May 30, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
A Barbeque Adventure
[Transcribed from video]
Daddy took Alex to a barbeque at Uncle Man's (Chris) house today. What an adventure!
Chris's cat wasn't too happy to see Alex coming, especially since Alex was all about finding "Kitty" and Kitty didn't want to be found. Chris said that she likes to be chased, but not found. She seemed happiest when Alex was on the outside of the screen door and she was inside. Alex then offered to help Chris out with his gardening by picking up a shovel and trying to scoop up the leaves from the porch. Then Alex thought it was hilarious that Kitty was watching him from inside the screen door.
Soon, it was time to explore what Alex would come to call "The Jungle". Not that Chris' backyard isn't well cultivated. It is. But Alex wasn't used to seeing so many different plants in one place in which he was also allowed to walk around. There was even a cool iron bench surrounded by ivy that he could climb on and no one stopped him from stepping on the plants! What fun!
Daddy and Alex had tons of fun playing swords and chase in The Jungle. Alex can't wait to go back!
Daddy took Alex to a barbeque at Uncle Man's (Chris) house today. What an adventure!
Chris's cat wasn't too happy to see Alex coming, especially since Alex was all about finding "Kitty" and Kitty didn't want to be found. Chris said that she likes to be chased, but not found. She seemed happiest when Alex was on the outside of the screen door and she was inside. Alex then offered to help Chris out with his gardening by picking up a shovel and trying to scoop up the leaves from the porch. Then Alex thought it was hilarious that Kitty was watching him from inside the screen door.
Soon, it was time to explore what Alex would come to call "The Jungle". Not that Chris' backyard isn't well cultivated. It is. But Alex wasn't used to seeing so many different plants in one place in which he was also allowed to walk around. There was even a cool iron bench surrounded by ivy that he could climb on and no one stopped him from stepping on the plants! What fun!
Daddy and Alex had tons of fun playing swords and chase in The Jungle. Alex can't wait to go back!
May 30, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Learning Letters
[Transcribed from video]
Alex has a Blue's Room DVD that contains an episode about the alphabet. This evening while I was making dinner, Alex tried to follow along with Blue by arranging the magnetic letters on his new easel.
Then he pulled his little yellow wagon around the dining room table a few times and called for "Cheese Toast!" for dinner. Daddy got him to follow along with the video again and sing the Alphabet Song a few times.
Oh well. Yay, letters!
Alex has a Blue's Room DVD that contains an episode about the alphabet. This evening while I was making dinner, Alex tried to follow along with Blue by arranging the magnetic letters on his new easel.
Then he pulled his little yellow wagon around the dining room table a few times and called for "Cheese Toast!" for dinner. Daddy got him to follow along with the video again and sing the Alphabet Song a few times.
Oh well. Yay, letters!
May 24, 2009
Go 'WAY Scary Toys!
[Transcribed from video]
Alex has several toys of which he's afraid. I've been trying to reintroduce them to him, bringing them out periodically just to see if he would play with them. Today was not the day.
I took out a cute fire truck that he got for his first Christmas. It makes cute sounds and bounces up and down. He's banished it to the closet ever since. While I was trying to reintroduce it this afternoon, he announced "Go-way! Bye-Bye!" He wouldn't even let me play with it to show him that it's not that scary anymore.
Back to the closet with you, fire truck!
Alex has several toys of which he's afraid. I've been trying to reintroduce them to him, bringing them out periodically just to see if he would play with them. Today was not the day.
I took out a cute fire truck that he got for his first Christmas. It makes cute sounds and bounces up and down. He's banished it to the closet ever since. While I was trying to reintroduce it this afternoon, he announced "Go-way! Bye-Bye!" He wouldn't even let me play with it to show him that it's not that scary anymore.
Back to the closet with you, fire truck!
May 24, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Ee-I, Ee-I, Ohhhhh!
[Transcribed from video]
Today, I brought Alex to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. I stopped off at the supermarket to buy our picnic lunch and then headed off to the train station. Alex loves riding trains and buses - which we took in Stamford. He wasn't prepared for what we'd be doing, though. He got to run around a real live farm!
I parked the stroller near an animal pen close to the entrance and hooked him up to the puppy leash. He took off like a bandit! "Goats!" he cried when he saw that there were animals behind the fences. "Come on!" he cried to me as he ran to see what was next. He wanted me to open the barn (the classroom building there), but it was closed. "Barn open!" he insisted - but it wasn't. I had to make sure he saw where the goats were.
We came up to more goats, two of whom were smartly staying in the shade of their shelter. Alex called to the goats, but they wouldn't budge. "Goat is stuck", he told me. I told him that the goat was fine. He was just smarter than we were and was choosing to stay out of the hot sun.
