Family portrait by the sea in the sunshine

Freddie, Dada holding Hans, and Mama. After drawing the first two figures he exclaimed "I forgot arms!" and went back to add the detail.  I like how he chose to draw Hans' arms to the side after deciding Dada would be holding Hans.

Lovin'

• Having two bunnies
• Searching for the Easter Bunny
• Zoo trips
• "Spring" and the anticipation of warmer days
• Big kisses right on my lips
• A new toaster oven that toasts!
• Freddie putting on "Jazzfest shirts" (floral button downs)
• Almond M&Ms
• A little basketball fanatic
• Sneakers and pajamas in bed (the kid LOVES shoes)
• I love you even when you're ugly and grouchy, Mama
• Two kids eating entire cheeseburgers

Bird Nests for Easter

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 6 cups rice krispies (or puffed rice cereal)
• 10 oz marshmallow (4 cups miniature marshmallows)
• Candy "eggs"  (I used Robin Eggs and Almond M&Ms)
• Peeps

Directions:

1. Melt marshmallows and butter.  I did this in 2 minutes in the microwave.
2. Mix in cereal.
3. Using oiled or buttered hands form balls of mixture into next shape.  I pressed each into a cupcake pan sprayed with Pam just to make things easier.  
4. Add eggs and a Peep.  
5. Let firm.

Notes:

• Dye some coconut green to add to the nest for grass.  Not many fans of coconut in our house so I didn't bother.
• This made about 20 cupcake size nests.  You can form them to whatever size you like.

Portfolio Entry

Freddie's teachers keep a portfolio which documents his growth in many areas.  Photos and snippets of text give small snapshots into his world at school. We get updates on his growing number sense, his ability to work independently and in groups, his experiences with print and reactions to music and art.  I appreciate all of them, but my favorites are the ones like this...

Freddie told me that his mom stayed home with his brother and that his father went to work. I asked him what his father does while he's at work. "He makes crystals." I also asked if he's ever seen them and he said, "Yes, on his phone. I can't go to his work and see them; no boys or girls allowed, just grown-ups. When I grow up, I'm gonna be my dad."

Egg Hunt

 

It may be cloudy, grey, cold and *snowy* but we are carrying on with spring activities. 

Hans' playgroup put together an egg hunt in the yard. 

Hopefully the Easter Bunny hides some more eggs for them to find later this week. 

21 Months (and 2 days)

Appearance:

• 27.5 lbs on the bathroom scale, so this is about 50th percentile
• Rosy cheeks
• Crooked teeth, still waiting on the second set of molars but I can feel them right under the gums
• Rough feet, bye bye baby feet
• Size 6.5 shoe
• Round bottom
• Lots of curls
• Dark eyes and lashes

Language:

• Your vocabulary expands daily.  You constantly have new words and are easier to understand.  You repeat just about everything you hear.
• You've got great manners, and expect that every time you say "peas" you'll get your way.  I love hearing you say "excuse me" and "thanks."
• Your sentences are getting longer..."Run fast hallway Mama please."

Motor:

• Your running is improving with your balance.  Your toes aren't pointing inward as much, so this helps.
• You can climb anything and do it quickly.
• You are almost galloping behind Freddie when he demonstrates.
• You are drawing and explaining that it is an "E" or the number 5.  Or you read it to me and say "The End."
• You are able to get puzzle pieces where they belong and take great pride in doing it by yourself.
• Climbing stairs is an area I've seen a lot of improvement in this month.  You are able to go up and down, holding the rail, without help.   
• You are throwing and kicking balls and seem to have a real interest in basketball.  You love shooting into your little hoop and watching the guys play on the outdoor courts. 
• You are beginning to take off your own pants and undies

Diet:

• Meat eater
• Cucumbers are your new favorite
• Cheese
• All fruits, especially bananas and berries

Likes:

• Being read to, especially Llama Llama books and Goodnight Moon
• Lunch, and you call all meals lunch
• Bath time
• Going to get Freddie from school
• Finding your friends in the lounge for Thursday play dates
• Brushing teeth
• Finding the moon at night

Dislikes:

• Having your face and nose wiped, although sometimes you ask to do it yourself and then let mama have a turn
• Getting help from Dada or anyone that isn't Mama, and this is so frustrating.
• Waiting your turn 

Potty:

• I expected it but you're having a regression.  You've decided it's a waste of time to go to the potty since Mama has dry undies on hand.  Freddie went through a bit of the same phase but he was a little older.  I am trying to nip this in the bud.  Hope it passes quickly.
• You are a pro at pooping on the potty.  No more struggles here.  You've been tell me to "go that way" while pointing out the bathroom door, telling me that you want privacy.
• Just about transitioned 100% to the big potty.  We got rid of one of the little potties and will get rid of the other when we head out of town in a few weeks.  No issues using the big potties when we are out and about.

