We have a massive tree in our backyard. It is, to quote an arborist, of "extraordinary girth," NTB, especially for a tree in a fenced-in yard of less than 200 square yards. If you saw the size and position of the tree and the position of our house and garage, you might feel nervous. I only feel nervous about it every once in a while.
When the tree guy came to see about our tree, he identified it as a Tree of Heaven. I was charmed by that name and got carried away thinking about how high it is and how cool it is to look up and see the sky through its leaves and how the shade it provides is heavenly. How many families, I wondered, have enjoyed its shade? How many kids played beneath it? There is a metal hook in the side of the tree, about fifty feet up. It may have been placed there the last time the tree was trimmed, but I prefer to think that it served some purpose (hook for hanging basket? foot hold to reach tree house?) for the tree's "owners" many years ago and then grew with the tree. Our house was built in the 1890s, but I even wonder did the tree precede the house? I'm telling you it is a really big and really old tree. Then, I start to wonder what my neighborhood looked like before there were houses 2-3 feet from each other on a perfect grid for miles and miles . . .
But, back to my Tree of Heaven. After the tree guy identified it for us, I did a wee bit of research. I learned that it is also called a "stinktree" (ours doesn't, for the record), that it is not a native tree, and that it is targeted for removal in many national forests because it gives off toxins or something that keep other trees and plants from growing as they should. Basically, our yard is dominated by an enormous exotic weed.
Our tree got a haircut today. Three guys spent several hours with ropes and a bucket truck trimming dead branches and those live ones too close to the roof of the garage and to the power lines. I was so impressed with the daring and technique it requires to keep trees healthy. Very impressive. When I looked outside the back window two hours before I was supposed to be hosting Bub's preschool class for a playdate/pizza party, our entire yard (and part of our neighbors') was covered in tree branches and leaves. Just a wee bit nervous, but everything was cleaned up in plenty of time.
The highlights of the party: sunshine, warm breeze, and parents and kids hanging out under the heavenly shade of our stinktree.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Bub knows how to pick them.
A few weeks ago, hubby was putting Bub to bed and asked him, "Who's your best friend?" Bub answered, apparently without hesitation, "Little Bit." I'm sorry that I didn't witness the exchange but even imagining it warms my heart and gives me some assurance that whatever mistakes we are making as parents, we are doing something right if our boys love each other. And really, what's not to love? NTB.
This post is the one I've been meaning to write ever since Little Bit celebrated his first birthday. Words will fall short of capturing how much joy he has brought into our home and our hearts, full-to-bursting really. But to keep this post from verging too far into the sappy and sentimental, I am going to focus on the reasons why Little Bit is and will be such a good “best friend” candidate for Bub and the other little buddies he will meet along the way.
1. Little Bit is a happy guy. He just is. He smiles (almost) all the time, lighting up the room with the big, bright blue eyes.* If he’s unhappy, you’ll know it but it won’t last long. He laughs a lot. It’s an infectious and surprisingly deep sort of laugh for a little guy, and it doesn’t take much to provoke it . . . a quick game of peek-a-boo, attempting to feed mommy crumbs from his high chair tray and then pulling them away at the last second, watching Bub parade around the family room with his underwear on his head, being tickled. In fact, he likes being tickled so much that “tickle, tickle, tickle” is one of the only understandable things that he says.
2. Little Bit is usually game for anything. Want to empty a box of Kleenex tissue by tissue? Want to paw through a drawer filled with baby food and remove the cardboard wrapper and plastic lid from each? Want to climb stairs, the back of the couch, and the Pottery Barn chairs and come thisclose to falling? Want to rip up paper or eat crumbs off the floor? Explore and taste gadgets like the phone and remote control? Little Bit is your man.
3. Little Bit likes to dance. Wouldn't you like to have a best friend who dances? A dance-off with the battery-powered dancing Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba is a daily event. Little Bit will also bob up and down when Bub succeeds in getting mom or dad to play “Boom Boom Pow” for the one millionth time. Although it’s not officially a dance move, Little Bit has a quirky but surprisingly speedy hop-along style crawl wherein he sweeps/hooks one leg in an odd manner. It’s a sight.
