"William - When you finish going to the bathroom, you have to put the toilet seat down because it's more comfortable that way for me and mommy. You and daddy have a different kind of coo-coo so we can't stand up."
I asked her afterwards who was responsible for changing the position of the toilet seat and got an immediate "William is". Apparently, the brainwashing has already begun :)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Mary Grace meets the queen at Strong Museum's Royal Ball
We had a fantastic time at the Royal Ball at the Strong Museum last weekend. There were so many activities that we stayed for an unprecedented 3+ hours. Here's one of my favorite moments:
There was a line of little princesses waiting to meet her royal majesty, the Queen. Of course we got in line. As we were waiting we noticed that the little girls were curtsying and I didn't know if Mary Grace knew how. Unfortunately, Daddy didn't know how either. So I explained it to her as best I could based on observation. Then came the big moment
By the way, while we were waiting in line, William asked if he could go see the Spider Man exhibit that was just down the hall. I didn't see the harm, so told him to make sure he can see me (and thus, I could see him). As I was trying to explain curtsying, I lost sight of him and he was MIA for a good 5 minutes while we waited in line.
Here are a few photos from the afternoon as well
Princess Mary Grace and Prince William on the royal (Lego) throne.
At the royal hair salon, getting a french braid
The prince enjoying a snack after making his own crown.
There was a line of little princesses waiting to meet her royal majesty, the Queen. Of course we got in line. As we were waiting we noticed that the little girls were curtsying and I didn't know if Mary Grace knew how. Unfortunately, Daddy didn't know how either. So I explained it to her as best I could based on observation. Then came the big moment
By the way, while we were waiting in line, William asked if he could go see the Spider Man exhibit that was just down the hall. I didn't see the harm, so told him to make sure he can see me (and thus, I could see him). As I was trying to explain curtsying, I lost sight of him and he was MIA for a good 5 minutes while we waited in line.
Here are a few photos from the afternoon as well
Princess Mary Grace and Prince William on the royal (Lego) throne.
At the royal hair salon, getting a french braid
The prince enjoying a snack after making his own crown.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
She wants to take the bus next year?!
We're faced with a dilemma. Mary Grace will be starting kindergarten next year, which is every day from 8-2:15. William will still be in 3-day pre-K. That means a lot of travelling back and forth to school.
So we asked Mary Grace if she wanted to take the school bus, fully expecting the answer would be No. What a surprise that she said yes! We've still got to work out the details, but that may be an answer to our problems!
Now we have to try to get the parents to be ok with putting our little girl onto a bus. Right now that's not sitting well with me. :(
So we asked Mary Grace if she wanted to take the school bus, fully expecting the answer would be No. What a surprise that she said yes! We've still got to work out the details, but that may be an answer to our problems!
Now we have to try to get the parents to be ok with putting our little girl onto a bus. Right now that's not sitting well with me. :(
Friday, April 02, 2010
Mary Grace's fashion sense
Over the last year or so, Mary Grace has become more and more restrictive with her clothing choices. At first, it was certain colors that she refused to wear. Then she refused to wear jeans. Lately it has degraded to her only wanting to wear dresses. Today she wants to wear an "Eastery" dress while decorating Easter eggs.
So when I overheard this little gem, I had to blog it.
We were all discussing William going to Joe's boy-only birthday party, and since Anne would be working, who would be taking care of Mary Grace. We discussed several options, including neighbors, friends, etc., then Anne said "Maybe Mary Grace can just come to work with me". The first words out of my girl's mouth upon hearing this were "Ohh, what would I wear?!".
Classic girly-girl.
So when I overheard this little gem, I had to blog it.
We were all discussing William going to Joe's boy-only birthday party, and since Anne would be working, who would be taking care of Mary Grace. We discussed several options, including neighbors, friends, etc., then Anne said "Maybe Mary Grace can just come to work with me". The first words out of my girl's mouth upon hearing this were "Ohh, what would I wear?!".
Classic girly-girl.
Monday, March 22, 2010
What is Wine?
Sorry for the microblog, but better that than nothing...
