The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, July 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
What a Zoo!
So last week, Dad drove the girls and me up to Atlanta so Elsie could attend Pace Camp with her cousin Bryce. Lots of family visiting, bonding, eating, drinking, ensued... There were visits with friends and some of the aforementioned errand running (Trader Joe's!). And there were big city kid outings (some with cousins!) to playgrounds, the zoo, and the aquarium. (We do not have photos of the adults-only escapades, but suffice it to say that Pat Howells is back as the reigning high scorer on the "exotic" photo hunt at Stooge's on Howell Mill thanks to the eagle eyes of Jim Walker and loyal son-in-law David with Mike, Johnny, and Bryan supporting in absentia.)
10/15
So 10 years ago on June 17th, I married this guy, but 15 years ago on July 28th, I had my first date with him. I had a hunch he'd be a keeper--I was right....
So 10 years ago on June 17th, I married this guy, but 15 years ago on July 28th, I had my first date with him. I had a hunch he'd be a keeper--I was right....
Princess Ballet Camp
So, being a stranger to the world of ballet, I avoided it this year. However, Elsie seemed drawn to tutus and put on home shows as a ballerina and demonstrated lots of enthusiasm but clearly no genetic predisposition for dance. I was relieved, though, to hear that it was ok that I had boycotted ballet class when a lot of my friends started grousing about the costumes, the costs, the shows, the costs, the requirements, and the costs. But Elsie's delight in tip toeing and determination to twirl left me feeling guilty. My solution was to dig dip and sacrifice by sending the girl to one week of Princess Ballet Camp which seemed low key and low obligation. Perhaps Elsie could get just enough ballet to last her through the phase and we could move on to hockey or karate or step dancing or something... But unfortunately, Princess Ballet Camp was high on princesses, Disney marketing, and "etiquette" and low on ballet. So now what?
So, being a stranger to the world of ballet, I avoided it this year. However, Elsie seemed drawn to tutus and put on home shows as a ballerina and demonstrated lots of enthusiasm but clearly no genetic predisposition for dance. I was relieved, though, to hear that it was ok that I had boycotted ballet class when a lot of my friends started grousing about the costumes, the costs, the shows, the costs, the requirements, and the costs. But Elsie's delight in tip toeing and determination to twirl left me feeling guilty. My solution was to dig dip and sacrifice by sending the girl to one week of Princess Ballet Camp which seemed low key and low obligation. Perhaps Elsie could get just enough ballet to last her through the phase and we could move on to hockey or karate or step dancing or something... But unfortunately, Princess Ballet Camp was high on princesses, Disney marketing, and "etiquette" and low on ballet. So now what?
Circa '76
In her jumpsuits, with her sun-kissed hair, and her winged back mullet, sometimes Kit reminds us of baby Farrah or a 1970s baby, all ready to disco and get down to any little beat.
In her jumpsuits, with her sun-kissed hair, and her winged back mullet, sometimes Kit reminds us of baby Farrah or a 1970s baby, all ready to disco and get down to any little beat.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Richard's Horsie
Rarely, when we were good in mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King, we would get to go down to Richard's Variety Story at Peachtree Battle and ride the horse. On occasion, my grandmother would take us there for a treat and a 10 cent ride. Last week, while Elsie was in camp, Kit got to take the Pat Howells express running every errand imaginable around Buckhead Atlanta in order to hit the Quiktrip for a 44-ouncer and hit just the right lunch spot at just the right time. Her patience paid off when we ambled into Richard's after lunch at Zoe's Kitchen. Her fervor for horses was stoked, and we were stoked to watch her ride. (The lady at the cash register gave us a dime when we ran out just to hear her squeal and ride again!)
Rarely, when we were good in mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King, we would get to go down to Richard's Variety Story at Peachtree Battle and ride the horse. On occasion, my grandmother would take us there for a treat and a 10 cent ride. Last week, while Elsie was in camp, Kit got to take the Pat Howells express running every errand imaginable around Buckhead Atlanta in order to hit the Quiktrip for a 44-ouncer and hit just the right lunch spot at just the right time. Her patience paid off when we ambled into Richard's after lunch at Zoe's Kitchen. Her fervor for horses was stoked, and we were stoked to watch her ride. (The lady at the cash register gave us a dime when we ran out just to hear her squeal and ride again!)
