Super kid

As MHM takes a back seat to E more often than not, I am going to give him the whole lot today.

What a really neat kid! As I drop him off in his room at school three times a week, he does so with nary a wimper or whine. I don't know if I should feel bad about that as though he may not care??? Today in his room, I walked in, got him out of his seat, plodded over to the play area, plopped him down and went about my business. As I was already working with E on putting his stuff away, I heard a dad say from the book shelf bordeering the play area, "so that's it, just plunk him down??" When I turned to see who was speaking, I noticed him sitting there with a teary eyed little girl. I said , "yeah that's about it" and went about my business with E.

One other thing that is just amazing about him is that he will eat absolutely anything in front of him and plenty of it... Once again, I wonder if I should feel bad about that, as he has apparently inherited my zest for food. He is starting to really look like me as people tell me,and I guess I have known that for some time he really doesn't look like M and E does.

Last Sunday we went to the 100th anniversary celebration of GM out at my Delta facility. Of course E had the majority of the fun but I did let MHM get out of the cart a couple times to stretch his legs and crawl on the grass. While M had E were over near the habitat tent checking out turtles, I had MHM in my arms and one of the shift leaders took a pic of me and MHM in the tent. When I got to work today, I found an 8x7 pic that he took. I was several days very scruffy but MHM makes the pic anyway.

I can't say enough about him other than I am now very glad he turned out to be my son and am all ready proud of everthing he has done and will ever do.

Enjoying what time we have left outside

With time to myself Mon & Tues, I did some chores about the house, went shopping and mowed the lawn. Wednesday was a nice and busy day with the kids. I decided to go see Mr J at the Library. I had the kids ready by a bit after 10 or so and headed out. E was in a good mood and MHM was well fed. I didn't have E head phones (where is the library bag?) so we played just a few moments with the trains and looked at some books. I found one that M had brought home some time ago by Garrison Keillor. This is a couple of poems about a daddy's and daughters. I like to sing them to E.


It is kind of nice that Mr J likes E. He made as special point to come and say hi to E and make sure she saw his silly puppy dog hat. E does seem to garner interest from people as she is quite engaging intellectually for a tot.


We made it to story time and there was a little bit older girl there who wanted to play rough. E was kind of OK with it and stood her ground several times and asked politely to have her stop grabbing at her more or less. The dad had the same deal as me, two youngsters one walking and one crawling. He did a good job mostly keeping them under control. E was stimulated to bad behavior by watching the other girl as she got in Mr J's pile of puppets as well as running around. It was mostly fine and at the end, Mr J thanked everyone for coming to this "lively story time". During the books, MHM mostly sat in my lap and watched the happenings and goings on of others. On two occasions, he got off my lap and charged at Mr J as if charging the mound in a baseball game.

I had in the back of my mind hoped that I timed events for the day right. As we left, I asked E if she would like to go the the park. No surprise, she said yes! The other part I was hoping for was a chance to go again to listen to the marching band at the high school. Our fortune was true as they were indeed out practicing. The days selection was the theme from Bonanza and the song currently chosen for a commercial for the national beef (Aaron Copland - Rodeo: Hoe-Down). We stayed long enough for me to feed MHM and make sure E had a nice time playing in the sandy dirty gutter where it was determined later that she got bitten by a nasty bug, Oooppss!

After a time, E insisted we go to the park so we did the normal thing there with MHM enjoying his time in the baby swings and crawling in the wood chips. While there, I called Gma and asked if she wanted to go to lunch and even made her treat as I didn't have my wallet with me. We went to OCB and had quite a nice meal.

Another nice morning

Vocab

So yes, E does have a phenomenal vocabulary and as a treat to myself, I like to throw around as many big word and phrases as I can to see where she may go with them. She always seems up to the challenge.

