tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313931405967116822024-03-12T20:36:56.300-04:00Circle of z 2 This is Zoë Zych's spot. She is a little person. But, her circle of admirers and fans extends pretty far. Those are the supposed readers of Baby Z<sup> 2</sup>.Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-90680995554721469432013-10-27T15:22:00.001-04:002013-10-27T15:25:02.939-04:00We love FALL! <i>*** NOTE: while we are keeping up Zoë's blog still, we have expanded the Zych blog with the impending expanding family. Please bookmark our main blog and check <a href="http://zychfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/">here</a> often. You can see the latest (ha ha... that means, whenever I manage to write anything) about Zoë and Bugaboo #2 (check soon for info about our ultrasound this week... Boy??? Girl???). The top tabs separate their separate blogs. ***</i><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtSDxIxVQ1A/Um1czBxZLFI/AAAAAAAAOrs/U8iz-Ey3kgg/s1600/IMG_2992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtSDxIxVQ1A/Um1czBxZLFI/AAAAAAAAOrs/U8iz-Ey3kgg/s200/IMG_2992.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDt1qztLJ6o/Um1cjqG4GDI/AAAAAAAAOpw/mVgIFfSzGDQ/s1600/IMG_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDt1qztLJ6o/Um1cjqG4GDI/AAAAAAAAOpw/mVgIFfSzGDQ/s200/IMG_2977.JPG" width="150" /></a>There are few times that we really enjoy living in Maryland and Fall is such a time. Almost every weekend there's something wonderful to experience-- apple picking, pumpkin patch complete with hayrides, lots of baking... and the sounds of music. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlVf7bOdtG4/Um1nLT7gzgI/AAAAAAAAOyA/iGIMp8o05Hs/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlVf7bOdtG4/Um1nLT7gzgI/AAAAAAAAOyA/iGIMp8o05Hs/s200/IMG_3048.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JC-WEr5dY6g/Um1nCKSsRxI/AAAAAAAAOwQ/UwVZhmgGK8A/s1600/IMG_3032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JC-WEr5dY6g/Um1nCKSsRxI/AAAAAAAAOwQ/UwVZhmgGK8A/s200/IMG_3032.JPG" width="150" /></a>Many months ago, when we were in California, I introduced Zoë to one of my favorite movies of all time: The Sound of Music. Happily, Zoë also loved it and many of the songs stuck in her head... on repeat and only about five given words. It was first adorable, then made me cringe slightly, then... well, it was downright painful. But, I know that someday we will miss hearing this particular rendition. Enjoy the video!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Pzd95INBSkE" width="459"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zRjLYqum8wg/Um1c012G70I/AAAAAAAAOr8/JBOHm0I7N88/s1600/IMG_2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zRjLYqum8wg/Um1c012G70I/AAAAAAAAOr8/JBOHm0I7N88/s200/IMG_2994.JPG" width="150" /></a>Here's our album of Fall pictures, including Matt's birthday dinner where Zoë was the beautiful Indian waitress (and I was the Chef). Check back here soon, we will add the Halloween photos from this week, at least!<br />
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<br />Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-36789095510548209422013-06-09T18:55:00.001-04:002013-06-09T23:24:42.552-04:00In honor of Nana<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVugV3lqQH0/UbTtq8U0zWI/AAAAAAAAOXk/Kr_qXQc6FiI/s1600/IMG_2385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVugV3lqQH0/UbTtq8U0zWI/AAAAAAAAOXk/Kr_qXQc6FiI/s200/IMG_2385.JPG" width="111" /></a>Blogs are not books and they don't usually have dedications, but permit me this once to dedicate our blog to Grandma Florence (Nana): To the classiest lady with her twinkling eyes and big heart full of love and life, we love you and miss you. Hope that your eternity is filled with joy and peace.<br />
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Here are some of our stories, of recent... <br />
(Sorry: Because of the large number of videos & photos, the page is a bit slow...)
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"Energy"<br />
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I underestimated Zoë's sudden abilities on her bike and made the mistake of taking her out for a leisurely ride (not even wearing my sneakers or work out clothes!) I ended up sweaty and chasing her down the trail yelling "STAY TO THE RIGHT!" and "Red light. RED Light. RED LIGHT!!!!" (our code for stop NOW!)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tV0ZbkDgbXo/UbOFabcua9I/AAAAAAAAOWY/JXFCNjYKpXs/s1600/IMG_20130608_133228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tV0ZbkDgbXo/UbOFabcua9I/AAAAAAAAOWY/JXFCNjYKpXs/s200/IMG_20130608_133228.jpg" width="150" /></a>Somewhere on the trail, she got very upset with my constant "advising". Um, that's my job, kid! To keep you safe. But there was pouting and some scolding: <i>"I'm never going to talk to you again, Mom. Never, never, never. Then you can't tell me anything. Until my birthday. Don't talk to me till then." </i><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-r6kTT6xLM/UbOFc5Y-JcI/AAAAAAAAOWg/qPjCXK9Ufak/s1600/IMG_20130608_134240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-r6kTT6xLM/UbOFc5Y-JcI/AAAAAAAAOWg/qPjCXK9Ufak/s200/IMG_20130608_134240.jpg" width="150" /></a>There wasn't much of a chance, anyway, since she rode off in a huff, me in chase once again... until we got to a bridge: <i>"Mommy, can we go that way?" </i>So, back on track and on a road with fewer speeding, triathlon-types and then we suddenly were friends again. We both could relax on this smaller, friendlier trail. Suddenly, she stops and waits for me and then holds my hand and covers it with kisses all over and says: "You know how I yelled at you before? But I still love you and now I want to give you lots of kisses. Because I know you were being a good mommy. We are buddies, right?" True. The rest of our ride was peaceful. <br />
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Then we hit a big hill, she tells me: <i>"Oh Wow! I just got some energy! I think it's because my food just broke down and got digested. You know, when it breaks down it gives you energy!"</i><br />
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Here's a 10 second video of her, before I worried that I will get too far behind (sorry for the shaking-- it's hard to run and video!)<br />
For comparison, here she was a few months ago! <br />
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"Dance with abandon"</div>
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Sometimes it is the small stuff... today I caught Zoë dancing like she usually does, with utter abandon (and a lot of turns). Time for Kathak? </div>
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"Sheep and Wool Festival"</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PxM2Tp5Gvc/UbT2GwhbRkI/AAAAAAAAOX0/fT_o4Ujp81I/s1600/IMG_20130504_144148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PxM2Tp5Gvc/UbT2GwhbRkI/AAAAAAAAOX0/fT_o4Ujp81I/s200/IMG_20130504_144148.jpg" width="150" /></a>Who knew? Every May, all things sheep and lamb congregate about 20 miles from us in a "Sheep and Wool Festival". It's a rather strange hodge-podge of people and events, including the wrangling, showing, and sheering of sheep, ... eating, drinking and being entertained in with farm-fresh fare, ... but for knitters and yarn lovers, the best part is the showcasing of new yarns, wool, and fiber. We went with little expectations, and had some fun! </div>
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Zoë got a sample bag of raw, shorn wool. This wool would get cleaned, washed and dried, before being made into yarn. We saw some people taking their cleaned wool and spinning it into the thin threads with would be mutliplied into thicker wool and then dyed, and then... made into something awesome, no doubt! </div>
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"Ms. Nelson is Missing"</div>
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This is a favorite story that I remember from my childhood. One day, I heard Zoë telling "her students" this story. (Even funnier is that they learned the story from a tape-recording at school, so she says "beep, page X", since the recording has those markers). </div>
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"Whooosh"</div>
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We went to a carnival fair with a set-up "moonbounce" (if you aren't in the know: these are all the rage in the toddler scene: giant inflatable jungle gyms). While Zoë has had lots of exposure now to them, there are times when she charges in and then requires a bit of help to climb to the top, still. In this particular one, the lady warned us that it's for 5+ and we might have to go in and bail her out. But ... tickle me pink -- Look at her go! </div>
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Actually she climbed faster than I could react and video-- so I only have the part where she enjoys the slide back down, the prize for her efforts. </div>
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"Living in the Moments"</div>
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In between school and the "have-to's", we manage some "want-to's". Know this quote? <span class="st"> </span></div>
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<i><span class="st">Step with care and great tact and remember that <i>Life's a Great Balancing Act</i>.</span> </i></div>
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-- Dr. Seuss </div>
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Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-70670512827101338422013-04-18T22:53:00.000-04:002013-04-18T23:16:38.302-04:00Three Little Pigs and LunchboxesThis video needs no introduction. Okay... maybe a tiny introduction. In this video, Ms. Zoë relates the famous "Three Little Pigs" fairy tale with a slight variation. While lunchboxes are also rectangles, they may not be quite the same as bricks, structurally speaking. Even so... she's a natural story-teller and oh! so cute :)
Enjoy!<br />