Some ducks were sunning themselves on the bank of a nearby stream. Alex was delighted to chase after them - quacking all the way. Then they went into the stream and I had to stop him from following them. It was back to the stuck goats then. He amazed me by picking up loose straw from outside the gates and pushing it into the pen saying "Here goats!" How did he know that goats like hay and grass? Two baby goats were all too glad for Alex's presence, even when he pet them. Then he walked off without so much as a "By your leave." I asked him if he was going to say goodbye to the goats and he snooted "No!"
He soon discovered his favorite part - the chicken coop loaded with new chicks. He didn't want to leave those chickens for anything! Except for, of course, the new baby sheep. The lambs were bleating for their mommies and Alex was thrilled! Each time they bleated, he burst into laughter. "Funny!" he said and then he bleated back to them, hoping they'd respond. Then a sheep bleated at him and he said "Daddy sheep." I was pretty sure it was a Mommy Sheep, I told him.
The sheep continued to entertain him past the point of checking out a horse. This gigantic equine came a little too close for Mommy's comfort, though. It easily leaned over its fence and sniffeed around the front of Alex's stroller. Seems this horse is used to the idea that strollers usually contain sweet stuff. That sure got Alex's attention. Now he thought the horse was the funniest character on the farm. Between the sheep's bleating and the horse's begging, Alex was delighted. He wanted to get the horse to try to take a treat from him. When it didn't comply, (knowing there was no treat), Alex was done. "Bye-bye horse!" he told the animal.
He wanted to entertain the lambs again.
We stopped to say goodbye to the lambs and sheep. Alex tried to get them to bleat by playing his stroller toy music and honking it's horn. He had more success when he bleated at them.
Alex told me that he wanted to see the chickens before we left, but by the time we got back to the coop, he told me "No more."
Wow! I finally found the point at which Alex will finally say he wants to go home! Poor, tired baby. Bye-bye farm!
Of course, that didn't stop him from asking when we could go to the farm again.
Today, I brought Alex to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. I stopped off at the supermarket to buy our picnic lunch and then headed off to the train station. Alex loves riding trains and buses - which we took in Stamford. He wasn't prepared for what we'd be doing, though. He got to run around a real live farm!
I parked the stroller near an animal pen close to the entrance and hooked him up to the puppy leash. He took off like a bandit! "Goats!" he cried when he saw that there were animals behind the fences. "Come on!" he cried to me as he ran to see what was next. He wanted me to open the barn (the classroom building there), but it was closed. "Barn open!" he insisted - but it wasn't. I had to make sure he saw where the goats were.
We came up to more goats, two of whom were smartly staying in the shade of their shelter. Alex called to the goats, but they wouldn't budge. "Goat is stuck", he told me. I told him that the goat was fine. He was just smarter than we were and was choosing to stay out of the hot sun.
Some ducks were sunning themselves on the bank of a nearby stream. Alex was delighted to chase after them - quacking all the way. Then they went into the stream and I had to stop him from following them. It was back to the stuck goats then. He amazed me by picking up loose straw from outside the gates and pushing it into the pen saying "Here goats!" How did he know that goats like hay and grass? Two baby goats were all too glad for Alex's presence, even when he pet them. Then he walked off without so much as a "By your leave." I asked him if he was going to say goodbye to the goats and he snooted "No!"
He soon discovered his favorite part - the chicken coop loaded with new chicks. He didn't want to leave those chickens for anything! Except for, of course, the new baby sheep. The lambs were bleating for their mommies and Alex was thrilled! Each time they bleated, he burst into laughter. "Funny!" he said and then he bleated back to them, hoping they'd respond. Then a sheep bleated at him and he said "Daddy sheep." I was pretty sure it was a Mommy Sheep, I told him.
The sheep continued to entertain him past the point of checking out a horse. This gigantic equine came a little too close for Mommy's comfort, though. It easily leaned over its fence and sniffeed around the front of Alex's stroller. Seems this horse is used to the idea that strollers usually contain sweet stuff. That sure got Alex's attention. Now he thought the horse was the funniest character on the farm. Between the sheep's bleating and the horse's begging, Alex was delighted. He wanted to get the horse to try to take a treat from him. When it didn't comply, (knowing there was no treat), Alex was done. "Bye-bye horse!" he told the animal.
He wanted to entertain the lambs again.
We stopped to say goodbye to the lambs and sheep. Alex tried to get them to bleat by playing his stroller toy music and honking it's horn. He had more success when he bleated at them.
Alex told me that he wanted to see the chickens before we left, but by the time we got back to the coop, he told me "No more."
Wow! I finally found the point at which Alex will finally say he wants to go home! Poor, tired baby. Bye-bye farm!
Of course, that didn't stop him from asking when we could go to the farm again.
May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Long Walk - Quack!
