Look at that winning smile!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Final Countdown!
As my mom pointed out yesterday, today is Connor's last day of being two!
We spent yesterday getting ready for a birthday celebration. A few final two-year old updates.
Last weekend at the park we met a mom who mentioned a website she let her one year old look at. She attributed his knowledge of the letters of the alphabet to this site. The other day in need of a new "activity" I decided to check it out- really just curious as to how that would work. Connor and I explored a few of the pages on the site but the one he really fell for was "Earth Day." It features an activity in which the user clicks and drags cans, paper, and plastic into recycling cans. I didn't think he would be able to master the fine motor skill required to place the cursor on the item, but he got it.
Connor's also been making various pre-reading word sound associations (phonological awareness?). Yesterday he said, "Hey! Weekend sounds like key," and last weekend he said, "Hey! Pans go in the pantry."
This morning I was talking about the backbone and rambling on about animals and mammals. "Hey!" he excalimed. "Animals and mammals rhyme." While they don't exactly rhyme, they're close enough, and I didn't know Connor knew what rhyming was.
We spent yesterday getting ready for a birthday celebration. A few final two-year old updates.
Last weekend at the park we met a mom who mentioned a website she let her one year old look at. She attributed his knowledge of the letters of the alphabet to this site. The other day in need of a new "activity" I decided to check it out- really just curious as to how that would work. Connor and I explored a few of the pages on the site but the one he really fell for was "Earth Day." It features an activity in which the user clicks and drags cans, paper, and plastic into recycling cans. I didn't think he would be able to master the fine motor skill required to place the cursor on the item, but he got it.
Connor's also been making various pre-reading word sound associations (phonological awareness?). Yesterday he said, "Hey! Weekend sounds like key," and last weekend he said, "Hey! Pans go in the pantry."
This morning I was talking about the backbone and rambling on about animals and mammals. "Hey!" he excalimed. "Animals and mammals rhyme." While they don't exactly rhyme, they're close enough, and I didn't know Connor knew what rhyming was.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
What is N-J-A-K?
"I got you some more C-A-N-D-Y," I remarked to the dad after returning from the grocery store this morning.
"Ah, great," he replied.
"What do the letters mean?" Little Pitcher piped up.
So I told him the word that I spelled and why I spelled it.
Later, after dinner tonight, he came to me and asked, "Where's the N-J-A-K?"
Good try, right? Since he had eaten a decent dinner, I gave him some C-A-N-D-Y.
"Ah, great," he replied.
"What do the letters mean?" Little Pitcher piped up.
So I told him the word that I spelled and why I spelled it.
Later, after dinner tonight, he came to me and asked, "Where's the N-J-A-K?"
Good try, right? Since he had eaten a decent dinner, I gave him some C-A-N-D-Y.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Miyu-chan to Yuki-chan to Connor
In the spring we met a Japanese family with two children: Yuki-chan is about half a year younger than Connor, and Miyu-chan just started kindergarten (although she had already completed a whole year of kindergarten in New York. I think her parents find the lack of standardization in school starting age baffling. Isn't it? In Japan everything starts in April. April 1 is the cut-off date throughout Japan, from the north to the south. So much simpler, don't you think?)
The other day Connor had a playdate with them. We found out that Connor and Yuki have the same cap! They were too busy to pose, so I got only action shots. Below you can see all the hard work that was being done. Also, notice their amazing playroom! It's any kid's dream.
p.s. If you're wondering why in every single picture Connor is wearing that same shirt, it's because he loves it, he wears it every time it's clean. When I let him dress himself, that's the outfit he chooses.
The other day Connor had a playdate with them. We found out that Connor and Yuki have the same cap! They were too busy to pose, so I got only action shots. Below you can see all the hard work that was being done. Also, notice their amazing playroom! It's any kid's dream.
p.s. If you're wondering why in every single picture Connor is wearing that same shirt, it's because he loves it, he wears it every time it's clean. When I let him dress himself, that's the outfit he chooses.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Genuine Camper
This is the tent in which Connor slept last night (in our backyard). I was very impressed. It was cool last night (65) and midway through the night his dad offered to bring him inside, but he insisted on staying in the tent. -- Don't worry, he had lots of blankets.
This is a very exciting development. We are getting closer to achieving our goal of an "outdoor baby." (Before he was born we joked about having an outdoor baby, in the way others have outdoor dogs or cats.)
Super Why!
Connor's favorite television program is Super Why!, which he can watch at 7 if he gets up in time. It's a half-hour program for preschoolers that reinforces pre-reading skills like ABCs, rhyming, spelling, and comprehension. It was designed by a group led by one of the creators of Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Are You Serious?
Connor is eating lunch that includes strawberries and vanilla ice cream. First of all, I was shocked that he ate strawberries. I didn't know he liked them.
I took the opportunity to explain that products made from milk are called "dairy." "Some cows are raised for meat, and others are raised for dairy..." I trailed off.
He paused from his feast, turned and looked at me. "Are you serious?" he asked.
My two-year old just asked me if I was serious.
I took the opportunity to explain that products made from milk are called "dairy." "Some cows are raised for meat, and others are raised for dairy..." I trailed off.
He paused from his feast, turned and looked at me. "Are you serious?" he asked.
My two-year old just asked me if I was serious.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Flashback --- 7 Weeks
Came across this while searching through old photos for pictures of Walter ... c'mon, say "Awwww." Little Connor.
Summer School 2008
Especially in July when both parents were engaged in "extended year program" responsibilities, Connor occasionally spent a day on site observing summer school operations. It was a good experience for him. He loves going to schools (well, except his, on some days).
(photo credit MTC summer intern)
(photo credit MTC summer intern)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Connor's current book/video obsession is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Beware: this tune may be highly annoying/addictive, so view at your own risk.
Chopstick
Connor is getting ready for bed. He finished brushing his teeth, came to me and said, "I put chopstick on my lips." And handed me a tube of chapstick.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Bonk Bed
I just found out, Connor thinks he sleeps in a bonk bed, because if you jump on it, you'll *bonk* your head. "It can hurt you," he told me seriously, more than once.
Auntie Shane
Today we met friends in downtown Memphis for a tour of the Gibson Guitar Factory and Museum. Once there, we learned that one must be at least five years old for the tour, during which you see actual guitars being made. So we settled for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street- yummy food and terrific company! Unfortunately the camera was in the car so this is the only picture from our outing.
Friday, August 1, 2008
the Builder
On the way back from the beach we stopped at the outlet mall in Foley. Connor spent nearly the entire time here (with Bob the Builder). He became very possessive of this spot and would not leave lest another child desire to claim it. His instincts were on target, as I observed it to be something of a child magnet, for both boys and girls.
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