Every once in a while, Mary Grace wakes up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I always wake up when I hear the little pitter-patter of her running into our bedroom, straight to my side of the bed. I'm expected to lift the covers and she climbs in and we fall asleep.
That usually lasts about an hour, when she starts tossing and turning, slowly pushing me towards Anne's side of the bed. At that point I get "influenced" to take Mary Grace back to her bed, where she sleeps soundly for the rest of the night.
Last night was one of these events. So I'm sound asleep when Mary Grace starts talking about Cinderella's carriage. I can't remember exactly what she said, but it was obvious she was having a Disney Princess dream...
Finally back to sleep and about a half hour later, Mary Grace is YELLING "Lets go for a hay-ride! Hahaha". I was chuckling at that one, but Anne wasn't so amused. So off to her own bed my little girl went. And a smile on my face I have everytime I think about it.
Hope it happens again tonight!
Thursday, October 08, 2009
That TV is going to rot your brain!
I remember my mom saying that to us as kids, especially on those marathon TV nights when Battlestar Galactica or The Six Million Dollar Man was on. I now have proof that she was right.
William and Mary Grace were watching some kids show we Tivo'ed on TLC back when we still had cable. Anne walked in as a commercial was playing and asked "What are you guys watching?" William responded "It's the Wonder Hanger - It holds 6 winter coats!"
Most of the programming they watch is commercial free now, so those rare commercials they do see really carry a lot of influence!
William and Mary Grace were watching some kids show we Tivo'ed on TLC back when we still had cable. Anne walked in as a commercial was playing and asked "What are you guys watching?" William responded "It's the Wonder Hanger - It holds 6 winter coats!"
Most of the programming they watch is commercial free now, so those rare commercials they do see really carry a lot of influence!
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
One
Counting the number of illnesses the kids encounter this cold/flu season.
Mary Grace started feeling sick after school. She fell asleep snuggling with Mommy and when she woke up, signs of a stomach bug surfaced. Between "bouts", she was pretty normal, but the "bouts" lasted well into the evening.
She was awake at 11, 3:30 and 6:30, then finally got up at 7:15, seemingly back to her peppy, excited, loud-talking self. Unfortunately, her fever kicked in at 100.5 and while she's keeping down clear liquids, she's still not 100%.
William and his iron stomach are fine, although he felt a little warm this morning.
Mary Grace started feeling sick after school. She fell asleep snuggling with Mommy and when she woke up, signs of a stomach bug surfaced. Between "bouts", she was pretty normal, but the "bouts" lasted well into the evening.
She was awake at 11, 3:30 and 6:30, then finally got up at 7:15, seemingly back to her peppy, excited, loud-talking self. Unfortunately, her fever kicked in at 100.5 and while she's keeping down clear liquids, she's still not 100%.
William and his iron stomach are fine, although he felt a little warm this morning.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
William's artsy side
Lately, William has been getting much better at coloring and painting. He's brought home some wonderful artwork from school and it we can see the improvements that each one brings.
Last night, I went to pick up the kids from KidTown and William looked at me all disappointed. I asked what was wrong and he said that he wanted to finish his coloring before he left. He immediately went to work coloring in his firetruck so that he could give it to mommy when we got home. He was very serious and intense, it was adorable.
He did a fine job and we'll be proudly displaying it on the refrigerator!
Last night, I went to pick up the kids from KidTown and William looked at me all disappointed. I asked what was wrong and he said that he wanted to finish his coloring before he left. He immediately went to work coloring in his firetruck so that he could give it to mommy when we got home. He was very serious and intense, it was adorable.
He did a fine job and we'll be proudly displaying it on the refrigerator!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Snowy Owls no more
Mary Grace recently had her first field trip this year, to the zoo. I saw a big poster outside of her class where each child noted their favorite animal. I already knew before reading that she loves the snowy owls.
Sadly, the snowy owls were nowhere to be seen and their display area was even gone. Anne emailed the zoo only to learn that the snowy owls had passed away.
