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| Reading in bed. |
I love that Jellybean is brushing Monkey's hair from her face. It is such a gentle moment. You know, before any maiming or other bodily harm occurs.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Monday, November 1, 2010
Guests, be forewarned!
Guests....be forewarned. If you come to visit, Jellybean will put you to work reading!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
On langauge (yes, I know I've used this title before - deal with it)
So, two fun things happened in the last 24 hours:
Jellybean said mama! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!! Of course, I’ve been unable (FAIL!! ROAR GNASH SOB) to get her to repeat it. But still. My heart about triples in size just thinking about it! SO proud of my little bean! God, do I love that little girl. I smooched her incessantly on the bus ride to school this morning, murmuring “say mama, say mama…” in between kisses on her soft blonde hair.
But no, she was silent. From the grins she kept giving me, I think she likes the attention and might withhold the next mama just to keep me focused on her – the stinker!
Not to be outdone by her little sister, Monkey has started writing “notes” to her daddy, presently traveling for work, “because she loves him.”
Which is why there is a small parade of hot pink (bien sur!) post-it notes stretching across the wall by our bed. She’s putting them there “to keep” in his absence. She’s so earnest, this is just endearing. Especially since the notes are comprised solely of a few random scribbles. Our budding novelist…..
Jellybean said mama! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!! Of course, I’ve been unable (FAIL!! ROAR GNASH SOB) to get her to repeat it. But still. My heart about triples in size just thinking about it! SO proud of my little bean! God, do I love that little girl. I smooched her incessantly on the bus ride to school this morning, murmuring “say mama, say mama…” in between kisses on her soft blonde hair.
But no, she was silent. From the grins she kept giving me, I think she likes the attention and might withhold the next mama just to keep me focused on her – the stinker!
Not to be outdone by her little sister, Monkey has started writing “notes” to her daddy, presently traveling for work, “because she loves him.”
Which is why there is a small parade of hot pink (bien sur!) post-it notes stretching across the wall by our bed. She’s putting them there “to keep” in his absence. She’s so earnest, this is just endearing. Especially since the notes are comprised solely of a few random scribbles. Our budding novelist…..
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
You woke me up!
Monkey loves books. I've said it time and time again in this blog, and it is something that we (M and I) mention with great pride whenever someone asks us to describe our eldest daughter. (When asked to describe our youngest daughter, we've got different things we brag about - trust me).
The other night, as it her wont, she was "reading" to herself after one of us put her to bed. If we let her, she'd do this for hours. Sometimes she does this quietly and gets away with it, and we go back in an hour later to turn off her light only to walk in and find her still wide awake, with a book in her hands.
But most nights she is unable to contain her enthusiasm, and as she reads out loud to herself (narrating the books with stories that are either eerily identical to what we've read to her, or hysterically out of left field) the noise reverberates through the apartment. So we go in to gently remind her that, to sleep, she needs to close her eyes.
The other night, M wandered down to ask Monkey to go to sleep, and when he walked into her room found her sitting upright in bed, with a book on her lap.
She looked up and, after short intake of breath as if startled, she looked at her father and said "oh, you woke me up!"
Mmm hhm, SURE we woke her. She's a funny kid, that one.
The other night, as it her wont, she was "reading" to herself after one of us put her to bed. If we let her, she'd do this for hours. Sometimes she does this quietly and gets away with it, and we go back in an hour later to turn off her light only to walk in and find her still wide awake, with a book in her hands.
But most nights she is unable to contain her enthusiasm, and as she reads out loud to herself (narrating the books with stories that are either eerily identical to what we've read to her, or hysterically out of left field) the noise reverberates through the apartment. So we go in to gently remind her that, to sleep, she needs to close her eyes.
The other night, M wandered down to ask Monkey to go to sleep, and when he walked into her room found her sitting upright in bed, with a book on her lap.
She looked up and, after short intake of breath as if startled, she looked at her father and said "oh, you woke me up!"
Mmm hhm, SURE we woke her. She's a funny kid, that one.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Queen Bee
This morning when I dropped Monkey off at school she did her normal thing, which is to immediately grab a book and sit on one of the (precious, toddler-sized) chairs in the reading corner.
