I heard Ellen singing to herself one day in my bedroom, so I got out the camera to catch the moment. She was sitting on my bed, looking at herself in the dresser mirror. A couple of months have really made a difference in her interest in learning this song. Especially after seeing these two videos over and over and over and over again, she's pretty proud of herself here.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Practically Picasso
Ellen loved painting at preschool. I'm glad, because that's the only place she'll be doing it for now. I do have my limits. Yes, it was cold enough that day for a jacket. Hooray for fall!!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Vamos a la feria . . .
The fair came to town!
My recollections of going to the fair as a child are almost non-existent. I certainly don't remember ever going for the carnival rides or getting to eat anything there. I do remember visiting my grandma and either going to or hearing her talk about the Mud Lake Fair and entering pickles, jams, and breads in the fair. Those memories are mixed up with rodeos that my aunt participated in and Pioneer Day parades that I participated in, all dressed up with a bonnet and apron. I actually have photographic evidence of that last one.
When I graduated from high school, my great-grandmother sent me matching pillowcases that she had embroidered and entered in the fair. They won, because she sent me the ribbon along with the pillowcases so I would appreciate what I was getting. I kept those pillowcases protected and folded up in a cedar chest and never used them until I got married.
Last year Jack suggested taking the kids to the fair so that they could see all the animals. I thought it was a great idea . . . but it turned out to be a little expensive. This year I read all the fine print and realized that you can show up any day before 1:00 pm and get in free. Free parking, free admission, free food. Well, no, not free food, but my kids were more interested in all the animals, up close and personal, that are there for the different contests. Who knew there were so many different varieties of poultry, cows, and goats? And we didn't even see the rabbits and pigs because it was early in the week. Every Muppet and Star Trek character I ever thought was the weirdest looking thing ever has a relative in an animal at the fair.
Polish rooster:
Boer goat:
The pony at the petting zoo:
Ellen watching the riveting milking demonstration by Candy the Jersey cow:
The best part of the whole demonstration was when the presenter, who had just explained that Jersey cows are some of the smallest cows, brought his Jersey cow out, and a kid behind us exclaimed, "That's the biggest cow I have ever seen!!!" And he meant it. Imagine his shock when his class walked through the cattle buildings and saw the other cows on display.
The worst part of the demonstration was being reminded that the whole milking process, while fascinating and instructive, hits just a little too close to home.
After the petting zoo and the milking demonstration, we saw roosters, hens, pigeons, cows, goats, quilts, antiques, flowers, vegetables, and lots of friends. Then we sat right down, and Ellen had a "hot dog on a stick" (a corn dog) and Jack Jack and I shared an enormous baked potato. We saved the candied apples, caramel apples, cotton candy, and funnel cakes for later when Daddy comes back to the fair with us.
My recollections of going to the fair as a child are almost non-existent. I certainly don't remember ever going for the carnival rides or getting to eat anything there. I do remember visiting my grandma and either going to or hearing her talk about the Mud Lake Fair and entering pickles, jams, and breads in the fair. Those memories are mixed up with rodeos that my aunt participated in and Pioneer Day parades that I participated in, all dressed up with a bonnet and apron. I actually have photographic evidence of that last one.
When I graduated from high school, my great-grandmother sent me matching pillowcases that she had embroidered and entered in the fair. They won, because she sent me the ribbon along with the pillowcases so I would appreciate what I was getting. I kept those pillowcases protected and folded up in a cedar chest and never used them until I got married.
Last year Jack suggested taking the kids to the fair so that they could see all the animals. I thought it was a great idea . . . but it turned out to be a little expensive. This year I read all the fine print and realized that you can show up any day before 1:00 pm and get in free. Free parking, free admission, free food. Well, no, not free food, but my kids were more interested in all the animals, up close and personal, that are there for the different contests. Who knew there were so many different varieties of poultry, cows, and goats? And we didn't even see the rabbits and pigs because it was early in the week. Every Muppet and Star Trek character I ever thought was the weirdest looking thing ever has a relative in an animal at the fair.
