Dear boys,
I hate to break it to you but the only reason I'm writing tonight is because I just messed up my Sudoku puzzle. Also, it was probably fortuitous since I grabbed my fancy Kim Kudym retirement pen and thought I should do something worthwhile or more meaningful than a Sudoku puzzle, such as write in this almost five year long letter to you both, especially since I have some funny thoughts about both of your from our day together. :-)
I started a traveling journal that goes in your backpack so both your mom and dad can read about what we do together. Your mom wrote in it also about your kite flying adventure! Your dad didn't even know there was a journal in your backpack. But now he knows to look for it. He loves reading your stories! In fact, he is apparently writing his own story about how you both came to be among other things, what it is like trying to meet women, all that kind of stuff. He has some funny stories to tell!
Today we had a cool day, all three of us experienced our first hail storm outside together. We were toasting marshmallows and the sky just opened up and 1/4 inch pellets started bouncing off our heads! We had to run in the house. It was cool! I took a movie of it. We had tried to toast marshmallows earlier but it rained on us suddenly! We also went to the beach today and climbed up a big dune and slid down. We brought buckets and shovels to dig in the sand. Ruby and Rosie, a black dog I was taking care of this week went with us. They had a blast! It was a fun day.
You were both a couple of wise guys at lunch. I made fish in the microwave with salsa and tried to get you to eat it thinking it was chicken. I fooled Noah and he ate it, no luck with Dylan. Dylan wanted to know why kind of "chicken" was this. I couldn't even bribe him for a sticker. We were brainstorming good behaviors of the day to try to accumulate more stickers. Dylan said "because we slept" which you hadn't yet since it was only lunch time. So Noah put his head down on the table. At first I thought he was crying and then I realized he was pretending he was sleeping so he could get a sticker!
This morning, before your dad left for work, I watched the two of you vying for his attention. Dylan was pissed Daddy was playing Catch with Noah and didn't want to play since Noah insults his catching skills. So he went and hid in the house until I noticed he was missing. He was hiding under the sofa! So i convinced him to come outside where he moped around and I figured out he was jealous. Daddy decided to play a game with Dylan who picked out Connect Four and he was grinning from ear to ear, especially when he won. (winning consisted of being the fist to cram all disks into the slots.) Noah tried to get me to play, I said no, he asked when Uncle Joe was coming home. When Uncle Joe came home, Dylan jumped in his arms (6 hours later) and asked him to play Connect Four! Operator? Either he was trying to prevent Noah from playing football or he truly was feeling good about his success at the game with Daddy earlier. Anyway, it was interesting!!
End of this journal...Next...yellow spiralbound hardcover journal with red flower "Journal Fraise"
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
March 20, 2012 Near Miss with St. Patties Hat
Dear Noah and Dylan,
Well, the only reason I'm writing to you tonight is because the cable television is out! It's rather annoying! I don't watch much tv until nighttime and then I like my shows! I have been wanting to update you both on your progress as you approach your fifth birthday. Let's see, you are just about done with afternoon naps. For the first time yesterday neither of you would go down for your nap. But you still both demand your blankies and you are both into sucking on them. A little security needed perhaps?
Noah found way to keep busy when he couldn't sleep and piled all my newspapers up for me! I gave him a big hug. Dylan almost bit it yesterday when we were walking down Green ST. His St. Patrick's Day parade hat flew off into the street and he ran to get it! W were in front of the funeral parlor and a hearse almost hit him! I almost shit my pants. I think you are both going to hold my hand from now on until you are about thirty. I told Uncle Joe about it and he was mad at me (Captain Safety) for being negligent. I did not tell your mom or dad. The hearse thing was too creepy.
Auntie Susan is coming on Thursday and we want to take you downtown for an ice-cream. I hope that will get the creepy picture out of my head!
Well, the only reason I'm writing to you tonight is because the cable television is out! It's rather annoying! I don't watch much tv until nighttime and then I like my shows! I have been wanting to update you both on your progress as you approach your fifth birthday. Let's see, you are just about done with afternoon naps. For the first time yesterday neither of you would go down for your nap. But you still both demand your blankies and you are both into sucking on them. A little security needed perhaps?