Should we treat this as a lesson for Mary Grace and tell her what happened, or maybe tell her a white liem like "the snowy owls don't live at our zoo anymore"...
We're not looking forward to the devastation either way.
Sadly, the snowy owls were nowhere to be seen and their display area was even gone. Anne emailed the zoo only to learn that the snowy owls had passed away.
Should we treat this as a lesson for Mary Grace and tell her what happened, or maybe tell her a white liem like "the snowy owls don't live at our zoo anymore"...
We're not looking forward to the devastation either way.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
William and the Lion
William tells us after his first day of school that there's a boy named Lion! We doubted him so we asked, "do you mean Ryan?" His response was no, his name is Lion. The next school day, we found out that there is a Ryan, and that's the boy William was calling Lion. Honest mistake :)
William is definitely verbalizing a lot more and often going on and on with a long story about something he saw, usually a TV show or video game. We typically understand about 50%, but he gets so excited telling us his story (all the while, fidgeting in some way, usually shaking one or two legs) that we have to feign a surprised excitement at the end. We're looking forward to understanding > 85%.
At bedtime, the routine has been augmented my laying down with him until he falls asleep. That generally takes less than one minute though, so no harm done... :)
Finally, the kids have started ballet lessons. Here's a photo from their first day! Video to come soon!
William is definitely verbalizing a lot more and often going on and on with a long story about something he saw, usually a TV show or video game. We typically understand about 50%, but he gets so excited telling us his story (all the while, fidgeting in some way, usually shaking one or two legs) that we have to feign a surprised excitement at the end. We're looking forward to understanding > 85%.
At bedtime, the routine has been augmented my laying down with him until he falls asleep. That generally takes less than one minute though, so no harm done... :)
Finally, the kids have started ballet lessons. Here's a photo from their first day! Video to come soon!
Friday, September 18, 2009
William and Mommy
William has started school, as we all know. What you all don't get to see however is just how adorable that little boy is, all dressed in school clothes, carrying his Iggy beanie baby and his school bag, with a little half smile on his face.
He climbs into the car and keeps that look up all the way to school. It's a kind of a combination of worry and pride.
Today I watched him saying goodbye to mommy. He's still doing the reverse wave since we haven't told him otherwise. So there he is waving to mommy with his palm pointing towards his face, then moving on to blowing kisses.
William's relationship with his mommy is something I think I could sit back and watch with fascination and loving pride all day long.
He climbs into the car and keeps that look up all the way to school. It's a kind of a combination of worry and pride.
Today I watched him saying goodbye to mommy. He's still doing the reverse wave since we haven't told him otherwise. So there he is waving to mommy with his palm pointing towards his face, then moving on to blowing kisses.
William's relationship with his mommy is something I think I could sit back and watch with fascination and loving pride all day long.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
First day of school for William and summer roundup
While for Mary Grace school is now old-hat, today was William's first day at preschool. He got a gentle introduction to his new classroom, new fellow students and his new teachers! Here's a photo of the kids outside just before they entered.
The kids were so excited when I saw them at lunchtime. Mary Grace loves her newly redecorated/remodeled classroom and William enjoyed meeting the other kids and playing with our neighbor, his buddy, Joe.
Anne and I were asking the kids if they had a good summer and what was their favorite part. It ended up with us making a list of all the things we did and saying, we should post that on the blog.
Visit from all the Arizonians
Weekend visit to the Thiel family (first road trip)
Monday night swim parties at the Matzkys
Tuesday night swim lessons at Midtown (first swim lessons for William)
Weekend swimming and kidtowning at Midtown
Swimming in our backyard pool too!
Bike rides to the playground
Swimming in the waves at Durand-Eastman beach
Wednesdays with Didi and Catie
Multiple trips to Seabreeze
Our weekend trip to Buffalo (first time in a hotel)
Selling kettle corn Park Ave fest weekend
Leslie and Tim's wedding (first wedding)
(more to come, I'm sure)
The kids were so excited when I saw them at lunchtime. Mary Grace loves her newly redecorated/remodeled classroom and William enjoyed meeting the other kids and playing with our neighbor, his buddy, Joe.