Polish rooster:
Boer goat:
The pony at the petting zoo:
Ellen watching the riveting milking demonstration by Candy the Jersey cow:
The best part of the whole demonstration was when the presenter, who had just explained that Jersey cows are some of the smallest cows, brought his Jersey cow out, and a kid behind us exclaimed, "That's the biggest cow I have ever seen!!!" And he meant it. Imagine his shock when his class walked through the cattle buildings and saw the other cows on display.
The worst part of the demonstration was being reminded that the whole milking process, while fascinating and instructive, hits just a little too close to home.
After the petting zoo and the milking demonstration, we saw roosters, hens, pigeons, cows, goats, quilts, antiques, flowers, vegetables, and lots of friends. Then we sat right down, and Ellen had a "hot dog on a stick" (a corn dog) and Jack Jack and I shared an enormous baked potato. We saved the candied apples, caramel apples, cotton candy, and funnel cakes for later when Daddy comes back to the fair with us.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
How does your garden grow?
For all of our weekly temple gardening trips, I don't think I've ever actually posted a picture of the actual flower beds. They have been beautiful this year, as they are every year. We're actually winding down the season, and when it starts to get cooler, we'll help dig everything up and plant bulbs and pansies for the winter.
Despite the city-wide infestation of ravenous mosquitos, Ellen and Jack look happy. That could be because they know that right after we leave the temple, we'll be going to the fair!!
Friday, September 26, 2008
"Appa! Appa! Appa!"
That's Jack Jack's new word. It's infinitely easier for his 18-month-old mouth to say than "manzana," which he understands perfectly.
Last week for Ellen's preschool field trip, we went to Apple Country Orchards just east of Lubbock to pick apples. We went on the day that Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Holly apples were ready to pick. The lady handing us the buckets said, "pick with one hand and eat with the other," so that's what we did. I'm so glad Ellen and Jack know what to do when I hand them a whole, unpeeled, uncut apple. Again, they both have all their teeth, and I watch to make sure they're not choking.
We came away with about ten pounds of apples. I used half to make some really, really yummy apple butter in the crock pot over night and all the next day. We're still working on the other half, but man, those are some good Golden Delicious apples. Ellen and Jack love eating them, I've already had a hard time going back to store-bought peaches, and I may be in trouble with apples now, too. Good thing I paid half as much as I would have at the grocery store.
Ellen and her buddies at the orchard:
Looking for the good trees:
Jack Jack supervising and selecting his 4th or 5th snack:
Ellen demonstrating how to pick an apple:
Jack and Ellen didn't get ready on three, but I'm not complaining since I forgot my camera completely and all these photos are courtesy of our friend Megan.
The phone call to Grandma's house to tell her what we did went something like this:
Ellen: Hi, Mary!
Mary: ---
Ellen: We went pickin' apples!
Mary: ---
Ellen: Mm-hmm. Off the trees!
Mary: ---
Ellen: Lots of apples!
Mary: ---
Ellen: Eat them!
I couldn't hear Mary's side of the conversation, but I could hear her laughing at the end. Sorry Grandma, you weren't home when we called.
Last week for Ellen's preschool field trip, we went to Apple Country Orchards just east of Lubbock to pick apples. We went on the day that Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Holly apples were ready to pick. The lady handing us the buckets said, "pick with one hand and eat with the other," so that's what we did. I'm so glad Ellen and Jack know what to do when I hand them a whole, unpeeled, uncut apple. Again, they both have all their teeth, and I watch to make sure they're not choking.
We came away with about ten pounds of apples. I used half to make some really, really yummy apple butter in the crock pot over night and all the next day. We're still working on the other half, but man, those are some good Golden Delicious apples. Ellen and Jack love eating them, I've already had a hard time going back to store-bought peaches, and I may be in trouble with apples now, too. Good thing I paid half as much as I would have at the grocery store.
Ellen and her buddies at the orchard:
Looking for the good trees:
Jack Jack supervising and selecting his 4th or 5th snack:
Ellen demonstrating how to pick an apple:
Jack and Ellen didn't get ready on three, but I'm not complaining since I forgot my camera completely and all these photos are courtesy of our friend Megan.
