In honor of the September birthdays, Astronaut Liam sends his love.
IN ORDER
Nina Simone, Daddy, Karry, Auntie Lynda, Nana, and Auntie Katie. Great-grandpa comes soon too, in October.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Birthday Wishes
September is one of the most popular month to be born. In our world, a lot of happy birthdays go out during this month. Liam now knows how to sing "Happy Birthday" though he most frequently sings the song to himself.
In honor of the September birthdays, Astronaut Liam sends his love.
IN ORDER
Nina Simone, Daddy, Karry, Auntie Lynda, Nana, and Auntie Katie. Great-grandpa comes soon too, in October.
In honor of the September birthdays, Astronaut Liam sends his love.
IN ORDER
Nina Simone, Daddy, Karry, Auntie Lynda, Nana, and Auntie Katie. Great-grandpa comes soon too, in October.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Autumn, Not Fall
We are starting to see the weather change, and with the colder nights comes a little color in the trees. The school buses are back on the roads, and the pumpkin decorations are starting to show up. Summer must be over.
Liam asked about the seasonal change, so we learned the new word -autumn. He doesn't like the word fall. He says it sounds like it hurts.
He eagerly anticipates Kindergarten, watching the littlest students at the elementary school lining up outside every morning. In his mind, he's ready. All he needs is a lunchbox and someone to sign him up. We often discuss the requirements; being able to write his name, for example. "You need to be four-and-a-half years old to go there," I tell him. He simply throws out the age requirement, "I big boy now." I should probably add using verbs to the list, but for now, his caveman sentences are endearing.
Our plan is to enroll him at a nearby Montessori Preschool in January. At one point, my goal was to enroll him in Preschool so that he would start in September, when he turned two-and-a-half. In fact, he wasn't quite ready to make that transition, given the changes he's working through at daycare right now. At this school, the children make their own snacks every day. Liam equates this to being able to eat whatever he wants for snack. He plans to eat goldfish crackers and apple juice every day. He tells me this every day. I think he is in for a rude awakening.
Snack seems to be a constant attraction in his world. Sunday school started at church this week. He was not very excited about going until he learned that he gets to eat a snack at Sunday school. Once he sucked down a juice box and devoured several handfuls of crackers, he decided we could come back again. But as we were leaving, just to be sure, he asked, "Is there snack every time?" Smart kid.
Liam asked about the seasonal change, so we learned the new word -autumn. He doesn't like the word fall. He says it sounds like it hurts.
He eagerly anticipates Kindergarten, watching the littlest students at the elementary school lining up outside every morning. In his mind, he's ready. All he needs is a lunchbox and someone to sign him up. We often discuss the requirements; being able to write his name, for example. "You need to be four-and-a-half years old to go there," I tell him. He simply throws out the age requirement, "I big boy now." I should probably add using verbs to the list, but for now, his caveman sentences are endearing.
Our plan is to enroll him at a nearby Montessori Preschool in January. At one point, my goal was to enroll him in Preschool so that he would start in September, when he turned two-and-a-half. In fact, he wasn't quite ready to make that transition, given the changes he's working through at daycare right now. At this school, the children make their own snacks every day. Liam equates this to being able to eat whatever he wants for snack. He plans to eat goldfish crackers and apple juice every day. He tells me this every day. I think he is in for a rude awakening.
Snack seems to be a constant attraction in his world. Sunday school started at church this week. He was not very excited about going until he learned that he gets to eat a snack at Sunday school. Once he sucked down a juice box and devoured several handfuls of crackers, he decided we could come back again. But as we were leaving, just to be sure, he asked, "Is there snack every time?" Smart kid.
Monday, September 7, 2009
End of Summer
Bye-Bye Summer
Liam's birthday marks the start of spring. Mommy's birthday bridges the gap between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Daddy's birthday closes summer out, falling once every seven years on Labor Day itself.
