For St. Patrick's Day, we held our traditional party. Liam helped daddy make the Soda Bread this year. Daddy made a new delicious kind with onions in it. On Sunday, 30 of our friends arrived for the feast. We had fun eating, catching up and eating some more.
Daddy went to Liam's school on St. Patrick's Day to share his Irish culture. He first visited Liam's classroom, where he talked about Irish money and the flag, and even leprechauns. Apparently, the preschoolers are very interested in leprechauns. Ms. Mickaelski read the class as story about Liam the Leprechaun... so naturally they all wanted to know more about these creatures! Liam's class then had a green party, with grapes, broccoli, jello, cookies and pea pods on the menu.
Daddy went to help the big kids prepare their traditional Irish meal. He also taught them a little about Irish culture.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Birthday Weekend
For Liam's third birthday party, he asked to visit the fire station in our neighborhood. I didn't know that fire stations offered tours to kids, but luckily I ran into a fire fighter while serving jury duty, and he enlightened me.
We visited the brand-new station with a handful of Liam's friends. They wouldn't have had a better time at Disneyworld! They ran around the living quarters, asked questions about the kitchen and tv room, and then crawled all over the inside of 2 fire trucks, an emergency response bus and an ambulance. They tried on boots and used the intercom that firefighters use in the fire truck. Liam's favorite bit of trivia is that the fire truck has no keys. A button is used to start the truck.
Before the fire station, we ate pizza and cake at home. Daddy made a fantastic fire engine cake. It almost looked too good to eat!
Some people would stop after the rollicking fun of a toddler party. They would do sensible things like clean up, prepare for the week ahead, do dishes. Not us.
On Sunday, we woke early and headed north to Vancouver, for the last day of the Olympic Games. The only Olympic Event remaining was the USA vs. Canada hockey game. Tickets were very expensive, and we had no interest. We drove up for the experience of being in Vancouver while all the world was watching. As a bonus, Liam got the birthday celebration of a lifetime.
So when we arrived, we took the Sky Train into the city center. (Parking cost $4 and the train $9.) For Liam, the train in itself was an event. We then strolled the Olympic sites, including the free exhibitions. We quickly learned that everyone was crowed around televisions watching the hockey game. Until the game ended, the city had almost come to a standstill, with a few exceptions.
Above the town square, people zipped across a free zipline. Free ice skating was also very popular. We tried getting skates, but had to wait for the one pair small enough to fit Liam.
While we waited, we walked down to the waterfront. Sadly, many of the sites were hard to find, closed or blocked because of the game. It didn't matter to us though. We walked and watched all the crazy hockey fans, pouring out of pubs at commercial breaks, watching tiny TVs through restaurant windows, gathering by the hundreds outside any outdoor screen. We didn't need to watch the game; when something good happened (for Canada), the streets echoed with cheers. When the US tied the game near the end, we knew what happened as well. It was at that point we all decided to become Canadians for the day.
If we let on to our American status, we might get into trouble, especially if Canada lost. Canadians seem too nice to harm anyone, but given our rather neutral position on the outcome of the hockey game, we thought cheering for Canada would at least be more fun. We also were starting to consider the party that would follow such a victory. Around 2pm, we had the sensible discussion about leaving, to get out before it all went crazy. But then we didn't. Liam really wanted to ice skate. And really, is there a better a place to learn ice skating than in Canada?
So we arrived back at the rink, just as the overtime started. The covered outdoor rink, located below the town square where thousands of fans were watching the game, remained closed until the game ended. As soon as the game ended, a mascot ice skating show would begin.
When the game ended, and Canada won in overtime, the city erupted with happy people. From that point on, all we saw were happy people cheering; wearing and waving the Canadian flag. The show continued, and Liam adored every second. The Olympic Mascots, along with high-school age ice skaters demonstrated hockey, figure skating, ice dancing, and speed skating. They also explained the culture of the Pacific Northwest with magical skating creatures like jellyfish and other sea life.
