Maow and her Spongebob toy collection

Every time we go to the movies, we buy Maow this 50 cent Spongebob toy from a machine. At first it was meant for Theo, but she took possession immediately.

This video cracks me up because you can see her with all three of them. How she doesn't lose them, I'll never know. Watch as she goes from an old one, to a new one (the difference is quite clear) and then another old one. We're going to see the Simpsons movie tonight. Can't wait to bring her home another Spongebob!

I equate her Spongebobs to the Velveteen Rabbit. As you can see, the new one is yellow and crisp, and the old ones are torn and tattered. That's how you can tell how much love they've gotten.

The Twinkle

Theo has been getting a twinkle in his eye lately when he knows he's being funny or when someone else is being funny. I'm thrilled to see his sense of humor developing so well!

The other day Joe and Theo were on the train and Theo asked, "Where's mommy?" Joe told Theo mommy was eaten by an alligator.

"No, daddy. Mommy not eaten by alligator."

And to be a scootch, he calls my mom Grandma Popcorn and Joe's mom Grandma Ice Cream. Always with the mischieveous twinkle.

Little Man

I am guilty of not posting for a while. I've been meaning to talk about how cute Theo was a couple of weeks ago, when we took him to see the Disney movie Ratatouille. The movie is about a rat who dreams of being a chef--and becomes one.

Theo, who has been my sous chef, recognized some chef-like things. "Cut it!" he exclaimed when the rat chopped veggies. He yelled out other things throughout the movie, like "rain! look, rain!"

For some reason Theo insisted on sitting in the row in front of us. Is he already old enough to be too embarrassed to sit with mom and dad? Of course, he periodically turned around for help opening his drinks and food.

The Good Patient

Poor Theo has strep. But, as is usual when he is sick, he is in good spirits. He never minds going to the doc; we chanted "doc-tor! doc-tor!" on the way over, and I'm willing to say he even got excited!

When we got home, he passed out on my bed. A couple of hours later, he woke up and guided me to the couch, making it clear that it was huggie time. He's especially mushy and cuddly when sick!

He is very sad, however, that he didn't get to ride the school bus today, and will be even more upset to learn he can't tomorrow either. "No school bus? No Grace today?" "I want schoooool buuuuuus."

Central Park Sunday

Yesterday, Theo and I met up with a couple of my friends, one of whom has a five year old son, Honor. We've gotten the boys together every so often for the past few years.


Honor's a year older, but Theo's taller! What else is new?




Theo repeatedly climbed a super tall ladder and slid down a super high pole for at least an hour. I watched as other kids--who were older than he--chickened out. Theo may be a daredevil, but at least he's a skilled one.

After spending all that time refusing to go near the water, he insisted on "swimming" right as we were about to leave. How's this for a switch? He soaked his jeans and I changed him into the bathing suit I had packed to take him home in!

Annual Independence Day Coney Island Trip

We were particularly excited to take Theo to Coney Island this year. One reason, of course, was that it was Astroland's final summer. Another reason was that Theo would be tall enough for every kiddie ride!

We got there, watched the hot dog eating contest, and then devoured some hot dogs of our own--albeit not 66 of them. On the kiddie rides, Theo and I rode the roller coaster, and he rode the airplanes, motorcycles, trucks, horses, etc...



He laughed so hard when we were on the coaster. I made sure we got the best and fastest ride--the back car, of course!

By the time we went to the beach, it was chilly and about to rain. Still, Theo was convinced he was going to swim. We allowed him to take off his shoes and shirt and approach the water. Needless to say, only his feet made it in. But he sure loved running in and out of the water!



Here's Theo jamming with the street performer he gave money to.

Theo passed out on the hour long train ride home, and woke up in time to watch the fireworks from our window. Or "rain," as he called it. He was so cute shouting out the colors!

Coney Island may never be the same, but we will continue to go every 4th, no matter what. What can I say, it's our thang.

Windy Summer Morning

This morning as Joe and Theo were leaving to wait for the school bus, Theo gave me his usual hug and waved, "Bye, mommy!"

Joe said to Theo, "No, say goodbye like this." And he lifted his leg and farted.

Theo in turn lifted his leg and said very seriously, "No, not like this."

Family-Filled Weekend

Theo saw just about everyone on the planet this weekend!

He saw Aunt Lisa on Tuesday. He saw Uncle Elliot on Wednesday. And on Saturday we went with Grandma Ice Cream and Poppy to see Nonny and Aunt Donny. Then, that night and Sunday he stayed with Grandma Popcorn, Aunt Jodi, and his cousins. Talk about action-packed! And he loved every minute of it!