The phone call to Grandma's house to tell her what we did went something like this:
Ellen: Hi, Mary!
Mary: ---
Ellen: We went pickin' apples!
Mary: ---
Ellen: Mm-hmm. Off the trees!
Mary: ---
Ellen: Lots of apples!
Mary: ---
Ellen: Eat them!
I couldn't hear Mary's side of the conversation, but I could hear her laughing at the end. Sorry Grandma, you weren't home when we called.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Planes, trains, and automobiles
We live right next to the train tracks, and trains go by several times a day (and night). I don't even hear them anymore because I'm so used to them, but as Ellen and I were reading a book, she looked at me with her excited face and said, "What do I hear?" I don't know. I have to stop and listen, and then very, very faintly, I hear the train whistle. A train!
We live near the Lubbock International Airport, so we see and hear airplanes flying over our house.
We live near the University Medical Center, so not only do we hear ambulances on a regular basis, we also see and hear the rescue helicopter flying around.
We live near Texas Tech University, and we can see the Citibus stop from our front porch, so we see "autobuses" several times a day. Some of them are very colorful.
We live near perpetual road construction and a major highway construction project, complete with a cement plant, so we see Ellen's favorite vehicle of all time, concrete mixers. Or as Ellen calls them, "copper mixers!" She has a book called Super Concrete Mixer, so maybe that's where the "p" came from . We have to count them, lined up on the highway, everytime we go to the library.
The highlight of Jack's week lately is going to the Science Spectrum, where there's a jet in the corner of the parking lot. We have to park near the jet and talk about it from the time we get there until we get into the building. Jack's idea of talking about it is "That!! That!!" in a very high-pitched shriek.
And of course, Ellen can spot David and Chelsea's white Nissan Murano from a distance and moving. It's too bad they sold more to other people, because it's usually not David or Chelsea that we actually see. Ellen was sure Chelsea was on her way in the grocery store today because she saw a white Murano go by in the parking lot. What does she really think of that car? Chelsea took her to the Science Spectrum one day, and as she was buckling Ellen into her car seat, Ellen says, "Chelsea carro GRANDE!"
We live near the Lubbock International Airport, so we see and hear airplanes flying over our house.
We live near the University Medical Center, so not only do we hear ambulances on a regular basis, we also see and hear the rescue helicopter flying around.
We live near Texas Tech University, and we can see the Citibus stop from our front porch, so we see "autobuses" several times a day. Some of them are very colorful.
We live near perpetual road construction and a major highway construction project, complete with a cement plant, so we see Ellen's favorite vehicle of all time, concrete mixers. Or as Ellen calls them, "copper mixers!" She has a book called Super Concrete Mixer, so maybe that's where the "p" came from . We have to count them, lined up on the highway, everytime we go to the library.
The highlight of Jack's week lately is going to the Science Spectrum, where there's a jet in the corner of the parking lot. We have to park near the jet and talk about it from the time we get there until we get into the building. Jack's idea of talking about it is "That!! That!!" in a very high-pitched shriek.
And of course, Ellen can spot David and Chelsea's white Nissan Murano from a distance and moving. It's too bad they sold more to other people, because it's usually not David or Chelsea that we actually see. Ellen was sure Chelsea was on her way in the grocery store today because she saw a white Murano go by in the parking lot. What does she really think of that car? Chelsea took her to the Science Spectrum one day, and as she was buckling Ellen into her car seat, Ellen says, "Chelsea carro GRANDE!"
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Fall football
Around this time last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that, this is what we were doing:
Ellen and Jack's Uncle R. is number 74!
After the game
Baby Jack can't take his eyes off the actual playing field.
This is the first fall that none of Jack's brothers and sisters have been involved in high school or college football, marching band, drill team, or twirling. It's kind of sad, and I don't really see any of our kids growing up to be football players.
Ellen still loves wearing her "Starks 74" T-shirt, though. Usually I let her sleep in it, since she hasn't actually grown into it yet.
Ellen and Jack's Uncle R. is number 74!
After the game
Baby Jack can't take his eyes off the actual playing field.
