Monday, December 2, 2013

32 months

Dear Keaton,

When someone asks "How are you?" your usual reply is "I'm two!" If they laugh, you join in with your full head tilt back cackle laugh. Both of those things pretty much sum you up right now. You are a passionate two year old and that is 'how' you are feeling. You are always up to be out and about. You liked visiting the Mantua Made fair and being friendly with the neighbors and eating their cookies on a stick. Whenever I shake the hands of someone new, you want to shake their hand too. You love shaking hands with your teacher at the end of the goodbye song too. Such a little silly gentleman.

You love your school and your teacher. The first day you gave me a quick snuggle and said bye mom without a blink. You gave us the absolute best huggie greeting when your brother and I came to pick you up. You are usually already engaged in something fun as I head out the door. Like one day you helped me add a bag of flour we brought in to the sensory table and then went to town clapping, pouring and sifting it. You loved the chance to cut up party supplies with party hats on! You went to town on the shaving cream activity and pretty much every day you need a shirt change.

You really notice and point out smells lately. Not sure where this started but it's sometimes amusing. Like when you walked into a shop and said, "This hall tastes like peanut butter!" It was funny because it really did have a pungent peanut smell and you could almost taste it. You love trying to smell our new fresh cut Christmas tree.

Going to pick out a Christmas tree was a new experience for you. Pulling out of the driveway to head to the country farm, you were already asking to go home. I think you were tired and car naps are not your schtick (unfortunately). You weren't too sure what we meant by cutting on down our own tree. You were super bundled which made it hard to bop around like you usually do and you were pretty peeved your boots were getting wet in the field.

You still like costume make believe time. You sometimes run around like a little Shakespeare character - "I, your Keaton beaver!" Your finger pointed in the air for extra effect. You love playing with the baby ninja turtles. They apologize to each other a lot for the "bad bumps" and then say that they are "all set!" You get super excited when you find matching toys just like you did at school one day.

You went to the matinee Planes movie at the theater (which caused you to add eyes to any coloring page vehicles) and promptly fell asleep on your dad's chest. But the front row seats at the Kennedy Center play for Elephant and Piggie kept your attention. You laughed and watched them dance right in front of you, while your dad kept your seat from folding on you (even the booster seat didn't keep the seat down). When the show hadn't started yet, you were quietly chanting, "Piggie and Gerald where are you?" You were ready for the show after reading every single book in our collection of Elephant and Piggie books.

"Can I listen to your heart - I think I a nice doctor - very gentle!" You love your doctor. Seriously, you guys are buddies. She loves your good cooperation, and you are even a good sport about going back to the doctor when you got a shot the last time. Your favorite feel better treat when a cold has you down, is a bath tub popsicle. Those rosy bath tub cheeks are so darn cute, I just want to get you out and cuddle you up in your towel.
You could play piggie back horsey all day long. I'm convinced that you would love nothing more than to have someone ride on your back too. Soon enough you and your brother will be trying to carry cousin Cameron on your back.
"Hi Cameron, I your families!" You loved having your baby cousin come visit at 'Keaton's house' for turkey lurkey week. They arrived late one night while you were already asleep and when you woke up and your cousin was there it was like xmas morning toys were already out. You love your baby cousin and you wre sweet with him when you aren't trying to poke his eye or sit on him.

"Can I have my yours water?" Everything is sorta in the "my yours" category for you. You do manage to share most of the time with your brother and you are learning to share with friends at school and play.  You have a tendency to explain with your hands, although sometimes you get those hands right in another kids' face. You try to give nice hugs to your friends or family, but you growl while hugging. 
Your brother decided he likes Chicken Teriyaki. You caught on and now like to call all chicken, Chicken Naki. When you aren't insisting on eating pepperoni, you eat a decent amount of fruits and some veggies. You eat way more during snack at school, like edamame and broccoli, but no dice at home.
You love exploring with flashlights (ever since Halloween and searching for bunnies on a night walk in AZ) During the day I can usually get you to nap easily on dreary, rainy dark days. You want to sleep in a room as dark as it can be. I love when you randomly sleep later on darker mornings. I'm hoping that we are pushing our morning wake ups up a little since the horrible, no good time change.
You love to imitate, and it's funny that I hear you imitating your brother, who is imitating one of us. "Mom, we have a really big problem, there is a superman in the bath tub!" You love to say, "Come on kokemos!"  Your tendency to follow your brother's lead helped you get super excited to meet Santa.  You were giddy in his lap.