Anne and I were asking the kids if they had a good summer and what was their favorite part. It ended up with us making a list of all the things we did and saying, we should post that on the blog.
Visit from all the Arizonians
Weekend visit to the Thiel family (first road trip)
Monday night swim parties at the Matzkys
Tuesday night swim lessons at Midtown (first swim lessons for William)
Weekend swimming and kidtowning at Midtown
Swimming in our backyard pool too!
Bike rides to the playground
Swimming in the waves at Durand-Eastman beach
Wednesdays with Didi and Catie
Multiple trips to Seabreeze
Our weekend trip to Buffalo (first time in a hotel)
Selling kettle corn Park Ave fest weekend
Leslie and Tim's wedding (first wedding)
(more to come, I'm sure)
Monday, September 07, 2009
What a weekend!
We had a great labor day weekend, filled with fun activities for both the kids and the parents. We started Saturday afternoon with an Auragen reunion, seeing all my old friends from 3+ years ago. The kids played on the playground, played batting the ball and played "soccer-ball". Everyone had a lot of fun.
Sunday, Daddy pushed for a day at the beach, so off to Durand-Eastman (aka "The Ocean") beach we went. We packed beach toys and a snack and arrived after lunch. William immediately set to work on the sand while Mary Grace wanted to look for beach glass. Next, we decided to brave the elements and go swimming. The wind was blowing and there were waves out at the sandbar. I took the kids individually out to the waves and either held them or just held their hands as we tried jumping over the crashing waves. It was the first time both kids enjoyed the water at the beach. Mary Grace got a little scared at the end, but William wore his perma-grin up until the moment I told him we had to go. Hope next year our first visit to the beach won't be on the second-last day of summer. :(
And Monday, the Daddy took the kids to Midtown to go swimming and for an event "games on the pool deck". The games turned out to be some dollar-store crafts, a little disappointing, but the kids enjoyed it. After our first craft (pipe-cleaner spiders and butterflys), we went swimming for almost an hour. We all started to get cold, so we got out and lounged with Roxanne, Katie, and Hurley girl. The kids got juice boxes, Daddy got a beer and we broke out the second craft.
Back home by 4:30 for dinner, then closed the weekend with some miscellaneous activities leading to bedtime. Sadly, the camera stayed home for all the events, so I'm posting some older, but recent photos of the kids at the pool.
Sunday, Daddy pushed for a day at the beach, so off to Durand-Eastman (aka "The Ocean") beach we went. We packed beach toys and a snack and arrived after lunch. William immediately set to work on the sand while Mary Grace wanted to look for beach glass. Next, we decided to brave the elements and go swimming. The wind was blowing and there were waves out at the sandbar. I took the kids individually out to the waves and either held them or just held their hands as we tried jumping over the crashing waves. It was the first time both kids enjoyed the water at the beach. Mary Grace got a little scared at the end, but William wore his perma-grin up until the moment I told him we had to go. Hope next year our first visit to the beach won't be on the second-last day of summer. :(
And Monday, the Daddy took the kids to Midtown to go swimming and for an event "games on the pool deck". The games turned out to be some dollar-store crafts, a little disappointing, but the kids enjoyed it. After our first craft (pipe-cleaner spiders and butterflys), we went swimming for almost an hour. We all started to get cold, so we got out and lounged with Roxanne, Katie, and Hurley girl. The kids got juice boxes, Daddy got a beer and we broke out the second craft.
Back home by 4:30 for dinner, then closed the weekend with some miscellaneous activities leading to bedtime. Sadly, the camera stayed home for all the events, so I'm posting some older, but recent photos of the kids at the pool.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
William falls asleep in the most uncomfortable position EVER!
William really loves to watch me play Nintendo or Super Nintendo games on the computer. He even helps out on the simpler levels.
One afternoon, we were playing and he I sensed he was getting tired because he laid his heavy little head on my arm as I was playing. He shifted from one side to the other a few times, so I asked if he was tired and wanted to take a nap. Oh course, he replied "no, I'm not sleepy".
