Reading

 

The kids have been "reading" a lot lately.  Sam is fully reading at his level, Vivian tells a story according to the pictures like her teacher, and Lanie turns the pages and imitates reading behaviors.

Queen Lanie

Outside in Long Island

Fall Photos 2017

Lanie's First Driving experience

"Hello"

She has perfected "hello" and also "bye."  This particular morning she left the room and said "bye" so many times that Sam fell over laughing.  Then she came back and appropriately switched to "hello."

Sleeping Children

When I came home after having drinks with a coworker, Chris had put the children to bed and this is how I found them, sound asleep.

Moana

This summer Vivian is pretty sure she's Moana, which in my opinion is great if she has decided she's a Disney character.  It does have a slightly dangerous element where she's not scared of the water, but hopefully that will just result in her learning how to swim.  We have found her singing to the sea a lot at the beach.

Lanie Tries Out Walking

This was a random occurrence after dinner, although she was trying it out in on a blanket on the grass at the pool today.  She tends to try things one day (like saying a word), then never do it again, so we'll see if she has actually decided to walk or if she's just testing the waters.  Bittersweet to see the youngest turn from a baby into a toddler!  

Lanie and the Water Table

I should just put a little baby soap in here and I'd be all set for the bath for the night since she seems to think it's for washing purposes.

More Texts

The Car Wash

Sam videotaped Lanie as we went through the car wash the other day.  I  love her expression as she takes it all in.

Vivian Dancing

Easter 2017

 A nice warm Easter this year, in which the Easter bunny learned not to leave plastic eggs outside overnight, because some sort of little critters enjoyed them.  Lanie figured out how open up eggs and that they had treats inside of them.

 I managed to get the older two to church while Lanie napped.  There was an Easter egg hunt at after church.  And I learned that bringing playdough in plastic eggs can be distracting when the eggs roll under the pews. 

Then we went to my parents house for dinner, third outfits of the day.  The once clean children ended up filthy.  Vivian thought that she would wear her Minnie Mouse dress costume that she never worse on Halloween.  The polyester did not breath well and she eventually got hot even to change.

Lanie Attempts the Trampoline

Lanie has been watching her siblings jump on the little trampoline, so this weekend she has decided that she should try it out.

The Pediatrician and the Elevator

We had this delightful visit recently to the pediatrician, I think on a Sunday morning, when I was taking the baby in for an ear infection.  The four story building is mostly closed and deserted on a Sunday, with only a handful of offices opened.  As I had the stroller, we took the elevator to the third floor.  For some reason, as the elevator door opened, Vivian put her hand on the door and as it slid open and her hand slid with it into the area where the door retracts.  She immediately started screaming and the door stopped, with Vivian's hand still in it. 
In a moment of parental panic I pushed the stroller out of the way and slammed on the alarm button of the elevator repeatedly which just actually makes a bell ring.  The bell made the baby scream, but nothing else came of it.  Vivian was panicking and screaming and trying to wriggle her hand loose, which scared me in case it was broken and she was moving it.  I finally grabbed her hand and pressed the door open button at the same time and pulled it free.  We ran into the pediatrician's with Vivian screaming and sobbing and Sam pushing the stroller.
After a kind of wild appointment, Vivian's hand was cleaned up and was a little scratched and bruised but intact and shockingly unscathed and Lanie had an ear infection.

Now when we visit the pediatrician, the children stand in the middle of the elevator, hands in their pockets, and as Sam says, "feet not near the doors."

First Birthday Party

Lanie Stores her Snacks

Just in case we're in the bathroom and hungry... Vivian poked holes on top of each roll, and then Lannin diligently inserted her snack into the openings.  I'm glad I realized what she was doing before I stocked the toilet paper...

Lack of Sleep #1

Sam's Joke

Sam's idea of a joke, possibly from the time that he may have watched the Simpsons. 

It's not easy being the third.

Then maybe he felt badly.

Vivian's Fashion choices for Nana

Nana came over before school yesterday to drive Sam and Vivian to school, as Chris had to be at work early.  Lanie was thrilled to see her and bounced around and reached for her, Sam continued to go about his morning, and Vivian ran to see her.  After a few minutes, Vivian needed to get dressed, at which point she looked Nana up and down. 
"You is driving me to school today?" she asked.
"That's right," my mom told her.
"And you's wearing that?" Vivian inquired.

Just for the record, Nana was dressed rather fashionably, with leggings, a tunic top, and ankle boots that matched her scarf.

"Yes.  This is what I'm wearing.  Should I have sent you a photo first to make sure you approved?"


This may have also come from Vivian's birthday dinner day, when she was allowed to choose Nana's outfit for her, but it's a little unclear.

Nana's outfit chosen by Vivian.

Vivian's idea of a very beautiful outfit.

Lanie's shirt

Lanie is not fond of her shirt, or perhaps she is just working on a new skill.

Lanie Trying to Crawl

Magic Word

Vivian was supposed to be getting her pajamas on and I kept reminding her.  Finally I went into her room and told her again.
She looked at me and held out her foot and said, "take my boot off mummy."
"Vivian," I said, "what word do you say?"
Very seriously she looked at me, "abracadabra."

Let's Call Her....

Vivian has this strange idea that when Lanie grows up, she will have a different name.  We have variations of the same conversation:

"Mom, when Lanie grows up let's call her Za-Za."
"Um, how about Lanie?"
"No, when she grows up, we'll call her Za-Za.  It's nice.  Hi Za-Za!"
"Um, we'll think about it."

So far we should name her:  Za-Za, Abbie, Videa, La-La, Anna, and some others I can't remember right now.

Women's March Boston

Taking the Red line in.

Crowds spilling from Boston Common across the streets into the Public Garden.

Angel statue looking over the march.

Lanie and I.  She was a good companion though a little heavy after a while.

Statue on the mall wearing a pussy hat.

Crowds gather to listen to speeches.

The Bears

Winnie-the-Pooh recently got a makeover and now it seems to be becoming a daily occurrence to dress the bears.  It is fun to find them dressed when I come across them unexpectedly.

Lanie Gets a hug while Reading

Lanie got a hug while reading her book upside down.

Signs

When I went to leave the house yesterday morning, the children were making signs for their bedroom doors.  This is Vivian's, it purpotedly says, "Sam can't come in."  Sam's is not pictured, but it read something to the effect of "Vivian is not allowed in my room.  If she comes in, it is $1 an hour, or 1 cent a minute.  After 4:00 it's free."

Drawing

The kids have been drawing a lot lately.  I think staying home when Sam had strep they became bored and then finally settled into finding themselves things to do around the house that I didn't facilitate.  Here they are drawing and their new favorite subject is apparently Lanie.