Halloween Fun!

There was no doubt in Jamie's mind that he wanted to be a firefighter for Halloween this year. Given his usual meandering toddler proclivities, this unwavering determination was impressive. So, to complement his choice, we decided that Anna would make the perfect dalmatian companion. Becky completed the picture by turning the wagon into a fire truck!

11.10.31 -- Halloween

More Toddler Logic

James, Anna and I were late getting home today - the reason being a toy car left behind. I figured Eric would make it home ahead of us but when we got home he wasn't there yet. I said to James,

"Dad is a slow poke." To this he replied, "We are fast pokes."

The Illogic of English and the Logic of Toddlers

James' language has exploded recently, especially his use of expressions and idioms. He surprised me a few weeks ago when, after I asked him if he wanted to do something with me (probably go to the park or eat ice cream), he replied, "Heck yeah, daddy!"

What's been fascinating to watch is how he applies very logical rules to create new constructs. For example, we often play a game that involves me saying something like, "OK, who wants to go to the park (or eat ice cream, or play cars)?" I look around and say, "I guess nobody wants to go to the park with me..." Recently, James interjected with, "Yesbody!" Of course, yesbody should be the opposite of nobody.

Earlier this week we were returning from the park, where James had ridden on his tricycle. We took the short route home, which involves a few flights of stairs up the embankment. Since he can't ride his bike up the steps, I was carrying him and one arm and his bike in the other arm. I told him to encourage me (it was hot and he's getting heavy), so he exclaimed, "Go daddy! You can do it! I'm cheering you on!" Then, as James likes to do to be funny, he started the opposite, "No daddy, you CAN'T do it." I stopped and said, "What!?" to which he replied, laughing, "Ha ha! I'm cheering you off."

Fall Fun at the Farm!

Earlier today, we made the most of this amazing Iowan fall weather and went to the Center Grove Orchard, kind of like a fall-themed amusement park for kids. There was a corn maze, a corn pool, and various other farm- and autumn-related activities. Sitting in a GIANT pool of corn (just the kernels, not the cobs), probably about a foot deep but the size of a swimming pool, it struck me that we really did live in Iowa. James had lots of fun running around with his buddy Felix. Through a mutual friend, we were connected with Amy & Fernando, whose son is just a few months older than James and shares all the same passions -- trains, race cars, and goofiness. They have really hit it off and we are most grateful for the friendship. Some fun photos of the kiddos are here:

11.10.08 -- Center Grove Orchard

Portraits of Anna & James!

Before we left Denver, our friend Kayln took some portraits of the kids on a beautiful sunny day in the park! While it was hard to get them to sit still, she did a great job capturing their energy. You can see more of Kayln's work here:
http://www.facebook.com/kbee.photography?sk=wall

The photos of Anna & James are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/111990247430062029113/PortraitsByKayln?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOKa2tuKtv7tXQ&feat=directlink

(Please notice in the only photo of James and Anna that James is actually letting his sister topple over. He thought this was hilarious. We tried to discourage him while stifling our own laughter.)

Literally

Me: I have the song from Caillou stuck in my head.

James (grabbing my head): Let me see it.

Kids & Snakes

This August, I will start my PhD program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Iowa State University. Mostly, I will be studying garter snakes -- the same animal that I chased, caught, and admired in my youth. Actually, I will be fortunate enough to have a job as adult doing basically the same thing I did when I was 9 years old: running around beautiful places looking for, and catching, snakes. Of course, every parent hopes to share their passions with their kids. I'm pleased to say that in recent weeks, this has undoubtedly been the case.

James has had a great deal of fun playing with his toy rubber snake lately. The other day, he even fell asleep for his nap clutching the snake's neck, in a hold that would make his grandmother proud:


Anna, too, clearly loves her snakes:


And today, James and I caught a little garter snake on our hike:


James was an amazing field assistant, helping me to handle the snake and even weigh the little guy! I could want for nothing else this Father's Day. For more photos of James the field assistant, see here:

Jamie the Field Assistant