There was a little girl

There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
 Right in the middle of her forehead.
 When she was good,
She was very good indeed,
But when she was bad she was horrid.
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

Look Whose Skin Has Cleared Up!

At Henry's check-up last week, we got some new recommendations from the doctor on treating his eczema.  It has really helped.  He is looking great!

 

 

4 month picture

Rachel photobombing

She is such a big girl!

The Middle Kid

Lest Owen start to feel neglected, I thought I would give him his very own blog post on how he is doing the summer after he turned 2.

  

Owen is an absolute sweetheart.  Even with his occasional "two-ness", he is very sweet and cuddly and kind.  I think his favorite thing is to play with his big sister Rachel.  He loves to copy what she is doing - she continues to not always find it amusing, depending on her mood.  Of course, they do have disagreements.  He is using more words these days and some of the longest sequences he strings together go something like "No, Wachel, Mah Dink/Toy/Nack" (that is, no, Rachel, my drink/toy/snack).  We can understand what he is saying about half the time these days which has greatly increased his satisfaction with life.

He also loves to play and run and climb on things.

Being tickled makes him laugh without fail.

He can identify pretty much all of his letters and numbers to 9.  He has also gotten pretty good at putting simple puzzles back together.

Owen has also learned to love watching TV occasionally.  When he is ready for it, he will sit in the glider, get the remote and ask for a "tow".  His favorites are Deego (Diego) and 'Uck (a truck show).

It is often hard to take Owen's picture because he wants to grab the camera.  I have lots of pictures with the outstreched little hand.

Owen definitely loves his 'nacks.  He is usually pretty easy to settle down at meal times because he is ready to eat.  He does not, however, love most fruits and vegetables so we have to sneak them in.  Surprisingly, even though he loves his food, he is usually willing to share with Rachel if she asks him for some of what he is having.  Often his first response is to say No and cross his arms (the sign language he has developed for every kind of refusal), but he usually reconsiders and shares.

Fortunately, he loves beans, cheese and yogurt so his overall nutrition is not too bad.

When he is being silly, he can make himself crack up laughing.  He has an infectious little laugh.

 

 

A very helpful big brother to his little "'enny".

Just a few more entertaining (to me at least) "Owen-isms":

• He just recently started to say his own name.  I am not sure why he was so slow, but just this week I found him referring to himself as "Ah-men".  It is nice to see his developing his sense of self.
• He often does not clearly enunciate the word no...although he certainly knows how and can yell it very effectively.  When he does not want to have or do something, he uses a short-cut of just "n".  Such as "n-dink" when he does not want his drink.  Also, "n-melk", "n-nap","n-share", etc.  It is cute even when he is being disagreeable.
• His favorite toys are the "tren", "carr" (with a very clearly pronounced R at the end) and "ba'"
• He often points out messes (really - he will just point and say "mess, mommy" for anything from a turned-up corner on a rug to spilled drinks) and still likes to clean things up most of the time.  He is particularly enthusiastic when something needs to go in the trash can.  Also, he likes to get a wipe and clean anything he can find.

Reading More

As we do every summer, we signed the kids up for summer reading at the library.  Rachel was excited about going to get her certificate and prizes.  The boys, not so much yet.  Regardless, we feel it is very important to instill a love of reading from an early age.  While getting them set up with the library on-line, I discovered that they also have summer reading programs for adults.  I realized that my reading lately outside of work has been mainly children's books, on-line news and magazines.  So, I signed up and started reading real books again.  In an effort to stay the reading course despite being somewhat busy, I am putting up a page with what I am reading or have finished recently with a few comments.  I would welcome suggestions for any good books you have read lately as well.  You can find the link in the Pages section on the right side of the blog.

Busy Saturday

We had a great day yesterday.  At Rachel's request, we braved the crowds at the Children's Museum and had a fun morning.  

Good morning Henry

Big boy in the umbrella stroller

We really enjoy the Children's Museum.  We find something new and unexplored every time we go.

Learning how a catapult works

The ball tubes are always fun

Building molecules.  Rachel made carbon dioxide and ethanol.

Watching what happens when you change the size of the drain hole

Water fun

They were supposed to stretch out to touch the circles with lights...they were changing colors so quickly Rachel started dancing like she was in the club.

Face paint!

Henry thinking those kids look crazy in face paint.

She's an artist

Working at the vet in Kidtropolis

After nap time (during which Rachel did not nap), we checked out the Day of Music at Jones Hall downtown.  The performances did not hold the kids' interest too long but it was still fun while it lasted [that is, until it wasn't and we left earlier than planned].  

Houston Brass Band - we enjoyed almost 2 songs before Owen was getting unruly.  Good thing it was free :)

Checking to see if she can hear the brass band through the wall

The next performance was a folk singer in the lobby.  The kids enjoyed dancing.

Snack time

Everyone was having trouble staying still and quiet so we did not risk sitting in any other performances. We did listen to the percussion group outside and another trio in the lobby. Maybe next year we will see more.

After all that, we just relaxed at home until bedtime.

Playing with his toys

Getting better at tummy time

Drumming on his belly

I asked Rachel to make some faces for me.  This is excited.

Scared

Silly

Working hard on a rainbow drawing.

Owen looking stylish before bedtime. 

Fun Times with Opa

We made sure Opa did not feel lonely or bored while we were in town.


He showed us where he likes to go walking at the nature center.

He did a great job of pushing Henry.

Mandeville swamp

 

After our walk, we enjoyed some snoballs.  It was a little rainy, but Rachel insisted.

Happy Opa

Owen was dancing after getting some sugar in him

Woohoo...cotton candy sno-ball!

Henry relaxing with Opa.  They love to share the big chair.

Next day's outing to the playground.

YaYa is super fun.

Working hard in the sand area

Tea party (no visit to Oma and Opa's is complete without it)

Owen's self portrait

More watermelon

Delicious

More time with Opa in the seat.  They were a great pair for nap time.