Friday, July 25, 2008
I think it might be in the back....
I'm not sure what Allan was looking for, but as soon as the door was opened, he set a new land-speed record getting over there. And then proceeded to climb up. He was trying as hard as he could to get his foot up on the second shelf so that he could get all the way in to the back.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Summer's bounty
Griffith was loving the mamos, broccoli salad and corn on the cob -- in fact, he ate an entire ear and then half of mine. And gnawed on the empty cob for a while for good measure.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Allan the brat
Lest you think it is all Griffith...Allan is every bit as much of a brat, if not more so. You can not deter Allan once he makes up his mind to do something. He is inexorable. Think Javert. (I believe this to be a trait that he inherited directly from his father.)
Jesana likes to think that she has a pretty good handle on the boys, but confessed that she had to leave story time at the library on Monday because Allan was so awful and she couldn't make him behave. Apparently some woman decided that she would sit in front of Allan and Griff and Jesana with her child at story time (do NOT even GET me started about how incredibly RUDE people are at these sorts of things!). Allan did not care for this sort of behavior and decided he was going to remedy it. First, he would crawl in this woman's general direction, growling and attempting to bite her (she, apparently, was blissfully unaware of her peril since she was acting as if she hadn't decided to seat herself in front of two toddlers so that her precious snowflake could have a better view). Jesana grabbed Big Al several times and got him corralled, but, as happens, she was distracted and the next thing she knew, Allan had crawled up behind the woman and (thank goodness) decided not to bite her, but grabbed her braids (a silly affectation in a woman of our vintage) and gave them a good yank. In Jesana's recreation, the woman's chin went from a ninety degree angle to pointing straight up to the ceiling. Jesana was so embarassed that she packed the boys up and left before Craft Time. I can not endorse such attacks by the boys, but, at the same time, completely understand the sentiment. In fact, I may consider taking Allan the Attacker with me from now on. Bless his heart.
Jesana likes to think that she has a pretty good handle on the boys, but confessed that she had to leave story time at the library on Monday because Allan was so awful and she couldn't make him behave. Apparently some woman decided that she would sit in front of Allan and Griff and Jesana with her child at story time (do NOT even GET me started about how incredibly RUDE people are at these sorts of things!). Allan did not care for this sort of behavior and decided he was going to remedy it. First, he would crawl in this woman's general direction, growling and attempting to bite her (she, apparently, was blissfully unaware of her peril since she was acting as if she hadn't decided to seat herself in front of two toddlers so that her precious snowflake could have a better view). Jesana grabbed Big Al several times and got him corralled, but, as happens, she was distracted and the next thing she knew, Allan had crawled up behind the woman and (thank goodness) decided not to bite her, but grabbed her braids (a silly affectation in a woman of our vintage) and gave them a good yank. In Jesana's recreation, the woman's chin went from a ninety degree angle to pointing straight up to the ceiling. Jesana was so embarassed that she packed the boys up and left before Craft Time. I can not endorse such attacks by the boys, but, at the same time, completely understand the sentiment. In fact, I may consider taking Allan the Attacker with me from now on. Bless his heart.
Share !
In addition to being able to say "share" (which has two, if not three syllables, thanks to Mamma's influence) Griffith now understands the concept of sharing.
This involves him swooping down on Allan, relieving him of whatever toy he has and chiding him, "Shhhh-air-rrr!" as he makes off with whatever Allan once had.
This involves him swooping down on Allan, relieving him of whatever toy he has and chiding him, "Shhhh-air-rrr!" as he makes off with whatever Allan once had.
Al-Jude walk !!!!
We have been working very diligently to get Allan walking independently (yeah, I know, remind me that this was a goal when he and Griffith are running full-on in different directions). The current "game" that we play involves setting Allan on a chair cushion on the floor (so it is like a bench) and putting the giraffe up on the couch. When you put a ball in the giraffe's mouth it plays a happy (if you are Allan) or an annoying (if you are me) little tune and lights light up (thanks, Heather!)
We start off very close to the couch and keep moving the cushion farther and farther away. The trick with Allan is to convince him that there is some reward for his efforts (tune/lights) and to make him forget that he isn't holding on to anything. So we have him hold two balls, one in each hand.
Last night was a stellar effort. We were all home with nothing to do in the, oh, say, 15 minutes, between dinner/dishes and bath time so we decided to show Da what we could do.
Big Al was quite the rock star - over and over again he would pop up, steady himself and launch for the couch. He knows that momentum will get him a little farther than he might otherwise so there are times when he heads off at a precipitous pace. He also tends to dive at the end which sometimes leads to a face-plant on the couch, but, really, those are petty criticisms. We all cheered him on, including Griff, who was delighted by all the activity.
After about ten minutes of this, Griff grabbed a couple of the balls himself, sat down on the cushion, popped up and did a positively scandalous imitation of Allan tottering and diving for the giraffe --- complete with face-plant. Honestly, it was one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time. Then he turned around and squealed "yeah!!!!" and clapped just like we had done for Allan. We, of course, complied and gave him his 'atta boys' just like we did for Allan.
We then put the boys in the tub and got them ready for bed. Allan wasn't quite ready to give up on the solo-ing, though and took 2 or 3 steps (he had done up to 6 before) to get to the chair. Griff looked at me and say "Al-Jude walk !!!" Yes, he sure did.
We start off very close to the couch and keep moving the cushion farther and farther away. The trick with Allan is to convince him that there is some reward for his efforts (tune/lights) and to make him forget that he isn't holding on to anything. So we have him hold two balls, one in each hand.
Last night was a stellar effort. We were all home with nothing to do in the, oh, say, 15 minutes, between dinner/dishes and bath time so we decided to show Da what we could do.
Big Al was quite the rock star - over and over again he would pop up, steady himself and launch for the couch. He knows that momentum will get him a little farther than he might otherwise so there are times when he heads off at a precipitous pace. He also tends to dive at the end which sometimes leads to a face-plant on the couch, but, really, those are petty criticisms. We all cheered him on, including Griff, who was delighted by all the activity.
After about ten minutes of this, Griff grabbed a couple of the balls himself, sat down on the cushion, popped up and did a positively scandalous imitation of Allan tottering and diving for the giraffe --- complete with face-plant. Honestly, it was one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time. Then he turned around and squealed "yeah!!!!" and clapped just like we had done for Allan. We, of course, complied and gave him his 'atta boys' just like we did for Allan.
We then put the boys in the tub and got them ready for bed. Allan wasn't quite ready to give up on the solo-ing, though and took 2 or 3 steps (he had done up to 6 before) to get to the chair. Griff looked at me and say "Al-Jude walk !!!" Yes, he sure did.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Taking his own route
Allan was insistent on climbing back up the whale's tongue (slide) over and over again.
Ready to slip and slide
Griff is very bold -- right up to the point of actually sliding down. For that, he needs to have hold of Dad's hand.
Building up for the big finale
For someone who hated the pool fiercely to begin with, Allan has taken to it quite nicely these days.
Nooooo!!!!!
Griff loves to cover up with all the pillows and pretend to go "night-night!" Then he springs up and yells, "Noooooooo!"
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