Dada according to Freddie

My dad is maybe 31 years old.

His hair is the same as mine and his eyes are blue.

My dad likes to wear sunglasses.

He likes to eat turkey.

My dad works hard at making proteins and crystals.

It makes my dad happy when stays home with me all day.

If he could go on a trip he would go to New Orleans and he would take an airplane .

I really love it when my dad helps me take turns.

If I could give my dad anything it would be his own workshop.

My favorite thing about my dad is his hugs.

Happy Father's Day

Tennis Pro

Freddie has joined a "tennis league."  He attended his first class yesterday and loved it.  It is 1.5 hours weekly which is probably more than enough tennis for a four year old. They did running drills, tossed the ball, talked about the court, and worked on form.  Freddie's preferred form involved a little hand on hip action, a mix of sass and pirate stance.  

Best part of class as far as he's concerned:  a bossy girl in pigtails to lead him around.  Having his friend Eric there was just icing on the cake.  

If his hand didn't have a ball or a racket in it she grabbed it!

Trio

Freddie, Hans, Papi with Sun and Tree

I drew my bones, too!

Lovin'

On the High Line

• A visitor
• Wandering the city
• Darker skin and lighter hair
• Company during morning workouts
• Wine, wine, wine
• Uninterrupted conversations
• Girl talk
• Free therapy
• Nights out
• Broadway plans

Hans Goes to the Dentist

Hansie went to the dentist.  We've been talking it up and he's been opening his mouth wide and talking about being brave.  He watched Freddie get his teeth cleaned first and then happily donned the shades and climbed into the seat.

He then turned to me and said "Be brave, hold hand" so I stood next to him and held his hand while the dentist poked around in his mouth.  She showed him all of her tools, but she only scarped a little here and there.  She said she'll try to do a full cleaning next visit, although I am pretty certain he would have been fine with it this time.  Watching Freddie do something first generally means Hans is going to do it as well, no matter what. 

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She said his teeth look great, crowded but great, and to continue the current dental hygiene routine.  We'll all go back in 6 months.

Freddie's visit:  Glowing report.  Seal placed last time is still intact.  His teeth didn't have any tartar or build up at all. 

MoMA

One of my favorite things about living in NYC is being surrounded by so much art.  There's art everywhere:  sculpture along the avenues, tile work in subway stations, and museums, museums, museums.

Hans and a few of his buds went to visit the special exhibit at MoMA this week.  After nearly two hours in line (and that's the member's early visiting hour line!), and several snacks later we were finally able to experience Rain Room.

It is a large room where it is raining, but as you walk through the rain it stops around you.  It is a delightful experience for toddlers, although Hans kept wondering where the puddles were.

The scene after finally getting into the room.

After walking through the rain for a few minutes we had to hop on the metro and head home for lunch, nap, and my grocery delivery...my other favorite thing about living in NYC!

I'd like to go back with Charlie and Freddie but I don't think we could endure the line on a weekend.

 
But thankfully there's plenty of other art around for us to experience.

Lovin'

Our first beach trip of the season!

• Beach days
• Birthday celebrations on the horizon
• Wrapping gifts
• A strong swimmer
• Lip smacking night night kisses
• A new raincoat
• Movie night on the coach with my husband
• Trip planning
• Playdates
• Farmer tans
• 4 pairs of sandals piled by the door

Science Guy: Ladybugs

This year we decided to observe the metamorphosis of a ladybug.  We've had painted lady caterpillars the past two years, so this was something new.

A tube of 10 ladybug larvae arrived with food, and we placed them in the habitat with some water.  The metamorphosis took about two weeks, a bit longer than the caterpillar to butterfly metamorphosis.

Releasing the ladybugs in the garden

The boys checked on them each day, observing their changes, and reminding me when they needed water.  I was concerned *someone* would lift the lid of the habitat and they'd be all over the house, but they all went from larvae to adult in the habitat.

I'm a little disappointed to not have had caterpillars this year.  It is such an amazing metamorphosis for the kids to observe.  Now that the weather's warmed I'm hopeful we'll find a few caterpillars to bring home and observe. 

Next science experience:  Ant Farm.

School Picture

He's squinty and shaggy, but I still had to have one.  He's matured so much from last year.  Can't wait to follow the progression of pictures from year to year one day.

Family Resemblance?

Hans Olaf

Hans Edward

Reader

On recent library visit Freddie discovered his friend, Zach, could read.  And that was it; he needed to read too. 

He is pretty consistent with knowing letter sounds, sounds out words here and there and knows a few sight words, so I have been feeling like he was ready.  It's nice to see him think he is ready.  I love seeing him so proud of himself!

23 Months (and 4 days)

I suppose we are in the countdown to the big T-W-O!

