Monday, July 30, 2007
James Cake
Frankie, Frankie's father, Andrew, Diana, William, AJ and Eveyln. William says he's Thomas, Andrew is Percy, Diana is James and Daddy is Gordon. So they got her a James cake for her birthday.
Big Family Picture
Overlooking Manhattan. William called his great uncle "grandpa" because he looks like Abuelo. I think Aida is taking this picture.
Andrew
Andrew's sweet smile, as he leans against his mother. He has some of the same mannerisms of AJ when he was younger. AJ is growing up, I saw that on Saturday when we had a family celebration of Diana's birthday. This picture, and indeed the next ones, are from a trip to the Statue of Liberty with everyone you're going to see in the next picture. The blog is weird, you read the most recent next, so you'll see the photo, scroll down and see this. Anyway, enjoy.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Grandpa Bell and Hilary Clinton
My grandfather was a republican. He gave me the same speech, that is written in Hilary's letters to a friend in college, recently disclosed to the New York Times:
"As one would expect of letters written during college, Ms. Rodham’s letters display an evolution in sophistication, viewpoint and intellectual focus. One existential theme that recurs throughout is that Ms. Rodham views herself as an “actor,” meaning a student activist committed to a life of civic action, which she contrasts with Mr. Peavoy, who, in her view, is more of an outside critic, or “reactor.” "
"As one would expect of letters written during college, Ms. Rodham’s letters display an evolution in sophistication, viewpoint and intellectual focus. One existential theme that recurs throughout is that Ms. Rodham views herself as an “actor,” meaning a student activist committed to a life of civic action, which she contrasts with Mr. Peavoy, who, in her view, is more of an outside critic, or “reactor.” "
New Jersey
Out here in Mahwah there's more wildlife. Saturday, I asked William if he would like to come out and get the paper with me. We went outside and there were 2 wild turkeys in Virginia and Tim's yard, very close. Then I saw an adolescent deer. Pretty cool. William had a huge meltdown when we came inside and I wouldn't give him a Popsicle for breakfast. He ended up eating the pancakes I made for him, in the end, but not after waking up Andrew and Diana.
I took Andrew for a walk to see the construction of the houses near by. He ended up playing in the mud puddles. We took a bath with William. They don't like the whirlpool. William refused to wash his hair. Then all the kids came over it was playtime. Emma, Frankie, AJ and Ava. They got Diana a James train because that's what William calls Diana. He's Thomas, Andrew is Percy and daddy is Gordon. I'm still embarrassed by that comparison. Gordon is pompous and self important, grandiose.
Tim gave us a CD of the Tennessee trip photos, so I'll be putting up some more of those photos. Seems like it was a wonderful trip, being in a different setting, visiting historical sites. They apparently liked playing in a stream. They like to throw rocks. I'm trying to teach them not to throw at people, if they have to throw rocks. William went on a Ferris wheels, which seems cool. They enjoyed a pool that had a one foot depth. Seemed like a lot of fun for them. I hope their lives are rich with positive experiences.
I'm aware of so many feelings watching them. I'm often overwhelmed by them all, and I have to shut down to tolerate it some. I feel like things should be a certain way, but when you just let children play and support them, things unfold OK. I ended up being in the basement with all the children (because my distaste for eating lobster in part and my vested interest in 2 of the many children) and I just watched the different levels of playing. AJ was trying to engage Frankie in competitive games. Frankie was overwhelmed and disappointed by himself and the older boy. William did a lot of running yesterday. He got into tug of wars with Emma and used crying to try to win the rope at times. Andrew can be aggressive with Ava. They're all in their own worlds at times. I think it's interesting the way they flock from here to there, upstairs, outside and around.
I'm often caught in the what to do aspect of parenting. Do I crack down and enforce an arbitrary rule that I don't really agree with? Do I let them run rampant over everything? It seems at once there's too much to do and then not enough. I think parenting is like erosion, it's long work. But the children grow up so fast, it's almost like the lessons you could teach them are quickly obsolete, they are beyond the problem.
I took Andrew for a walk to see the construction of the houses near by. He ended up playing in the mud puddles. We took a bath with William. They don't like the whirlpool. William refused to wash his hair. Then all the kids came over it was playtime. Emma, Frankie, AJ and Ava. They got Diana a James train because that's what William calls Diana. He's Thomas, Andrew is Percy and daddy is Gordon. I'm still embarrassed by that comparison. Gordon is pompous and self important, grandiose.
