Indiana Idylls

I was reading Goodnight Moon to Leo at bedtime, and when I got to "Goodnight air," he reached up and grabbed his ear , and made the little grunting "eh" noise he does for ear. It was just in the last few days that he started "saying" "ear", though he's known about ears for some time. He has frustratingly few unique sound-names for things, though he does sign for milk and more (often the same sign), and he makes excited gestures that usually involve repeated reaching, almost like a doggy-paddle in the air, to indicate that he wants something. Recently, he's desired to show me objects of interest. He might be playing the family room while I'm otherwise occupied, and he'll come find me, object in hand, then hold it up as high as he can and say "Ooooh!" Once acknowledged, he usually goes back to whatever he was going. Another happy development has been his improved kissing technique. I am more likely now to get a peck on t...

Some ideas for how kids can help in the kitchen: scrubbing veggies or dishes tearing pouring rolling kneading peeling cutting grating slicing spreading shaking

At dinner, I was bemoaning how unprepared my students are for learning. In my list of suggestions to improve the situation, I mentioned that better teachers were needed. Alex: "There are good teachers in other countries." Me: "Yes, that's true." Alex: "Like England." Me: "Yes, there are some good teachers in England. I have even met some at conferences." Alex: "How can we get the good teachers to come over here?" Me: "That would be difficult. They have friends and family in England, so I think even if we offered them lots of money, they wouldn't come over." Alex: "They could bring their parents with them." Me: "I think these teachers are adults. It's more likely they would have to bring their kids with them." Alex is quiet and seems to think about this. It's good to know that my boy is learning to be a creative problem solver.

While I was folding laundry in the family room, Alex rushed in waving the weapon du jour, jumped on the couch, and said, "You know, I always love spending time with you, Mom. I love you, too." Surprised, I said: "I love you, too, sweetheart." Alex: "Awww. I love you, too, sweetheart."

On New Year's Day, we did some poppers with Alex in the living room. On the count of three, we said, "Happy new year!" and pulled the string, shooting streamers into the air. Looking at the resulting mess, Alex said, "There are 'happy new years' all over the place!"

I heard about this cargo bike via Noelle. Apparently, there are two seats in the bucket, with seatbelts... but why aren't the kids wearing helmets?

Some folks are here looking at the chimney, since some pieces of the clay lining fell down earlier this year. By the time Alex joined us, the chimney folks had gone outside to look at the chimney. Leo was standing, holding on to my fingers, so I was a little distracted and don't know exactly how he phrased it. Alex: Where are they? Me: They had to go outside to look in the chimney. Alex: They're INSIDE the chimney?! Me: No, no, just looking inside. Not inside like Santa Claus. Alex: Santa Claus is just pretend, isn't he? Me (without realizing the turn in the conversation): Yes. Alex, laughing: He's just made up. Santa Claus isn't real . After a moment of what-have-I-done horror, I'm actually quite relieved. Then we talked about the real reason for Christmas. Clarification: No, there was no trauma -- on either of our parts. Honestly, we don't talk very much about Santa Claus except for his part in books and movies, so it was a little awkwa...