A Trifecta Week for Max

Now that he's five, Max keeps surprising us. He plays with Olin for longer periods without trying to torture him. He rolls his eyes at my jokes. He thinks certain shirts are cool. He's practically a teenager. But this week, he knocked it out of the park.

First, swimming. Tuesday he passed his "Guppy Test" and a blue ribbon. We had no idea this was coming and he was so proud (and so were we)!

Then Thursday. He's been taking karate for a while now, which Anna got him into because she likes the outfit. No seriously, it is a wonderful place he goes to and he absolutely loves it. He told us this week that he wants to practice karate for the rest of his life. And this week he earned his (junior) yellow belt. Next time you see him ask him to see it!

And then today. He's been using training wheels since he got his "big bike" when he was four, and he's been clearly ready to lose them for a while, but every time I took them off he wanted them back on right away. Today I took them off, and without hesitation, he biked for over an hour, managing to stop by himself, and only needing a little 'push' to get moving. He was so proud, again! The best part was the third time he fell he skinned his elbow. And he was upset, but then I told him that *no one* has ever ridden his bike all the way home (from the practice lot) the first time they take off their training wheels. And he said "Daddy. Daddy. I can do it!"

A ribbon, a belt, and a skinned elbow. Nice week, Max. We're proud of you. And please slow down. We can't keep up.

The 4 Stages of Ghostses

We've talked before about Olin being afraid of bizarre things -- pigeons (from across the playground), park horses (months after we saw one), and the "scary robot man" (storm trooper on Halloween). Firemen. Another example is ghosts. He thinks they are everywhere. But we are very proud of him, since he finally reached what I'll call the 4th Stage of Ghostses. Here are the stages:

Stage 1: Fear of things resembling ghostses
Max figured out that by making a "oooooooooh" sound, and that alone, he can terrify Olin. Since it is so easy, he does it constantly, sometimes, for variety saying "Boo" instead. Not an exaggerated or scary "Boo," but a simple casual-tone "Boo." And Olin screams.

Stage 2: Second-order fear of ghostses
Max subsequently figures out that by drawing a squiggly line on his Magna-doodle, in the shape of a ghost, and holding it up to Olin, Olin will scream. "Mommy, Ghostses! Ghostses! Ghostses!" Screaming continues.

Stage 3: Third-order fear of ghostses
Olin is getting better at drawing. He can close shapes himself, somewhat representational. He realizes he can draw a ghost. He concentrates, draws a ghosts, holds it up and stares at it. And screams. "Ghost! Ghostses! Mommy!"

Stage 4: Becoming a ghostses
This video says it all. Max and Olin, being ghosts together. Max can't scare Olin, Olin follows him down the hall saying a hilariously understated "Boo."

He is cured.

sea ranch

We just got back from two and a half stunning days at Sea Ranch with Steve and Elizabeth... and after a harrowing drive back in late night storms we're snug in our apartment.

For some photos click here.

Our Holiday Video

So a Turkey called up a firetruck...

We spent the morning with friends at a playground, then went to their house for lunch. The kids were having so much fun I didn't want to drag them home yet, so I returned alone, preheated the oven, and put in our Turkey. Then I went back out to grab Anna and the kids -- maybe a 15 minute journey.

On my return there was a lot of noise. We like to cook our turkeys hot -- which should only really be done when people are in the house. We opened windows and calmed down the alarms, but were too late. The firemen had arrived.

At least we got a picture:

Max's poetry reading

Max: I learned a poem at school today, Daddy.
Me: Yeah?
Max: Yeah. You be my echo.
Me: OK.

Max: I walked through Autumn woods today,
(me: I walked through awesome woods today)
Max: No, no, NO, Daddy. I walked through Autumn woods today.
(me: echoed)
Max: I cupped my hands along the way
(me: echoed)
The leaves shook down with pure gold
(me: echoed)
Too much for my two hands to hold.
(me: echoed).

Max: And then... (he started giggling) I dumped them on the ground!

Blast Off

So we were coming out of a week of Swine Flu, and both kids were pretty depleted. Nevertheless, after spending 3 weeks on the costumes, we were definitely going to trick or treat. At least at 3 or 4 houses. But let's rewind the clock:

At the beginning we made the engines of the rockets. Max calls these "baga-boosters." This video is of us paining the pipe cleaners for Olin's -- Olin's rocket is horizontal, so the fire needs a little wiriness:

Then, finally, we try them on outside earlier today. When the kids are still sane.

And last but not least. They trick-or-treated at maybe 6 houses, and each got to eat one piece of candy on the trip - a gummy life saver -- calling them "gummy bobos." Olin started by putting it in his hair.

A few minutes of getting freaked out by skeletons on the street, and then, clearly, it is time to go home. Olin at the end repeated what he would for the rest of the night -- "scary robot man" -- referring to a kid dressed as a storm trooper. Later, Olin kept thinking scary robot man was in our house.

Both kids were asleep in their beds, fully clothed, by 7:30. Success.