This morning, I tried a morning outing in order to tire Alex out pre-nap. I overshot what his energy level could handle. I wound up taking him to the pond park at Mamaroneck Station, but we walked the entire way. A walk that usually takes me about 15 minutes wound up taking over an hour because of all of Alex's stops. Nine out of ten of those stops were usually an attempt to walk into someone's house, garden or up their driveway. By the time we were two blocks away from the park, Alex was stumbling when he tried to walk. It was only just after noon at the time. He's never tired at noon any longer!
Being only two blocks away, I decided to keep going towards the pond, but the station parking lot was too big an attraction. As we passed parked cars, Alex tried to to enter the larger parking lot along its side and I'd have to yank him back. Then he'd resist by falling on the ground, which resulted in my picking him up and walking past the next car, which led him to try to wiggle out of my arms saying "Down! Down" and I'd put him down and we'd start all over with the next two cars.
When we finally got to the bridge over the pond, we stopped and it took him a while to even notice the pond below. Some more nudging away from an open divider wall and into the park to see some goslings in the grass. He couldn't even see them. (He didn't know what to look for). A few pictures and a few struggled steps towards the pond - all the while pulling him back from the bridge - and a man in the park asked me if I had the time. It was 25 minutes past noon.
It had taken nearly 25 minutes to walk two blocks and get past the parking lot. Ooops! I guess I underestimated just how long this would take. I realized that we couldn't stay in the park for very long if I wanted Alex home for a 1 PM nap. I also realized that there was no way in hell I'd make it home by 1 PM if I let Alex walk it all. I'd have to carry Alex the way home if I wanted to make it back by shortly after 1. Oh dear.
I guess no nap is happening after all.
Being only two blocks away, I decided to keep going towards the pond, but the station parking lot was too big an attraction. As we passed parked cars, Alex tried to to enter the larger parking lot along its side and I'd have to yank him back. Then he'd resist by falling on the ground, which resulted in my picking him up and walking past the next car, which led him to try to wiggle out of my arms saying "Down! Down" and I'd put him down and we'd start all over with the next two cars.
When we finally got to the bridge over the pond, we stopped and it took him a while to even notice the pond below. Some more nudging away from an open divider wall and into the park to see some goslings in the grass. He couldn't even see them. (He didn't know what to look for). A few pictures and a few struggled steps towards the pond - all the while pulling him back from the bridge - and a man in the park asked me if I had the time. It was 25 minutes past noon.
It had taken nearly 25 minutes to walk two blocks and get past the parking lot. Ooops! I guess I underestimated just how long this would take. I realized that we couldn't stay in the park for very long if I wanted Alex home for a 1 PM nap. I also realized that there was no way in hell I'd make it home by 1 PM if I let Alex walk it all. I'd have to carry Alex the way home if I wanted to make it back by shortly after 1. Oh dear.
I guess no nap is happening after all.
May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
No Work Today Mama!
Alex is in full-blown nap striking behavior lately. I've tried working around it, but it's just not working. Right now I've tried to fold laundry, but he yanks it out of my hand and throws it back into the basket saying 'All done. Bye-bye.'. I've tried picking up his toys and sweeping under his playmats, but he just grabs every toy I touch yelling 'No!' if I try to put it away."
I think I get the message.
I think I get the message.
May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Mommy Moon
Alex did wind up napping today, but for just about 45-60 minutes, because I can't let him sleep later than 3:30 to make sure he'll go to bed at a decent hour. In the process of entertaining him after nap, I tossed away worries of getting any cleaning done and just dove into the moment.
He found a cabinet containing some items I hadn't used in some time, along with some positive affirmation books I'd been reminded of recently. Instead of taking the dangerous items away from him right away, I sat down on the floor and went over them with him. He was so intrigued by so much in this cabinet, which contained several different decks of tarot cards, some hardcover notebooks, a stone case of runes, candlesticks and incense - both stick and oil jar form. I showed him how to smell each of the oil and stick incense scents - and he only liked the Jasmine and the Peppermint. He didn't much care for the pictures on the tarot cards. He loved the runes and he called their small stone container a 'pirate ship chest' which he pronounces 'pye-ra-ship jest'.
He absolutely loved the notebook with the cover that portrays a faced moon surrounded by stars. He kept saying 'Moon is happy' and to the inside pages containing a faced sun and a faced moon, he said 'Daddy Sun' 'Mommy Moon'. Then he went on about the moon. "Mommy moon. Moon is happy. Mommy moon." Is he saying that he thinks I'm happy most of the time? I hope so.
He latched onto a pair of candlesticks I bought in Bed, Bath & Beyond some 15-16 years ago. They have dangling charms of a sun and a disc and some crystals and he called them "Bells". He kept on strumming the charms with his finger making bell sounds. He wouldn't let go of them all day.