 Appearance:

• Your hair is getting so light!  It's just about white.  And curly.  And growing back.  Whew.
• Taller and leaner, but the belly is still there and you love to show off that outie belly button
• 29ish lbs
• 35ish inches
• Big, round bottom
• Pigeon toes, especially the right foot, although I don't think it is as pronounce as it had been, and I am not seeing it interfere with your ability to go, go, go.
• Two of your two year molars are out, and the remaining two will be out soon.  

You refuse the baby bucket swing now opting to be like Freddie!

Personality:

• Your personality screams "I am two years old!" lately.  
• Stubborn, testing, challenging
• Cuddley, kissy, tender
• You'll hide behind my leg when strangers talk to you, but you're pretty good about answering their questions.
• You don't like the attention of others, even when you definitely deserve it....like when you boogie down in music class and then realize everyone is giggling at you.
• You are very independent.  Everything is "I do it!"

Language:

• You are on your way to being a full blown chatter box, comlplete with articles and prepositions.
• Your sentences are longer and you are pretty understandable.  I think everyone understands you 80% of the time, not just me.  You get most irritated if you aren't understood and it is very frustrating for both of us.  You don't let up and repeat, repeat, repeat until I get it.
• You understand multistep instructions, and even comply most of the time.
• A sentence you just said to Me:  Mama, music not working needs batteries

Motor:

• You draw lots of attention on your little scooter.  I get a handful of comments daily about your balance and speed.  You haven't quite masters putting on the brakes, but that doesn't in any way inhibit your need for speed.  
• You run and jump and climb and keep up fairly well with Freddie.
• You hold a pencil and a marker almost just right, and you are showing more of an interest in writing.  This week you drew a colorful picture this week and declared:  I drew a fish!  A killer whale!
• You like puzzles and you can easily manipulate puzzle pieces to get them to fit.
• You are beginning to really work on dressing and undressing.  

"Hold you, hold you"

Diet:

• The house has made a shift to low fat milk.  You're drinking less milk, somewhat due to this I assume, but also you get milk in a glass at lunch and supper so there's less chugging with the sippy cups going on.
• Less milk means more real food.  Lots more.
• You eat a good sized portions at every meal.  More than Freddie for sure.  
• We're trying a three meals plus one afternoon snack routine here, and you're not finding it easy to give up the snacking habit you'd acquired.  You ask for "snacks" several times a day.
• You really like salad, especially cucumbers.

Likes:

• You have your favorite friends, and I like watching you seek them out on the playground.  
• Freddie is your absolute favorite, above all things.
• Cars and trains
• Playing ball
• Throwing sticks and rocks into the river
• Bath time...Hurricane Hansie in the tub
• Bob Marley, although the other day you told me you liked a song and it was Lynard Skynyrd. You generally love a good beat, and have even been singing along with your dancing lately.
• Brushing your teeth
• Reading stories
• Street Sweeper!!!  It is your favorite work truck and you can always hear it before you see it.  It's fun to watch you search for it once you hear it coming.

Dislikes:

• Taking turns and sharing
• Being told to pick up toys, or just generally being told to do anything other than what is getting your immediate attention

Potty:

• Totally, 100% trained.  Very few accidents.  Mostly compliant and will go without a fuss when I tell you to go potty before we leave the house or when we all stop at the bathroom.
• Few to no accidents.
• You are beginning to take off your own bottoms.  Lord help us.  I appreciate your independence but it is very challenging to watch you struggle, scream, screech, and refuse any help or guidance.  But that face when you've finally gotten it all by yourself is worth it!
• Dry morning diapers happen every once in a while.  You want to potty as soon as you get up, which is great and will help when we finally ditch the overnight diapers.  I am thinking we'll wait until the end of the summer and our summer travel plans to attempt that unless you give the directive sooner.

Prolific

House with stairs, Mama, garden, and wind, and name followed by a fish.

Freddie kicking the ball to Hans, and Hans is crying.  Hans has his hands on his eyes.

Train with tracks and steam.  For Mama.

Freddie on the right, in a chair and hands in pocket, and teachers on the left.  (I like their eyelashes!)

Mama Rides

Watch out!  Coming through!

The passenger in the rear kept putting on his breaks and telling me to slow down.  The passenger in the front kept shouting for the turbo button.

It's a long load that requires lots of pedaling to keep moving.  We all got used to it within a few minutes, with the exceptions of my thighs which were screaming the entire time.

Fun times ahead with this rig.

Sand and Surf

Ahhhhh, the beach....

There really isn't anything better, even with especially with little boys.

The boys are at the perfect age for the beach.  They slip into their swimsuit each morning and dig, and dig, and dig all day.

 

We spent mornings on the beach and visited the {heated} pool in the afternoons.  

 

Foggy Morning

Both boys really loved the warm pool.  Hans jumped in and wanted to keep up with Freddie.

We saw lots of porpoise and a huge school of sting rays which passed right near our feet.

The boys fished and caught a shark! 

And we slept in, lounged around, and ate seafood.  Oysters, shrimp, and fish each day!

Perfect way to finish our vacation.