I just had 4 days off work :-)
It was busy. On day 1 we travelled down to our favourite nursery and bought some plants for the backyard - two wattle trees, a grevillea type thing, an unidentified freeby that will need some loving, a couple of ground covers and some little yellow shrubs.
Friday was the planting day. LGR was very excited and a very enthusiastic helper. His areas of expertise appear to be digging holes, spreading manure ('smelly dirt') and watering. He loves it all really. Hayzey is not so involved and is content to crawl around on the grass (and eat it).
I also bit a mini-deck to cover the easement in the backyard. I'm quite proud of it.
Saturday was a big drive out to Lithgow for a birthday party. The day started at 05:30 and we ended up getting home at about 21:00. In the middle we had swimming lessons, a breakfast excursion, the trip to Lithgow and some party time and then a stopover in Katoomba on the way back for some kids playtime, baths and dinner. A very long day and both kiddies were pretty well behaved.
Sunday was another birthday party - a Wiggles party this time. I've never seen so many kids at a party in my life. I would guess there were about twice as many kids as adults. Very noisy, very hectic.
So that was my four days off. Now I'm back at work and relishing the chance to sit back and do nothing much for a while :-)
Monday, August 29, 2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
The Little Boy is a Big Brother
Hi Folks
Trust all is well. It's been an interesting week for some out there and I trust it will all turn out well in the end :-)
I wanted to let you know about LGR. I believe he is turning out to be the finest big brother an 8 month old girl could ever ask for.
In my wildest dreams I never expected that I kiddie 2 months short of 3 years old could display so much patience, love and loyalty to a younger sibling. LGR is amazing.
Examples .....
A few weeks back LGR was asleep on the floor after 'pool party' and Hayzey was crawling around the place getting into mischief. Within a short period of time she had managed to discover the sleeping boy and hoisted herself onto his head and latched onto his hair with both hands. The reaction? A dismayed LGR cried and asked for help; but didn't respond by pushing Hayzey away or trying to hurt her. That's patience and understanding for you.
Another example:
LGR was playing with his (my) MegaBlocks on the top of an upturned crate. Hayzey became interested and stood herself up to next to LGR. Their versions of the game differed however - LGR was building but Hayzey just wanted to throw. Once again LGR asked us help him move Hayzey rather than deciding to just push her over or whack her with a block.
Third example:
For as long as I can remember LGR has always reacted to suggestions of 'Should we leave Hayzey behind?' with a very emphatic 'No'. If Mrs G or myself say we are all going out LGR is very deliberate in checking that Hayzey is coming with us.
Final example:
Hayzey is walking (assisted) just about all the time. LGR loves grabbing her hands and helping her walk around the house. It doesn't always work but the fact that he wants to help her impresses me mightily.
---
These are just a few examples. This type of thing happens every day. LGR is hardly ever aggressive or dismissive of Hayzey. His capacity to be patient, understanding and affectionate towards her is seemingly boundless. In her own special Hayzey understands this and reciprocates with giggles, smiles and raspberries. I'm even convinced they have conversations.
Mrs G and I have been blessed with the finest kiddies ever to grace the earth.
Trust all is well. It's been an interesting week for some out there and I trust it will all turn out well in the end :-)
I wanted to let you know about LGR. I believe he is turning out to be the finest big brother an 8 month old girl could ever ask for.
In my wildest dreams I never expected that I kiddie 2 months short of 3 years old could display so much patience, love and loyalty to a younger sibling. LGR is amazing.
Examples .....
A few weeks back LGR was asleep on the floor after 'pool party' and Hayzey was crawling around the place getting into mischief. Within a short period of time she had managed to discover the sleeping boy and hoisted herself onto his head and latched onto his hair with both hands. The reaction? A dismayed LGR cried and asked for help; but didn't respond by pushing Hayzey away or trying to hurt her. That's patience and understanding for you.
Another example:
LGR was playing with his (my) MegaBlocks on the top of an upturned crate. Hayzey became interested and stood herself up to next to LGR. Their versions of the game differed however - LGR was building but Hayzey just wanted to throw. Once again LGR asked us help him move Hayzey rather than deciding to just push her over or whack her with a block.
Third example:
For as long as I can remember LGR has always reacted to suggestions of 'Should we leave Hayzey behind?' with a very emphatic 'No'. If Mrs G or myself say we are all going out LGR is very deliberate in checking that Hayzey is coming with us.