After his discovery of all my new-Agey things, he wanted to draw in our special picture book - a blank notebook in which he draws on the right side of an open page set and I draw on the left. I drew a faced moon and star and he was elated. "That's a moon! Moon is happy! Star! Star is happy!"
He found a cabinet containing some items I hadn't used in some time, along with some positive affirmation books I'd been reminded of recently. Instead of taking the dangerous items away from him right away, I sat down on the floor and went over them with him. He was so intrigued by so much in this cabinet, which contained several different decks of tarot cards, some hardcover notebooks, a stone case of runes, candlesticks and incense - both stick and oil jar form. I showed him how to smell each of the oil and stick incense scents - and he only liked the Jasmine and the Peppermint. He didn't much care for the pictures on the tarot cards. He loved the runes and he called their small stone container a 'pirate ship chest' which he pronounces 'pye-ra-ship jest'.
He absolutely loved the notebook with the cover that portrays a faced moon surrounded by stars. He kept saying 'Moon is happy' and to the inside pages containing a faced sun and a faced moon, he said 'Daddy Sun' 'Mommy Moon'. Then he went on about the moon. "Mommy moon. Moon is happy. Mommy moon." Is he saying that he thinks I'm happy most of the time? I hope so.
He latched onto a pair of candlesticks I bought in Bed, Bath & Beyond some 15-16 years ago. They have dangling charms of a sun and a disc and some crystals and he called them "Bells". He kept on strumming the charms with his finger making bell sounds. He wouldn't let go of them all day.
After his discovery of all my new-Agey things, he wanted to draw in our special picture book - a blank notebook in which he draws on the right side of an open page set and I draw on the left. I drew a faced moon and star and he was elated. "That's a moon! Moon is happy! Star! Star is happy!"
May 19, 2009
No Sleep for Ferrets
Alex had some laughs with a Bunnytown song about healthy eating. It was a rap song that called out "Milk and Cheese!" coming from cows. Alex was bopping and rhyming right along.
Then he was done with Puzzle Time and went to wake up Loki. Bye-bye Bunnytown!
Then he was done with Puzzle Time and went to wake up Loki. Bye-bye Bunnytown!
May 19, 2009
Goooo Wonder Pets, Yaayy!
After we played with some new age treasures for a while, I knew I had to run out to the supermarket, having forgotten coffee and tin foil on Sunday. But I didn't want to. We just kept playing with these new things until I couldn't put it off any longer. I stopped at the drug store to see if I could find a decorative box I need and we passed by a group of Beanie Babies. He was thrilled to see Beanie Babies of the Backyardigans and of the Wonder Pets. He was exclaiming "Backyardigans" over and over and I had planned to get him a new Beanie Babie yet, so I told him he could pick one. I expected he'd want Pablo or Tyrone - the two more interesting male characters. I knew also that he loved Uniqua because he has a Pirate Uniqua bath toy.
He stunned me when he yelled out "Tasha! Tasha!" - the very girly yellow hippo. I didn't even remember the character's name. I let him hold her and he hugged her tight saying her name over and over again and laughing. I was deciding on whether I should go with this one until he saw Ming Ming of the Wonder Pets. That was it for Tasha. I pulled out all three and asked him to decide which one he wanted. He held all three and then scooped them into his arms and hugged them tightly, rocking them back and forth as if they were babies.
Sap that I am, I got him all three. He spent the entire time in the supermarket and the walk home and even afterwards hugging them for dear life. He wanted to see the Wonder Pets right now with his new dolls, but I couldn't comply.
We got into the living room and he continued to hug them all - while suddenly calling out "TASHA!" I guess he'd just remembered her. Thankfully, Tasha would be coming on Noggin soon.
This will be a late evening, which I expected anyway. But a large part of it will now be my fault. Instead of fretting about my violated expectations over his nap and what I was "supposed to do" today, I redirected and had fun. Dinner will be late, but - whatever.
Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets we're on our way!
He stunned me when he yelled out "Tasha! Tasha!" - the very girly yellow hippo. I didn't even remember the character's name. I let him hold her and he hugged her tight saying her name over and over again and laughing. I was deciding on whether I should go with this one until he saw Ming Ming of the Wonder Pets. That was it for Tasha. I pulled out all three and asked him to decide which one he wanted. He held all three and then scooped them into his arms and hugged them tightly, rocking them back and forth as if they were babies.
Sap that I am, I got him all three. He spent the entire time in the supermarket and the walk home and even afterwards hugging them for dear life. He wanted to see the Wonder Pets right now with his new dolls, but I couldn't comply.
We got into the living room and he continued to hug them all - while suddenly calling out "TASHA!" I guess he'd just remembered her. Thankfully, Tasha would be coming on Noggin soon.
