Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Charlotte's Web, Santa, the Bad List, and the sidewalk sale
Last weekend, the boys watched a Christmas special video that introduced them to the idea of Santa's Good and Bad Lists. The boys didn't talk about it much, but I think they had been stewing on it.
On the way home from ice skating last night, Ben, Alex and I arrived at the colorful 16th and Mission Bart stop plaza after dark. As is usually the case, an neighborhood entrepreneur had set up a sidewalk sale of used CDs, phone chargers, etc. When he saw the boys, he got really excited (in a good way) and called after us that "Santa is coming! He is coming soon! Make sure you are good!"
Around the corner, Alex calmly states: "We are on the good list for when Santa comes"
Hmmm....."Alex, does that mean that you are good and listen to me and Mommy?"
"Yes"
====================
Later that evening.....
Ben, Alex and I read the first chapter of Charlotte's Web. You may recall that the story starts as the father heads out to the hog shed with his ax to "...take care of the runt..." [What!? Is this OK to read to a 3 year? Too late, forge ahead.]
Fern, the girl, then runs after him, and confronts her dad, as artistically depicted in this image from the book:
There was some silence at this part. And then Alex proclaims: "That girl is going to take that [referring to the ax], and run back inside the house and hide it. Then she is going to be on Santa's Bad List."
Hmmmm....."Alex, do mean because she wasn't listening to her dad?"
"Yes."
On the way home from ice skating last night, Ben, Alex and I arrived at the colorful 16th and Mission Bart stop plaza after dark. As is usually the case, an neighborhood entrepreneur had set up a sidewalk sale of used CDs, phone chargers, etc. When he saw the boys, he got really excited (in a good way) and called after us that "Santa is coming! He is coming soon! Make sure you are good!"
Around the corner, Alex calmly states: "We are on the good list for when Santa comes"
Hmmm....."Alex, does that mean that you are good and listen to me and Mommy?"
"Yes"
====================
Later that evening.....
Ben, Alex and I read the first chapter of Charlotte's Web. You may recall that the story starts as the father heads out to the hog shed with his ax to "...take care of the runt..." [What!? Is this OK to read to a 3 year? Too late, forge ahead.]
Fern, the girl, then runs after him, and confronts her dad, as artistically depicted in this image from the book:
There was some silence at this part. And then Alex proclaims: "That girl is going to take that [referring to the ax], and run back inside the house and hide it. Then she is going to be on Santa's Bad List."
Hmmmm....."Alex, do mean because she wasn't listening to her dad?"
"Yes."
Monday, December 5, 2011
Alex gets his own library card
He had hoped it would work on muni and bart (like Ben's new clipper
card).
Friday, December 2, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Alex and Santa
Jeff Freund
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Thursday, November 17, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Halloween Story
Tonight Alex helped to tell his own bed time story. It was a holiday tale of sorts and went something like this:
A hippo went trick or treating with Santa Claus. The hippo dressed up as a Cheetah. It was the biggest cheetah ever. They went down lots of streets and got huge bags of candy. The hippo ate all his candy and had a tummy ache and then went to bed. Santa ate one piece and gave the rest of his candy to his reindeer.
Then the hippo went to visit Santa Claus at the North Pole. Alex thought he should drive there, but then realized a plane would be better. They had hot chocolate while it was snowing and then went iceskating. Then Santa gave the Hippo a present. It was "Real Candy Land".
A hippo went trick or treating with Santa Claus. The hippo dressed up as a Cheetah. It was the biggest cheetah ever. They went down lots of streets and got huge bags of candy. The hippo ate all his candy and had a tummy ache and then went to bed. Santa ate one piece and gave the rest of his candy to his reindeer.
Then the hippo went to visit Santa Claus at the North Pole. Alex thought he should drive there, but then realized a plane would be better. They had hot chocolate while it was snowing and then went iceskating. Then Santa gave the Hippo a present. It was "Real Candy Land".
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Fwd: Happy Halloween!
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Tom Kramer <kramer_tom@yahoo.com>
Date: October 31, 2011 9:09:14 PM PDT
To: Megan Freund <megan.freund@gmail.com>
Subject: Happy Halloween!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Why we love you at Three!
Dear Alex,
You are three. You are almost three and a half. This is why we love you:
1) Your unabashed enthusiasm. Every day you run to school, you can't wait to get there. You insist upon riding a big bike. Last week, during Sunday streets, you didn't want to turn around after we had already ridden many blocks! you were tired from riding your own bike but you wanted to keep going to see all the sights down 24th street.
2) You carry yourself like a big guy, but you're still a little one at heart. Your shoulders have puffed up this year, and *especially when you're wearing your soccer jersey* you carry yourself like a big guy. You can kick a soccer ball with the best of them - just discovered you can hop on one leg with a little leap - and will bravely scramble up any hillside - especially with a friend at your side. But you are still a cuddly little monster, and most nights will request that we lay at your side as you fall asleep, or bring you upstairs to cuddle if you wake in the night.
3) You know how to play. Let's play, mom and dad! You always exclaim. You dumped a pile of your coins on the floor, we washed them with vinegar, and then you bought a cheap ball set at the dollar store. You love pushing around "baby" and "ga ga" in the stroller and shopping cart. You can make a mean meal of "chicken bones" and brownies. And spin paint makes you spin with joy.
4) You love hard. You are very shy in public, and will reserve your judgement for those you don't know. But once you love, you love hard! Vincent has become your die-hard amigo, and you have great conversations together. You struggle against your brother, but you love him much (and sometimes you'll tell him). You love Mame and Kerry and will shout goodbye to them from many leagues down the path. At school now that you're comfortable, you welcome in others to play.
