Where is Theo?
There he . . . Amish Theo?
Fuzzy.
Off!
It is just me.
No beard.
Just Theo.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Big day at the zoo
We went to the zoo with Kelly, Evan and Samantha today. It was our first trip to the Philadelphia Zoo, which is the oldest zoo in America.
Gus and Evan had fun toddling around. Poor Theo was once again stuck in the stroller but he did not seem to mind.
There was so much to look at that we did not see it all, but what we did see was amazing. The animals were so close to us. Never before have I felt so in awe of animals. They were absolutely beautiful (except for the shrews which were just horrid--thanks to Evan for making sure I saw them).
Right after this picture the mama lion came and swatted at her baby. It was pretty scary and the boys jumped.
We saw tons of animals, had lunch, went on a train ride but the highlight of the day was the pony ride.
Gus has been a bit of a scaredy cat lately so I was shocked that he got on the pony. He loved it. Now when you ask him what he is going to be when he grows up he says a cowboy. (Well, sometimes. Sometimes it is a truck driver.)
Theo was equally interested in the ponies.
"Hi Pony. I would ride you if I could get out of this thing."
Gus and Evan had fun toddling around. Poor Theo was once again stuck in the stroller but he did not seem to mind.
There was so much to look at that we did not see it all, but what we did see was amazing. The animals were so close to us. Never before have I felt so in awe of animals. They were absolutely beautiful (except for the shrews which were just horrid--thanks to Evan for making sure I saw them).
Right after this picture the mama lion came and swatted at her baby. It was pretty scary and the boys jumped.
We saw tons of animals, had lunch, went on a train ride but the highlight of the day was the pony ride.
Gus has been a bit of a scaredy cat lately so I was shocked that he got on the pony. He loved it. Now when you ask him what he is going to be when he grows up he says a cowboy. (Well, sometimes. Sometimes it is a truck driver.)
Theo was equally interested in the ponies.
"Hi Pony. I would ride you if I could get out of this thing."
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Passover
Happy Passover. Grandma's family's Seder was back at Wendy's this year and bigger than ever. I did not have time to count how many people were there, but it had to be be close to 60 and with a half dozen of those, under five, it was a little wild. Gus was very overwhelmed. When we sat down for the Seder he wanted a matzo ball, "Now!" He did not like "that guy" (Cousin Chaz) leading the Seder. He perked up when Wendy brought the Havdalah candle in, but then freaked out when he learned it was not for him and that he had to share it with everyone. He also started crying when everyone was singing Dayaynu, which was surprising, since he loves that song. I was sure he would have sung along.
He was not the only one stressed out. Cousin Shana completely lost it when it was her mom's turn to read from the Haggadah. She wanted her to read 'Goodnight Moon.' (Too cute.) And I heard cousin Benjamin had a melt down during the soup course, because Gus had his own spoon and he did not, but I did not see it because I was off with Theo. Gus had a final meltdown when I tried to feed Theo a banana (he wanted to eat like a monkey). We were ready to call it a night, but then we were told about the ping-pong table in the basement. It was a huge hit with Gus. When he saw it he said "Tennis!" and Uncle Michael said, "Table Tennis." So Gus played "table tennis" while we ate in shifts.
Theo handled his first Passover like a champ. He let everyone hold him and pinch him and make comments about his rolls, with very few tears. Despite the chaos, I managed to snap a couple of pictures of him.
Very unfortunately, we did not make it to the second Seder at Grandma & PopPop's house. Theo woke up at 6:30 am and threw up. Jonathan and I both had upset stomachs, sore throats and runny noses so we thought it was best for us and everyone else if we left. We had a sad and lonely dinner, yet very tasty. Since we were suppose to be out of town we had no food in the house, so we ordered pulled beef brisket (brisket is very Passover) from the barbeque joint down the street. Gus kept calling the pulled beef "hamantaschen meat," which is very funny since hamantaschen is a cookie you eat at Purim and has nothing to do with Passover. I think he linked it due to the Passover book we have been reading, 'P is for Passover.' On the 'H' page he always says, "H is for hamantaschen," though the book actually reads "H is for haroset." How he knows hamantaschen starts with H, I do not know, but it is fun to say. Kind of like Obama.