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Also, here are some photos from recent days, including visits from the fabulous Aria, her parents, and her grandparents (though I was not a very good photographer for their visit -- too busy enjoying, of course! So perhaps I will leave it to them to donate their photos please *hint, hint*!), ... cherry blossoms (barely caught those in our crazy Spring weather), ... and my trip to Monterey, CA for the HEAD meeting.<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107160881573253329278%2Falbumid%2F5866418886659979841%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCL6m14z534zsXQ%26hl%3Den_US" height="192" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="288"></embed> Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-22612662961034462502013-03-07T21:34:00.000-05:002013-03-07T21:42:22.569-05:00Zoe Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Come visit Zoë Town, a magical world created by Miss Zoë Zych. In this exclusive video, she shares her vision for her special town. Come ride the trains! Shop at the one and only J-store! Meet the mayor-police-officer-chef! We welcome all visitors.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fine print: Must bring your imagination<span style="font-size: x-small;">. Food is available, but often takes days to arrive via Peapod-- a Giant Food Store <span style="font-size: x-small;">food distribution vehi<span style="font-size: x-small;">cle. T</span></span></span>own is liable to vanish at the end of play time, when we ALWAYS clean up our toys...</i></span>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-85116981456582994122013-02-24T19:01:00.001-05:002013-02-24T19:01:14.985-05:00My Big Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ten days ago, Zoë turned four, as predicted. So, as she, herself, proclaimed -- Zoë's now a "big girl".<br />
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Days leading up to this big deal, she started dressing herself and putting her dishes in the sink, and all these other big girl things. I think the biggest excitement for us was that this was the first birthday where she was fully excited and aware of the big day. The other years, the birthday was more about our excitement and marking her milestones, she probably barely noticed. But this time... she noticed! (and we benefitted -- mornings are so much easier when she can brush her teeth, get clothes on and put her own shoes on!)<br />
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Sure, I miss cute, cuddly, diapered baby Zoë with the giggles and wobbly steps, but there are plenty of rewards when I realize that she can be independent and do things by her "own self". It is hard not to get sentimental about her cute outfits that don't fit anymore, or see her cloth-bottomed shoes and finger-sized booties and remember her nearly featherweight snoozing warmth swaddled in my arms. But then, it is so much more satisfying to be <i>needed</i> these days for fun and play than for food, diaper-changing, and those basic needs. "Mommy, I NEED you! Come play with me."<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsU0GqCwyLk/USqgNuiy7PI/AAAAAAAANPY/mZDskg8-yzo/s1600/IMG_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsU0GqCwyLk/USqgNuiy7PI/AAAAAAAANPY/mZDskg8-yzo/s320/IMG_2478.JPG" width="320" /></a>Of course, such a momentous age as "4" needed to be celebrated in as many ways as possible. Zoë had a class party. Actually, it was a Valentine's Day party, but most of the kids now associate V-day with Zoë Day (true story: one of the kids went home and told their mother that they weren't allowed to say "Happy Valentine's Day" because Zoë wasn't there and it was her special day). They sang to her like 3 times, before Mommy finally appeared with the obligatory payesh (rice pudding).<br />
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Then there was the celebration at Frosting, the cupcake cafe. (In case you are concerned about the number of cupcakes consumed in these celebrations, please refer to the earlier posting about that impossibility of "<a href="http://babyz-squared.blogspot.com/2012/11/vignettes-of-week.html" target="_blank">too many cupcakes" because of the theory of Tummy Chambers</a>.)<br />
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We opened presents and Zoë sported her new backpack around the apartment and we soon got started making the dollhouse sent by her grandparents (that's her screwing together the walls all by herself)! Other presents were also read, played with, and worn within 24 hours of being opened. She loved everything and got settled making her Thank you cards, which now are beautifully signed by her own signature. On her birthday, I received a beautiful present of her impressive artwork! <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KC59PSyZphI/URlQX9jUfpI/AAAAAAAANMc/DvSO_ASstdw/s1600/IMG_20130211_151030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KC59PSyZphI/URlQX9jUfpI/AAAAAAAANMc/DvSO_ASstdw/s200/IMG_20130211_151030.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmLiCoXxjcY/URlQiKD7cVI/AAAAAAAANMk/OwtfuF7AqLQ/s1600/IMG_20130211_151024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmLiCoXxjcY/URlQiKD7cVI/AAAAAAAANMk/OwtfuF7AqLQ/s200/IMG_20130211_151024.jpg" width="200" /> </a>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yLPyqm3pDA/USqg1uHn6YI/AAAAAAAANWQ/DXu6hHU740Y/s1600/IMG_2543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yLPyqm3pDA/USqg1uHn6YI/AAAAAAAANWQ/DXu6hHU740Y/s200/IMG_2543.JPG" width="200" /></a>Then we celebrated with all her friends at BounceU, a giant warehouse of inflatable slides, gym and climbing, and ate pizza and cake. I think even Zoë was then all birthday'ed out... until she began discussing her plans for her NEXT birthday. That's it -- she's hooked. It's official now: she's a BIG girl. Our little big girl :)</div>
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<br />Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-6686768436100481822012-11-30T18:30:00.001-05:002012-11-30T18:36:07.887-05:00Vignettes from the WeekBefore these stories fall out of my brain, I had to jot down these amusing anecdotes --<br />
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<u><b>Traffic Light Greetings</b></u><br />
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Zoë: <i>Daddy?</i><br />
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Daddy: <i>Yes, Zoë.</i><br />
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Z: <i>You know what Mommy does?</i><br />
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D: <i>Hmm?</i><br />
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Z: <i>Sometimes when we are going to school and we stop at a traffic light, Mommy looks at me in the mirror and says "Hi, Zoë". Then I say: "Hi, Mommy". Isn't that nice?</i><br />
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(You never know what these kids notice and appreciate. It made me smile to know what such a simple gesture, practically an involuntary one, was observed and made some impression... makes me wonder about those not-so-good things that I do that might also get noticed. Hmmm...).<br />
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<u><b>Tummy Chambers</b></u><br />
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We are out for cupcakes. While we wait for Daddy to join us, I find a couple of clementines in my purse. I peel one and offer some to Zoë. She eats a few segments and hands back the rest and says:<br />
<b> </b><br />
Z: <i>No more, Mommy, I'm full. </i><br />
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Mommy:<i> But what are you going to do? Aren't we are going to have cupcakes? </i><br />
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Z:<i> No problem, Mommy. See? My belly has different parts. One part is for bananas, one part is for oranges and one part is for cupcakes. The banana part is empty now, but the oranges part is all full. But don't worry -- there's always room in the cupcake part for more cupcakes. </i><br />
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She's my daughter, alright -- always ready with some excellent justification for eating the sweet stuff. <br />
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***************<br />
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<u><b>The Lost Sock</b></u><br />
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When we were in Hawaii, I got Zoë some Hello Kitty socks, for our hike. It turns out that these are now her absolute favorite socks. One day, as I was folding the laundry, I discovered that I was missing one of the socks.<br />
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I told Zoë: <i>Oh no! I think the laundry machine ate your sock. We'll save the other just in case the partner shows up later, but I think it might be lost. </i><br />
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Zoë looked sad. The next day, as soon as I saw her after school, she ran over with great excitement and this news:<br />
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<i>Z</i>: <i>Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! I found the sock! It was stuck to my blanket! </i>(Then, sheepishly) <i>Actually, I didn't find the sock. Ryanne did.</i> (Pause... then, suddenly brightening)<i> You know why? Ryanne's four years old. So her eyes are bigger than mine. That's why she can see things better and find things like my sock. When I am four, I will be able to see better and find things too!</i><br />
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Remember when you looked forward to aging? Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-13787831320433065712012-11-24T17:40:00.000-05:002012-11-24T17:48:59.874-05:00Thanksgiving<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SEfE-Fr6Hmg/ULEzYNLtopI/AAAAAAAAMHk/cgCIg577Gsg/s1600/IMG_20121124_102021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SEfE-Fr6Hmg/ULEzYNLtopI/AAAAAAAAMHk/cgCIg577Gsg/s200/IMG_20121124_102021.jpg" width="200" /></a>We had our mini-family Thanksgiving, complete with turkey, stuffing, pie, and platters of food, properly enjoyed, yet still languishing in our fridge (HOORAY! Megan's on her way right now to help us eat the leftovers and adding some variety with her special Thanksgiving dishes!). While we spent Thursday cooking and tackling dishes after dishes, we did talk a lot about the things we are thankful for. I was impressed with Zoë's attention to detail in her Thanks:<br />
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<ul>
<li>I am thankful that we went to IKEA and Mommy made me a dresser and a nice room. </li>
<li>I am thankful for having the best Mommy and Daddy (awwww...) and I want to be best buddies forever.</li>
<li>I am thankful for my teacher and friends</li>
<li>I am thankful for Choo choo baby and my toys </li>
</ul>
We decided to put these phrases on scraps of paper. Our poor pepper tree which lost its leaves, mainly in Hurricane Sandy, and bore us several nice peppers served as the base of our Thankfulness tree. We restored its splendor with fresh new leaves of gratitude and love. It was a really fun project and I think we will make it our Thanksgiving tradition -- the Thankfulness Tree.<br />
Since we are never here for the Holidays, the Christmas tree tradition may just morph into this new version? Not quite the same, though. Hmmm... <br />
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Speaking of traditions and gratitude, we have been trying this new thing at dinner time: "Happies and Sads". Every day we each share our best and worst part of the day. It's a lot of fun to hear Zoë's assessment -- they are always more thoughtful than I would have imagined. It is nice to hear her appreciate the big and small in her life -- from playing outside, to reading with Mommy, or sitting in Daddy's lap for dinner... and also interesting to hear what upsets her -- someone pushed someone else at school, or hurt someone's feelings ... I guess this growing awareness offers the surest signs about how she is maturing. Of course, she is growing and saying smarter things, but somehow it is the emotional growth that amazes me. <br />
