forgot -- Hazel's firs smile was on James's b-day

Hallowwen 2009

At dinner on James's birthday, Hal raised his glass and said, "A toast for James's birthday." It came out of the blue and was pitch perfect, including a slight nod in James's direction while he said it. The two boys have been getting a kick out of being the Brothers Mischief. They run around cackling, "Let's get into some mischief, James." or "Let's do some mischief, Hal." Hazel, for her part, participates by raising up her head and cooing appreciatively. Hal can count to 10 reliably and James is fascinated bycounting by 5s or 10s or even 4s. He;s been much more interested in number recently.

June 10, 2009

Hal, not quite three, was looking at a Richard Scarry toy box and asked, "This is puzzle mom?"  The toy is called Puzzletown and, although I can't be sure, I don't think I said anything about its name, I think he might have recognized the word.

James is no longer trying to convince me to turn our downstairs into the understory of James World's rain forest.  He went to kindergarten orientation a few weeks ago where he caused quite a stir.  They were playing "When the Warm Wind Blows" (which James thought might mean they would get to study weather).  James announced, "I think I'm in the mood to try this!"  The other prompts had been, "The warm wind blows for kids who like puppies," or "The warm wind blows for kids who like blue."  James states, "The Warm Wind blows for kids who like Natural Disasters!"

Mother's Day

James made me a card in which he had written "I love you" and then scratched it out.  Not sure what that was all about.  He also made a vase which he couldn't wait to give me.  I kept suggesting he wait unitl Sunday but the excitement was too much.  Hal also made me a card which he called his "newspaper" which he was going to read at breakfast and lunch now.  This morning he went downstairs to get his newspaper (which he's been having me read stories from for the past couple of days).  Today it was the penguin news paper and he read me the stories which followed the format of a real newspaper story remarkably well.

Florida Spring 2009

Just got back from Florida.  Hal gleefully jumped into the pool again and again without holding on to my hands.  Then he insisted on "swimming" by himself on the noodle.  Then he wanted to go "deep, deep down" by himself.  This meant that he would sink tothe bottom of the pool and then climb up me to reach the surface again.  James enjoyed touching the bottom of the pool and is working hard to get a breath while he swims.

James has been reading a lot.  He reads by himself now, subvocalizing.  Hal has been telling endless stories, and often stories about stories.  Today he announced, "I told funny, silly story to Diane and Connor and 'Kenzie, and James and Dad and you and it was 'Nubby Num Nupper' and it was funny and I told it to you..."  I was reading a book about counting to Hal.  There were 7 butterflies.  I asked James, "If each butterfly cost a $10, how much would they all cost?"  I got distracted as George walked in then James tapped me on the shoulder and said, "$70."  Hal announced in the bath tonight that he was "Molly" and started to use a female pronoun in regards to himself.

I fought the sickness

James was recently sick and woke up in the morning saying, "Last night I fought off the sickness but I think I need today to re-engergize."  He also has decided to try a dance class.  At first he was hesitant but then he came around saying, "Well, I've decided to have a shorter thinking time.  Usually I have an hour thinking time in the morning and an hour in the afternoon but now I can have a shorter one and I can do the dance class."

Indoor Exercise

The boys have taken to spending 15-20 minutes every evening racing around the bar yelling "Indoor Exercise, Indoor Exercise!"  Hal also is fond of "playing Thomas" during which he is always Diesel 10 and he always says "Wh-eeesh" despite our insistence that diesel engines can't wheesh.  He tells long stories -- often recapping the day play by play.  Both he and James have taken to asking "How was your day?" at dinner.  The other day at breakfast, Hal asked "How was your day, Mom?"  "I haven't really started my day, Hal."  He paused for a moment and said, "How was your dreams, Mom?"

knock knock

James wanted to do knock knock jokes today during our lunch at Tiny's.  "Do it like natural disasters!"  I obliged (rather pleased with myself)  "Knock, knock"  "Who's there?"  "Sue"  "Who Sue?"  "Sue-nami!"  James seemed more pleased with his version "Knock, knock" "Whos' there?" "Tri-State Tornado!" "Tri-State Tornado who?"  "No, Mom, it's just Tri-State Tornado!"

Don't worry, I'll just ask questions

James had an early dismissal today and joined me at home where I had to write narratives.  After watching a little of his nature video he came and sat down in teh reading chair.  "Don't worry Mom, I'll just sit here and ask questions."

Ice skating

James went ice skating for the first time today.  He was at it for well over an hour and was sad when we had to leave.  He really took to it and it was refreshing to see him embrace something so new.

perfect mom

James was talking about how he wished their was a "Ready for Reading" book about natural disasters.  When I told him I could write a "Ready for Reading" book about natural disasters he paused and said, "You're the perfect mom."  He's been obsessed with taking letters off of words and adding new ones as well as writing words by sounding them out.  It's fun to watch.