Computer Kid

Photo: January 28, 2008

Well, it's happened. I tried to postpone it as long as possible but Jonas is just getting too clever to stop. He wants to be on the computer constantly. Since we got a laptop in November he has wanted to type letters on the computer. I figure it's educational, right? He know all his letters and numbers up to 20 (at least) and can even spell quite a few 3-letter words. Now he's discovered that our computer at home has Thomas the Train games (online) just like at Grandma and Grandpa's house. And he's apparently been practicing his "mouse skills" at G&G's house too, he's actually getting pretty good at the whole point and click thing. Now if he could just figure out how to fix the computer when it breaks, I would be more than happy to let him play all the Thomas games he wants.

Snowman(s)

Photos and Video: January 28, 2008

We finally got enough snow at our house to break out the boots, hat, gloves and snow pants. Jonas had a great time playing. Once again the snow was so dry that it was near impossible to make a snowman. That didn't stop us, we know how to think outside the box. So...we have two very short snowmen that look like they're already melting into the ground. They are pretty cute though. As soon as I suggested that we could make a snowman Jonas just kept yelling: "WE NEED A CARROT, MOM!! GET A LITTLE ONE!!" Jonas decided after we made the first snowman-- "It's a baby snowman!"-- that we had to make another one--"This one's the mommy snowman." And he kept announcing that "Dad is going to be so EXCITED!" about the snowman(s) when he gets home.

I Need to Be a Team!! (a.k.a. "Catch it To Me!!")

Photos: January 5, 2008

The following is a scene that has been replayed numerous times in our house on any given evening or weekend.

Jonas: Hey. Dad. I have an idea! You want to catch the ball with me?
Dad: Sure. Where's the ball?
Jonas: Oh. I don't know where is the ball. (yelling into the kitchen) HEY MOM! I DON'T KNOW WHERE IS THE BALL!!! CAN YOU FIND IT FOR US??

(after some discussion of look-for-it-in-the-[fill in the blank x 10] the game begins)

Dad: Ok, Jonas. Are you ready to catch it?
Jonas: Ya, Dad. Catch it to me!!! Catch it to me!! (looking anywhere but at the ball)
Dad: Ok. Keep your eye on the ball. Ready?
Jonas: Ok. Ready! (still looking down or around or with eyes shut.)
Dad: Here it comes....(throwing the ball right into Jonas' hands.)
Jonas: Whoa!! (misses the ball) Oh. Almost. (yelling into the kitchen) HEY MOM. I MISSED THE BALL. BUT THAT'S OK!!! Here Dad!! (throwing ball wildly, possibly into the lamp or tv.)
Jonas: Hey. Dad. I need to be a TEAM!! (runs into his bedroom comes back out with his Laker's jersey.) Can you help me be a team, Dad? Please!!
Dad: Ok. I'll help you.

(gets the uniform on)

Jonas: Oh. Dad. I almost forgot. I need my helmet. (yelling into the kitchen) HEY MOM. I NEED MY HELMET. YOU KNOW WHERE IS IT?
Mom: It's upstairs.
Jonas: OKAY!!!! Dad, I'm gonna get my helmet. MOM SAYS IT'S UPSTAIRS!!!!!

(gets helmet)

Jonas: Ok, Dad. I'm ready. CATCH IT TO ME!!!

(this goes on until one or both parents get(s) extremely tired of the game or until something gets broken...usually the former)

A Very Thomas Christmas

Video: December 25, 2007

Grandpa Frank is an expert now on getting those trains out of the impossible packaging, getting the tiny screws out to get the back off and getting the batteries in it. I love how grandfather and grandson interact. It's so cool.

Christmas Day

Photos: December 25, 2007

Christmas Day at Grandma Bunny and Grandpa Frink's house (I love how that sounds coming out of Jonas' mouth) was all about Thomas the Train. 3 out of 4 gifts for Jonas were trains and more tracks to go with the numerous trains and track he already has at their house. Tony and I suspect that the train set is as much (if not more) fun for the grandparents as it is for Jonas. (We're pretty sure they play with the trains even when Jonas is not there.) =) A great time was had by all when all the gifts were open and the tracks went through half the living room, into the dining room, under a chair and circled back into the living room again. There are even inclines and a bridge. Wow! It's a great gift and Jonas has so much fun playing with it every week when he goes to visit.

Present Time!

Photos: December 24, 2007

Like most kids on Christmas Eve (or morning) it was such a relief to Jonas when it was time to open the presents...and a relief to the adults that we didn't have to hear "CAN I OPEN THE PRESENTS NOW?!?" anymore.

Jonas got some cool stuff, of course. He has really been enjoying the K-NEX building set (photo) from Uncle Pat and Aunt Connie. I was amazed at all the different things you can build with a small set. Incredibly fun for kids and adults. Jonas was not too excited for the bookshelf he got from G&G until we got it home. Once he saw that he could arrange his books (small, medium, tallest, tall) by himself and keep them all organized, he was loving the bookshelf. He's been bragging and showing it off to everyone who's come over this week.

Merry Christmas

Video: December 24, 2007
(at Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Jim's house)

We had a great Christmas this year. 3 1/2 is the perfect age to really get into the Spirit of Christmas. About a month ago we gave Jonas a book about why we celebrate Christmas and why we give presents to each other. The book quickly became a favorite and we were reading it multiple times a day for awhile. Now he talks a lot about baby Jesus and Jesus' birthday. It was nice that he knew (at least a little) of what Christmas is all about while we were celebrating this year.

Makin' Pizza

Video: November 30, 2007

I suspect Jonas is not going to be hired at Izzy's anytime soon...

Shopping for Groceries

Video: November 30, 2007

During our vacation in November we took Jonas to the Children's Museum. This was the second visit for Jonas and I but the first time Tony has gone. We had so much fun. In this video, I love that Jonas was stocking up on fruits and veggies at the grocery store. Of course this is not an accurate portrayal of real life---Jonas likes most fruit but would live the rest of his days without veggies if it were up to him. Sound familiar?