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Zoë and I had a wonderful Friday (alas! Daddy had to work this day). We went to the pottery store and painted some gifts for her teachers. We will have to wait until next week to pick them up and see the finished product (stay tuned!). Then we went to cash in on Zoë's reward jar. Since she was such a great kid this past week, she got to have her nails painted! We went to the nail salon (yes, it couldn't simply be that Mommy painted her nails) next to Ballet class and Zoe chose a bright orange nail polish, that I'm sure only can look good on a little kid after all. Then a hot cocoa at Praline cafe. Then? A trip to the library for a fresh set of books! In Zoës words (well, paraphrased from Eloise, which was from our last library run): "Quite a day!" followed by a 2.5 hour nap. Whew!<br />
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I think we have a few more fun plans for this weekend. But I am especially excited to shop for Eddie with Zoë, a little boy that we are buying gifts for the Holidays, through a volunteer gift-giving program, the Angel Tree, at Zoe's school. <br />
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We are gearing up for the holidays -- the travel, the gifts, the plans. Oh! The fun...<br />
<br />Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-14490949103276652992012-10-28T15:05:00.001-04:002012-10-28T19:29:17.732-04:00Whoooooo is this?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today, Zoë had a Costume Party/Bring your Friend to class in ballet. Zoë was a proud owl (an Owl Mama, in her words). We took lots of pictures in her natural habitat (that would be her room, of course). <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ-SIJz0FgQ/UI15RtVS4-I/AAAAAAAALbY/Kn4SkYuLkds/s1600/IMG_20121028_112036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ-SIJz0FgQ/UI15RtVS4-I/AAAAAAAALbY/Kn4SkYuLkds/s200/IMG_20121028_112036.jpg" width="150" /></a>In true nesting temperament, yesterday we couldn't get her to leave the house because she loves to play teacher and exist in her imaginary world... at home. Park? What toddler can resist that temptation? Apparently, Zoë can! Well... this might be a good thing because of Frankenstorm.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/121028024140-03-sandy-1028-horizontal-gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/121028024140-03-sandy-1028-horizontal-gallery.jpg" width="200" /></a>What is Frankenstorm? Well, life in Washington D.C. continues to be exciting. For the third time since we lived here, we are expecting a hurricane to hit us. This one is stranger because... Whhhooooo has ever heard of a Halloween Hurricane? I thought tropical storms and hurricanes were summer phenomena? Yes, and because of that anomaly, this storm is behaving strangely, getting sucked back on land from the low pressures caused by cold weather above the middle of U.S. Poor Sandy is most confused which way to turn. In any case, we are prepared with water, food, flashlights, batteries, charged phones and tons of projects. Hopefully our little owl will not mind staying cooped (ha! pun sort of intended) up inside till Sandy passes through.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28F66ZhuIc4/UI24HFBBUXI/AAAAAAAALe0/oKxXQApKkAs/s1600/IMG_20121028_185249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28F66ZhuIc4/UI24HFBBUXI/AAAAAAAALe0/oKxXQApKkAs/s200/IMG_20121028_185249.jpg" width="100" /></a>The good news? In the spirit of spookiness and forecasted gloom and doom, I've been making special treats. In truth, they are supposed to be for the school Halloween party (but who knows what will be by then) and I am justifying spending my Sunday afternoon in the kitchen as "preparing for food shortages in the storm". Here are pictures of my creations -- <a href="http://www.momendeavors.com/2010/10/spider-web-snacks.html">yummy pretzel & chocolate spider webs</a> and my <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/10/12/pumpkin-pie-rice-krispie-treats/" target="_blank">pumpkin pie rice krispie treats</a>.<br />
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More updates later. Till then, in case you miss us (we're fine-- Stop worrying!!! :) ), here are some photos to browse...<br />
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107160881573253329278%2Falbumid%2F5804424033336806577%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCLOo_veot9iqyAE%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-66820653781747768642012-10-14T18:41:00.001-04:002012-10-14T18:46:19.004-04:00"Fall"-ing behind<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhs2ESnI9vw/UHsMADUKORI/AAAAAAAALMY/X1VP4S2ZNTA/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhs2ESnI9vw/UHsMADUKORI/AAAAAAAALMY/X1VP4S2ZNTA/s200/IMG_1905.JPG" width="111" /></a>It is officially Fall. How do we know? The leaves are all sorts of pretty colors, the temperatures have fallen below freezing once or twice, the closet switch to Winter clothes is complete, and we have now been apple picking TWICE -- once with Zoë's class (Mommy came too!) and the other with her family! This week Zoë will be taking another fieldtrip to the Pumpkin patch!<br />
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It has been busy with birthday parties and Fall-themed outings (this weekend, we went on a beautiful hike in the woods near the Potomac and saw mushrooms, fallen leaves, feathers, acorns, and even a horse up close!) On top of that, Zoë has been learning a lot in ballet class -- see her video here or in the links below! <br />
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Our photos are all here -- please feel free to browse.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8HH4EHBgac/UHsL2WoTFqI/AAAAAAAALLY/AmlBPIPDEFo/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8HH4EHBgac/UHsL2WoTFqI/AAAAAAAALLY/AmlBPIPDEFo/s200/IMG_1897.JPG" width="111" /></a>Zoë has been saying lots of smart and funny things. Unfortunately, I can't think of any examples now. She pays attention in sometimes shocking ways. Like the other day, we were listening to the radio on the way to school and I was only half listening and talking to Zoë about her upcoming trip to the fire station that day. We were both pretty tired since this fieldtrip meant getting up extra early. Suddenly the radio said something about cuts at the fire station. So I told Zoë: "Hey, they are talking about fire stations! And you will be going to one today. Cool!" and she calmly responded, "Yes, Mommy, but the ones they were talking about are in Chicago. Don't worry, they aren't going to cut anything here in Maryland." I was pretty impressed that she had the context of the news report and knew that the situation in Chicago does not affect that in Maryland, etc.<br />
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There have been other similar funny, but impressive stories. Especially now that there is so much in the news about the election, she seems to pipe in her two cents. The other day we were also discussing how we should vote on a Maryland bill to allow casino gaming. Zoë decided it was a bad idea and she gave her reasons. I forgot her reasons, but I was convinced. Zoë for President! :)<br />
Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-47032140342945526802012-08-29T16:08:00.000-04:002012-08-29T16:08:15.206-04:00Settling...back from vacationWe returned last night from our vacation: San Diego, Hawaii (Oahu) and San Francisco Bay Area. The house is a little quiet and we are jet-lagged, cranky, and struggling to reinstate routine. But it does help to look at our photos and remember the good times (and silly ones, too). You can see our whole album of August from here, ending with the photos from our vacation (Baby Aria -- you are here too!) :<br />
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In addition, we have three videos of Zoë being Zoë: singing, dancing, and being entertaining. <br />
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Today, Zoe made a nice big tower and castle. She built a very thoughtful structure of stairs "so that the Prince could go out... you know, to go to the market to buy food or something." Ah... precious. I find it endearing that in Zoë's imaginary world, the Prince still has to leave (via most fantastic staircases, I might add) to do his shopping. I suppose even the truly exceptional have to return to the mundane sometimes... off to unpacking!Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-83125787065584194162012-08-09T15:32:00.000-04:002012-08-09T18:06:09.592-04:00visit to National Gallery of Art in D.C.This week's Mom+Zoë fieldtrip was to National Gallery of Art. As last week, the outing was as much a part of the learning experience as the museum -- bus+ metro+ walking (sans stroller this time) in humid hot hot HOT weather. We arrived at the museum soon after they opened (and were still quite empty-- yay!) and headed straight for the potty. I was nervous as Zoë said she needed the potty as we arrived on the metro... finding another potty seemed as lengthy a process as booking it to the museum -- which took begging, bribing, and arm pulling to make in ~15 minutes (not that it was more than 4 blocks away!) Toddlers are fast when it comes to evading grown-ups, but extremely slow when there's a goal destination. Anyway... no accidents! Whew...<br />
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Once we got settled, I asked Zoë what she wanted to see. Let's back up a second. So earlier this week, I had already decided on this fieldtrip and was preparing for our visit. I figured even if we got in an hour of random cultural immersion, it would be better than not. But I did research the best way to introduce art to a toddler. There are sites upon sites of activities to do in museums with 5+ but very little suggested for 3 year olds. At that age, art is what they do themselves. But we wanted to go to the museum. So frustrated, I forged on ahead on my own path. We will call it the Basu-Zych technique. I threw whatever art I had on hand at home over the course of the day, tried not to push... but we leafed through some art books that I had on Van Gogh, da Vinci, Frida Kahlo and other women painters, some other special stuff from the internet. A few seemed to make an impression on her:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUmVrufwxJg/UCQLLxzvmWI/AAAAAAAAKXM/vH7S_04Wjxk/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUmVrufwxJg/UCQLLxzvmWI/AAAAAAAAKXM/vH7S_04Wjxk/s200/IMG_1612.JPG" width="130" /></a>