This is the first fall that none of Jack's brothers and sisters have been involved in high school or college football, marching band, drill team, or twirling. It's kind of sad, and I don't really see any of our kids growing up to be football players.
Ellen still loves wearing her "Starks 74" T-shirt, though. Usually I let her sleep in it, since she hasn't actually grown into it yet.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Our favorite smoothie, and why it's not just for breakfast anymore
Today Jack went down for a nap and started fussing after about ten minutes of quiet. Ellen took that to mean that he had fallen asleep, slept long enough, and now was awake and ready to get up. So she went right into his room and started her "welcome to the land of awake" routine. I was a little miffed with her. Since she doesn't have to take a nap, she's started protesting Jack's naptime, too. Talk about solidarity here! So I put Jack in bed again, and took Ellen with me to her bed where we read stories and sang songs. "No nap, Mommy." Okay. No nap, but you have to be quiet so Jack can fall asleep.
Then I fell asleep. Now, I don't like taking naps because I invariably wake up in a dazed fog and very irritable. So . . . some time later I woke up to Ellen telling me that Jack was awake. I could, indeed, hear him crying. He also wakes up irritable.
During my nap, Ellen had pushed a chair over to the kitchen to take a look around. She found an open bag of tortilla chips, which she dumped into a pile on the couch. She found she could climb from the chair to the counter top, where she could reach on top of the refrigerator and get the first aid kit down. She took every single Curious George band-aid out of the box and carefully affixed each one to another couch cushion. The she wrote on them, her legs, and my piano with a black sharpie marker.
Shortly after surveying the aftermath of my nap, I noticed (remember I'm in a literal fog and not quite firing on all cylinders) that Jack and Ellen were sitting on the kitchen floor in front of the open refrigerator door. Jack was trying to drink directly out of a water jug. Ellen had an egg carton, a bowl, a whisk, and three eggs already cracked and in the bowl. "Ellen's making eggs for dinner, Mommy!"
Then Ellen started crying for a "snurfee." I was more than miffed by this time, but I was trying to remember that I'm the mom, so I suggested juice instead. It's probably not a good idea to give Slurpees to your kids, anyway. We don't have juice very often, but when we do, it's usually in the morning, with straws, to keep the kids occupied so I can make the pancakes, French toast, etc. Today it was just the thing for an afternoon snack and to erase the brain stupor.
1/2 can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tray ice cubes (about 8)
1 teaspoon vanilla
This is your basic Orange Julius recipe. From here, we add any or all of the following:
1 banana
1 cup yogurt, plain or flavored
1 cup ice cream or sherbet
fresh or frozen fruit such as peaches, mixed berries, mangos, strawberries
If you use frozen fruit, add less ice.
Today we had plain yogurt and frozen peaches. And as always, straws. Once the straws go in the mouths, the kids' eyes glaze over and they don't move from the sucking machine position until the "juice" is all gone.
Enjoy!
Then I fell asleep. Now, I don't like taking naps because I invariably wake up in a dazed fog and very irritable. So . . . some time later I woke up to Ellen telling me that Jack was awake. I could, indeed, hear him crying. He also wakes up irritable.
During my nap, Ellen had pushed a chair over to the kitchen to take a look around. She found an open bag of tortilla chips, which she dumped into a pile on the couch. She found she could climb from the chair to the counter top, where she could reach on top of the refrigerator and get the first aid kit down. She took every single Curious George band-aid out of the box and carefully affixed each one to another couch cushion. The she wrote on them, her legs, and my piano with a black sharpie marker.
Shortly after surveying the aftermath of my nap, I noticed (remember I'm in a literal fog and not quite firing on all cylinders) that Jack and Ellen were sitting on the kitchen floor in front of the open refrigerator door. Jack was trying to drink directly out of a water jug. Ellen had an egg carton, a bowl, a whisk, and three eggs already cracked and in the bowl. "Ellen's making eggs for dinner, Mommy!"
Then Ellen started crying for a "snurfee." I was more than miffed by this time, but I was trying to remember that I'm the mom, so I suggested juice instead. It's probably not a good idea to give Slurpees to your kids, anyway. We don't have juice very often, but when we do, it's usually in the morning, with straws, to keep the kids occupied so I can make the pancakes, French toast, etc. Today it was just the thing for an afternoon snack and to erase the brain stupor.
