1.29.2009

OFFICIAL FAMILY PHOTOG

From left:  Mommy, Charlotte, Daddy, Alley

1.23.2009

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.

1.22.2009

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.

1.19.2009

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


1.12.2009

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.


1.04.2009

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.