Category Archives: Peter

10.31.09
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First Class Relics Available

Peter has changed his mind – again – about what to be for Halloween.

First, Batman.

Then, Zorro, then Count Dooku. His Count Dooku was pretty good.

Last night, he decided to be a police officer. Fritz has been hard at work trying to accommodate him, but I keep telling him to hold off. Once Peter gets dressed up, he’s happy for a few hours. Then he changes his mind. Let’s not get him dressed until it’s time, right?

The only thing about which he has been consistent is what to be for the All Saint’s Day Party tomorrow.

St. Peter, of course.

Naturally, no costume is necessary. He’s fine, just the way he is.

10.05.09
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Talk to the hand

I can’t leave Peter in his room after Mary falls asleep, because he will wake her up. Instead, he goes on my bed, which is right near my computer, and he putters around for 10 or 15 minutes (usually) before he falls asleep. I relocate him later.

Sometimes, he doesn’t feel like going to sleep and he’ll keep coming out of the room behind me to “tell me some-fing.” Without even looking up from the computer, I’ll put up my hand in a universally understood “HALT” sign and tell him to go back to bed.

A few nights ago, he came out with this drawing and asked me to put an “M” for Mommy above one of his characters. He explained he hadn’t had time to finish it, so it doesn’t have all the children in the picture. But it does have DAD, and he labeled Dad all by himself much to my surprise. Which one is Mom? The one with the BIG HAND.
09.27.09
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More pictures

Dressed for Mass. I’ve been fighting this girl for over a week now with the new clothes that she doesn’t like. Mary Janes? Tights? No way, she says. New pants? New shirts? What’s wrong with the summer clothes? She remembers this dress from early spring, so at least I have that.

Birthday girl. I forgot to mention that Jenny had one of these last weekend. Yesterday she asked me if I wished I were 6 again. I told her when I was 6, I didn’t have her daddy or her or her brothers and sisters in my life, so, no, I would not want to be 6 again. (Oh, but to have that simple life…)

[photo removed at the request of an overly sensitive 6 year old]

Self photography. Jeepers, creepers. Where’d she get those peepers? Gosh, oh golly, where’d she get those eyes?

Peter is posing with his “new” football outfit. This fit Billy not too long ago. Billy is thrilled that now he and Peter can play on the same team (Billy has a bigger jersey now). Amazingly, Billy will wear Fritz’s old Packers jersey, as long as they aren’t playing each other like last weekend.

08.10.09
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On the Road Again

Yes, no helmet and no shoes. I survived childhood without them, and I’m sure my kids will, too.

Peter is riding a balance bike. It has two wheels but no pedals. He loves it. Loves loves loves it.
We bought him a balance bike two Christmases ago. He was 2 1/2. It was an inexpensive wooden model, and it was just a tad too big for him. But that’s OK. Kansas is pretty cold in the winter time. By spring, he was big enough and had already gotten the hang of it by riding in the basement.
He loved that bike. But it was an inexpensive wooden model, and it kept falling apart. We kept putting it back together, but when the falling apart started happening more often than the staying together, and when the falling apart started causing injuries (especially since he wears no shoes or helmet), we decided it was time to get him another one.
Supposedly, little European children use balance bikes instead of tricycles and then when they are four, they go straight to two-wheels with no training wheels. Peter is four, but I knew there would be a learning curve with a two-wheeler, plus we have a bike all ready for him when he’s five. So I opted to stick with what he loves, just better.
This time I went with a Strider bike which is metal and has an easily adjustable seat and handle bars. On the lowest setting, Mary (22 months and small) could have fit on it. Peter’s setting is about halfway up, so he has room to grow.
This kid is so happy. For several days after he got the bike, he was glowing. He would sigh happy sighs and give me hugs and kisses all.day.long. He said thank you and I love you a bazillion times. He just loves this bike.
07.24.09
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Too long to go

Yesterday I drove south down the George Washington Parkway which runs parallel to the Potomac River. Reagan National Airport is along this route and inbound planes line up with the river as they make their descent. We pointed out to Peter plane after plane that we spotted lowering itself to the runway. He was very eager to see them and finally started asking, “Do you think Daddy is on that one?”

Sorry, buddy, I wish it were so.