storytime

Storytime: Billy Goats Gruff from LB on Vimeo.

first joke

Told over and over and over with every animal he can think of:

snowpocalypse

Snow or the threat of snow is wreaking havoc all over the east coast. Snowmageddon/ snowpocalypse 2010 is mostly hitting friends and family in the DC/VA area where they have broken the record with over 54 inches of snow in one season. A big record to break in a place where I remember them bringing food to our dorms when there was three inches of "hazardous" snow. They've been out of commission from work and school for almost a week and some even lost power.

In this frozen northern tundra, yesterday was a hardly-any-snow-snow-day. They called a parking ban in Providence the day before in the early afternoon which is the equivalent of nearly shutting down Brown because there are so few parking lots. There were some intermittent snow falls but nothing major all day. It did come down in a piddly two-three inches overnight, but the weather people are claiming that we got more that didn't stick because the ground was too warm - huh?! I checked, it's still as cold as it has been since November... good try, incorrect weather people. In fact, the ground is so frozen that I can't pull the stakes holding our xmas decoration polar bear out of the ground.

This snowy morning was quite nice actually. We woke up early (which I've been doing anyway with my new schedule) and all three of us bundled up. Aiden played in the snow, while J shoveled and I helped clear the cars. It was that light fluffy, yet sticky stuff so we mostly just pushed it around. I think it's prettier than the washed up sand/salt all over the sidewalks.

Partly because of the hype, yesterday's storm is reported to have caused the greatest airline disruption since 9/11. The next round of snow is hitting this southern area today and tomorrow, so I guess the snow monster is sharing the love this year - Maybe you Arizonans will be next:

I wonder if when Aiden is older, if people will talk about the Blizzards of 2010, instead of the Blizzards of 1978?

celebrate and jump

Today was full of celebrating, jumping, balancing, singing, dancing, unwrapping, eating, and giggling. We were back at the Gymnastics Academy we tried out a few weeks ago for Tess' 4th birthday party. Aiden spent most of the time running around with his tongue out trying to keep up with the big kids (who were mostly around two years older with the exception of a few little babies). J spent most of the time hoping for an excuse to jump into the big foam block pit. He got lucky when Aiden lost his sock ;) I spent most of the time taking tons of photos for the birthday girl and her family. Here are some Aiden in action shots:

Here are all the other shots: http://flickr.com/gp/brennans/59KD48

baby cuddles

I got a good dose of baby cuddles today visiting my friend and her new papoose. I tried my best to not be a baby hog, but holding this little six pound bundle made me giddy. He's such a little cuddle bug. The visit made my day. I came home and showed my boatload of photos to Aiden and asked him if he wanted a little baby at our house and he said "no, no way." Aw, maybe he'll come around some day.

fantastic

Last weekend we saw another movie, Fantastic Mr. Fox, which I'd been wanting to see before it left the big screen. It is a stop-motion animation with incredible detail. Aiden was excited to go see the "big moooovie." He was on my lap the whole time, which meant I needed some good stretching afterwards. All week he's been bringing up this really quick scene where the "little fox likes to brush his teeth." He also giggled when the foxes would gobble up their food.

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Favorite books including Daddy's new book ;)

assessment

We had the "mamasori" school visit yesterday while J was out of town. To make the day a little more challenging, about two hours before we had to leave Aiden got sick all over his bed from his cough (which he only has when he's laying down). I didn't think he was a "contagious" type of sick and it was just because his cough was causing an upset tummy. He felt better almost right away, didn't have a runny nose, and ate a big lunch, so I decided to just take him rather than reschedule.

Turns out that the assessment was with two other families at the same time. There were five activity stations (color puzzles, sorting silverware, pouring puff balls/beads, heavy/light buckets, magnets) and three teachers to observe the kids. We were instructed to just step back into the corner of the room. I was kinda a bit miffed because his actual teacher didn't spend more than a minute with him and spent at least 15 minutes each with the other two kids. Aiden only got to do 4 of the 5 stations because this other kid was being a nightmare, wouldn't share and kept grabbing things out of Aiden's hands. Aiden was so patient and didn't fuss at all. He impressed the two teachers he did work with, but I was worried that he hadn't had a chance to show the teacher who makes decisions what he can do.

At the end I asked her if she had enough of an opportunity to get to know Aiden. She said, "oh no worries, I know how advanced he is from the time I spent with him at the open house in the fall, don't worry, you will be getting a good letter from us" then she whispered "he has a spot." I guess I should be relieved, but the whole deal just made me "sweat" - both literally and figuratively. It's just stressful to watch your kid be assessed (especially while there are other kids picking on him). I'm feeling much more chill about it now and I'm happy that he will have a spot, but now we just need to figure out if we want to use the spot. We hope to have an opportunity to check out the classroom when it is in session and get a better feel for how Aiden will benefit from it.