This will be a late evening, which I expected anyway. But a large part of it will now be my fault. Instead of fretting about my violated expectations over his nap and what I was "supposed to do" today, I redirected and had fun. Dinner will be late, but - whatever.
Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets we're on our way!
May 19, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Ready to Go Out!
[Transcribed from video]
Alex has connected putting shoes on with going outside. That would be any shoes - even Mommy's. This afternoon, he stomped around the living room in Mommy's sneakers and announced that he had "shoes!" and "out!" with "Diego!"
All set for his own adventure with Diego, I guess.
Alex has connected putting shoes on with going outside. That would be any shoes - even Mommy's. This afternoon, he stomped around the living room in Mommy's sneakers and announced that he had "shoes!" and "out!" with "Diego!"
All set for his own adventure with Diego, I guess.
May 17, 2009
4:22 PM
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Pony Express - No
[Transcribed from video]
Today, we went to the Methodist Church Children's Carnival in Rye. Alex didn't quite know what to make of it. He wasn't thrilled with the ponies, thinking they were just hilarious. Riding the pony was another story. He said he wanted to. As soon as it got too bouncy, though, he was all about the "Down! Down!"
A favorite part was the toy sale. He got a Lightning McQueen, a siss-a-sah mixer (cement mixer) and a duntruck (dump truck). He wouldn't let go of them all day. So the rest of the rides just didn't hold interest. He did enjoy the idea of dumping a small ball in a basketball hoop. Really, he liked the idea of the small soccer ball he got to play with. Our trip home was fun for him. He got his own ticket and everything! (At least he had the ride tickets from the carnival and he called them tickets for the train.)
The cement mixer and the dump truck. They were the highlights. Them and the cookies.
I'd say the carnival was a win.
Today, we went to the Methodist Church Children's Carnival in Rye. Alex didn't quite know what to make of it. He wasn't thrilled with the ponies, thinking they were just hilarious. Riding the pony was another story. He said he wanted to. As soon as it got too bouncy, though, he was all about the "Down! Down!"
A favorite part was the toy sale. He got a Lightning McQueen, a siss-a-sah mixer (cement mixer) and a duntruck (dump truck). He wouldn't let go of them all day. So the rest of the rides just didn't hold interest. He did enjoy the idea of dumping a small ball in a basketball hoop. Really, he liked the idea of the small soccer ball he got to play with. Our trip home was fun for him. He got his own ticket and everything! (At least he had the ride tickets from the carnival and he called them tickets for the train.)
The cement mixer and the dump truck. They were the highlights. Them and the cookies.
I'd say the carnival was a win.
May 16, 2009
Little Griper
Lately, Alex has been mocking me when he's frustrated with a lack of doing what he wants. Well, it's really more like a list of mutterings about what I've said in the past. 'Bubbles...no. Bubbles....later. Bubbles...soon! Outside....later! Playground....later!'
('Bubbles' means play soap bubbles with a wand or machine.)
That will come out if I've taken something he shouldn't have away from him, as if he's listing all of my annoying impositions.
He's also given to signaling the end of the conversation (as far as he's concerned) with 'OK'. 'NO! Ok.' As if his 'No' was the final word on the subject.
He also banishes things he doesn't like with 'Go 'Way! Bye-Bye! Go 'Way!'
And his newest plea 'Puzzle Time!' He likes to play the Ty.com's web page games. His Beanie Baby registered there is 'Wolfie' ('Sledder' the Alsatian). So, he'll ask 'Puzzle Time? Feed Wolfie!' when he wants to play the game. Then he plays for about 10 minutes and moves on to seeing our real live ferret with 'Loki, sleepin'. Wake up Loki!!'
Thankfully, Loki doesn't mind being woken up and loves the company.
('Bubbles' means play soap bubbles with a wand or machine.)
That will come out if I've taken something he shouldn't have away from him, as if he's listing all of my annoying impositions.
He's also given to signaling the end of the conversation (as far as he's concerned) with 'OK'. 'NO! Ok.' As if his 'No' was the final word on the subject.
He also banishes things he doesn't like with 'Go 'Way! Bye-Bye! Go 'Way!'
And his newest plea 'Puzzle Time!' He likes to play the Ty.com's web page games. His Beanie Baby registered there is 'Wolfie' ('Sledder' the Alsatian). So, he'll ask 'Puzzle Time? Feed Wolfie!' when he wants to play the game. Then he plays for about 10 minutes and moves on to seeing our real live ferret with 'Loki, sleepin'. Wake up Loki!!'
Thankfully, Loki doesn't mind being woken up and loves the company.