Happy Birthday Camille! A Pony Party
Elsie has been into cowgirls and ponies lately after riding at Hilton Head and getting into her new boots from Denver. She has also been gearing up for her own cowgirl party in September! So Camille's Pony Party was triply joyous: cowgirls, ponies, and Camille--all reasons to celebrate! Elsie got dressed western-style to celebrate Camille's fourth and delighted in playing with her buddy, riding ponies, and eating Totoro cake!
Elsie has been into cowgirls and ponies lately after riding at Hilton Head and getting into her new boots from Denver. She has also been gearing up for her own cowgirl party in September! So Camille's Pony Party was triply joyous: cowgirls, ponies, and Camille--all reasons to celebrate! Elsie got dressed western-style to celebrate Camille's fourth and delighted in playing with her buddy, riding ponies, and eating Totoro cake!
Big Girl!
The biggest surprise at Camille's birthday was Kit's unadulterated passion for the horses! There were two ponies ready for riding so after the big kids had their turns, we thought we'd just see if Miss Kit wanted to take hers. We had no idea that she would cry--when she had to get off and then fuss until it was her turn again. She loved it! She waved! She held daddy's hand until she felt brave enough to go it alone. The tricycle may lose its allure now. Kit's mommy was obsessed with ponies and her great grandmother Dorothy was a fine horsewoman and perhaps Kit's been bitten by the bug too!
The biggest surprise at Camille's birthday was Kit's unadulterated passion for the horses! There were two ponies ready for riding so after the big kids had their turns, we thought we'd just see if Miss Kit wanted to take hers. We had no idea that she would cry--when she had to get off and then fuss until it was her turn again. She loved it! She waved! She held daddy's hand until she felt brave enough to go it alone. The tricycle may lose its allure now. Kit's mommy was obsessed with ponies and her great grandmother Dorothy was a fine horsewoman and perhaps Kit's been bitten by the bug too!
Thursday, July 01, 2010
The Golden Age: 18 Months
There are lots of things I have forgotten between Elsie and Kit. I really can barely compare them and only remember the most random of milestones. I think that is a good thing: I don't find myself saying one was quicker or slower or smarter and definitely enjoy things as they come with Kit! I haven't considered any of the parenting advice with her on where your child "should" be and that is a nice thing! One thing I do remember is that 18 months was/is supposed to be the "golden age." Kit turns 18 months today--a year and a half old! A few things about our big girl (with the assistance of her dad):
talking-we're assuming that when Kit is raises her hands and makes a washing motion and says "ahnion" that she is declaring herself to be "all done" and not requesting an onion. although with her appetite and willingness to try anything there is a very good chance she exits her high chair disappointed not to be given a taste of a locally grown vidalia onion on a daily basis.
swimming-she's like a fish or a mermaid with chubby rolls.... place her in the tub and she turn on her belly to swim.... put her down near the ocean and she walks straight in daring the waves to knock her down.
eating-she prefers water to milk--and cups to sippy cups...she loves to drink (should we be worried?) she is much more of a carnivore than Elsie or her mommy and really would eat whatever we put in front of her. Eggs are a definite favorite!
dancing-talk about dropping it like its hot, Kit responds immediately to the slightest hint of a rhythm or whisper of a beat with a full on squat and bob....
sleeping-since the beginning, she has been good at it and that has kept up (thankfully). She goes down like a dream. Most days we can drop her morning nap--some days, she requests one asking for pabby/fritters and pointing in that direction. She naps from 1:30 to 3:30 and then sleeps from 7 to 7. Many times, she sleeps later and often doesn't call for us. It is tricky--sometimes we only know she is up when she starts playing the aquarium her Grandpa David gave her.
climbing-this girl is a climber--she loves to climb chairs, sofas, beds, walls, legs....and she is good at it. She's covered with bruises from various misadventures climbing--a tough girl though.
pabby/bobby fritters-By far, her favorite word is pabby and she has a pabby/bobby combo word that signifies her pacifier and her lovey Captain Fritters, the monkey. She calls for them sometimes as if they will come when she beckons. And I guess they do, because she is feisty and we do fetch them when she demands it.