William just pulled out the wine VacuVin and asked what it was. I told him and Mary Grace asked , what is wine? I told her it was grape juice that goes through a process that makes it alcohol. She then asked what alcohol was. It's like beer, and if you drink too much of it, it makes you goofy. And she said, "goofy...like silly?" and I said yeah, and she said, "oh, is that how Daddy got to be so silly?" I said, yep, that's how!
Birthday party post coming next.
William just pulled out the wine VacuVin and asked what it was. I told him and Mary Grace asked , what is wine? I told her it was grape juice that goes through a process that makes it alcohol. She then asked what alcohol was. It's like beer, and if you drink too much of it, it makes you goofy. And she said, "goofy...like silly?" and I said yeah, and she said, "oh, is that how Daddy got to be so silly?" I said, yep, that's how!
Birthday party post coming next.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 05, 2010
Words that Mary Grace can write.
She can write her name, she loves to write the word LOVE and she can write Mama and Didi!
William is showing interest in letters now, and has started writing letters out too.
William is showing interest in letters now, and has started writing letters out too.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
One of MG's early performances.
Before becoming America's favorite ballerina, rock star and fashion model, Mary Grace had humble beginnings in a small city in Western New York. Shown here is a video clip taken right after her 5 year old birthday party where she demonstrates her budding skills in a spontaneous song/dance performance. Note her advanced dancing, rhythm and spontaneous song writing skills, in their earliest recorded form. Who knew that she would grow up to be America's sweetheart?
Mary Grace's birthday party
For her 5th birthday (!), Mary Grace decided on a Barbie themed party. She had all her girlfriends from school, play dates and the neighborhood over for 2 hours in the afternoon. A total of 15 under 8 for two hours means LOTS of fun!
The kids started with coloring pages and tattoos while we waited for everyone to arrive. We moved on to "pin the pony on Barbie" and "the jellybean game" (guessing how many jellybeans were under a cup using only yes/no questions). After that, we all sang Happy Birthday to Mary Grace and had cake and ice cream back in the dining room.
We did a little Barbie Saves The Nutcracker on TV while we got prepared for gifts, then opened some wonderful presents! That took us to 3:00pm, and we gave out gift bags to all the girls and said our good-byes.
I think Mary Grace didn't stop smiling the whole time, she LOVED it.
William had about 10 crying fits because he wanted it to be his birthday too. It was a good lesson for us and the other parents :) He'll get his moment in the spotlight in two months.
So, just like that, my baby girl is 5. People always tell you how quickly it goes by, but you never really get it until it happens to you. I've got to learn to live in the moment more.
So tonight, I read to Mary Grace for half an hour at bedtime and was rewarded with a nice long snuggle.
The kids started with coloring pages and tattoos while we waited for everyone to arrive. We moved on to "pin the pony on Barbie" and "the jellybean game" (guessing how many jellybeans were under a cup using only yes/no questions). After that, we all sang Happy Birthday to Mary Grace and had cake and ice cream back in the dining room.
We did a little Barbie Saves The Nutcracker on TV while we got prepared for gifts, then opened some wonderful presents! That took us to 3:00pm, and we gave out gift bags to all the girls and said our good-byes.
I think Mary Grace didn't stop smiling the whole time, she LOVED it.
William had about 10 crying fits because he wanted it to be his birthday too. It was a good lesson for us and the other parents :) He'll get his moment in the spotlight in two months.
So, just like that, my baby girl is 5. People always tell you how quickly it goes by, but you never really get it until it happens to you. I've got to learn to live in the moment more.
So tonight, I read to Mary Grace for half an hour at bedtime and was rewarded with a nice long snuggle.
 | Sharing some kettle corn before the party |
 | The birthday cake, made by Mommy! |
 | Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday and blow out the candles |
 | Posing with one of her favorite presents! My daughter, the rocker! |
Friday, February 12, 2010
A dead car battery and a funny answer to a question.
Anne was leaving for the gym tonight and discovered that the battery in the CR-V was dead. A little investigation revealed that a dome-light was left on... for days! Recounting the last time she drove it, she realized that it wasn't even night-time, so how did the dome-lights get turned on?
