Let's Go Ride A Bike (2)

Reaching Higher Ground

** Video Updated **

Carrie's gift for Mothers Day was to keep the kids out of the house for as long as possible. I took them over to my parent's house to harass them through breakfast while Carrie slept to a decadent 10:00. By then Jonah needed his mommy. My parents and I took the girls to the rock gym.

Sophie got to climb like Diego. She's pretty good but was very tired and only did three climbs. On her third climb I was basically pulling her up the wall.

Genevieve seems to have a new found fear of being lowered down the wall and insisted on down-climbing every route. I'm not too concerned; down-climbing is an important skill when you are on real rocks and she'll eventually get over her fear. On the positive side she climbed a little higher than before and is still loving it. The only reason we left the gym after an hour was that Sophie needed to get home for a nap. Genevieve wanted to keep climbing. I can't imagine she would have had the strength for too many more but she was certainly enjoying herself.

My father took a few videos and pictures.

What a Lovely Tea Party

Jonah enjoyed watching his big sisters have their party today which is good since he will probably be dressed up and forced to attend them very soon.

Continental Drift

Genevieve has learned a song about the continents. Of course that means that Sophie has learned it as well. Although Sophie's has a bit more flair though maybe because hers has a requisite dance routine.


Genevieve's Version



Sophie's Rehersal which ends when she realizes she doesn't have her tutu on.



Finally with the dance number

Snack Time

People regularly ask us if we fake the photos of our kids getting messy. I've trimmed down a 10 minute snack time to about 2 minutes. You can see for yourself how these kids get so messy.

This video is already a few weeks old so Sophie isn't talking as much as she would now but this video isn't about her language skills.

Isn't Life Grand

The Grand Old Duke of York is a favorite with the kids. Whenever Carrie does it all the kids clamor for a ride. You might remember seeing Carrie do it once before. Now Genevieve is getting in on the act.

The Ice Capades

Genevieve took her first twirl around the rink this weekend. She's not ready for any competitions but I was pretty impressed with how quickly she progressed. She fell a few times but it never fazed her.

High Five and Peek-A-Boo

Here's a video from about 2 months ago of Sophie playing at the dinner table. You can tell by the incredibly messy tray.

Playing in the Leaves

Winter seems to have come on really strong all of a sudden which makes this video seem a little out of place but here is Genevieve playing in the leaf pile after an autumn cleanup.

I'm playing with new video editing software and a new website for hosting the videos. If you are having trouble playing them (e.g. too long to load)or the quality isn't good let me know.

Peek-a-Boo!!!

Here is a video of Sophie playing, and saying, peek-a-boo. The video is a little wobbly due to the fact that Genevieve is trying to climb me during filming.

Lazy Parents

Parenting is hard work so we've decided to let Genevieve earn her keep by reading to Sophie.

Good Parenting

Sticking your child in a hamper is good parenting, right?

Tappa, Tappa, Tappa

Passover

Genevieve's class had a mock seder last week. The kids sang songs and danced for us. Well, some of the kids sang and danced. Some cried and some covered their heads with both arms.

For some reason all of their productions make me think of herding cats.

easy does it

She makes it look so natural.





Okay, there are still some kinks to be worked out...

I Wish I Had This Much Energy

Back in the Saddle Again

We just got back from a trip down to Georgia. This was Sophie's first time on an airplane. Genevieve, the seasoned traveler, was fully prepared for the flight. Of course this meant preconceived notions about everything. She asked why every little thing was different from the last flight she was on. At least until we realized that we were on a plane with a full set of children's television programming. We don't usually use TV to pacify G but in this case it allowed us to focus a bit more on the one that might cause difficulty. It turns out this didn't work entirely too well as the adult-sized airline headset kept falling off her pint-sized ears. I alternated between replacing ear pieces and rocking Sophie. Eventually I gave up on sitting and just spent most of the flight pacing in the galley with Sophie. The stewardesses didn't seem to mind since she wasn't crying.

The day before the trip we took Sophie to the doctor because she had a fever. The tests he ran took 24 hours which meant we didn't find out it was a bacterial infection until we arrived in Georgia. Our first few hours in town were spent finding a pharmacy and a doctor who could follow up with her to make sure her antibiotics were working. Since her follow-up was on Christmas Eve our only choice was the emergency room. Her infection is all better and she goes to the doctor tomorrow for her four month checkup. Everyone in Georgia loved Sophie and commented on how much she looked like her Grandpa. See if you can see the resemblance.


Genevieve had a great time but was even more timid around animals than last time. Anytime we had to go near a dog she would demand to be picked up. Since I knew each of these vicious dogs wanted nothing more than to lick her face I often ignored her request but taught her to say "g'wan git" when approached. She also was quite frightened around the cows and horses. After her first trip into the fields on the tractor to check on the cows, she asked me, "Do you like the mooing? I don't like the mooing." She then proceeded to ask about every one else's opinion on the mooing of the cows. On subsequent trips she requested to ride in the pickup truck instead of on the tractor. Seen below is Genevieve not enjoying the mooing.


Her grandpa let her drive the tractor and the pickup in the fields. He worked the pedals while she worked the wheel. Here is her first driving lesson.


Eventually she was brave enough to let me hold her in one arm while feeding a horse an apple or petting a donkey. She adamantly refused to touch anything larger than a cat. However, the cat is huge. Here is biscuit having a stare down with Sophie; he outweighs her by about five pounds.


Ultimately she relented and rode her new horse Lightning. Even Sophie gave Lightning a ride.


Genevieve also gave several piano concerto's while in Georgia. Right now she is a little more interested in loud than on key.

Kick It One Time

Sophie likes playing on her belly time mat, although she prefers to play on it on her back. She is rolling over onto her side a lot but not rolling over yet. Maybe her belly keeps getting in the way.

Hanukkah Comes Early This Year

Genevieve sings a couple of holiday songs to get you into the mood.

Fall Harvest

Farmer Genevieve reaps what she helped sow.