hi!" Pause. "Hi, Kate!" Then she went off on a little monologue, something about Mommy, I believe. She seemed quite happy to be having this conversation with herself.
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There are times when Jack doesn't want to be bothered with Kate. And other times when he's the sweetest big brother in the world.
Yesterday it was at the end of dinner, and Jack wanted mixed fruit or somesuch, and of course once he mentioned it, she did too. And I wanted Kate to eat more of her dinner, and wasn't having any of her "No!" stuff. And then she wanted more Orange Juice, and I wanted her to say Please. And it wasn't going well and she was getting upset and I was getting frustrated.
Jack, who was sitting in his spot at the table, leaned over to her and grabbed her hand, trying to get her attention. "Kate," he said gently. Then, plaintively, to get her to look at him, "Kate!" She looked at him through her little mini-tantrum. "You have to say 'Please,' Kate. Kate! Say 'Please,' to get more orange juice. 'Please.'"
Kate quieted down. She said please. She got more orange juice.
Today she found an Elmo coloring book in the car. She held it on the way home. Jack said, "Kate, do you want to color in that together when we get home?" She said, "Yes." And so they did.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Talky Kate
Kate's very talky these days. It's sort of like she didn't do it for so long, and she absorbed all these words, and now she really wants to use them.
Sometimes it's like she's reading a list of all the people she knows. "Nana Baba Jack Mommy Grandma Grandpa? Aunt Caffee? Daddy Mommy Jack."
I get her up in the morning and head downstairs so Emily and Jack can sleep a little bit more. As we leave the room, in the dark, she says "Mommy Jack?" Mommy and Jack are sleeping, I say. She says, "Ohhhhh. Mommy Jack sleep-ing."
She likes saying "Ohhhhh" these days. I hear her say it a lot to Jack. Jack's explaining how to throw a ball, or make something with Play-dough, or do a puzzle. "No, Kate, it goes like this." "Ohhhhhhh." It's awesome.
Another current favorite is her concerned, "Okay?" She does it when I cough. "Okay?" she asks. Sometimes concerned, sometimes it seems like it's a game to her. "Okay?" Like she's making a joke.
When really, she's just making me laugh, a lot.
Sometimes it's like she's reading a list of all the people she knows. "Nana Baba Jack Mommy Grandma Grandpa? Aunt Caffee? Daddy Mommy Jack."
I get her up in the morning and head downstairs so Emily and Jack can sleep a little bit more. As we leave the room, in the dark, she says "Mommy Jack?" Mommy and Jack are sleeping, I say. She says, "Ohhhhh. Mommy Jack sleep-ing."
She likes saying "Ohhhhh" these days. I hear her say it a lot to Jack. Jack's explaining how to throw a ball, or make something with Play-dough, or do a puzzle. "No, Kate, it goes like this." "Ohhhhhhh." It's awesome.
Another current favorite is her concerned, "Okay?" She does it when I cough. "Okay?" she asks. Sometimes concerned, sometimes it seems like it's a game to her. "Okay?" Like she's making a joke.
When really, she's just making me laugh, a lot.
Friday, October 02, 2009
birthday cake
Jack to Daddy, as Daddy finishes painstakingly icing the first cake he's ever made, for Mommy's birthday:
"Daddy, you know what would be REALLY special?"
What, Jack. "If we made a Pumpkin Pie AND a cake for Mommy!"
OK, Jack. Sounds good. Why don't you do that. "OK."
Pause. "But I don't know how to make a Pumpkin Pie!" I don't either, Jack.
Jack sighs. "Maybe we should just make a cake." Yes, Jack, maybe we should.
"Daddy, you know what would be REALLY special?"
What, Jack. "If we made a Pumpkin Pie AND a cake for Mommy!"
OK, Jack. Sounds good. Why don't you do that. "OK."
Pause. "But I don't know how to make a Pumpkin Pie!" I don't either, Jack.
Jack sighs. "Maybe we should just make a cake." Yes, Jack, maybe we should.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Pumpkin Patch and Apple Picking
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.
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.
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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