We're Thankful

photo by Lara El Khazen, via Tom Reid (Thank you!)

Skating Surprise

We surprised Chimpy with an afternoon at the ice rink. It was her first time on skates and she did amazingly well.




Jojo and I stayed rink-side where he charmed all the ladies, as usual.

"Here comes that little blonde girl again..."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Call me!"

Fall Guy

This is Jojo after taking a faceplant at the park:

No, you da man!"

What a guy!

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Trucker Zen

Four Picture Friday (retroactive): Sendak Exhibit

Run from for culture!

Look good for culture!

Eat cream puffs for culture!

We went to the Contemporary Jewish Museum to see the Maurice Sendak exhibit. Like most museums, the CJM has a no-photo policy in the gallery area so I wasn't able to get any pictures of Johnny, Pierre, Max or any of the Wild Things. It was a great exhibit, though, and we had a great time.

The exhibit gave Jojo a lot to think about.

But we may have overdid it. All that culture wore Chimpy out.

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Last Harvest Zen

Four Picture Friday: Bar Rasslin' Jojo

Jojo tries his hand at a family tradition.

"Let's see... Chimpy's Bar Rasslin' Made E-Z."

"Stare down, mm hm... grasp by neck, mm hm... shake..."

"Who am I kidding? I don't need this book."

"Rrrrr!"

"I'm a lover, not a fighter."

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Level headed zen

School Days: Deux Means Two

Yesterday was Deux Means Two Day at school. When I arrived to pick up Chimpy, her teacher handed the day's project to me and, noticing that I took notice of the drawing, explained "Today we traced people and then colored all the things we have two of. Isabel insisted we add to our lesson plan." Chimpy looked up and shouted "Yeah, we all have two boobs!"

Day Trip to Sis!

Of all the many things I could say about how awesome Chimpy and Sis are, I want to tell you I don't know of any two kids who play so well together. Despite anticipating their day together with great enthusiasm–a sure recipe for hyperactivity or disappointment–when they woke up and saw each other they picked up more or less where they left off.

Sis: Hi, Isabel.
Chimpy: Hi, Vera.
Sis: I'm wearing my pajamas.
Chimpy: Yeah, these pajamas have fancy bottoms.

And then it was off to the kitchen to make pancakes.

We spent the entire day together, breaking only for a nap, and had only one flare-up when Chimpy hit Sis on the head with a drumstick (Sis did hit Chimpy first, but she knows how to pull her punches). Sis cried because she had a lump on her head and Chimpy cried because she had hurt her best friend. But even that passed quickly and they played until it was time to put their fancy bottomed pajamas on again and say so long until next time.

~ ~ ~

Playground

Matching band-aids

Fruit leather snack on the beach

Pumpkin patch hay ride

Apple picking

Sis's roller skate academy

~ ~ ~

Oh yes, Jojo was there too.

Whee.

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Mama Zen

Happy Birthday, Jojo!

You make us very happy.

First Day of School!

First day of school.

First day of school!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

MANY FIRSTS MEGAPOST!

First ferry ride under the bridge.

It's not often anymore that I sit myself down to update this blog. Usually, when Chimpy and Jojo are napping and it occurs to me to do an update, I have the choice of either getting on the computer to write and upload pictures or doing any of the chores and preparations that make my time with them awake easier. Given that the result of the latter is a happier family and a saner father, I'm not always motivated to spend much time on here.

That said, I've started thinking of this blog less as an album for the grandparents and more of a journal for Chimpy and Jojo. I have literally thousands of pictures of Chimpy and Jojo but, as they are digital, I doubt they will hold the same magic as the small collection of yellowed Kodak prints that document random moments from my childhood. Hopefully, the many pictures and few stories on lilchimpy will paint a picture for Chimpy and Jojo of their childhood before they were able to remember it.

And with that said, Chimpy and Jojo have been having a lot of firsts lately and they should be recorded for posterity.

* * *
Jojo's Firsts
Jojo reached his walking milestone so quickly and with such determination it was easy to miss the fact that he was passing other milestones left and right. In the span of a few weeks Jojo has started using signs, trying to talk, demanding books, pointing out body parts and concentrating on playing. You'd be seeing videos of all these happenings except for the fact that the other camera finally packed it in. Then again, maybe it's a good thing the camera is out of commission.



* * *

Chimpy's First Memories

Last year around Christmas I wrote how Chimpy had managed to memorize most of Twas the Night Before Christmas after only a few readings. She is developing an amazing memory. Last week, while telling her mother about her day, Chimpy mentioned a new program she saw for the first time on PBS called Dinosaur Train and suddenly launched into the show's theme song from memory.

I'm often impressed by the sponges that are kids' brains but what's been flooring me with Chimpy is that she's been pulling up memories from times before I thought she had formed memories. For example, seeing Two-Tone the cat a block further from his house than we usually do or dropping and breaking a bottle of cod liver oil at the market (both of these things happened when she was around 20 months old). My earliest memories are from when I was between three and four so I have no doubt anything from here on out will probably be imprinted on Chimpy's long term memory.

