OFFICIAL FAMILY PHOTOG

From left:  Mommy, Charlotte, Daddy, Alley

The Oompa-Loompas said it best...OUR VIEW ON T.V.

So, I have been trying to get through a list of classic books to read that was provided to me in a book called "101 Things to Do Before I Die". Charlie and the Chocolate Factory happens to be one of them. In one of the final chapters, Mike Teavee is being carried away to be stretched out and the Oompa Loompas sing a little song that goes like this:

"The most important thing we've learned,

So far as children are concerned,

Is never, NEVER, NEVER let

Them near your television set --

Or better still, just don't istall

The idiotic thing at all.

In almost every house we've been,

We've watched them gaping at the screen.

They loll and slop and lounge about,

And stare until their eyes pop out

...

But did you ever stop to think,

To wonder just exactly what

This does to your beloved tot?

IT ROTS THE SENSES IN THE HEAD?

IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!

IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!

IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND

HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND

FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!

HIS BRAIN BECOMES SOFT AS CHEESE!

HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!

HE CANNOT THINK - HE ONLY SEES!

"All right!' you'll cry. "All right!" you'll say,

"But if we take the set away,

What shall we do to entertain

Our darling children? Please explain!"

We'll answer this by asking you,

"What used the darling ones to do?

"How used they keep themselves contented

Before this monster was invented?

Have you forgotten? Don't you know?

We'll say it very loud and slow:

THEY...USED...TO...READ! They'd READ and

READ,

AND READ and READ, and then proceed

To READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!

One half their lives was reading books!

The nursery shelves held books galore!

Books cluttered up the nursery floor!

And in the bedroom, by the bed,

More books were waiting to be read!

Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales

Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales

And treasure isles, and distant shores

Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars

And pirates wearing purple pants,

And sailing ships and elephants,

And cannibals crouching 'round the pot,

Stirring away at something hot.

A Dress from a Distant Friend

I opened my door and what should appear

But a package from a friend who is very dear

We undid the wrapping

Little arms did a lot of flapping

There was pretty in pink tissue

A card for reading and wishes that were issued

And inside a beautiful floral dress

That little latte loved the best

Thanks so much beautiful Chalang! She definitely loves the dress. It fits her well. It is greatly appreciated that you thought of us. You are a great person, friend and I wish you were still in Ottawa.

Velo Vogue Fashion Show at Tall Tree

Sitting Up...Caught on Film!!!

It has been a long time coming, but Charlotte has reached a developmental milestone: sitting up. I was the first to see her sit up and then Grandma Grier had the opportunity this past weekend. We had missed most of it because we were in the kitchen eating shortbread cookies and peanut butter sandwiches, but today as we play with her blocks she did sit up and I thought I would take some pictures to show Daddy.

Photoshoot Day with the Maternal Parental Unit

Playing Blocks with Daddy and Alley

Charlotte's First Bites

Well, it has been a long time coming, but her first two teeth are emerging and she continues to grasp at our food.  So on Thursday of this week, a few days shy of her six month birthday, we offered her a mommy specialty:  blended breast milk and rice puree.  She gobbled it up!  And now she has the stinkiest poos ever.  Also, if any of you have some good baby food recipes or advice, pass them our way.

Charlotte's Reading List

Charlotte is quite a busy baby, but Mommy and Daddy have resolved to read to her everyday.  

So far her reading list includes:

Charlotte's Web                         by E.B. White 

Raz MaTaz                                  by Stephen Cosgrove

Just me and my Dad                 by Mercer Mayer

The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemous    by Beatrix Potter

Just me and my Mom               by Mercer Mayer

Clifford the Small Red Puppy  by Norman Bridwell

Mousekin's Birth                        by Edna Miller

Swimmy                                      by Leo Lionni

Goodnight, Goodnight              by Eve Rice

Charlotte has also become very fond of a material book with 6 pages.  It is in the shape of a turtle and she has read it about 10 times with Grandma Grier.