So the third summer of Liam's life is nearly over. It seems summer was created with children in mind; warm, sunny days for playing outside, evenings that linger, bathed in light until well after bedtime. Liam took every advantage of playing and staying up well past his 8PM bedtime whenever possible. It seems as though this summer was his first opportunity to play like a big kid. He played in his playhouse, kicked around a soccer ball, and learned to enjoy hiking in the woods. It seemed every day was filled with new adventures for Little Bean.
Early this summer, Liam couldn't make it up the ladder on the playground in front of the house by himself. Not only did he figure it out on his own, but he also showed his friends how. With practice, all things eventually are possible.
Liam also explored on back of a bicycle for the first time. Thanks to a new bike seat, he gets a great view of the neighborhood. "Faster, Daddy, faster," the backseat driver shouts.
With each passing day, Liam's vocabulary -- and imagination -- grew. Our little boy who once wailed when his needs were under met now explains in full detail that he wants his milk in the pink sippy cup with an orange lid, and if possible he'd like the milk to be chocolate milk.
Most of what he tells us about is really important. Yesterday, for example, he deducted that octopuses don't travel by train because there isn't any water inside for them to live in. Right now he likes to figure out what animals eat, and where they live. Squirrels live in trees and eat acorns, just like Piglet, he announced a few days ago. But then he wondered why Piglet lives in a tree, if in fact he is a pig. Rules are the foundation of a two-and-a-half year-old's existence.
Liam was helping me put away groceries. Fruits go in the fruit bowl; meats go in the meat drawer; cereals go in the cupboard. "Where do treats go?" Liam asked holding the dried apricots he loves so much. I didn't respond right away, so he answered for me. "I know, treats go in Liam's tummy!"
This summer, Liam's been working on more than just his vocabulary. Thanks to a great teacher at school, and lots of practice on behalf of everyone, Liam is nearly out of diapers. As soon as Liam is accident-free most of the time, Liam gets to go to Montessori School. He's very excited.
We look forward to fall, including Halloween and Thanksgiving. Summer is fun, but so are the other seasons!
Liam's birthday marks the start of spring. Mommy's birthday bridges the gap between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Daddy's birthday closes summer out, falling once every seven years on Labor Day itself.
So the third summer of Liam's life is nearly over. It seems summer was created with children in mind; warm, sunny days for playing outside, evenings that linger, bathed in light until well after bedtime. Liam took every advantage of playing and staying up well past his 8PM bedtime whenever possible. It seems as though this summer was his first opportunity to play like a big kid. He played in his playhouse, kicked around a soccer ball, and learned to enjoy hiking in the woods. It seemed every day was filled with new adventures for Little Bean.
Early this summer, Liam couldn't make it up the ladder on the playground in front of the house by himself. Not only did he figure it out on his own, but he also showed his friends how. With practice, all things eventually are possible.
Liam also explored on back of a bicycle for the first time. Thanks to a new bike seat, he gets a great view of the neighborhood. "Faster, Daddy, faster," the backseat driver shouts.
With each passing day, Liam's vocabulary -- and imagination -- grew. Our little boy who once wailed when his needs were under met now explains in full detail that he wants his milk in the pink sippy cup with an orange lid, and if possible he'd like the milk to be chocolate milk.
Most of what he tells us about is really important. Yesterday, for example, he deducted that octopuses don't travel by train because there isn't any water inside for them to live in. Right now he likes to figure out what animals eat, and where they live. Squirrels live in trees and eat acorns, just like Piglet, he announced a few days ago. But then he wondered why Piglet lives in a tree, if in fact he is a pig. Rules are the foundation of a two-and-a-half year-old's existence.
Liam was helping me put away groceries. Fruits go in the fruit bowl; meats go in the meat drawer; cereals go in the cupboard. "Where do treats go?" Liam asked holding the dried apricots he loves so much. I didn't respond right away, so he answered for me. "I know, treats go in Liam's tummy!"
