Family Ketchup

Wow, so many great things can happen in such a short time! For K__ a kids triathlon, visitors for the weekend, band concert at school, and every week, Baby J grows and changes and learns new things.

Let's begin with the events of the weekend:

Kids Triathlon

K___ did her kids triathlon on Sunday! She completed a 200 yard swim, 6- mile bike ride, and a mile run. She did a great job, finishing in about 50 minutes. She had a great time with her Dad, who surprised her by coming down from Connecticut for the weekend, and with her Grammy (traveled from Pennsylvania to see her) and with her friends, of course. There were close to 750 participants from age 6-15, so it's a pretty big event!

I think the best part is the free chocolate milk and ice cream and watermelon at the end! We went out with our friends for lunch to Jason's Deli (more ice cream for dessert), and K___ relaxed that afternoon by playing Minecraft with a friend, swimming at the hotel with Dad and Grammy, and having more ice cream for dessert that night! What a day!

Baby J hung out in his stroller, eating, looking around, listening to the noise and sleeping...

He does a great job hanging out wherever he is. Only, he decidedly does NOT like band concerts. It must be the loud noise. He tolerates hearing it through the walls while I teach flute lessons during band class, and he tolerates a flute or clarinet playing right beside him. But apparently the whole band on stage is too much.

Band Concert

K___'s band concert went well (last Wednesday evening and Friday morning). Her class of 5th graders played first, showing off three pieces of sheet music they learned this year. Pretty amazing that one teacher can teach all 70+ students ALL of their instruments without the help of any private teachers at the school. Crazy system. Of course, they could be a lot better if they each received some private instruction, but that's the way it goes there.

With a good friend who also plays clarinet

Check the web album for May (link below) and you will find videos of the concert pieces they played!

Baby J

April 29, 2013

Baby J is learning so much lately! At 3 and a half months, he is beginning to discover toys - the ones he can get his hands around and get to his mouth are his favorite. He started by grabbing his blankets and soft toys, and grabbing hair when Mom or Sister are holding him. He has some rattles that he loves to shake-shake! Towards the end of April, he learned to bat at his toys when suspended to the sides of his body and over his belly. Suddenly, just in the past week, he can grab a toy with both hands, and reaches not just out to the side, but in front of him to get his toys. He rolls from his tummy to his back, and if there is something hung to his side, he will roll from his back to his side to play with both hands. His legs kick all around, especially if there is something around him to kick and make noise, and his monkey toes are working on grabbing things, too!

Talking, talking! "Ooh, ahh, oom, maaa, moo, graaaa" are strung in big long sentences! He has huge smiles for anyone who will come close and say, "hi." Huge smiles, and laughs when he is tickled or when Mom, Dad or Sister play silly games with him.

He likes to suck on his fingers and hands all the time... once he has fallen asleep sucking his thumb. He is still a great sleeper. Takes good naps, and sleeps overnight generally from around 9pm to 6:30am. I feel very lucky!

That's all I have time for now, but check the web albums for more photos and videos!