Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Four Picture Friday: Downtown with Nanny and Grandad
Chimpy and Jojo's Nanny and Grandad have come for a visit and we planned to take them into the city for the day. So, of course, we got up nice and early to get a jump on our adventure.
Waiting for Nanny and Grandad to wake up.
The walk from the bus terminal to the park was only a few blocks, but there was plenty to see along the way. We took a small detour to look at some new art.
Chimpy gives Nanny the whirlwind tour.
Chimpy gave the large heads a quick walk-by, but had closer look at the larger, more colorful stacked people. So close, in fact, that she hit her head on one of the lower figures. A concerned picnicker gave Chimpy a cookie which made the head trauma worth it.
Free lemon cookie with every bonk on the head.
After the sculptures, we went straight to the park and found a beautiful playground full of monkey bars, sandboxes and giant slides. So what does Grandad take his grandson to see? Why, the one course of bricks in the entire playground, of course.
Brick propaganda.
Chimpy had her own agenda which involved sliding down the very tall, very slick giant slide.
Chimpy flies solo.
The park also gave Chimpy the opportunity to prove she was over half her dad's height and eligible for the merry-go-round.
"A few more inches and I can drive the car."
Chimpy helped Jojo ride the merry-go-round. Well, until the bell sounded, anyway.
Sorry, Jojo. Only one rider per goat.
Watching his sister go around was excitement enough for Jojo. For everyone, actually, this is how we looked on the ride home.
"I didn't get to ride the goat, and I bet I won't even get to have one those cream puffs Grandad is carrying. At least the bus driver didn't make me crawl home... second born's have it easier my foot... grumble grumble..."
The walk from the bus terminal to the park was only a few blocks, but there was plenty to see along the way. We took a small detour to look at some new art.
Chimpy gave the large heads a quick walk-by, but had closer look at the larger, more colorful stacked people. So close, in fact, that she hit her head on one of the lower figures. A concerned picnicker gave Chimpy a cookie which made the head trauma worth it.
After the sculptures, we went straight to the park and found a beautiful playground full of monkey bars, sandboxes and giant slides. So what does Grandad take his grandson to see? Why, the one course of bricks in the entire playground, of course.
Chimpy had her own agenda which involved sliding down the very tall, very slick giant slide.
The park also gave Chimpy the opportunity to prove she was over half her dad's height and eligible for the merry-go-round.
Chimpy helped Jojo ride the merry-go-round. Well, until the bell sounded, anyway.
Watching his sister go around was excitement enough for Jojo. For everyone, actually, this is how we looked on the ride home.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Jojo's First Tooth
Jojo's first tooth has made it's debut but unlike Chimpy, who was eager to show off her new chomper, Jojo prefers to remain tight-lipped over the whole affair. The only way I could get a picture of it was to get him angry enough to yell at me which isn't hard to do when there is milk on the line.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Four Picture Friday: Behind the Blog
My brother, Unca Joe, wrote on his new baby blog that he realizes now how much work it is to update it regularly and that he has a new-found respect for me and loves me very much (I'm paraphrasing towards the end there). It occurs to me that many of the visitors to lilchimpy don't keep blogs of their own and probably don't realize how much work goes into it. So, here's a behind the blog look at what we do.
We often have as many as five or seven people working on a photoshoot at any given time. In the example below you can see the artistic director, make-up artist and gaffer.
Just another day at Lil' Chimpy Enterprises.
Usually, though, the pictures are taken on the fly and require improvisation. Take, for example, this cute picture of Chimpy as a butterfly.
The rare Danaus chimpus.
The poster was made for older kids, so Chimpy had to be propped up slightly.
The rare Daddi stepstoolus.
Here's a picture of Chimpy and her pop on some swings. Hey, wait a minute... who took the picture?
Did Jojo take this picture?
Our gorillapod is broken so I keep having to recreate tripods. The camera is resting on the diaper bag strap and kept from falling off by its own strap which has been looped around the stroller handle and held in place by my wallet.