* * *

First Friends

Partners in Crime
Jojo is getting to be more and more a little kid which is both fun and frustrating for Chimpy. Fun because she has somebody to play fort, roll the ball and sleep party with and frustrating because she has somebody who wants to knock down her fort, make off with her ball and wake up all her stuffed animals. My favorite moments, though, are when they aren't playing but just hanging out. The other day as I cooked dinner Chimpy opened the freezer and removed a bag of frozen peas while Jojo stood, watching patiently. Chimpy closed the freezer, poured two roughly equal portions into two bowls and gave one to her brother. It was very sweet and was one of those moments that gives a glimpse of how they'll be when they are older.

"So who gets the last pea?"

* * *

First Movie
Chimpy went to the theatre with Mama to see Miyazaki's latest film Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea. I know Chimpy's tastes in movies are dictated largely by what we like and what we let her watch but I don't think it is too presumptuous and pretentious to say Miyazaki is Chimpy's favorite filmmaker. Ponyo has joined Satsuki, Sen, Kiki and Fio as Chimpy's alter-egos.

Chimpy in a lobby by a movie.

* * *

First Word: Chimpy
Chimpy's cousin, Louie, was an early reader. I remember distinctly him reading between the ages of three and four. Chimpy isn't reading yet but I know it can't be far off because a light bulb went on above her head when I asked her to name each of the letters on the back of a parked truck. This was her reaction...

Hey!

* * *

First Word: Jojo
Most people who see us out and around always marvel at how intensely and quietly Jojo watches what goes on around him. Though those who know us better know that Jojo is anything but quiet–he only seems so relative to his chatterbox sister–there is no denying Jojo is a great thinker. Even so, he surprised us with his first word a little while ago: a very loud, distinct and purposeful "Ball!"

08/26/09: The "Ball" Heard Around the Table

* * *

First (New) Cousin
Let's not forget someone else going through a lot of firsts. Barnaby's first video chat:

Also, Barnaby's first "Dad! You're embarrassing me!"

* * *

Thanks for sticking around. Tomorrow, one of our biggests firsts yet!

Four Picture Friday: Chinatown Festival

I know I've been cheaping out on descriptions in the last couple of posts but thinking of a thousand words for each picture then culling those thousand down to a relevant twenty or so feels like more than I am prepared to make time for most days. I can tell you that we had a great day at a street festival in Chinatown with our friends, but these few pictures will have to fill in the rest of the story.

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Farmer's Market Zen

Four Picture Friday: Things We Do

Playing at the park.

Blowing bubbles, cowgirl style.

Drums with Uncle Jason.

Hanging out the window with friends.

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Four Picture Friday: The Truth About Chimpys and Jojos

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Jojo Signs

Continuing on the fast track to toddlerhood, Jojo took his first steps yesterday. In unrelated news he hit his head and needed an ice pack and a bit of quiet time. I missed catching his first steps on camera, but I did catch Jojo doing some sign language while recuperating.

We Interrupt Your Scheduled Programming

Big news about Jojo but first, let's take a quick moment to welcome our newest nephew and cousin, Barnaby.

Samuel Robert "Barnaby" Connors
born: July 30, 2:09am, 6lb 14oz

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Ten Months of Jojo

The last few posts have been Chimpy-centric, so let's even things up with a Jojo post.

September

October

November

December

January

February

March


April

May

June

July

Chimpy's Birthday Party

We set up for Chimpy's party at Crab Cove, a nearby park. All the barbeque sites but one require reservation so Chimpy and I headed out early to be sure to be the first at the free site. Mama and Jojo headed back home to pack up the food while Chimpy and I set about setting up. Time passed quickly and soon enough our friends joined us.



BUBBLE STATION!
We created a ball pit, put up a tent, hung a swing from a tree and brought kites but the biggest hit by far was the beach volleyball court adjacent to our site. Bubble makers, sand toys and a nearby drinking fountain made the sand pit the place to be.



FOOD!
On the menu: hot dogs, bratwurst, hamburgers, pesto pasta and fruit salad.



Also... corn!



PIÑATA!
While shopping for party goods, we came across the Curious George aisle:

Chimpy: Dad! Let's get the Curious George piñata!
Daddy: Are you going to find it upsetting? You know you have to hit a piñata with a stick. Are you going to find it upsetting to hit Curious George?
Chimpy: Naw, it's okay. (pause) Hm, maybe we should get the dog piñata. Then I can pretend it's Buster.

Buster is our neighbor's dog.




CAKE!
Chimpy chose chocolate for her birthday cake so, not being experienced in chocolate cakery, I tried a few recipes. Realizing suddenly that I had five cakes to deal with, I de-seeded some raspberry jam for filling and stacked them. I also made cupcakes because everybody loves cupcakes.