This summer, Liam's been working on more than just his vocabulary. Thanks to a great teacher at school, and lots of practice on behalf of everyone, Liam is nearly out of diapers. As soon as Liam is accident-free most of the time, Liam gets to go to Montessori School. He's very excited.
We look forward to fall, including Halloween and Thanksgiving. Summer is fun, but so are the other seasons!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Daddy's Big Birthday!
Liam,
I met your Daddy when he was 28, while we both studied at Syracuse University. Back then he had a scruffy beard and only wore clothes suitable for hiking in the forests of Central New York. Even then he only had memories of hair, but he was handsome nonetheless.
Today he's a bit less scruffy, which you and I both take responsibility for. He spent most of the day today mucking about in crawlspaces, the garage and the laundry room, doing his best to add networked cables to our cozy home.
Yesterday, you and I went shopping to find gifts for Daddy. You picked out gummy worms for him, and wrapped them up, with only a little help from me. Then, this morning, as soon as you remembered, you brought over the package and proudly told Daddy that the worms wanted to get out. He opened the gift and thanked you, and then we each ate one gummy worm in bed, while we were all still half asleep. You demanded more worms, but then became reasonable when Daddy wanted to save some for later.
After you watched Curious George and Word World, we went downstairs for a nice breakfast. The rain pounded the ceiling, so we turned on the fire to keep us warm. Granny & Grand dad called after breakfast, so we talked for a while.
We've been inside all day. The rain and wind outside have picked up, and really, the only reason to go out would be to get wet. You're snug in your bed right now, listening to Peter and the Wolf, which you love. You get scared when the wolf comes, and you're sad when the wolf eats the duckie. So far, you haven't made it to the end yet, so you don't know that duckie is set free by the wolf, as Peter drags him back to the woods by his tail. Sometimes you like to be the wolf, and Mommy is the kitty and Daddy is the bird. Other times, you insist on being Peter.
When you wake up, you're going to visit Krysti, Dave and Carter, while Mommy and Daddy go to dinner with our friends. We'd love to take you with us, but you will have more fun watching a movie with Carter.
I just wanted to let you know about today, so that you can always know how much you are loved.
Love,
Mommy
I met your Daddy when he was 28, while we both studied at Syracuse University. Back then he had a scruffy beard and only wore clothes suitable for hiking in the forests of Central New York. Even then he only had memories of hair, but he was handsome nonetheless.
Today he's a bit less scruffy, which you and I both take responsibility for. He spent most of the day today mucking about in crawlspaces, the garage and the laundry room, doing his best to add networked cables to our cozy home.
Yesterday, you and I went shopping to find gifts for Daddy. You picked out gummy worms for him, and wrapped them up, with only a little help from me. Then, this morning, as soon as you remembered, you brought over the package and proudly told Daddy that the worms wanted to get out. He opened the gift and thanked you, and then we each ate one gummy worm in bed, while we were all still half asleep. You demanded more worms, but then became reasonable when Daddy wanted to save some for later.
After you watched Curious George and Word World, we went downstairs for a nice breakfast. The rain pounded the ceiling, so we turned on the fire to keep us warm. Granny & Grand dad called after breakfast, so we talked for a while.
We've been inside all day. The rain and wind outside have picked up, and really, the only reason to go out would be to get wet. You're snug in your bed right now, listening to Peter and the Wolf, which you love. You get scared when the wolf comes, and you're sad when the wolf eats the duckie. So far, you haven't made it to the end yet, so you don't know that duckie is set free by the wolf, as Peter drags him back to the woods by his tail. Sometimes you like to be the wolf, and Mommy is the kitty and Daddy is the bird. Other times, you insist on being Peter.
When you wake up, you're going to visit Krysti, Dave and Carter, while Mommy and Daddy go to dinner with our friends. We'd love to take you with us, but you will have more fun watching a movie with Carter.
I just wanted to let you know about today, so that you can always know how much you are loved.
Love,
Mommy
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