4. Little Bit likes to meet new people. He’ll be the kid to go to camp or the back-to-school dance with because he seems delighted any time there’s anyone new to look and smile at. We were at Einstein’s Bagels this morning, and Little Bit was sitting in a high chair with his back to the door. Each time someone entered the restaurant, he turned around to smile and squeal, winning a lot of return smiles and greetings. His attitude toward life and the people he encounters seems to be, “Hey, why not be happy?!” Why not, indeed. I hope his smiles continue to brighten the days of others. A warning for his friends during the adolescent years though, he does seem to be a flirt. He can charm prospects, but may not be content to play wing man. We'll have to see.
5. He will be lots of fun at slumber parties because he does not seem to have trouble being awake at night.
6. He likes to eat. The ability to take pleasure in food is, in my book, a key quality that a friend should possess. The good eater switch finally got turned on around Little Bit’s first birthday and now he is going to town on a variety of foods. Favorites include watermelon, blueberries, and grilled cheese sandwiches coated in tomato sauce. He eats with gusto and murmurs "mmmm" after particularly tasty bites. He got a hold of one of Bub’s sippy cups the other day and sampled some chocolate milk before I could stop him. He’s definitely a fan, but we’re not going there yet and have had to become more vigilant about keeping track of Bub’s cups. I like that he goes after what he wants.
NTB a given for all of the above and, of course, a disclaimer that notes that our one year old can whine with the best of them, is stubborn, is the messiest eater in Cook County, and still does not sleep through the night. Still, we’ll keep him, treasure him even.
I hope Little Bit will continue to be his bit brother’s best buddy and hope that he will live a fully and happy life with true and loyal friends and more than enough love and laughter.
I’m not lucky enough to be Little Bit’s best friend. I’m even luckier. I’m his mom. I know his daddy feels the same. Little Bit is a joy.
Happy Birthday to Bub’s best friend Little Bit. And many more.
*He has his daddy’s eyes. Usually I look at Little Bit and just see Little Bit but there are moments when I look at him and see him as my husband’s mini me and it just blows my mind.
This post is the one I've been meaning to write ever since Little Bit celebrated his first birthday. Words will fall short of capturing how much joy he has brought into our home and our hearts, full-to-bursting really. But to keep this post from verging too far into the sappy and sentimental, I am going to focus on the reasons why Little Bit is and will be such a good “best friend” candidate for Bub and the other little buddies he will meet along the way.
1. Little Bit is a happy guy. He just is. He smiles (almost) all the time, lighting up the room with the big, bright blue eyes.* If he’s unhappy, you’ll know it but it won’t last long. He laughs a lot. It’s an infectious and surprisingly deep sort of laugh for a little guy, and it doesn’t take much to provoke it . . . a quick game of peek-a-boo, attempting to feed mommy crumbs from his high chair tray and then pulling them away at the last second, watching Bub parade around the family room with his underwear on his head, being tickled. In fact, he likes being tickled so much that “tickle, tickle, tickle” is one of the only understandable things that he says.
2. Little Bit is usually game for anything. Want to empty a box of Kleenex tissue by tissue? Want to paw through a drawer filled with baby food and remove the cardboard wrapper and plastic lid from each? Want to climb stairs, the back of the couch, and the Pottery Barn chairs and come thisclose to falling? Want to rip up paper or eat crumbs off the floor? Explore and taste gadgets like the phone and remote control? Little Bit is your man.
3. Little Bit likes to dance. Wouldn't you like to have a best friend who dances? A dance-off with the battery-powered dancing Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba is a daily event. Little Bit will also bob up and down when Bub succeeds in getting mom or dad to play “Boom Boom Pow” for the one millionth time. Although it’s not officially a dance move, Little Bit has a quirky but surprisingly speedy hop-along style crawl wherein he sweeps/hooks one leg in an odd manner. It’s a sight.
4. Little Bit likes to meet new people. He’ll be the kid to go to camp or the back-to-school dance with because he seems delighted any time there’s anyone new to look and smile at. We were at Einstein’s Bagels this morning, and Little Bit was sitting in a high chair with his back to the door. Each time someone entered the restaurant, he turned around to smile and squeal, winning a lot of return smiles and greetings. His attitude toward life and the people he encounters seems to be, “Hey, why not be happy?!” Why not, indeed. I hope his smiles continue to brighten the days of others. A warning for his friends during the adolescent years though, he does seem to be a flirt. He can charm prospects, but may not be content to play wing man. We'll have to see.
