Benjamin scanned the river carefully for crocodiles during the father-son campout this weekend. Luckily he didn't find any or who knows where his clothes might have ended up.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Ferocious Pant Eaters
The phrase "why did you take off your pants?" (or shoes/shirt/socks) is becoming more and more common around here. The funny thing is that the answer is ALWAYS the same. Crocodiles. The other day I was in the living room with Bella while Benjamin rode his bike in the driveway and I watched through the window. Then I noticed my neighbor across the street staring out her front window with a shocked look on her face. Then I noticed her opening her front door in a hurry and looking like she might dash across the street. I reazlied I better take a closer look at Benjamin. There he was sitting on the ground, in a spot I hadn't previously been able to see, stripping off every last piece of clothing. He'd already removed nearly everything but his diaper and was in the final stages of removing his shirt. His clothes were flung haphazardly around the driveway. "Why are you taking off your clothes?!" I asked. Again, "Sorry mom, I worried the crocodiles would eat them." ?????? It's a daily occurrance and I can't figure out how it started. I try to tell him that crocodiles are meat eaters (even showed him a movie of one attacking a wildabeast) and so they wouldn't want his clothes. In fact, his clothes probably help protect him from the crocodiles. Not buying it. I've heard many kids go through a phase where they want to be/sleep naked all the time. I guess this is simply his version. I just hope he doesn't do it in full view of the neighbors too often.
Benjamin scanned the river carefully for crocodiles during the father-son campout this weekend. Luckily he didn't find any or who knows where his clothes might have ended up.
Benjamin scanned the river carefully for crocodiles during the father-son campout this weekend. Luckily he didn't find any or who knows where his clothes might have ended up.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Being Together
I'm an only child, so it's been fun watching the sibling interaction between my kids. For the most part, it's quite loving. There's toy sharing issues and Benjamin can play a little too rough at times, but in general the love between them is very evident. It's also a lot of fun as she gets older and they have more and more things they can do together.
They love to read together.
They love to be together outside.
They both adore playing in the water.
They both love their bikes. Today I was pushing Bella on her bike and Benjamin said, "Wait for me! I ride with Bella too!" and rode his bike along side.
I love this time of year in Michigan. It's not too hot yet and there's really a lot to do outside. So, in addition to simply hanging out with each other, we've been enjoying the great weather and getting together with friends a lot too. It's crazy to think we'll have been here 4 years this summer. We've made some great friends in that time.
Last week, we went to Cranbrook Science Museum to see their dinosaur exhibit. A little too advanced for a 2 year old, but Benjamin and Max managed to find things to suit their interests too. The blocks were there to show how to build an arch. This was much more fun.
They actually did what they were supposed to do here and I was quite impressed. They were to match up the blocks acording to the shapes on the board and they got it perfect on the first try. Way to go boys!
We've also gone swimming. Bella got a new swim suit from a friend of mine and wore it proudly to the pool. (Sorry this pic is pre-pool. I had no safe spot to keep my camera pool-side, so I left it in the locker.)
We've also continued meeting with my German mom's club each week. Yesterday Benjamin found a kids' book in English and suddenly it was English class around me. So cute.
Just a final note - this is Bella every time she wakes up - whether in the morning or at nap time. The first thing she does is reach for her giraffe and her rhino that sit on her dresser and cuddle them. It really distresses her when they aren't there to greet her. She is so cute with her bed hair and her big grin. Then she'll press the animals between her and me and lay her head contendely on my chest. It seems to be her favorite moment of the day.
They love to read together.
They love to be together outside.
They both adore playing in the water.
They both love their bikes. Today I was pushing Bella on her bike and Benjamin said, "Wait for me! I ride with Bella too!" and rode his bike along side.
I love this time of year in Michigan. It's not too hot yet and there's really a lot to do outside. So, in addition to simply hanging out with each other, we've been enjoying the great weather and getting together with friends a lot too. It's crazy to think we'll have been here 4 years this summer. We've made some great friends in that time.