I asked Aiden what his favorite part was and he said "the balloon puzzle." It makes me smile that he shook their hands and introduced himself clearly.

27 months

Dear Aiden,

This was the month of stories. "That's a good story Dada, now I tell you story..." - "Once upon a day there was an old man named PopPop" was a common beginning. Then many stories would include either lions or dragons roaring. You usually expect us to tell you a story in a very specific way. If we told it differently you would tell us we were silly. You can recite the Night Kitchen Mickey story with daddy's prompting. You love making up new stories for the animals in your barn that usually involve them taking showers and hiding from each other. The puppet show ups the ante and makes for even more fun stories. My favorite is when you have the characters talk to each other.You were really into saying bye over and over again when we left you. You would give a hug and a kiss and say "that's a big one." Along with everything being a "big one" you like to say "oh, that's so great" or "that's so silly!" Everything is soooo big when you're a happy two year old! You like to help me take photos with my camera because you are "ographer just like mommy."
We saw a bald guy at a restaurant the other day and he was smiling at you. You were making your little embarrassed face and then you were "hiding" from him by shutting your eyes. You would peek out every now and then to see if he was still smiling at you. When he left you said bye, then you said "where is the egg head man going?" oh geesh! Luckily, I don't think he heard you.

Your dad loves to explain little science facts to you. You have this science picture book that explains what air is and that it is "all around." You like to point out that it's here and there and down there and in here and... Your dad also taught you that it is full of oxygen and nitrogen, which you say with your cute little voice - night-oh-jin.You have a full schlew of new toys from the holiday. If we ask you "did santa bring that to you?" - You reply with "no that's silly!" "Then who brought them?" "Mommy." Uh ok, let's hope you really don't understand what you are saying because we hope to keep the magic of santa around a little longer than 2 years old ;)You learn from other kids quicker than from us. Tyler taught you to kick which you most of the time do in a safe way that isn't going to put holes in anything... Tyler's mom says that Tyler and you are like brothers and he gets jealous when you play with other kids around him. Tyler taught you to say "whaatsz up" and I'm imagining you as a teenager. He gave you a little scratch on your face which gave me flashbacks to incident reports at daycare. Although this time you could tell us exactly how it happened. We discovered though that since when you are misbehaving we always say "be nice" you think nice means growling and being fierce. I think we've cleared up that confusion.You like to make comparisons lately. "That airplane has long wings just like that bird" was one I jotted down. You will sometimes be silly like wrapping a diaper around your neck and saying "look at my scarf!" You can be convinced to do just about anything if you think one of us will do it too. We're not beneath pretending that daddy wants to put on the diaper to convince you to want a new diaper.One of your favorite new games is "I spy with my little eye" - We play that everything you find with that color is correct and we occasionally add in more qualifications so that it is one specific item. You still love seeing old videos of our family fun. You will point to still photos and say "I want to see that" and you don't quite understand that not everything will play ;) You make this funny little confused/concerned face and say "i think so." You are very convincing.It makes me giggle when you get home from gymboree and I ask you how it was and you reply, "there were lotsa girls." I'm never sure what you will come up with when I ask questions lately. It keeps things interesting. Your expressions are pretty easy to read and I love to watch for a reaction when you see something new. Your face when you walked into the big tall ikea warehouse was one of my favorites this month. Your determined face is another favorite. You hopped on this little scooter at the store the other day and I let you give it a try. I told you to step on it with one foot and kick your other foot out. You immediately made it scoot and oh boy were you excited ;) I bought that scooter for you thinking (and wishing) for warmer days.You have such a fun daddy that can make up the best stories and puppet shows. He may have what you call scratchy kisses (although he does shave everyday!). I love when you have giggle wrestle hugs. You occasionally start singing when you wake up in the morning. You're into making up songs about daddy being your buddy set to the elmo song tune "daddy is my buddy, he loves the world, that's daddy's song..."You've been eating fairly well although I'd love to get you more variety. When I ask you what your favorite food is you say "peanut butter like you!" That's my boy. Then you rattle on about your other favorites "yogurt berries, raisins, macky cheese and milk." You like to ask for fish sticks for breakfast and then smile and say "that's silly." This month your potty calendar started out with many "i love you for trying" check marks, but the bottom is chock full of "i did it" stickers. Lighting McQueen occasionally calls you on the phone to congratulate you for being such a big boy. You were asking to go sometimes without prompting, but we're still taking it easy. If you want to go to what you call the "mamasouri school" we have until the end of August for full time potty. The Science Museum was definitely a highlight for you this month. You have asked us many times if we "remember the big bug and tall dinosaur?" I look forward to more opportunity to get out and about to absorb some more wintertime fun.