1/2 can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tray ice cubes (about 8)
1 teaspoon vanilla
This is your basic Orange Julius recipe. From here, we add any or all of the following:
1 banana
1 cup yogurt, plain or flavored
1 cup ice cream or sherbet
fresh or frozen fruit such as peaches, mixed berries, mangos, strawberries
If you use frozen fruit, add less ice.
Today we had plain yogurt and frozen peaches. And as always, straws. Once the straws go in the mouths, the kids' eyes glaze over and they don't move from the sucking machine position until the "juice" is all gone.
Enjoy!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Outnumbered
Dear Mom,
We just wanted to let you know that Jack and I are doing our part to bring balance to the grandchild gender count. I had my 20 week ultrasound today and IT'S A GIRL!!
For the rest of you who didn't know yet: yes, I'm pregnant.
The girls are about to take the majority lead in our family. Although when it comes right down to it, Jack Jack generally sides with Mommy anyway, and he creates more drama than Ellen and me combined. I guess he's working on his sensitive side, too.
Love,
Lorraine, Jack, Ellen, and Jack Jack.
We just wanted to let you know that Jack and I are doing our part to bring balance to the grandchild gender count. I had my 20 week ultrasound today and IT'S A GIRL!!
For the rest of you who didn't know yet: yes, I'm pregnant.
The girls are about to take the majority lead in our family. Although when it comes right down to it, Jack Jack generally sides with Mommy anyway, and he creates more drama than Ellen and me combined. I guess he's working on his sensitive side, too.
Love,
Lorraine, Jack, Ellen, and Jack Jack.
Labor Day Reunion
Thanks to my sister-in-law for taking these first few pics and posting them.
My brother and sister-in-law came to visit for Labor Day weekend!
Ellen wanted her picture taken. Cheese.
Click on this picture to see the most cherubic look on Jack Jack's face. Oh, and the half-eaten muffin and half-eaten muffin paper. Eeeew. Eeyore looks so reassuring in this shot. Ellen? Cheese.
Here I am with my brother and with my cousin, who recently moved across the street with his wife. I hoped this puzzle would get completed before everyone left.
And it did! I locked it in my bedroom away from Ellen and glued it together to hang on her wall. The puzzle is actually for Ellen from her Nana. I put it together myself at the beginning of the summer, only to find Ellen recently awake from a nap, recently able to remove doorknob covers, dancing in the 1000 pieces she had pulled it off the desk in the back room.
My cousin and his wife with Ellen (and that cheesy smile she learned in nursery), brothers and sisters-in-law with Jack and Bentley, just before William and Rebecca left to head back home.
Later in the afternoon on Labor Day, we took the kids to see Jack's grandparents. They took us to a pond near their house to feed the ducks.
And the turtles.
And some crazy fish who robbed those ducks and turtles of their bread crumbs.
Jack's grandparents enjoyed the view.
The entire pond was enclosed by a chain link fence. Here there are 4"x4" openings where you can throw your bread. It was a little tricky for Ellen and Jack Jack, who decided to just practice scaling the fence.
Happy Labor Day! Hooray for family visits!
My brother and sister-in-law came to visit for Labor Day weekend!
Ellen wanted her picture taken. Cheese.
Click on this picture to see the most cherubic look on Jack Jack's face. Oh, and the half-eaten muffin and half-eaten muffin paper. Eeeew. Eeyore looks so reassuring in this shot. Ellen? Cheese.
Here I am with my brother and with my cousin, who recently moved across the street with his wife. I hoped this puzzle would get completed before everyone left.
And it did! I locked it in my bedroom away from Ellen and glued it together to hang on her wall. The puzzle is actually for Ellen from her Nana. I put it together myself at the beginning of the summer, only to find Ellen recently awake from a nap, recently able to remove doorknob covers, dancing in the 1000 pieces she had pulled it off the desk in the back room.