She grinned at me and J (one of her beloved teachers) and chattered happily with her friends.
Then, because I moved something that should not have been moved (heaven forbid her water bottle be in the wrong place!!!! oh noooo!!) she popped out of the chair to redress this grevious wrong.
And Eli took her spot.
I turned my attention to the water bottle issue, ascertained that a UN delegation would not be needed to solve this pressing matter for world peace, and turned back to a scene of toddler brutality. Roman and Caleb were, quite literally, pushing and hitting Eli in an attempt to forcibly remove him from the chair. I was a bit taken aback by this display of testosterone so early in the morning (not to mention in their lives!) but the brawl settled down a few seconds later when another teacher invited Eli to clean up his blocks.....and Monkey retook the throne.
I looked at J, a bit puzzled, and she nodded. "Yes, that was all about Monkey."
Who said chivalry was dead?
She grinned at me and J (one of her beloved teachers) and chattered happily with her friends.
Then, because I moved something that should not have been moved (heaven forbid her water bottle be in the wrong place!!!! oh noooo!!) she popped out of the chair to redress this grevious wrong.
And Eli took her spot.
I turned my attention to the water bottle issue, ascertained that a UN delegation would not be needed to solve this pressing matter for world peace, and turned back to a scene of toddler brutality. Roman and Caleb were, quite literally, pushing and hitting Eli in an attempt to forcibly remove him from the chair. I was a bit taken aback by this display of testosterone so early in the morning (not to mention in their lives!) but the brawl settled down a few seconds later when another teacher invited Eli to clean up his blocks.....and Monkey retook the throne.
I looked at J, a bit puzzled, and she nodded. "Yes, that was all about Monkey."
Who said chivalry was dead?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
So, ah, polite
Monkey's school sends home accident reports every time a child is injured at school. More often than not, the information written on the report is a repeat of what was already communicated in a phone call to a parent.
But sometimes you can glean a tad bit more information from the report.
For example, a while back I got the call that Monkey had a boo boo - a rather nasty paper cut on the palm of one hand. She got an "icy" and some hugs, and was none the worse for wear when I picked her up. She even had me admire the bandaid she was gleefully wearing, and refused to take it off until the next morning.
The accident report was stuffed into her lunchbox and I only casually glanced at it, since I (thought I) already knew what happened.
A few days later as I was cleaning and sorting the assorted detritus that had accumulated on the kitchen table, I picked the report up and, before consigning it to its fate in the recycling, read it carefully.
It was refreshingly polite.
It said Monkey "was holding on to the end of a book, that another child was reading, and a tug-of-war of sorts began."
Oh.
What it SHOULD have said was: "Your child is insane about books and gave herself a nasty papercut in the process of attempting to steal her friend's book".
Now that, that I'd believe.
But sometimes you can glean a tad bit more information from the report.
For example, a while back I got the call that Monkey had a boo boo - a rather nasty paper cut on the palm of one hand. She got an "icy" and some hugs, and was none the worse for wear when I picked her up. She even had me admire the bandaid she was gleefully wearing, and refused to take it off until the next morning.
The accident report was stuffed into her lunchbox and I only casually glanced at it, since I (thought I) already knew what happened.
A few days later as I was cleaning and sorting the assorted detritus that had accumulated on the kitchen table, I picked the report up and, before consigning it to its fate in the recycling, read it carefully.
It was refreshingly polite.
It said Monkey "was holding on to the end of a book, that another child was reading, and a tug-of-war of sorts began."
Oh.
What it SHOULD have said was: "Your child is insane about books and gave herself a nasty papercut in the process of attempting to steal her friend's book".
Now that, that I'd believe.
Friday, February 20, 2009
All things Olivia
So Monkey is seriously channeling Olivia these days.
In the last ten minutes she has asked me to make her a red soccer shirt (from Olivia and the Missing Toy) and told me that she is going to Egypt (same book).
In the last ten minutes she has asked me to make her a red soccer shirt (from Olivia and the Missing Toy) and told me that she is going to Egypt (same book).