I suggested he could close his eyes and take a quick nap, and he was amenable to that. I swear, 5 seconds later, he was out. Cold.
Luckily, I had the camera on my desk, so I snapped the following evidence.
Then I carried him down to his big-boy bed where he proceeded to take a 2-hour power nap. That boy is such a cute napper. Look at that angelic little face!
One afternoon, we were playing and he I sensed he was getting tired because he laid his heavy little head on my arm as I was playing. He shifted from one side to the other a few times, so I asked if he was tired and wanted to take a nap. Oh course, he replied "no, I'm not sleepy".
I suggested he could close his eyes and take a quick nap, and he was amenable to that. I swear, 5 seconds later, he was out. Cold.
Luckily, I had the camera on my desk, so I snapped the following evidence.
Then I carried him down to his big-boy bed where he proceeded to take a 2-hour power nap. That boy is such a cute napper. Look at that angelic little face!
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Nemo incident
Tonight the kids were taking a bath. Yes, they still bathe together. They were all washed up and just playing nicely so I walked out of the bathroom to get the towels. Next thing I hear Mary Grace screaming and crying and William holding onto the Nemo toy he had just hit Mary Grace in the face with, repeating "sorry, sorry, sorry".
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Mary Grace seems to be the peace lover and William the war-starter. I admit, I lost my patience and yanked him out of the tub, wrapped him in a towel and carried him down to his room, put him in his bed and closed the door. We were both pretty upset.
Anne came up to help with William and I went back up to check on Mary Grace. Mary Grace was happy as a clam now. I asked what happened, and she said that William accidentally hit her in the face with the Nemo toy when they were playing. Oh jeez, I feel like a heel now.
Then Anne came up with William, and William's story was that he hit her with the Nemo toy on purpose when she squirted some water at him. Wait, what?! Mary Grace proclaiming William's innocence and William proclaiming his guilt?
Regardless, Daddy had to eat some humble pie and apologize to William. Judging how Mary Grace was crying and carrying on, I thought she was genuinely hurt, but there wasn't a mark on her. That girl is destined for Hollywood.
My boy and I finished the night bed buddies and snuggled until he fell asleep, so it's all good. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Mary Grace seems to be the peace lover and William the war-starter. I admit, I lost my patience and yanked him out of the tub, wrapped him in a towel and carried him down to his room, put him in his bed and closed the door. We were both pretty upset.
Anne came up to help with William and I went back up to check on Mary Grace. Mary Grace was happy as a clam now. I asked what happened, and she said that William accidentally hit her in the face with the Nemo toy when they were playing. Oh jeez, I feel like a heel now.
Then Anne came up with William, and William's story was that he hit her with the Nemo toy on purpose when she squirted some water at him. Wait, what?! Mary Grace proclaiming William's innocence and William proclaiming his guilt?
Regardless, Daddy had to eat some humble pie and apologize to William. Judging how Mary Grace was crying and carrying on, I thought she was genuinely hurt, but there wasn't a mark on her. That girl is destined for Hollywood.
My boy and I finished the night bed buddies and snuggled until he fell asleep, so it's all good. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
You're silly daddy!
I figured I better blog this before it becomes a forgotten memory.
Right after Mary Grace started pre-school, she started saying to me "You're silly, Daddy!", not immediately after doing something silly either. She would say it with no rhyme or reason, just to say it. At first I wondered if maybe her teachers were saying it to her, then I wondered why she was saying it.
Anyway, it got to be really common, and slightly annoying until I figured out that it really means "I love you, Daddy!". So I explained that to Mary Grace, and now whenever she says "You're silly, Daddy", I respond with "Awww, I love you too Mary Grace!". And she immediately comes back with "That's not what it means!".
Well, I think my interpretation is correct, so I'm sticking with it!
Right after Mary Grace started pre-school, she started saying to me "You're silly, Daddy!", not immediately after doing something silly either. She would say it with no rhyme or reason, just to say it. At first I wondered if maybe her teachers were saying it to her, then I wondered why she was saying it.