Last week, we went to Cranbrook Science Museum to see their dinosaur exhibit. A little too advanced for a 2 year old, but Benjamin and Max managed to find things to suit their interests too. The blocks were there to show how to build an arch. This was much more fun.
They actually did what they were supposed to do here and I was quite impressed. They were to match up the blocks acording to the shapes on the board and they got it perfect on the first try. Way to go boys!
We've also gone swimming. Bella got a new swim suit from a friend of mine and wore it proudly to the pool. (Sorry this pic is pre-pool. I had no safe spot to keep my camera pool-side, so I left it in the locker.)
We've also continued meeting with my German mom's club each week. Yesterday Benjamin found a kids' book in English and suddenly it was English class around me. So cute.
Just a final note - this is Bella every time she wakes up - whether in the morning or at nap time. The first thing she does is reach for her giraffe and her rhino that sit on her dresser and cuddle them. It really distresses her when they aren't there to greet her. She is so cute with her bed hair and her big grin. Then she'll press the animals between her and me and lay her head contendely on my chest. It seems to be her favorite moment of the day.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Happy Birthday Isabella!
Our little girl is 1 year old! So to celebrate, we had honey wheat muffins and peanut butter sandwiches! :) Yummy! No more forbidden foods! She mostly just had fun smearing her lunch on my mom's black pants, though. We love you Isabella!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Not Another One!
It seems we have another toddler on the loose in our house.
Proof:
1. an obsession with sand and water and their combination
2. a need to tear open and empty every cupboard possible
3. an unstoppable urge to climb every climbable object
4. a refusal to leave electronic gadgets unexamined
5. an inability to sit still, whether on a lap or in someone's arms.
Yikes, the proof is irrefutable - Isabella is becoming a toddler! She's going to be 1 on Saturday and she's showing all the classic symptoms. When I found her standing on the widowsill last week, looking out excitedly at the flowers in the front yard, I knew I was in for it. I've had to start keeping my bathroom door closed or I routinely hear the splish splash of a little hand in the toilet. Life as we know it will never be the same again. I have to say, though, I'm loving it. She is so full of life and joy. It makes me happy to watch her, even if I'm sooo sick of washing toilet water (and other unmentionables) off her hands!
As for Benjamin, we are in another round of defiance. This week his chosen defiance method is refusal to nap. We've had these before and I'd be willing to give up nap time if I wasn't so absolutely sure that he really needed them. Here he is after fighting me for an hour, insisting that he wasn't tired.
I think this picture of him, proudly sitting on the tractor - behind the rope intended to keep people off, and next to the red and white sticker that says "please keep off" is the perfect symbol of what we're going through. Alas, it's not the first time, and it won't be the last.
Proof:
1. an obsession with sand and water and their combination
2. a need to tear open and empty every cupboard possible
3. an unstoppable urge to climb every climbable object
4. a refusal to leave electronic gadgets unexamined
5. an inability to sit still, whether on a lap or in someone's arms.
Yikes, the proof is irrefutable - Isabella is becoming a toddler! She's going to be 1 on Saturday and she's showing all the classic symptoms. When I found her standing on the widowsill last week, looking out excitedly at the flowers in the front yard, I knew I was in for it. I've had to start keeping my bathroom door closed or I routinely hear the splish splash of a little hand in the toilet. Life as we know it will never be the same again. I have to say, though, I'm loving it. She is so full of life and joy. It makes me happy to watch her, even if I'm sooo sick of washing toilet water (and other unmentionables) off her hands!
As for Benjamin, we are in another round of defiance. This week his chosen defiance method is refusal to nap. We've had these before and I'd be willing to give up nap time if I wasn't so absolutely sure that he really needed them. Here he is after fighting me for an hour, insisting that he wasn't tired.
I think this picture of him, proudly sitting on the tractor - behind the rope intended to keep people off, and next to the red and white sticker that says "please keep off" is the perfect symbol of what we're going through. Alas, it's not the first time, and it won't be the last.
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