He was not the only one stressed out. Cousin Shana completely lost it when it was her mom's turn to read from the Haggadah. She wanted her to read 'Goodnight Moon.' (Too cute.) And I heard cousin Benjamin had a melt down during the soup course, because Gus had his own spoon and he did not, but I did not see it because I was off with Theo. Gus had a final meltdown when I tried to feed Theo a banana (he wanted to eat like a monkey). We were ready to call it a night, but then we were told about the ping-pong table in the basement. It was a huge hit with Gus. When he saw it he said "Tennis!" and Uncle Michael said, "Table Tennis." So Gus played "table tennis" while we ate in shifts.
Theo handled his first Passover like a champ. He let everyone hold him and pinch him and make comments about his rolls, with very few tears. Despite the chaos, I managed to snap a couple of pictures of him.
Very unfortunately, we did not make it to the second Seder at Grandma & PopPop's house. Theo woke up at 6:30 am and threw up. Jonathan and I both had upset stomachs, sore throats and runny noses so we thought it was best for us and everyone else if we left. We had a sad and lonely dinner, yet very tasty. Since we were suppose to be out of town we had no food in the house, so we ordered pulled beef brisket (brisket is very Passover) from the barbeque joint down the street. Gus kept calling the pulled beef "hamantaschen meat," which is very funny since hamantaschen is a cookie you eat at Purim and has nothing to do with Passover. I think he linked it due to the Passover book we have been reading, 'P is for Passover.' On the 'H' page he always says, "H is for hamantaschen," though the book actually reads "H is for haroset." How he knows hamantaschen starts with H, I do not know, but it is fun to say. Kind of like Obama.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Cookie cut
We finally made it out to Chestnut Hill (PA, not MA) to get Gus's hair cut. His hair has needed a trim for quite some time, and since Jonathan has not been happy with the free cuts by his barber (too short) or me (too crooked and Dorothy Hamill-like), and since Gus does not like getting his hair cut, we made the trek (there was a HUGE crazy detour) to Cookie Cutters, a pricey tot salon. We were told by friends about the special . . .
(NEWS FLASH!!!! A man in a teal jacket and cowboy hat just rode by our house on a horse. No kidding.)
. . . chairs and the lollipops, but my jaw dropped open when we walked in and saw, as they say in 'The Little Engine that Could,' "everything a boy or girl could want." There were video games, coloring books, a crazy tunnel climbing structure thing-y, balloons, lollipops, stickers. It was insane.
I have been talking up Cookie Cutters for weeks. Gus seemed to want to go "like Zach. Sit in the fire engine," but when we got there he freaked out. He could not be bought with the video games, coloring books, the crazy tunnel climbing structure thing-y, balloons, lollipops, or stickers. He sprawled out on the floor (which is so hard to get him up from with Theo strapped to the front of me) and refused a hair cut. I was about to give up and take the long detour home when the stylist asked him if he would like to watch a video. He looked interested. I asked what they had.
Barney. You gotta love that guy.
Gus refused to wear the cape and would not let the stylist blow or brush the hair off him (or his lollipop) so he was a bit hairy, but his cut looked good. I did not get a picture at the end. I was pressing my luck taking this one.
(NEWS FLASH!!!! A man in a teal jacket and cowboy hat just rode by our house on a horse. No kidding.)
. . . chairs and the lollipops, but my jaw dropped open when we walked in and saw, as they say in 'The Little Engine that Could,' "everything a boy or girl could want." There were video games, coloring books, a crazy tunnel climbing structure thing-y, balloons, lollipops, stickers. It was insane.
I have been talking up Cookie Cutters for weeks. Gus seemed to want to go "like Zach. Sit in the fire engine," but when we got there he freaked out. He could not be bought with the video games, coloring books, the crazy tunnel climbing structure thing-y, balloons, lollipops, or stickers. He sprawled out on the floor (which is so hard to get him up from with Theo strapped to the front of me) and refused a hair cut. I was about to give up and take the long detour home when the stylist asked him if he would like to watch a video. He looked interested. I asked what they had.
Barney. You gotta love that guy.
Gus refused to wear the cape and would not let the stylist blow or brush the hair off him (or his lollipop) so he was a bit hairy, but his cut looked good. I did not get a picture at the end. I was pressing my luck taking this one.