Tim gave us a CD of the Tennessee trip photos, so I'll be putting up some more of those photos. Seems like it was a wonderful trip, being in a different setting, visiting historical sites. They apparently liked playing in a stream. They like to throw rocks. I'm trying to teach them not to throw at people, if they have to throw rocks. William went on a Ferris wheels, which seems cool. They enjoyed a pool that had a one foot depth. Seemed like a lot of fun for them. I hope their lives are rich with positive experiences.
I'm aware of so many feelings watching them. I'm often overwhelmed by them all, and I have to shut down to tolerate it some. I feel like things should be a certain way, but when you just let children play and support them, things unfold OK. I ended up being in the basement with all the children (because my distaste for eating lobster in part and my vested interest in 2 of the many children) and I just watched the different levels of playing. AJ was trying to engage Frankie in competitive games. Frankie was overwhelmed and disappointed by himself and the older boy. William did a lot of running yesterday. He got into tug of wars with Emma and used crying to try to win the rope at times. Andrew can be aggressive with Ava. They're all in their own worlds at times. I think it's interesting the way they flock from here to there, upstairs, outside and around.
I'm often caught in the what to do aspect of parenting. Do I crack down and enforce an arbitrary rule that I don't really agree with? Do I let them run rampant over everything? It seems at once there's too much to do and then not enough. I think parenting is like erosion, it's long work. But the children grow up so fast, it's almost like the lessons you could teach them are quickly obsolete, they are beyond the problem.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Statue of Liberty
The boys went to the Statue of Liberty with some relatives from Ecuador, their great uncle and aunt. I'll be posting some photos soon, I hope. Poor Diana is exhausted and sore from yesterday's heat, carrying the boys when they were insistent.
Andrew says, "nook" instead of milk sometimes. Very cute. William says /kat-a-rati/ instead of karate. Very cute. I remember Natasia's /double dow/ for "W" and /rackamony/ for macaroni.
William keeps telling me his Caterpillar died. Then it turned into a butterfly. But then it's wings were damaged. That's Natasia's story.
I'm really looking forward to spending time with the boys this weekend. I really feel their need for me, want to be there for them.
Andrew says, "nook" instead of milk sometimes. Very cute. William says /kat-a-rati/ instead of karate. Very cute. I remember Natasia's /double dow/ for "W" and /rackamony/ for macaroni.
William keeps telling me his Caterpillar died. Then it turned into a butterfly. But then it's wings were damaged. That's Natasia's story.
I'm really looking forward to spending time with the boys this weekend. I really feel their need for me, want to be there for them.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
My caterpillar died
William couches his wishes in saying that Andrew wants something. He's learned something there somehow, just doesn't quite hit the mark. A woman at the park today said he was "friendly". Andrew is more aloof, needs an adult.
Andrew is often sweet, will follow directions quicker, if he understands. He copies his brother, wants to do what his brother does. He pouts, will make a big show of laying down and sulking about not getting his way. He very much wants things. He's quick to sense conflict, he'll mix it up in the park more quickly if someone pushes him or something.
Diana went out with Aida to look at places. Aida has to move out by 2008, and she's got time in the summer to look, so she's trying to resolve it in the summer. I began trying to potty train William. Accidents and attempts. Nati got sick of looking at places and Abuelo brought her over.
William continues to say, "my caterpillar died." One night about a month ago, Natasia told a story about how caterpillars died at her school, some lived, one had damaged wings. William perhaps reacted to my empathy for Natasia, and tells me that his died. I'm afraid I'm blase about his story.
So this Sunday I was on the job from 6:30am to 4:30pm, and then Diana mercifully took the boys over to her mother's. They're celebrating her birthday, which is coming soon, with a lobster-fest. They have as many lobsters as you can eat. Diana is crunching away on lobsters after everyone is done. Good for her, she deserves to be treated well.
Virgian corrects me later with this comment on Monday: "Yesterday's get together was supposed to be a farewell BBQ for my aunt & uncle; but Mom somehow had a birthday cake for Diana & Ceci. We're getting together next Saturday for the lobster fest at my house. BTW Di's birthday is tomorrow."
Andrew is often sweet, will follow directions quicker, if he understands. He copies his brother, wants to do what his brother does. He pouts, will make a big show of laying down and sulking about not getting his way. He very much wants things. He's quick to sense conflict, he'll mix it up in the park more quickly if someone pushes him or something.