<li>Vermeer's <i>Girl Writing a Letter</i> (shown on left)-- I have a print in my bedroom and she remembered that. So when we saw this one in a book, she ran over to the room to point it out. </li>
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<li>Van Gogh's room -- she has this in a children's book that Ninamashi gave her and when she saw in another book, it was a fun matching game. </li>
<li>Mary Cassatt's <i>Children Playing at the Beach (</i>shown at right with Zoë<i>) -- </i>another one in the children's book and also in a book I had of women painters. </li>
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<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBehJ1UAE2rVKeNR5XNCVm6ltphGMd0pBS87IPA7QwZGjxB6lcB0Uee6iz" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBehJ1UAE2rVKeNR5XNCVm6ltphGMd0pBS87IPA7QwZGjxB6lcB0Uee6iz" width="125" /></a>
<li>Frida Kahlo's self portrait (shown on right) with the thorn necklace -- this one fascinated Zoë : "Why does she have a necklace that is cutting her? Who gave it to her? I like the necklace but why is it hurting her? Why did she draw this if it hurts her? "... so we made up some stories and I tried to impress on her that that's the power of art... nobody knows the answers and the viewer can make up her own story! </li>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKexkZdMtLo/UCQLZIuxtGI/AAAAAAAAKYU/NQQVB3eezUc/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKexkZdMtLo/UCQLZIuxtGI/AAAAAAAAKYU/NQQVB3eezUc/s200/IMG_1621.JPG" width="83" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYdfq0r4uqU/UCQLHke7VHI/AAAAAAAAKW0/PHGNePgBLGo/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYdfq0r4uqU/UCQLHke7VHI/AAAAAAAAKW0/PHGNePgBLGo/s200/IMG_1608.JPG" width="83" /></a>So with this preparation, Zoë asked to see Frida Kahlo and the necklace painting. I was really impressed that she remembered this since Tuesday's art lesson. See? Looks like random exposure does work! Sadly, this one isn't at the National Gallery, but may be at another museum (we will try to hunt it down-- future project). We did see lots of sculptures (and paintings) of Degas' ballerinas that Zoë enjoyed posing with.<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/%27The_Age_of_Bronze%27,_sculpture_by_Auguste_Rodin,_1877,_Honolulu_Academy_of_Arts.jpg/245px-%27The_Age_of_Bronze%27,_sculpture_by_Auguste_Rodin,_1877,_Honolulu_Academy_of_Arts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/%27The_Age_of_Bronze%27,_sculpture_by_Auguste_Rodin,_1877,_Honolulu_Academy_of_Arts.jpg/245px-%27The_Age_of_Bronze%27,_sculpture_by_Auguste_Rodin,_1877,_Honolulu_Academy_of_Arts.jpg" width="81" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFsWomL7lUnJ5CR8GzyT730w-VZtHH41ng32EMnVQI8qehFH0z8PMEWpX7LayJLexkHjVJvGTDbV4LlE9hQMze4M2TnvpkLir8x9rKRmFqkLMcRHXAHMjrShlW5ajZPTyyHJoTUZAtEPL/s1600/Count+Auguste-Hilarion+de+K%C3%A9ratry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFsWomL7lUnJ5CR8GzyT730w-VZtHH41ng32EMnVQI8qehFH0z8PMEWpX7LayJLexkHjVJvGTDbV4LlE9hQMze4M2TnvpkLir8x9rKRmFqkLMcRHXAHMjrShlW5ajZPTyyHJoTUZAtEPL/s200/Count+Auguste-Hilarion+de+K%C3%A9ratry.jpg" width="140" /></a>We also saw the Vermeer Girl's series: <i>Girl Writing a Letter, Girl with Red Hat, Girl with Flute.</i> We also had a lot of fun making faces at Honore Daumier's caricature sculptures (one shown on left)-- "What an ugly nose! Can you look like that guy?" (As a bonus, we got some passersby to laugh... or look at us horrified. I forget. Probably both...), and tried to guess what made Rodin's <i>Age of Bronze </i>sculpture (at right) look so forlorn -- our best guess is that he missed the bus. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iKLmzf_GPPw/UCQLhEPHNvI/AAAAAAAAKZE/LUyXtV7q-28/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iKLmzf_GPPw/UCQLhEPHNvI/AAAAAAAAKZE/LUyXtV7q-28/s200/IMG_1629.JPG" width="83" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-karQiuISE8Q/UCQLS3VxsbI/AAAAAAAAKX0/mV7EaF44pDA/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-karQiuISE8Q/UCQLS3VxsbI/AAAAAAAAKX0/mV7EaF44pDA/s200/IMG_1617.JPG" width="83" /></a>Eventually, we headed upstairs for Impressionism (my favorite! It isn't a successful trip to the art museum unless you see Impressionists :) ) I am sad we missed the Van Gogh room. Zoë enjoyed posing with her favorites. We saw Renoir, Monet, Pisarro, Seurat, Cassatt, Childe Hassam, ... and then hit Zoë's limit at ~45 minutes. Perfect timing for lunch!<br />
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Daddy met us at the cafeteria. Food. Home. Sleep. That's what I call a success!<br />
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<br />Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-38244102485897590662012-08-02T16:40:00.001-04:002012-08-02T16:40:45.843-04:00Butterflies, Giraffe Bones, Gems and more!Wow! We are doing so much and having so much fun, I can't keep up. That's a good thing. So... three years into living in D.C. and we just became members of the Smithsonian. Yay!<br />
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Let me back up a bit. Today, we spent the morning at the Natural History Museum. We woke up early and headed out with Daddy, taking the bus and the train. Then Mommy and I waited in the balmy summer heat for the museum to open FOR ONE HOUR (Mommy's face leaked about a gallon of sweat, because it doesn't take much effort to sweat buckets in this weather-- walking several blocks with a stroller was sufficient... anyway...). We did sit outside in the Butterfly Habitat Garden but alas! It was too hot even for the butterflies. The only ones we saw were those on the signs (sad face). At 10AM on the dot we and 8 other people entered the museum and had the whole place to ourselves!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vF0iLHYdUro/UBrSqnjnV6I/AAAAAAAAKT8/KzwuyG8GAEY/s1600/IMG_1595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vF0iLHYdUro/UBrSqnjnV6I/AAAAAAAAKT8/KzwuyG8GAEY/s200/IMG_1595.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely on my pants! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6XDiWVUtPeI/UBrSpld3WNI/AAAAAAAAKT0/N850AtvaSX8/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6XDiWVUtPeI/UBrSpld3WNI/AAAAAAAAKT0/N850AtvaSX8/s200/IMG_1594.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pet butterfly</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We bought a membership and then got tickets to the Butterfly Pavilion, where hundreds of butterflies live and explore their guests. You see this one? The Owl butterfly found Mommy's pants irresistible and remained with me our whole time in there (actually, I am pretty sure it wanted to come home with me too, but the nice people in the museum had to gently brush it back into their special room)!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A98EKRSddcU/UBrENgOJSXI/AAAAAAAAKVU/9ORyZB9-_20/s1600/IMG_20120802_101547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A98EKRSddcU/UBrENgOJSXI/AAAAAAAAKVU/9ORyZB9-_20/s200/IMG_20120802_101547.jpg" width="150" /></a>We also checked out the giraffe, gray whale, snake (that was really cool!) and giant turtle bones (ok, on our way to the bathroom AND BACK! Two times, so that counts!) and the gem exhibit, which included some Earth and Space Science like about earthquakes, volcanoes and plate techtonics -- isn't it cool how science is so interconnected?<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kLXGqWrErU/UBrS4nUyUUI/AAAAAAAAKVM/cZmuEEVlhUA/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kLXGqWrErU/UBrS4nUyUUI/AAAAAAAAKVM/cZmuEEVlhUA/s200/IMG_1606.JPG" width="200" /></a> Zoë ran out of patience here (at about 11:30) so we flew through these exhibits at warp speed (stopping only to buy a bag of "tumbled stones". What? No dinosaurs??? Alas, the fear of toddler meltdown precluded that option).<br />
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Then, museum food lunch and heading back home in the heat, exhausted. But the best part? Meeting Daddy on the way to the train for a shared cupcake (and coffee for Mommy, boy was that important!) Whew (... leaving out details of missing the bus, escaping exhaustion-late-nap-related tantrum...). This afternoon we have plans to read the book "Feathers" by Lois Ehlert, which includes a recipe (?) for making bird-feeders. It does seem it would be easier to bring the Nature to us *wink*. <br />
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From earlier in the week and last week:<br />
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<li>Video
of Zoë climbing the ropes in the park -- we took a nature hike
that ended in the park. Zoë's turn to work out, Mom's was
pushing the stroller and it's occupants up the hill! <iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5KP1GOw51D0?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></li>
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<li>Baking Cookies! Yummy...</li>
<li>Read
a great article about this family that introduced math stories and
puzzles in place of bedtime stories. What a cool idea! You can read more
here: <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/31/157644743/share-your-stories-did-you-do-bedtime-math-or-something-like-it" target="_blank">Bedtime Math</a> -- I joined the email list so we can also try that <i>some </i>of the time. (After all ... books are important too! Just can't break that habit...)</li>
</ul>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-87491091847676877362012-07-26T14:24:00.001-04:002012-07-26T14:27:15.651-04:00Little Froggies PreschoolBy majority consensus (2 out of 2), this is the name of our at-home pseudo-school. I am hoping that naptime is enough time to cram in a blog entry, clean up and get in a little work work. P.S. I'm tired... to anyone out there who thinks taking care of a kid is easy work read <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201554.html">this.</a><br />
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This week I decided to work on spelling/reading a bit because Zoë seems very comfortable with her letters but still doesn't realize that the order and placement of letters have any relation to each other or spell words uniquely. She does write in a neat line when mimicking writing.
On Tuesday, after nap, Zoë made her own sandwiches and cut some peaches. Then we worked on some spelling games (sorting magnetic letters and numbers and using a magnetic board to spell out some words, etc.). That was fun and she's sounding things out a bit more now.
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Today, we made flashcards! I gave Z some old magazines and she cut out her favorite things and we glued them on cards and then on the other side I wrote out the word with her. Now it's part of our game to use the cards to spell. The bad part is that she chose some pretty tricky pictures! Still, it was a fun and great activity that practiced her fine motor skills (cutting and pasting) and hopefully is building her spelling skills too.
