Wednesday, June 08, 2005
And it is finally summer!
Summer and toddlers just go hand in hand. Summer is sticky and relaxed. Summer is all about being with your friends and eating watermelon. Summer is about running around barefoot and getting wet in the pool (or in the daily afternoon thunderstorm-take your pick). On any given day at the end of the day, Abby will be simultaneously sticky, hot, covered in dirt, and completely tired out. It is as it should be.
We are indeed having a good summer so far. We play outside a LOT, take Lucy on walks, and visit with our neighbors most evenings. I love our late afternoon visits with Pete (he is like a grandpa to Abby), Miss Bert (she is 85 years old), Phoebe (the basset hound Pete is keeping this summer), and Kitten (Miss Bert's semi-wild cat). Our discussions range from the Braves' disabled list to potty training to the weather to politics to pop-culture. Pete is usually drinking his glass of sweet tea and Miss Bert is usually swinging in the big swing. Abby adores going over there. Talk about your generation range - I believe we are pretty well covered.
Since I last posted, we have gone to a few birthday parties (5 to be exact - all very fun), been to watch little league baseball and soccer, had friends come to town to visit, been to the zoo, the Natural History Museum, the Children's Museum, and to the Arts Festival. We have gone to Stone Mountain a few times, something Abby really loves this year. The train is still her favorite. I am quite happy that they have replaced the old fashioned gun showdown on the train with a mini-musical about, what else, songs involving trains. Abby clapped and danced through the whole thing. I was quite impressed how many train songs they were able to come up with. On Mother's Day, we spent the day at Stone Mountain and had a picnic by the mountain. It was the perfect Mother's Day.
About a week ago, we went through a mini-monsoon here in Atlanta. Rain. Every day. And then the next day? Some more rain. With a dog and a 2 year old, this got old very fast. It even rained most of Memorial Day weekend. So we took advantage and went to Abby's first movie. We saw Madagascar. I would have to rate it a B-. I have seen Shrek and this, sir, was no Shrek. Nor was it Finding Nemo, Ice Age, Toy Story or any other of a dozen kid movies that I absolutely loved. Not that it is fair to compare or anything. Abby had a good time but she was mostly interested in the popcorn and in moving her sippy cup from one cup holder to the other. So take that for what you will. We really had fun though. If the movie had been 10 minutes shorter, it would have been just right. Abby did get very fidgety those last 10 minutes but for a 2 year old? I was very proud. :-) Next up? Gone With The Wind. Heh. Yeah, I just got an image of that in my head. Maybe we'll wait another 10 years or so on that one.
I have to take a minute to hop up on my little soap box. I think it is time we officially declare Fisher Price to be in charge of national security. Why, one might ask. Well, I can tell you any person who has purchased something from Fisher Price (perfect example is anything involving The Little People) is already out there nodding their head with me. I really can't begin to imagine the shoplifting of Little People that prompted Fisher Price to secure EACH AND EVERY tiny piece with twisty ties that could hold giant flying elephants in place AND clear tape which could hold the space shuttle to the moon. Let's just say, it takes an act of congress, tools which would make Bob Villa drool, and a mighty strong prayer to successfully open Fisher Price toys. Put them in charge of security I say. Problems solved.
I will say this though, The Little People are just the best toy out there for kids. Abby uses her imagination, singing, and talking and creates and plays some elaborate games. For this I am willing to bow to the packaging that is Fisher Price. There is nothing fancy about Little People. No bells or light shows. No computer generated talking voice. No video nothing. And Abby loves playing with them just as much as I did. Not bad when a toy can cross from one generation to the next.
Other than lots of playing and doing as much as we can outside, Abby still loves her books. She is not big on tv but will every now and then watch Sesame Street (my personal favorite), The Wiggles (though the obsession has diminished greatly), and The Muppet Show. My friend Vicki gave her a muppets video and she just loves it. I do too. I have not seen them in ages and they are still very funny. Abby dances to the little opening song.
Abby now has an entourage. At any given time she can be found with Olga (her sheep), Max (her bear), Go Go (her dog), Igor (her Kaz dog) or Baby Jack (little baby doll). She really looks after her little gang. I love to look in the rear view mirror of the car and see her plant a wet kiss on Go Go's head.