Personality:

• You are one stubborn kid.  
• Shy with strangers, but you've been warming up quickly.
• So affectionate, grabbing my face and giving me a real kiss with a smacking sound and all right on the lips.

Sleep:

• We moved bedtime back with the time change so you've been sleeping 7.30-7.00.
• Napping from 1-3

Sing It

Both boys like the music pumping.  They ask for it to be turn on and turned up.  I love hearing Freddie singing along. 

His latest favs:  Purple People Eater and Day O. 

My favorite lyrics he's been singing:  That's the way, hump-a hump-a, I like it. 

Makes me smile every time and there's no way I'm teaching him otherwise.

OKC Spring Visit

Just a few photos...

We spent time visiting, playing in the grass, and wandering the zoo...

It was a short visit with a perfect spring weather.

It made us miss family, sunshine, and bare feet. 

Showing off

Hopefully we'll be doing it again soon.

And Mother Nature sends Spring to NYC.

Curls

What?!?

Mom! Mom! Mom!  I have fur on my penis!  I pulled down my undies and I didn't even recognize it.


For the record, no fur on the penis.  I am still cracking up.

Baking Soda + Vinegar

One of the things I love about being a mama is watching the boys have the same reaction to things I must have had almost 40 years ago.  There's nothing quite like pouring vinegar over baking soda.  The fizzing and foaming are truly amazing to a child.  It had Freddie busy for an entire hour. 

A jelly roll pan covered with baking soda, some vinegar colored with food coloring, and some pipettes made for a completely engaging afternoon activity.  He squirted and watched over and over and over, creating designs, mixing colors, and just watching the fizzing as I talked about primary colors and chemical reactions.  I see many baking soda and vinegar volcanoes on the beach in our future this summer. 

4 Year Well Visit

Stats:

Height:  38.5 inches (15th percentile)
Weight:  32.25 lbs (18th percentile)

Vaccinations:

• none

Freddie had his well visit with Dr. G today.

He's gaining on the growth charts.  His height is at the 15th percentile, up from the 7th percentile a year ago.  His weight is 18th percentile, up from 12th percentile a year ago.  She is not at all concerned about his size and thought he'd turn out to be average like his mama and dada.

He had his vision and hearing checked, and all good.  He had a tendency to try peeking with the eye that was covered but she estimated his vision to be somewhere between 20/20 and 20/30.

She thought his development was on perfect course physically, socially, emotionally, and laid on lots of praise for his bicycle riding.  She also was very complementary of his manners and general independence.

We talked again about his toe walking.  Last year she thought he'd outgrow it and was surprised to hear he's still at it.  She said he's a bit old to still be doing it, recommended some exercises, and asked to touch base in about a month.  She spoke with Freddie about the importance of walking flat so his tendons develop normally.  I'm not sure if it's just a bad habit at this point or if his feet hurt when he walks flat, but either way he's got to stretch out his tendons.

There are a few (3 maybe?) vaccinations which are recommended between ages 4 and 6, one of which is MMR and is required in NY state before entering kindergarten.  She asked if I wanted them all now, or one or two now, or none at all.  I gave Freddie the choice because last time he was a bit bummed about not getting any shots.  He didn't want any so I asked if we could just get them all when we see her for flu vaccines next winter, which she said was a fine idea.

I'm thankful for a healthy four year old who loves going to the doctor.  Hopefully he gets to walking flat footed and we don't need to see Dr. G again until the next flu season.

Maple Sugaring

 

This weekend we went to see how maple syrup is made!  Freddie's read a book about the maple sugaring process and we've visited the display at the Natural History Museum which explains the process as well, so Freddie had a bit of background knowledge.

We headed about an hour north of the city to Hudson Highlands Nature Museum.