Especially Nonny's house, where he repeated "I want meatballs" until his demand was met by an enthusiastic, thrilled little ol' lady.

This picture of the cats is here because I haven't paid them any blog attention in a while, and they're damn cute and deserving of it!

No School Right Now

Thursday was the last day of school, and summer session starts in 2 weeks. On Friday, he was so forlorn when we told him "no school bus today" that he started to cry. But when I picked him up from Kathy's that afternoon, he was his cheery self. He told me, "no book-bag." And he's been telling me that when I pick him up every day this week!

Our walks home are hilarious. I get there, and he runs to me with full force, sweetly waves "bye, Kathy!" and we're off. He directs us home. Sometimes he wants to cross the street laterally, sometimes he wants to go on the 25 cent mechanical horse ("I want horse up and down!"), sometimes he wants to go to the store, sometimes he wants a gumball from the machine, and most days he wants to go to the ice cream truck. He doesn't always get his way, of course, but he does a majority of the time since I like to encourage his asking for things--and he's so damn cute--and he throws a fit when he doesn't get his way on days when he's tired.

The other day we were walking home, and he pointed to a wall and said "empty!" I didn't realize what the heck he was talking about until I remembered that until then, there were rows of tall bushes. Apparently they were removed for some reason, and I didn't notice, but he sure did! Because he used to love to run behind them! But isn't he a perceptive little guy? He knows so much more than any of us knows he knows. Try saying that three times fast.

Fun Cutie Pie

Theo has been so cute lately! Largely due to his talking, but he's just a super sweet mush ball, too. Since we've been putting him to bed at an earlier time, he's been waking up at 6:30am, which is agonizing for me at first, but he's so cute it wins me over. He comes into my bed and gets under the covers, hugs me, and starts talking to me. Sometimes he brings a teddy bear or a book. He is full of energy and ready to climb a mountain. Joe and I lie there, groggy, enjoying the cuddle and trying to keep him from jumping on us.

Silly Sleeper

I walked in the other night and found Theo asleep in his bed, still holding his favorite book, "No David," which was opened to the page that always makes him laugh: David running through the street naked (Theo always points to his butt and giggles, "poop").

A day with Grandma Ice-Cream and Poppy

Guest blogger: Grandma Ice Cream

I could see right away after being out in the playground that Theo was thirsty. After many rounds of being told "Come here, Grandma, slide" and complying, I was thirsty.too. Thirsty but happy. And anxious to try out my new Jack LaLanne Power Juicer. So we made orange juice (the regular old orange- juice- squeezer way, because it tastes better) and then I put through some carrots in my new juicer. Out came the carrot juice, to Theo's wide-eyed delight, and he couldn't wait to try it. He juiced carrots, celery, and an apple. (With a little help from Grandma Ice-Cream) We shared a big glass of the juices, and everytime he tasted it, he made a face, but kept insisting he liked it and wanted more. It was really funny to watch him.

He took an interest in the paintings we have hanging. "Who's that?" he asked, seeing the one hanging in the dinette. "Gustav Mahler", I replied. What's that, I asked him, of the picture hanging above my couch. "Paris", he said, and Grampa couldn't believe his ears. Paris it was.

Then we went to get the car checked out and brought up to spec for the summer. While we waited, we went to the Barbershop to get haircuts. Grampa Chocolate-Milk, (Theo's new name for Poppy after bonding over haircuts and chocolate milk) got his haircut after Theo, so he got to watch him. Theo loves to get his hair cut. He was so good and cute. The barber gave him a high-five and a lollypop. Theo was happy and kept looking in the mirror and smiling. About his haircut and his lollipop. :)

Time for pizza. Boy did he eat. He loves his pizza!

The car still wasn't ready, so off we went to the library, where Theo and I read and sang stories in the children's section. Getting a bit restless, we took a walk along Northern Boulevard and came upon Burger King. There Theo played with abandon and immersed himself in tunnels,other kids, fries and chicken nuggets.

Finally the car was ready and we came home. Theo pulled out a movie he likes when he comes over (BabySongs) and we relaxed to it together. While preparing some dinner, I came in to find him sound asleep on the couch. He must have been so tired. Grampa Chocolate Milk Poppy carried him to the bed to rest.

And then his beautiful mommy came home.

This Week's Happenings

I'm writing this from a courthouse in Jamaica, where I'm on my third glorious, honorable day of jury duty.

