Finally a video of Max without the training wheels... (and Anna and Olin):
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Focus, Olin?
Anna is away this weekend and I'm hanging with the boys.
We've talked about how Max loves karate, but we haven't talked about One Martial Arts, where he goes, is as much about building character as it is about martial arts. There are regular themes per class which repeat, and the children learn about respect, focus, balance, and things like that.
We've also talked about the funny things Olin says. He usually says what Max says, not always with complete understanding. And he loves to try and impress Max. And Max loves to teach. All together this can get pretty funny.
So I came home from work today, and this was the conversation they were having, word for word:
Max, standing and talking directly to Olin, who is sitting:
What does focus mean?
Olin, extremely proud of himself:
Control of your body!
This sounds a little like "Conchol Ova Botty!," complete with plenty of spittle.
Max, shaking his head in exasperation:
No, focus means "Pay attention."
He looked at Olin again, earnestly, and tried:
What does family mean?
Olin, extremely proud of himself:
Control of your body!
And so on. A little while later Olin was at the table while Max ate (Olin eats nothing) playing with action figures. One of the action figures said to the other: "Do you miss Mommy," in a sing-song voice, and the other replied sheepishly, "Yeeeaaaaahhh." And Max ate. And Olin enacted his little drama. And I just watched in wonder.
They kill me. Every day.
We've talked about how Max loves karate, but we haven't talked about One Martial Arts, where he goes, is as much about building character as it is about martial arts. There are regular themes per class which repeat, and the children learn about respect, focus, balance, and things like that.
We've also talked about the funny things Olin says. He usually says what Max says, not always with complete understanding. And he loves to try and impress Max. And Max loves to teach. All together this can get pretty funny.
So I came home from work today, and this was the conversation they were having, word for word:
Max, standing and talking directly to Olin, who is sitting:
What does focus mean?
Olin, extremely proud of himself:
Control of your body!
This sounds a little like "Conchol Ova Botty!," complete with plenty of spittle.
Max, shaking his head in exasperation:
No, focus means "Pay attention."
He looked at Olin again, earnestly, and tried:
What does family mean?
Olin, extremely proud of himself:
Control of your body!
And so on. A little while later Olin was at the table while Max ate (Olin eats nothing) playing with action figures. One of the action figures said to the other: "Do you miss Mommy," in a sing-song voice, and the other replied sheepishly, "Yeeeaaaaahhh." And Max ate. And Olin enacted his little drama. And I just watched in wonder.
They kill me. Every day.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, January 18, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
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:
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:
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