Sometimes things happen that make me realize just how different Lee's and Clara's personalities are.
Both kids love to watch videos. They ask to watch videos. Clara will often bring me the remote and say "v-o!"
Well, today she learned to turn on the TV using the remote. Lee was thrilled, and at the same time somewhat aghast and indignant. It's not that Lee isn't capable of figuring out the remote (she operates the remote for a CD player all the time), it's that if we told her we aren't going to watch a video, that's it. It just wouldn't occur to her to pick up the remote and work at it again and again until she figured out how to turn on the TV all by herself.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Walden Pond in (almost) November
Today we went to Walden Pond. It's been cold the last few days, in the 40's but with a breeze that makes it feel much colder. Today was supposed to be warmer, and it was a bit, but we certainly bundled up, and the water looked none too inviting.
We met a man, there, though, who was getting ready to go for a swim. He's 91. He tries to swim in Walden Pond every day of the year, and has done so for 24 years. He sets up his chair and sits for a while, chatting with the regulars who walk around the pond at lunchtime every day. Then he puts on his swimsuit (he recommends that newbies start with a wetsuit but said he's too stubborn to give in) and goes for a dip. If the pond has iced over during the night, he brings a bat to break up the ice. In the winter he might only swim for five minutes, but he figures he has to go every day or he won't be able to stand it after taking a break. Kind of a funny way to spend your 90's, but he said a big reason he does it is simply that it gets him out of the house every day. I've seen lots of elderly folks planted in front of the boob tube, so I suppose he has a point.
We met a man, there, though, who was getting ready to go for a swim. He's 91. He tries to swim in Walden Pond every day of the year, and has done so for 24 years. He sets up his chair and sits for a while, chatting with the regulars who walk around the pond at lunchtime every day. Then he puts on his swimsuit (he recommends that newbies start with a wetsuit but said he's too stubborn to give in) and goes for a dip. If the pond has iced over during the night, he brings a bat to break up the ice. In the winter he might only swim for five minutes, but he figures he has to go every day or he won't be able to stand it after taking a break. Kind of a funny way to spend your 90's, but he said a big reason he does it is simply that it gets him out of the house every day. I've seen lots of elderly folks planted in front of the boob tube, so I suppose he has a point.
Wow! Neat!
It's funny to hear your children talk and realize they are saying something you say all the time, perhaps without even realizing it.
Lee when she was younger would often say "Lookit!" which Bridges correctly attributed to me.
Clara has suddenly started saying "Wow!" "Neat!" whenever she's interested in anything. Also, I fear, attributable to me. It sounds so funny coming from her, though, you just have to laugh.
Lee when she was younger would often say "Lookit!" which Bridges correctly attributed to me.
Clara has suddenly started saying "Wow!"
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
When a Lesson Takes
Clara's been drawing a lot. On a lot of different things. Like the windowsill, and my bills, and the newspaper, and the table. Thankfully no library books.
Yesterday I caught her drawing on the windowsill (again), and I told her "no, no, no!", put her on the stairs for a minute or so, cleaned it up, and put away the markers.
Today I left her alone for a few minutes, and when I went in she had drawn with markers all over our new art table that Bridges had built. (I know, it's an art table. Perhaps she should be able to draw all over it). It's actually not a big deal, because we haven't painted it yet and so the paint will cover the marker and then the paint will be washable.
But when I found her, she looked up at me, gave me this huge smile, and said "no, no, no!" She was so proud of herself. I just couldn't help laughing.
Yesterday I caught her drawing on the windowsill (again), and I told her "no, no, no!", put her on the stairs for a minute or so, cleaned it up, and put away the markers.
Today I left her alone for a few minutes, and when I went in she had drawn with markers all over our new art table that Bridges had built. (I know, it's an art table. Perhaps she should be able to draw all over it). It's actually not a big deal, because we haven't painted it yet and so the paint will cover the marker and then the paint will be washable.
But when I found her, she looked up at me, gave me this huge smile, and said "no, no, no!" She was so proud of herself. I just couldn't help laughing.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Potion
Lee was very busy working on a picture this evening, when she paused, came over to me, and said "Mommy, can I borrow some of your magical, powerful stuff?"
I was baffled. I liked the sound of being in possession of a magical potion, only I had no idea what she was talking about. So we went back and forth a few times, and eventually I realized she was referring to White-Out. The previous day I had used some to minimize the trauma of a badly-drawn "D" (yes, she has perfectionist tendencies). I had no idea I was so powerful! But really, think of it from her point of view. She draws in crayon or marker most of the time, and she has no concept of erasing. I guess it is a kind of magic, to undo something you've done and leave minimal trace.
