Taking a page from Annabelle’s book, Flora and I made a “fairy house” from sticks and bark in the back yard. The Fisher Price guy keeps vigil until the fairies move in.
Fairy House
March 9th, 2010Sulky Shadow
March 9th, 2010
Spring Sneak Peak
March 9th, 2010
With temperatures in the 50s this weekend, we took full advantage and met friend Ruby at the playground, walked and walked, had brunch at the local cafe on Sunday, and played in the yard the rest of the time.
Major Brownie Points
March 1st, 2010Flora earned some MAJOR brownie points with Mom today. At the library, she was kissing me and kissing me on my tummy at the check out desk. Then she says, real loud, “I just can’t stop kissing you I love you so much!” And later, at the coffee shop, after getting compliment nine million and one on her beautiful blue eyes, she says, “Mama, your eyes are not blue, they are brown, but they’re still gorgeous!” I’m going to have to remember these the next time she says, “You’re stupid and I hate you and you can’t come to my birfday pahty or sleep in my bed ever again!”
Aquarium
February 28th, 2010
Inspired by the big aquarium at the Chinese restaurant we went to last night, Flora drew this picture this morning.
Rah Rah Rusty
February 28th, 2010
Flora took her High School Musical Build-A-Bear outfit off the bear and put it on Rusty. She then gave him a hairstyle. Rusty has been sporting this look for a couple of weeks, and is now a girl, according to Flora.
I Want to be a Water Baby
February 28th, 2010
Marty has been taking Charley to swim lessons at the YMCA on Saturday mornings — family is allowed to go and observe the last class. After just one session, Charley can almost already swim with just a bubble on, has no fear, and absolutely loves the water. He blows bubbles, splashes, kicks his legs, floats on his back and holds on to the side all by himself!
Daddy’s Girl
February 26th, 2010
Despite the frigid temperatures, Flora insisted on wearing a tank top today — this one. She then picked out a twirly skirt and striped knee-highs, and requested that we play Freeze Dance.
Pearly Whites
February 25th, 2010
Flora had her first visit to the dentist today — here she is showing off her pearly whites! Once the assistant walked her through all the dental tools and she got used to lying back in the chair, she let the assistant count her teeth (she has 20), polish them (mostly agreeable to this), floss, and apply a fluoride treatment. When the man with the white coat (the dentist) showed up, I had to sit in the chair with Flora, but once I did, she also let him take a look. The dentist predicts Flora will need to see an orthodontist early due to over-crowding and her bite. For being a good customer, she got a tooth award for joining the no cavity club, lots of stickers, a new pink toothbrush, and a goody bag to boot.
Splatser
February 23rd, 2010
Flora got her very first “video game” for her fourth birthday, Splatser, and we finally figured out how to save her art to a USB drive. The game is really an electronic draw and paint platform for the tv, where the user can choose stampers, brushes, colors and more to create original artwork. Since she got the hang of the eye-hand coordination thing, she’s been pretty creative with her makings. Here’s one of them — a “birthday party for Ames” (she’s been calling me Amy and Ames as of late).
Flora and Greta
February 23rd, 2010
There is NO denying that Finn is Flora’s cat (the two are seemingly inseparable and completely tolerable of one another’s antics), but Greta gets in on her action every once in a while. Here Flora is “reading” a Grimm’s fairy tale to Greta during the latter’s nap, and leaning in for a snuggle to boot.
The Klubhouse Again
February 23rd, 2010
Flora mostly opted for the more ground-level activities, like racing cars, tumbling, and drawing pictures. Although after some coaxing, she did love jumping in the bounce houses.
The Klubhouse
February 23rd, 2010
We took the kids to The Klubhouse in Woburn on Sunday — we all just needed to get out of the house and run around a bit. It is a small, indoor play space with a race track, climbing structures, blow ups, a toddler room and an art room. As only a Dad would do, Marty let Charley go in one of the GIANT blow ups with all the BIG kids. Charley actually climbed up this precarious ladder that was nearly perpendicular to the floor, crawled over to the slide side, and flew down without a moment’s hesitation. In fact, Flora wouldn’t even consider going on this until she saw her little brother doing it. As my friend Michelle says, “Boy-energy!”