Diana went out with Aida to look at places. Aida has to move out by 2008, and she's got time in the summer to look, so she's trying to resolve it in the summer. I began trying to potty train William. Accidents and attempts. Nati got sick of looking at places and Abuelo brought her over.
William continues to say, "my caterpillar died." One night about a month ago, Natasia told a story about how caterpillars died at her school, some lived, one had damaged wings. William perhaps reacted to my empathy for Natasia, and tells me that his died. I'm afraid I'm blase about his story.
So this Sunday I was on the job from 6:30am to 4:30pm, and then Diana mercifully took the boys over to her mother's. They're celebrating her birthday, which is coming soon, with a lobster-fest. They have as many lobsters as you can eat. Diana is crunching away on lobsters after everyone is done. Good for her, she deserves to be treated well.
Virgian corrects me later with this comment on Monday: "Yesterday's get together was supposed to be a farewell BBQ for my aunt & uncle; but Mom somehow had a birthday cake for Diana & Ceci. We're getting together next Saturday for the lobster fest at my house. BTW Di's birthday is tomorrow."
Andrew, Steve and William
I have so much trouble with the fact that people don't like their photos taken, they worry whether it is good enough. I'm not wild about this photo of me, but I think the boys are good, and it's a nice over all photo.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
text post
I took William to My Gym. He loses power and control as it goes on, which means he has it to lose, and he gets tired. We had a bagel with Emma and Lia, and their parents afterwards. We ended up hanging out with Lia's parents, brought them back out our place. Then we got into some You Tube armature Thomas The Tank Engine videos. He likes this one best.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Teach Your Children Well
Crosby Stills Nash & Young - Teach Your Children Lyrics
You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good bye.
Teach your children well,
Their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
And you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your parents well,
Their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
A rare text blog.
William said today, "how many days to Saturday?" Well, today is Monday. Andrew wants to vroom vroom, which means he wants to go to the car, put the key in, and turn the wheel and press all the buttons.
Virginia and Tim's son, who's middle name is going to be Lee and last name is Miller, and first name is yet to be decided, will have hand me down clothes from the following individuals: Mateo, Tyler, Evan, William and Andrew. He should not want for clothes.
Zane and Bridget sent some t-shirts from their recent vacation. The boys wore them yesterday. They have a cute card which is a picture of the boys. Grandma Parks framed it, she liked it so much.
Virginia and Tim's son, who's middle name is going to be Lee and last name is Miller, and first name is yet to be decided, will have hand me down clothes from the following individuals: Mateo, Tyler, Evan, William and Andrew. He should not want for clothes.
Zane and Bridget sent some t-shirts from their recent vacation. The boys wore them yesterday. They have a cute card which is a picture of the boys. Grandma Parks framed it, she liked it so much.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
william, rich & andrew
I took a bunch of this pose with these people, and this is the best one of Andrew.
will getting a hait cut
Yesterday they had gymnastics, lunch, hair cut. The night before William got it into his head that he wanted Thomas snow plow, and Diana and Aida took them to get them. Andrew got a Curious George book. The weekend before that Grandma and Grandpa visited, which is the subject of the next two photos.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Potty Training Update
William disliked underwear after using his potty. He refused to put it on, and refused the training pants diapers, and insisted on a diaper. One step forward two steps back.
Potty in the potty
William has been wearing underwear this weekend. He just urinated in his potty for the first time.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
they're back!
The first thing I noticed about the boys was their smell. Not the puke smell from them puking a lot on the ride up, but just their smell. It was so good to see them. Then Virginia set them up with cups and slices of pizza, no juice cup, not cutting the pizza. Seemed like they grew up. But then William spilled his cup 3X and Andrew can't really hold a slice right to eat it, and I realize that was more my fear or whatnot. They're still winding down from the excitement of seeing me again. I skipped my sangha night to be with them. They have this yearning when it comes to me, it's really wonderful, and I too have a yearning to be with them. William is trying to tell me everything, gets overwhelmed. The whole thing is overwhelming. I'm glad their back.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
William and Maya
William, Andrew and Diana went to Dolly Wood today. Poor Andrew just threw up in the car, again, Diana had to get off the phone. The boys got a tan being out by the pool a lot. I hope to see them tomorrow night! They're driving home after dinner tonight.
Andrew, Diana, William & Mateo
I miss them! Can't wait to see them Monday! Plus Mateo, who's birthday party these photos are from. Thanks to Aida for sending them.
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