Belated

The idea was to write a valentine note to each of the kids in the days leading up to VD. And also give a birthday tribute. Although I will backdate this post, it is really March 10th and I'm late on both counts. Get used to it, Clara. That's the way it rolls around here.

So, there you are - your birthday meal: spaghetti. It was fun to watch you slurp up the noodles with relish.

One years old. You survived this family! We love you so much. At one years old you delight us with your tricks: buzzing your lips, signing "light", cruising around and even taking a couple steps. I love holding you. You are your daddy's girl. In fact, it frustrates you beyond measure if you see him and can't get to him fast enough. He plays "grab legs" with you and we toss you through the air, back and forth. It makes you giggle. Sometimes you get a look that makes me wish I had magical powers to look inside your brain and learn what you are thinking (see below). You have a twinkle in your eye that already seems to catch the humor in the craziness around you (see above).

Happy Birthday, Clara!

Three Years Old

Tonight you stood on the stool and sang us impromptu songs about "Intel, Intel, Intel", and "feeling the Holy Ghost inside makes me happy." Your songs are hilarious. You like to be cuddled. Dress-ups are your gig but so is dressing-down: either an accessorized princess or a naked nelly - if it's your choice there's rarely an in-between. You like your apples whole. You like to draw pictures of people and write in your notebook. "Where's my chapstick?" and "I need my letter blanket!" are frequently heard throughout the day.
Happy Be-lated Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day, Sydney Ruth.
I love you,
Mom.

Remember This Little Guy?

This was when we still called him "Little T". Age 14 months. I love this kid. Talmage is growing up, navigating the challenges of his world and relishing new skills. Last week he got an immunization shot (secondary to my poor bookkeeping). He was very brave about the whole thing. He hunched up and clutched Mr. Bear in anticipation. When he was poked, his eyes opened wide in shock and he sharply inhaled. But he didn't cry. When it counts, Talmage can be stoic.

This morning for the second time, Talmage rode his bike while I ran. Usually I run with music. But not when I run with Talmage. Here is music to my ears: watching his little boy body, hunched over his handlebars, short legs pedaling as furiously as possible, and then hearing him holler out "Yeah-hooo!" as he thrills at his breakneck speed.


Happy Valentine's Day, Talmage.
I love you.
Mom

Tech Talk

Last night Sydney pulled out her "laptop computer" to give us a little post-prandial lecture on the grave error of pushing the "dot". Sydney doesn't mess around when she's the teacher. She requires an attentive, quiet, and happy audience. She does not require clothing. What follows is a short segment of a rather lengthy sermon.




Translation:

"[???] ... Be happy, mom. I need happy. ... And you say your ... If you push the button you'll be wrong. If you ... shhhh! Shh, Talmage. If you type your section - I'm teaching you guys. [We're listening, Syd. ... Keep going.]. So there are all sort of m's. If ... That's the wrong. If you push the dot that will be wrong."

Want some more? How 'bout in song?




Translation of sorts:

S: ... It's your section. If you turn ... the frowny face of the computer to ... computer with the ...., you see. If you ... you see. .... don't have to cry.

T: Teacher, teacher. I have a question.
S: What question do you have?
T: Next time I can be the teacher.
S: Yeah. And you can write the computer. Yeah, and you can teach me and [inhale] Robin and Briton to teach how the computers that we're teaching.
T: Yes!

Sent from my iPod

Clara Tricks

Narrator: Sonya

C: Ma ma ma ma ma
S: That girl is so silly. She say, "ma ma ma ma ma."

C: [sniffing trick]
S: She say, "shake shake." She always say "shake shake."
C: [on cue: head shake trick]

One Time in January We Went Tubing.

Contemplative Jude.

Sydney's first snow angel of her entire life.

I like this video because Clara is sprawled out in the snow as if she were sunning herself at some exotic beach side resort and also that Hilary is trying to convince an otherwise-opinioned Jude that he's having a good time.

It was fun.

Another Time in January, Briton Went to Israel

For a little work and a little play.

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home.