I'm recovering from surgery, so I've been missing the kiddos who are, of course, having a fabulous time with Mamak and Pa.
Mamak told me that today Veronica was showing her bare fingers to her, pointing out that she didn't have a wedding ring on because she wasn't married. She wasn't married because you have to be grown-up to be married... and when you're a grown-up you wear underwear.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Fair with a chance of Corn
We went to the State Fair three times this year - each with a free admittance ticket!
Riley Hospital had a nice little "Fun Farm" for the kids to play with. It included live animals and a fake farm. On the "farm" they had to do chores: gather eggs & grain, feed the livestock, drive a (pedal) tractor, milk the cows, plant and harvest a field. At the end of the activity, they took their goods to market where they were paid a currency that was good at a store - and they could then go shopping for a snack.
Riley Hospital had a nice little "Fun Farm" for the kids to play with. It included live animals and a fake farm. On the "farm" they had to do chores: gather eggs & grain, feed the livestock, drive a (pedal) tractor, milk the cows, plant and harvest a field. At the end of the activity, they took their goods to market where they were paid a currency that was good at a store - and they could then go shopping for a snack.
One day we took advantage of the unlimited ride bands. Thomas is quite a daredevil on the rides. He was sad one day when we went with friends and Daddy was able to ride a BIG roller coaster with our friend Alysa. He did however, get many (smaller) roller coaster rides out of armband. Veronica was not into the roller coaster scene. She was happy to ride the carousel over and over.
She did ride the carousel over and over until she discovered "CONVOY" the ride... only when Judson would ride with her. (Ironically, she could not see him at all when he rode with her, but she wouldn't do it with out him - about 10 times!)
And the food, well, it speaks for itself.
Thomas even fell asleep after eating his last bite of chocolate ice cream - with his eyes closed the whole time.
We enjoyed some family time and some friend time.
We're looking forward to returning next year.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Worth the Risk
Thomas woke up the last two days saying, "We are going to see an astronaut today!" He was incredibly disappointed each time I had to inform him that it was not happening yet.
Today the twins, Aunt Peggy & I went to the Children's Museum. We had tickets to hear Astronaut Dr. David Wolf speak after his recent return from a 16 day mission on Endeavour (STS-127). He spoke so well to school kids, but even Thomas was on the edge of his seat the whole time. During some live narration of an astronaut training video, Thomas leaned over to me and said, "I LOVE astronauts!" Veronica informed me at some point during the talk, "There's another astronaut!" There was a guy in the front row wearing a blue jacket the same color as David's jumpsuit. Tonight Thomas went around the yard looking for his space shuttle.
At the end of the talk, a kid asked Dr. Wolf, "With some shuttles that have blown up, does that make riding in one scary?" Dr. Wolf replied that, yes, it was scary. While he was answering, I was thinking about how I had dreamed of being an astronaut. After we watched the Challenger explode live in 5th grade, classmates turned to me and asked if I still wanted to be an astronaut. I was sure that I still did. I thought of my internships with NASA and how that had lead me to have a personal conversation with Dr. Wolf 12 years ago - just before he spend months on MIR.
Dr. Wolf went on to say, "Anything that is important usually carries a risk. The risk is usually worth it." I felt the warmth of Veronica in my lap, her head on my chest; Thomas holding my hand and leaning on my arm. These living, breathing, risks who had me scared out of my mind for nine months before even meeting them, who fought neurosurgery and won. I thought of Julianne and David, my risks before them.
Two of my dreams interfaced at that moment. I couldn't agree with Dr. Wolf more.
Today the twins, Aunt Peggy & I went to the Children's Museum. We had tickets to hear Astronaut Dr. David Wolf speak after his recent return from a 16 day mission on Endeavour (STS-127). He spoke so well to school kids, but even Thomas was on the edge of his seat the whole time. During some live narration of an astronaut training video, Thomas leaned over to me and said, "I LOVE astronauts!" Veronica informed me at some point during the talk, "There's another astronaut!" There was a guy in the front row wearing a blue jacket the same color as David's jumpsuit. Tonight Thomas went around the yard looking for his space shuttle.
At the end of the talk, a kid asked Dr. Wolf, "With some shuttles that have blown up, does that make riding in one scary?" Dr. Wolf replied that, yes, it was scary. While he was answering, I was thinking about how I had dreamed of being an astronaut. After we watched the Challenger explode live in 5th grade, classmates turned to me and asked if I still wanted to be an astronaut. I was sure that I still did. I thought of my internships with NASA and how that had lead me to have a personal conversation with Dr. Wolf 12 years ago - just before he spend months on MIR.
