A Squirrel Experiment

With the addition of a bird feeder to our yard Julia has developed a newfound annoyance of squirrels. It didn't take long, for a day or two she thought it was funny that the squirrel climbed the bird feeder shaking food out, then for another day or so it was funny that the squirrel had figured out how to open the top of the squirrel-proof feeder  (I want my $ back).

Then she got fed up and like so many people before her she has now started to devise her own squirrel proofing experiments. The first one, after much discussion of building fences, fortresses, and enclosures, was to rub the pole of the bird feeder with oil causing the squirrel to slide right off.

application of the oil

making sure it's completely covered

Result?
squirrel - 1, Julia - 0

but I'm sure the battle will continue...

Swimmer Boy

Fall 2014
Me: Ben when are you going to take swim lessons like Julia?
Benj: never
Me: really?
Benj: I am NEVER getting in that pool!
Me: ok, then

Spring 2015 
a random afternoon before Julia's swim lesson during quiet time
Me (downstairs reading a book, listening to Benjamin sneak down the stairs): what do you need Benj?
Benj: I want to swim. I want to take swim lessons. TODAY.
Me: Well, we can sign you up for lessons but not today. We need to talk to Ms Wendy and find out when you can take a class.
Benj: But I want to swim today.
Me: We can talk to Ms Wendy today.
...
a month later - after lots of discussion and clarification that he really wants to do swim lessons:

ready to go

2 swimmers!

He was very excited leading up to the big day but when we arrived and it was time to get in the pool his nerves started showing. Andrew ended up sitting with him for most of the lesson but he did eventually get in the pool and even had a little fun.

The second lesson was more of a success. He went off to the lesson by himself and did great for the first 15 minutes with only a little reassurance from Andrew and I. After that his shivering got the better of him and he was ready to be done but with a little more encouragement and a surprise cheering-on by Alex he got back in the pool and finished the lesson!

Soccer Girl

Julia is playing soccer again this spring. The format is a little different this time around - it's a clinic where they concentrate on skills instead of a practice and games. She seems to be learning more and enjoying it quite a bit... although it could just be the silly British coaches that she enjoys!

Skater Boy

We are making up for the weeks we spent inside this winter by now spending every possible minute we can outside. Benj is loving his balance bike and scooter and has gotten quite good on both. He also recently outgrew his old helmet and now looks the part of a skater as well!

Julia's Gallery: The Duck

One of Julia's most recent pieces of artwork

A duck that is swimming in a pond and about to crash into a tree!

Heard Around Our House

At dinner during a conversation about where Julia and Benjamin are going to live when they grow up:

Benj: you can live with me, Mom.
Me: Thanks, Benj. Where are we going to live?
Benj: Yes, you'll be in the dungeon!
Me: Really?
Benj: Yes, but it has a pool.
Me: Great. Can I have a super comfy bed?
Benj: No, goof! Dungeons don't have beds! Remember, Frozen?!?
right, silly me!

While I'm getting snacks together:
Me: Benjamin is your job to drive me crazy?
Benj: yes, I'll drive you
Me: where are you going to drive me?
Benj: well, I don't know. but you'll be in my trunk!

hmmm... I'm a little worried.  But I will note that both of these conversations occurred while we were joking and laughing so I'm hoping the underlying aggression is all in good fun! 

How the Skunk Got His Stink (a story by Julia)

Julia was inspired by Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories... and the skunk cabbage growing in our backyard!

How the Skunk Got His Stink by Julia

One person stepped on a skunk cabbage. There was a skunk nearby. When the person smelled the cabbage he was disgusted but when the skunk smelled the cabbage he liked it. He ate all he could find. And that is how the skunk got his stink.

A Weekend in May

A glimpse into one of our recent weekends...

We had our first poetry dinner. A new monthly event that we are trying out - to read poetry, practice table manners, and enjoy eating in our dinner room off the china we hardly ever use!

Special drinks with appetizers

Apple rose pastries for dessert. They looked beautiful - I was very proud of myself but they tasted awful! No flavor at all. Thankfully we had made brownies too!