Anyway, it got to be really common, and slightly annoying until I figured out that it really means "I love you, Daddy!". So I explained that to Mary Grace, and now whenever she says "You're silly, Daddy", I respond with "Awww, I love you too Mary Grace!". And she immediately comes back with "That's not what it means!".
Well, I think my interpretation is correct, so I'm sticking with it!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
William and those pesky Ls
So William still says most of his L words with W instead. As in Wunch instead of Lunch, Wemon instead of Lemon, etc. We started correcting him once we discovered he could say the L sound, but I think he's learned a lot of the words with W, and old habits are hard to break, even for a 3 year old...
One word we still allow, and will probably always allow with the W however, is Love. I wuv you Mommy. It's far too adorable!
Speaking of that particular statement, Mary Grace has started saying "I love you Mommy" whenever she is about to get into trouble for doing something naughty. It's really cute, but I don't get the logic behind it. Is she thinking that saying the magical phrase will make the consequence go away? Again, so cute, it probably even works sometimes!
One word we still allow, and will probably always allow with the W however, is Love. I wuv you Mommy. It's far too adorable!
Speaking of that particular statement, Mary Grace has started saying "I love you Mommy" whenever she is about to get into trouble for doing something naughty. It's really cute, but I don't get the logic behind it. Is she thinking that saying the magical phrase will make the consequence go away? Again, so cute, it probably even works sometimes!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sorry doesn't cut it, William!
(03:14:50 PM) Anne: Mary Grace just told William that sorry doesn't cut it after he hurt her and then apologized!
(03:15:14 PM) Rick: in those words?
(03:15:39 PM) Anne: "sorry doesn't cut it, William" is what she said
(03:15:43 PM) Rick: hehe
(03:15:56 PM) Rick: who says that?
(03:16:37 PM) Anne: maybe me?
Mary Grace and William are both picking up on the things we say. With Mary Grace, I'll say something that she's never heard before and look at her and she's got that faraway stare going and I just know she's processing and storing the information.
(03:15:14 PM) Rick: in those words?
(03:15:39 PM) Anne: "sorry doesn't cut it, William" is what she said
(03:15:43 PM) Rick: hehe
(03:15:56 PM) Rick: who says that?
(03:16:37 PM) Anne: maybe me?
Mary Grace and William are both picking up on the things we say. With Mary Grace, I'll say something that she's never heard before and look at her and she's got that faraway stare going and I just know she's processing and storing the information.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Mr. Timmy Tiptoes
Mary Grace's favorite bedtime story is The Tale Of Timmy Tiptoes, by Beatrix Potter. Our next-door neighbor gave Mary Grace a big book of all of Beatrix Potter's stories and that is her favorite by far. Both her and her brother love to sing the two songs "Who's been digging up MY nuts" and "Little bit 'a bread and NO cheese".
Tonight we read the story again and I keep thinking about my little girl growing up and looking back on these moments and said to myself "self - you need to write this in the blog!". Check.
Tonight we read the story again and I keep thinking about my little girl growing up and looking back on these moments and said to myself "self - you need to write this in the blog!". Check.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Stealthy bed changer and giggles.
Mary Grace has been occasionally coming into our room at night to sleep for whatever reason. Daddy doesn't mind so much except that she's a major bed hog! Either Anne or I end up carrying her back into her own bed after an either short or long time (which is directly related to her bed-hog-edness.
Last night we were very pleasantly awoken to Mary Graces's giggles as she slept between us. It seems she was having a very happy dream, although she has no recollection of it.
"Look at the flowers on those cukes!"
This reminds me that I have to have Anne record a tickle session with the kids, so that we have a recording of their little giggles.
Last night we were very pleasantly awoken to Mary Graces's giggles as she slept between us. It seems she was having a very happy dream, although she has no recollection of it.
"Look at the flowers on those cukes!"
