kids

Parenting, offspringing, doting, discipline, diapers.

Front page above the fold again

The local paper doesn’t keep their archives available very long, but here it is.

Second time in three years! Small town, I guess.

Parsnip

Clara begins her useful career as additional memory space for Dad’s brain.

(Clara is setting a play table.)

Clara: Heeeere’s your lunch, Dad.

Dad: Thanks! What is it?

C: It’s soup!

D: Mmm. What’s in this soup?

C: Noodles, and cheese, and… beans and…

D: Carrots?

C: Yes.

D: And split peas? I like split peas.

C: Yes!

D: And, uh… um… what are those white things that look like carrots… you know, they’re so good in soup… what’s the word, I can never remember it…

C: Parsnips?

D: Yes! Parsnips!

C: Yes!

Don't Panic

[Clara is drawing lots of letter H’s on her chalkboard.]

Katherine: Hey, do you want to try drawing some letter K’s?

Clara: Don’t panic, Mom, I’m just drawing H’s right now.

Best Toy

Clara: Daddy, you’re my best toy.

Timothy: Aw, thanks!

C: Come, toy!

[frantic arm gestures]

C: I’m playing with you!

Eleven Roses

Rose #12

Clara and I often get smiles from strangers as we walk through town, with Clara riding in her backpack, singing and swinging her feet. It was a great feeling that she was so happy: just three days ago she woke up from her nap with a fever of 106 degrees, and spent a traumatic evening in the emergency room. read more...

Hickory Dickory Hat

[Clara is playing. Her mom has given her a small irregularly-shaped piece of leftover fabric with the ends stitched together; she wears it on her head and calls it a hat. She sees a toy clock on a shelf. Starts moving its hands around. Sings:]

Hickory, dickory, dock.
A mouse run up the clock.

[Clara’s “hat” falls off her head. Still singing, in tune:]

My hat fall off,
A mouse run down,
Hickory, dickory, dock.

Portrait of Dad

Portrait of Dad

I draw a face. That’s a beard onna bottom. Dad’s beard! It’s Daddy!

Cayuga Lake II

Cayuga Lake II

“I draw our lake again.” [Definite sense of wanting something more from the previous work. Dad helped selecting tools and gave general guidance on where to put the water and trees by gesturing; Clara did all drawing with Wacom tablet.]

Cayuga Lake I

Cayuga Lake I

“I draw our lake.” [Topic declared; An underwater image, I think. Dad helped select tools; all drawing by Clara in Photoshop using a Wacom tablet.]

Australia zoo

[contains many references to the Wiggles DVD Wiggly Safari and the song “Wobbly Camels”]

C: [singing] Wobbly camel walking by…

T: [singing] With padded hooves and hooded eye…

C: Camels at Buffalo Zoo. read more...