Afterward, we relaxed and let loose with some wild toddler dancing to Pandora's assortment of kiddie tunes. Z showed me some of her yoga moves and we did a few partner yoga moves. We even managed a 10 minute meditation (surprised I didn't fall asleep!)<br />
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p.s. The dresser behind Zoë will be highlighted in a coming attraction... once we put the finishing touches on her new space and post pictures then! Stay tuned ...Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-18669251126564409822012-07-24T15:57:00.000-04:002012-07-24T15:57:25.291-04:00A new chapter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NQIh2nLhfLg/UA740P9CyGI/AAAAAAAAKJo/A4yszplWCA4/s512/IMG_20120724_120332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="256" width="192" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NQIh2nLhfLg/UA740P9CyGI/AAAAAAAAKJo/A4yszplWCA4/s512/IMG_20120724_120332.jpg" /></a></div>In the beginning, Mom stayed home with Zoë, then we moved to Maryland and Dad stayed home with Zoë. Then Zoë went to school, while her parents worked full time. This summer, I decided to spend more time at home, working part time, so Zoë and I could have more time to play together. Today's the first day of our new adventure (since last week we were relaxing in San Francisco -- need to catch up on those stories! teasers: pedicure, entertaining FAA security officers with Chicken Dance, tons of gifts for Ninamashi, and more...) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oY0UBo9bIPg/UA74yx4XNuI/AAAAAAAAKJg/j082NY9_DRM/s512/IMG_20120724_120318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="256" width="192" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oY0UBo9bIPg/UA74yx4XNuI/AAAAAAAAKJg/j082NY9_DRM/s512/IMG_20120724_120318.jpg" /></a></div> I hope that I can document this experiment here a little bit. So far, this morning was spent at the dentist office. Here's a photo for fun. We are also redesigning (all grown up: crib repaced by big girl bed!) her half of the bedroom. Photos to come... Also as a practice run, the storm took out power a couple of weeks ago at school and Zoë had to stay at home; we played fort! Here's a video of our fun picnic, complete with gourmet felt sandwiches, pretend tea, and plastic brownies for dessert. Yum!
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1OKDtRXjvD0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-35243501653518724422012-06-04T16:56:00.001-04:002012-06-04T20:47:06.116-04:00"Imagine That"This is Zoë's new phrase: "Imagine That!" Well... it is so. The last blog post was over 2 months ago, since which time we have had two visits from family members, a trip to NYC, a milestone achieved in aesthetic design (more about that soon! Read on...), several strawberries picked and consumed and ... oh! what else? Jobs attained and forsaken, leases renewed (wait! was it? Need to add to the 'To Do' list), et cetera. It's been busy. It's intimidating to try to report on any (forget all!) of these things, so forgive me while I throw a bunch of pictures up and a video too (it's a great one!) and instead, I leave you to extrapolate between the photo journaling :)
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Pictures of our Spring 2012 (including Easter, Cherry Blossoms, visits from Basu's & Nulman's, random others)
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Our trip to NYC ( p.s. Isn't Simona's Anna a real cutie? )... and here's the MUST-SEE video of Zoe joining Brian in entertaining the Central Park with her music:
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Hope you enjoy!
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-THP7vlG4ZUs/T80YxO2nA3I/AAAAAAAAKBg/F5LHJmd5cWc/s1600/IMG_1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-THP7vlG4ZUs/T80YxO2nA3I/AAAAAAAAKBg/F5LHJmd5cWc/s200/IMG_1510.JPG" width="200" /></a>
Oh, one more thing -- the "aesthetic milestone"? Miss Zoë Zych has gotten her pretty ears pierced and now wears amethyst post earrings. This has made her very tough and very silly (ok, ok... she's still the same) In her words, though:"Now, I'm all grown up, like you, Mommy!") Thought you should know :)
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsRyUkwQB_M/T80aNhPk-QI/AAAAAAAAKB0/SkDRvg4p7lQ/s1600/IMG_1517.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsRyUkwQB_M/T80aNhPk-QI/AAAAAAAAKB0/SkDRvg4p7lQ/s1600/IMG_1517.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 96px; margin: 10px; width: 128px;" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJWvZ-ByGOE/T80aN0RUllI/AAAAAAAAKCE/AXyXm54plPo/s200/IMG_1517.JPGG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcXfKR-Cw9I/T80aNA8H2YI/AAAAAAAAKBs/IlHI9i3b9MA/s1600/IMG_1511.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: center; height: 96px; margin: 10px; width: 128px;" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcXfKR-Cw9I/T80aNA8H2YI/AAAAAAAAKBs/IlHI9i3b9MA/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJWvZ-ByGOE/T80aN0RUllI/AAAAAAAAKCE/AXyXm54plPo/s200/IMG_1519.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 96px; margin: 10px; width: 128px;" /></a>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-55292347040356082142012-03-10T14:44:00.009-05:002012-03-10T19:42:48.355-05:00March madnessThe weather is weird as we transition into Spring. The poor flowers and cherry blossoms, I fear, bear the brunt of this. We had snow! followed by sunny, warm temperatures, and now... back to icy temperatures with lots of sun. The daffodils have begun to show their bright faces and the dark cherry blossoms (or plum, maybe?) are blooming, as well as magnolias. I think the cherry blossoms are correctly more hesitant... but can they wait until late March/April (when family and tourists will flock to the scene)? It remains to be seen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_995b7LV3QpdInws9q4Z5IowPWZ00x_JnUZOH08WIU4?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="float: right; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 186px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z9jCifaCyIA/T1vlcRAxdvI/AAAAAAAAHcg/3POGM-UmQ3I/s144/IMG_1237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" /></a>In our home, Zoë continues to entertain us with her antics. Mainly she's testing that the boundaries haven't shifted much since she was two... are clothes still necessary? Can I say no and then yes twenty times without incurring parental wrath? Is bedtime still in effect? When we are getting ready for school, can I run and hide 6 times without sending Mommy into exasperated sighs? etc. etc. etc. We are still fighting to maintain sanity, rules, and our previous hair condition (i.e. by not pulling out each strand in frustration, not going gray and white over an evening filled with gazillions of mini tantrums, etc.) The past week has been better. Although, this picture is what resulted when Mommy tried to get herself dressed while simultaneously trying to get Zoë to wear her sweater... you can see the (often funny, yet challenging) end product.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zaUyy1CPOOPR3pBSl8u53IowPWZ00x_JnUZOH08WIU4?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="float: left; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 132px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QEG8RYBh5BA/T1vlG8m3hLI/AAAAAAAAHaA/uT1SR7XQuWA/s144/IMG_1200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ix4rd90n57m2TB67P8hnLoowPWZ00x_JnUZOH08WIU4?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 131px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4EuG-jr_Sz0/T1vlJcQmZaI/AAAAAAAAHag/1Yg9APsmBP0/s144/IMG_1206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/08x379GopILrum0lEifk4YowPWZ00x_JnUZOH08WIU4?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="float: right; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 144px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2GkdqCAhuZg/T1vlDRhoQBI/AAAAAAAAHZo/tP6QI0ki4NA/s144/IMG_1194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" /></a> Last weekend we headed to the Natural History Museum (it's embarrassing that we waited three years to visit this gem! When it is so close!) We spent only a few hours and there was a lot to see -- we figure we will visit again soon. This time we went to see the dinosaurs (on left Zoë is making the RAAAAAAWWWWWR face), the gems (pretty pretty things!) and we went to visit the Butterfly Pavilion but they were resting (already closed).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/W7jTOPEcMtZWqM7omI8EXoowPWZ00x_JnUZOH08WIU4?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="float: left; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cyc62YjGffg/T1vk7ZVRS7I/AAAAAAAAHY4/ASYmbzyIP9c/s144/IMG_1188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" /></a>Also, Zoë's ballet class read and danced the Frog Princess. The costumes were too adorable and I (nor any other mother's as far as I could tell!) could resist peeking and taking photos through the glass. Studious Zoë was awesomely focused on the task at hand, which means that all I have in my pictures are the backs of her head. It took great restraint to not break into the classroom with the camera. Luckily observation week is coming up and I can promise a video and flurry of apt photos from that. Stay tuned...<br /><br />In honor of new weather and new age, we took an interview with recently turned three Zoë -- we hope you will enjoy and find amusement. Till our next post...<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oYT7gL8GhH8" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="330" width="420"></iframe>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-15305805941379481242012-02-25T13:43:00.006-05:002012-02-26T23:51:26.555-05:00Growing up: cupcakes, rainbows, asbestos, and AnnabelleZoë is now three years old. My friends have warned that three is a tricky age, but so far so good. Well, almost. The days leading up to and including the birthday were a little ... icky. Actually, let's go back to the birthday party, which was actually the weekend before (Feb 11).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v8pWPy_y25-FUBezshVnL6X_TmW9fs-2M6r8x8k5mow?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 115px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lZk_gRW6wM0/T0k6dQj2VYI/AAAAAAAAHNM/HAmzbD-8Wn4/s144/IMG_1129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" /></a>Zoë had a party at a music center, with her buddies from school and a very nice music instructor, Sherri, who chose Zoë's favorite music -- songs about trains, "Roy G. Biv" about rainbows, and old classics like "Hokey Pokey". Only... after a relatively calm (read: boring!) Winter, the weather on this random Saturday in February decided to entertain us with all heaven had to offer: snow, ice, sleet, ... all offered in dark, pelting fashion at exactly the time that Zoë's party was supposed to begin. So... things did not go exactly as planned.<br /><br />The biggest lessons I have learned in parenting: <span style="font-style:italic;">1. Make plans, or you are sure to fail. 2. Always expect plans will be demolished in the most unexpected ways</span>. Hey-- I can't complain that life isn't spontaneous and interesting! Anyway, about half the guests made it and all had fun, ate cupcakes, and made music. See the pictures here (press play to see the whole slideshow! There are a couple of videos too. The pictures aren't great because of the flurry of activity and low light conditions -- again, I blame the weather!)) <br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107160881573253329278%2Falbumid%2F5713141761475901249%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCJy_nt-Zv5nqKw%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7sqyk-snBMcG-WFIBFcB3KX_TmW9fs-2M6r8x8k5mow?