It was a beautiful, crisp spring (it is spring, right?!?) morning.  The paths are still covered with snow from the storm that moved through late last week. 

40 Gallons of sap yield 1 gallon syrup at the sugar shack

The guide showed us several trees which were tapped and explained the process of how the trees make the sap and the best time to harvest the sap (when the days are warm and sunny but the nights temperatures are freezing).

We all got to taste some sap.  Hans was the only fan.  He finished it off with smiles. 

It was a nice way to spend some time outside the city.  I especially love being able to show Freddie things he reads about in books.  It will be interesting to read the book with him again to see what he's learned and how his perspective and knowledge has expanded. 

A conversation in the yard

Freddie (squeezing me tightly):  I will hug you forever, Mama.
Mama: I am so thankful for that, Freddie. 
Freddie:  I want a ring.
Mama:  A ring?
Freddie:  Like Dada's, to show I will always be with you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Freddie has informed me he and Catalina are now married.  It was a big day in preschool!

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Lots of mentions of marriage and weddings lately from this guy.  I wish we had a wedding to go to and am a bit disappointed to not have a video of our wedding to show him.  I have a feeling he'd really appreciate the pageantry of it all. 

Wacky Cake

These are great cupcakes for the allergic or vegan crowd.  They're egg and milk free.  Freddie has a friend with an egg allergy and this recipe was recommended.  I made two batches of cupcakes, the usual which includes egg and a batch of wacky cake, because I was afraid these would be far from yummy.  They were actually pretty tasty and in the future I'll just do wacky cake since there seems to be at least one person in the group avoiding eggs or milk these days.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup white sugar 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 6 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup water Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Sift dry ingredients into an 8x8 ungreased pan.   Add liquid ingredients directly to the pan, making it a one pan recipe, stir well with a fork. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Note: I made cupcakes instead.  I baked at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. This yielded 12 cupcakes.

My Falcon

Sunday morning in Bryant Park we stumbled across children's food festival offering samples and information regarding healthy food choices for kids.  When we heard the announcement for the yoga class beginning your ears perked up..."Yoga!"  And off you went.  Straight to the front.  Never looking for me, or Dada, or Hans.  You found a mat and locked your eyes onto the instructor.

The instructor went through several "animal poses" after suggestions from the participants...dog, cat, elephant, whale.  She then asked your favorite animal.   Peregrine falcon, you replied.  Huh?  Really?  That drew a chuckle from the audience, and I am sure one thousand times reinforced your attempts to give an unexpected answer. 

May you always be so confident.  May you always find such joy and excitement in all that you do.   

March Activities

Freddie decided these would be perfect pencil holder's for Dada's desk at work.

The winter has been dragging on.  Since we all had lots of fun with all of our December activities, I decided to institute something similar in March, except a little "lighter."  I have a skeleton plan and each week will take a few of the ideas, collect supplies, and add them to our calendar.  I am hoping it keeps us moving, and speeds up Spring's arrival. 

Activities:

• Frosting containers turned chicks and bunnies(as pictured)
• Egg carton caterpillars 
• Clothes pin caterpillars
• Clothes pin butterflies
• Plant herb seeds
• Rainbow collage
• Baking soda + Vinegar exploration
• Egg hunt (With Hans' playgroup)
• Finger Paint
• Rice Crispy treat bird nests
• Dye Eggs
• Paper plate chicks and bunnies
• Bake cookies
• Bead and pipe cleaner shamrocks

Outings:

• Home Depot Workshop (The three guys)
• Central Park Zoo
• Swimming (Dada and Freddie time)
• Ice skating
• Go "maple sugaring"

"Academic" and "Skill" experiences:

• Write birthday thank you notes, a couple per week means this will be a month long project
• Books on spring, Easter, bunnies and other baby animals
• Books on St. Patrick's Day, Leprechauns, shamrocks, rainbows
• Learn Dada's phone number, reinforce Mama's (I've been a bit worried we may one day become separated on the subway.)
• Provide opportunities to write numerals 
• Work on getting Hans to only use the toilet and not the little potties
• Provide opportunities for Hans to practice pedaling (I always forget he is happy to go in the hall to do this and it doesn't have to be a warm sunny day.)

Keeping it Real: 4pm on Thursday