Conversations with Autumn and Ronin

Autumn:

“This is my daddy” says Autumn in the grocery store. Now I thought she was shy and had a serious case of stranger-danger but that appears to have cleared up completely! She engages everyone around her.

“Good Morning Mommy, what you doing?” she says.
“I am getting you some clothes to wear.” I say.
“I want pants and shirt and socks!” She says.
“Socks? But you will just take them off.” I say.
And then she smiles, looks down at the floor momentarily, and then looks up and guffaws! “I funny, Mommy. I silly too.” She says.

Ronin:

Last night when I was putting Ronin to sleep – he starts to tell me about his day.
“Mommy, each morning Miss. Jen asks us what job we want for the day.”
“What is your favorite job?” I ask.
“I like to be a lunch helper, more than a snack helper but Caboose is very important.”
“Tell me about Caboose. Did you get to be a caboose today?” I ask.
“No not today. Caboose is important because Caboose is the last to leave the classroom, they have to close the door and (big emphasis) turn off the light. Also they have to make sure to keep everyone in the line and moving forward. This is very important.”
“What job did you have today?” I ask.
“I was line leader. It is not that important but I am the best listener. That was why I got a prize today.”
“I am very proud of you for listening. I am glad that you help the teacher and enjoy school.” I said.

Autumn turns 2

Autumn’s 2nd birthday party was awesome.

Ronin sported a black eye that he gave himself while jumping up and down on the couch. Autumn wore a beautiful new dress that my mom and grandma picked out!

I brought Autumn to mom’s at 11:30am so she could play and have a little lunch. She ate some turkey and had a lovely 2+ hour nap. I decorated the joint in Elmo fantastic-ness!! Between the hats, Elmo cupcakes and the 65 degree weather – all the kids had a blast!! They played outside and inside, downstairs and upstairs and everyone seemed to have a great time. Autumn walked around like she owned the joint and had no problem making herself happy. She ate pizza, fruit, cake, cupcakes, veggies, and almost everything else that she could get her hands on. Ronin devoured blueberries and strawberries. Autumn stole Nathaniel’s Elmo hat and made him cry and giggled at all the kids playing (and Spike the dog – hide himself away.) Diana and Phil were amazing as per usual -- always helping out to make things easier. Steve and Tamar and beautiful Romy and delicious Nathan (spitting image of Steve) were there is fine form. Tom and Amanda brought the kids and Ronin was so thrilled to see Nathaniel. Rachel schlepped from Montclair, NJ with both kids in tow and it was so good to see her. Her daughter, Amelia, lost her first tooth on an Elmo’s cupcake!!!! Grandma Barbara got a “squishy” hug from Ronin and several kisses!! And mom was covered in kisses from the kissy-friend Ronin!

Autumn made out like a bandit – soccer ball, Barbie, doll and clothes, coloring book from my mom. Tamar got her an awesome princess and prince little people castle, Diana and Phil are all about the educational toys and Tom and family got her an elmo/ sesame street microwave oven that Ronin was loving this morning! She still has yet to receive a doll house (Sean, Mom, myself) and animal clinic (Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie) which we will break out on Friday!

I am so happy that she was thrilled and we made a little 2 year super happy!!

And as I was leaving for work this morning – all I could hear was, “I love balloons!! I love them!!” from Autumn

Conversations with my almost 2 year old Autumn

“Good morning Mommy. Look at me – I’m Autumn.” Autumn says.

“Good Morning Autumn. What to come out of the crib and play.” I ask.

“Want to come out. (Begins to jump up and down frantically) I want my friend (as she grabs her purple elephant) and Elmo and Cat and Coon (that would be her new raccoon toy.)

“Should we get you dressed?” I say

“No, no, I want to play 'go sleepy!'” (This is when she climbs into my bed and snuggles under the covers and pretends to sleep.)

“Want to go see daddy and Ronin downstairs?” I ask

“Yes! I love Ronin. Want to play.”