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!

Egg Hunt

Happy Easter!

a few pictures from our annual egg hunt at the Greenwich Club

Accidental Poetry

We were recently treated to a poetry lesson by one of the Dad's in our Friday group. He is a literature professor at Brown and offered to lead the kids (big and little) in a short introduction. Since not all the kids can read and write he used a novel approach - accidental poetry. 

He started with a discussion of poetry, read a couple, and then showed them a few poems with different formatting. Then he talked a little about accidental or found art and let them create their own accidental poems. 

Each child took a few words that had been cut from magazines and newspapers and taped them to a paper in whatever format they wanted. The kids were instructed to not choose their words but to just take a random handful. Some of the results were funny, some nonsensical, and some were fantastic. But no matter what the kids came up with they all had lots of fun with the process!

Julia's poetry

Ben's poetry

Heard in Our Car

On our way home from a playdate today (Good Friday) Julia asked why there were so many people out and about. I explained that for many people it's a religious holiday and therefore they are off of work or school. We then got into a discussion of work versus vacation days which ended with this exchange:

me: so some people take today as a vacation day
Benj: like Daddy
me: No, Daddy is working today
Benj: But sometimes vacation is when you go off by yourself
me: Well maybe, but we usually spend our vacations together
Benj: No, Daddy does that a lot
me: Does what a lot?
Benj: Takes a vacation
me: when? Daddy doesn't usually go away by himself
Benj: when he goes off by himself... everyday... like today.
me (not getting it yet): no Daddy's working today
Benj: yes but he's by himself, it's his vacation day! All his other, regular days, like Saturdays, he spends with us.

hmmmm.... not sure what Andrew's opinion of that is!

New Adventures - Bike Fun

The piles of snow around here have made it impossible for the kids to get out and ride their bikes but last week we found a solution to that problem - an indoor bike and skate park! And it's only 5 minutes from our house!

I had been a little hesitant to take the kids because I wasn't sure exactly how well suited it would be for younger kids but after hearing rave reviews from friends we decided to check it out. Boy am I glad we did! It is a fantastic place with wonderful staff and an enormous amount of space for the kids to play, ride, and learn new tricks (literally!). 

I left with both kids begging to go back and then talking about it constantly this past week. So today we went back. This time both kids were more comfortable and started trying out some new skills on the ramps. Benj has been practicing on his balance at home over the past couple of days and can now race down our driveway:

(I'm sure I'm going to have a heart attack one of these days!)

So after just a few minutes today he was riding confidently up and down the ramps on the street course. Julia got some tips from the fabulous instructor and was soon doing the same! Both kids were super proud of themselves for being able to keep up with the "big kids."

There is also a ramp they can slide down and a foam pit to jump in so when they need a break from riding there's a lot to keep them busy!

At the top of sliding ramp!