talking-Kit lets her sister do a lot of talking for her. She has a fairly monosyllabic vocab right now: eat eat, waa waa (water), baa baa (sippy cup sounds like bottle), juice (which she loves but doesn't get often but requests a lot), shoes (sounds like juice), book, sissy (Elsie), O car (Oscar--still her fav), Naa naa (Nonie), Poppa, Mimi (Grammy), and of course, daa daa and maa maa. She also knows all of her animal sounds and many song gestures (Wheels, Patty Cake, etc.). She loves peek-a-boo and is great at blowing kisses!
temperament-This kid's personality is something else. They describe french bulldogs as "little clowns" and with Kit, I think we may have a french bulldog on our hands. She loves to laugh and knows when she is funny. She tickles to get a laugh or dances or burps or runs to laughs or hides... She plays on her own and loves to put things inside of other things--like the bubble wand or bags or buckets. But when she wants something, she will stomp and yell til she gets it--do not hold out on this tyrant! She loves people--is friendly and inquisitive. We have had friends hold Kit--literally--and declare her the reason to have kids or have another. She is just that delicious--our little girl, getting so big!
There are lots of things I have forgotten between Elsie and Kit. I really can barely compare them and only remember the most random of milestones. I think that is a good thing: I don't find myself saying one was quicker or slower or smarter and definitely enjoy things as they come with Kit! I haven't considered any of the parenting advice with her on where your child "should" be and that is a nice thing! One thing I do remember is that 18 months was/is supposed to be the "golden age." Kit turns 18 months today--a year and a half old! A few things about our big girl (with the assistance of her dad):
talking-we're assuming that when Kit is raises her hands and makes a washing motion and says "ahnion" that she is declaring herself to be "all done" and not requesting an onion. although with her appetite and willingness to try anything there is a very good chance she exits her high chair disappointed not to be given a taste of a locally grown vidalia onion on a daily basis.
swimming-she's like a fish or a mermaid with chubby rolls.... place her in the tub and she turn on her belly to swim.... put her down near the ocean and she walks straight in daring the waves to knock her down.
eating-she prefers water to milk--and cups to sippy cups...she loves to drink (should we be worried?) she is much more of a carnivore than Elsie or her mommy and really would eat whatever we put in front of her. Eggs are a definite favorite!
dancing-talk about dropping it like its hot, Kit responds immediately to the slightest hint of a rhythm or whisper of a beat with a full on squat and bob....
sleeping-since the beginning, she has been good at it and that has kept up (thankfully). She goes down like a dream. Most days we can drop her morning nap--some days, she requests one asking for pabby/fritters and pointing in that direction. She naps from 1:30 to 3:30 and then sleeps from 7 to 7. Many times, she sleeps later and often doesn't call for us. It is tricky--sometimes we only know she is up when she starts playing the aquarium her Grandpa David gave her.
climbing-this girl is a climber--she loves to climb chairs, sofas, beds, walls, legs....and she is good at it. She's covered with bruises from various misadventures climbing--a tough girl though.
pabby/bobby fritters-By far, her favorite word is pabby and she has a pabby/bobby combo word that signifies her pacifier and her lovey Captain Fritters, the monkey. She calls for them sometimes as if they will come when she beckons. And I guess they do, because she is feisty and we do fetch them when she demands it.
talking-Kit lets her sister do a lot of talking for her. She has a fairly monosyllabic vocab right now: eat eat, waa waa (water), baa baa (sippy cup sounds like bottle), juice (which she loves but doesn't get often but requests a lot), shoes (sounds like juice), book, sissy (Elsie), O car (Oscar--still her fav), Naa naa (Nonie), Poppa, Mimi (Grammy), and of course, daa daa and maa maa. She also knows all of her animal sounds and many song gestures (Wheels, Patty Cake, etc.). She loves peek-a-boo and is great at blowing kisses!
temperament-This kid's personality is something else. They describe french bulldogs as "little clowns" and with Kit, I think we may have a french bulldog on our hands. She loves to laugh and knows when she is funny. She tickles to get a laugh or dances or burps or runs to laughs or hides... She plays on her own and loves to put things inside of other things--like the bubble wand or bags or buckets. But when she wants something, she will stomp and yell til she gets it--do not hold out on this tyrant! She loves people--is friendly and inquisitive. We have had friends hold Kit--literally--and declare her the reason to have kids or have another. She is just that delicious--our little girl, getting so big!
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