May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Pot Meet Kettle
When we see a child acting out, Alex will often give the yelling/fit-throwing child the scary eyeball and I'll be there silently scared about when (not if) it's going to happen to me. In the supermarket the other day, he even commented about a little boy who was crying and screaming about wanting a large bag of potato chips of his own. Alex kept repeating 'Baby is yelling! No yelling. Sshhh.' I moved us to another aisle so that the parents would be less likely to hear him and mumbled to him 'Oh you think you'll never act like that. Just wait.'
May 15, 2009
11:13 AM
Alexisms - Words
These are some of Alex's mispronounciations of late. I captured them while we did a new picture in our Special Book with his new construction stickers.
"It's Da Roller!" - the asphalt roller
"Siss-sa-SAH!" - Cement Mixer
And of the large bucket loader
"It's Big Truck!"
Mommy just drew a springy picture with bugs.
"It's Da Roller!" - the asphalt roller
"Siss-sa-SAH!" - Cement Mixer
And of the large bucket loader
"It's Big Truck!"
Mommy just drew a springy picture with bugs.
May 15, 2009
Gardener
I had wanted to buy Alex some plants to 'take care of' (or call 'his' anyway ). At the supermarket the other day, I spotted potted plants on my way out in a Buy-One-Get-One-Free sale. I thought it was perfect opportunity to get Alex 'his' plants. One of the plants he chose was a rose bush. I laughed to myself thinking that at least he'd see the new buds bloom, but figured that, at best, I can keep a rose bush alive for about 3 months. Another potted plant that came my way this week was the Bonsai Dan gave me for Mother's Day. Another one I'd figure I'd not really be able to keep alive.
May 15,2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Yay! It's Puzzle Time!
[Transcribed from video]
Mommy and Alex played some Puzzle Time today. Mama tried to get Alex to play "Make a Wish" in which he has to choose any of 1, 2 or 3 in order to win beans to his account. Mama had to make the guesses for him while Alex got excited about winning - when Mama told him that he won.
Mama thinks that Alex just likes all of the bleep and bloop sounds that the games make. That and the Town House crackers that come with Puzzle Time. He also likes Harriet Honeypot at the General Store who encourages you along as you try to guess how many beans are in the jar. When we didn't win those beans, Alex was done. It was time to get down and see Loki.
PS. He calls it "Puzzle Time" because of the Nick, Jr. interstitials that play a game with viewers. Moose A. Moose calls it "Puzzle Time!"
Mommy and Alex played some Puzzle Time today. Mama tried to get Alex to play "Make a Wish" in which he has to choose any of 1, 2 or 3 in order to win beans to his account. Mama had to make the guesses for him while Alex got excited about winning - when Mama told him that he won.
Mama thinks that Alex just likes all of the bleep and bloop sounds that the games make. That and the Town House crackers that come with Puzzle Time. He also likes Harriet Honeypot at the General Store who encourages you along as you try to guess how many beans are in the jar. When we didn't win those beans, Alex was done. It was time to get down and see Loki.
PS. He calls it "Puzzle Time" because of the Nick, Jr. interstitials that play a game with viewers. Moose A. Moose calls it "Puzzle Time!"
May 8, 2009
Yip Yips!
Just not happening. I've been trying to access my online course this morning, but as soon as Alex sees me at the laptop, he wants to play 'Puzzle Time' (what he calls the Ty.com beanie babies game website) or he wants to see the 'Yip Yips' (video of the Sesame Street martians I found on YouTube.)
We played trucks and trains a lot today. We danced and sang a lot to a new Toddler Tunes music station I found. We had cereal for breakfast and cheese toast for a late lunch. At lunch, he took two slices of banana and had them "Hug". When I asked about the banana pieces hugging, he identified the larger piece as "Mama Banana" and the smaller one as "Baby Banana" and then said "Mama and Baby hug!". Then he ate both pieces. Dinner was a collection of left over chicken and pork shish kabobs topped off with Dulce de Leche ice cream. Alex was more into having his ice cream than eating it, but eventually he dove right in.
And, of course, Puzzle Time!
I can't wait until our play time is uninterrupted.
We played trucks and trains a lot today. We danced and sang a lot to a new Toddler Tunes music station I found. We had cereal for breakfast and cheese toast for a late lunch. At lunch, he took two slices of banana and had them "Hug". When I asked about the banana pieces hugging, he identified the larger piece as "Mama Banana" and the smaller one as "Baby Banana" and then said "Mama and Baby hug!". Then he ate both pieces. Dinner was a collection of left over chicken and pork shish kabobs topped off with Dulce de Leche ice cream. Alex was more into having his ice cream than eating it, but eventually he dove right in.
And, of course, Puzzle Time!
I can't wait until our play time is uninterrupted.