Love you, Mommy

post a day

Phew, at least one post a day for an entire month. I chose to make this a routine and it worked. It was something I didn't think was possible during this busy time of year full of meetings, classes, and iced over cars. It's the little things that make me feel like I can do it... just do it... do it now.

There have been so many times in my life when there is that distinct "there-is-a-change-a-coming" feeling in the air. I know some of the potential change that has been in the works forever... but most of the drastic change seems to happen over night. I'm betting that this time next year I won't have the same expectations or priorities. I do know that my number one priority will always be my family and I'm so happy to have that constant in my life.

As I have reached the half way point in my TWO RISD night classes during this winter term, I am energized, yet exhausted. I can hardly fall asleep when I get home at 10pm after absorbing a full day of work and three hours of class. There is an EXAM in one of the classes - uh. yaaaa, so I didn't see that coming...it involves memorizing hundreds of photographs! It is possible that the memorization part of my brain shut down after my Master's degree comp exams? I've already started studying during car rides when Aiden is napping. I don't really reach into the realm of work on here, but let's just say they've been getting their money's worth out of me the past few weeks.

I've had a stuffed up head which is always cured with a good giggle hug with Aiden. Those hugs just clear the sinuses - better than a neti pot ;) Oh, and my sweet husband called around at 7pm to find a place that had cinnamon buns and then ran out to get me some. He even had them grill them for me! Grilled buttery cinnamon buns make headaches go away... try it, it works.

That's my mommy update for the new year - still trying to get over that it is 2010 -"the tens" and that my kid is taller than a yard stick.

And my sweeeet husband brought these home for me to brighten up the week - a little bit of sunshine inside:

authors

This month there were many author's birthdays. A.A. Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh, was Jan 18. January 12th was Clement Hurd's birthday. He illustrated the classic Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny. We do read some of these classics in between dinosaur and Boynton books. We have so many books around here, and I'm so glad that Aiden sees them as just as much fun as toys.

I may have mentioned the Xmas before last that J's Dad wrote a bedtime story for his grandkids. We're grateful to have all these original, personalized stories. Here are my boys enjoying Grampa's story:

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It's giggle puss and scary daddy:

cold days

It had been warming up a bit (enough that there have even been some late January wagon rides in the neighborhood), but it's still coooold...and expected to snow again...and again... We have filled our days with visits to Target to get a new set of markers. Sometimes it's a new set of Pipsqueaks that can get you through a long cold day...and Daddy can draw a really mean dinosaur.There is also the splish splash fun of the lego table converted into a water table. He liked the spicket action on this pitcher:
Playing baby burrito by rolling Aiden up in a blanket - He gets really excited to be a walking baby burrito.
Dinosaur stomps around the house:

updates

It's hard to believe I've been blogging so much and I've missed some fun updates.

J's colleague had us over to celebrate the milestone of submitting their book manuscripts to the publisher last week. He said he was always told to celebrate each milestone. Aiden was in plenty-of-attention heaven and even sat in the normal dinner chair to eat a bit. They had a huge box of old dinosaurs that he loved.

We went to the Gymnastics Academy to try out a class last weekend. Aiden was very excited to run on the bouncy floor and answer the teacher's questions. He was most excited about hanging from the bar and kicking over the foam bricks and pretending to be spiderman by climbing the wall. We're excited to go back there for a birthday party next month.

This was that drunken snowman we built in 2009, still standing on January 15, 2010 before my folks left for Florida! It was essentially a big block of ice that lasted another week or so even with that big crack. It finally realized that January blues set in and my sister reports it was completely melted by the 50 degree weather this past weekend after leaning for nearly 24 days!

science photos

The dual tasking of video and photos was surprisingly relaxed. We were all pretty calm and curious at the museum (despite the crowds).

Making the pegs look like a face:
Chanting macky cheese waiting for dad in our sunny lunch spot:
Magnifying glasses were everywhere to take a closer look:
Cuddles in the mirror wall:
Busting a move in another mirror wall:
Pressing buttons to hear the choo choos:
That's a big engine - they encourage you to touch things:
More touching:
Lions and Tigers, and Bears, Oh My:
Dino giggles:

Dancing in the light shadows:
Discovery Zone:
Glancing at the big heads on the wall in front of the hippo skull:
Wondering how does that magnet work:
A big bug model with a train model underneath in the scientific model section: