Matt went on a business trip for a couple of days to the east coast. So far, barring a few emotional outbursts, the three of us (Bear, Chipmunk, me) all seem to be surviving...which is always a good thing.
Last night Bear asked if we could call Matt, but I told her it was too late due to the time change.
"Time change?" she asked.
I explained as best as I could that where her dad was it was three hours later.
She scrunched up her face in obvious confusion.
"Can we call him three hours later?" she asked still with mental distress.
Again, I explained in as simple terms as possible that her dad was in another time zone and the time there was three hours later than it was here.
She just shrugged and then asked, "How did Daddy get three hours later? Daddy said he was going to Al-la-delf-ee-a (Philadelphia)."
So now she has this strange concept that her dad traveled through time in an H.G. Wells sort of way. Ooops.
Happy belated Father's Day to all you time-traveling dads out there.
6.21.2010
5.20.2010
The Spill
It happened in a second. Our daughter was standing there on the dining room chair trying to entertain us with her antics and the next thing we see is her arms and legs flailing towards the floor. She hit the carpeted floor, bounded back up and said, "I'm okay." Then we, the witnesses to the debacle, all heaved a sigh of relief...except for Chipmunk. The serious look he had in his eye was all concern as he proclaimed, "Oh no...Choc-yat mick (Chocolate milk)!" Apparently he was more concerned for the box of chocolate milk that Bear managed to tip over in her tumble to the ground rather than for his sister. It wasn't until we righted that box of chocolate milk that Chipmunk finally heaved his sigh of relief and smiled to let us know that all was right with the world again.
5.03.2010
SGFWWLTHTS2
S = Support
G = Group
F = For
W = Women
W = Who
L = Lost
T = Their
H = Husbands (Sig Others)
T = To
S2 = Starcraft 2
Apparently we need to start this come July 27th.
Sigh.
G = Group
F = For
W = Women
W = Who
L = Lost
T = Their
H = Husbands (Sig Others)
T = To
S2 = Starcraft 2
Apparently we need to start this come July 27th.
Sigh.
4.30.2010
Two Peas, One Pod
I've been joking lately that having Chipmunk made us realize just how spoiled we were with Bear. I shouldn't say that. Chipmunk is a good kid, too. He just shows it in different ways.
Bear is sweetly affectionate. She would crawl into my lap when she needed a hug and just stay there in my arms sometimes chatting away about anything and everything.
Chipmunk needs his hugs, too. Of course, after a while, he starts to squish my face between his hands, attempt to pick my nose with his fingers, or poke out my eyes. He even attempts to lick my face. Not really wanting my face licked, I end up putting him back onto the floor. He then rolls over and licks the floor instead. Ew.
Bear loves her Sonja doll so much, she treats her royally. She is so tender and caring, making sure that her doll is well-dressed, well-fed and well-kept.
Chipmunk loves his Stinky Bear. He loves it so much he bites on the arms and tail until it is sopping wet with drool. He body slams the little guy into the floor. He throws him around and shoves him into small places for kicks. He sends him head first into drinking fountains and sandboxes.
When it's time for bed Bear calmly lays down and tells me about the happy things she'll think about to help her fall asleep: rainbows, unicorns, flowers...
When Chipmunk slams down into his bed, he rummages around for his toys, throwing some out of his crib for fun, before singing loudly to himself where sometimes I have to come back and tell him to quiet down. He responds by loudly making pretend snores and then laughing about it just as loudly.
They're my two little peas. They're from the same pod, yet they're so different. Different is fun.
Bear is sweetly affectionate. She would crawl into my lap when she needed a hug and just stay there in my arms sometimes chatting away about anything and everything.
Chipmunk needs his hugs, too. Of course, after a while, he starts to squish my face between his hands, attempt to pick my nose with his fingers, or poke out my eyes. He even attempts to lick my face. Not really wanting my face licked, I end up putting him back onto the floor. He then rolls over and licks the floor instead. Ew.
Bear loves her Sonja doll so much, she treats her royally. She is so tender and caring, making sure that her doll is well-dressed, well-fed and well-kept.
Chipmunk loves his Stinky Bear. He loves it so much he bites on the arms and tail until it is sopping wet with drool. He body slams the little guy into the floor. He throws him around and shoves him into small places for kicks. He sends him head first into drinking fountains and sandboxes.
When it's time for bed Bear calmly lays down and tells me about the happy things she'll think about to help her fall asleep: rainbows, unicorns, flowers...
When Chipmunk slams down into his bed, he rummages around for his toys, throwing some out of his crib for fun, before singing loudly to himself where sometimes I have to come back and tell him to quiet down. He responds by loudly making pretend snores and then laughing about it just as loudly.
They're my two little peas. They're from the same pod, yet they're so different. Different is fun.
4.21.2010
Missing: My Sense of Humor
Last seen about four and a half years ago somewhere on the road to Parenthood. Some distinguishing features include an ability to laugh at everyday things, to smile even in the midst of difficulties, and to not take life so seriously when things get hectic.
If found, please return immediately as the owner could use a good laugh and not be such a serious stick-in-the-mud as she has been lately.
If found, please return immediately as the owner could use a good laugh and not be such a serious stick-in-the-mud as she has been lately.
4.15.2010
Easter Weekend Catch-up
...or perhaps I should title this post "Scary Ponies, Trains and Eggs."
Scary Ponies
Bear was so proud that she could ride a pony.
That smug smile fell off her face the moment the pony took off in a run.
The pony ride we visited had three different options: Slow, Medium and Fast. She chose to ride a Medium pony. Have you ever seen a four-year-old holding onto her saddle for dear life? That's what Bear was doing. She even yelled at the pony handlers, "Not AGAIN! NO...Not AGAIN!" before her pony started it's trot on the second lap. Needless to say, I don't think we'll be taking her horseback riding anytime soon.
We're such mean parents for taking a picture of her while she's in distress (snicker snicker).
Trains
Chipmunk was smart and objected to the pony ride beforehand. (Me: Do you want to ride a pony? Chipmunk: No thank you, no thank you!)
He was, however, very excited about the train ride next door.
Ah yes, Chipmunk and his trains. He loves his trains...probably just as much as he loves to eat.
Eggs
He also loves hunting for eggs...er, rather hunting for eggs, removing the candy from inside, and then leaving the empty egg on the ground to the disappointment of the next kid who comes along. What can I say...he knows what he wants.
Here his mouth is full of chocolate.
For the next few days it was often that I heard Chipmunk running around yelling, "Caaaannndy Yuuummmmy," while leaving empty plastic eggs in his wake.
Scary Ponies
Bear was so proud that she could ride a pony.
That smug smile fell off her face the moment the pony took off in a run.
The pony ride we visited had three different options: Slow, Medium and Fast. She chose to ride a Medium pony. Have you ever seen a four-year-old holding onto her saddle for dear life? That's what Bear was doing. She even yelled at the pony handlers, "Not AGAIN! NO...Not AGAIN!" before her pony started it's trot on the second lap. Needless to say, I don't think we'll be taking her horseback riding anytime soon.
We're such mean parents for taking a picture of her while she's in distress (snicker snicker).
Trains
Chipmunk was smart and objected to the pony ride beforehand. (Me: Do you want to ride a pony? Chipmunk: No thank you, no thank you!)
He was, however, very excited about the train ride next door.
Ah yes, Chipmunk and his trains. He loves his trains...probably just as much as he loves to eat.
Eggs
He also loves hunting for eggs...er, rather hunting for eggs, removing the candy from inside, and then leaving the empty egg on the ground to the disappointment of the next kid who comes along. What can I say...he knows what he wants.
Here his mouth is full of chocolate.
For the next few days it was often that I heard Chipmunk running around yelling, "Caaaannndy Yuuummmmy," while leaving empty plastic eggs in his wake.
3.20.2010
Goodnight....
Me: Okay it's time to go to bed. Goodnight kids.
Bear: Goodnight.
Chipmunk: 'Night.
Me: I love you kids.
Bear: Love you, too, Mommy.
Chipmunk: Yub you, Mommy.
Bear: I love Daddy, too.
Chipmunk: Yub you, Daddy.
Bear: I love you, Baby.
Chipmunk: Yub you, Noo Nah.
(I close the door and walk away)
Bear: Baby, what are you doing?
Chipmunk: (talking to himself) 'Night Bear Bear...'Night Thomas...'Night Toby...
Bear: Shhh, you're too loud. You're waking me up.
Chipmunk: Noo Nah?
Bear: You should go to sleep. If you don't sleep, you'll be tired tomorrow. Close your eyes and go to sleep, okay!
Chipmunk: (Makes a fake snoring sound and both kids giggle)
Bear: You're so funny, baby.
Chipmunk: Funny Noo Nah.
Bear: Goodnight.
Chipmunk: 'Night.
Me: I love you kids.
Bear: Love you, too, Mommy.
Chipmunk: Yub you, Mommy.
Bear: I love Daddy, too.
Chipmunk: Yub you, Daddy.
Bear: I love you, Baby.
Chipmunk: Yub you, Noo Nah.
(I close the door and walk away)
Bear: Baby, what are you doing?
Chipmunk: (talking to himself) 'Night Bear Bear...'Night Thomas...'Night Toby...
Bear: Shhh, you're too loud. You're waking me up.
Chipmunk: Noo Nah?
Bear: You should go to sleep. If you don't sleep, you'll be tired tomorrow. Close your eyes and go to sleep, okay!
Chipmunk: (Makes a fake snoring sound and both kids giggle)
Bear: You're so funny, baby.
Chipmunk: Funny Noo Nah.
2.22.2010
Bear's Heart
It amazes me how Bear, at four years old, could have such a big heart. She just loves so much and wants to share it with everyone.
I see it in the way she cares for her little brother. She follows him around to make sure he's well taken care of. When she gets herself a snack, she makes sure to grab two bowls and share. When he falls down, she's the first one there asking him if he's okay and will run to the fridge to grab a cold pack to soothe him.
It doesn't matter whether you've met her once or played with her dozens of times, she considers everyone friend. She's the first one to ask a new friend to come play, and she's the last to leave making sure that everyone gets home okay.
When she engages in conversation, she makes sure that everyone knows what's on her heart and what she thinks about. She's transparent like that.
When she heard that my grandma had fallen down, she fretted and worried asking me every other hour if "big grandma" was okay.
When her classmate got stung by a bee during playtime, she prayed that night that "no more bees would sting" him. She also kept asking me "why do bees sting people?". I tried to explain how bees protect themselves and how it was an accident, but she just couldn't understand why a bee would want to hurt any creature...even a bear trying to steal a bee's honey.
When her fish passed away, she cried for days just because she felt the loss so strongly...even if he was only around for four days.
When any of our relatives visit, she cries herself to sleep the night they leave, often telling me how much she misses them and wants them to visit again soon ("I miss Grandma/Ying Ying/Yeh Yeh so much...when can I see them again?" sniff sniff)
She spends her quiet time each day coloring pictures and cutting cards that she intends for the various loved ones in her life ("I'm making this picture for Auntie Rochelle, because I love her," she says with a smile).
She has this way about her...this charisma where once she knows you, you're part of her world. She naturally befriends people young and old. She gets a lot of attention...but mostly it's because she gives it, too.
She's just got one of those hearts...bursting with love. I'm blessed that I get to be one of those she loves.
I see it in the way she cares for her little brother. She follows him around to make sure he's well taken care of. When she gets herself a snack, she makes sure to grab two bowls and share. When he falls down, she's the first one there asking him if he's okay and will run to the fridge to grab a cold pack to soothe him.
It doesn't matter whether you've met her once or played with her dozens of times, she considers everyone friend. She's the first one to ask a new friend to come play, and she's the last to leave making sure that everyone gets home okay.
When she engages in conversation, she makes sure that everyone knows what's on her heart and what she thinks about. She's transparent like that.
When she heard that my grandma had fallen down, she fretted and worried asking me every other hour if "big grandma" was okay.
When her classmate got stung by a bee during playtime, she prayed that night that "no more bees would sting" him. She also kept asking me "why do bees sting people?". I tried to explain how bees protect themselves and how it was an accident, but she just couldn't understand why a bee would want to hurt any creature...even a bear trying to steal a bee's honey.
When her fish passed away, she cried for days just because she felt the loss so strongly...even if he was only around for four days.
When any of our relatives visit, she cries herself to sleep the night they leave, often telling me how much she misses them and wants them to visit again soon ("I miss Grandma/Ying Ying/Yeh Yeh so much...when can I see them again?" sniff sniff)
She spends her quiet time each day coloring pictures and cutting cards that she intends for the various loved ones in her life ("I'm making this picture for Auntie Rochelle, because I love her," she says with a smile).
She has this way about her...this charisma where once she knows you, you're part of her world. She naturally befriends people young and old. She gets a lot of attention...but mostly it's because she gives it, too.
She's just got one of those hearts...bursting with love. I'm blessed that I get to be one of those she loves.
2.18.2010
The Tantrum Redefined
Today in his toddler gym class, Chipmunk threw a fit. It was a full-blown, foot-stomping, screaming bloody murder type of tantrum. To avoid the stray eyes of disapproving parents I took my angry little monster outside and waited for the storm to blow over.
In my two years as his mom, I've learned that attempting to calm him down is like trying to stop a nuclear chain reaction. Bribe him with a toy or food? He angrily throws them away. Try a distraction? Nope. He just needs to get the tantrum out of his system.
Of course, as he's yelling/throwing himself to the ground, I can't help feel like I'm being an awful parent. I feel everyone's eyes staring at me and telepathically telling me that I'm going about it all wrong. I feel...judged, but helpless.
I've considered my options: (1) Give in and give him what he wants; (2) Preempt his tantrums by making sure there isn't anything for him to get upset over beforehand; (3) Just let him explode.
Since (1) and (2) feed back into his "explosive" behavior, (3) seems to be my best option. I just have to let him get whatever it is off his chest and then work with him on not getting upset when he is calm. It's just as he is screaming for the fifteenth minute, I'm wondering how much more patience I have left in the barrel, when as suddenly as his fit came on, it ends. This morning after Chipmunk vented, he was able to return to his class almost as if the whole episode never happened, with only tell tale snot trails running down his smiling face.
His teacher, with years more parental wisdom than I, wasn't accusatory, didn't point her finger, just came up and told me that Chipmunk reminded her of her own now 12(?) year old son. She told me that with passionate kids like Chipmunk and her son, we often don't see that their exploding emotions are actually a good thing. She told me that perseverance in a tantrum is the same perseverance when it comes to working hard and getting things done. It just takes a while before we learn to redirect those passions towards a better outlet. Hmmmm...
I think I've been mentally in this "why is he doing this to me?" state, that I'd forgotten that Chipmunk, although pint-sized, is his own person. He feels strongly, loves deeply, and does things in his own way. I have to learn about who he is before I can "redirect" his emotional overflow. As Bear is our mild-mannered, warm-hearted, cautious child, Chipmunk is our deeply passionate, headstrong, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kid who doesn't hesitate to let you know how he feels. And oh boy does he let you know.
So when all is said and done, he might rant and rave a while, but once he's done, that's when he'll get to the heart of the matter. I just need to be there to listen.
In my two years as his mom, I've learned that attempting to calm him down is like trying to stop a nuclear chain reaction. Bribe him with a toy or food? He angrily throws them away. Try a distraction? Nope. He just needs to get the tantrum out of his system.
Of course, as he's yelling/throwing himself to the ground, I can't help feel like I'm being an awful parent. I feel everyone's eyes staring at me and telepathically telling me that I'm going about it all wrong. I feel...judged, but helpless.
I've considered my options: (1) Give in and give him what he wants; (2) Preempt his tantrums by making sure there isn't anything for him to get upset over beforehand; (3) Just let him explode.
Since (1) and (2) feed back into his "explosive" behavior, (3) seems to be my best option. I just have to let him get whatever it is off his chest and then work with him on not getting upset when he is calm. It's just as he is screaming for the fifteenth minute, I'm wondering how much more patience I have left in the barrel, when as suddenly as his fit came on, it ends. This morning after Chipmunk vented, he was able to return to his class almost as if the whole episode never happened, with only tell tale snot trails running down his smiling face.
His teacher, with years more parental wisdom than I, wasn't accusatory, didn't point her finger, just came up and told me that Chipmunk reminded her of her own now 12(?) year old son. She told me that with passionate kids like Chipmunk and her son, we often don't see that their exploding emotions are actually a good thing. She told me that perseverance in a tantrum is the same perseverance when it comes to working hard and getting things done. It just takes a while before we learn to redirect those passions towards a better outlet. Hmmmm...
I think I've been mentally in this "why is he doing this to me?" state, that I'd forgotten that Chipmunk, although pint-sized, is his own person. He feels strongly, loves deeply, and does things in his own way. I have to learn about who he is before I can "redirect" his emotional overflow. As Bear is our mild-mannered, warm-hearted, cautious child, Chipmunk is our deeply passionate, headstrong, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kid who doesn't hesitate to let you know how he feels. And oh boy does he let you know.
So when all is said and done, he might rant and rave a while, but once he's done, that's when he'll get to the heart of the matter. I just need to be there to listen.
2.14.2010
Happy Lunar New Year
Happy Chinese New Year!
Oh, wait, you say something is wrong with the picture above? There's only one kid...not two?
Heh heh...yeah, well we had a little incident trying to get Chipmunk dressed up for the picture.
Let's just say there were enormous fits trying to get him into his Chinese outfit. He saw the red, satiny pants, shirt and hat and just started screaming "NOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
After some negotiating on our part and Chipmunk continuing to scream his head off, we decided it wasn't worth it (Sorry Great Grandmas...we tried).
What can we say, our two year old has his own fashion sense and shiny, red outfits don't belong in his idea of acceptable wardrobe.
However, wearing buckets on his head...that's considered acceptable. Go figure.
2.03.2010
Cartoonish
I was telling Matt today that Chipmunk reminds me of a cartoon character...There's just something about his silly grin and his facial expressions where his "mugshots" are rather...er...cartoonish.
2 months old
3 months old
5 months old
12 months old
22 months old
I swear it's like watching a cartoon grow up. Of course, it's also fun when he throws his head back, laughs really loud, "AHAHAHA!" and then smiles real big and says, "Funny!"
Can't argue with that...he is funny.
2 months old
3 months old
5 months old
12 months old
22 months old
I swear it's like watching a cartoon grow up. Of course, it's also fun when he throws his head back, laughs really loud, "AHAHAHA!" and then smiles real big and says, "Funny!"
Can't argue with that...he is funny.
1.22.2010
Where Did my Baby Go?
Where did my baby go?
When did he get replaced by a little boy?
I can't believe he'll be two years old in less than a month.
Sigh.
When did he get replaced by a little boy?
I can't believe he'll be two years old in less than a month.
Sigh.
1.18.2010
1.04.2010
Where We've Been
Christmas Eve. Chipmunk all dressed up to party.
Christmas Day. Bear running around outside of her grandparents house, excited about the prospect of opening presents.
Day after Christmas. Celebrating Bear's 4th birthday.
Day after Bear's Birthday. Getting ready to see the Nutcracker Ballet with her grandma. (She loved it!)
Two days before New Years. Visited the Train Museum. Chipmunk went hoarse yelling "Train!" for two hours.
New Years Eve. Visited the Jelly Belly Factory. Both kids were in jelly bean bliss...
Also visited the Nut Tree and rode the Carousel and Train.
Left when it was evident that a nap was needed...
New Years Day. Bear decorated cupcakes with her Ying-Ying (grandma). "Are you going to decorate them all?"...Bear: "Yes, they're my birthday cupcakes."
Day after New Years. Took a walk outdoors. Burned off all the cupcake frosting they ate.
Two days after New Years. Rest.
Today. Home Sweet Home.
12.24.2009
12.11.2009
The Chipmunk Vernacular
When Chipmunk hit eighteen months, something clicked in his head and he decided it was time to talk. These days he chats up a storm...in his own little Chipmunk language.
Beh beh = Bear bear
Noo nah = What he calls his sister
Mom-may = Mommy
Dah-day = Daddy (I don't know why, but he suddenly developed an accent on us)
Bao Bao = Hug (Strange - Neither Matt or myself speak mandarin - perhaps too much Kai Lan?)
Chu-ruck! Haaaah! Chu-rayyyy! = Truck! Car! Train! (Must yell loudly and wave arms when spotting one of these)
Ta-ta, Pee pee, Noh-noh, Jaaays, Hun-ee, Emee, Ha-oh, Eh-Hwa = Thomas, Percy, Gordon, James, Henry, Emily, Harold, Edward
After a while, it gets a bit one-sided. Yup, he likes to talk about trains...most specifically, Thomas the Tank Engine trains. He's obsessed. I can't tell the trains apart, but he knows them all on sight. He even takes his two little die-cast trains to sleep with him and asks me to kiss them goodnight. I've even caught him giving his trains some food and drink.
Oh well, at least he's talking. We were a little worried there for a while.
Beh beh = Bear bear
Noo nah = What he calls his sister
Mom-may = Mommy
Dah-day = Daddy (I don't know why, but he suddenly developed an accent on us)
Bao Bao = Hug (Strange - Neither Matt or myself speak mandarin - perhaps too much Kai Lan?)
Chu-ruck! Haaaah! Chu-rayyyy! = Truck! Car! Train! (Must yell loudly and wave arms when spotting one of these)
Ta-ta, Pee pee, Noh-noh, Jaaays, Hun-ee, Emee, Ha-oh, Eh-Hwa = Thomas, Percy, Gordon, James, Henry, Emily, Harold, Edward
After a while, it gets a bit one-sided. Yup, he likes to talk about trains...most specifically, Thomas the Tank Engine trains. He's obsessed. I can't tell the trains apart, but he knows them all on sight. He even takes his two little die-cast trains to sleep with him and asks me to kiss them goodnight. I've even caught him giving his trains some food and drink.
Oh well, at least he's talking. We were a little worried there for a while.
11.03.2009
Scary World
I don't know about you, but when my adrenaline rushes I feel my heart start to flutter and I get this uncomfortable tingly sensation in my stomach.
As many times a day that I get that rushing feeling, I can't say that I'll ever get used to it. Nor do I want to lest I become numb to the fear that makes my heart skip beats.
I still can't figure out why people purposely put themselves in situations just to get that "rush," that adrenaline high, that extreme feeling of fear...what for? Some measly release of endorphins?
Seriously, if they want that feeling all the time, tell them to just have kids. It's a scary world out there and watching your kids move about their lives through it all sets off all kinds of parental alarms.
You can feel your body change the moment you know something is about to happen. From that first instant where you know your child is falling or about to hurt themselves, everything seems to happen in slow-motion. Your hands reach out as first instinct and your feet take off in a run in hopes to stop whatever is about to occur. Your mind begins processing at a rapid pace, and all your emotions of fear, dread, worry - pour out in a matter of seconds.
And though there may be some tears, it's not over until you heave that deep sigh of relief while you're cradling your child in your arms reminding them that all is well.
It's crazy what parenthood puts you through on a daily basis. Perhaps those thrill seekers out there have little care for their own mortality as they participate in extreme bungee skydiving with sharks (or whatever), but when it comes to someone else's life, those adrenaline rushes just aren't fun.
Reports about H1N1, planning for earthquake and fire safety, crossing the street, just take on a whole new meaning when there are others involved that depend on you...especially little ones whom you love so much it hurts.
So it is a scary world out there...but really what can you do, except spend as much time now holding your children in your arms until that fateful day when it's finally time to face your fears and let them go into the world on their own.
Oh gosh, how I dread that day.
As many times a day that I get that rushing feeling, I can't say that I'll ever get used to it. Nor do I want to lest I become numb to the fear that makes my heart skip beats.
I still can't figure out why people purposely put themselves in situations just to get that "rush," that adrenaline high, that extreme feeling of fear...what for? Some measly release of endorphins?
Seriously, if they want that feeling all the time, tell them to just have kids. It's a scary world out there and watching your kids move about their lives through it all sets off all kinds of parental alarms.
You can feel your body change the moment you know something is about to happen. From that first instant where you know your child is falling or about to hurt themselves, everything seems to happen in slow-motion. Your hands reach out as first instinct and your feet take off in a run in hopes to stop whatever is about to occur. Your mind begins processing at a rapid pace, and all your emotions of fear, dread, worry - pour out in a matter of seconds.
And though there may be some tears, it's not over until you heave that deep sigh of relief while you're cradling your child in your arms reminding them that all is well.
It's crazy what parenthood puts you through on a daily basis. Perhaps those thrill seekers out there have little care for their own mortality as they participate in extreme bungee skydiving with sharks (or whatever), but when it comes to someone else's life, those adrenaline rushes just aren't fun.
Reports about H1N1, planning for earthquake and fire safety, crossing the street, just take on a whole new meaning when there are others involved that depend on you...especially little ones whom you love so much it hurts.
So it is a scary world out there...but really what can you do, except spend as much time now holding your children in your arms until that fateful day when it's finally time to face your fears and let them go into the world on their own.
Oh gosh, how I dread that day.
10.30.2009
Costumes 2009
Well, the costumes are finally finished...
Bear decided she wanted to be a pirate this year. She kept saying, "when I grow up, I want to be a pirate!" I kept telling her that piracy wasn't a very well looked upon profession until I realized one day she was talking about her Halloween costume, and not future occupations.
Chipmunk on the other hand we dressed up in something more suitable for his personality...Godzilla. Rawr.
If you'd like to see more of what the kids have been up to lately (Halloween costumes and all), feel free to peruse here.
Hope you're all having a wonderful end of October.
Bear decided she wanted to be a pirate this year. She kept saying, "when I grow up, I want to be a pirate!" I kept telling her that piracy wasn't a very well looked upon profession until I realized one day she was talking about her Halloween costume, and not future occupations.
Chipmunk on the other hand we dressed up in something more suitable for his personality...Godzilla. Rawr.
If you'd like to see more of what the kids have been up to lately (Halloween costumes and all), feel free to peruse here.
Hope you're all having a wonderful end of October.
10.23.2009
Bear's Confession
Earlier this week Bear and I had a long talk about telling the truth. As we were leaving for the library I noticed two things: (1) the fish tank was littered with food and there were two very fat fish swimming (thankfully still alive!) about in there, and (2) our little tank where our newfound friend, the cricket, was hanging on for dear life atop a piece of bread lest he fall into the pool of water sitting at the bottom.
After cleaning out the fish tank, drying the cricket tank and trying to settle some traumatized pets, I asked Bear what happened.
Bear: Um, Chipmunk did it.
Me: What? Really?
Bear: Uh huh. Chipmunk did it. He opened the thing on the tank and put the food in and then poured the water on the cricket.
I put the kids into the car and then made our way to the library. On the way I got to thinking. How could Chipmunk open the fish food (It's a screw top)? Where did the water in the cricket tank come from? So I asked Bear again.
Me: So what did your brother do again?
Bear: He went to the bathroom, turned on the sink...yeah, then walked slowly to the cricket and opened the top and poured the water in.
Of course, at this point I knew something was fishy (pardon the pun).
Me: So how did the food get in the fish tank?
Bear: He opened the top of the tank and poured the food in.
Me: Really?
Bear: Uh huh. He really did.
Me: Did you know that your brother doesn't know how to open the fish food?
Bear: He doesn't?
Me: No. He can't turn on the water in the bathroom either. He can't reach it.
Bear: He can't?
Me: No.
Bear sat silently for a while probably trying to figure out her next move. So I decided to give her a way out.
Me: Bear, you know if you poured the food in the fish tank and the water in the cricket tank, I'm not going to be mad at you. I however, will be very disappointed if you lied to me.
