Tuesday, April 29, 2003
Drew just recently brought home a collection of sentences he wrote and a drawing to go along with them. They were apparently made after the teacher asked them a question and the students were to answer the question and draw what it means. The first -
What is one of your favorite sports? "I like to swimming" showing Drew swimming
What is a game you like to play outdoors? "I like to plp tag" showing a stick figure touching another figure's hand
What is a rule at your house? "I cat (can't) tac (take) i (a) Hrshee kis" showing a stick figure (Drew) reaching for the candy jar with Hershey kisses inside
Who do you like to play with? "I like to plp wif Bethany"
What do you think leprechauns look like? "I thingk leprcons look like this" showing a green person withh green hat next to a tree with pot of gold in it.
What do you think kites look like? "I thingk kits look like this" showing Drew and a box kite.
The next one simply shows "I have a seecrit hiding plas." showing him hiding behind the couch in his playroom. (he couldn't remember what the question was that was asked.
What do you like to play with at home? "I like little lego gise" showing a lego person
What do you wish for? (April 2, 03) "I wish that the snow wil goaway"
What is one of your favorite sports? "I like to swimming" showing Drew swimming
What is a game you like to play outdoors? "I like to plp tag" showing a stick figure touching another figure's hand
What is a rule at your house? "I cat (can't) tac (take) i (a) Hrshee kis" showing a stick figure (Drew) reaching for the candy jar with Hershey kisses inside
Who do you like to play with? "I like to plp wif Bethany"
What do you think leprechauns look like? "I thingk leprcons look like this" showing a green person withh green hat next to a tree with pot of gold in it.
What do you think kites look like? "I thingk kits look like this" showing Drew and a box kite.
The next one simply shows "I have a seecrit hiding plas." showing him hiding behind the couch in his playroom. (he couldn't remember what the question was that was asked.
What do you like to play with at home? "I like little lego gise" showing a lego person
What do you wish for? (April 2, 03) "I wish that the snow wil goaway"
Friday, April 25, 2003
I just asked Drew if he had his druthers (and had to explain druthers) who would he want to drive the carpool today, Mommy or Daddy? and he answered Daddy. I inquired why and he answered, 'cause I want Bethany to get to know him better'. I asked him if this was because she is practially a member of our family now and he said yes. Wow, I didn't expect that. I expected him to want Daddy to drive since it is a special day when Daddy is home with us (it is one of John'd two of Fridays a month today) but I never saw his explanation coming. Boy does he adore Bethany.
Drew had such a great time (that is such an understatement) when Grandma Claire, Grandpa Jim, Great Grandma Ellen were here with Griffin. They were together from the first minute going here, going there, just as thick as thieves. Inseparable, not always perfect companions (I heard a lot of 'Griffin did this, Griffin did that') but close nonetheless. Griffin is about to turn 11 in June so I was really impressed that they were able to play together as much as they did.
Drew had such a great time (that is such an understatement) when Grandma Claire, Grandpa Jim, Great Grandma Ellen were here with Griffin. They were together from the first minute going here, going there, just as thick as thieves. Inseparable, not always perfect companions (I heard a lot of 'Griffin did this, Griffin did that') but close nonetheless. Griffin is about to turn 11 in June so I was really impressed that they were able to play together as much as they did.
Thursday, April 17, 2003
Drew and John are having a fierce light sabre fight in the family room. That seems to be Drew's favorite thing to do with John these days. Drew is soooo excited for Griffin to come visit tomorrow with Grandma and Grandpa Keough, and Great-grandma Ellen for Easter. How I wish they could stay longer, particularly Grif, but he has to get back to school.
We took up a huge pile of summer clothes to Drew's room the other day and I had him help me fold them and put them back into the drawers for the summer months. He did a fine job and I think it is cute the way he folds, so carefully wrapping one layer of clothing on top of the other, and then it ends up in a ball like shape. Well the clothes ended up in sort of a pile in the drawer, and you couldn't really tell what was in there, or see all the clothhing choices, like I like it to look. So when I was sure he wasn't looking I carefully took a couple pieces of clothing out and refolded them. I was nortified when he must have seen me and said in a sad voice, 'Please don't fix my folds.' Boy was I busted. I didn't want him to feel like he didn't do a good job of it, because he tried so hard and I think that is what counts.
Drew came home from Bethany's home today, and her grandparents had arrived for a week with them this Eastertime. They met Drew and shortly afterward I picked him up to go home. After he was home I asked hhim about his day, and about his time at Bethany's. He told me of how he felt that her grandparents were not very interested in him. Boy he sure sounded sad. We talked about how most grandparents are most excited to see their own grandchildren. He is getting more and more perceptive to the nuances in the world. He also told me how he felt left out last time Daddy played with Griffin on the video games at Grandpa Jim's home at Christmastime. I had no idea he felt that way. So we talked with Daddy about it later when he came home.