5. He will be lots of fun at slumber parties because he does not seem to have trouble being awake at night.
6. He likes to eat. The ability to take pleasure in food is, in my book, a key quality that a friend should possess. The good eater switch finally got turned on around Little Bit’s first birthday and now he is going to town on a variety of foods. Favorites include watermelon, blueberries, and grilled cheese sandwiches coated in tomato sauce. He eats with gusto and murmurs "mmmm" after particularly tasty bites. He got a hold of one of Bub’s sippy cups the other day and sampled some chocolate milk before I could stop him. He’s definitely a fan, but we’re not going there yet and have had to become more vigilant about keeping track of Bub’s cups. I like that he goes after what he wants.
NTB a given for all of the above and, of course, a disclaimer that notes that our one year old can whine with the best of them, is stubborn, is the messiest eater in Cook County, and still does not sleep through the night. Still, we’ll keep him, treasure him even.
I hope Little Bit will continue to be his bit brother’s best buddy and hope that he will live a fully and happy life with true and loyal friends and more than enough love and laughter.
I’m not lucky enough to be Little Bit’s best friend. I’m even luckier. I’m his mom. I know his daddy feels the same. Little Bit is a joy.
Happy Birthday to Bub’s best friend Little Bit. And many more.
*He has his daddy’s eyes. Usually I look at Little Bit and just see Little Bit but there are moments when I look at him and see him as my husband’s mini me and it just blows my mind.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Chew-R-S
Some things I want to remember years from now when Bub and Little Bit are all grown up and possibly giving speeches or otherwise impressing people with their language skills:
1. The part of the ABC song when Bub belts out, "Chew-R-S-T-U-B."*
2. The fact that Little Bit's first recognizable utterance besides "dada" is the phrase "tickle, tickle, tickle," complete with hand motion. So adorable, NTB.
3. Bub's love for the books Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman and the way he pronounces Corduroy as CorduRORY.
4. The way Little Bit says something like "mmmm" after bites of watermelon.
What are you hearing these days?
*explains why some of our matchbox cars are called "bans" but not why all the "bans" are referred to with the adjective "rescue bans."
1. The part of the ABC song when Bub belts out, "Chew-R-S-T-U-B."*
2. The fact that Little Bit's first recognizable utterance besides "dada" is the phrase "tickle, tickle, tickle," complete with hand motion. So adorable, NTB.
3. Bub's love for the books Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman and the way he pronounces Corduroy as CorduRORY.
4. The way Little Bit says something like "mmmm" after bites of watermelon.
What are you hearing these days?
*explains why some of our matchbox cars are called "bans" but not why all the "bans" are referred to with the adjective "rescue bans."
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thank you for the music.
Initial reflections on my top Michael Jackson memories.
1. March 1984: I turned nine and hosted my first slumber party. My dad was out of town, but he made a scavenger hunt for me. My friends and I followed the clues from room to room in my house on Parliament Ct. and ended up in his office where I unwrapped a Thriller tape. I remember being, well, thrilled. My friends and I listened to it over and over. Apparently Thriller was released in December of 1982, which makes receiving the album in March of 1984 seem a little less thrilling. However, the trusty scholars at Wikipedia report that Thriller was topping the charts for eighty consecutive weeks. So there. My dad and I were still cool.
2. Spring 1989: My grade school had a week called "Everybody Counts" every year. At each grade level, you learned about various disabilities and handicaps and the importance of being kind, respectful, and sensitive. Seventh and eighth graders (only girls participated, but I assume boys were welcome?) could choose to give up some of their recess time over many weeks to learn to sign the lyrics to a song. Then, at the Everybody Counts all-school mass, you signed that song in front of the whole school after Communion. In seventh grade, it was "Lean on Me." In eighth grade, it was Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror." I have to say that the words of that song do still resonate with me. "That's why I'm starting with me . . ." I can still sign parts of both songs to this day, and boy would I love to see a videotape of the performance if such a thing existed.
3. 1993-1997: I can't remember how it started, but my college friends and I did a really stupid thing when we heard "Billie Jean." When Michael would sing, "She's just a girl that thinks that I am the one. The kid is not my son," we would then say, not sing, "That child is not my responsibility" in kind of a serious tone. Then, eventually, it morphed into, "This chair is not my responsibility." I don't know why, and I''m not even beginning to claim that we were funny, but I've been hearing "This chair is not my responsibility" in my head for a few hours now and it makes me smile.