This reminds me that I have to have Anne record a tickle session with the kids, so that we have a recording of their little giggles.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Popcorn sale during Park Avenue Festival
Anne and the kids had a great idea to open up a stand and sell something in front of our house during the Park Avenue Festival this year. It was decided that homemade kettle corn would be the item to sell, at the low,low price of $0.50 per bag.
So Anne made a sign and set up a table with two chairs and an umbrella and we waited.
And waited.
Their friend Katie came by with her dad and we made our first sale - 2 bags! After that, we had a mix of neighbors and strangers, all perfectly happy to buy bags of kettle corn for .50. Some even contributed to the cause and gave $1.
William got a little confused during all of this and tried to give people money as they were walking past the house.
At several points, Anne had to go inside and pop more popcorn when we ran out. At one point, a tipsy couple came by and the woman said to Mary Grace "Oh, you want some money?" and proceeded to give her a few dollars. Thank you very much!
Soon, the trickle of people stopped and the kids started playing in the front yard instead, picking leaves off of bushes and pulling weeds out of the lawn. Daddy was left with a few bags of kettle corn, which he gladly ate.
Notes for next year: Start before 2:30pm on Sunday. We totally missed out on a large customer base
Also, educate the kids on selling rather than eating. They got bored and ate a large portion of their profits!
So Anne made a sign and set up a table with two chairs and an umbrella and we waited.
And waited.
Their friend Katie came by with her dad and we made our first sale - 2 bags! After that, we had a mix of neighbors and strangers, all perfectly happy to buy bags of kettle corn for .50. Some even contributed to the cause and gave $1.
William got a little confused during all of this and tried to give people money as they were walking past the house.
At several points, Anne had to go inside and pop more popcorn when we ran out. At one point, a tipsy couple came by and the woman said to Mary Grace "Oh, you want some money?" and proceeded to give her a few dollars. Thank you very much!
Soon, the trickle of people stopped and the kids started playing in the front yard instead, picking leaves off of bushes and pulling weeds out of the lawn. Daddy was left with a few bags of kettle corn, which he gladly ate.
Notes for next year: Start before 2:30pm on Sunday. We totally missed out on a large customer base
Also, educate the kids on selling rather than eating. They got bored and ate a large portion of their profits!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Carousel Protocol
One of the things that I've done with the kids since they were old enough to do it is to take them on carousel rides. Mary Grace has been riding the one at Strong Museum regularly, as has William.
It's been a while since I've been to Strong Museum, so I didn't realize there were protocol changes. I do remember the last time we rode, that I wasn't allowed to put my arm around her anymore.
So the ride starts and I casually put my hand over her hip, being the overprotective dad and all, I didn't want her to slip off. So my hand quickly gets brushed off of her and rests on the horse. Mary Grace looks back at my hand and pushes it again, this time all the way back to the tail.
We go around again and she looks back and sees my hand on her horses tail and asks "Could you take your hand off my horse?"
So I obediently follow her directions and focus all my overprotectiveness on my little boy instead. Now he better not try to pull that until he's 10!
Didi, you've been warned. :)
Uncle Ricky and the kids at the Strong Museum Carousel
It's been a while since I've been to Strong Museum, so I didn't realize there were protocol changes. I do remember the last time we rode, that I wasn't allowed to put my arm around her anymore.
So the ride starts and I casually put my hand over her hip, being the overprotective dad and all, I didn't want her to slip off. So my hand quickly gets brushed off of her and rests on the horse. Mary Grace looks back at my hand and pushes it again, this time all the way back to the tail.
We go around again and she looks back and sees my hand on her horses tail and asks "Could you take your hand off my horse?"
So I obediently follow her directions and focus all my overprotectiveness on my little boy instead. Now he better not try to pull that until he's 10!
Didi, you've been warned. :)
Uncle Ricky and the kids at the Strong Museum Carousel
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The kids and daddy at bedtime
The kids wanted to read a book in mommy and daddy's bed, so here we are getting all set. What's missing? The ritual! Brush teeth, wash faces and hands, put on jammies, THEN read a book, then tuck in and kisses and I love yous.
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