Finally, after the long wait, we had to stand in line again to get skates. In line, Liam developed admirers, who gave him a special Olympics pin when they learned it was his birthday. They also gave us ideas about what to do after skating.
Liam and Mommy skated for about 30 minutes. At first, he was totally unstable on the ice. But once he had a blue stabilizer (like a walker used by seniors) he was a little less unstable. He was still discouraged, given that his tiny ankles could hardly hold him up. But after watching others, and a little explanation from Mom, Liam learned to glide in tiny motions. I used my skates as a backstop, so he wouldn't fall. After twenty or more times around the oval, he was so tired.
Getting him off the ice was an ordeal, and he let us know how unhappy he was in typical three-year-old style. But after a few minutes, he rebounded and was ready to see more.
Hunger set in around 3PM. But by this time, it took ages to walk a mile. Cars now flooded many of the streets, all with windows rolled down, horns blaring, inching along at turtle speed.
The three of us walked to a part of town we knew pretty well. Though we would have loved to grab a nice meal, we opted for a McDonalds because lines everywhere were crazy. After a few chicken nuggets and chocolate milk, we walked over to see the Olympic flame. Then we took the train over to the LiveSite.
By the time we made it to the LiveSite, stood in line to get in and went through metal detectors, it was dark. The closing ceremony had begun and was being broadcast at the LiveSite on the biggest screen I'd ever seen. Hundreds of people sat on the lawn, under blankets, watching the closing ceremonies. Everyone we met at this stage was a Canadian, perhaps because it was the last day.
The line for the Coca Cola Pavilion was Disney-style, with several twists and turns, both inside and out. Liam had an abundance of energy at this point, and demonstrated his dancing skills to entertain the crowd. The people in line ahead of us gave Liam a red Canadian tee shirt, which he put on over his jacket. From that point on, Liam looked like, and believed he was a Canadian. Every ten minutes or so, all day, he would yell, "Go Canada!" so the tee-shirt only fueled his faux patriotism.
By this stage, our pin collection was also growing. At the Olympics, pins are given out freely at the venues and events. After the games they become valuable.
The Coca Cola Pavilion was amazing, but too noisy for Liam. We watched a short movie, and then the screen turned into a sliding door, which opened to reveal the "inside" of the huge tent. We were told that because it was the last night, everyone who got stamps would be given collector glowing Coke bottles at the end. These supposedly had a value of $50 on eBay. To get stamps, we each had to chug a 4-oz bottle of Coke from an aluminum can, chilled to the ideal temperature. This was Liam's first Coke, and he liked it of course. After the fact, we realized the caffeine gave all of us the push to get to the car at the end of the night.
After the bottle was empty, we had to get 2 stamps by completing activities. So we decided to pose for a photo with the mascot polar bear and have our photo taken with the torch. Liam wanted to hold the torch himself, but it was heavy and awkward, so we all helped. The other activities were computer games and sport simulations. We skipped those.
Then we took the empty Coke cans, now with stamps for each activity, on the bottom over to the recycle station, where you put the empty bottle in, and it shot up through tubes overhead, and into the ceiling. Thirty seconds later, a glowing bottle returned in the same fashion. It was darned cool.
We hoofed it back to the train, and then made it back to the car by 9PM. Liam walked for most of the day, and didn't get tired until after we crossed back into the US. We paid for parking, train, chicken nuggets and ice skate rental. In total, less than $30.
Here's the cliche...
Parking: $4 CAN, 2 train tickets $9 CAN, Lunch: $11 CAN.
Being in Canada on the day the hockey team won the Gold Medal: Priceless.
We visited the brand-new station with a handful of Liam's friends. They wouldn't have had a better time at Disneyworld! They ran around the living quarters, asked questions about the kitchen and tv room, and then crawled all over the inside of 2 fire trucks, an emergency response bus and an ambulance. They tried on boots and used the intercom that firefighters use in the fire truck. Liam's favorite bit of trivia is that the fire truck has no keys. A button is used to start the truck.
Before the fire station, we ate pizza and cake at home. Daddy made a fantastic fire engine cake. It almost looked too good to eat!