An innocent question to the kids "Were either of you playing with the lights in the car?" Both kids replied "No". Then, she asks William "Are you sure you weren't playing with the lights in the car?"
"No Mommy, I wasn't playing with them... I just turned them on!"
An innocent question to the kids "Were either of you playing with the lights in the car?" Both kids replied "No". Then, she asks William "Are you sure you weren't playing with the lights in the car?"
"No Mommy, I wasn't playing with them... I just turned them on!"
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Valentines for mommy
Tonight at KidTown, the kids made Valentines for their mommy. Mary Grace was very proud of hers and ran to show me at pickup time. She wrote LOVE in it, all by herself and signed it (MG).
William, not to be outdone, wrote "I love you Mommy". At least that what I knew he intended to write; it was actually a bunch of lines and circles. When he asked "What did I write?", and I responded with "I love you Mommy!", his face lit up as he asked "REALLY?!". My response, yup, that what I see and that's what mommy will see.
They ran into the house, so proud to give them to Mommy. Love those two...
William, not to be outdone, wrote "I love you Mommy". At least that what I knew he intended to write; it was actually a bunch of lines and circles. When he asked "What did I write?", and I responded with "I love you Mommy!", his face lit up as he asked "REALLY?!". My response, yup, that what I see and that's what mommy will see.
They ran into the house, so proud to give them to Mommy. Love those two...
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Kids who already think they know more than parents.
Last night I was getting ready to read a book to William. I opened the book and started reading. He said "no daddy, you missed a page". I said, "nope, this is the first page". So he takes the book from me and starts flipping it around, checking all the pages, trying to pry the cover of the book in half to create a second page, then returns to flipping it all over the place. Finally, he puts the book down and goes into his cuddle/sleep position. I start to get up and he says, "Aren't you going to read the book to me?" This time, he didn't complain about skipping the first page. Passive admission of defeat. :)
Next, I go to read to Mary Grace. She picks a Leap Frog colors book. On the first page, there's a picture of Leap the frog. I ask what's his name? Mary Grace says she doesn't know. I told her it's Leap. She responds that "No, his name isn't Leap". We go back and forth a few times until Mommy walks in. I pick up the book and ask her "What's his name?" She responds "Leap!" I say "See, Mary Grace?" Her response... Change the subject. Again, passive admission of defeat!
My favorite is that Mary Grace thinks "uf" is a word. A sentence that starts with "If" is apparently pronounced actually "uf". We've told her repeatedly and she keeps using it.
Next, I go to read to Mary Grace. She picks a Leap Frog colors book. On the first page, there's a picture of Leap the frog. I ask what's his name? Mary Grace says she doesn't know. I told her it's Leap. She responds that "No, his name isn't Leap". We go back and forth a few times until Mommy walks in. I pick up the book and ask her "What's his name?" She responds "Leap!" I say "See, Mary Grace?" Her response... Change the subject. Again, passive admission of defeat!
My favorite is that Mary Grace thinks "uf" is a word. A sentence that starts with "If" is apparently pronounced actually "uf". We've told her repeatedly and she keeps using it.
Monday, January 11, 2010
ecarG yraM
Part of being a parent is the pride and fun of going through your children's never ending flow of artwork. Some of the better pieces I take to work and hang on my cube wall so I can look at it from time to time with glowing pride. We also hang it on the fridge and the walls in the kitchen.
Anne, Mary Grace and I were going through some of her recent artwork (all very good) and noticed one that she signed (yes, she writes her name now), but we didn't recognize what she wrote. We kept looking and realized that it was her name, except the letter were written from right to left, rather than left to right!
We explained the mistake, and got her normal response to situations where we try to explain what she did wrong... No, she did it right and we were wrong!
Regardless, we're quite proud of the writing and artistic talents of our little angel.
Not to leave out William, he has been bringing home a lot of big wonderful paintings too, and we're going to set up a wall in his bedroom to display his artistic talents!
Anne, Mary Grace and I were going through some of her recent artwork (all very good) and noticed one that she signed (yes, she writes her name now), but we didn't recognize what she wrote. We kept looking and realized that it was her name, except the letter were written from right to left, rather than left to right!