I Owe It All To You, Ed Emberly
February 23rd, 2010
I dug out one of my most beloved childhood books from the attic, Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals. I’m pretty sure I “borrowed” it from my friend, Theresa Seeley, as it still has her sister’s name, Kris, on the inside front cover. Yah, you probably shouldn’t “lend” me anything if you actually want it back. Anyway, I totally credit this book for teaching me how to draw, by simplifying objects down to their individual shapes, and showing you step-by-step how to layer the shapes to make the object. Flora made the lion and spider above after just one try — her very first time using the book. Then later in the weekend, she made up the fish below all on her own. It’s amazing how since she turned four, or moved up to preschool, or whatever the genesis, that she can all of sudden write all her letters and draw identifiable objects. She’s definitely expressing an interest in learning how to read for herself, and is working on letter sounds and spelling.
20 Months Old
February 20th, 2010
Mr. Hooper turned 20 months old on Saturday — and with that now comes the Toddlertude. “No, No, No!” is his default answer to most queries, unless the question involves cookie or candy or swimming, which he absolutely loves. Charley hates to get dressed, get his diaper changed, and go to bed. He talks all the time now, has lots of words, and can repeat any word you ask him to (Flora keyed into this and has been trying to get him to say “dammit” when she thinks we are out of ear shot). This morning he pointed to a number 5 and said “E.” Close! And the other day when I was counting to three during “Statue” (that’s where we freeze and try not to move or talk, but Flora loses in about a half a second by giggling), I said, “One…” and Charley said “Twooo.” All this time he’s been absorbing! And finally he and Flora are starting to play together. Last weekend they played Flora’s favorite game, “Doggie,” where she ties a scarf to her waist and pretends to be a dog, and Charley takes her for a walk. They love to play chase and hide-and-seek, and I can see already how they are going to combine their Wonder Twin Powers and use them to plot against us! Here they are playing “Kitchen.” Flora was a surly waitress named Flo and Charley was a hash slinger named Chuck.
Flora’s Fashion Creation
February 19th, 2010
I think she called this one a “Red Riding Hood Princess Fairy.”
Cats in a Can
February 17th, 2010
The Tooth Fairy
February 17th, 2010
The tummy bug didn’t stop the tooth fairy from visiting — unfortunately it was puke, not teeth, that she found in Flora’s bed!
For a Better Planet
February 17th, 2010When I pack the kids’ lunch boxes, I try to use as many reusable containers as possible, but sometimes it’s impossible to avoid plastic wrap or the occasional plastic sandwich bag, which would just get tossed out at school. As an avid recycler, BPA-avoider, organic lover, water conserver, hand-me-down taker and giver, donater, compact fluorescent bulb and reusable shopping bag user, vegetarian, and anything else we can easily do in our day-to-day to lessen our family’s carbon footprint, this really bugged me. A quick google search later, I found snackTaxi — the cutest little reusable sandwich and snack bags! And what do you know, they even have a princess fabric, which I’m certain will only make Flora’s sandwiches taste better. I also found reusable bulk food/produce bags — recycling the plastic ones after every single shopping trip is such a waste, and I had been just putting loose fruit and veggies sans bags in my cart, but now I can coral them with these. Check out Nubius Organics for other “green” products and ideas. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Spaghetti Dinner
February 14th, 2010
We’re a little burnt out on pizza, so we made Spaghetti and “Meat”balls (with Spinach) for dinner instead. The kids had fun slurping up the pasta and had super saucy faces by the end of the meal.
Breakfast Hearts
February 14th, 2010
Marty made heart-shaped pancakes (and added chocolate chips for the kids) for breakfast this morning — yummy!
Won’t You Be Mine?
February 14th, 2010
This is Flora’s valentine to all our friends and family — she stamped, glued, and cut until she felt it was perfect … then asked me to “put it on the computer.” Happy Valentine’s Day!
Seneca’s Fifth Birthday Party
February 13th, 2010
Seneca celebrated her fifth birthday at Perpetual Motion in Lowell — an indoor playground with climbers, swings, slides, sandbox, and more. Flora and Charley had a blast running around, flailing in the ball pit, zooming down the slides, swinging high, and filling buckets with sand. The didn’t mind the Hanna Montana cake with lots of colored frosting either.
The Family, by Flora
February 13th, 2010
From left to right: Greta, Finn, Charley, Mommy (the big one with long eyelashes), Flora, Daddy.
V-Day Cupcakes
February 12th, 2010
The kids missed out on their Valentine’s Day parties at school — Charley caught a tummy bug and had to stay home — but we still made cupcakes and valentines to share with friends. Flora picked the cupcake colors (pink cupcakes with pink and purple frosting), I picked the decorations (conversation hearts), and Charley just licked the frosting clean. And it will come as no surprise that Flora picked Disney Princess valentines with pencils and Charley picked Toy Story valentines with lollipops.
And since they had to miss out on the fruits of our labor, we made four special heart shaped cupcakes just for us.