Today is Theo's last day of school for a couple of weeks, and then the summer session begins. Joe went to their little graduation party a couple of days ago. Theo wasn't graduating, of course, but most of his class was. That'll be Theo next year!

This past weekend was a very park-y one. On Saturday we went to Bear Mountain with Joanne Highley and the gang. Theo had a great time on the rowboat, at the playground, and watching our group volleyball game. In between each play, he ran on the field, gave me a hug, and ran back to the grass to sit and watch.

The next day, Father's Day, we got to Central Park at 7:30 a.m. to wait for Romeo and Juliet tickets, which would be handed out at 1 p.m. Theo was a pretty good boy. He enjoyed watching the many dogs go by. We had blankets and pillows with us and wanted to take a family nap, but Theo wasn't having it. Somehow he was a ball of energy!

Tales of Laundry and Woe

Last night after work I got Theo from the sitter and told him we were doing laundry. He was immediately excited. I know I've posted this before, but he loves it! He carries down the detergent, knows to press C on the elevator instead of 1 when we're going out, and helps put the clothes in the washer and dryer, and puts the quarters in and pushes the buttons.

One time, a while ago, he slammed the gate to the laundry room shut, locking us in. We had to go through another door that leads outside and wait for a neighbor to come by to let us into the lobby.

Since then, I've been careful to make sure Theo doesn't lock that door. But last night, I was distracted, and sure enough I heard the dreaded slam. I was exhausted and furious, and so I told Theo to sit down in time out, and that he couldn't help me with laundry. Even in my anger I had to laugh at the idea of punishing a kid by telling him he COULDN'T do a chore. After a few minutes of his sad face I couldn't take it and let him help me load the washer, which he did gleefully.

When it was time to go upstairs, he ran to the door that leads outside. I couldn't believe it! He remembered! He had locked the gate on purpose so that'd we'd have to use the other door and go outside! I swear, what a little pest I have. A smart pest, though.

On the elevator ride back up I told him I wanted a hug. He gave me one, and then he said "I want kiss." I kissed him and we were friends again.

Booty Marks

As most children do, Theo gets kissed when he has a boo-boo. One day he started returning the favor. He started kissing my boo-boos, and even the cats' boo-boos, although they don't have any so he was really just making it up.

Once in a while he got confused and thought my beauty marks were boo-boos, and so he'd kiss those too! Every time he did that, I corrected him of course, and he would repeat -- "booty mark?" I'd tell him "yes, that's a beauty mark," and after a while, he got the concept of what a beauty mark is.

Now, he purposefully kisses my beauty marks! He'll find one, say "look, mommy, booty mark! Kiss!" and kiss it. I have a ton of them, and he finds them all. He'll lift my shirt and get to the ones on my belly, he'll find them on my legs... he's such a sweetie pie! In the morning he wakes up and comes into our bed, full of hugs and beauty mark kisses.

Wax On

Theo sat with much interest yesterday as he watched me get my eyebrows waxed. I love the curiousity he has for everything. I'm sure many kids would have been impatient. Although, he did insist on getting "nilla ice cream" after, and how could I say no?

Happy Birthday Nonny!

Tomorrow is Nonny's birthday, and Theo will probably pay her a visit with my parents. I'm sure they'll both be very excited to see each other! He occasionally sings about "NonnyDonny."

Maybe He Prefers Sondheim

Tonight I was watching a PBS show on Broadway's Treasures. They did a segment on Hammerstein's last song before he died, Edelweiss. I started to sing it. "Edelweiss, edelweiss, every morning you greet me..."

Theo, who was vrooming his bus on the rug, said, "don't sing."

Milk for Two and Two for Milk

Yesterday Theo asked for milk, and since I wanted some too, I brought out two cups. He insisted on pouring, and we sat and drank our milk together.

This morning Theo climbed into our bed and said, "Mommy, I want to drink milk." I went inside, put a cup and the milk carton on the table, and returned to my room. Seconds later, he entered my room holding TWO cups of milk in his hand. He held one out to me and said, "Mommy, drink!"

Quick School Briefing

On Thursday I visited Theo's school for a parents' brunch. I know, I'm a Stepford mom. Afterward, I went up to his classroom and he put his arm around me and showed me what he was doing. And other kids said, "Hi Theo's mommy!" It felt good that they remembered me.

I got a chance to talk to Grace, his teacher, who gave me a good report. She said he's doing better with gaining attention and asking for things.

When I had to leave, Theo cried. His little classmates were very concerned about him.