Climbing and generally getting into trouble

Lillian has always wanted to get the remotes from the end table.  It was attractive to Simon as well, so we started pushing the table back and having the two couches touch so that no children could squeeze in. Simon learned and stopped trying and we got lax, then Lillian started trying and we became vigilant again.  Lillian is intense about it - she squeezes, she grunts, she pushes, she wants IN. 

A few weeks ago I was getting food ready in the kitchen and heard an unhappy noise from Lillian in the other room. I came in to see her tipped into the corner, literally upside down with her hips wedged between the couches but her head pointed down to the ground - still reaching for the remotes which she had knocked off the table on to the floor. I could barely rescue her I was laughing so hard. (Wish I got a picture of that!) She was not pleased with me for rescuing her - she was this close to getting that darn remote. 

For a few weeks she has been climbing onto the blue kids arm chair by the couch. Then climbing over the arm of the couch, across the span of the couch as fast as she can go and then diving off the other arm to get to the table top. We usually catch her on the couch but once or twice she's gotten over the second arm and her belly hangs in the gap between the table and the couch as she happily plays with the remotes on the table.

This weekend she learned to push the blue chair out of the way and walk behind the couch (the chair is purposefully blocking the entrance). She sneaks over to the chair, looks around to see if anyone is watching her. If she sees you looking at her she just moves really slowly. Then she darts behind the couch and stagger-runs like only a 1 year old can to the table and stands behind it happily touching all the remotes and anything else that was placed 'out of her reach' on the table. She cries like you are pulling out fingernails when you pull her out of the corner. We actually gave her her first time out for doing this for about the 10th time this weekend.  

Just a minute before the below picture was taken Lillian was standing on that blue bucket trying to climb into the play pen to retrieve her dog who was locked inside. She had moved the bucket to a place where she could climb onto it and I saw her just as she was falling off. Obviously my first reaction was to catch her, but she didn't need catching and landed on her feat with a frustrated noise - so I got a picture instead. 

*sigh*

The Weekend the Kids Played Together

Simon and Lillian have been playing together much better the past couple weeks.

Playing Mama and Daddy's favorite game: Night Night

Didn't have any conflicts the whole bath!

Borrowing Simon's Jacket to wear around the house. She loves getting dressed up.

Playing Legos together.

Simon dentist appointment

Simon had a dentist appointment on Saturday morning. No cavities!

Fall 2014 Family Pictures - By Jenn

I can't believe I forgot to post these! I love them. Jenn took family photos of us this fall. Simon is 3.5 and Lillian is one year old in these photos. The sweater she is wearing was hand knit by Alan's Aunt Sharon.

The few on the front are full resolution if you want to print them. After the jump are smaller but I'm happy to send them full resolution to anyone who is interested.

THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE

(Written by Ms. Zairel)

In the picture on the left, Simon is serving as the guardian on the bridge to nowhere in particular. During small groups, he chose to work with the foam shapes. He picked a long green noodle shape and straightened it out as much as possible. He walked on over to the water table and placed the tip of the foam on top of the table. Then he patiently raised his hand until I called on him and told me that I needed to walk through the bridge.

I walked on over and when I tried to go through the bridge, he just started cracking up and told me that I can't go through the bridge, I have to wait for the bridge master to lift it. I figured that this was fair, so I waited for Simon to lift the bridge. Then I waited...and I waited some more. The bridge did not open. I asked Simon why the bridge did not open, and he laughed again. 

"You don't know? he teased, "You have to ring the bell Then you can take the bridge to nowhere!" 

Oops. I soon learned how to ring the bell and passed easily through the bridge.

Maeve and Laszlo watched the bridge go up and down. They decided that they each had something to contribute to the design. Laszlo found some circular pieces and began to arrange them on the table near the bridge. Maeve pulled out a large purple noodle shape and stood next to Simon and called out, "Ms. Zairel, come to the bridge!"

I walked on over and rang the bell. Nothing happened, so I rang it again, and again. The bridge did not move at all. This was all starting to look a bit familiar. I asked Simon, how come the bridge was not opening up even though I was ringing the bell. Once again Simon laughed and said, "Ms. Zairel, you can't just ring the bell! You have to push the code!"

Apparently a lot had changed since I last passed through the bridge. Laszlo programmed a system that included a number code. In order for Maeve and Simon to lift the bridge, I needed to now press "3433" and then ring the bell. I followed directions, and soon made it across the room to talk to Mrs. Walker. 

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Simon shows off just how strong your muscles have to be in order for you to hold the bridge up long enough for people to walk through. Someone has been eating their fruits and veggies!

Good night hugs from Simon to Lillian

Lillian finished dinner and I had her kiss Alan goodnight then we headed up to bed. Simon realized that she was going to bed and said WAIT! I didn't get a hug and kiss goodnight. (Usually he refuses them). He ran after her and gave her hugs and kisses. She joyfully returned the kisses in kind. 

Crying to get her way

Lillian has reached a milestone I hoped she would never achieve. She has started crying to get her way. *sigh* I took my phone out to take a picture of her with Minnie and she wanted it, I said no and then this happened...