This morning as referenced in M's blog, I was explaining what MHM was doing in the kitchen as we were changing her diaper. MHM was whacking on a pie tin so I said that "MHM's a Pot-Whacker", E took that matter-of-factly and we went on. Minutes later, we were in the living room and she said to me "Daddy, when you get smaller, you can be a pot whacker!". M heard that from the kitchen and busted out laughing...

It is really a joy to have E so interested in speech and all its nuances. She really studies, listens and practices what she hears. Don't hold me accountable for what she says, she figures it all out on her own with any of my help...

Sighting

On our way to Play Group Wednesday, I spotted an albino squirel near Cornell Elementary. I was able to stop the car and I tried to show E but he was then in the forest and mostly out of sight especially to the lower sight line of a todler in a car seat. That was an interesting sight, I wonder how many home owners have adopted him as their neighborhood mascot??? "I call this one Bitey!"

Listening in

As the rain has left, we are back to doing nice outside stuff. Today, with an early goal of Play Group, we got rolling. E had a really nice time there with the sensory table of sand as well as a couple of rockets that shot in the air as you stomped on the foot pump. MHM and I played on the floor where there was a soft linkable tile play pad that had a different color and texture to each, pretty cool. There were also tennis balls with masking tape on backward so as to make the ball quite sticky indeed. All in all, a very successful time.

When leaving, MHM quickly fell asleep so I figured there would be no harm in taking E to the park. Once there, we of course did the swing thing, then the slide. E is certainly getting brave as she really only wanted to climb the Rock Wall. With a bit of coaching and encouragement, she did it all by her self unaided.... Just kidding M! But she really likes to climb it under the careful and nervous eye of me. Anyway, as it was time to head home for lunch, I heard the OHS marching band practicing so I told E our plan. Go see the band, then eat lunch then nap time! The band watching was fun, MHM and I stayed on the curb while E ran around in the grass and on the pavement. She would as probably most kids would do, covered her ears. What a beautiful day for watching.

Once home, I readied the kiddies for lunch which MHM ate voraciously and E pick at. None the less, they both ate and for all practical purposes my time with them was very enjoyable and almost to an end as I ha to start heading for work when M returned home.

Our frog pond is going to overflow its levee

It is my one day off for the week and it is raining. No, I mean RAINING!!! We are now getting the remnants of Hurricane IKE and it s really a wet one. So far, since Friday night we have gotten easily 3 plus inches and the expected total is over 5. I only hope that it just stays steady and light so some of it can dissipate. That is just a hope. There have been many functions cancelled or postponed for another day as it is just soggy, soggy soggy!

WOW, it just keeps a comin'

The way she sees it

"Daddy! Cold milk is not my favorite, warm milk, please!"

"Mommy your my favorite person"

Very close to actual quotes from a 2.5 year old genius

I am trying...

As E and MHM age, I know that I have to try to get them to church as often as possible. I hope to give MHM the same experience E had early on. Every Thursday morning is the kids mass at St Martha. I started taking E at quite and early age, probably 5 months, after she started taking a bottle. Well, MHM doesn't take a bottle but does eat quite heartily so I can get him there with out worrying about him being starved.

When I had only E, I would dance and try to keep rhythm to the kids choir and I think it may have helped her appreciation of music?? She already can carry a tune and she can make up her own rhythms with a couple of pan lids (cymbals)crashing together along with her legs to add depth to the melody.

I want to get MHM in on the gig but now with E along for the ride, it is more difficult for me to hold him and make sure she is staying in the pew. As different as they are, I don't know if so far what I have exposed him to makes him happy. He isn't crying, just wiggly so maybe persistence and repetition will help the enjoyment and familiarity of the mass.

The choir is quite nice and E is now starting to get much more interested in them. It is fun to see how she sings along (a lot like daddy; missing a few words here and there). Today, they as for the past several weeks have sang the Our Father, quite a nice little tune which except for some of the specific words she has the refrain down as well as I do! She is SMRT.

I feel that getting the kids to church is important, so I will try my best. As with today, it can be quite a tiresome venture but that is a small price for me in order for me to help them recognize God and Jesus in their life.