You sometimes say the funniest little things: I took my coat off and you said, "Oh good, I can see your cuddly parts!"

"When I grow up I want to be a bouncy house!"

KC: Look the moon!
 Mom: Hi moon!
 KC: No, the moon do not talk mom!

Keaton: Hey Aiden guess what time it is? Forty ten dollars
Aiden: That is a dollar amount not a time, do you mean 8 o'clock?
Keaton: Don't say that, Aiden it's not funny! I tell jokes!

Daddy: Look at that shrimp under that rock at the Carribean restaurant - we ate that!
 KC: I don't eat that, I eat food!
Then later, you go on to ask, "Can I eat my body?"
"Aiden your head hurt or are you thinking?" as your brother scratched his head. You still love to make your brother laugh the most. You will giggle as you tell him silly things, like "Don't spill your underpants!" You got excited at all the turkey hands you and your brother made to march along the window in the kitchen. You both laugh and call each other "rocket ship boys" - "I goed and then Aiden go!" while you take off running.  You were just as excited as your brother to go to the bookstore to meet author Tom Angle berger. He has a really distinctive loud voice and when he first came in before starting his show, you quietly told him he needed to be quiet and use his inside voice. Good thing he has a good sense of humor!
Your brother picked out this little cookie notebook with a post that holds it closed with a tiny pencil, because he knew you would love it. You did and covered a ton of pages with your classic little squiggles.  You love painting and gluing at school. Your feather gluing page even had dried bubbles of glue. You routinely count up past 15 and finish out the whole alphabet over and over (you used to occasionally stop after S-T-U-V). You love singing along with your ABC instrument wee sing book before bed. 
You love to sing songs like "I think I'm a bunny" and the hello song that Aiden used to sing at school (you love watching that video over and over). You have a certain way of enunciating when you sing that is pretty darn cute.  Looking forward to another month full of songs and fun.  Love you, Mommy

Sunday, December 1, 2013

tree hunt

We cruised out to the Country Loving Farm to pick out and cut down our very own christmas tree.  We were bundled, yet comfy on the sunny 35 degree morning.  I can remember many adventures with my family in snowy Ohio, where it must have been much colder.... but we are wimps here in VA, but we were up for an adventure. We found a really fast bunny and a hornet's nest hiding in two trees we didn't pick.  Daddy found the perfect Charlie Brown tree.  Keaton, the ultimate city slicker two year old, was kinda tired and peeved that his boots got a little wet.  He doesn't like the idea that they are supposed to get wet when he's tired.  After we found the perfect just over 6 foot tall, nice and full tree, we set to work on our rather slow team work sawing.  After the boy's yelled out timber, we told them it was their job to drag it to the front field.  They gave it a good try and then asked daddy to help.  We waited by the toasty fire while they wrapped our tree and tied it to the top of the van.  After a triple tie down, it made it back to Fairfax.

crafts

The collection of marching turkey hands continues to grow, while at the same time there is a new crop of snowmen on the other kitchen window. Aiden is beyond excited to trace his hand over and over - there was a giant marker smudge on the outline of his hand.  He even had a vote after dinner on which was the favorite: Bat Turkey was the winner, with runners up Mount Turkeymore, GiagantoTurkey and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turkeys.  The little six month old turkey was really trying to get in on the action, and if the craft involved eating markers he'd be a crafting genius.  His little turkey hand was by far the cutest. Come back again soon for more Crafternoon with Cam!  Miss you already!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

treats

Here is our Thanksgiving in color also.  Can't help but record the thanksgiving dinner that we hosted for my folks, my sister, and J's brother and his family... Here is the food lineup for Cameron, the little Cutie's first citrusy turkey lurkey day: citrus herb turkey, orange candied sweet potatoes,  lemon garlic green beans, cornbread sausage stuffing, balsamic tropical roasted vegetables, smoked gouda mashed potatoes, parmesan bread twists, pumpkin loaf, gingerbread molassas cookies, double chocolate cookies, pecan pie, brownies, and cranberry toffee cookies (thx to Jess for the last three treats!)  We also can't forget the holiday snickerdoodle milk mixed with spiced rum and the cranberry margaritas!  Then the next day I made some butternet squash apple ginger soup (with my sister's casual challenge and inspiring help ;)  I think I pulled it off since my husband doesn't usually like thanksgiving dinners and he had to loosen his belt.

thanksgiving day

It's all in black in white... There is so much to be thankful for... Cousin love, grandparent love, turkey bums x2, cuddles during the parade, foot wrestles, flying turkeys, mamas who know how to chop, little Indians, piggie back rides, veggies that everyone likes, citrus turkey and treats, desserts a plenty, holiday snicker doodle milk with spiced rum, and especially a family willing to travel to the fun.  I am so grateful!  
Thx for the fun pics Jess - there are more fun shots on the big camera coming soon...