What about you? Any Michael Jackson memories?
1. March 1984: I turned nine and hosted my first slumber party. My dad was out of town, but he made a scavenger hunt for me. My friends and I followed the clues from room to room in my house on Parliament Ct. and ended up in his office where I unwrapped a Thriller tape. I remember being, well, thrilled. My friends and I listened to it over and over. Apparently Thriller was released in December of 1982, which makes receiving the album in March of 1984 seem a little less thrilling. However, the trusty scholars at Wikipedia report that Thriller was topping the charts for eighty consecutive weeks. So there. My dad and I were still cool.
2. Spring 1989: My grade school had a week called "Everybody Counts" every year. At each grade level, you learned about various disabilities and handicaps and the importance of being kind, respectful, and sensitive. Seventh and eighth graders (only girls participated, but I assume boys were welcome?) could choose to give up some of their recess time over many weeks to learn to sign the lyrics to a song. Then, at the Everybody Counts all-school mass, you signed that song in front of the whole school after Communion. In seventh grade, it was "Lean on Me." In eighth grade, it was Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror." I have to say that the words of that song do still resonate with me. "That's why I'm starting with me . . ." I can still sign parts of both songs to this day, and boy would I love to see a videotape of the performance if such a thing existed.
3. 1993-1997: I can't remember how it started, but my college friends and I did a really stupid thing when we heard "Billie Jean." When Michael would sing, "She's just a girl that thinks that I am the one. The kid is not my son," we would then say, not sing, "That child is not my responsibility" in kind of a serious tone. Then, eventually, it morphed into, "This chair is not my responsibility." I don't know why, and I''m not even beginning to claim that we were funny, but I've been hearing "This chair is not my responsibility" in my head for a few hours now and it makes me smile.
What about you? Any Michael Jackson memories?
Monday, June 22, 2009
More Than a Little Bit Joyful!
There's a post in the works, celebrating Little Bit and his first year. For now I will just note that today our happy, smiling baby turns one, and we are so thankful for the joy he brings us every single day.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys.
When I was a high school English teacher, I often socialized with other teachers and their significant others. Contrary to the suspicions of teenagers everywhere, English teachers do not sit around correcting grammar for kicks. But we do sometimes talk about books and when the subject of reading came up, the husband of my friend/colleague (next-door classroom neighbor) had one contribution to the conversation: "Have you ever read Lonesome Dove?" Each time he mentioned the novel, his wife would sigh or roll her eyes or flat out say, "No one wants to hear about Lonesome Dove."
It's not that I would not have wanted to hear about Lonesome Dove. It's more like nothing I heard about it would have made me think I would like it. When I heard the title, I always conjured images of Texas, dust, and tired horses. When, a couple of years ago, my friend Actchy read and enjoyed Lonesome Dove, I decided to use one of my audible.com credits to obtain the audio download for my ipod. But I didn't seriously consider listening to it. I still didn't think I'd like it. Texas, dust, tired horses. Urgh.
A few weeks ago, I was pretty much out of audiobooks for my ipod and decided to give Lonesome Dove a try. The first thirty minutes of listening are all about how it's really hot, dusty, and boring in Texas. I did not know if I could handle thirty-six more hours of dust, heat, and tired horses.
Well, I LOVED Lonesome Dove. I laughed. I cried. I marveled at Larry McMurtry's masterful weaving together of so many narrative threads. Each plot line was my favorite one while I was listening to it, with the exception of a few sections that made me so stinking anxious I could barely listen.
"I don't feel good about those Suggs boys," I would tell my husband, who had already read the book. "Are they as bad as I think they are?" Or, "How much do you love Deets? I really love Deets." "Is something going to happen to Newt? Just tell me because I'm going to stop listening right now if that's the case." "Blue Duck is just so evil. I feel sick just thinking about him." "Weren't you so intrigued by Po Campo?" He had to kindly remind me that he read the book in 1996, not last week.*
Reading Lonesome Dove, I learned about a time and place in history that I've never really thought about: the post-Civil War West. I feel foolish admitting this, but I never thought about "how the West was won." Had no idea what Texas Rangers were (not a baseball team?). I had never really thought about what cowboys did besides wear hats and ride horses. Had never paused to think about what a cattle drive was. Never really thought about how important it would be to have a good horse or why one would want to steal horses.