May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Serious Shopper
[Transcribed from video]
Daddy was delighted by Alex's magazine browsing. Alex loves to look through catalogues and magazines so that he can identify the pictures. He saw a "cat-tus" in this magazine. He continued to enjoy the magazines while he had his corn with dinner. He wasn't too thrilled to see a "red pepper" in his bowl. He never believes Mama when she tells him that he really liked bell peppers once.
Then Daddy entertained Alex by making the "Sssssss" sound for "Sssssilly sssssnake". That was worth lots of laughs! So was the tickle session afterwards in which Daddy played one of Alex's long time favorite games. He grabbed Alex's face with his open hand. We found that Alex can give "Hi 5" too!
Then Alex wanted some orange. Play time over!
Daddy was delighted by Alex's magazine browsing. Alex loves to look through catalogues and magazines so that he can identify the pictures. He saw a "cat-tus" in this magazine. He continued to enjoy the magazines while he had his corn with dinner. He wasn't too thrilled to see a "red pepper" in his bowl. He never believes Mama when she tells him that he really liked bell peppers once.
Then Daddy entertained Alex by making the "Sssssss" sound for "Sssssilly sssssnake". That was worth lots of laughs! So was the tickle session afterwards in which Daddy played one of Alex's long time favorite games. He grabbed Alex's face with his open hand. We found that Alex can give "Hi 5" too!
Then Alex wanted some orange. Play time over!
May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Kiwi Love
No studying yet, but Kiwi love has found it's place here.
Alex has a beautiful ABC book that I found on one of our vacations last fall. He's loved it ever since we found it. Since then, he's dedicated himself to learning the names of every picture in the book. The 'K' page contains a picture of a Kangaroo, a Key and a Kiwi (fruit). I suppose the authors were trying to challenge children with the two words being so similar. Alex was once perplexed by this page, never having seen an image of a kiwi before. The distiction between 'Key' and 'Kiwi' was one of his favorite challenges in the book.
Yesterday, he conquered 'Kiwi' on his own. He proudly declared the name of the fruit and pointed to it repeatedly. 'Kiwi! Look! Kiwi! But that's a Key!' So this morning, I dashed out to the supermarket to get some milk and fresh fruit, including Alex's reward for having conquered this puzzle. I bought him two kiwis. I showed him the picture in the book and he declared "Kiwi!" and I pulled out a real kiwi. He was thrilled, grabbed the fruit and ran around the living room saying "Kiwi. I got a kiwi."
He wouldn't give it back, so I peeled and cut up the other one for breakfast. He wouldn't eat any pieces, because they were green and not brown like the fruit he held in his hand. Instead, he held tight onto the whole kiwi and bit into it here and there, enjoying the taste of the juice.
The rest of the morning was a challenge in getting this poor mangled kiwi - growing softer with each bite and squeeze - away from an ever stickier Alex.
But no studying yet. Oh well.
Alex has a beautiful ABC book that I found on one of our vacations last fall. He's loved it ever since we found it. Since then, he's dedicated himself to learning the names of every picture in the book. The 'K' page contains a picture of a Kangaroo, a Key and a Kiwi (fruit). I suppose the authors were trying to challenge children with the two words being so similar. Alex was once perplexed by this page, never having seen an image of a kiwi before. The distiction between 'Key' and 'Kiwi' was one of his favorite challenges in the book.
Yesterday, he conquered 'Kiwi' on his own. He proudly declared the name of the fruit and pointed to it repeatedly. 'Kiwi! Look! Kiwi! But that's a Key!' So this morning, I dashed out to the supermarket to get some milk and fresh fruit, including Alex's reward for having conquered this puzzle. I bought him two kiwis. I showed him the picture in the book and he declared "Kiwi!" and I pulled out a real kiwi. He was thrilled, grabbed the fruit and ran around the living room saying "Kiwi. I got a kiwi."
He wouldn't give it back, so I peeled and cut up the other one for breakfast. He wouldn't eat any pieces, because they were green and not brown like the fruit he held in his hand. Instead, he held tight onto the whole kiwi and bit into it here and there, enjoying the taste of the juice.
The rest of the morning was a challenge in getting this poor mangled kiwi - growing softer with each bite and squeeze - away from an ever stickier Alex.
But no studying yet. Oh well.
May 6, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Alexisms
I'm laughing at these. I LOVE 'Kiddisms'.
Some of Alex's that just puzzle me:
- Seeing me with a cup of coffee in the morning: 'Hmmmm, good coffee'. I have no idea where he came up with that since it's not something I'm likely to say and it's not likely he's seen a coffee commercial with those words.
- 'Daaaaaan-j'rous!' (Dangerous), now said whenever he comes across something I'm likely to take away from him. What's blowing my mind is that he's getting it right even on items he's never come across before.
- 'No milk for you Biscuit. No milk for doggies.' - Said to his lovey puppy whenever he has his 'Quiet Time' sippy of milk. He gets that from us having offered the cup to Biscuit in the past.