Jojo figures it isn't worth the effort and naps.
Videos present their own challenges, the biggest being just having the camera on hand. I've been meaning to get a video of Jojo yelling at me as I prepare his milk for a while now. Just the other day the camera was in reach when he started yelling.
And here's what passes for a tripod in the kitchen.
Like a tripod, this wine has good legs.
Well, that's a quick peek behind the scenes. But enough of that, here's what you're really here for... a picture of Chimpy and Jojo!
"It's five-thirty in the morning! Where's our pancakes?!"
We often have as many as five or seven people working on a photoshoot at any given time. In the example below you can see the artistic director, make-up artist and gaffer.
Usually, though, the pictures are taken on the fly and require improvisation. Take, for example, this cute picture of Chimpy as a butterfly.
The poster was made for older kids, so Chimpy had to be propped up slightly.
Here's a picture of Chimpy and her pop on some swings. Hey, wait a minute... who took the picture?
Our gorillapod is broken so I keep having to recreate tripods. The camera is resting on the diaper bag strap and kept from falling off by its own strap which has been looped around the stroller handle and held in place by my wallet.
Videos present their own challenges, the biggest being just having the camera on hand. I've been meaning to get a video of Jojo yelling at me as I prepare his milk for a while now. Just the other day the camera was in reach when he started yelling.
And here's what passes for a tripod in the kitchen.
Well, that's a quick peek behind the scenes. But enough of that, here's what you're really here for... a picture of Chimpy and Jojo!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
This Is How We O'Do It
For a family of four with barely enough Irish blood to fill 3/4 of a human, we went all out this year. Chimpy's familiarity with leprechauns (gained through multiple readings of one of her favorite library books, Jamie O'Rourke and the Giant Potato) set the stage for a very thorough St. Patrick's day. Her first concern was to protect herself from being pinched by leprechauns by wearing green. A lot of green.
Jojo, though fairly confident he could catch a leprechaun now that he outweighs one, decided to play it safe and wear green, too.
Chimpy, using JOatGP as a cookbook, stepped up to theplate crockpot and made some boiled potatoes (and corned beef and cabbage).
Mmmmm...
MWAH!
Passing up the corned beef, Jojo made himself a green dinner by mashing an avocado into his puréed banana.
And that was a terrific St. Patrick's day.
Jojo, though fairly confident he could catch a leprechaun now that he outweighs one, decided to play it safe and wear green, too.
Chimpy, using JOatGP as a cookbook, stepped up to the
Passing up the corned beef, Jojo made himself a green dinner by mashing an avocado into his puréed banana.
And that was a terrific St. Patrick's day.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Four Picture Friday: Like Father, Like Chimpy
The other morning Chimpy and I were eating breakfast when she suddenly pointed out the window and said, "Hey! That house has a face!" I looked and sure enough, it did. Here's what we saw.
See it?
Hey!
I haven't really thought much about whether or not Chimpy will inherit my artistic talent. That is largely because I don't really think much or know what to think about my artistic talent. Sometimes I feel I draw only because I can and not because I am fueled by that creative passion that seems to drive many artists. Maybe if I considered myself more accomplished or if I felt I had a tradition to pass on, I would feel differently. But I don't.
But when Chimpy saw the face in the house that morning, I was genuinely surprised and pleased because I used to see the same kind thing all the time as a kid. It makes me wonder if maybe Chimpy hasn't gotten something of my talent after all. She's actually quite skillful with a pen. Here she is coloring a thank you card we made for a friend.
Chimpy colors.
Chimpy likes drawing and painting and I do my best to get her to the children's art studio a couple times a month. Usually, though, we fool around at home.
Unlike her old man, Chimpy isn't afraid of different media.
In this case, marker on foot.
Chimpy and I set up a work station for her in my attic studio. The various demands of the day keep us from spending as much time as we'd like up here, but we have fun when we do.