Some people would stop after the rollicking fun of a toddler party. They would do sensible things like clean up, prepare for the week ahead, do dishes. Not us.
On Sunday, we woke early and headed north to Vancouver, for the last day of the Olympic Games. The only Olympic Event remaining was the USA vs. Canada hockey game. Tickets were very expensive, and we had no interest. We drove up for the experience of being in Vancouver while all the world was watching. As a bonus, Liam got the birthday celebration of a lifetime.
So when we arrived, we took the Sky Train into the city center. (Parking cost $4 and the train $9.) For Liam, the train in itself was an event. We then strolled the Olympic sites, including the free exhibitions. We quickly learned that everyone was crowed around televisions watching the hockey game. Until the game ended, the city had almost come to a standstill, with a few exceptions.
Above the town square, people zipped across a free zipline. Free ice skating was also very popular. We tried getting skates, but had to wait for the one pair small enough to fit Liam.
While we waited, we walked down to the waterfront. Sadly, many of the sites were hard to find, closed or blocked because of the game. It didn't matter to us though. We walked and watched all the crazy hockey fans, pouring out of pubs at commercial breaks, watching tiny TVs through restaurant windows, gathering by the hundreds outside any outdoor screen. We didn't need to watch the game; when something good happened (for Canada), the streets echoed with cheers. When the US tied the game near the end, we knew what happened as well. It was at that point we all decided to become Canadians for the day.
If we let on to our American status, we might get into trouble, especially if Canada lost. Canadians seem too nice to harm anyone, but given our rather neutral position on the outcome of the hockey game, we thought cheering for Canada would at least be more fun. We also were starting to consider the party that would follow such a victory. Around 2pm, we had the sensible discussion about leaving, to get out before it all went crazy. But then we didn't. Liam really wanted to ice skate. And really, is there a better a place to learn ice skating than in Canada?
So we arrived back at the rink, just as the overtime started. The covered outdoor rink, located below the town square where thousands of fans were watching the game, remained closed until the game ended. As soon as the game ended, a mascot ice skating show would begin.
When the game ended, and Canada won in overtime, the city erupted with happy people. From that point on, all we saw were happy people cheering; wearing and waving the Canadian flag. The show continued, and Liam adored every second. The Olympic Mascots, along with high-school age ice skaters demonstrated hockey, figure skating, ice dancing, and speed skating. They also explained the culture of the Pacific Northwest with magical skating creatures like jellyfish and other sea life.
Finally, after the long wait, we had to stand in line again to get skates. In line, Liam developed admirers, who gave him a special Olympics pin when they learned it was his birthday. They also gave us ideas about what to do after skating.
Liam and Mommy skated for about 30 minutes. At first, he was totally unstable on the ice. But once he had a blue stabilizer (like a walker used by seniors) he was a little less unstable. He was still discouraged, given that his tiny ankles could hardly hold him up. But after watching others, and a little explanation from Mom, Liam learned to glide in tiny motions. I used my skates as a backstop, so he wouldn't fall. After twenty or more times around the oval, he was so tired.
Getting him off the ice was an ordeal, and he let us know how unhappy he was in typical three-year-old style. But after a few minutes, he rebounded and was ready to see more.
Hunger set in around 3PM. But by this time, it took ages to walk a mile. Cars now flooded many of the streets, all with windows rolled down, horns blaring, inching along at turtle speed.
The three of us walked to a part of town we knew pretty well. Though we would have loved to grab a nice meal, we opted for a McDonalds because lines everywhere were crazy. After a few chicken nuggets and chocolate milk, we walked over to see the Olympic flame. Then we took the train over to the LiveSite.
By the time we made it to the LiveSite, stood in line to get in and went through metal detectors, it was dark. The closing ceremony had begun and was being broadcast at the LiveSite on the biggest screen I'd ever seen. Hundreds of people sat on the lawn, under blankets, watching the closing ceremonies. Everyone we met at this stage was a Canadian, perhaps because it was the last day.
