Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Potent
NOAA says there's a "potent storm" out in the Pacific Ocean, and we're getting rain, wind, and high surf as a result. Last week brought us the first rain since springtime, and the kids were eager to go out and play. It was colder than Zoe anticipated.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Green Monsters
They don't eat spinach, but they drink it! This smoothie is our favorite, just one iteration of many 'green monster' smoothie recipes you can find on the internet. Ours has fresh spinach, frozen or canned pineapple, pineapple juice, a banana, and some basil leaves if we're lucky. In a blind taste test, you'd never guess it contained spinach.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Auntie Snaps Zoe
Every lego tower needs a toilet paper roll topper.
As we worked in the yard, Zoe took on the task of relocating earthworms out of the path of pick ax and shovel. But only small worms; the big worms were too wiggly.
All dressed up for the dance class that didn't pan out. Zoe was the only potential student who showed up.
Wild girl on the motorcycle. Please let this not be an omen of future inclinations.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Batting Practice
Zoe and Vincent both love our new (soft) bat and ball, and show remarkable patience and willingness to try, try, try again.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Epiphany
Vincent has been offered ice cream before, and always made a yuck face. When I gave him a taste today, he looked a bit startled (the cold, perhaps?), but asked for more. He ate most of a chocolate scoop, intermittently declaring "I like it! I like ice cream!" He handed off his cone when it began to drip, and Auntie and Mama took care of the mess. Yum. We were glad to help, because we like ice cream too.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Getting Ready
The kids thought Auntie Megan would like some snugglies to sleep with during her visit. Vince brought the rabbit, and Zoe chose the turtle - because he matches the bedspread.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
To The Elbows
She started with a paintbrush, then dabbled with a finger, progressed to massaging the paint with her hands, and finally raked her nails across the canvas to create patterns. Our girl does love an art project, and she was thrilled to end up pretty thoroughly painted herself.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Party
Anyone want to go to a fancy dress princess sparkle dance party? This girl, in ball gown and skunk vest, is ready to go. Her little brother is pretty interested in the idea of a party as well.
Vincent and a princess play catch.
Body art.
Tea time! (Apple juice with water chaser.) Vincent handled his china cup with utmost care.
Zoe savored her chocolate cake with cream filling and chocolate frosting. She was at the table at least ten minutes after the other children had left to play games and dance. I called her away from the crumbs for a group photo, and she later lamented that she didn't have a chance to finish her cake. Poor kid. It was delicious, and I'm happy she took her time and enjoyed every bite.
Crazy dancing, with Zoe in the thick of it. Vincent didn't care for the disco lights and loud music. At first he repeatedly asked me to turn it off. Then, at the end of each song, he asked "All done now?"
Zoe had a blast at this birthday party, and for the most part, so did Vince. This is twice now we've attended parties at this venue, both for girls turning five. Zoe is getting some ideas about her next birthday, which just happens to be number five.
We will be spending more time at this location. It's a dance studio offering a variety of classes (as well as party packages). Beginning next Friday, we'll be attending a creative dance class for children under five. The teachers are the two princesses who engineered today's extravaganza.
Funny
Vince was pretty sure the monster on his pajamas wanted coffee. Then he got out his belly button and informed me it was going to the airport. "What about the rest of your body?" I asked. Just his belly button, he assured me.
Zoe caught Vincent licking the toothpaste tube. "Stop!" she scolded, "that's not hygienic."
Some of Zoe's school friends are way into Star Wars, and she attended a Star Wars themed birthday party. Today she was waving around a stick, announcing to everyone it was her "lion saver."
Overnight, Vincent suddenly grew tall enough to reach the light switches.
Zoe caught Vincent licking the toothpaste tube. "Stop!" she scolded, "that's not hygienic."
Some of Zoe's school friends are way into Star Wars, and she attended a Star Wars themed birthday party. Today she was waving around a stick, announcing to everyone it was her "lion saver."
Overnight, Vincent suddenly grew tall enough to reach the light switches.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Just Zoe And Mama
This fall, we're starting a new routine. Zoe continues to attend preschool two mornings per week, and now Vincent is going to "school" two mornings per week at a different location. This means Tuesday morning it's just Vince and Mama. Wednesday morning is just Zoe and Mama. Thursday morning is just Mama and the vacuum cleaner.
I do have misgivings about sending our small children to other people when I could have them at home with me all the time. Mommy guilt, much?
However, thing one: Zoe and Vincent, when together all the time, cannot cease meddling in one another's business. It's maddening for all parties. This won't end the inevitable sibling interactions (which can also be positive, of course), but this schedule gives everyone a break for a few hours.
Thing two: Zoe and Vincent love school. Different toys and activities and stories and kids and snacks and routines and stimulation...they truly love it. Zoe informs me she wants to be at school all day, everyday. When we drop Zoe off, Vincent marches in like he owns the place and settles right into whatever activity catches his eye. He would be delighted to stay, and they would be happy to have him...if he was potty trained.
Potty training does not seem to be imminent, so I found a place for Vincent that does diapers. It's an in-home daycare run by a teacher with small children. She has an assistant. Their program is Montessori influenced. It is warm and peaceful and fun and seems just right for our little guy right now. They do yoga and play instruments and build structures and finger paint and mess around at the water table. I've left him there three times now. He cheerfully waves me out the door. When I come to pick him up, he pretends he doesn't see me. When I break the news that it's time to leave, he emphatically says "Me want stay!"
This week was my first Wednesday morning alone with Zoe. We went to the beach, dropped by the coffee shop for a cookie, planted flowers, then had a picnic lunch at home. It was wonderful to be able to give all of my attention to Zoe, and she soaked it up.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Serious Work
"I worker guy." Worker guy is loading his dump truck with the grass he pulled up using his favorite pliers. He kissed those pliers goodbye before we left the house.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Perky
Even if the water doesn't help our pathetic herb garden perk up, maybe the colorful outfit of the waterer will.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Bigfoot Sighting
Vincent's newest pair of sneakers should arrive this week. Here's hoping they fit. He has a wide foot, and it's also tall. It adds up to a lot of girth, and it requires an extra wide shoe. Last shoe buying go-round involved the internet and lots of trial and error (hooray for Zappos free returns). I'd sure like to buy the same winning shoe as last time, except in a bigger size, but it isn't available. Bah.
Get Crackin'
I love that both kids want to help me cook. It gets messy, and it slows things down (and I admit that I sometimes just need to get the job done and so tell them to go play), but I hope they'll always enjoy being in the kitchen.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Oatmeal
Among Vincent's comments this morning, with pronunciation edited for clarity: I a hungry boy. I want big spoon. I have oatmeal on me. More please. I a mess. Me want have a bath.
I inadvertently made a batch of oatmeal intended to feed four. One adult and two small children ate it all. Plus a packet of instant oatmeal. Plus a carton of raspberries. And the kids were ready for a snack less than three hours later! At the other end of the day, they ate almost no dinner.
Zoe said: Some people call it porridge. I really like porridge.
I inadvertently made a batch of oatmeal intended to feed four. One adult and two small children ate it all. Plus a packet of instant oatmeal. Plus a carton of raspberries. And the kids were ready for a snack less than three hours later! At the other end of the day, they ate almost no dinner.