It seemed like it would never get here. And it also seems like it got here in no time. This is our last week at 8321 Hobhouse Circle. Both Mark and I have had spells of feeling pretty emotional about leaving here. It seems odd to feel that way, given this move is completely our choice. But this has been a wonderful house and neighborhood for us, and there are lots of things we’ll really miss. Top of my list is our easy access to the nature park, followed in no particular order by the sidewalks, the people, the friendly train drivers, and all the happy memories we’ve made here. Read the rest of this entry »
While having dinner at the Murawskis’ (Suzanna’s family) last night, Hallie discovered her second loose tooth. This time it’s the top right. She was thrilled, but not nearly as excited as last time. She even said so. “It’s exciting but it doesn’t seem like such a big deal this time.” And none of us lost sleep over this one. I’m guessing the excitement will increase again when one of them is close to falling out.
We’ve been listening to lots of Beatles again lately. The last time “Help” came on, Travis asked, “Why do they need help?”
I dutifully listened to the words of the song and launched in on some convoluted explanation. Travis, much savvier than I, interrupted me. “I know why they need help!” he exclaimed.
This I had to hear. “Why do they need help?” I asked him.
“Because they might be stuck in a cage with bears. That’s why they are calling for help.” His explanation was much more interesting than mine.
Travis pulled a new one on me this afternoon. We were in the thick of the kids’ new favorite game: chase Mommy around the yard at top speed until we’re all worn out. It’s a game we’ve all been enjoying. After about 30 minutes of it this afternoon, though, Travis stopped and held onto his stomach.
When I asked him what was wrong, he said, “I’ve got an applesauce stomachache.” I wondered if he’d had a cramp from eating too recently but then remembered he hadn’t eaten anything, and especially not applesauce, for a while.
“What’s an applesauce stomachache?” I asked him at last. “It’s the kind of stomachache that means you want to go inside and eat some applesauce.” I guess I should have figured that one out!
Travis has a new way of expressing himself. It’s generally used when he’s being contrary, but it’s so funny that it makes up for his attitude. A conversation with Travis might go something like this:
Mommy: Travis, please come wash your hands and come to the table.
Travis: (with a good imitation of sincere regret at being unable to comply) Unfortunately, I’m going to have to keep playing with my trains so I won’t be able to do that. Read the rest of this entry »
The Turner family affection for the ER, or at least urgent care centers, seems to be going strong. While tearing around at her best friend Evelyn’s birthday party this afternoon, Hallie tripped over the edge of the sand area and did a face plant on the asphalt a foot and a half below. Read the rest of this entry »
Hallie, it seems, has become quite the critic of children’s literature. I picked up some new books at the library today and Hallie was looking through them at bedtime. She picked up All the Colors of the Earth, which was lying face down, and started flipping through it from the back. “Those are such pretty pictures!” she raved. Read the rest of this entry »
Travis loves the phrase “figure of speech.” I remember Hallie liking it, too, but not as much as T. Often when we use a phrase they don’t understand right away, we’ll explain it and say “It’s a figure of speech.” So now Travis does that too, though not always correctly. Sometimes he’ll babble something we don’t understand and immediately add, “That was just a figure of speech.” (Either that or he’ll announce that he was speaking Spanish . . .). Read the rest of this entry »
The kids are getting pretty charged up about our upcoming move. When asked by someone outside the family, Hallie will often sound glum, saying “This house is smaller.” (It isn’t.) “The yard isn’t as big.” (It is, just laid out differently.) “My room is little.” (She’s right there, but her current room is enormous.) But all the rest of the time she’s really excited about being near Conn, being closer to her friends, etc. She was especially thrilled last weekend when she realized we were counting in days instead of weeks. Read the rest of this entry »
Travis got a new bicycle helmet a few weeks ago. His old one had been snug for a while. But when I realized it was leaving dents in his forehead, it was clearly time for an upgrade. Read the rest of this entry »