So, that's the scoop from our little corner of the world. Good night and happy summer. :-)
Summer and toddlers just go hand in hand. Summer is sticky and relaxed. Summer is all about being with your friends and eating watermelon. Summer is about running around barefoot and getting wet in the pool (or in the daily afternoon thunderstorm-take your pick). On any given day at the end of the day, Abby will be simultaneously sticky, hot, covered in dirt, and completely tired out. It is as it should be.
We are indeed having a good summer so far. We play outside a LOT, take Lucy on walks, and visit with our neighbors most evenings. I love our late afternoon visits with Pete (he is like a grandpa to Abby), Miss Bert (she is 85 years old), Phoebe (the basset hound Pete is keeping this summer), and Kitten (Miss Bert's semi-wild cat). Our discussions range from the Braves' disabled list to potty training to the weather to politics to pop-culture. Pete is usually drinking his glass of sweet tea and Miss Bert is usually swinging in the big swing. Abby adores going over there. Talk about your generation range - I believe we are pretty well covered.
Since I last posted, we have gone to a few birthday parties (5 to be exact - all very fun), been to watch little league baseball and soccer, had friends come to town to visit, been to the zoo, the Natural History Museum, the Children's Museum, and to the Arts Festival. We have gone to Stone Mountain a few times, something Abby really loves this year. The train is still her favorite. I am quite happy that they have replaced the old fashioned gun showdown on the train with a mini-musical about, what else, songs involving trains. Abby clapped and danced through the whole thing. I was quite impressed how many train songs they were able to come up with. On Mother's Day, we spent the day at Stone Mountain and had a picnic by the mountain. It was the perfect Mother's Day.
About a week ago, we went through a mini-monsoon here in Atlanta. Rain. Every day. And then the next day? Some more rain. With a dog and a 2 year old, this got old very fast. It even rained most of Memorial Day weekend. So we took advantage and went to Abby's first movie. We saw Madagascar. I would have to rate it a B-. I have seen Shrek and this, sir, was no Shrek. Nor was it Finding Nemo, Ice Age, Toy Story or any other of a dozen kid movies that I absolutely loved. Not that it is fair to compare or anything. Abby had a good time but she was mostly interested in the popcorn and in moving her sippy cup from one cup holder to the other. So take that for what you will. We really had fun though. If the movie had been 10 minutes shorter, it would have been just right. Abby did get very fidgety those last 10 minutes but for a 2 year old? I was very proud. :-) Next up? Gone With The Wind. Heh. Yeah, I just got an image of that in my head. Maybe we'll wait another 10 years or so on that one.
I have to take a minute to hop up on my little soap box. I think it is time we officially declare Fisher Price to be in charge of national security. Why, one might ask. Well, I can tell you any person who has purchased something from Fisher Price (perfect example is anything involving The Little People) is already out there nodding their head with me. I really can't begin to imagine the shoplifting of Little People that prompted Fisher Price to secure EACH AND EVERY tiny piece with twisty ties that could hold giant flying elephants in place AND clear tape which could hold the space shuttle to the moon. Let's just say, it takes an act of congress, tools which would make Bob Villa drool, and a mighty strong prayer to successfully open Fisher Price toys. Put them in charge of security I say. Problems solved.
I will say this though, The Little People are just the best toy out there for kids. Abby uses her imagination, singing, and talking and creates and plays some elaborate games. For this I am willing to bow to the packaging that is Fisher Price. There is nothing fancy about Little People. No bells or light shows. No computer generated talking voice. No video nothing. And Abby loves playing with them just as much as I did. Not bad when a toy can cross from one generation to the next.
Other than lots of playing and doing as much as we can outside, Abby still loves her books. She is not big on tv but will every now and then watch Sesame Street (my personal favorite), The Wiggles (though the obsession has diminished greatly), and The Muppet Show. My friend Vicki gave her a muppets video and she just loves it. I do too. I have not seen them in ages and they are still very funny. Abby dances to the little opening song.
Abby now has an entourage. At any given time she can be found with Olga (her sheep), Max (her bear), Go Go (her dog), Igor (her Kaz dog) or Baby Jack (little baby doll). She really looks after her little gang. I love to look in the rear view mirror of the car and see her plant a wet kiss on Go Go's head.
So, that's the scoop from our little corner of the world. Good night and happy summer. :-)