My cousin and his wife with Ellen (and that cheesy smile she learned in nursery), brothers and sisters-in-law with Jack and Bentley, just before William and Rebecca left to head back home.
Later in the afternoon on Labor Day, we took the kids to see Jack's grandparents. They took us to a pond near their house to feed the ducks.
And the turtles.
And some crazy fish who robbed those ducks and turtles of their bread crumbs.
Jack's grandparents enjoyed the view.
The entire pond was enclosed by a chain link fence. Here there are 4"x4" openings where you can throw your bread. It was a little tricky for Ellen and Jack Jack, who decided to just practice scaling the fence.
Happy Labor Day! Hooray for family visits!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Baby love
My sister took the following video earlier this summer of Jack Jack in his camo pj's just before bed. Jack has a bear that he has slept with since he was born. My sister-in-law's mom gave it to me in the hospital. It's safe for babies. It's washable. It kept me from having sleeping horror stories with Jack. They bonded early and are still going strong. Jack is a very loving, snuggly kid anyway, and he is much more interested in stuffed animals and dolls than Ellen ever was. It's really cute. And it reminds me of a story . . .
A boy came home from riding his tricycle outside and was a little upset because the neighbor lady had seen he had a doll with him and told him, "Boys don't play with baby dolls." His mom said not to listen to her, and that because he loved his baby doll, mom was sure he was going to grow up to be a good daddy, just like his own daddy. "You're just working on being a good daddy," she said. The boy happily went back out to play. Neighbor lady felt it her duty to give him a hard time again about his doll, and mom watched as her boy proudly told his neighbor, "I'm working on being a good daddy." Neighbor lady's jaw dropped and the little boy rode happily away with his baby doll.
Jack Jack is working on being a good daddy. You can never start too early . . .
And I'm sorry I don't post videos that often. This one took me the whole afternoon to upload, practically. I'm technically challenged.
A boy came home from riding his tricycle outside and was a little upset because the neighbor lady had seen he had a doll with him and told him, "Boys don't play with baby dolls." His mom said not to listen to her, and that because he loved his baby doll, mom was sure he was going to grow up to be a good daddy, just like his own daddy. "You're just working on being a good daddy," she said. The boy happily went back out to play. Neighbor lady felt it her duty to give him a hard time again about his doll, and mom watched as her boy proudly told his neighbor, "I'm working on being a good daddy." Neighbor lady's jaw dropped and the little boy rode happily away with his baby doll.
Jack Jack is working on being a good daddy. You can never start too early . . .
And I'm sorry I don't post videos that often. This one took me the whole afternoon to upload, practically. I'm technically challenged.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Branded
My kids have never seen an episode of Sesame Street. They've never seen Dora the Explorer. No Nickelodeon. No Sponge Bob. No Bob the Builder. While visiting Nana and Papa Starks, Ellen does watch Mickey's Clubhouse on occasion, and I think I've glimpsed Handy Manny and My Friends Tigger and Pooh. (But who the heck is Darby? Whatever happened to Christopher Robin?)
Our computer is our TV, and I never look at the computer and think, "I wonder what's on TV right now?" So Ellen and Jack have no kind of attention span for watching movies, videos, or TV programs.
That said, my kids are apparently the reason for product branding. Ellen has Dora shoes and dishes. And she knows who Dora is. She also has princess dishes, and now I try not use those dishes if at all possible when feeding Jack and Ellen because they spend the whole time talking about who that is at the bottom of the bowl and not eating anything. Jack has a life-sized Elmo, displayed previously on this site, and one of his first 10 words is . . . Elmo. (Or maybe he's saying "amo", as in "te amo, mommy!") Ellen has a Sesame Street potty seat. Jack points out Elmo everytime she's doing her business, and Ellen points out Cookie Monster. Today we identified Big Bird. Ellen has seen "Cars", and her step stool in the bathroom has Lightning McQueen on it. She thinks his name is "carro" though.
The life-sized Pooh and Eeyore don't bother me. They are characters from a book.