Thursday, November 28, 2013

turkey trot

Our neighborhood kicked off what I hope will be a fun new tradition with a Turkey Trot race.  The big finish was the hill in front of our house.  I wasn't up to run it this year (brrr, chilly and I had a big meal to make, babies to cuddle... Ya, blah, blah, excuses...) but it was fun to cheer on my friend along with her family.  They came over for some quick sign making and hot cocoa after the race started.  It was really fun to cheer from our driveway despite the cold.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

turkey pokey

Presenting the turkey pokey with some bonus spanish dancing at the end:
Turkey pokey from LB on Vimeo.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

gingerbread man

I love this A-frame TJ's gingerbread kit.  It actually stands up when worked on by a six year old and his 'helpful' two year old brother.  He only tried to gnaw on the gingerbread tree once, that's pretty helpful, eh?!  Both kids were sorta tired and a little grumpy, but it seemed to help them turn a corner... At least after the frosting started flowing better and the head that broke off one of the sugar figurines was fixed with a frosting scarf.  The favorite part was the blue frosting pond with sprinkle fish.

Monday, November 25, 2013

double thumbs up

It's a double thumbs up kinda Monday!  Let's get this fun week rolling...

Sunday, November 24, 2013

we are in a play!

There are a few things that are signature classic parts of my boys' childhood and many kids growing up in this decade: Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie series.  These books exploded in our house and we own all but a few of them somehow.  They were some of the first books Aiden read and some of the all time favorites.  Daddy does some great voices.  When I heard through Mo Willems' blog that they were staging a play I nearly lost my mind.  I was probably just as excited as the boys to gobble up first row tickets the day they went on sale.  The Kennedy Center hosted his last play all about his Knuffle Bunny book, and they asked him to do this one which is actually based on a few of the books in the series.  We cruised down there for the early show and even had a chance to gobble up some delicious chocolate mousse in the cafe ahead of the show.  Such a treat!  It was so well done, and the familiarity of the characters acting was really spot on and really reminded you of the stories without repeating the stories.  They had kids and parents entertained with a sorta vaudeville like feel with a trio called the Squirrelles kicking the music up a knotch.  The band, Dr. Cat and the Bear-i-tones was housed on stage.  They were rocking from our exceptionally close seats.  A somewhat sleepy Keaton actually said that right after the show - "They were loud!"  Aiden was charmed by the ice cream sharing scene the most. It really grabbed their attention and everyone enjoyed it.  I wish I could get a recording of the music.

tidbits

So many scattered bits this time of year, I have a camera roll full of random shots of things I'd like to remember when I look back over this blog years from now.  Keaton being such a big boy at school on his own and hamming at his first school photo... The activity he couldn't stop talking about where they got to wear party hats and cut up party ribbons, wrapping paper, crepe paper...
Aiden scooting around in the brisk weather with his borrowed scarf flapping... Keaton excited about the kiddie pogo stick...
A Lego chima eagle set for the big little brother for #2 on the potty... Daddy in NYC to be on tv... A good day getting my loom a bit more ready for its first warp slowly but steadily... A stare down with a feisty snake and an equally feisty two year old...
A birthday bounce house right next door to the giant trampoline because, of course, necessary... I declare the Hoberman sphere should be renamed the smile generator... Storytime face painting (brilliant green eggs and ham!), magic shows, jugglers and other treats at BN school fundraising night.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

grateful

Our grateful tree is scattered on a grateful vine this year.  Aiden added in the mini puzzle hats and turkeys he made with his friends at school.


Friday, November 22, 2013

lights

I told the boys that we were going to eat dinner and then go on a mystery trip while daddy was out of town. It was the perfect balmy 50 degree evening to visit the light show at the botanical gardens in Vienna. Keaton took a power nap and woke up surrounded by blue trees. His eyes widened and he kicked up his heels to check it all out. Aiden picked up a scavenger hunt and was on it. The path snakes around through a lighted animal kingdom, a cool animated light show set to music over the lake, and a candy land complete with an animated field of gumdrops. The path ended at a bonfire with s'mores! We wrote some notes to Santa, turned in our completed hunt for a prize, and checked out the nature center snakes and nests. Keaton said he loves that 'craft show' (which might be a good commentary on his craft show experiences) and he wanted to go back around the whole path. Aiden said it right, "Mom, what a great way to spend a night!"
Here is a favorite part:

Thursday, November 21, 2013

F O X

The popularity of this song has infiltrated our house - along with the matching tshirt ;)
Included are some dancing lessons from Aiden:

F O X from LB on Vimeo.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

good list

Indian summer days where a trip to the playground after school seems mandatory.  This long legs guy makes this tunnel look like it shrunk.
New wood floor with a grey stain in our kitchen.  This transformation was huge and it's hard to remember what it used to be like.  Our new fridge is a nice addition too (our old fridge was slowly losing its cool and while we waited to get it fixed with our homeowner's warranty we just got a new one)
A whole collection of Perplexus maze spheres that someday I bet the boys will be really good at... gotta love toys that will grow with them.  Thx Lulu for the really cool blue and white one - it even has jumps!
I'm determined not to skip over this late Thanksgiving right to the Christmas decorations.  So I pulled out this burlap I had as a table runner at Aiden's party and made it into a banner over the fireplace.
New ornaments for our xmas tree, coming soon!  We are planning to cut down our own tree this year and have a nice smelling real fresh tree in our new house.  So that called for some new ornaments - These served double duty by decorating the table at Aiden's birthday bash.  They are made out of phone books and I wish I knew how to make them!
Cookbook for Keaton's school auction - I was inordinately excited to layout a cookbook with all sorts of recipes the class contributed. 
These pumpkin guys were greeting us at the door all season long.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

santa 2013

This weekend we bounced around... I had another photo shoot (thought it would be the last of the season, but another one popped up for December), and the boys snuck away to see the Planes movie while I got my editing done.  Then after looking at the calendar (which is crazy!) we decided to go out to eat and visit Santa!  His Winter Wonderland was set up again with fun wildlife (polar bears are the favorite) and the dome where snow falls.  (There was also inexplicably a hat tree to take photos in the hats?! - I renamed it the lice tree and didn't see anyone touch it despite the box of hair nets offered)
These boys were pumped to visit Santa.  As we made out way through the line, they were peeking around the corner at Santa and spontaneously hugging each other with excitement.  We made it up for our turn and as KC jumped into Santa's lap, he was giddy.  His scrunchy smile was revealed after he put his excited hands down in his lap.  The picture captured that funny smiley face (and all that blondey hair).  
Keaton told Santa that he wants Superman toys (who knows where that came from) and Aiden said that he wants Imaginext and Legos.  This Santa was very warm and calm.  They got a little story book from him and hopped on their way.  The last spot was a visit with the Ice Princess on her ice throne, which neither of the boys were too sure what to think.

I think this description from the mall website should be preserved ;)
Beginning November 7, visitors to Fair Oaks are transported to a winter wonderland when they step inside the spectacular holiday Ice Palace. Featuring a 30-foot ice dome with falling snow, a light show and interactive fun for all ages, this year the free exhibit also delights with a 360-degree arctic immersion, via breathtaking video footage from BBC Earth and its award-winning program, Frozen Planet. Visitors can also marvel at the larger-than-life snow globes, leave an icy handprint and sit on the chilly Ice Throne. The icy adventure culminates with a visit to Santa and a special gift. 

Santa 2013 from LB on Vimeo.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

tidbits

Life is full of tidbits lately... Lotsa bits and pieces thrown together in between our regular weekly routine.  It was a busy week in between a trip to NYC for J to film a tv show, along with some evening case competitions, and a reception for me at Aiden's school.  Keaton started going to school without me and he didn't blink the first day I left.  He gave me a hug and said bye, love you and went to nab his favorite mini plastic teddies.  His class (actually a job of the coop parent) does such a great job of capturing photos of the day so you get a good feel for what they were up to throughout the day.  It happened to be a day that Aiden had off, so I got a rare chance to be with him alone.  We played at home, went to get a haircut and then took a little hike around Keaton's school.
We are P B Jack super fans especially on face paint day and really any cool weather day.  This mini smudgey batman really loves drawing.  There was another nice weather pocket for the Mantua Made fair and we were so excited to meet more fun neighbors (found a really nice piano teacher!) and eat their delicious homemade molasses cookies on a stick ;). Aiden and his dad got really into these new dice role playing games that must be good for the imagination.  We celebrated our little buddies' birthday with some jam sessions on the Elmo guitar.  Since I didn't get good shots (without other kiddos) I also don't want to forget my friends' fun playdoh play date and the other fun meet ups at the library.