Final example:
Hayzey is walking (assisted) just about all the time. LGR loves grabbing her hands and helping her walk around the house. It doesn't always work but the fact that he wants to help her impresses me mightily.
---
These are just a few examples. This type of thing happens every day. LGR is hardly ever aggressive or dismissive of Hayzey. His capacity to be patient, understanding and affectionate towards her is seemingly boundless. In her own special Hayzey understands this and reciprocates with giggles, smiles and raspberries. I'm even convinced they have conversations.
Mrs G and I have been blessed with the finest kiddies ever to grace the earth.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Talking
Hayzey has begun to make speech like sounds.
I'm pretty sure I heard her say 'Dada' a few days; and Mrs G and I are both very certain she crawls saying "Ma ma ma ma". Especially when she is crying.
I'm pretty sure I heard her say 'Dada' a few days; and Mrs G and I are both very certain she crawls saying "Ma ma ma ma". Especially when she is crying.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Degrees of Kidness
I promised a new post last night; but I'm 12 hours late. Sorry ....
A couple of stories to tell about LGR.
One
---
A few days back LGR was painting on the back deck. An excited burble of 2 year old speak caught the attention of Mrs G. LGR was proudly proclaiming "I made my letter!".
It turns out he had painted an L - albeit backwards. He was so excited he then proceeded to turn it into a J :-)
Two
---
A few evenings back I came home from work dead tired. I went upstairs to put on my pyjamas and LGR decided to tag along. After I was PJ'd up I lay on my bed and told LGR I was going to sleep. He didn't like this and started gently rubbing my cheeks and saying, very softly, "Don't sleep Daddy". Then he began to rub a little more roughly. I asked what he was doing. The reply - "Making your face smooth. I shave you Daddy". Nice work little buddy.
Three
-----
This one happened this morning and is conversation based. It went something like:
LGR - "Where am I going today"
Daddy - "You're going to kindy"
LGR - "Where are you (ie Daddy) going today?"
Daddy - "I'm going to work"
LGR - "Why?"
Daddy - "It's my turn. I have to go to work so someone else can go home"
LGR - "It's not your turn. It's someone elses turn"
I wish :-)
A couple of stories to tell about LGR.
One
---
A few days back LGR was painting on the back deck. An excited burble of 2 year old speak caught the attention of Mrs G. LGR was proudly proclaiming "I made my letter!".
It turns out he had painted an L - albeit backwards. He was so excited he then proceeded to turn it into a J :-)
Two
---
A few evenings back I came home from work dead tired. I went upstairs to put on my pyjamas and LGR decided to tag along. After I was PJ'd up I lay on my bed and told LGR I was going to sleep. He didn't like this and started gently rubbing my cheeks and saying, very softly, "Don't sleep Daddy". Then he began to rub a little more roughly. I asked what he was doing. The reply - "Making your face smooth. I shave you Daddy". Nice work little buddy.
Three
-----
This one happened this morning and is conversation based. It went something like:
LGR - "Where am I going today"
Daddy - "You're going to kindy"
LGR - "Where are you (ie Daddy) going today?"
Daddy - "I'm going to work"
LGR - "Why?"
Daddy - "It's my turn. I have to go to work so someone else can go home"
LGR - "It's not your turn. It's someone elses turn"
I wish :-)
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Crawling, Standing, Falling
Hayzey is crawling everywhere. If she has half an opportunity she will stand up. If she grabs on to something that moves she moves with it and won't let go.
Hayzey can't get herself into a sitting position once she is standing up :-)
We also think Hayzey might have said 'Da-da' yesterday; but maybe we just imagined it.
LGR is still Wiggles fixated. I read a story about Wiggle World today; and have realised that there is no way we are not going to Dreamworld when we get up to Queensland for our long awaited trip.
It turns out the Wiggles have been performing for as long as Mrs G and I have been a 'couple' - a nice bit of symmetry.
Hayzey can't get herself into a sitting position once she is standing up :-)
We also think Hayzey might have said 'Da-da' yesterday; but maybe we just imagined it.
LGR is still Wiggles fixated. I read a story about Wiggle World today; and have realised that there is no way we are not going to Dreamworld when we get up to Queensland for our long awaited trip.
It turns out the Wiggles have been performing for as long as Mrs G and I have been a 'couple' - a nice bit of symmetry.
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