We iced the cake on site with whipped cream, but unfortunately the cake had sat in the sun for a short while and was warm so the whipped cream melted as soon as it was applied.



Still, though... CAKE!



Here's Chimpy blowing our her candle (photos courtesy Dan Ransom). Scroll fast enough and you can pretend you were there.


It was a great day and the best part was at the end when we asked Chimpy what her favorite part of the day was. Despite having a much-anticipated piñata, helium balloons, a huge cake and many presents, Chimpy answered "Playing with all my friends."

Happy Birthday, Chimpy

We could not be any prouder of you than we are.

Midsummer Rain

Wednesday Moment of Zen

Lil' bookworms

Vacation Wrap-Up

This is overdue, so let's get to it. We retraced our steps home, making time to play on the swings with Caitlyn:



Pilot a boat with Hayley:



And have roasted marshmallows with Auntie Tracey:



Then we drove, making excellent time, back to Seattle and caught the ferry to Bremerton:




Where we gave Uncle Joe and Auntie Betsy a crash course in parenting:




At this point we were all anxious to get home:



But still happy and wonderfully tired from a great vacation:

Vacation Days 5 & 6: The Big R

We drove up to Revelstoke for a visit with Nana and Grandpa who happened to be on a vacation of their own. The road to Revelstoke is a beautiful if narrow highway through the Selkirk Mountains in the Canadian Rockies.

Looking back at Three Valley Gap, driving to Revelstoke.

A common misconception of visitors upon arriving in Revelstoke is that they have somehow wound up in Italy. It's understandable. Our first stop was a visit with family friends, the Angelozzis, for some homemade wine.

Learning Italian with Uncle Angelo. Salute!

Playing in their garden. Not pictured, rows of tomatoes.

Quel bello bambino.

The looming mountains and ever-present rumble of coal trains began to remind us that we weren't in Italy after all, so we dropped by Grandpa Angelo's for some fuuuuutbooooollll.

Egypt 1, Italy 0. No good.

Besides visting family and friends, the biggest deal for us was getting out on the Columbia River. Chimpy was excited about fishing "in the mountains" so we took a trip above the Revelstoke Dam with Nana and Grandpa for an afternoon of fishing.

Haven't even casted yet and the fish stories have already begun.

Which way to Mayberry?

My mom told Chimpy she admired her Scooby Doo rod and reel, yet when she saw me fishing with it she broke down laughing. What gives?

Jojo, for his part, loved the mountain air and the mountain water. They both must have did him good because he had a growth spurt while we were on vacation. See for yourself:

Mountain Man.

Jojo likes trucks.

Jojo likes dogs.

It was a short visit, but we were very, very happy to see the mountains, our friends and the trains. On the way out we drove along a lake, opposite a train so we pulled over to watch it and wave 'so long' to Revelstoke.





See you next time, Revelstoke.

Vacation Day 5a: Log Barn!

We here at Lil' Chimpy Enterprises have a great fondness for roadside attractions, and nothing says Roadside America (or Canada) like teepees.



But if the teepees weren't enough (they were), the billboard that advertised "Goat Walk: Not for the Weak of Heart" would have made it mandatory to pull over. The goat walk is visible in the background here:

You had me at Goat Walk.

We played in and around the teepees:



...before it was time for breakfast.

"Pie, hon?"

We ordered their award winning (2003 Canadian and 2007 International) sausage with sauerkraut and onions.

Breakfast of champions.

Then the highly anticipated Goat Walk!

These goats knew how to work the pulleys to haul up small buckets of corn feed.

"Feed me."

Then it was back on the road!

Thank you, Log Barn!

Next stop: Revelstoke!

Vacation Days 3 & 4

A short drive into the interior of British Columbia and we find ourselves at Nanny and Grandad's, a highly recommended establishment. Just look:

Billy B's B & B, the only thing we don't vacuum is the lawn.

"Does this meet with your satisfaction?"
"Hm. Needs a swing."

Nice!

After enjoying the garden and patio we took a ride on a real steam train.

Engineer Chimpy

And the next day spent the early afternoon at the lake.

Going to the beach in style with Nanny.

Beach Jojo

Near the beach is an art gallery. Showing was some work by a friend of Mama's.

Jackrabbit Jojo

Next: The Big R!

Vacation Days 1 & 2

We're up in Seattle for Unca Joe's graduation.

Going for celebratory dinner.

Give me two shots of milk. In a dirty glass.

Going to the graduation.





Of the thousand graduates, Joe was second last to the podium. That gave us plenty of time for a nap.



And a snack in the lobby.



But it was a good ceremony. And at the end we got to see Washington state's newest teacher!

Congratulations, Unca Joe!!

Next: Nanny, Grandad and cousins!

Wedesday Moment of Zen