I was baffled. I liked the sound of being in possession of a magical potion, only I had no idea what she was talking about. So we went back and forth a few times, and eventually I realized she was referring to White-Out. The previous day I had used some to minimize the trauma of a badly-drawn "D" (yes, she has perfectionist tendencies). I had no idea I was so powerful! But really, think of it from her point of view. She draws in crayon or marker most of the time, and she has no concept of erasing. I guess it is a kind of magic, to undo something you've done and leave minimal trace.
The Best Kind of Outing
Fridays are our day to go someplace fun. Last Friday for a variety of reasons plans fell through, and we ended up just staying home. It was a gorgeous autumn day, and we'd just had a huge pile of mulch delivered, so Lee and Clara spent all morning playing in the mulch pile while I spread mulch around. We ended up spending all day at home, eating lunch outside on the patio, and then playing outside some more. I have to remind myself that sometimes the best place to be is home.
Days of the Week
Lee is very interested in the days of the week. I often don't understand why certain things are learned easily and others take more time. Why is it that she's been able to count to 100 since last winter, but she doesn't yet remember the seven days of the week in order? But she's starting to know which days she goes to school, and which days Daddy stays home. Of course, we're in the middle of three weeks with holidays on her school days (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Columbus Day) so that's made things a bit more confusing.
So here's how our weekly schedule is playing out. On MTTh Lee goes to school in the mornings and I do errands, clean the house, cook and bake, and go to the Y with Clara. Clara and I usually get a bit of time where we play together or read. Then we pick Lee up from school, come home and eat lunch, and Clara takes a nap (usually a good two hours). During this time, Lee usually plays by herself downstairs (I consider this her downtime) while I do email, pay bills, or tackle a bigger project like gardening or painting. Towards the end of this time, Lee and I usually spend some time reading together until Clara wakes up. Right now Lee runs upstairs, lies down with Clara, and reads her "Surprises. " Then after nap we either get together with a friend, or we go to the farm, or we go on a walk, or sometimes we just hang out here. Around dinnertime I often put in a video for them while I get dinner ready.
On Wednesdays, Bridges works from home. I hang out here with the girls for a while, and then we got to the Y and swim together. We come home and have lunch, and then I take Lee to gymnastics while Clara is napping. I don't actually like this timing and wouldn't do it again, because Lee is so tired afterwards that the afternoon is kind of shot, and I think she misses her time to just play quietly by herself. But it's ok for now.
Fridays are our "Funday." We usually try to do an outing, eat lunch there, and then Clara falls asleep on the way home and we just hang out here for the rest of the day. Sometimes we'll get together with a friend later in the afternoon.
So here's how our weekly schedule is playing out. On MTTh Lee goes to school in the mornings and I do errands, clean the house, cook and bake, and go to the Y with Clara. Clara and I usually get a bit of time where we play together or read. Then we pick Lee up from school, come home and eat lunch, and Clara takes a nap (usually a good two hours). During this time, Lee usually plays by herself downstairs (I consider this her downtime) while I do email, pay bills, or tackle a bigger project like gardening or painting. Towards the end of this time, Lee and I usually spend some time reading together until Clara wakes up. Right now Lee runs upstairs, lies down with Clara, and reads her "Surprises. " Then after nap we either get together with a friend, or we go to the farm, or we go on a walk, or sometimes we just hang out here. Around dinnertime I often put in a video for them while I get dinner ready.
On Wednesdays, Bridges works from home. I hang out here with the girls for a while, and then we got to the Y and swim together. We come home and have lunch, and then I take Lee to gymnastics while Clara is napping. I don't actually like this timing and wouldn't do it again, because Lee is so tired afterwards that the afternoon is kind of shot, and I think she misses her time to just play quietly by herself. But it's ok for now.
Fridays are our "Funday." We usually try to do an outing, eat lunch there, and then Clara falls asleep on the way home and we just hang out here for the rest of the day. Sometimes we'll get together with a friend later in the afternoon.
Friday, October 3, 2008
DeCordova Museum
Once in a while our outings disappoint, but sometimes I wonder "why have we never been here before? We have to come back tomorrow!!!"
That was my reaction to the DeCordova Museum. An art museum + the outdoors. What a great concept.
That was my reaction to the DeCordova Museum. An art museum + the outdoors. What a great concept.
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