We went to our first PawSox game of the year 

Julia had her first spring soccer practice. Photos of her will be in future posts! But Benj and I got some practice in too and had a fun time on the playground!

Mastering the wiggly bridge!

He did it - all by himself!

Kid Photographers

This is what the kids do when they get their hands on my phone:

taken by Benjamin

taken by Julia

St. Louis!

This year is turning out to be our year of travel. We took our second big trip over the last weekend of April to St. Louis to see my brother Jon, his wife Shannon, and my nieces, Hannah and Jordan. They very graciously welcomed us into their home and made us feel right at home!

This trip had been highly anticipated by the kids. They couldn't wait to see Hannah and Jordan "in their own house" as they kept repeating in the weeks leading up to it. They did great on the flights there and settled right in once we arrived. They were infatuated with their big cousins and followed Jordan around like little ducklings all weekend. They played, did lots of art, put on a performance for us, and just enjoyed being with their cousins. It was great to see!

We did a good bit of sightseeing as well. On Saturday morning we went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens which were absolutely beautiful! The azaleas were in full bloom and there were a few peonies starting to blossom. We had a wonderfully peaceful walk through the main gardens and then ended at the Children's Garden where the kids could have spent hours!

Setting the table for the fairies

Sheep!!

Adventurous kids in the Children's Garden!

Add caption

Saturday afternoon and evening were spent seeing some of the important places in Jon and Shannon's lives, chilling out, playing, and relaxing. Then on Sunday we were up early again and headed to the Zoo! Benjamin was thrilled that there were penguins! And Julia got to see her beloved flamingoes, ride a puffin on the carousel, and take advantage of an older cousin who can give piggy-back rides!

Other highlights of the zoo were the baby monkeys (so cute!) and the sea lion show! After a few hours of animals the kids were ready to chill out so we headed back to the house and they enjoyed their last few hours of playtime and even put on a performance for us with Jordan (who did a terrific job organizing and directing an opinionated Julia!).

I think that the amount of fun the kids had can be summed up by this picture:

She was done at the end of the day! Exactly how it should be! We had such a wonderful time and the weekend flew by! We're looking forward to a repeat journey in the future!

Glasses

Once every three or four years I order a new pair of glasses. This year I tried out a new purchasing option and bought a pair online. One of the advantages to buying through the company I used is that you can choose up to 5 pairs of frames to try on at home.

Well, Julia thought that was the best thing ever! She immediately became my model trying them all on and begging me to let her keep a pair. That didn't fly. But the next time we were near a Claire's I let her choose a pair so she could make her fashion statement.

I will admit that I thought it would be a short-lived infatuation. But I was wrong. She wore them for days and has continued to wear them regularly. The original pair suffered a tragic ending during a recent trip but have been replaced (to much delight) and are remaining a mainstay of her wardrobe.

All I can say is that while she looks adorable, I hope that she only ever needs them for fashion!

Julia and I in our new glasses!

Benjamin Milestone: dentist!

Turning three includes some good and some not-so-good realities. On one hand, Benjamin is big enough to ride a scooter! On the other, there's the first dentist appointment. To say that Benjamin was not looking forward to the dentist would be an understatement. He was adamant that he did not want to go. But we managed to stay cheerful and talk-up all the positives - shiny teeth!, chocolate toothpaste!, prizes!, chocolate toothpaste! And it worked! 

Benjamin had a great visit - no cavities, the chocolate toothpaste was delicious, and the penguin toothbrush they used was delightful! phhheeewww!

Catch-Up - Easter

When I last left-off it was right before Easter, we had attended an egg hunt at the Greenwich Club and were excited for Easter Bunny! The bunny did, in fact, make it to our house and left plenty of chocolate and jelly beans. He also left scooters. A great choice as they have been used almost every day since!

After the scooters were tested out on Easter morning, we had a nice visit with Great Grandma Irene, Grandpa Rick, and Grandma Les and then had East dinner at Grandma Laurie's.

It was a fun day and the kids are still working through the candy that was in their baskets!