That's not all. After one visit to Circuit City with daddy, Ellen emphatically pointed Circuit City out to me the next time we drove by on the highway. I took her with me to Academy to exchange a pair of shoes and the next time we drove by, she hollers out "A-ca-la-ly" from the back seat. She's just as familiar with Super K, Target, United and Market Street (the grocery stores), McDonald's, On the Border, Rosa's, Olive Garden (where she was really, really disappointed that we didn't get to eat grapes -- check out their sign), and Wal-mart, even though we've only been inside some of those places once. And if we ever run out of anything, or even if I just "tell" her we've run out of something like candy, gum, or treats, she says, "We need to go to Wal-mart and buy some more _____."
This post is brought to you by capitalism and the free market.
Our computer is our TV, and I never look at the computer and think, "I wonder what's on TV right now?" So Ellen and Jack have no kind of attention span for watching movies, videos, or TV programs.
That said, my kids are apparently the reason for product branding. Ellen has Dora shoes and dishes. And she knows who Dora is. She also has princess dishes, and now I try not use those dishes if at all possible when feeding Jack and Ellen because they spend the whole time talking about who that is at the bottom of the bowl and not eating anything. Jack has a life-sized Elmo, displayed previously on this site, and one of his first 10 words is . . . Elmo. (Or maybe he's saying "amo", as in "te amo, mommy!") Ellen has a Sesame Street potty seat. Jack points out Elmo everytime she's doing her business, and Ellen points out Cookie Monster. Today we identified Big Bird. Ellen has seen "Cars", and her step stool in the bathroom has Lightning McQueen on it. She thinks his name is "carro" though.
The life-sized Pooh and Eeyore don't bother me. They are characters from a book.
That's not all. After one visit to Circuit City with daddy, Ellen emphatically pointed Circuit City out to me the next time we drove by on the highway. I took her with me to Academy to exchange a pair of shoes and the next time we drove by, she hollers out "A-ca-la-ly" from the back seat. She's just as familiar with Super K, Target, United and Market Street (the grocery stores), McDonald's, On the Border, Rosa's, Olive Garden (where she was really, really disappointed that we didn't get to eat grapes -- check out their sign), and Wal-mart, even though we've only been inside some of those places once. And if we ever run out of anything, or even if I just "tell" her we've run out of something like candy, gum, or treats, she says, "We need to go to Wal-mart and buy some more _____."
This post is brought to you by capitalism and the free market.
Monday, September 8, 2008
School days
Last spring some moms approached me and asked me about teaching Spanish to their co-op preschool group. Their kids are about the same age as Ellen, so I told them I'd do it for free if Ellen could participate in all their preschool activities. We decided on two days a week and two hours each day. Every Wednesday the other moms take turns hosting the school kids and doing cooking, painting, art, reading, music, science experimenting, playing, and whatever else they feel like doing. Every Friday we have an hour of whatever I feel like doing in Spanish with all the moms and younger siblings and then a field trip or free play.
Last Wednesday we officially started Sage Preschool with a tour of the "school rooms" at our friends' houses. We also took this commemorative "First Day of School" photo:
Last week after Spanish we went to the Cowboy Symposium at the Civic Center. The free part was all outside: live cowboy music and the chuck wagon cook off. The kids liked looking at the "cowboy kitchens" and seeing people in period dress. The fires were already burning and things smelled good, but the actually cooking part wasn't until the next day.
Last Wednesday we officially started Sage Preschool with a tour of the "school rooms" at our friends' houses. We also took this commemorative "First Day of School" photo:
Last week after Spanish we went to the Cowboy Symposium at the Civic Center. The free part was all outside: live cowboy music and the chuck wagon cook off. The kids liked looking at the "cowboy kitchens" and seeing people in period dress. The fires were already burning and things smelled good, but the actually cooking part wasn't until the next day.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
One of these things is not like the other.
I love fall! We had a cool morning this week, and I actually had to get out jackets for the kids. It was heaven. I can't believe this is Jack one year ago. He's a lot less chubby and moves a lot faster now. He starts nursery tomorrow. And we start 8:30 a.m. church. Naptime is about to be my best friend.
Cheese!
Somewhere Ellen learned to say "cheese" when you're having your picture taken. That apparently means squinting your eyes, too. Look how long her hair is getting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)