Noah found way to keep busy when he couldn't sleep and piled all my newspapers up for me! I gave him a big hug. Dylan almost bit it yesterday when we were walking down Green ST. His St. Patrick's Day parade hat flew off into the street and he ran to get it! W were in front of the funeral parlor and a hearse almost hit him! I almost shit my pants. I think you are both going to hold my hand from now on until you are about thirty. I told Uncle Joe about it and he was mad at me (Captain Safety) for being negligent. I did not tell your mom or dad. The hearse thing was too creepy.
Auntie Susan is coming on Thursday and we want to take you downtown for an ice-cream. I hope that will get the creepy picture out of my head!
February 24, 2012 One Black Bean for One Ice-cream Sandwich
Dear Noah and Dylan,
You are both getting to be the little rascals! You are at the age where one minute we want to hug you to death, and the next, strangle you! :-) But I just have to write today to share a Dylan moment. Yesterday I made you both lunch, one turkey hotdog, 1/2 sliced carrot, one scoop main cheese and then the wild card....a small scoop of Cuban black beans. I mad no baked beans, black...expecting of course uatiny on the bounty. I set up the incentive program, a sticker for each of the 4 food items you completely ate. Noah left the beans for last but ate them and thought they wren't oo bad. Dylan ate the other 3, insisting he did not like black beans. I truly doubt he ever had any prior to then so I tried some negotiation strategies. If Dylan could eat just this little spoonful which I moved aside on his plate, he couldn't get a 4th sticker but he COULD get an ice cream sandwich. I even went as low as one bean for the ice cream and suddenly he broke down in frustration and sobbed at the table. Usually not sympathetic to other cries, this one tore at my heart. But I would not budge on the ice cream sandwich deal. I did say they could each have one candy (left over still from Halloween pumpkins!!) and Dylan questioned why not two? If he was really a skilled negotiator he would have said "its's almost March lady and you still have our Halloween candy hostage over us? What the ...??! Give it up!!"
We got past the tears with the piece of candy Dylan chose, a fruity tootsie roll, Noah a package of Pez candy from his CPRS Pez dispenser and we went upstairs for story time. I read (translated from French) 5 short stories about kids having races and Sponge Bob, then we agreed on the napping locations. Dylan managed to be the first to say he wanted to sleep in the loft so I tucked Noah in our bed and Dylan was waiting for me on the couch, laying on his back looking at the ceiling. I whispered to him that after his nap I would let him have some of that ice cream. He gave me the biggest hug and smile, one I'll never forget!! Both you boys are so sweet I can hardly stand it. I love you so much!!!
Love alway and forever, here and beyond!!
Auntie Kim
PS you were still little brats all morning tattling on each other about who whacked who with a stick , who wasn't sharing with who and who doesn't like you any more.
You are both getting to be the little rascals! You are at the age where one minute we want to hug you to death, and the next, strangle you! :-) But I just have to write today to share a Dylan moment. Yesterday I made you both lunch, one turkey hotdog, 1/2 sliced carrot, one scoop main cheese and then the wild card....a small scoop of Cuban black beans. I mad no baked beans, black...expecting of course uatiny on the bounty. I set up the incentive program, a sticker for each of the 4 food items you completely ate. Noah left the beans for last but ate them and thought they wren't oo bad. Dylan ate the other 3, insisting he did not like black beans. I truly doubt he ever had any prior to then so I tried some negotiation strategies. If Dylan could eat just this little spoonful which I moved aside on his plate, he couldn't get a 4th sticker but he COULD get an ice cream sandwich. I even went as low as one bean for the ice cream and suddenly he broke down in frustration and sobbed at the table. Usually not sympathetic to other cries, this one tore at my heart. But I would not budge on the ice cream sandwich deal. I did say they could each have one candy (left over still from Halloween pumpkins!!) and Dylan questioned why not two? If he was really a skilled negotiator he would have said "its's almost March lady and you still have our Halloween candy hostage over us? What the ...??! Give it up!!"
We got past the tears with the piece of candy Dylan chose, a fruity tootsie roll, Noah a package of Pez candy from his CPRS Pez dispenser and we went upstairs for story time. I read (translated from French) 5 short stories about kids having races and Sponge Bob, then we agreed on the napping locations. Dylan managed to be the first to say he wanted to sleep in the loft so I tucked Noah in our bed and Dylan was waiting for me on the couch, laying on his back looking at the ceiling. I whispered to him that after his nap I would let him have some of that ice cream. He gave me the biggest hug and smile, one I'll never forget!! Both you boys are so sweet I can hardly stand it. I love you so much!!!