And you know how, if you visit some place like Gatlingburg, TN, you can dress up in those old clothes and get your picture taken. On two occasions, I have dressed for such pictures, choosing to wear one of the satin/lacy type dresses which, thanks to Lonesome Dove, I now realize were reminiscent of those worn by the whores who worked in the saloons.
More than anything, I can't get over how much courage or folly it would take to travel miles and miles into unknown, lonely terrain. I especially can't get over mothers sending their young sons on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana.
Lonesome Dove is a long journey but the hours spent in the company of McMurtry's characters are so worth the trip.
Other recent reads that I heartily endorse are as follows.
I'm Down by Mishna Wolff -- hilarious and thought-provoking coming-of-age memoir about a white girl whose father more or less thinks he is black and raises her and her sister in a poor, black neighborhood
I'm Sorry You Feel That Way: The Astonishing But True Story of a Daughter, Sister, Slut, Wife, Mother, and Friend to Man & Dog by Diana Joseph -- if the title doesn't sell you on this memoir, there's not much I can offer, except to say it is honest, well-written, and completely engaging
Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz -- novel about a Princeton admissions officer coming to terms with her own past and the pressures of making decisions about the futures of so many applicants. I really loved this book.
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl -- I can't believe I have not read Ruth Reichl before, but this memoir of her years as the New York Times restaurant critic was fantastic. I will be seeking out her two previous memoirs ASAP. I hope to post on this one in more detail in the future, but I wanted to mention it now in case Top Chef Masters isn't tiding you food fanatics over until the new season begins.
As always, I want to know what you are reading? And, what's your "Lonesome Dove"?
*Inspired by my constant commentary on Lonesome Dove, hubby DVRd and has been watching the miniseries. I've only caught snippets, but I have to say that realizing that D.B. Sweeney of Cutting Edge fame plays top hand Dish Boggett really made my evening.
It's not that I would not have wanted to hear about Lonesome Dove. It's more like nothing I heard about it would have made me think I would like it. When I heard the title, I always conjured images of Texas, dust, and tired horses. When, a couple of years ago, my friend Actchy read and enjoyed Lonesome Dove, I decided to use one of my audible.com credits to obtain the audio download for my ipod. But I didn't seriously consider listening to it. I still didn't think I'd like it. Texas, dust, tired horses. Urgh.
A few weeks ago, I was pretty much out of audiobooks for my ipod and decided to give Lonesome Dove a try. The first thirty minutes of listening are all about how it's really hot, dusty, and boring in Texas. I did not know if I could handle thirty-six more hours of dust, heat, and tired horses.
Well, I LOVED Lonesome Dove. I laughed. I cried. I marveled at Larry McMurtry's masterful weaving together of so many narrative threads. Each plot line was my favorite one while I was listening to it, with the exception of a few sections that made me so stinking anxious I could barely listen.
"I don't feel good about those Suggs boys," I would tell my husband, who had already read the book. "Are they as bad as I think they are?" Or, "How much do you love Deets? I really love Deets." "Is something going to happen to Newt? Just tell me because I'm going to stop listening right now if that's the case." "Blue Duck is just so evil. I feel sick just thinking about him." "Weren't you so intrigued by Po Campo?" He had to kindly remind me that he read the book in 1996, not last week.*
Reading Lonesome Dove, I learned about a time and place in history that I've never really thought about: the post-Civil War West. I feel foolish admitting this, but I never thought about "how the West was won." Had no idea what Texas Rangers were (not a baseball team?). I had never really thought about what cowboys did besides wear hats and ride horses. Had never paused to think about what a cattle drive was. Never really thought about how important it would be to have a good horse or why one would want to steal horses.
And you know how, if you visit some place like Gatlingburg, TN, you can dress up in those old clothes and get your picture taken. On two occasions, I have dressed for such pictures, choosing to wear one of the satin/lacy type dresses which, thanks to Lonesome Dove, I now realize were reminiscent of those worn by the whores who worked in the saloons.
More than anything, I can't get over how much courage or folly it would take to travel miles and miles into unknown, lonely terrain. I especially can't get over mothers sending their young sons on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana.
Lonesome Dove is a long journey but the hours spent in the company of McMurtry's characters are so worth the trip.
Other recent reads that I heartily endorse are as follows.