Bear: Lied?
Me: Yup. Lying is when you don't tell the truth about what really happened.
Bear: Oh.
Me: It's okay to make mistakes, but saying that someone else made the mistake is a lie.
After a bit of silence, Bear speaks up again.
Bear: Mommy?
Me: Yes?
Bear: I put too much food for the fish, and I poured the water on the cricket.
Me: Did you?
Bear: Yes, I don't want to lie.
Me: Thank you for telling me the truth.
Of course, I won't bore you with the rest of the conversation which I'm sure I repeated the "no lying" point so much Bear is sick of hearing it. I, however, will happily report that so far there have been no fish or cricket casualties much to the delight of Bear and her guilty conscience.
After cleaning out the fish tank, drying the cricket tank and trying to settle some traumatized pets, I asked Bear what happened.
Bear: Um, Chipmunk did it.
Me: What? Really?
Bear: Uh huh. Chipmunk did it. He opened the thing on the tank and put the food in and then poured the water on the cricket.
I put the kids into the car and then made our way to the library. On the way I got to thinking. How could Chipmunk open the fish food (It's a screw top)? Where did the water in the cricket tank come from? So I asked Bear again.
Me: So what did your brother do again?
Bear: He went to the bathroom, turned on the sink...yeah, then walked slowly to the cricket and opened the top and poured the water in.
Of course, at this point I knew something was fishy (pardon the pun).
Me: So how did the food get in the fish tank?
Bear: He opened the top of the tank and poured the food in.
Me: Really?
Bear: Uh huh. He really did.
Me: Did you know that your brother doesn't know how to open the fish food?
Bear: He doesn't?
Me: No. He can't turn on the water in the bathroom either. He can't reach it.
Bear: He can't?
Me: No.
Bear sat silently for a while probably trying to figure out her next move. So I decided to give her a way out.
Me: Bear, you know if you poured the food in the fish tank and the water in the cricket tank, I'm not going to be mad at you. I however, will be very disappointed if you lied to me.
Bear: Lied?
Me: Yup. Lying is when you don't tell the truth about what really happened.
Bear: Oh.
Me: It's okay to make mistakes, but saying that someone else made the mistake is a lie.
After a bit of silence, Bear speaks up again.
Bear: Mommy?
Me: Yes?
Bear: I put too much food for the fish, and I poured the water on the cricket.
Me: Did you?
Bear: Yes, I don't want to lie.
Me: Thank you for telling me the truth.
Of course, I won't bore you with the rest of the conversation which I'm sure I repeated the "no lying" point so much Bear is sick of hearing it. I, however, will happily report that so far there have been no fish or cricket casualties much to the delight of Bear and her guilty conscience.
9.23.2009
RIP Fishy
Poor Bear...she's been wandering around our home saying, "I'm still sad that Fishy is gone."
Who is Fishy? Fishy is the little silver fish that Bear won from the County Fair throwing a fortuitous ping pong ball into a bowl of colored water. You should have seen Bear's face when the little plastic tank was handed over to her...she was so proud.
These days, however, I have to explain to her why Fishy had to "go away."
I figured the fish wouldn't last long, but four days?
Well, considering the circumstances surrounding Fishy's death (found him keeled over surrounded by an excessive amount of fish flakes), let's just say Bear learned her first lesson in pet care: Being generous to your pet doesn't necessarily mean that it's a good thing.
Poor Bear. Hopefully she'll have better luck with pets later on.
Who is Fishy? Fishy is the little silver fish that Bear won from the County Fair throwing a fortuitous ping pong ball into a bowl of colored water. You should have seen Bear's face when the little plastic tank was handed over to her...she was so proud.
These days, however, I have to explain to her why Fishy had to "go away."
I figured the fish wouldn't last long, but four days?
Well, considering the circumstances surrounding Fishy's death (found him keeled over surrounded by an excessive amount of fish flakes), let's just say Bear learned her first lesson in pet care: Being generous to your pet doesn't necessarily mean that it's a good thing.
Poor Bear. Hopefully she'll have better luck with pets later on.
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