tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299098812011-04-21T18:34:58.067-04:00trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.comBlogger4661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-50907146317744904302008-08-25T21:00:00.006-04:002008-12-01T11:52:45.463-05:00

I have no idea where she gets this stuff from.Anna and Thomas are playing. Or trying to. And then I hear:"Thomas, if you do that again you are going in timeout!"I decide not to even look; from the sound of things, no limbs appear to be in imminent danger of snapping off, after all. Ignore, ignore, ignore.A few moments later:"Thomas! If you do that again, YOU ARE GOING RIGHT TO BED!"Stay the

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-45934767331013683152008-07-11T23:54:00.005-04:002008-07-15T15:13:55.799-04:00

Naaaaahhhhhh.I mean, they look happy. That's all you can really ask for, right?Anna is thrilled. She is now beginning to sense the full extent of her true power over her brothers.Let us hope she chooses to harness that power for the good of men's ready-to-wear designers everywhere.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-55443357890917641572008-07-03T21:04:00.010-04:002008-07-20T22:28:25.821-04:00

So the boys have started their swimming lessons. So far they can put their heads in the water and blow bubbles, kick using the kickboard, lie on their backs andOh, geez. Gotta take this.It's Hef! (again)He wants his robes back for when the grandkids visit the mansion. Not to mention Mini-Me.He's going to have to deal with Jack on this one, however...

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-79555314294013716472008-06-27T22:35:00.002-04:002008-06-27T22:38:08.137-04:00

Courtesy of Tommy.If you are in our apartment, don't be too surprised to hear:"heeeeeeyyyyy, macarena!" or"here we go Tigers, here we go. woo! woo!"shouted at the top of his lungs once every hour or so. Especially if he is on the way to the bathroom, or just after finishing a meal. I think they give him strength or something.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-39433756012614347562008-06-27T22:25:00.006-04:002008-06-28T22:31:20.176-04:00

Jack's three favorite words right now are torpedo, booby trap, and drawbridge.He's not a violent or aggressive child, really. Just well prepared to defend.So I've been thinking about the fact that Michelangelo designed the fortifications for Rome during its war with Florence. And so I keep monitoring Jack's artwork (currently stick figure-based) for signs of bulging musculature, or even Mommy

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-36276512862089841212008-06-27T22:11:00.004-04:002008-06-27T22:17:20.310-04:00

I don't think I had ever missed a month before, and here almost one and a half have gone by. Things have been busy.But no worries--while I may not have been blogging, I am still writing everything down and plan on doing some massive posting during vacation time this summer. I also have some great photos. So bear with me... it's coming. I won't let this go.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-45924026746825529422008-05-15T21:34:00.003-04:002008-05-15T21:38:56.580-04:00

Jack, trying to avoid having his diaper changed:"I got gas Mommy."Oh.Thomas, trying to avoid anything he doesn't particularly want to do:"It's too spicy."As in:Thomas, do you want to use the blue train instead of the yellow one?"No. It's too spicy."Thomas, do you want to watch Sesame Street?"No. Too spicy."Thomas, are you going to eat your corn?"No. It's too spicy."I have no idea what 'spicy'

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-33306031245610966122008-05-15T21:26:00.004-04:002008-05-15T21:34:20.341-04:00

Me: "Jack, why are you eating with your eyes closed?""I hiding, Mommy!"Jack, doing something he should not be doing:"Close your eyes, Mommy. I don't want to see you."Great.I can just picture the CAT scan with the "unapologetic believer in his ability to disappear and walk through walls" part of the brain lit up like a Christmas tree. And here I was hoping to avoid the Green Lantern underoos

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-14402943498706545212008-05-10T22:27:00.004-04:002008-05-10T22:39:15.657-04:00

...unless your eyeballs pop out.But we've known that for some time now.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-50553033303308158442008-05-10T22:21:00.009-04:002008-05-16T21:20:38.803-04:00

Dinner time. Anna is fidgeting like crazy. I am sure she is going to fall off of her chair.I ask her what's going on. Does something hurt?"No Mommy, there's just music in my head and it's makin' me shake!"Hmmmn. I have no idea how to respond to this.And then out comes the most rousing rendition of Ba Ba Black Sheep I have ever heard.(And let me tell you: I have attended a lot of preschooler

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-65720403450467040692008-05-10T22:15:00.003-04:002008-05-10T22:20:18.135-04:00

The first installment of what I am coming to believe will be a long and ongoing series.Jack, here's your water."I want cold water Mommy."Jack, that water is cold. I just got it from the refrigerator."It's not cold Mommy. It's just... normal."Jack! Don't put that hose around your neck! "Its OK Mommy, it's my seatbelt.""Tommy is MY little brother. I GROWED!"