I'm Down by Mishna Wolff -- hilarious and thought-provoking coming-of-age memoir about a white girl whose father more or less thinks he is black and raises her and her sister in a poor, black neighborhood
I'm Sorry You Feel That Way: The Astonishing But True Story of a Daughter, Sister, Slut, Wife, Mother, and Friend to Man & Dog by Diana Joseph -- if the title doesn't sell you on this memoir, there's not much I can offer, except to say it is honest, well-written, and completely engaging
Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz -- novel about a Princeton admissions officer coming to terms with her own past and the pressures of making decisions about the futures of so many applicants. I really loved this book.
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl -- I can't believe I have not read Ruth Reichl before, but this memoir of her years as the New York Times restaurant critic was fantastic. I will be seeking out her two previous memoirs ASAP. I hope to post on this one in more detail in the future, but I wanted to mention it now in case Top Chef Masters isn't tiding you food fanatics over until the new season begins.
As always, I want to know what you are reading? And, what's your "Lonesome Dove"?
*Inspired by my constant commentary on Lonesome Dove, hubby DVRd and has been watching the miniseries. I've only caught snippets, but I have to say that realizing that D.B. Sweeney of Cutting Edge fame plays top hand Dish Boggett really made my evening.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Bub's Got Game(s)
Bub is developing an interest in boxed games like Candyland, Hi Ho Cheerio, Memory, Cootie, and a Thomas the Train game. His attention span and respect for the rules of play are still, ahem, developing, but he seems to enjoy himself. Plus, he is great, NTB, about cleaning up all the little pieces so Little Bit won't try to eat them. I play such games with Bub while Little Bit naps in the morning. Hubby plays with Bub before bed most nights.
With lots of rain and temperatures in the mid-fifties most of last week, we've had more indoor time this summer than anticipated and thus, more indoor games. NTB, but Bub has been thinking out of the box on some of most recent "games."
Here are some of Bub's favorites games with materials and instructions given from his perspective . . .
Mailing Letters
Materials Needed: candy, envelopes, stickers, crayons
Instructions:
1. Mention every five minutes that you want to go to the candy store.
2. Once your mom has given in or found some candy somewhere, ask her to dump it on the table.
3. Get to work filling envelopes with one or two pieces of candy in each.
4. Work with mom to put a sticker on the front of the envelope for a stamp. Remind her that you do not want any Winnie-the-Pooh stickers with Piglet on them because "the pig is sad."
5. Delegate as much as you can, as in, "You write my name on the envelope, Mom." She will probably make you trace your name.
6. Place envelopes in your own mailbox.
7. Start asking your mom when you can check the mail because you think you have some letters.
8. When she relents, open all the letters, even the ones you said were for Daddy. 9. Eat the candy inside.
10. Return to step 1.
Poker Chips
Materials needed: poker chips and caddy, Spray N' Wash (suppose Windex or non-aerosol hair spray would work in a pinch)
Instructions:
1. Dump all the poker chips out of the poker chip caddy and on to the basement floor.
2. While your mom is changing the laundry, spray as many chips as you can with Spray N' Wash.
3. Find a piece of dirty laundry from the pile and use it to start drying the chips.
4. Put the chips in the caddy as you dry them, reserving the black and white ones. Don't forget to scold your baby brother for trying to put away chips that have not been "washed and dried" yet and for not keeping black and white ones out of the caddy.
5. Tell your mom the black and white chips are for "making snowmen."
6. Take an extra pile of black and white chips and hide it in the guest room.
7. Once you have about 15 chips dried and back in the caddy, leave the rest on the floor so that you can skip step 1 when you are ready to play again.
Unnamed Game A
Materials: matchbox cars, silo from Fisher Price farm, tennis ball
Instructions:
1. Fill silo full of matchbox cars, leaving some room at the top.
2. Place tennis ball in top of the silo.
3. Empty silo and repeat.
Unnamed Game B
Materials: bin of baby and toddler shoes, toy hammer
Instructions:
1. Empty shoes on to the floor. Do it right in the doorway between the kitchen and family room so that no one can miss the fact that you are playing.
2. Use hammer to beat the shoes repeatedly.
Making Sand
Materials: sandbox with plentiful sand toys, neighbors
Instructions:
1. Stand on the deck and peer over the fence until you get the neighbors' attention.
2. Invite them over. (Your mom will not mind because she prefers inviting them over to having you invite yourself to their yard or stare over the fence with longing. Plus, she likes the neighbors.)