Little Signs

Of course, our kids are geniuses and I can say that because this is my blog. I truly believe MHM is picking up the sign language. A few months ago, I know he was using the sign for MILK but not as much as big sis E did at his age. I have been using the signs for MORE, EAT, FISH, DAD, MOM and some others. Well, It has to be more than coincidence that I often catch him with his thumb to forehead with fingers pointed out... Kind of like when they say the baby is just GASSY as it smiles at you early as an infant. It could just be that he likes to do this with his hands???? BRILLIANT I tell you!

Concerned for his future, I will write this and see what M has to say about it. MHM is showing signs of being a South Paw. I know there are probably several smart South Paws but I am not sure we shouldn't do an early intervention for him and change the course of his life. South Paws have a natural handicap to the world as the majority of implements, tools and just about everything else is built for us normal people.

All kidding aside, As I have been feeding him snacks (puffs and raisins) lately, I have placed something in his left hand in order to make him to use his right hand. I have observed him to try to place the item in his mouth, fail, then transfer it to his left hand and place it with success. I am not sure I am ready to have to explain why the world is stacked against him too soon and hope that this is just a phase he's going through kind of like a gassy smile!

Not my fault (update)

There had been something on my mind for a bit so I thought I would take a few moments to wish a dear family friend well. I picked up the phone and dialed N.Y. to talk to Mr. O's wife R. I finally got a hold of her at 9 pm. They had just transferred Mr O to a Catholic Hospice Hospital. He is not doing well but R said she felt good about where he was because of the religious atmosphere. M had seen him in July on their trip home but as I stayed in Michigan with E, I didn't and I am sad to say I may never see him again.

I have only known the O's since of course meeting M, but from the moment you meet them, you are instantly family. That is a nice feeling and I am sure M knows that she had something special growing up next door to a great family.

I recall the July after M's father passed, I saw Mr O outside wrestling with and old mail box post so I figured I'd give him a hand. With a sledge, a shovel and a pry bar, we managed to break the surrounding cement to release the post. It didn't take too much time but the day was hot so I may have broken a sweat. Well, I understand from M's stories that Mr O didn't need much of an excuse to celebrate so he asked if I could use a beer. "Sure, I might have just one." After all, it was almost 11:30 am so we were legal... He took me in to his house and showed me his wonderful little work shop which made me drool (I have a garage in serious need of some cleaning). Well, we talked and drank and looked over his projects for some time then a ring came at the front door. It was M wondering where I might have gone. She acted worried but I think she knew I hadn't gone far and that I was in good hands. After all, she had been inside with GMa P sorting and cleaning so I thought I was safe for a bit. Ok, so we had more than one, it was German Beer and down right tasty!

Not my fault, I was just being a good neighbor...

If I had the time, I could have stayed much longer to talk (and drink) but we had stuff to do. As always you never know what the future holds, I will pray for Mr O and the rest of his family and when the time comes, go buy some good expensive beer and have a toast to Mr O

Worth while

As Summer is edging past us, I hope to resume a more consistent visit to see my old guys at Dobie. With vacations, duplexes and child care, I have missed a few weeks lately and really miss it when I do. I got there this week for an abbreviated time but had good conversation with both G and H.

G had a busy Labor Day w.e. His grand daughter An- got married. G said it was quite a to do and that there were plenty of relatives he could catch up with. He really lit up when I inquired about it and looked very pleased and stated that it was a beautiful day. I am sure he was proud of An_.

We also talked politics a bit though he seems a bit off lately. He usually has his head hones on listening to Rush Limbaugh. He made the comment that we and future generations are in trouble with the candidates who are currently running for President. I am sure that by the time Rush softens up Mc Caine, he will come around and most assuredly vote his normal ticket.