The line for the Coca Cola Pavilion was Disney-style, with several twists and turns, both inside and out. Liam had an abundance of energy at this point, and demonstrated his dancing skills to entertain the crowd. The people in line ahead of us gave Liam a red Canadian tee shirt, which he put on over his jacket. From that point on, Liam looked like, and believed he was a Canadian. Every ten minutes or so, all day, he would yell, "Go Canada!" so the tee-shirt only fueled his faux patriotism. By this stage, our pin collection was also growing. At the Olympics, pins are given out freely at the venues and events. After the games they become valuable.
The Coca Cola Pavilion was amazing, but too noisy for Liam. We watched a short movie, and then the screen turned into a sliding door, which opened to reveal the "inside" of the huge tent. We were told that because it was the last night, everyone who got stamps would be given collector glowing Coke bottles at the end. These supposedly had a value of $50 on eBay. To get stamps, we each had to chug a 4-oz bottle of Coke from an aluminum can, chilled to the ideal temperature. This was Liam's first Coke, and he liked it of course. After the fact, we realized the caffeine gave all of us the push to get to the car at the end of the night.
After the bottle was empty, we had to get 2 stamps by completing activities. So we decided to pose for a photo with the mascot polar bear and have our photo taken with the torch. Liam wanted to hold the torch himself, but it was heavy and awkward, so we all helped. The other activities were computer games and sport simulations. We skipped those.
Then we took the empty Coke cans, now with stamps for each activity, on the bottom over to the recycle station, where you put the empty bottle in, and it shot up through tubes overhead, and into the ceiling. Thirty seconds later, a glowing bottle returned in the same fashion. It was darned cool.
We hoofed it back to the train, and then made it back to the car by 9PM. Liam walked for most of the day, and didn't get tired until after we crossed back into the US. We paid for parking, train, chicken nuggets and ice skate rental. In total, less than $30.
Here's the cliche...
Parking: $4 CAN, 2 train tickets $9 CAN, Lunch: $11 CAN.
Being in Canada on the day the hockey team won the Gold Medal: Priceless.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Big Kid School
In early January, Liam started preschool at Spring Valley Montessori. His first day went so well that he didn't notice Mom & Dad leave, didn't want to come home at the end of the day!
After the first week, his teacher said it's like he's been there his whole life. He enjoys following the rules, which is good, because Montessori school has a few more than the average school. For example, the children in Liam's class, despite being small, do everything on their own, from preparing their snack to cleaning up when they are done.
On the Saturday after we first started at Spring Valley, Liam helped me put away his clean laundry. I offered him a choice of a reward for getting all the clothes in the right places. He could have had chocolate (his favorite treat) or a sticker. But Liam asked for a small box. We found several that were too big or too small. Finally he showed us one that was the right size. We thought he would put his growing car collection in the box, like a garage.
Instead, we found Liam sweeping the floor and using the box as a dustpan. When I asked where he learned that, he said, "we do this every day at school."
So within the first three weeks, Liam has started reading a few words. The important part is that he really wants to read. At home we just read to him. Sometimes he tries to read along, especially with books he knows well. He also knows the months and days of the week, and has picked up a love for puzzles. He could put together his 10-piece puzzle so well that he picked out two new ones. One has 24 and the other 60 pieces. He can do the 24 on his own and needs only a little help with the 60-piece.
Now you might think this is bragging. Maybe it is. I write the blog, so I get to brag. But my conclusion is that there's little in life as rewarding as seeing your child figure out something new... especially if it's challenging, and they get it independently. Watching Liam learn new things every day is terribly interesting!
As for independence, that could be Liam's middle name. He's in the stage where doing it himself is really the only workable option. Even if it's too heavy, like a gallon of milk, or too complicated, like opening a package, he does his best. The other day he suggested that he's old enough to stay home alone. He reminded me that soon he will be three, which is much older than two. He also thinks that when he's three, he can drive the car and become a dentist astronaut who sometimes makes pizza. His imagination is beautiful.