We love you absolutely and completely, for who you are! You are Alex, and you are (almost) three and a half.
Love, Mom and Dad
You are three. You are almost three and a half. This is why we love you:
1) Your unabashed enthusiasm. Every day you run to school, you can't wait to get there. You insist upon riding a big bike. Last week, during Sunday streets, you didn't want to turn around after we had already ridden many blocks! you were tired from riding your own bike but you wanted to keep going to see all the sights down 24th street.
2) You carry yourself like a big guy, but you're still a little one at heart. Your shoulders have puffed up this year, and *especially when you're wearing your soccer jersey* you carry yourself like a big guy. You can kick a soccer ball with the best of them - just discovered you can hop on one leg with a little leap - and will bravely scramble up any hillside - especially with a friend at your side. But you are still a cuddly little monster, and most nights will request that we lay at your side as you fall asleep, or bring you upstairs to cuddle if you wake in the night.
3) You know how to play. Let's play, mom and dad! You always exclaim. You dumped a pile of your coins on the floor, we washed them with vinegar, and then you bought a cheap ball set at the dollar store. You love pushing around "baby" and "ga ga" in the stroller and shopping cart. You can make a mean meal of "chicken bones" and brownies. And spin paint makes you spin with joy.
4) You love hard. You are very shy in public, and will reserve your judgement for those you don't know. But once you love, you love hard! Vincent has become your die-hard amigo, and you have great conversations together. You struggle against your brother, but you love him much (and sometimes you'll tell him). You love Mame and Kerry and will shout goodbye to them from many leagues down the path. At school now that you're comfortable, you welcome in others to play.
We love you absolutely and completely, for who you are! You are Alex, and you are (almost) three and a half.
Love, Mom and Dad
Alex's Update: Halloween
Alex has, as usual, been making big strides these past few months. Starting preschool has been full of pure joy, especially because his best friend Vincent is there. They can (and do) spend hours walking in and out of the canyon, playing with the doctor kit in the house, and jumping in the ball pit.
Halloween has been full of excitement for Alex, as he is starting to remember the holidays. He's getting them a bit confused though - at first asking if Santa was coming for Halloween, and then insisting that we hang up lights on the railing (like we do for Christmas). I finally gave in and bought some pumpkin flashing LED lights for the railing so we didn't have to dig the xmas box out.
My favorite friend scene so far this year, with Alex (A) and Vincent (V):
A: Vincent, when I'm four and playing soccer, you want to be on my team?
V: Yes.
A: Vincent I love you.
V: Alex I love you.
They hug and both fall off the concrete curb they have been balancing on.
End of scene.
Halloween has been full of excitement for Alex, as he is starting to remember the holidays. He's getting them a bit confused though - at first asking if Santa was coming for Halloween, and then insisting that we hang up lights on the railing (like we do for Christmas). I finally gave in and bought some pumpkin flashing LED lights for the railing so we didn't have to dig the xmas box out.
My favorite friend scene so far this year, with Alex (A) and Vincent (V):
A: Vincent, when I'm four and playing soccer, you want to be on my team?
V: Yes.
A: Vincent I love you.
V: Alex I love you.
They hug and both fall off the concrete curb they have been balancing on.
End of scene.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Viva Le France!
His socks are held up with rubber bands :)
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Alex on Easter
I asked Alex if they talked about Easter today at church. "Yes," he
said, "Jesus in the hut". "Oh," I said, then putting it all together,
"Jesus is in your heart?". "Yes," he said. "Jesus is in my belly,
right here!" (pulling up his shirt). Amen!
said, "Jesus in the hut". "Oh," I said, then putting it all together,
"Jesus is in your heart?". "Yes," he said. "Jesus is in my belly,
right here!" (pulling up his shirt). Amen!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Bye bye diapers: Hello Mr. Dora
Alex has been showing signs for weeks that he was ready to be done with diapers, although after being a bit gun shy after our first time around with Ben, Jeff and I were a bit hesitant to make the big move.
Finally Alex *refused* to put back on his diaper at the park, and we had to face the truth that the time was now. This time around, we read a few books, talked to some friends, and embarked on the one day "potty party". Alex and I first went to pick out underwear (he picked Dora, spiderman, and Toy Story) and then went to the grocery store to pick out LOTS of treats. He also got to pick out a balloon for the party, a huge one that he affectionately calls "Mr. Dora"
We spent the whole day running to the potty, treats for dry pants and successful attempts. The biggest push though came from his new doll Emma (a coveted Christmas present that he picked out in the store, complete with doll-sized potty and diaper) - who we were also training - and who had accidents, and successful attempts in the potty herself. Alex took this all in stride, though Ben was a bit baffled about this whole thing....
So far so good! I think another milestone has passed...
Finally Alex *refused* to put back on his diaper at the park, and we had to face the truth that the time was now. This time around, we read a few books, talked to some friends, and embarked on the one day "potty party". Alex and I first went to pick out underwear (he picked Dora, spiderman, and Toy Story) and then went to the grocery store to pick out LOTS of treats. He also got to pick out a balloon for the party, a huge one that he affectionately calls "Mr. Dora"
We spent the whole day running to the potty, treats for dry pants and successful attempts. The biggest push though came from his new doll Emma (a coveted Christmas present that he picked out in the store, complete with doll-sized potty and diaper) - who we were also training - and who had accidents, and successful attempts in the potty herself. Alex took this all in stride, though Ben was a bit baffled about this whole thing....
So far so good! I think another milestone has passed...
Monday, January 3, 2011
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