Gus's new shoes
I truly believed that I would be able to dress my sons how ever I wanted until they were in school, if not much longer. So I have been very frustrated by Gus and his strong opinions on fashion. Every time I wear my purple sweatshirt, Gus says "I no like that purple sweatshirt. Mama, take it off." Okay, that is cute. I even thought it was kind of funny when he told Grammy that he did not like her shirt one morning. But what is making me nutty are our daily tiffs about what to wear. Gus is having a hard time with the transition to warm weather clothes. He tries to pull his short sleeves down and screams when I put shorts on him. "I no like short pants,"he says.
New shoes never fly with him, either. He only wore his last new pair of shoes when we convinced him that they were Tom Brady shoes. Now we are trying to get him out of those and into his new Converse All-Stars. He fights when I put them on, and screams, "I do not like the Chucks. I no wear them." I ask him, why, but he does not know how to respond to why questions yet. But the other day he gave me a clue. We were playing in the living room and the Chucks were on the floor and pointing to the shoes, he said, "Mama, I no like those clown shoes." He is too funny.
I guess there is a slight resemblance. Black. Rounded toe. Now I want to know why he does not like clown shoes.
New shoes never fly with him, either. He only wore his last new pair of shoes when we convinced him that they were Tom Brady shoes. Now we are trying to get him out of those and into his new Converse All-Stars. He fights when I put them on, and screams, "I do not like the Chucks. I no wear them." I ask him, why, but he does not know how to respond to why questions yet. But the other day he gave me a clue. We were playing in the living room and the Chucks were on the floor and pointing to the shoes, he said, "Mama, I no like those clown shoes." He is too funny.
I guess there is a slight resemblance. Black. Rounded toe. Now I want to know why he does not like clown shoes.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Back from Boston
We are back from Boston and had a lovely time, despite the stomach bug that infected Gus and kept us from fulfilling all our plans. We were most sad that we did not get up to Maine to visit family nor in to the Public Garden to see Mr. and Mrs. Mallard. Luckily we saw a duck couple (and some gigantic koi) at Lars Anderson Park. And I was so thankful to have a break from meal planning and cooking, and help with taking care of Gus when he was sick. Hopefully (knock on wood) our trip in May will be germ-free.
Gus trying to live it up at the Children's Museum. Still not 100%
"How old do I have to be to get out of this thing?"
Grammy and Big Papi.
Gus trying to live it up at the Children's Museum. Still not 100%
"How old do I have to be to get out of this thing?"
Grammy and Big Papi.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Seven Months
Theo spent his seven-month birthday catching up with family and friends in Massachusetts. Following are pictures from our day at Kate and Chloe's.
Theo with Chloe and Erica's Jack
Theo with Carolyn's Jack
Walter, Gus and Chloe, the big kids, drinking from big-kid cups
Theo and Chloe and Gus
"Allo? Allo?"
The Goucher gang.
Look how far Theo's ear can stretch.
Note how especially drooley Theo is in these pictures. He cut his first tooth the day after these were taken, and his second the day after that!
Theo at seven months . . .
Favorite Pastimes: Trying to crawl. He is wiggling all over the place but has not quite mastered a crawl. He does get up on all fours, and moves his legs but he has not figured out what to do with his arms and hands. Chewing on Little People.
Currently Reading: Not much. He might listen to two pages and then focuses on trying to catch and eat the book. At bedtime we "read" 'Max's Snowsuit' and 'A Magical Day with Matisse'
Currently Singing: 'Sing a Song,' 'When Irish Eyes are Smiling,' 'The Noble Duke of York.' Well, he is listening and we are singing. But Theo does sing along to the radio. Just 'ba ba ba' but he seems to enjoy it.
Quirkiest Trait: Hmmmmm. I must consult with Jonathan on this.
Laughs at: Pretending to gobble Theo's hands makes him laugh uncontrollably. He also always laughs when Gus says "Tra bum ba" and when we dance around the kitchen.
Theo with Chloe and Erica's Jack
Theo with Carolyn's Jack
Walter, Gus and Chloe, the big kids, drinking from big-kid cups
Theo and Chloe and Gus
"Allo? Allo?"
The Goucher gang.
Look how far Theo's ear can stretch.
Note how especially drooley Theo is in these pictures. He cut his first tooth the day after these were taken, and his second the day after that!
Theo at seven months . . .
Favorite Pastimes: Trying to crawl. He is wiggling all over the place but has not quite mastered a crawl. He does get up on all fours, and moves his legs but he has not figured out what to do with his arms and hands. Chewing on Little People.