-'Buh'ee town Qui' Time? Miss Spider Qui' Time?' - Negotiating questions about which show I'll let him watch for 'Quiet Time', the time that precedes his nap or bedtime. (Bunnytown is a No. Miss Spider is a yes.)
Some of Alex's that just puzzle me:
- Seeing me with a cup of coffee in the morning: 'Hmmmm, good coffee'. I have no idea where he came up with that since it's not something I'm likely to say and it's not likely he's seen a coffee commercial with those words.
- 'Daaaaaan-j'rous!' (Dangerous), now said whenever he comes across something I'm likely to take away from him. What's blowing my mind is that he's getting it right even on items he's never come across before.
- 'No milk for you Biscuit. No milk for doggies.' - Said to his lovey puppy whenever he has his 'Quiet Time' sippy of milk. He gets that from us having offered the cup to Biscuit in the past.
-'Buh'ee town Qui' Time? Miss Spider Qui' Time?' - Negotiating questions about which show I'll let him watch for 'Quiet Time', the time that precedes his nap or bedtime. (Bunnytown is a No. Miss Spider is a yes.)
May 4, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Harbor Island Park
[Transcribed from video]
Alex and Daddy had a fun day out today. Most of their time was spent at Harbor Island Park, one of Alex's favorite places. There's a WWII era Howitzer erected just outside the entrance to the beach that Alex loves to climb on. (Though that makes me uneasy - whatever). This day, Alex was thrilled to be able to climb on it somewhat freely. He was telling Daddy that the gun was "stuck". Well, yes, Alex, we hope it is.
There was a fun stop at the playground there which included some time in the pirate ship sandbox, where Alex climbed to the top platform all by himself! There was some time on the swings too!
Then, after they got home, it was time for one of Alex's most fun things to do - Puzzle Time! They fed Wolfie and Alex used the mouse to have Wolfie walk around his room and everything. "Doggie funny!" Alex cheered and laughed. Then they colored a picture on the computer. Alex made the dog red and the doghouse blue. Well, Mama helped, which led Alex to call the picture "Mama's Doggie". Then Alex and Daddy watched some funny videos on Ty.com. Alex laughed and laughed!
What a cool day with Daddy.
Alex and Daddy had a fun day out today. Most of their time was spent at Harbor Island Park, one of Alex's favorite places. There's a WWII era Howitzer erected just outside the entrance to the beach that Alex loves to climb on. (Though that makes me uneasy - whatever). This day, Alex was thrilled to be able to climb on it somewhat freely. He was telling Daddy that the gun was "stuck". Well, yes, Alex, we hope it is.
There was a fun stop at the playground there which included some time in the pirate ship sandbox, where Alex climbed to the top platform all by himself! There was some time on the swings too!
Then, after they got home, it was time for one of Alex's most fun things to do - Puzzle Time! They fed Wolfie and Alex used the mouse to have Wolfie walk around his room and everything. "Doggie funny!" Alex cheered and laughed. Then they colored a picture on the computer. Alex made the dog red and the doghouse blue. Well, Mama helped, which led Alex to call the picture "Mama's Doggie". Then Alex and Daddy watched some funny videos on Ty.com. Alex laughed and laughed!
What a cool day with Daddy.
May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Remember???
A few days ago, Alex wanted to go to the beach, which we did after his nap. I told him that we couldn't go yesterday, because I had too much homework to do, but that we would go to the beach 'tomorrow'. He argued with me yesterday saying 'Beach TODAY!' which shocked me, because I had no clue he could understand the concepts of 'today' and 'tomorrow'.
So, today, it looked like big rain all day. I took him out to the park this morning instead, pointing out the clouds and the wetness, explaining that we couldn't go to the beach. At around 5 PM, he picked up his beach toys and said 'Beach now?' I said that we couldn't. Tomorrow, we might. So, he said.
'Beach tomorrow? No! Beach TODAY....Remember?'
'Remember'????!!
OK, so, I apologized. Explained about the rain again. I told him that we can't be at the beach when it rains. Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow, etc.
He's debating with me, reminding me of my promises now. Isn't that kind of verbal judo more of a girl thing at this age?"
So, today, it looked like big rain all day. I took him out to the park this morning instead, pointing out the clouds and the wetness, explaining that we couldn't go to the beach. At around 5 PM, he picked up his beach toys and said 'Beach now?' I said that we couldn't. Tomorrow, we might. So, he said.
'Beach tomorrow? No! Beach TODAY....Remember?'
'Remember'????!!
OK, so, I apologized. Explained about the rain again. I told him that we can't be at the beach when it rains. Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow, etc.
He's debating with me, reminding me of my promises now. Isn't that kind of verbal judo more of a girl thing at this age?"
May 1, 2009
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