We explained the mistake, and got her normal response to situations where we try to explain what she did wrong... No, she did it right and we were wrong!
Regardless, we're quite proud of the writing and artistic talents of our little angel.
Not to leave out William, he has been bringing home a lot of big wonderful paintings too, and we're going to set up a wall in his bedroom to display his artistic talents!
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Lets stay up late and eat kettle corn!
Tonight I suggested that we stay up late and eat kettle corn and watch TV. The four of us huddled together on the couch and chomped away while watching kid-friendly YouTube videos. Then William started snoring. Mary Grace decided to take this opportunity to peel the Elmers glue off of his hand. Then Mommy put him to bed. A few minutes later, the night owl said "I'm tired, I want to go to sleep too...". And so ended a day that started with Music Class at Kidtown, haircuts for William and Daddy and a new craft table in the basement.
PS - Kettle corn = 2 tbsp oil, 1/3 cup popcorn, 1/4 cup sugar. All ingredients in kettle, turn heat on, then pop away.
PS - Kettle corn = 2 tbsp oil, 1/3 cup popcorn, 1/4 cup sugar. All ingredients in kettle, turn heat on, then pop away.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
The need to match
Every night when Mary Grace is getting ready for bed, she has to pick out which pajamas to wear. The inevitable question is "which pajamas is William wearing". The answer to this question determines which pajamas Mary Grace wears. For example, William was wearing his new "Cars" pajamas, meaning Mary Grace had to wear her Dora.
I measured Mary Grace last night and she grew about 1/4 inch since October. We were talking about her current height compared to the first measurement we took and I was informed that she's going to be taller than me soon.
I measured Mary Grace last night and she grew about 1/4 inch since October. We were talking about her current height compared to the first measurement we took and I was informed that she's going to be taller than me soon.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Another movie with the kids
Our first movie experience was Madagascar 2 some time ago. Today we decided to catch "The Princess And The Frog" matinee. We got there just as the theatre was filling up, so ended up with decent seats (especially considering the seats taken in the front two rows by those arriving later). Previews, then movie starts, then we break out the snuck-in kettle corn. This reminded me of walking to the Kensington theatre with my brothers and my Mom would make us all popcorn that we would sneak in.
About halfway through the 1.5 hour movie, William says "I want to leave now". I thought the issue would be either bathroom or falling asleep. I coaxed him into staying and he really started enjoying it. I think he was the loudest laugher in the whole theatre!
The movie ended on a very up note and the kids really enjoyed it. My only complaint is that it seems that every movie we see lately wants to introduce the topic of death. We really don't want to go there with a 4 and 3 year old. Otherwise, great movie.
Afterwards, we decided to go to Champs for dinner and were pleasantly surprised that on Tuesdays, kids eat free! Bonus! We had a nice dinner, then William fell asleep in the car as soon as he got to his seat.
Enjoying my week off.
About halfway through the 1.5 hour movie, William says "I want to leave now". I thought the issue would be either bathroom or falling asleep. I coaxed him into staying and he really started enjoying it. I think he was the loudest laugher in the whole theatre!
The movie ended on a very up note and the kids really enjoyed it. My only complaint is that it seems that every movie we see lately wants to introduce the topic of death. We really don't want to go there with a 4 and 3 year old. Otherwise, great movie.
Afterwards, we decided to go to Champs for dinner and were pleasantly surprised that on Tuesdays, kids eat free! Bonus! We had a nice dinner, then William fell asleep in the car as soon as he got to his seat.
Enjoying my week off.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Santa's lap!
We've finally had a successful Santa visit with both kids! Up until this year, Mary Grace has been too scared of Santa to sit on his lap but reluctantly posed last year because her cousin Catie was with her. Remember a few years ago when she would say "I care Santa!".
Apart from the untimely loudspeaker announcement at the mall, I made a wonderful video of their visit. I included a transcript to help you know what was said.
Mommy: Do you want to tell Santa what you want?
Mary Grace: A barbie van
William: I want Bendaroos
Daddy: One at a time; did you catch that Santa Clause?
William: A mean dinosaur that doesn't stomp and doesn't roar, bendaroos and that's it
Santa: Wow, have you guys been good this year
Mary Grace: Yup!
Santa: I think so, have you been helping Mommy and Daddy out around the house?
Mary Grace: Yup!
Santa: Wonderful; you guys got your toys picked up for Santa?
Mary Grace: Yup!I was playing with all my puzzles last day!
Santa: That's alright, just so long as you pick them up after your done playing with them, ok?
Santa: Tell Santa, have you and your brother been fighting?
William: Yup!
Santa: Well, no more fighting; Santa's watching!
Santa: ...something about my elves...?
Santa: Can you wave to Daddy and say Merry Christmas?
Mary Grace and William: Merry Christmas!
Santa: Merry Christmas; Ho ho ho ho!
Apart from the untimely loudspeaker announcement at the mall, I made a wonderful video of their visit. I included a transcript to help you know what was said.
Mommy: Do you want to tell Santa what you want?
Mary Grace: A barbie van
William: I want Bendaroos
Daddy: One at a time; did you catch that Santa Clause?
William: A mean dinosaur that doesn't stomp and doesn't roar, bendaroos and that's it
Santa: Wow, have you guys been good this year
Mary Grace: Yup!
Santa: I think so, have you been helping Mommy and Daddy out around the house?
Mary Grace: Yup!
Santa: Wonderful; you guys got your toys picked up for Santa?
Mary Grace: Yup!I was playing with all my puzzles last day!
Santa: That's alright, just so long as you pick them up after your done playing with them, ok?
Santa: Tell Santa, have you and your brother been fighting?
William: Yup!
Santa: Well, no more fighting; Santa's watching!
Santa: ...something about my elves...?
Santa: Can you wave to Daddy and say Merry Christmas?
Mary Grace and William: Merry Christmas!
Santa: Merry Christmas; Ho ho ho ho!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Who's William's BFF?
I asked William "Who is your best friend at school?"
He responded "Joe!"
"Who is your second-best friend at school?"
"Nothin!"
Anne and I chuckled at how cute that was, then he said
"I mean nobody!"
Chuckle time is over, and proud parent mode kicks in!
He responded "Joe!"
"Who is your second-best friend at school?"
"Nothin!"
Anne and I chuckled at how cute that was, then he said
"I mean nobody!"
Chuckle time is over, and proud parent mode kicks in!
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Who has a brain the size of a walnut?
Tonight we were practicing reading hour (since William's teacher said he has trouble focusing during reading time) and in the midst of it, the book we were reading was addressing the things that all people have in common. One item was a brain. So Anne asks William "Who has a brain the size of a walnut"?
William stood there thinking and thinking, then cautiously responds "Jonny?". Dumbfounded, we asked him to repeat what he said, and he came back with "Nate and Jonny?".
He must have misunderstood the question, but we got a giant kick out of it.
Hope you did too Nate and Jon!
William stood there thinking and thinking, then cautiously responds "Jonny?". Dumbfounded, we asked him to repeat what he said, and he came back with "Nate and Jonny?".
He must have misunderstood the question, but we got a giant kick out of it.
Hope you did too Nate and Jon!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
SNOW!
I love the excitement in the little ones about things we take for granted as adults. I was up early this morning and while having breakfast, I heard the stomp of William getting out of bed upstairs. Then a couple of careful steps as he approached the window. The the stomp-stomp of jumping with excitement. Then the gallop of hooves as he raced excitedly downstairs all the while screaming SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!
I got a big hug, then an unfortunate question - "Can we go outside and play in the snow?" "I'm sorry William, but I have to go to work now!"
Pesky responsibilities; I would have liked to play in the first snow with my boy. But I keep telling myself that there will be plenty more opportunities.
I got a big hug, then an unfortunate question - "Can we go outside and play in the snow?" "I'm sorry William, but I have to go to work now!"
Pesky responsibilities; I would have liked to play in the first snow with my boy. But I keep telling myself that there will be plenty more opportunities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)