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Imagination
I think that Monkey has a creative imagination. Pretty amazing, at two and a half, to hear the things that come out of her mouth. As she "reads" her books out loud to me, she often is able to retell the actual story from memory. The words aren't the precise ones from the text, but she'll parrot phrases and get the gist of it.
But then, some times, she goes out on a creative limb and makes up her own story. Lately these usually involve babies and diapers. Oh and bottles. You know, the stuff she sees here at home with Jellybean.
But every so often her made-up stories are these long, rambling, fantastical voyages of the imagination, complete with dramatic flourishes with her hands and waving of her arms. (I can't imagine where she gets this dramatic streak....)
But the funniest part is when she looks at me for confirmation and asks me a question. Because often, I have NO freakin' clue what she is talking about. Tonight it was a story about either slopes, or soap, or something that sounds like that.....I've no idea. But Monkey thought it was the best story ever.
When she finished it she threw her hands in the air and fell back on her bed. As if to say she'd just finished the great American novel and it knocked her socks off. She cracks me up.
But then, some times, she goes out on a creative limb and makes up her own story. Lately these usually involve babies and diapers. Oh and bottles. You know, the stuff she sees here at home with Jellybean.
But every so often her made-up stories are these long, rambling, fantastical voyages of the imagination, complete with dramatic flourishes with her hands and waving of her arms. (I can't imagine where she gets this dramatic streak....)
But the funniest part is when she looks at me for confirmation and asks me a question. Because often, I have NO freakin' clue what she is talking about. Tonight it was a story about either slopes, or soap, or something that sounds like that.....I've no idea. But Monkey thought it was the best story ever.
When she finished it she threw her hands in the air and fell back on her bed. As if to say she'd just finished the great American novel and it knocked her socks off. She cracks me up.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Green Eyed Monster
One of the most common questions M and I answer these days is how Monkey is behaving now that Jellybean has arrived. This question comes in many different formats and forms, but basically, everyone wants to know if Monkey is jealous.
And the short answer is, sometimes.
The long answer is that 98% of the time, Monkey loves being the big sister. She parrots the things we say but with her childish inflection and doe-eyed wonder at the world.....so things like "she's awake" and "look, Jellybean" convert from mundane sentences to the most adorable little vignettes of domesticity ever. When she tells you that the name of her baby doll is "jellybean" you want to just squeeze her tight and hope that her joy and wonder rub off on you - joy by osmosis!
But then, occasionally, things don't go quite as swimmingly.
Last week I was invited to participate in Monkey's school day for an hour - all the parents were invited to come in. They called it "work with your child" and it was a fun way to see what her life is like at school. Of course, being the dork that I am, all I could think about was the scientific principle (the name escapes me right now) that, by being present to observe the phenomena, you change it with your presence. But I digress.
Monkey and I arrived at school, and her day started. Taking off of coats and snowboots, putting her name on the fridge, putting away her lunch, all her normal chores. Then....books! (of course) Lots and lots of books.
Mama, read this. Mama read this. And this. And THIS. AND THIS. Sensory overload on books.
We were having a grand old time when her friend Nomi wandered over to give me a hug. Nomi always hugs me, so this is no big deal. But on this morning, Monkey was just.....not.....having.....it.
She announced, with a good deal of force, "no, walk away. MY mommy!" and then, in case her point was not clear, she took Nomi by the shoulders and showed her on her way. You know, with a polite shove.
She has to share at home. By god, she was NOT going to share at school, too.
And the short answer is, sometimes.
The long answer is that 98% of the time, Monkey loves being the big sister. She parrots the things we say but with her childish inflection and doe-eyed wonder at the world.....so things like "she's awake" and "look, Jellybean" convert from mundane sentences to the most adorable little vignettes of domesticity ever. When she tells you that the name of her baby doll is "jellybean" you want to just squeeze her tight and hope that her joy and wonder rub off on you - joy by osmosis!
But then, occasionally, things don't go quite as swimmingly.
Last week I was invited to participate in Monkey's school day for an hour - all the parents were invited to come in. They called it "work with your child" and it was a fun way to see what her life is like at school. Of course, being the dork that I am, all I could think about was the scientific principle (the name escapes me right now) that, by being present to observe the phenomena, you change it with your presence. But I digress.