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Fh2iwOfuiOg/T0k9Hc3aJ8I/AAAAAAAAHQo/vBqikr48ja8/s144/IMG_1170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" style="float:right; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 144px;" /></a>Upon returning from the successful party, we find an email awaiting us at home. Zoë's school will be closed on Monday because someone drilled in a ceiling tile where they were not supposed to and ... now there was asbestos exposure and the clean up and testing would close the center for the weekend and Monday too. Well... embracing spontaneity, Zoë and I spend the morning back at the MusiKids center -- since their open play was on Monday morning, we had never been here (besides for her birthday party) and here was a shining opportunity. In anticipation of turning three (as we were informed, "3" is almost grown up and Zoë is almost as big as us, we are "4", after all. Eh... who's counting those extra 30 years anyway?), she put her coat on by herself... as you can see here, we are still mastering some of our skills before becoming totally independent. Kudos for trying! We had a super time with bubbles, and meeting new friends, and climbing and silly time. As for work... Daddy came home in the afternoon and Mommy practiced super-efficiency.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gkL38I8FFoPGh4tEDMSPvaX_TmW9fs-2M6r8x8k5mow?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DHFpT6RyoeU/T0k9L2IwJOI/AAAAAAAAHRw/2uPNyVkVz00/s144/IMG_1179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 115px;" /></a>Then, Zoë's birthday and Valentine's Day: cupcakes are ready for school party, but Zoë is lying on the floor saying that she doesn't want to go to school. Of course! It's because Mom was so much fun yesterday, right? Well... after checking all body parts, nothing seemed amiss, except general lacklusterness. I was reluctant, but decided, maybe she needed a bit more sleep. But... in about an hour, she was burning with 104 degree fever. Hmmm... off to the Dr. and the rest is too sad for documenting here among her well-wishers. As I like to put it, we spent this day much like her first one on this Earth -- Mom and Dad worrying for her health, lots of snuggling and cuddling, and sleeping and resting. With the gift of Tylenol, we managed a sad-ish birthday celebration complete with homemade cupcakes (those never made it to school after all) and payesh (yup, somewhere in this weekend, I managed to made a yummy batch of this!), candles and gift opening. Plans 400-410 for this day out the window...(somewhere in that was some silly New Year's resolution about "cutting back on sweets"... someone had to eat the cupcakes and pudding and make space on the counter and in the fridge! Matt helped too.)<br /><br />This is getting to be a long birthday post, but wait! The story has a happy ending, no fear. Zoë's school came through asbestos-free, Zoë recovered fever-free (and soon enough, Mom and Dad through stages made it too through their respective illnesses-- damn Global warming and the crazy weather. Hello Daffodils... shouldn't you still be sleeping? Go away Cheery Blossoms-- not yet, I say! Oh look, it's hailing now. sigh.)<br />-----<br />Matt and I have been compiling our favorite random Zoë-isms... today alone, there were two gems (you can't make this sort of thing up!) --<br /><br />1. Annabelle, author extraordinaire:<br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style:italic;">Choo- choo baby needs to make a card for Annabelle. </span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style:italic;">Who's Annabelle?</span><br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style:italic;">She's the Children's book author.</span><br /><br />Me: (feeling awfully out of the loop... yikes, how did I miss this great celebrity?)<span style="font-style:italic;">Oh yeah? What did she write?</span><br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style:italic;">Oh. She writes about Choo choo baby.</span><br /><br />Me: (slap head with palm... right! How could I forget?! The imaginary author... that Zoë, the wise, worldly, and well-read three year old, invented over breakfast this fine day...) <span style="font-style:italic;">Aha! hmmm... I can't remember the name of her book. What was it again?</span><br /><br />Z: (with some attitude, if I might add)<span style="font-style:italic;">Welllll... Car and Bus -- that's the name. </span><br /><br />How silly of me to forget... the adventurous Choo choo baby explores the world in car and bus, but of course. Naturally.<br />----<br />2. Later, as we are getting ready to nap, Mommy and Zoë are being affectionate.<br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style:italic;">Zoë, have a good nap and I love you.</span><br /><br />Z: (patting Mommy's face gently)<span style="font-style:italic;">Yes, I love you too. Always remember to love yourself. </span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style:italic;">Wow. That's really nice. Who taught you that? Did someone say this to you?</span><br /><br />Z: (And I know this will be shocking to all of you... )<span style="font-style:italic;">Choo choo baby.</span><br /><br />I really need to start writing up these stories in a book. <span style="font-style:italic;">Adventures of Zoë and Choo choo baby.</span>, my pseudonym would be... Annabelle.Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-17579818339553790332012-01-30T14:30:00.005-05:002012-01-30T14:41:40.054-05:00"It's getting complicated"...One morning while rushing to get out of the house (it's like moving mountains...):<br /><br />Zoë: <span style="font-style:italic;">Mom, it's getting very complicated with Choo Choo Baby.</span> (Choo choo baby, as some of you might remember, is Zoë's favorite doll)<br /><br />Mom: <span style="font-style:italic;">Hmmm, why? Put on your shoes.</span><br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style:italic;">Yesterday she told me that she has a baby.</span><br /><br />M: <span style="font-style:italic;">Hm. That </span> is <span style="font-style:italic;">complicated. Baby's can't have babies! Then what happened? Put on your coat.</span><br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style:italic;">Choo choo said that </span> I <span style="font-style:italic;">was her daughter! </span><br /><br />M: <span style="font-style:italic;">Really! Give me your other arm. What did you say?</span><br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style:italic;">I told her that then I must be her sister and you were both of our Mom. </span><br /><br />M: <span style="font-style:italic;">Yes, that sounds about right. We're late! Let's go! </span><br /><br />That was a fun way to start the morning! Everyday is an adventure...Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-88238053380317828712012-01-16T21:50:00.007-05:002012-01-22T12:44:50.646-05:00Happy 2012 ... so far!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YT7VOStrljM/TxTlqC3HwjI/AAAAAAAAHD0/Z49Sa7-ciQc/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YT7VOStrljM/TxTlqC3HwjI/AAAAAAAAHD0/Z49Sa7-ciQc/s200/IMG_1003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698431939015852594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We have had a hectic but fun beginning to 2012. The pictures on left are from our visit to "Choochoo Mall", our treat after spending the weekend car-shopping.... more about that later.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Glf1uwVsvpU/TxTlqJsQExI/AAAAAAAAHEA/fbMRZnYXYf0/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Glf1uwVsvpU/TxTlqJsQExI/AAAAAAAAHEA/fbMRZnYXYf0/s200/IMG_1004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698431940849308434" border="0" /></a><br />This last week, I went (and returned from) Austin for the American Astronomical Society (AAS) conference. It was ... fun/depressing/overwhelming/busy/useful/stimulating/... anyway. Zoë and Matt stayed here and kept themselves busy. Even in that week I was gone, I was surprised to hear Zoë's language getting more and more complex and was shocked with what she has "recorded" in her brain. For example, we bought a new car (long story... ) at the VOB car dealer and Matt has had to go to get something fixed. Later today she asked "Do you need to go to VOB again?" It seems ordinary except that neither Matt nor I realized that we ever referred to the car dealership by name during this discussion. Perhaps at some point we joked that we had a VOB license plate or something, but it was surprising to us that she put these random pieces together to realize that when Daddy goes to get the car fixed it is at VOB.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KXi_EBWoQnA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />In this video, she's leading a yoga/ballet/aerobics class... and I catch certain descriptions that are unlikely from her ballet class, but probably more likely from a yoga or walking DVD (those are my go-to's in these cold winter days when outdoor exercise seems uh less than tempting, shall we say...) and possibly also in her daddy's football games? We are considering just video-taping Zoë's impromptu exercise classes and selling to top fitness producers as a side business. After all, she's cute, very energetic (considering it's bedtime), amusing and uses very creative instructive terms like "march and intercept". Too bad we started rolling the tape midway past the best stretches and instructions -- there was so much more! Ah... but for that, you will need to buy the full DVD -- it will make you sweat! It will tone your core muscles (as you laugh away your stress)... oh the possibilities!Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-25825019746909558922012-01-02T15:29:00.022-05:002012-01-02T17:03:23.686-05:00Holidays in CAWe are back from vacation in California -- two weeks of family, fun and good food! The link to the full set of pictures is <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107160881573253329278/Dec2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCNaJs6nAjqCfmwE#slideshow/5691646047891502114">here (including<span style="font-style: italic;"> videos</span>!)</a>, but below are some of the highlights:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTAvViTMH68/TwIVnHzGzSI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/6kS6EWGG_Rg/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 115px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTAvViTMH68/TwIVnHzGzSI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/6kS6EWGG_Rg/s200/IMG_0753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693136640802213154" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;"> Trip to San Francisco & Ghiradelli with Mom, Ninamashi, Boris and Didun </span> We spent an evening (after nap!) in San Francisco. We took the BART train there and back, which was one of the most exciting things. Then, we walked to Union Square to see the Christmas tree and Macy's while Boris held our space in line for the Cable Car, then we got to ride the Cable Car to North Beach where we had yummy pasta! Then we walked to Ghiradelli Square for dessert-- a hot fudge sundae!