So here is a photo of Liam at school, in French class. Liam is the little guy in front wearing red and blue stripes. He's likely learning to say Janvrier 'John-vree-ay' (January) which he pronounces John Deer.
http://www.springvalley.org/events/2010_French_Program.htm
After the first week, his teacher said it's like he's been there his whole life. He enjoys following the rules, which is good, because Montessori school has a few more than the average school. For example, the children in Liam's class, despite being small, do everything on their own, from preparing their snack to cleaning up when they are done.
On the Saturday after we first started at Spring Valley, Liam helped me put away his clean laundry. I offered him a choice of a reward for getting all the clothes in the right places. He could have had chocolate (his favorite treat) or a sticker. But Liam asked for a small box. We found several that were too big or too small. Finally he showed us one that was the right size. We thought he would put his growing car collection in the box, like a garage.
Instead, we found Liam sweeping the floor and using the box as a dustpan. When I asked where he learned that, he said, "we do this every day at school."
So within the first three weeks, Liam has started reading a few words. The important part is that he really wants to read. At home we just read to him. Sometimes he tries to read along, especially with books he knows well. He also knows the months and days of the week, and has picked up a love for puzzles. He could put together his 10-piece puzzle so well that he picked out two new ones. One has 24 and the other 60 pieces. He can do the 24 on his own and needs only a little help with the 60-piece.
Now you might think this is bragging. Maybe it is. I write the blog, so I get to brag. But my conclusion is that there's little in life as rewarding as seeing your child figure out something new... especially if it's challenging, and they get it independently. Watching Liam learn new things every day is terribly interesting!
As for independence, that could be Liam's middle name. He's in the stage where doing it himself is really the only workable option. Even if it's too heavy, like a gallon of milk, or too complicated, like opening a package, he does his best. The other day he suggested that he's old enough to stay home alone. He reminded me that soon he will be three, which is much older than two. He also thinks that when he's three, he can drive the car and become a dentist astronaut who sometimes makes pizza. His imagination is beautiful.
So here is a photo of Liam at school, in French class. Liam is the little guy in front wearing red and blue stripes. He's likely learning to say Janvrier 'John-vree-ay' (January) which he pronounces John Deer.
http://www.springvalley.org/events/2010_French_Program.htm
Monday, January 11, 2010
Visiting Austin & New School
Liam and Mommy went on an adventure right after Christmas. Baby Ethan, Liam's youngest cousin, was born on Christmas Day. Liam and Ethan became good buddies in Ethan's first week of life.
Liam wanted to bring his tiny cars (Matchbox) on the plane. We put them in his little backpack, which he carried. TSA had fun trying to figure out what it was! They told Liam that he was lucky to have so many cars to play with on the plane. Typical toddler, Liam said. "I know." Before the plane took off, Liam got to sit in the pilot's seat. He 'flew' the plane using the special instruments and handles the pilots use. I swear the smile nearly broke his face in half.
In Texas, we saw a whole bunch of people. Auntie Katie looked really good for having just had a baby! We also met Aaron and Little Ronnie, and Uncle Ronnie too. One day we drove from Austin to San Antonio, and we met up with Liam's Nana. She planned a fun-filled day with trains and the zoo and a boat ride at the end. Back at her house, she gave him cookies and milk while he watched cartoons in bed. He stayed up way past his bedtime and I'm sure, felt like some sort of prince. He loved it!When we got home from Texas, Liam started big kid school. So far, he loves school.
(More photos soon).
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Cousin
Welcome to Ethan Cash Andrade... Liam's cousin, born on Christmas Day 2009. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 21 inches long. In a few days Liam and Mommy will go on an adventure to Austin to meet little Ethan.
Liam's first Christmas at home was eventful. We spent a lot of time hanging out with friends -- and of course, Santa visited our house. Liam was so excited to see what was in his Christmas stocking, hung on the doorknob of his room. Then when he opened his taxi car wash and tiny car ramps, he really needed nothing else. He opened the rest of his gifts merely as a favor to us... though he was quite happy with the other gifts too.