Currently Reading: Not much. He might listen to two pages and then focuses on trying to catch and eat the book. At bedtime we "read" 'Max's Snowsuit' and 'A Magical Day with Matisse'
Currently Singing: 'Sing a Song,' 'When Irish Eyes are Smiling,' 'The Noble Duke of York.' Well, he is listening and we are singing. But Theo does sing along to the radio. Just 'ba ba ba' but he seems to enjoy it.
Quirkiest Trait: Hmmmmm. I must consult with Jonathan on this.
Laughs at: Pretending to gobble Theo's hands makes him laugh uncontrollably. He also always laughs when Gus says "Tra bum ba" and when we dance around the kitchen.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Twenty-six months
Gus spent his 26th month birthday with Aunt Marge celebrating her 75th birthday. We brought the camera but sadly did not take any pictures. It was just a tad overwhelming taking care of Gus and Theo at a party at a restaurant when they would normally be in bed, but they did well. Gus attached himself to cousins Ella and Ada so it was almost like having a sitter with us. He repeatedly demanded hugs from them throughout dinner.
Following are pictures of Gus at 26 months and one day. Note how he does not look at the camera, despite my begging.
Theo, on the other hand, loves the camera.
Oh, I remember the days when Gus loved the camera. Now he either yells, "No take my picture," ignores me, or gives me a big teeth, closed eye, horrible smile.
So what is Gus up to at 26 months?
FAVORITE PASTIMES: Trips to the Please Touch Museum, tea parties, Fisher Price Little People, baseball, making Theo laugh (he does this by running up to him and shouting "Tra Bum Ba," which I think is Tra La La Boom De ya) playing Hide-and-Seek (which is also a favorite of mine right now, since he makes me hide in my bed under the covers. I get to "hide" there for 15 minutes or so while he counts in his room and then finds me, over and over again) and Playdough. Lots and lots of Playdough.
CURRENTLY READING: 'I Stink' is an oldie about a trash truck that is back in the daily rotation. Some of the pages have quite a lot of text and we are amazed how he can recite passages such as:
PISTONS? Bring on the crusher blade. BLADE?
Push back the BAGS. SQUEEZE them! Crush them!
Mash them! Smash them! Whoa, those bags are
WAY COMpacTED
We started going to story time at the central library and checking out books, so we have been reading a lot of new books and most of the old favorites (Huckle, Cassey at the Bat, Hit the Ball Duck, Make Way for Ducklings) are resting on the bookshelf.
CURRENTLY SINGING: 'Hush Little Baby,' 'Hickory, Dickory Dock," "London Bridge," and 'Get Up, Stand Up' (Bob Marley) and 'Copacabana' (Barry Manilow) It is a little wrong to hear Gus happily sing, "There was blood and a single gunshot, but who shot who? at the Copa, Copacabana!" Favorites on the radio are Vampire Weekend and the Beastie Boys, but he is not singing them yet. "Girls" is on 104.5's play list right now and when ever it comes on he says, "I like this Girls song!"
QUIRKIEST TRAIT: Adding 'dee' to the end of sentences. Examples, "I want to plays some Playdough-dee" and "No, I no get in the stroller-dee!" We cannot figure out what this 'dee' thing is all about.
Following are pictures of Gus at 26 months and one day. Note how he does not look at the camera, despite my begging.
Theo, on the other hand, loves the camera.
Oh, I remember the days when Gus loved the camera. Now he either yells, "No take my picture," ignores me, or gives me a big teeth, closed eye, horrible smile.
So what is Gus up to at 26 months?
FAVORITE PASTIMES: Trips to the Please Touch Museum, tea parties, Fisher Price Little People, baseball, making Theo laugh (he does this by running up to him and shouting "Tra Bum Ba," which I think is Tra La La Boom De ya) playing Hide-and-Seek (which is also a favorite of mine right now, since he makes me hide in my bed under the covers. I get to "hide" there for 15 minutes or so while he counts in his room and then finds me, over and over again) and Playdough. Lots and lots of Playdough.
CURRENTLY READING: 'I Stink' is an oldie about a trash truck that is back in the daily rotation. Some of the pages have quite a lot of text and we are amazed how he can recite passages such as:
PISTONS? Bring on the crusher blade. BLADE?
Push back the BAGS. SQUEEZE them! Crush them!