Love alway and forever, here and beyond!!
Auntie Kim
PS you were still little brats all morning tattling on each other about who whacked who with a stick , who wasn't sharing with who and who doesn't like you any more.
Tues, Feb 6, 2012 My no like that 'ife.
Hi boys,
Well, your Auntie Susan and Auntie Kim are working our influence to get your mom to agree that you both would benefit from another year of pre-school before kindergarten. Auntie Susan with her 36 years experience in both PreK and Kinder says that the recommendation for twins especially, anyone whose birthday is on the cusp of the kindergarten age cut-off is always to delay so the kids have a stronger foundation. Otherwise, they are always playing "catch up." They end up being a day late and a dollar short. In your case, the recommendation is even stronger because your birthday should have been in November, past the cut-off date since you are preemies.
Your mother was going back and forth with her thoughts on what to do. She knew you'd probably need to either repeat pre-school or kindergarten. She thought repeating kinder would be more worthwhile but I told her that repeating a grade at least in Mass is not done with a a CORE evaluation to see if there are learning problems, special needs. According to your dad, she is leaning more towards pre-school again and I am crossing my fingers she sticks with that so I can watch you again next year!
We had so much fun yesterday at Plum Island Point, the 3 of us plus Ruby and Daisy. We brought snacks and had a picnic in the dunes where we walked the trails, your first time there. We saw a few other people and dogs. It was a little cold and windy but sunny and warm in between the dunes. Daisy and Ruby chased mice or something in the dune grass. Afterwards we played in the playground. A wonderful time! We also saw Uncle Joes' car in the district court parking lot. He had jury duty.
Dylan has had lots of meltdowns lately. Yesterday when he arrived he was not happy about transition from mom's house to "this place." Then last week he cut himself with a butter knife I let him use to cut an apple. The look of shock and indignation preceeded his plopping the knife on my side of the table telling me he didn't like that "-ife"
Well, your Auntie Susan and Auntie Kim are working our influence to get your mom to agree that you both would benefit from another year of pre-school before kindergarten. Auntie Susan with her 36 years experience in both PreK and Kinder says that the recommendation for twins especially, anyone whose birthday is on the cusp of the kindergarten age cut-off is always to delay so the kids have a stronger foundation. Otherwise, they are always playing "catch up." They end up being a day late and a dollar short. In your case, the recommendation is even stronger because your birthday should have been in November, past the cut-off date since you are preemies.
Your mother was going back and forth with her thoughts on what to do. She knew you'd probably need to either repeat pre-school or kindergarten. She thought repeating kinder would be more worthwhile but I told her that repeating a grade at least in Mass is not done with a a CORE evaluation to see if there are learning problems, special needs. According to your dad, she is leaning more towards pre-school again and I am crossing my fingers she sticks with that so I can watch you again next year!
We had so much fun yesterday at Plum Island Point, the 3 of us plus Ruby and Daisy. We brought snacks and had a picnic in the dunes where we walked the trails, your first time there. We saw a few other people and dogs. It was a little cold and windy but sunny and warm in between the dunes. Daisy and Ruby chased mice or something in the dune grass. Afterwards we played in the playground. A wonderful time! We also saw Uncle Joes' car in the district court parking lot. He had jury duty.
Dylan has had lots of meltdowns lately. Yesterday when he arrived he was not happy about transition from mom's house to "this place." Then last week he cut himself with a butter knife I let him use to cut an apple. The look of shock and indignation preceeded his plopping the knife on my side of the table telling me he didn't like that "-ife"
Monday, January 30, 2012 Nap time and Popeye
Well, you won't be doing these naps much longer! Four and 1/2 years old, almost in kindergarten! Just got back form a fun morning at Mosely Woods with Ruby, Cuddles and Daisy. We walked with Jan and Bailey for a while and then we played on the playground equipment. I got cold standing around so we left and went in search of hot chocolate all over downtown Newburyport. Hot chocolate with marshmallows. We finally found it in Cafe Di Siena , my favorite cafe! You both used the restroom for the first time without my supervising (at leas in a public place that is) So from there we went to Kmart to try to buy new gloves since there was a sale on winter clothes. Last week, your mom asked me to look out for snow pants and i found two really cool snowsuits, one in a second hand place, the Children's Orchard where we get pirate hats again from their treasure chest, a yellow snowmobile suit that Dylan loved and Noah showed no interest in it until he saw Dylan wearing it and ever since then has been cajoling him into letting him wear it. Dylan has kindly acquiesced. I found a Lightning McQueen racer snowsuit at Kmart that Noah liked but still preferred Dylan's. Today you both picked out hats and matching mitten sets. Dylan picked a Spongebob motif set and Noah latched onto a tightly fitting race car/ mohawk style butt ugly hat with the number 95.
