Oh jeez

Well we've been pretty lousy posters, but here are some new-ish ones of G. Highlights of the fall include meeting Curious George at the Norman Rockwell museum, Hallowe'en as John Deere, and George's second birthday at Thanksgiving dinner.

He is mightily big now, an echo box, and saying more words (and sentences) every day. He likes to add the word "too" to the end of many sentences. "I want cereal, too." (Even though no one is having cereal before him.) "I wash dish too." He has a startling memory, and knows exactly where we are going in the car, recognizing houses he has been to once. And woe betide the Mommy who says she is going to the farm but turns off in a different direction.

I especially love the delight of George to be with Curious George, underneath the severe Kurt Masur.

Long time

We have been less than perfect bloggers this summer, with no excuse except luxuriating in increased leisure. Now we are back to some kind of grind, though we are both doing things we enjoy enormously (John studying classics, Rachel working on her writing and performing). George has been growing apace, though not in the weight department (only 3 ounces since June-- and all that creamy raw milk!). This has been the summer of the farm animals (George was all intent concentration in his first ride on a horse, see photo) and most prominently, of the lawnmower, with George riding on Uncle Jim's rider mower, and our neighbor Howard Trombly's too. Mr. Trombly was the assistant principal at our regional high school, inspiring fear and sneaky behavior from many adults we know even now, when they see him, but to George he is a rock star mowing MACHINE. See photos.

There is a song George has us sing at bedtime, to the tune of Waltzing Matilda: "Howard is mowing, Howard is mowing, Howard is mowing the lawn with George..." You can imagine, the lyrics can get pretty creative after that, with exhausted parents doing whatever it takes to get this very active boy's motor to slow down. George supplies the next verse, with another favorite local mower, "Taylor" or "Paul." Now things are getting a little surrealist with "horsies are mowing" and most recently and bizarrely, "cheese is mowing" and its perhaps inevitable sequel, "cake is mowing." I fantasize about writing a children's book about a crazy lawnmowing clan based on the summer on Grove St. when George was 1.

George on the beach

We spent three days at the Cape (thanks Rose!) visiting with Gram, Connie, Marge, Janet, Juliet and Jonas. We had one beautiful day, whence the beach pics. But even the gray days were fun, with trips to Woods Hole and the Vineyard, Coonamessett Farm, and three consecutive breakfasts at Betsy's.

New Horizons

Jeez, since we last posted, George has started walking (nonstop), learned about 15 words (more every day), and gotten his first car. College applications are around the corner. We went to Brooklyn last weekend, and the Central Park Zoo-- so great! so manageable!-- where George was intrigued by the polar bear and nearly pulled an exotic bird's tail feathers. Also, we saw the wonderful Ali Smizer, who spent the better part (we hope) of the weekend with us and took our picture in front of a blossoming cherry tree.

You can see George's new [old] car-- a nice vintage number, with some souped-up controls. Runs real good despite a cracked tire. We found her abandoned by the side of the road. The after-bath one shows, I think, the family resemblance, father to son.

Been a while

Well, we've been remarkably busy and imagine you have, too. George is learning all kinds of new tricks, including central human attributes such as walking and talking. "Ba" is ball and balloon, "sah" is sock, "nana" is banana, and "dada" and "mama" are you know who. Also becoming very intrigued with the electronic gadgets; oy (see pic with iPhone). I think some of the mimicry in the family genes might be coming out, too. We recently visited the Berkshire Museum, where George loved digging for fossils in the rocks. This pear he climbed onto the table and appropriated for himself, holding it turkey leg-style.

Happy New Year

Here we are, belatedly bearing gifts. A couple beloved recent shots, including a set from our session with the marvelous John Dolan, professional photographer who did our Christmas pictures pro bono. He said he is so grateful for John's teaching his two boys. All teachers should feel so appreciated.