In church, Liam was the only little child, seeing as most people go to the Christmas Eve service. When the pastor asked the congregation for characteristics of Jesus, Liam shouted out, "He a baby!" Then Liam started mooing, because there were cows in the manger. Luckily he's loved by everyone at church, so it was cute.
On Christmas, Liam weighed about 36 pounds and was about 36 inches tall. Compared to Liam, Baby Ethan is tiny.
Liam's first Christmas at home was eventful. We spent a lot of time hanging out with friends -- and of course, Santa visited our house. Liam was so excited to see what was in his Christmas stocking, hung on the doorknob of his room. Then when he opened his taxi car wash and tiny car ramps, he really needed nothing else. He opened the rest of his gifts merely as a favor to us... though he was quite happy with the other gifts too.
In church, Liam was the only little child, seeing as most people go to the Christmas Eve service. When the pastor asked the congregation for characteristics of Jesus, Liam shouted out, "He a baby!" Then Liam started mooing, because there were cows in the manger. Luckily he's loved by everyone at church, so it was cute.
On Christmas, Liam weighed about 36 pounds and was about 36 inches tall. Compared to Liam, Baby Ethan is tiny.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Pink School Bus With 5 Engines
Hello Liam,Tonight is Christmas Eve, the first one you might be able to remember. Our friends came over, and we had a nice dinner. Then we went over to church, but there were too many people, so we drove around looking at pretty lights instead. We'll go again in the morning. Right now you are so interested in the story of Baby Jesus and Mary that I wouldn't want to deprive you of your last opportunity to hear the story (until next year).
We volunteered at church for a few days in the week before Christmas. You helped pack boxes for more than 50 families in need. Together with other people from church, we wrapped presents, packed bags of groceries and then helped the families load it all into their cars. Each family received a week's worth of groceries, including a turkey or ham, three presents per person and home made Christmas cookies. They also could 'shop' in a special room full of toys and clothes, so they could give other people gifts too. We had lots of fun, and I think you saw how important it is to help others.
You learned to sing "Away in a Manger" at Sunday School (well, Granny helped you remember the words) and you sang in the Christmas Performance a few weeks ago. There were three songs, and you remembered the words to all three, but you preferred to dance (disco style) to the third Baby Jesus lullaby.
You asked Santa for a pink school bus with five engines on it. Santa emailed us a few days later to let us know that school buses aren't pink. He offered to bring you a yellow school bus, but you already have two. So you modified your request, and Santa contacted some friends of his in Hong Kong. They started working on your very special request, but Santa is worried that you won't get what you want for Christmas: A city bus that bends in the middle. You have also asked Santa for a Car Wash for your tiny cars. Lately, you have been most excited to play with this present, so perhaps Santa knows that this is would you would really like.The thing you are most excited about though, isn't Santa or Christmas. It's that you will have a new cousin very soon. You are so excited to meet the new baby.
For now, though, it's night time, and you will see your present from Santa in the morning. With any luck, you'll also get a new baby cousin for Christmas too!
Merry Christmas Little Bean!
Love,
Mommy
Friday, December 18, 2009
Getting Ready for Santa
We met Santa a few weeks ago at the Community Center. Liam sat on Santa's knee, with only a little reluctance. This was his first encounter, and it went well.
The following day, Granny & Grand Dad, Daddy & Mommy, Joya and Suri all drove to a train station near Mt. Rainier, and we took a train to see Santa's workshop. Liam knew what to expect, and he even showed Suri how to sit quietly, and he encouraged her to not be afraid.
On both occasions, Liam asked Santa for a pink school bus with five engines. Santa thought Liam said Scuba, and wasn't sure what to make of the pinkness factor. We received an email from Santa explaining to Liam that the elves don't make school buses in pink because all school buses are yellow. Liam considered this, and changed his request. Now he wants a toy "bendy bus" that he has seen in downtown Seattle... they are called articulated buses, the kind that bend to go around corners. Let's all hope that Santa and the elves can figure that one out!