Monkey and I arrived at school, and her day started. Taking off of coats and snowboots, putting her name on the fridge, putting away her lunch, all her normal chores. Then....books! (of course) Lots and lots of books.
Mama, read this. Mama read this. And this. And THIS. AND THIS. Sensory overload on books.
We were having a grand old time when her friend Nomi wandered over to give me a hug. Nomi always hugs me, so this is no big deal. But on this morning, Monkey was just.....not.....having.....it.
She announced, with a good deal of force, "no, walk away. MY mommy!" and then, in case her point was not clear, she took Nomi by the shoulders and showed her on her way. You know, with a polite shove.
She has to share at home. By god, she was NOT going to share at school, too.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
B.R.A.T.
B.R.A.T.
Nope, not talking about my kids. Although, WOW, Monkey threw a whopper of a tantrum last night. More about that later.
No, BRAT refers to the diet I am on....bananas, rice, apples and tea. I managed to catch the nastiest stomach flu I have ever had, ever. And BRAT is the diet the doctor recommended to combat the - ahem - symptoms. Yummy. But - huzzah!!!!!!! I successfully avoided going to the ER (negotiated with my doctor on that one...) And, even better - I didn't puke on Jellybean! And let me tell you, that was an accomplishment. Trust me on this one. It got bad enough that I was scared at my ability to care for Jellybean (I almost dropped her when I tried to stand up and couldn't) and made M come home from work. Never done that before. Hope I never have to do it again. Also hope to avoid a fever of 103 again....that sucked. And god did it feel good when I finally showered off the stink of fever-sweat.
But, huzzah! I didn't throw up on Jellybean while nursing! And so far, no one else is sick. I have my fingers crossed that they continue that way. I about jump out of my skin every time Jellybean spits up a bit....
And, I have to tell you, Monkey has been so damn sweet to me. The other night, when M was explaining to Monkey that I was sick, she gave me the most amazing sweet look and then.....offered me her blankie and favorite baby doll. I about cried from happiness...that was the most amazing gesture. She really thought it would make me better, since it makes her feel better. Who knew that an insane two year old could be empathetic? She amazes me.
The empathy isn't the only thing that amazes me. It also amazes (and pleases, to tell you the truth) that the ULTIMATE possible punishment we can mete out to Monkey is....removing her books! Yow. Who knew! (last night she threw herself on the floor screaming and kicking, you know, because I told her that her toothbrush has to stay in the bathroom and, well, it went downhill from there...stellar performance, worthy of an academy award, and by far the biggest tantrum she's thrown yet). Taking away her books was the straw that broke the camel's back.....got to say, I love that she loves her books that much!
And, finally, I just want to note how wonderful M has been to me. Have I mentioned how much I love him lately? Well, I should.
Nope, not talking about my kids. Although, WOW, Monkey threw a whopper of a tantrum last night. More about that later.
No, BRAT refers to the diet I am on....bananas, rice, apples and tea. I managed to catch the nastiest stomach flu I have ever had, ever. And BRAT is the diet the doctor recommended to combat the - ahem - symptoms. Yummy. But - huzzah!!!!!!! I successfully avoided going to the ER (negotiated with my doctor on that one...) And, even better - I didn't puke on Jellybean! And let me tell you, that was an accomplishment. Trust me on this one. It got bad enough that I was scared at my ability to care for Jellybean (I almost dropped her when I tried to stand up and couldn't) and made M come home from work. Never done that before. Hope I never have to do it again. Also hope to avoid a fever of 103 again....that sucked. And god did it feel good when I finally showered off the stink of fever-sweat.
But, huzzah! I didn't throw up on Jellybean while nursing! And so far, no one else is sick. I have my fingers crossed that they continue that way. I about jump out of my skin every time Jellybean spits up a bit....
And, I have to tell you, Monkey has been so damn sweet to me. The other night, when M was explaining to Monkey that I was sick, she gave me the most amazing sweet look and then.....offered me her blankie and favorite baby doll. I about cried from happiness...that was the most amazing gesture. She really thought it would make me better, since it makes her feel better. Who knew that an insane two year old could be empathetic? She amazes me.
The empathy isn't the only thing that amazes me. It also amazes (and pleases, to tell you the truth) that the ULTIMATE possible punishment we can mete out to Monkey is....removing her books! Yow. Who knew! (last night she threw herself on the floor screaming and kicking, you know, because I told her that her toothbrush has to stay in the bathroom and, well, it went downhill from there...stellar performance, worthy of an academy award, and by far the biggest tantrum she's thrown yet). Taking away her books was the straw that broke the camel's back.....got to say, I love that she loves her books that much!
And, finally, I just want to note how wonderful M has been to me. Have I mentioned how much I love him lately? Well, I should.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Odds and Ends
So my days are filled with laughter and joy these days. Yes, there are days that I am so exhausted I can't even stand myself. And M struggles with exhaustion too. But overall, I just can not believe how lucky we are to have these two perfect little girls.
The days, they run together. Sometimes I even forget to shower. But there are things that stick out in my memory and make me giggle. So here are a few of them....
Out of the mouth of babes:
I was trying to burp Jellybean. When Monkey asked me what I was doing, upon hearing my explanation she said "oh, daddy burps!" and I about fell over laughing. M looked askance as if to say, who me? Busted!
More than I needed to know:
I was giving Monkey a bath tonight. She leaned forward, grimaced a little, and let forth a sally of farts that would make any guy proud. Then, in case I missed it? She said "I farted"....Good lord, why did I ever teach her that word?
It isn't you, it's me:
I was nursing Jellybean on the couch (a loveseat, really, not too big), using the boppy pillow (which takes up a good amount of space) when Monkey walked up to me and announced "I need more space mommy".......I had a momentary flashback to at least one unfortunate breakup in my past and started laughing....Monkey was not pleased. She was trying to sit next to me and the boppy was taking up too much room.
She is SO going to Madison, WI for College:
Jellybean is a grade-A burper. I mean this girl can give any beer belching Badger a run for the money! She is SO going to my alma mater....I can just tell already. All she needs to do is learn how to shotgun a beer and she's a lock. None of this namby pamby N'Western stuff.... heh. (yes, M's alma mater...why else would I slam it? he he he )
I thought you were supposed to practice this on a pillow:
I was putting Monkey to bed the other night, and she requested something that wasn't in the room. When I returned with the desired item I found her still in bed, with a book in her hands.....and she was KISSING it! I mean, I know she loves books, but that takes the cake. Stinking cute. And hilarious. Some day she'll be kissing boys, but until then, books are her love. I remember getting threatened with grounding if I was caught reading in bed past my bedtime....so she comes by this naturally. I love it.
Off to tend to my girls. G'night all.
The days, they run together. Sometimes I even forget to shower. But there are things that stick out in my memory and make me giggle. So here are a few of them....
Out of the mouth of babes:
I was trying to burp Jellybean. When Monkey asked me what I was doing, upon hearing my explanation she said "oh, daddy burps!" and I about fell over laughing. M looked askance as if to say, who me? Busted!
More than I needed to know:
I was giving Monkey a bath tonight. She leaned forward, grimaced a little, and let forth a sally of farts that would make any guy proud. Then, in case I missed it? She said "I farted"....Good lord, why did I ever teach her that word?
It isn't you, it's me:
I was nursing Jellybean on the couch (a loveseat, really, not too big), using the boppy pillow (which takes up a good amount of space) when Monkey walked up to me and announced "I need more space mommy".......I had a momentary flashback to at least one unfortunate breakup in my past and started laughing....Monkey was not pleased. She was trying to sit next to me and the boppy was taking up too much room.
She is SO going to Madison, WI for College:
Jellybean is a grade-A burper. I mean this girl can give any beer belching Badger a run for the money! She is SO going to my alma mater....I can just tell already. All she needs to do is learn how to shotgun a beer and she's a lock. None of this namby pamby N'Western stuff.... heh. (yes, M's alma mater...why else would I slam it? he he he )
I thought you were supposed to practice this on a pillow:
I was putting Monkey to bed the other night, and she requested something that wasn't in the room. When I returned with the desired item I found her still in bed, with a book in her hands.....and she was KISSING it! I mean, I know she loves books, but that takes the cake. Stinking cute. And hilarious. Some day she'll be kissing boys, but until then, books are her love. I remember getting threatened with grounding if I was caught reading in bed past my bedtime....so she comes by this naturally. I love it.
Off to tend to my girls. G'night all.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Hmm, wow - where to start
Yikes. So much to post in a few short days!
1) Monkey is not a fan of daylight savings and insists on waking up at 5:30am. Oy.
2) Monkey is a rock star (and, she'll actually say that to you - it's freakin' hilarious!) and moved into the Big Girl Bed in the Big Girl Room (capitalization on purpose!). The crib and nursery are no longer in use. Except to hold the boxes of stuff that belong to Jellybean.
3) Now that Monkey is in the Big Girl Bed, naps are a wee bit unstructured. (Oh, I know this because her school was closed on Election Day for parent-teacher conferences). And by unstructured I mean that I was in there with her for - hmmmm - oh AN HOUR AND A HALF convincing her to be quiet. Because the ability to gather MORE BOOKS was damn-near frying her brain from the excitement. Exhaustion finally over took her and she fell asleep with 17 books in her Bed with her. I know this because I counted them. And, while this is so ridiculous it is sublime, I confess that I kind of find it adorable. I love books that much, too. What can I say, she's my kid!
4) And, on the topic of being my kid.....I am no longer numero uno in her world. Daddy is. She's hurt? She asks for daddy. She's mad at me? She asks for daddy. She wakes up cranky (see #1, above) and needs a little love before the day starts? Yup, she wants her daddy. And every time she pushes me away and yowls for daddy? My heart melts a little bit. My time away in Denver really re-uppped their bond. And to quote Martha, "it's a good thing."
5) Now, to quote my beloved little brother? "Nicely done America!" I am proud to say that I am still wearing my Obama '08 button. I don't know that I want to take it off. And if you want to know why M and I got no sleep election night? Check out this link - between the students cheering, the media heliocopters filming the celebration in Harlem, and the impromptu parade down our block at 12:30am, we got no sleep. And it was worth it!
1) Monkey is not a fan of daylight savings and insists on waking up at 5:30am. Oy.
2) Monkey is a rock star (and, she'll actually say that to you - it's freakin' hilarious!) and moved into the Big Girl Bed in the Big Girl Room (capitalization on purpose!). The crib and nursery are no longer in use. Except to hold the boxes of stuff that belong to Jellybean.
3) Now that Monkey is in the Big Girl Bed, naps are a wee bit unstructured. (Oh, I know this because her school was closed on Election Day for parent-teacher conferences). And by unstructured I mean that I was in there with her for - hmmmm - oh AN HOUR AND A HALF convincing her to be quiet. Because the ability to gather MORE BOOKS was damn-near frying her brain from the excitement. Exhaustion finally over took her and she fell asleep with 17 books in her Bed with her. I know this because I counted them. And, while this is so ridiculous it is sublime, I confess that I kind of find it adorable. I love books that much, too. What can I say, she's my kid!
4) And, on the topic of being my kid.....I am no longer numero uno in her world. Daddy is. She's hurt? She asks for daddy. She's mad at me? She asks for daddy. She wakes up cranky (see #1, above) and needs a little love before the day starts? Yup, she wants her daddy. And every time she pushes me away and yowls for daddy? My heart melts a little bit. My time away in Denver really re-uppped their bond. And to quote Martha, "it's a good thing."
5) Now, to quote my beloved little brother? "Nicely done America!" I am proud to say that I am still wearing my Obama '08 button. I don't know that I want to take it off. And if you want to know why M and I got no sleep election night? Check out this link - between the students cheering, the media heliocopters filming the celebration in Harlem, and the impromptu parade down our block at 12:30am, we got no sleep. And it was worth it!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sunshine and roses
Well, in comparison to a few days ago, Monkey's mornings both yesterday and today were full of sunshine and roses. Maybe her cold has passed (turns out lots of her classmates at school are now uber cranky with head colds....).
Yesterday we walked to school (i.e., Monkey was in the stroller and I walked the 27 odd blocks). She sang and chattered and had me read Winnie the Pooh meets Gopher (the abridged version) again and again.
Today we took the bus, and Monkey spent most of the time commenting on how slippery the seat was (and then scooting around on her butt and giggling) or asking why. You know, why did the bus stop? Why did the little boy get off the bus? Why can't I have ice cream (as we passed a delivery van decorated in pictures of ice cream). Why why why.
Somedays, it is just such a pleasure to be her mom. I love that kid. Even after answering 1450 "why" questions in a 30 minute commute.
Yesterday we walked to school (i.e., Monkey was in the stroller and I walked the 27 odd blocks). She sang and chattered and had me read Winnie the Pooh meets Gopher (the abridged version) again and again.
Today we took the bus, and Monkey spent most of the time commenting on how slippery the seat was (and then scooting around on her butt and giggling) or asking why. You know, why did the bus stop? Why did the little boy get off the bus? Why can't I have ice cream (as we passed a delivery van decorated in pictures of ice cream). Why why why.
Somedays, it is just such a pleasure to be her mom. I love that kid. Even after answering 1450 "why" questions in a 30 minute commute.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monkey's first autograph
Yesterday we took Monkey to The Great Children's Read on the Columbia University Campus. It was awesome. The fields were full of kids, listening to authors reading their very own books outloud, dancing to They Might Be Giants, and generally geeking out about literacy.
Monkey had a grand old time. We were fortunate enough to listen to John Bemelmans Marciano read Madeline and the Cats of Rome. (John is the grandson of Ludwig Bemelmans, who wrote the original Madeline). And then, armed with a copy of the book (purchased right there in the Target book tent - got to show Target some love if they are promoting literacy!!), we stood in line and had the author autograph the book. It was SO COOL! (and yes, I'm a geek)
We were fortunate enough to get to chat with the author for a bit, and M told him that Monkey loved the original Madeline so much she had much of it memorized. I'm pretty sure that the guy thought M was full of it, since he promptly asked Monkey what Madeline said to the tiger in the zoo. And, sure enough - she said poo poo! (the appropriate answer). This got a good laugh out of the author. I'm sure he gets sick of people telling him how much they loved his grandfather's books, even if they did provide him with the opportunity to write his own book - but this brought a big smile to his face.
So, Monkey got her first autograph. I'm just happy it is in a book, by an author, and not some hipster rockstar wannabe signing her chest with a sharpie.......... that can be her second autograph.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
A...B....C.....
Monkey freaked me out last night. I was pulling out the first (of several, natch) books to read to her at bedtime and I selected the illustrated ABC by Eric Carle. Monkey immediately said "a b c" and starting humming the ABC song.
My first thought was "holy shit, she can read!"
After I finished laughing at myself I realized that it was probably the last 0.5th rendition (from the 8,999,875,290,555.5 times I've read the book to her) that pushed her over the edge into recognition.
My first thought was "holy shit, she can read!"
After I finished laughing at myself I realized that it was probably the last 0.5th rendition (from the 8,999,875,290,555.5 times I've read the book to her) that pushed her over the edge into recognition.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
'Andpa interrupted
My folks stayed with us for a week over Christmas. And we had fun.
We talked, we laughed, we cooked, we ate, we drank, we went out, we stayed in, and, we all spent time reading with Monkey on our lap. Everyone, that is, except 'Andpa.
Remember when I wrote about how Monkey was terrorized by the doctor and his stethoscope? Did I mention that after her appointment, she was scared of older white men, in their 60s with a beard that was gray/graying (like her doctor)? And did I also mention that 'Andpa looks like that? Yup, you know where this is going.
So....when Grandma and 'Andpa rolled in the door, Monkey was less than enthusiastic about 'Andpa. She eyed him warily and generally stayed about an arm's length away for the first day. Then, when 'Andpa brought out his digital Leica (in a beautiful silver and black case....just like a stethoscope) and snapped a few photos, Monkey's lip began to tremble and she was visibly afraid. The camera was put away, and Monkey settled down.
Days passed.
Eventually, the night before Grandma and 'Andpa were scheduled to leave, Monkey finally brought a book to 'Andpa and tried to climb into his lap.
