Is it a bird, is it a plane?

Posted on September 30, 2008

I hope I am not jinxing anything….

Posted on September 29, 2008

But Chloe has been exceptionally GOOD lately.

Not that she hasn’t always been a good little girl.  However, right around the time she turned two, she developed this Jekyll and Hyde personality.  I know I know, everybody is going to say, “She’s two, that’s what happens.”  Until you have watched your own little angel turn into the devil, you have NO IDEA what that means.  I was really starting to worry that we were raising a brat.  (And I am a worrier, so its not that surprising.)  And for the last six month, John and I have been walking on egg shells around her.  Every time I had to say, “No,” we had to brace ourselves for the aftermath.  And, I would like to point out, I did say no, a lot!

But, over the last couple of weeks she seems to have reverted back to her sweet, good natured self.  She says “please” and “thank you,” most of the time without even being prompted.  She doesn’t enjoy it, but she does share with her friends, and she is accepting “No” which is our biggest victory.

And, after three weeks of constant worry, Chloe had a really good day at school today.  I was able to drop her off without her crying (or running after me like she did last week.)  When I picked her up, the teacher said she did a great job, she participated and sang songs with the other kids.  Chloe excitedly showed me her “paper” (the activity they did that day.)  I was thrilled.  It looks like my little experiment (Project:  Make Chloe More Independent) appears to be working.

Now, I expect everyone who reads this blog to cross your fingers for me that this meraculous change in behavior sticks!  Especially with our grand European adventure rapidly approaching.

Harvest Home Festival

Posted on September 29, 2008

Cause WOW, we have really turned into dorks.

So, part of the charm of living in New Jersey is the combination of urban and rural experiences.  However, if you would have told me 3 years ago that I would be standing in a river of mud digging up my own potatoes (okay, so Simon and Hannah dug up the potatoes, but I held the bag!  Wait, maybe John held the bag.) or watching a flea circus, I would probably have rolled my eyes and made some snarky comment.

And yet, here we are…participating in yet another ritual for the sake of the child.  And, what’s worse, I enjoyed it.  (What’s that?  I couldn’t hear you.)  OKAY, I ENJOYED IT DAMMIT, NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!

Especially the flea circus, that was my favorite part.  And before you ask, YES, I know they weren’t real fleas.  Seriously! Visit the gallery for more pix.

Flea circus

Rolling the hoopy thingy (technical term)

Swinging from a tree

Hay Ride

Mini Me.

Posted on September 26, 2008

Chloe has started quoting.  She can now quote parts of the movies she watches all the time, she also has started quoting her books.  She can read “Silly Sally” with me almost word for word.  And she anticipates parts of “The Little Mermaid” and says it right along with the characters.

I don’t remember doing this until much later in life, but yes, I was one of those people watching “Goonies” or “Princess Bride” and saying every word the actors said.  My brother would get so annoyed with me.

I am trying to tell myself that this is pre-literacy skills, and not because she is annoying or watches too much TV.  Denile adds a little spice to life.

Proud Mommy.

Posted on September 25, 2008

Today at Chloe’s “Let’s Explore” class through the parks and rec, we were playing with a parachute.  We all went under in the “house” and sang our ABC’s.  Chloe sang at the TOP OF HER LUNGS (and slightly off key).  All the other parents and some of the kids were looking at her in disbelief.  I think either a) she was more off key than I thought, or b) they were all impressed and envious that my two year old knows her ABC’s.  I am voting for b.

Who’s teasing whom?

Posted on September 23, 2008

Scene:  Bedraggled mommy hunched over a sink, doing last night’s dishes.

Water running.

Thump thump thump thump thump thump. Chloe (27 pound two year old) running from family room, through dining room, into playroom.

pad pad pad pad pad . Legolas (20 pound cat) following her.

“No Wegowas, run that way.”

Mommy turns of water…listens…it’s silent. Turns water back on, continues with dishes.

Thump thump thump thump thump Chloe running from play room, through dining room, into family room.

Pad pad pad pad pad Legolas following her.

“No, Wegowas, get in the roooooom!”

Mommy turns of water…listens…it’s silent. Turns water back on, continues with dishes.

Pad pad pad pad pad Legolas running from family room, through dining room, into play room.

Thump thump thump thump thump. Chloe following.

“No, Wegowas, no no!”

Mommy turns off water, curiosity getting the better of her, and goes to investigate.

Chloe is shining a flashlight on the walls, the floors, the ceiling, etc.  Legolas (like all cats are wont to do)  is chasing the light.  Apparently, Chloe feels she had propriety rights to the light and is trying to keep him from attacking it.

Shaking her head, mommy goes back into the kitchen to finish the dishes.