We took up a huge pile of summer clothes to Drew's room the other day and I had him help me fold them and put them back into the drawers for the summer months. He did a fine job and I think it is cute the way he folds, so carefully wrapping one layer of clothing on top of the other, and then it ends up in a ball like shape. Well the clothes ended up in sort of a pile in the drawer, and you couldn't really tell what was in there, or see all the clothhing choices, like I like it to look. So when I was sure he wasn't looking I carefully took a couple pieces of clothing out and refolded them. I was nortified when he must have seen me and said in a sad voice, 'Please don't fix my folds.' Boy was I busted. I didn't want him to feel like he didn't do a good job of it, because he tried so hard and I think that is what counts.
Drew came home from Bethany's home today, and her grandparents had arrived for a week with them this Eastertime. They met Drew and shortly afterward I picked him up to go home. After he was home I asked hhim about his day, and about his time at Bethany's. He told me of how he felt that her grandparents were not very interested in him. Boy he sure sounded sad. We talked about how most grandparents are most excited to see their own grandchildren. He is getting more and more perceptive to the nuances in the world. He also told me how he felt left out last time Daddy played with Griffin on the video games at Grandpa Jim's home at Christmastime. I had no idea he felt that way. So we talked with Daddy about it later when he came home.
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Spring has sprung!! At long last - this MUST be the longest winter on record. Even more so for me as I have sort of stuck inside all winter with Matthew, since I was worried about him being too cold and not being able to tell me.
But last week when we were going for a stroll with the stroller, Drew, Matt and Rory and me, a touching thing happened. Never a dull moment with a little one! The was a big thick line near the curb at the corner of Clergy and Lutheran of snow, where the snowplow had piled up the snow from the last snowfall. It was about 6 inches deep, and sort of tough for me to push the stroller through. I was so focused on pushing the stroller through it that I did nnot realize that Drew had knealt down a few feet away and was carefully pushing the snow out of the way to make a small space for me to push it through. After I plowed through the snow line, Drew started crying. Sadly I found out that he was counting on me being grateful for the great job he did. I wished I had taken a picture of it, the carefully hand carved space of snow, about 16 inches wide. On the way back I was careful to use the space!
My good pal Kari, whose delightful daughter Bethany is 'married' to Drew, told me of an incident at her chiropractor's office a few weeks ago. Drew spends each Thursday at their home, when the children are not in school together. They had taken Drew along to the dr's office appt they had, and the children announced to the dr that they were married. The dr witnessed them kissing, hugging and holding hands. she noted to Bethanys' older brother who is 8, "Boy, they really go at it, we'll have to watch out for those two" and Kari chimed in, "Oh, it's okay, they are married after all" (smiling). She told me of how the dr could hardly stop laughing after that. Their friendship has worked out so very well, it is just amazing, they have grown to get along pretty well most of the time,a dn when they don't they often work it out among themselves. They are very much alike temperment wise, and they live very closeby, close enough to walk in about 8 minutes.
But last week when we were going for a stroll with the stroller, Drew, Matt and Rory and me, a touching thing happened. Never a dull moment with a little one! The was a big thick line near the curb at the corner of Clergy and Lutheran of snow, where the snowplow had piled up the snow from the last snowfall. It was about 6 inches deep, and sort of tough for me to push the stroller through. I was so focused on pushing the stroller through it that I did nnot realize that Drew had knealt down a few feet away and was carefully pushing the snow out of the way to make a small space for me to push it through. After I plowed through the snow line, Drew started crying. Sadly I found out that he was counting on me being grateful for the great job he did. I wished I had taken a picture of it, the carefully hand carved space of snow, about 16 inches wide. On the way back I was careful to use the space!
My good pal Kari, whose delightful daughter Bethany is 'married' to Drew, told me of an incident at her chiropractor's office a few weeks ago. Drew spends each Thursday at their home, when the children are not in school together. They had taken Drew along to the dr's office appt they had, and the children announced to the dr that they were married. The dr witnessed them kissing, hugging and holding hands. she noted to Bethanys' older brother who is 8, "Boy, they really go at it, we'll have to watch out for those two" and Kari chimed in, "Oh, it's okay, they are married after all" (smiling). She told me of how the dr could hardly stop laughing after that. Their friendship has worked out so very well, it is just amazing, they have grown to get along pretty well most of the time,a dn when they don't they often work it out among themselves. They are very much alike temperment wise, and they live very closeby, close enough to walk in about 8 minutes.
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
"BIG EYES"
Yesterday I was transporting Drew and Bethany to school with another playmate of theirs, Jenna, when I heard them talking about God in the back seat. Bethany brought up how God is everywhere watching over us wherever we are. They agreed about how God can watch over one town and still another town at the very same time. I was enjoying listening, that is for sure. Then I heard Drew say, in reference to the previous thought about several towns, 'Wow, God must have big eyes'.