Liam has also been practicing "Away in the Manger" for the preschool portion of the Christmas show. For a while he recited the song like poetry -- adding in extra sweets, because "Baby Jesus have a really sweet, sweet head." Frequently the hay is also sweet.
He sang last Sunday, in front of a packed house. He knew the words to the first two songs, and then danced in a shake-your-booty fashion to the third Baby Jesus lullaby. Of course, he's the smallest kid on stage, and hamming it up in his own little way. It's easy to see how he stole the hearts of everyone!
He's learning words to some Christmas songs -- he especially likes The First Noel. He sing/shouts "Noel, noel, noel, no-el," in a high-pitched baby wolf voice through the whole song... and every other Christmas song too. He wanted to know why we don't sing "Jingle Bells" in church, and I explained that we sing hymns in church. "Jingle Bells" is a nice song, but it's not in the hymnal.
The following day, he was singing "Jingle Bells, jingle bells, jingle bells..." and he kept asking if I had a urinal. (He used a child-size urinal at the mall that day, so I assumed the two were unrelated.) It took a while to understand that he wanted to learn the words to "Jingle Bells." If "Jingle Bells" isn't in the 'him'nal, it was in the 'her'nal.
Good grief!
Oh, that's another surprise Christmas bonus. Liam LOVES Charlie Brown Christmas. It's old, and full of sarcasm and their mouths don't match the words, but he watches it over and over. When I was little we got to see it one time a year, if we caught it on live TV. Not, thanks to DVR, Liam watches Snoopy decorate his dog house nearly every day. And he laughs every time. This is his favorite part. He tries to dance like them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUQX2B67KL4&feature=related
The following day, Granny & Grand Dad, Daddy & Mommy, Joya and Suri all drove to a train station near Mt. Rainier, and we took a train to see Santa's workshop. Liam knew what to expect, and he even showed Suri how to sit quietly, and he encouraged her to not be afraid.
On both occasions, Liam asked Santa for a pink school bus with five engines. Santa thought Liam said Scuba, and wasn't sure what to make of the pinkness factor. We received an email from Santa explaining to Liam that the elves don't make school buses in pink because all school buses are yellow. Liam considered this, and changed his request. Now he wants a toy "bendy bus" that he has seen in downtown Seattle... they are called articulated buses, the kind that bend to go around corners. Let's all hope that Santa and the elves can figure that one out!
Liam has also been practicing "Away in the Manger" for the preschool portion of the Christmas show. For a while he recited the song like poetry -- adding in extra sweets, because "Baby Jesus have a really sweet, sweet head." Frequently the hay is also sweet.
He sang last Sunday, in front of a packed house. He knew the words to the first two songs, and then danced in a shake-your-booty fashion to the third Baby Jesus lullaby. Of course, he's the smallest kid on stage, and hamming it up in his own little way. It's easy to see how he stole the hearts of everyone!
He's learning words to some Christmas songs -- he especially likes The First Noel. He sing/shouts "Noel, noel, noel, no-el," in a high-pitched baby wolf voice through the whole song... and every other Christmas song too. He wanted to know why we don't sing "Jingle Bells" in church, and I explained that we sing hymns in church. "Jingle Bells" is a nice song, but it's not in the hymnal.
The following day, he was singing "Jingle Bells, jingle bells, jingle bells..." and he kept asking if I had a urinal. (He used a child-size urinal at the mall that day, so I assumed the two were unrelated.) It took a while to understand that he wanted to learn the words to "Jingle Bells." If "Jingle Bells" isn't in the 'him'nal, it was in the 'her'nal.
Good grief!
Oh, that's another surprise Christmas bonus. Liam LOVES Charlie Brown Christmas. It's old, and full of sarcasm and their mouths don't match the words, but he watches it over and over. When I was little we got to see it one time a year, if we caught it on live TV. Not, thanks to DVR, Liam watches Snoopy decorate his dog house nearly every day. And he laughs every time. This is his favorite part. He tries to dance like them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUQX2B67KL4&feature=related
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