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Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
William's sleepy time
William inevitably asks Mommy or I to lay with him after he's read a story. So once the book gets put down, the lights get dimmed and I snuggle with the little cutie and we talk about what we did today and what is going on tomorrow. Then about 30 seconds of silence before William is asleep. I'm not joking here. 30 seconds.
He asks "will you lay with me" like it's a big deal... Sure, honey - anytime!
He asks "will you lay with me" like it's a big deal... Sure, honey - anytime!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Mary Grace's new song
Mary Grace came home from school all excited about the new song she learned at school. Here it is:
(It degraded to some silliness at the end...)
(It degraded to some silliness at the end...)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Apple picking and pumpkin patching 2
Faced with a beautiful Sunday afternoon and nothing terribly pressing on our calendar, we opted to head out to G&S Orchards, at 825 Atlantic (crossing of Lincoln Rd in Walworth). It's about a 15 minute drive from the house and completely worth it.
We initially opted not to take a whole bushel, but cost made it more economical. We got a lot more apples than we need, but the cost was still about $20. The kids did great picking apples but had to be reminded to gently place them into the bags and not to pick up apples off the ground. We ended up with 4 varieties and made sure to eat at least one of each variety to ensure they were up to our high standards.
Next, we rolled the wagon down to the pumpkin patch for some pumpkin picking. After much careful examination, William settled on a nice big beauty, and Mary Grace chose "the littlest pumpkin" (based on a book we have). I steered her towards a larger, easier to carve pumpkin and she too got a nice one.
Anne wanted to get one too, so she picked a green one with the intention of carving our house number into it.
On the way back to pay for all the loot we selected, we noticed three years old is apparently the age when a child falls on a rotten pumpkin. Happened to Mary Grace last year and William this year. William couldn't care less though, while Mary Grace was quite upset and crying. Trusty mommy's emergency diaper bag to the rescue once again with a spare pair of pants.
On the way home we realized we hadn't had lunch yet, so we stopped at the new Bay/Goodman pizza on Atlantic and Browncroft and had a nice pizza lunch.
A wonderful fall afternoon was had by all, and here's the evidence:
We initially opted not to take a whole bushel, but cost made it more economical. We got a lot more apples than we need, but the cost was still about $20. The kids did great picking apples but had to be reminded to gently place them into the bags and not to pick up apples off the ground. We ended up with 4 varieties and made sure to eat at least one of each variety to ensure they were up to our high standards.
Next, we rolled the wagon down to the pumpkin patch for some pumpkin picking. After much careful examination, William settled on a nice big beauty, and Mary Grace chose "the littlest pumpkin" (based on a book we have). I steered her towards a larger, easier to carve pumpkin and she too got a nice one.
Anne wanted to get one too, so she picked a green one with the intention of carving our house number into it.
On the way back to pay for all the loot we selected, we noticed three years old is apparently the age when a child falls on a rotten pumpkin. Happened to Mary Grace last year and William this year. William couldn't care less though, while Mary Grace was quite upset and crying. Trusty mommy's emergency diaper bag to the rescue once again with a spare pair of pants.
On the way home we realized we hadn't had lunch yet, so we stopped at the new Bay/Goodman pizza on Atlantic and Browncroft and had a nice pizza lunch.
A wonderful fall afternoon was had by all, and here's the evidence:
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Happy Birthday Mama
We celebrated Mama's birthday on Monday at our house. We had a nice dinner, then leftover birthday cake from a lunch party for Mama, Aunt Rose and Didi. Happy birthday to everyone!
First rainbow ever!
Walking out the back door to go straighten the garage in anticipation of our first new bathroom appliance, the tub, I noticed it was sunny-raining. As I walked down the steps I saw this!
I quickly hurried back inside and excitedly gathered up the kids. They had never seen a real rainbow up in the sky before. So we all went out in the chilly October air and watched the rainbow!
Mary Grace was quick to point out that in cartoons, if you find the end of the rainbow, you'll find a treasure! As usual, William agreed and even repeated the statement!
I quickly hurried back inside and excitedly gathered up the kids. They had never seen a real rainbow up in the sky before. So we all went out in the chilly October air and watched the rainbow!
Mary Grace was quick to point out that in cartoons, if you find the end of the rainbow, you'll find a treasure! As usual, William agreed and even repeated the statement!
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Sleep talking
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!
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!
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
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