H has had throat cancer and has a trake. He is hard to understand and he himself can hardly hear. He is quite a challenge but as time goes by, things are better with our visits. He had been worried as to what to do with his home in Lansing, but told me that his son had some contractors come in and fix it up and that it is now rented. I am sure that is a load off his mind. H has family in Detroit and now N.J. They don't seem to get up to see him very much... I hope they do the best they can. Everyone needs somebody, don't they???

Once again, I can't really express how much I enjoy going to visit my friends (even though they are a captive audience). I hope I help them feel connected to the outside world a bit more from a young whipper snappers perspective with two toddling kids.

Cottage Log entry

The weekend shoots by and at the end, I realize that I have not yet made an entry to summarize the w.e. at Houghton Lake.

GMa, GPa, B, A and family arrived near the same time Fri night. They had dinner then came back to the cottage to ready it for a busy w.e. The weather for this last hurrah for the summer season was to be spectacular. Highs in the 80's and no sign of rain.

M, E, MHM and I had to journey north Sat. morning as I had to close down our facility for the w.e. I got home about 3am and got right to bed. I woke a bit after 8and was energized enough that we left the house after 10am. The traffic was medium but moving without difficulty. I was looking forward to a cookout I set up earlier in the week. The combination of good weather and grilled food is really nice.


When we arrived, we got settled in quickly. I made sure that M would be able to get out to some Garage sales which she did for about an hour and a half?? She came back with a couple treasures for the kids. Uncle B took E, L and GMa for a ride which was again a really big hit. E really loves it and makes the statement several times during a ride that "this makes me very happy". It makes me happy to see her smile and giggle like that!


Time lapse to 4:30; we got a call from D__ then D__&W__ so we knew for sure someone was coming. The burgers were seasoned, the dogs thawed and a bowl full of beans ready for a nukin. We're on! Every thing really turned out well for this. D___&J__ showed up right about 5 and we had plenty for a full blown feast. To cap off the meal, we had a Birthday Cake fir GPa who turned 81 on Fri. Everyone did a real nice job on their respective rolls. The kids loved it, and someone other than M or I was paying lots of attention to MHM. As the sun was setting early as it does at Labor Day, people started for home and now the w.e. was all our own for family.


Sunday morn was a rough one, both E and MHM had bad nights so I was happy to get up and get it started. I went to church with GMa and GPa which only lasted an hour so when I go home early, M was surprised but ready to make egg sandwiches... Yum! E was ready for fun but L and J were with A's family. We made sure to keep her interested with a coin walk and also 3 Geo caches. Two she was awake for and one she was not.

After a dinner of beans and rice, we played outside for a while then headed in for a mostly early night. I had snuck out earlier to get some ice cream so when E was abed, we broke it out and had a nice evening treat with left over cake.

Monday; Labor day started off nice but with promise of being busy. Right from the start, E was asking about going to the beach. We had a couple of plans but changed it to fit for her. E had also requested a ride in GPa's old car so GMa, E and I went down the lake shore. E really really loves this! When we got back, M had most everything ready so we piled in and went to the beach. E loved it as per usual, the sand and the water. We splashed for quite some time as M, MHM and GMa stayed on shore. MHM did some digging in the sand and seemed to have a good time. E loved building castles and scooping with the shovel a guy with a metal detector had given her. We went out to touch the "Buoy" of which she stated"Buoy's are to warn of danger under the water to keep you safe." Smarty!

Upon arriving back at the cottage, the cousins were back for a few hours so they had fun for quite some time chasing each other through and around the woods.

GPa and B did quite a bit of fall clean-up so to have the garage ready for the winter. The old car is now stowed along with the boat (which never got out this year) and other summery stuff. The cottage will get little use after October which is a bit sad...

The rest of the day was getting ready ourselves to go but at about 5pm, we did decide to do a couple more Geo-caches with GMa. while south of H.L. we saw a Hawk, Coyote and a young deer which ran directly in front of the car of course.

As we left after 8pm, I think that it was indeed a spectacular w.e. at the cottage. Thanks again cottage for a nice though short summer season.