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ImDQIRwgpR8/TwIZqSi-nSI/AAAAAAAAG-o/QmIso5rFEO4/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 115px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ImDQIRwgpR8/TwIZqSi-nSI/AAAAAAAAG-o/QmIso5rFEO4/s200/IMG_0800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693141093273476386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> "Polar Exp</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9shEUSW4W1Y/TwIcIrry0JI/AAAAAAAAG-4/Exs8KAYcCPo/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 151px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9shEUSW4W1Y/TwIcIrry0JI/AAAAAAAAG-4/Exs8KAYcCPo/s200/IMG_0770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693143814440669330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">ress" Trainride -- </span> "All aboard!" This was a pretty cool experience! First we took a bus from the parking lot to the train. The train went from Union City to Sunol and back. This train was covered with Holiday lights and full of happy children and families (when they weren't stressing about saving and finding seats). Naturally, we had to drink hot cocoa and eat goodies. The best part: Santa and Mrs. Claus were on the train too and made the rounds. Zoë was surprisingly nonchalant with Santa (not super excited, but unlike last year, not scared either). Dadu pulled Santa's beard and offered a cookie in retribution. I am guessing he received coal this year...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOU4bXNJbAs/TwIcI-ERcvI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/bPpFW7oSPv8/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 75px; height: 100px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOU4bXNJbAs/TwIcI-ERcvI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/bPpFW7oSPv8/s200/IMG_0864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693143819375178482" border="0" /></a><br />There were, of course, many other fun parts of our visit to Walnut Creek like: decorating the tree, going to the park, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x0VJecfmG-0/TwIcI-pnP0I/AAAAAAAAG_A/RxIBqvPUa04/s1600/IMG_0814.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x0VJecfmG-0/TwIcI-pnP0I/AAAAAAAAG_A/RxIBqvPUa04/s200/IMG_0814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693143819531796290" border="0" /></a>Mom and Dad had date night at the ballet, having brunch with Sabina, Ruxana, and Nuru, opening presents (Santa's elves arranged an early visit!) and general hanging out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hz1ByXWX4Ww/TwIfqp_9cOI/AAAAAAAAG_s/wH67n9o1HQ0/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG"><img style="margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 86px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hz1ByXWX4Ww/TwIfqp_9cOI/AAAAAAAAG_s/wH67n9o1HQ0/s200/IMG_0901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693147696638816482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtK3vsvwq8Q/TwIfrh5TgEI/AAAAAAAAG_4/1wRKl6AdbxA/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 64px; height: 86px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtK3vsvwq8Q/TwIfrh5TgEI/AAAAAAAAG_4/1wRKl6AdbxA/s200/IMG_0913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693147711643287618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TpuMUUONsdc/TwIfqfW9PJI/AAAAAAAAG_g/iW6XplDNz-U/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 86px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TpuMUUONsdc/TwIfqfW9PJI/AAAAAAAAG_g/iW6XplDNz-U/s200/IMG_0979.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693147693782482066" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Then we flew off to <span style="font-weight: bold;">San Diego</span> (thank you, Southwest Airlines, no reindeer required!)... Mimi came to the airport to greet us with Grandpa. Here, also, our vacation sped by at whirlwind speed. The highlights included time at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">park</span>, time <span style="font-weight: bold;">playing with Emiley, Sasha and Allan</span> and all the new toys, Christmas Eve at the Crulls where the train elicited squeals of excitement that might have been heard at the North Pole, and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">beach</span> (75 degrees in December?! What a special gift for us)!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0VwMLKAayA/TwIgsfAJ0-I/AAAAAAAAHAc/Y4AahwU0VgI/s1600/Michelle%2Bz%2BFamily%2B127.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 140px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0VwMLKAayA/TwIgsfAJ0-I/AAAAAAAAHAc/Y4AahwU0VgI/s200/Michelle%2Bz%2BFamily%2B127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693148827558204386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmLmneE3iZ4/TwIgsWG__yI/AAAAAAAAHAU/trOyr96qx9A/s1600/Michelle%2Bz%2BFamily%2B110.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmLmneE3iZ4/TwIgsWG__yI/AAAAAAAAHAU/trOyr96qx9A/s200/Michelle%2Bz%2BFamily%2B110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693148825171001122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CXAZEAB78f4/TwIgsu5rhXI/AAAAAAAAHAs/bcAPVZDZHew/s1600/Michelle%2Bz%2BFamily%2B009.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CXAZEAB78f4/TwIgsu5rhXI/AAAAAAAAHAs/bcAPVZDZHew/s200/Michelle%2Bz%2BFamily%2B009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693148831826019698" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Did I mention we had some professional family pictures taken of the whole Zych family?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pUgg6BhDXWo/TwIfrvci2FI/AAAAAAAAHAE/Thd6DcD_Q9I/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pUgg6BhDXWo/TwIfrvci2FI/AAAAAAAAHAE/Thd6DcD_Q9I/s200/IMG_0994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693147715280754770" border="0" /></a><br />Sadly, this Holiday season has seen one casualty-- Matt got rear-ended on his way to the airport and our poor dependable Honda was totaled. We ring in the new year with a new car, Welcome Passat! (no pics yet)<br /><br />HAPPY NEW YEAR!Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-33196342823277944892011-12-09T22:18:00.005-05:002011-12-09T23:45:58.146-05:00Ballet (in Dec)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPagHqGEbQ8/TuLRcxVNODI/AAAAAAAAGqY/HHMSdHRi_Bo/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 120px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPagHqGEbQ8/TuLRcxVNODI/AAAAAAAAGqY/HHMSdHRi_Bo/s200/IMG_0710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684335971903813682" border="0"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iqhCmRrBUWM/TuLRcoHQ-aI/AAAAAAAAGqI/5jPoPz1S9WY/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 120px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iqhCmRrBUWM/TuLRcoHQ-aI/AAAAAAAAGqI/5jPoPz1S9WY/s200/IMG_0696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684335969429420450" border="0"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgKfhMmlnB0/TuLReD8TK-I/AAAAAAAAGqg/DbeMF5B8xXk/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 54px; height: 120px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgKfhMmlnB0/TuLReD8TK-I/AAAAAAAAGqg/DbeMF5B8xXk/s200/IMG_0716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684335994079488994" border="0"></a><br /><br />Last week was observation week at Zoë's ballet class. Of course, she was a bit more distracted (and so were the other girls) than usual, but it makes for good TV! I posted a few favorite video clips here and some photos, but visit the link for lots lots more (mainly videos). <br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gVGhs3eZ38EbQh-aYcEyypbS18dFzwxlCKztNs7yOD8?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--upzxJu3cJA/TuLUxUtCi1I/AAAAAAAAGqs/JtPxoANf0zo/s288/MVI_0693.jpg" height="216" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107160881573253329278/Ballet?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLbRir-R0_yJqwE&feat=embedwebsite">Ballet</a></td></tr></table><br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107160881573253329278%2Falbumid%2F5684330555204037201%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCLbRir-R0_yJqwE%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br />We are getting ready for our visit to CA. Family: see you soon! Friends: hope to see you all soon too! Lots of love and happy holidays (since it's unlikely you'll get another post until 2012! Woohooo...)Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-38027522879565383472011-12-03T15:09:00.013-05:002011-12-03T15:52:12.866-05:00Come and visit Zoetown<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rv9myeieW0c/TtqJBNkQKHI/AAAAAAAAGpM/Iqafjz-5mBk/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 140px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rv9myeieW0c/TtqJBNkQKHI/AAAAAAAAGpM/Iqafjz-5mBk/s320/IMG_0689.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682004533795891314" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3fEptjHfC8/TtqJA6lO5qI/AAAAAAAAGpA/6p491UW8AXg/s1600/IMG_0688.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 140px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3fEptjHfC8/TtqJA6lO5qI/AAAAAAAAGpA/6p491UW8AXg/s320/IMG_0688.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682004528699729570" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XV4hflDraPE/TtqJBuLifjI/AAAAAAAAGpY/nGzIhcPB1Hs/s1600/IMG_0690.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 140px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XV4hflDraPE/TtqJBuLifjI/AAAAAAAAGpY/nGzIhcPB1Hs/s320/IMG_0690.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682004542550605362" /></a><br /> We have been playing at home more and more these days. It isn't even that cold, but I guess the dark days of Winter are upon us... or maybe it's the potty training practice that keeps us here. Anyway, today we make a city, complete with train system (Brio!) and tall buildings... even a small suburban neighborhood for fun. And that's all I have to report for now :)Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-32992647284383320382011-11-19T14:49:00.007-05:002011-11-19T15:22:34.509-05:00Holidays (yes, that includes Halloween)We have entered the Holiday season. While my yoga classes have helped keep me sane by reminding me to focus on what's important and meaningful... life is still hectic after all. Not enough time to write a blog, for instance. However, I did upload pictures of Halloween and Fall splendor (including a video of fun at the pumpkin farm with Grandma and Grandpa). Here they are:<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107160881573253329278%2Falbumid%2F5671610745341310817%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCLP-xaqxpqD5AQ%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="192" width="288"></embed><br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107160881573253329278%2Falbumid%2F5671577508662662353%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCNevmob8qNWYTQ%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="192" width="288"></embed><br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5Hj1Z0TgOPRc0NDe-i2gzT9Ycl8Qo0jh1LiHjOUvhAs?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vcJ8U13T6To/TrWHVg4Bn7I/AAAAAAAAFbQ/K-z87dyJ1Mk/s288/MVI_0526.jpg" height="216" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107160881573253329278/FallFun2011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNevmob8qNWYTQ&feat=embedwebsite">Fall fun -- 2011</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iDQ3Eobh2hfQC1kiV3xCLT9Ycl8Qo0jh1LiHjOUvhAs?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dRQ6kc7766g/TrWJZQjPXaI/AAAAAAAAFb4/sqrlwFcQ7C4/s288/MVI_0537.jpg" height="216" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107160881573253329278/FallFun2011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNevmob8qNWYTQ&feat=embedwebsite">Fall fun -- 2011</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Some non-pictoral updates:<br /><ul><li>Zoë has been doing a nice job with potty training! She has a sticker chart and everyday there are more stickers and more successes on the potty. But one big thing is that she doesn't seem to have much of a problem with having accidents and hiding it from us... and then being very nonchalant and silly. I feel like we hit some boundary or potty training -- this is our current challenge. And then, with Holiday travels... I'm nervous about going backwards.