Just as monkey settled in for a snuggle, her godmother walked in the room. Monkey leapt out of 'Andpa's lap and ran to get a hug. And that was it. No lap time, no reading, no snuggling. I think my father felt cheated by fate.
The only solution? Yup, more time together. Once 'Andpa and Grandma finish their whirlwind tour of Tasmania and New Zealand, we'll have to plan the next visit. Without Monkey's godmother to interrupt!
We talked, we laughed, we cooked, we ate, we drank, we went out, we stayed in, and, we all spent time reading with Monkey on our lap. Everyone, that is, except 'Andpa.
Remember when I wrote about how Monkey was terrorized by the doctor and his stethoscope? Did I mention that after her appointment, she was scared of older white men, in their 60s with a beard that was gray/graying (like her doctor)? And did I also mention that 'Andpa looks like that? Yup, you know where this is going.
So....when Grandma and 'Andpa rolled in the door, Monkey was less than enthusiastic about 'Andpa. She eyed him warily and generally stayed about an arm's length away for the first day. Then, when 'Andpa brought out his digital Leica (in a beautiful silver and black case....just like a stethoscope) and snapped a few photos, Monkey's lip began to tremble and she was visibly afraid. The camera was put away, and Monkey settled down.
Days passed.
Eventually, the night before Grandma and 'Andpa were scheduled to leave, Monkey finally brought a book to 'Andpa and tried to climb into his lap.
Just as monkey settled in for a snuggle, her godmother walked in the room. Monkey leapt out of 'Andpa's lap and ran to get a hug. And that was it. No lap time, no reading, no snuggling. I think my father felt cheated by fate.
The only solution? Yup, more time together. Once 'Andpa and Grandma finish their whirlwind tour of Tasmania and New Zealand, we'll have to plan the next visit. Without Monkey's godmother to interrupt!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Frustration
Monkey is a full-blown toddler. She gets so frustrated that I can literally see her little brain smoldering, about to burst into flames because she is so pissed off.
This morning she was crying, and I mean BAWLING with huge tears rolling down her beautiful cheeks....because the book she wanted was wedged under the bookshelf and she couldn't figure out how to get it out.
So, I got it out for her. And she didn't want it anymore. Sigh.
This morning she was crying, and I mean BAWLING with huge tears rolling down her beautiful cheeks....because the book she wanted was wedged under the bookshelf and she couldn't figure out how to get it out.
So, I got it out for her. And she didn't want it anymore. Sigh.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Boo....k!
Huzzah! Monkey said book last night! Ok, so the "k" might have been a bit soft, so it sounded more like boo than book. Still, she said book!
She looks like her dad, she sleeps all crazy-entangled like her dad, but she likes books.......like her mom! Woohooo!!!
And just in time. Yesterday's Times ran an article about how people are getting dumber. No really, they are! In an alltime DUH moment, I learned that NEA spent money to learn that test scores are dropping because people are reading less. Probably because they couldn't read the questions. Heh.
She looks like her dad, she sleeps all crazy-entangled like her dad, but she likes books.......like her mom! Woohooo!!!
And just in time. Yesterday's Times ran an article about how people are getting dumber. No really, they are! In an alltime DUH moment, I learned that NEA spent money to learn that test scores are dropping because people are reading less. Probably because they couldn't read the questions. Heh.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
It's banned books week!
Uffda, I'm late to the party.....but it is banned books week!
This is a list (from the American Library Association) of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books.
Can you believe (indignation! outrage! puzzlement!) that some folks want to ban I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou ? Or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee? Oh come on....A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein???? Sheesh.
Fight censorship folks.
If we let people ban books, we let them ban ideas. And freedom and democracy are about the proliferation of different ideas, ideals, and individuals.
This is a list (from the American Library Association) of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books.
Can you believe (indignation! outrage! puzzlement!) that some folks want to ban I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou ? Or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee? Oh come on....A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein???? Sheesh.
Fight censorship folks.
If we let people ban books, we let them ban ideas. And freedom and democracy are about the proliferation of different ideas, ideals, and individuals.
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