Here's where we don't draw.
Well, this post feels like it's more about me than Chimpy. So let me post another picture of her.
Portrait of the artist as a young Chimpy.
If Chimpy is an artist, that is fine. I will only insist that she becomes a better one than me. And if she sticks to her current plan and becomes a fire fighter/doctor, that will be fine, too. I'll be proud of her all the same. As for Jojo, he has no choice in the matter. He's got to fulfill my lost dream and become a writer.
"It was the best of Yayas, it was the worst of Yayas..."
I haven't really thought much about whether or not Chimpy will inherit my artistic talent. That is largely because I don't really think much or know what to think about my artistic talent. Sometimes I feel I draw only because I can and not because I am fueled by that creative passion that seems to drive many artists. Maybe if I considered myself more accomplished or if I felt I had a tradition to pass on, I would feel differently. But I don't.
But when Chimpy saw the face in the house that morning, I was genuinely surprised and pleased because I used to see the same kind thing all the time as a kid. It makes me wonder if maybe Chimpy hasn't gotten something of my talent after all. She's actually quite skillful with a pen. Here she is coloring a thank you card we made for a friend.
Chimpy likes drawing and painting and I do my best to get her to the children's art studio a couple times a month. Usually, though, we fool around at home.
In this case, marker on foot.
Chimpy and I set up a work station for her in my attic studio. The various demands of the day keep us from spending as much time as we'd like up here, but we have fun when we do.
Well, this post feels like it's more about me than Chimpy. So let me post another picture of her.
If Chimpy is an artist, that is fine. I will only insist that she becomes a better one than me. And if she sticks to her current plan and becomes a fire fighter/doctor, that will be fine, too. I'll be proud of her all the same. As for Jojo, he has no choice in the matter. He's got to fulfill my lost dream and become a writer.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Four Picture Friday: Birthday Party Then and Now
Just over a year ago Chimpy attended a birthday party for her friend, L. It was princess-themed and was very cute but I don't think I posted any pictures from it.
The birthday girl (center, pink hair) is Chimpy's friend L. She is very sweet and bright and is Chimpy's idol by virtue of being two and a half years older than her.
Check out the cake:
Well, Chimpy was invited to L's party again this year. The theme was 'Harry Potter' so Chimpy got to wear her witch costume. Here she is with L, both suddenly a year older.
We did some face painting.
And here she is with her friend Lulu.
Speaking of then and now, here's Jojo a year ago:
And here he is now:
The birthday girl (center, pink hair) is Chimpy's friend L. She is very sweet and bright and is Chimpy's idol by virtue of being two and a half years older than her.
Check out the cake:
Well, Chimpy was invited to L's party again this year. The theme was 'Harry Potter' so Chimpy got to wear her witch costume. Here she is with L, both suddenly a year older.
We did some face painting.
And here she is with her friend Lulu.
Speaking of then and now, here's Jojo a year ago:
And here he is now:
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Rainy Day Activity
You won't catch us complaining about the rain at Lil' Chimpy Enterprises because a) we love the rain, b) we sorely need the rain and c) it gives us a chance to do a rainy day activity. We found the plans for a simple dollhouse in Cookie Magazine. We adjusted the measurements so we could get two dollhouses out of one sheet of foam board and maximize the 'wallpaper' so we'd have one to give to Chimpy's friend Lulu on her birthday this week.
The materials
Playroom
Kitchen
Conservatory
Bedroom
The tenants
The finished product
The house is unfurnished but given that the total price for both dollhouses was about eleven dollars, I think we might look on ebay for a few things. Or maybe there's a Grandad out there with time on his hands and some matchboxes, popsicle sticks and wooden spools.
The house is unfurnished but given that the total price for both dollhouses was about eleven dollars, I think we might look on ebay for a few things. Or maybe there's a Grandad out there with time on his hands and some matchboxes, popsicle sticks and wooden spools.
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