Drew turned off the TV yesterday am after geting dressed and having breakfast, for he knows his limit at any given time is two shows in a row. He has a daytime limit also, for total TV shows. He said to me with a very concerned look on his face, "Mommy, there is a problem with my life." I was sort of laughing inside (for I knew nothing traumatic had just happened), but I am confident it did not show. I asked him what it was and he explained that in the morning three of his favorite shows come on, on PBS channels, all in a row, but he is only allowed to watch two at a time. So I explained to him that we can tape one of them so he can watch it later. This seemed to satisfy him. What a neat moment.
Yesterday I was transporting Drew and Bethany to school with another playmate of theirs, Jenna, when I heard them talking about God in the back seat. Bethany brought up how God is everywhere watching over us wherever we are. They agreed about how God can watch over one town and still another town at the very same time. I was enjoying listening, that is for sure. Then I heard Drew say, in reference to the previous thought about several towns, 'Wow, God must have big eyes'.
Drew turned off the TV yesterday am after geting dressed and having breakfast, for he knows his limit at any given time is two shows in a row. He has a daytime limit also, for total TV shows. He said to me with a very concerned look on his face, "Mommy, there is a problem with my life." I was sort of laughing inside (for I knew nothing traumatic had just happened), but I am confident it did not show. I asked him what it was and he explained that in the morning three of his favorite shows come on, on PBS channels, all in a row, but he is only allowed to watch two at a time. So I explained to him that we can tape one of them so he can watch it later. This seemed to satisfy him. What a neat moment.
Saturday, April 05, 2003
Many of us remember Drew's love for and fascination with balls and, especially, balloons when he was much smaller. I think "ball" was even his first word! Well, it seems like there is something genetic about that. Last evening, we had Drew's friend/classmate/wife Bethany and her brother Gabe over here, and their parents brought Drew a helium balloon when they came to pick them up.
From the moment the balloon entered the room, Matt was entranced by it. He was so fixated by that wondrous thing, that we could not get his attention. Attached to the balloon was a long, thin ribbon. When we brought that ribbbon near, Matt, with great concentration, reached out for it. Intense desire was written all over him. He leaned forward and waved his arms about, trying to grasp it. He was delighted to grab hold of the ribbon, clearly making the connection (no pun) to the balloon. When we pulled the ballon down near him, he got even more excited, and was squealing with delight. To watch him grabbing the balloon was to witness perfect contentment.
The is surely just the beginning...
From the moment the balloon entered the room, Matt was entranced by it. He was so fixated by that wondrous thing, that we could not get his attention. Attached to the balloon was a long, thin ribbon. When we brought that ribbbon near, Matt, with great concentration, reached out for it. Intense desire was written all over him. He leaned forward and waved his arms about, trying to grasp it. He was delighted to grab hold of the ribbon, clearly making the connection (no pun) to the balloon. When we pulled the ballon down near him, he got even more excited, and was squealing with delight. To watch him grabbing the balloon was to witness perfect contentment.
The is surely just the beginning...
Tuesday, April 01, 2003
Drew has been often crawling into bed with me, in the nursery while I am feeding Matthew early in the morning. He wants to be with me, he says. Often I am hesitant to let hhim, since he distracts Matt so much. He cannot take his eyes off his much older brother, once he sees him nearby. But I didn't want to discourage his tender feelings, so I let him crawl in with us. He often says when he sees Matt feeding, 'He looks so cute when he feeds that way' and comes right up close to Matt's face to see up close what is going on.
He and Bethany helped him dance in his jumper today in the kitchen while I made them lunch and enjoyed it. Bethany has a little song she does whenever she 'dances' him 'do the baby dance, do that baby dance...'
Drew chose out of a hat the role of Mr. Q to play in a wedding last Friday between Mr. Q and Miss U. How lucky! Of course the teachers tried, and succeeded, at making all the kids feel each of their jobs in the wedding was important. Bethany was a guest, as were several of Drew's other friends from preschool who are in the two afternoon K classes. Both classes were combined for this. I was not permitted to go for lack of room to stand in the room, but the teacher made me some picture copies!
The kids enjoyed playing in the snow today, while it was falling, and playing with the colored magic nuudles and the new books with their pictures and the moms' pictures in them. Bethany saw me making cross stitched baby bibs and asked if I might make one for new new cousin in California, so I made her one to give him. Nice that she was looking out for him!
He and Bethany helped him dance in his jumper today in the kitchen while I made them lunch and enjoyed it. Bethany has a little song she does whenever she 'dances' him 'do the baby dance, do that baby dance...'
Drew chose out of a hat the role of Mr. Q to play in a wedding last Friday between Mr. Q and Miss U. How lucky! Of course the teachers tried, and succeeded, at making all the kids feel each of their jobs in the wedding was important. Bethany was a guest, as were several of Drew's other friends from preschool who are in the two afternoon K classes. Both classes were combined for this. I was not permitted to go for lack of room to stand in the room, but the teacher made me some picture copies!
The kids enjoyed playing in the snow today, while it was falling, and playing with the colored magic nuudles and the new books with their pictures and the moms' pictures in them. Bethany saw me making cross stitched baby bibs and asked if I might make one for new new cousin in California, so I made her one to give him. Nice that she was looking out for him!