3. Make sure all the toys you own are out of the garage and strewn about the yard.
4. Once all the toys are out, ignore them and lure all the kids into the sandbox.
5. Remove your shoes and socks, no matter what the temperature.
6. Once there are five kids (ages 11 months-8 years) in the sandbox (3-4 feet in diameter), work together to create an elaborate system for filling, straining, dumping, and moving sand. This is called "making sand."
7. Make sure to get as much sand out of the box and into the yard as you can.
8. Throw a fit when it's time for dinner and no more sand can be made.
9. Ask the neighbors if they want to "make sand" every other time you see them.
What games do the kids in your life play? Please share in the comments.
Also, please don't forget to send in your recipes for the NTB Dips and Sips Summer Recipe Drive! For the price of one recipe, you will receive many! Pretty please.
With lots of rain and temperatures in the mid-fifties most of last week, we've had more indoor time this summer than anticipated and thus, more indoor games. NTB, but Bub has been thinking out of the box on some of most recent "games."
Here are some of Bub's favorites games with materials and instructions given from his perspective . . .
Mailing Letters
Materials Needed: candy, envelopes, stickers, crayons
Instructions:
1. Mention every five minutes that you want to go to the candy store.
2. Once your mom has given in or found some candy somewhere, ask her to dump it on the table.
3. Get to work filling envelopes with one or two pieces of candy in each.
4. Work with mom to put a sticker on the front of the envelope for a stamp. Remind her that you do not want any Winnie-the-Pooh stickers with Piglet on them because "the pig is sad."
5. Delegate as much as you can, as in, "You write my name on the envelope, Mom." She will probably make you trace your name.
6. Place envelopes in your own mailbox.
7. Start asking your mom when you can check the mail because you think you have some letters.
8. When she relents, open all the letters, even the ones you said were for Daddy. 9. Eat the candy inside.
10. Return to step 1.
Poker Chips
Materials needed: poker chips and caddy, Spray N' Wash (suppose Windex or non-aerosol hair spray would work in a pinch)
Instructions:
1. Dump all the poker chips out of the poker chip caddy and on to the basement floor.
2. While your mom is changing the laundry, spray as many chips as you can with Spray N' Wash.
3. Find a piece of dirty laundry from the pile and use it to start drying the chips.
4. Put the chips in the caddy as you dry them, reserving the black and white ones. Don't forget to scold your baby brother for trying to put away chips that have not been "washed and dried" yet and for not keeping black and white ones out of the caddy.
5. Tell your mom the black and white chips are for "making snowmen."
6. Take an extra pile of black and white chips and hide it in the guest room.
7. Once you have about 15 chips dried and back in the caddy, leave the rest on the floor so that you can skip step 1 when you are ready to play again.
Unnamed Game A
Materials: matchbox cars, silo from Fisher Price farm, tennis ball
Instructions:
1. Fill silo full of matchbox cars, leaving some room at the top.
2. Place tennis ball in top of the silo.
3. Empty silo and repeat.
Unnamed Game B
Materials: bin of baby and toddler shoes, toy hammer
Instructions:
1. Empty shoes on to the floor. Do it right in the doorway between the kitchen and family room so that no one can miss the fact that you are playing.
2. Use hammer to beat the shoes repeatedly.
Making Sand
Materials: sandbox with plentiful sand toys, neighbors
Instructions:
1. Stand on the deck and peer over the fence until you get the neighbors' attention.
2. Invite them over. (Your mom will not mind because she prefers inviting them over to having you invite yourself to their yard or stare over the fence with longing. Plus, she likes the neighbors.)
3. Make sure all the toys you own are out of the garage and strewn about the yard.
4. Once all the toys are out, ignore them and lure all the kids into the sandbox.
5. Remove your shoes and socks, no matter what the temperature.
6. Once there are five kids (ages 11 months-8 years) in the sandbox (3-4 feet in diameter), work together to create an elaborate system for filling, straining, dumping, and moving sand. This is called "making sand."
7. Make sure to get as much sand out of the box and into the yard as you can.
8. Throw a fit when it's time for dinner and no more sand can be made.
9. Ask the neighbors if they want to "make sand" every other time you see them.
What games do the kids in your life play? Please share in the comments.
Also, please don't forget to send in your recipes for the NTB Dips and Sips Summer Recipe Drive! For the price of one recipe, you will receive many! Pretty please.
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