Dr. Wolf went on to say, "Anything that is important usually carries a risk. The risk is usually worth it." I felt the warmth of Veronica in my lap, her head on my chest; Thomas holding my hand and leaning on my arm. These living, breathing, risks who had me scared out of my mind for nine months before even meeting them, who fought neurosurgery and won. I thought of Julianne and David, my risks before them.
Two of my dreams interfaced at that moment. I couldn't agree with Dr. Wolf more.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Buy me some peanuts and...
...COLD BEER!
We went to our first* baseball game tonight. Apparently one of the main attractions is the beer man. He wears a vibrant, fluorescent shirt, and yells, "COLD BEER!" to the top of his lungs. Each time, after he'd passed through, both kids would ask, "Where's cold beer?" He was someone we did not want to let out of our sight, or so I learned.
*first as in, we went last year, but it was NOT enjoyed - too much noise leading to melt downs. This is the first year the kids have placed interest in a ball game... We passed Victory Field one day and Thomas said, "That's where they play baseball." Neither of his parents had ever told him that!
They were both interested in why people went on and off the field (and disturbed when we could see our team as we sat behind the dugout). Thomas asked a lot of great questions and we had a wonderful time.
We went to our first* baseball game tonight. Apparently one of the main attractions is the beer man. He wears a vibrant, fluorescent shirt, and yells, "COLD BEER!" to the top of his lungs. Each time, after he'd passed through, both kids would ask, "Where's cold beer?" He was someone we did not want to let out of our sight, or so I learned.
*first as in, we went last year, but it was NOT enjoyed - too much noise leading to melt downs. This is the first year the kids have placed interest in a ball game... We passed Victory Field one day and Thomas said, "That's where they play baseball." Neither of his parents had ever told him that!
They were both interested in why people went on and off the field (and disturbed when we could see our team as we sat behind the dugout). Thomas asked a lot of great questions and we had a wonderful time.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
P is for...
Puddles
Veronica wanted Thomas to jump in puddles today. It took some convincing to get Thomas out of the house, but he was happy to do the job for Veronica. Veronica pushed her doll in it's stroller and hunted for puddles for Thomas. She would direct him to them and Thomas would dance in and out of them. When she thought a puddle had been used long enough, she'd ask Thomas, "Are you ready to go find another puddle, Thomas?" Off they'd go - Veronica hunting and Thomas splashing. A good team.
Potty
It's been a pretty good spell of the kids having to use the potty around bath time. They seem to be able to tell they have to go when their diapers are off. Both asked to go and went themselves tonight, each after an experience of "it's not working" and then trying again.
"Pee" Js
After the 2nd time Thomas went on the potty tonight, he flushed the pee down the toilet. "Good-bye pee! See you later! We're going to go put our PJs on!" Then to himself with a giggle, "I told him we were puttin' our PJs on.
Veronica wanted Thomas to jump in puddles today. It took some convincing to get Thomas out of the house, but he was happy to do the job for Veronica. Veronica pushed her doll in it's stroller and hunted for puddles for Thomas. She would direct him to them and Thomas would dance in and out of them. When she thought a puddle had been used long enough, she'd ask Thomas, "Are you ready to go find another puddle, Thomas?" Off they'd go - Veronica hunting and Thomas splashing. A good team.
Potty
It's been a pretty good spell of the kids having to use the potty around bath time. They seem to be able to tell they have to go when their diapers are off. Both asked to go and went themselves tonight, each after an experience of "it's not working" and then trying again.
"Pee" Js
After the 2nd time Thomas went on the potty tonight, he flushed the pee down the toilet. "Good-bye pee! See you later! We're going to go put our PJs on!" Then to himself with a giggle, "I told him we were puttin' our PJs on.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Since I'm behind, I'll let someone else do the work (& do it better).
I couldn't describe what we any beter on Monday than Flesworthy does... check it out.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Step in Time!
Aunt Peggy came for another fabulous visit today. The twins wanted her to listen to their Joe Wise CD. Peggy started clogging to it - a huge hit! The twins were quite into the dance. We put on the Step in Time scene from Mary Poppins so Peggy could see their dance routine. She was honored with the request for her to play the role of Mary Poppins.
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