Zoe Speak

During nap time today, Zoe is singing and playing, which is a little unusual for her...not entirely, just a little. She finally comes in to the office where I'm working and says:

Mommy, Chloe keeps coming in to my room. It's not helpful. She keeps coming right on in, and I can't sleep. (Chloe is our dog by the way.)

Earlier in the week, we went to a pool with a water park feature attached. Every so often blasts of water shoot up from the ground. At other times sprinklers turn on randomly or a bucket of water fills over head and drops on the kids below. Zoe had climbed the stairs and was preparing to go down a slide when a blast of water came up from a shoot below her and hit her in the face. At first the look of shock and concern on her face led me to believe that we may be heading home. Instead, she came over to me and told me that her nostrils just got really clean. You're correct Zoe; they sure did!

Camp

Zoe is spending three or four weeks throughout the summer in a 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. summer program. It is hosted by Arlington Montessori House (aka Hippo House), her former preschool. Each day they do arts and crafts, outside time, and usually a special activity. This Friday, they brought in "sea creatures" for the kids to meet and touch. On another day, they made bunny ears.

Mia - 17 months old

Dear Mia,

(I love this photo because I think it captures, your sweet and cuddly nature. But, it is also quite deceiving because you almost always have a smile on your face or a giggle at the ready - except when you don't like something I'm doing of course in which case you are quite vocal!)

Today you turned 17 months old. As the seasons turned over to Summer, you enjoyed so many new outside activities. True to form, you dove in to them with vigor.

We've been out to Great Country Farms at least twice this month. Each time, you particularly enjoyed the free-for-all u-pick experience. Who knows what all you consumed besides berries?! You also practiced your animal names and sounds when we visited the farm animals. Your "moo" is particularly cute to hear.

You've also been to the pool several times. You will walk in to any spray park or pool fearlessly. Several times you've fallen over in the kiddie pool (face first) only to smile or laugh when someone helps you up out of the water.

We also took a trip to Houston, TX for Great Grandpa Milton's 94th birthday. You loved playing with your cousins and grandparents, and were a trooper on later evenings when you weren't able to get to bed when you ordinarily would.

Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Ed came for a brief visit this month too on their way up to Massachusetts. They brought their dog Scarlett which was a highlight for you. As Scarlett ran around the house, you "woofed" your way through dinner.

You and Zoe are really able to play together this month. Aside from gentle tackling (and some not-so-gentle tackling), you play hide and seek together, read books, take baths, and cuddle. The other day we were out walking and you stopped on the trail to hug and kiss Zoe. The feeling seems to be mutual.

Of your language developments, I have two favorites. You have learned to say "thank you" and "bless you" in context. Your version has less formed consonants, but it is clear what you are saying and for what reason. You also really like to point out all your (or someone else's) facial features and call them by name. This is especially fun when you're also practicing your new expressions: "big surprise" (wide open mouth and eyes) and "little surprise" (little o-shaped mouth).

Your hair is getting much longer, which means it is easier to keep it out of your eyes. That is, of course, when you are not ripping the barretts out of your hair. Similarly, you love to remove your shoes and spend a considerable amount of time each day putting on and taking off your shoes.

And, you are fast! When you want to get somewhere, you run, and your dad and I have to work to catch up in a hurry. That may explain why I can rarely catch up to you to clip your nails!

Thanks for a fun month Mia. You sure are keeping us on our toes! And, that's a very good thing.

Dress Up

Playing dress up has completely replaced puzzles as a favorite past time. In this photo below, Zoe is especially smiley because she's wearing new ballet slippers.

Great Grandpa Milton Turns 94 - Houston, TX Trip

Except for the fact that it's hot as heck in Houston in June, we love going to Texas to celebrate my grandfather's birthday. The tradition started I believe when my great-grandmother Belle turned 80. She lived to be 100 and then we turned the honors over to my grandfather, my mother's dad. Trips to Houston always mean LOTS of photos because there is so much fun stuff to do. This trip was no exception.

First, there is Southern Importers. This is my grandfather's costume and display store, and a complete haven for kids and kid-like adults. We are sure to spend a decent amount of time in the store trying on costumes and generally goofing around.

This year all the cousins were together and took turns rummaging through the store. I felt a strong sense of nostalgia when Zoe tried on ballet shoes and princess costumes. My grandmother would have really enjoyed being there. She was a fun woman with a great sense of humor who loved kids. She would have taken great joy in seeing all the kids assemble in the store each year, and she would have equally enjoyed the chaos and mess of it all. My grandfather is a bit more concerned with the kids not destroying the store. Reasonable concern I suppose. As such, there are little notes throughout the store that generally indicate that parents need to be responsible for their kids and not let them in to the displays, shopping carts, etc. We indeed put everything back in its proper place with no damage done, but I can't promise that we followed all the rules to the letter.

Every princess needs a rubber chicken.

The man of the hour! Grandpa (and Great Grandpa) Milton with Grandma Barbara, Uncle Mickey, Grandpa Ed and mom.

In addition to The Store, Houston trips usually include a trip to a favorite diner, a visit to the cemetery to visit my grandmother, and pool time. During this trip, the pool wasn't a great option so we managed to fit in some other great adventures. Some fun time with the cousins: Julia, Zoe and Ryan.
A train ride with Aunt Julie, Uncle Jason, Cousin Ryan, and Grandma Barbara. You both squealed like crazy every time the train went 'toot toot'.
First time ice skating! Zoe and dad went around several times, and Zoe loved it! Nearly every day since you've asked to go skating again.

But, by far, the best part of the trip for me was the bungee jumping trampoline. Zoe, I thought we'd have permanent smiles on our faces after this.

PS- This is the first time I successfully uploaded video to this blog. I'll work on orienting them properly next!

Birthcare Picnic 2009

Each year Birthcare, the certified nurse mid-wives services that I use, sponsors a picnic. Current and former clients get to visit with each other and the mid-wives. The kids all get to run around, and at some point they make a valiant effort to gather everyone for a large group photo.

Mia was able to meet Erin again. Erin was our mid-wife who caught Mia 17 months ago. She also got to devour watermelon.

Zoe had been very excited for the picnic. She remembered from last year that the park had a merry-go-round. She was a bit disappointed however when she realized that (a) there was no cake, (b) some friends she'd hope to see weren't able to make it, and (c) most critical of all - the merry-go-round wasn't open. She addressed her frustration by having a one-to-one chat with the merry-go-round. Who taught her to put her hands on her hips like that? Whew, I'm glad I wasn't the merry-go-round!

Last Day at Hippo House

Today was Zoe's last day at Arlington Montessori House, aka Hippo House. There were lots of celebrations planned, both for Hippo House farewells and also for Full Circle Montessori, the school she'll be attending in the mornings next Fall. She started by wearing the same dress she wore on the first day of school.

Only this time, she added rain boots, jeans, and a long sleeved shirt because it was a chilly and very wet day.

All the scheduled activities were supposed to be outside, and one by one they started cancelling due to inclement weather. However, one party planner was wise enough to keep the outdoor park plan regardless of the rain. They knew that the kids would love to play in the rain, especially at a park with lots of water features.

Unfortunately, it never occurred to me to bring a bathing suit or a change of clothes. So we played until we were beyond drenched and then when it was time to leave, Zoe stripped down to her bare nothings and wore my rain jacket home, which she thought was positively hilarious. By the way, it is a size small, and it hung down past her toes. A very fun day indeed. Congratulations Zoe on your first year of preschool!

Last Day

Zoe, tomorrow is your last day of your first year of school. I have this big feeling that the years are going to start rolling by faster than I can catch them.