Mash them! Smash them! Whoa, those bags are
WAY COMpacTED
We started going to story time at the central library and checking out books, so we have been reading a lot of new books and most of the old favorites (Huckle, Cassey at the Bat, Hit the Ball Duck, Make Way for Ducklings) are resting on the bookshelf.
CURRENTLY SINGING: 'Hush Little Baby,' 'Hickory, Dickory Dock," "London Bridge," and 'Get Up, Stand Up' (Bob Marley) and 'Copacabana' (Barry Manilow) It is a little wrong to hear Gus happily sing, "There was blood and a single gunshot, but who shot who? at the Copa, Copacabana!" Favorites on the radio are Vampire Weekend and the Beastie Boys, but he is not singing them yet. "Girls" is on 104.5's play list right now and when ever it comes on he says, "I like this Girls song!"
QUIRKIEST TRAIT: Adding 'dee' to the end of sentences. Examples, "I want to plays some Playdough-dee" and "No, I no get in the stroller-dee!" We cannot figure out what this 'dee' thing is all about.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Teatime at 2042
Gus has been very interested in tea for a few months now. If he is pretending to drink something and you ask him what it is, it is always tea. Jonathan and I do not drink tea often, but many of Gus's favorite literary friends (Curious George, Spot, Corduroy)do, so it makes sense that he would want to, too. Peer pressure. His desire for tea has seemed so strong that I use it as a bribe. Every night, right before I put him to bed I tell him he can have tea for breakfast if he goes to sleep without waking up Theo. Most nights he does fall asleep without waking up Theo, but until Tuesday morning he has never asked for his reward.
So I pulled out my teapot and he started to cry "No a blue teapot." Spot has a blue teapot. Tea did not end up happening that morning, but we did have a nice "tea party" on Wednesday. Chamomile tea and rice cakes (they were the closest things to cookies we had in the cupboard). I offered him honey (which he loves in yogurt)but he was totally insulted and screeched "no honey in my tea." He looked so cute stirring the tea and it was so nice to do something that did not involve sporting equipment. Now I have grand plans for throwing teas for Gus and his little friends. I'll make scones and buy clotted cream. It will be great!
Of course when Gus finished his tea it was right back to the sporting equipment.
Hockey?
No, not today.
Today skiing.
So I pulled out my teapot and he started to cry "No a blue teapot." Spot has a blue teapot. Tea did not end up happening that morning, but we did have a nice "tea party" on Wednesday. Chamomile tea and rice cakes (they were the closest things to cookies we had in the cupboard). I offered him honey (which he loves in yogurt)but he was totally insulted and screeched "no honey in my tea." He looked so cute stirring the tea and it was so nice to do something that did not involve sporting equipment. Now I have grand plans for throwing teas for Gus and his little friends. I'll make scones and buy clotted cream. It will be great!
Of course when Gus finished his tea it was right back to the sporting equipment.
Hockey?
No, not today.
Today skiing.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Opening Day
HAPPY OPENING DAY, BOSTON.
HAPPY OPENING DAY, BALTIMORE.
WE ARE ROUTING FOR THE HOME TEAM THIS YEAR.
Well, maybe not "Hand-me-down" Theo.
The boys and I watched the first 23 minutes of the Phillies' opener. Or I should say Gus did. He did not take his eyes off the game until he decided it would be more fun to play ball, a which point we abandoned the tv for the garage. We "whacked the ball" and when that got old we played "hoops." (Gus does the strangest little thing when we play basketball in the garage. We have a Little Tikes basketball hoop. After taking a few shots he goes over to the hoop and points to the tag on the back board that says "Little Tikes", specifically to the dot on the little "i" and says "Yum. It's coffee. It drinks coffee." I have no idea what this is all about.)
HAPPY OPENING DAY, BALTIMORE.
WE ARE ROUTING FOR THE HOME TEAM THIS YEAR.
Well, maybe not "Hand-me-down" Theo.
The boys and I watched the first 23 minutes of the Phillies' opener. Or I should say Gus did. He did not take his eyes off the game until he decided it would be more fun to play ball, a which point we abandoned the tv for the garage. We "whacked the ball" and when that got old we played "hoops." (Gus does the strangest little thing when we play basketball in the garage. We have a Little Tikes basketball hoop. After taking a few shots he goes over to the hoop and points to the tag on the back board that says "Little Tikes", specifically to the dot on the little "i" and says "Yum. It's coffee. It drinks coffee." I have no idea what this is all about.)
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