2012_01_16 Monday

Jonathan didn't have school today so we went on an adventure to the Brooklyn Children's Museum. We were there for about 4 hours. They have a cute toddler-only area with a large water table, a music tunnel/bridge, stuffed animals/costumes, and a blue sparkly sand table. I probably should have done the sand BEFORE the water table!! They both really enjoyed that whole area. We also explored the rest of the space: a green house, various habitats, and a full exhibit on circles that was a little too advanced for J (or he was tired from everything else). After snack/lunch, I was pretty tired, so we bundled back up and went home.

The best part (for me) was that it was free for us b/c of reciprocity to other museums!!!

We came home so Elise could nap and we could relax. And, then Jonathan had swim class at night. He's doing great. He will jump in from the side onto a noodle (including getting his face wet). He paddles and kicks with a float-y dumbbell or noodle under his arms. But, he won't put his head under to pick up rings (he's figured out how to get them with his toes). And, I'm working on getting him to wear goggles...in the tub first...then in the pool.

It was a nice day.

2012_01_13 Friday

I ordered a bunch of Geisel Award winner books for Jonathan (and eventually Elise too) as Christmas gifts from Uncle Ed/Aunt Mary, and the first batch arrived today. One of the books was a board book version of "A Snowy Day." Jonathan immediately recognized it and yelled: "Ezra Jack Keats! He's the author and illustrator!" I asked him to repeat himself because I was sure he didn't know that. I nearly fell over. As it turns out, he's working on that book in school right now!

2011_12_19 Tuesday

Mom: "Elise, thank you!"
Elise: "Ye'come!"

and pretty consistently!

2011_12_15 Thursday

I changed into sweatpants after dinner, as I'm still recovering from this nasty cold. Jonathan said, "mom, you have on tse-tses but they aren't like [classmate's]" and grabbed the string of my waistband. I realized he was talking about the tzitzit, which are fringes that orthodox Jewish men wear. I only had two, and mine had metal clamps (which weren't like his classmate's). How observant, though!

2011_12_06 Tuesday

Jonathan stayed home sick today. He got to use a "thermodemer" under his tongue for the first time. He had a fever that spiked at 102.4, so he also missed swim class last night. By late this afternoon, he seemed back to normal (99.2) and his body was much cooler. So, we ventured out to a Scholastic Warehouse Sale. I got a bunch of Reader 1 books for him and a couple of chapter books that we can read together.

St. Nickolaus came overnight too. Jonathan got a flashy toothbrush, Geld, a Pez dispenser, and a Playmobile set. Elise got hairbows, hairbands, toothbrushes, and Geld. What nice kids they've been all year. I have pix to share, eventually.

2011_11_23 Wednesday

How is it possible that I don't watch Elise for a few seconds and she's gotten a container of yogurt smeared across her book, her tray, her sippy cup, and both hands/arms!? She managed to smash through the foil lid too. man, she is quick...and a mess!

2011_11_11 Friday

The three of us were in the car, driving home from the gym, when the clock hit 11:11:11am today. Somehow I feel like I should record that piece of trivia.

Ok, over dinner tonight, Jonathan told us the following:

eeny, miney, meeny, moe.

catch the tiger by his toe.

if he wants to go, let him go.

if his animal friends come, let them all play together.

Elise is signing 'thank you' and saying buckle (which is on her highchair).

We are having a blast with LOUD and quiet. The kids get a big kick out of screaming for a few seconds and then whispering.

Although the day got away from us so we didn't make Laterne this year, we did make Bretzeln. Jonathan was a big help in kneading the dough. He made a "cat bread," which started out as a pizza crust but ended up popping up and looking like a cat. And, we all split the 1 lb of bread for 'dessert.'