</li><li>Zoë's verbal abilities are simply amazing! The other day she sang "We wish you a merry Christmas" song all the way through. I think they are practicing for the holiday party (which we are sadly missing by heading to CA early) and she holds a paper in front of her and sings very seriously. It's really cute! (I hope to capture by camera one of these days).<br /></li><li>I am also really impressed with her observational skills. The other day she said "I see moon! But Sun's up too. That's interesting. " So we talked about how moon and sun can be in the sky together, but not when moon is full. She later explained that to her Dad.</li><li>Zoë still loves her ballet class. She's got her piqué's and curtsey's down!<br /></li></ul>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-20840245090391752722011-10-21T09:44:00.004-04:002011-10-21T10:36:12.497-04:00Fall... (ing behind)Two months have passed and there's much to update. So I think I won't even try. The Zych grandparents came a few weeks ago and we had lots of fun (Happy slightly belated Birthday, Grandma!)<br /><br />The next few months will be very busy as I am applying for new positions (aiming a little ambitiously at a few faculty positions, and mainly more fellowships and postdoctoral research positions). As things are once again sitting on the precipice of total disruption, the level of stress and list of things to do are out of control! But luckily, tales of funny Zoë have been keeping me chuckling (and closer to sane, though she brings to our lives her own toddler angst). I wanted to share a few here before I forget!<br /><br />******<br /><br />Yesterday, while we were sitting down for breakfast, I found her licking the dining table. Now she is just getting over a bout of stomach flu, probably brought on by her recent deplorable habit of licking EVERYTHING. (Weirdly, she wasn't super-licky as a baby, but in several ways I find she has been "testing" baby habits, regressing a bit on skills that she had down -- like trying the potty, getting dressed, brushing her own teeth, etc. So I had a conversation with her:<br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic;">Zoë, why are you licking the table? You know that the table is not food! Babies lick tables because they are learning what is food and what isn't. But you are older, you already *know* that the table isn't food. Can you eat a table? No! Can you eat a book?</span><br /><br />Zoë: <span style="font-style: italic;">No.</span><br /><br />M: <span style="font-style: italic;">Can you eat Mommy's phone?</span><br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style: italic;">No. It's not food.</span><br /><br />M. <span style="font-style: italic;">Right! Can you eat cheese?</span><br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style: italic;">Yes. It's food.</span><br /><br />M: <span style="font-style: italic;">Exactly, so you can put it in your mouth. See, you know what's food already. If you see a baby eating the table or eating blocks, you might want to say: "Don't eat that! It's not food." But the baby has to figure it out for herself. She might not listen to you. But you can try to explain that some things are food and it's ok to eat. But other things are not food and should not be put in the mouth!</span><br /><br />Z: <span style="font-style: italic;">Ok! I know! I need to tell Choochoo baby </span>(that's her doll with a train on the chest) <span style="font-style: italic;">right now! </span><br /><br />Hops off the chair, runs into the other room. In her sternest, loudest "teacher" voice, she yells:<br />Z: <span style="font-style: italic;">Choochoo baby, DON'T LICK THE TABLE! IT'S NOT FOOD! YOU DON'T LICK THINGS. YOU ONLY LICK FOOD. Table's not a food, is it? No... you don't want to eat it, do you? NO!<br /></span><br />I can report that Choochoo baby learned her lesson -- she has not licked the table since. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />**** </span><br /><br />This morning, another Choochoo baby story (these are starting to remind me of Calvin and Hobbes... only Choochoo is Zoë's naughty alter ego). For several months, Zoë has been saying "I don't like you" to me and Matt. I think it started as a form of protest, when we would make her do something she didn't want to do; and then it was silly, just to provoke some reaction like "fake crying", etc. In fact, once, first thing in the morning, she responded to my "Good Morning, Zoë!" with "I don't like you. Go away". Still sleepy and thoroughly disarmed, I reacted with "Fine. Since you don't like me, I am going away to New York tomorrow"... which was true, but I regretted telling her this way, making her think that my trip was a "punishment" or lesson for that phrase. She did stop saying it after that... but now that I have to travel again, we'll see how it goes. Anyway, this morning,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Zoë tells me, (in a tattle voice): <span style="font-style: italic;">Mommy, Choochoo Baby said she doesn't like me.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Me: <span style="font-style: italic;">Hmm... that's not nice! Maybe you should tell her how it makes you feel. <br /></span><br />I heard her again sternly addressing Choochoo Baby in a quiet, ominous tone.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Zoë (to Choochoo Baby): <span style="font-style: italic;">Choochoo, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">You don't say, "I don't like you". IT'S NOT NICE! </span><span style="font-style: italic;">When you say "I don't like you" I get sad and feel mean. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> (</span>Pause the then sweetly<span style="font-style: italic;">) You don't want that, do you? You should say "sorry". You think what you said. I go to school now. When I come home, you say "sorry, I love you."<br /></span><br />Choochoo Baby is no doubt contemplating her harsh words right now...<br /><br />*****<br />THE END (for now).<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531393140596711682.post-55206838347402098572011-08-27T19:23:00.009-04:002011-08-27T20:50:52.605-04:00What to do in a hurricaneNow that Irene is here, I'm making my list of what to do in a hurricane:
<br />1. get water, flashlights, and emergency supplies ready,
<br />2. backup all important documents (photos, etc),
<br />3. Until the power goes out, run the A/C, dryer, oven, and all the lights ... that isn't a strict rule but we gotta do laundry and store up some edibles, after all!
<br />4. and most importantly, update the blog!
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<br />So things are definitely interesting here in Maryland. We were struck by a historic earthquake earlier this week, and nary the damages have been noted that we now have a hurricane bearing down on us. At least now it looks like Irene will be much meeker in D.C. than in other places (New York, Philadelphia, etc) and also as she moves up the coast there's not much fury left in poor Irene. Still, there's only so much shaking of the windows that ones nerves can take from the 9th floor of a building not accustomed to the full brunt of nature's forces.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/q-NDhxlDYI28M-5AxyPvEqDbka4YrtgTe08h09-m8jA?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="float: left; margin: 5px 10px 10px 5px; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 149px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w0VsGOz8U28/Tll3xLj9tMI/AAAAAAAAE20/qSKcvA4NDPs/s288/IMG_0427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598419935423664706" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"> So, Zoë is doing fine, although definitely at her wits end being holed up with no way to release her energy. With a toddler's many moods, it is not the hurricane that I fear most. As you see here in this picture, Zoë, herself, is a force with which to be reckoned. But she's doing pretty well under the circumstances. She and her father have made the daring journey downstairs (did I mention that we live on the 9th floor of a building with an electric elevator, which is slated to shut down immediately upon power outages?) to kick around a ball and hopefully run all the sillies out.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0AVj7-rara-RNjSUXIM2gaDbka4YrtgTe08h09-m8jA?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="float:left; margin:5px 10px 10px 5px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 144px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9r-r5yvk_T0/TllnaVP_EtI/AAAAAAAAErs/DMqooDfjDm8/s144/IMG_0401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598419935423664706" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"> She says the most awesome things these days ... like: "First of all, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_PYb-H9-3xtMGjimX3fV9qDbka4YrtgTe08h09-m8jA?feat=embedwebsite"><img style="float:right; margin:5px 10px 10px 5px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qYP3N5VZ0oA/Tllte1u9FeI/AAAAAAAAEs0/bk1GUyB3Fe8/s144/IMG_0417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598419935423664706" border="0" /></a>we need to get cupcakes, then we go to the choo choo mall, then we get my ears pierced." Not all her wishes were granted (despite being impressed by her articulation), but she wants her ears pierced to be more like Mommy and Didun, who was visiting past few weeks along with Dadu. You can see that Didun sort of rubbed off on Zoë ... and so did Dadu! But then again... "Dadu's a boy! Zoë's a girl", so the ear-piercing desire still remains. Stay tuned... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_PYb-H9-3xtMGjimX3fV9qDbka4YrtgTe08h09-m8jA?feat=embedwebsite"></a><div style="text-align: right;"> <cr>
<br /></cr><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2RMa6_EJZTXdNKuijjoSnqDbka4YrtgTe08h09-m8jA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Miz7jwgRdUQ/TllnXI2hXZI/AAAAAAAAErc/siO9iTQ8fhA/s144/MVI_0398.jpg" style="float:right; margin:5px 10px 10px 5px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 216px;" /></a>
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<br />Also, it turns out that Zoë is a super hero -- did you know that</cr><cr>? </cr><cr>So no need to worry about Hurricane Irene! Perhaps this video will convince you that we will be fine. (Ninamashi, this one's for you, especially!)</cr><cr>
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<br /><table style="width: 668px; height: 61px;"><tbody><tr><td><meta equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<br /></td></tr><tr align="right"><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107160881573253329278/JulyAugust2011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPPbtdbD4peKmAE&feat=embedwebsite">july-august2011</a></td></tr></tbody></table></cr><div style="text-align: justify;"><cr></cr>In case you find yourselves worrying about us, may we offer some pictures and videos to watch instead? Look at how much fun we have been having -- peach picking, train riding, ... and generally (witnessing Zoë) growing up! Here's a slideshow of our recent fun (those documented by a photo -- there are some videos too -- you might have to click on the link to access those).
<br /></div></div></div><cr>Enjoy! </cr>
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<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107160881573253329278%2Falbumid%2F5645641797483273633%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCPPbtdbD4peKmAE%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="192" width="288"></embed>
<br /></div>Antarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01200386334582303950noreply@blogger.com1