We had a great time this weekend. Your dad came over Saturday for lunch and stayed until Monday morning when he left for work. After lunch, your dad had to help George move some furniture so you guys napped and then me and Uncle Joe took you for a long walk through the Common Pasture. We followed the trail through the woods, came back through the fields which were very wet and cut through a house on Doe Run. We did the same thing on Thursday when you were here. You loved it! But Thursday, we stayed on the field or maybe it was last Monday because Dylan was tired. Ended up having a slight fever later. We had to cut our walk short. Ruby was recovering from a sprained paw all week so we just had Daisy. It was a long, sad week for Ruby! We somehow got through it though.
Saturday night, after our walk, we all went to the Carry Out Cafe Catering since there were having an open house from 5-7. We were the first ones to show up and were a little nervous about going in and looking like a bunch of freeloaders. Dylan was repeating everything we said in the car, trying to be funny, including "freeloaders" but fortunately did not remember the word when we finally went inside. We ended up having a great time. There was an art exhibit and Uncle Joe bought a picture so we felt even less concerned about "freeloading" and ended up having a lovely meal-sized snack of crackers, cheese, fruit, meatballs, biscotti (peanut butter flavor) cold cuts, marinated mushrooms. It was fun! (and wine!)
Sunday, Uncle Joe and I had to go to the annual meeting of the Parker River Clean Water Association so I could talk about the broken glass situation on the Little River Trail. But we tried to go for a short bike ride first. Didn't go so well since the bikes are crappy two-wheelers with training wheels your dad bought at Walmart. He had to carry them home after an arduous ride down to the end of Doe Run. More tears than giggles on that adventure but we tried!
Oh, last night we had Chinese take-out and then watched Popeye, a cartoon from 1936 or so!! You both are hooked on Popeye. In fact, Dylan was so inspired he took off his shirt for us to check out his muscles. Noah asked Joe for more of the kale I made to go with supper and there was testosterone flowing freely as you both flexed your arms to show your vegetable induced muscles.
We had a great time this weekend. Your dad came over Saturday for lunch and stayed until Monday morning when he left for work. After lunch, your dad had to help George move some furniture so you guys napped and then me and Uncle Joe took you for a long walk through the Common Pasture. We followed the trail through the woods, came back through the fields which were very wet and cut through a house on Doe Run. We did the same thing on Thursday when you were here. You loved it! But Thursday, we stayed on the field or maybe it was last Monday because Dylan was tired. Ended up having a slight fever later. We had to cut our walk short. Ruby was recovering from a sprained paw all week so we just had Daisy. It was a long, sad week for Ruby! We somehow got through it though.
Saturday night, after our walk, we all went to the Carry Out Cafe Catering since there were having an open house from 5-7. We were the first ones to show up and were a little nervous about going in and looking like a bunch of freeloaders. Dylan was repeating everything we said in the car, trying to be funny, including "freeloaders" but fortunately did not remember the word when we finally went inside. We ended up having a great time. There was an art exhibit and Uncle Joe bought a picture so we felt even less concerned about "freeloading" and ended up having a lovely meal-sized snack of crackers, cheese, fruit, meatballs, biscotti (peanut butter flavor) cold cuts, marinated mushrooms. It was fun! (and wine!)
Sunday, Uncle Joe and I had to go to the annual meeting of the Parker River Clean Water Association so I could talk about the broken glass situation on the Little River Trail. But we tried to go for a short bike ride first. Didn't go so well since the bikes are crappy two-wheelers with training wheels your dad bought at Walmart. He had to carry them home after an arduous ride down to the end of Doe Run. More tears than giggles on that adventure but we tried!
Oh, last night we had Chinese take-out and then watched Popeye, a cartoon from 1936 or so!! You both are hooked on Popeye. In fact, Dylan was so inspired he took off his shirt for us to check out his muscles. Noah asked Joe for more of the kale I made to go with supper and there was testosterone flowing freely as you both flexed your arms to show your vegetable induced muscles.
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