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-30347693627710713262008-05-10T22:08:00.002-04:002008-05-10T22:13:05.638-04:00

"Mommy!Did you know there is a mealcalled dessertin the middle of the nightthat we keep missing???"Ever the problem solver in these difficult times, Anna quickly drafted and announced a three point plan that includes:cupcakesafter lunchevery dayas a way of addressing this situation.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-63668063502783095532008-05-10T22:03:00.006-04:002008-05-10T22:15:19.296-04:00

"It's like an apartment that sells things and nobody lives in..."You heard it here, kids. Isaac Mizrahi will not be cool forever.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-71179872615294277812008-04-27T20:15:00.003-04:002008-04-28T20:39:30.733-04:00

Ah, memories of our first big attempt at the Met with all three. I love that the boys look like their heads are going to explode. We lasted about 50 minutes.Highlights include Thomas almost pushing Jack into the Temple of Dendur's pool. I think Thomas was worried that someone else's kid might make it under the rope and into the water and scoop up all those pennies before he had a chance.But no

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-12710492286175796052008-04-27T20:07:00.002-04:002008-04-27T20:14:03.507-04:00

"YOU Dirty!""NO! YOU Dirty!""No no! YOU Dirtier!"And so on.Isn't it great they're getting older and more able to express themselves?

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-36471269070224306052008-04-25T21:31:00.007-04:002008-04-27T19:54:47.863-04:00

(Or at least, why pretend unicorns are always white.)"Because unicorns eat cucumbers.Inside cucumbers it is white.The white explodes out to their skin."Hmmm, OK, I follow that.But what about the skin of the cucumber? That's not white."Well... the green is the unicorn poo."Oh.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-34113869736583782792008-04-25T21:12:00.008-04:002008-04-27T20:24:47.680-04:00

to her friend Lilly's wedding in Arizona. Gwammy came to stay while I was gone.The kids were excited for Gwammy to come. I was excited that they were excited.I also wanted them to behave.Which led to this little cheer at dinner the night before I was to leave:Me to the kids [in cheerleader voice]: "So, guys, how are we going to act when Gwammy gets here???"[...dramatic pause...]Anna, right on

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-65701987095599779392008-04-25T21:00:00.006-04:002008-04-27T20:01:21.956-04:00

Lately, Anna has been interested in bones. So we read a book about the bones in our body. She liked the page that showed a full skeleton. She knew where the skull was, and saw some long arm bones.And then she continued down the anatomy:"And then there's the butt bone...""And the two butt cheek bones...."Just like they teach it in med school, no doubt.A few days later she was in the bath

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-46120234626153200882008-04-07T00:25:00.003-04:002008-04-07T23:36:42.262-04:00

Mommy wiping Thomas' nose:"Wow T... look at this mess. What is going on? Look at all these boogers!"Anna:"Yeah, it's like... Grand Central Boogers in there!"See?Come on! That's pretty witty for a four year old.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-22104444038893555572008-04-05T22:50:00.003-04:002008-04-07T23:36:02.167-04:00

Anna: "Thomas, what's you favorite color: red or yellow?"Thomas: [hesitates. looks around. rolls his eyes up. hesitates again. smiles.] "Train."Anna: "Thomas! What is your favorite color?!"Thomas: [same routine: hesitate. eyes. hesitate. smile] "Mommy."Anna: "Thomas! TELL ME your favorite color!"Thomas: [completely in control. just waits. grins.] "Boat."And on and on and on and on.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-80241806547019327122008-04-05T22:46:00.002-04:002008-04-05T22:49:55.314-04:00

Anna pulling Thomas (on all fours with a tape measure in his mouth):"I'm bringing Thomas to the new town hall where he is going to live tonight."Well. At least she seems to be willing to let him leave after one night.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-52624410446756981512008-04-04T22:55:00.000-04:002008-04-04T22:56:31.065-04:00

Sigh.It's not a bad life, eh?

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-33468588238356249972008-04-04T22:49:00.003-04:002008-04-04T23:29:06.132-04:00

That is all Jack could utter in the midst of his sugar-coated joy.That would be a sweet tart in Jack's mouth. He got it out of an egg at the Easter Egg hunt in Central Park. Hopefully his own.It was his first sweet tart ever.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-6616535271614129352008-04-04T22:30:00.003-04:002008-04-04T22:36:48.470-04:00

It's a shame; I think Anna could really have helped that movie live up to its potential.Wait, I think it actually did.We ran into (and from) a cruise ship departing New York City for sunnier shores. I was amazed at how nimble the ship was; it basically swiveled around in it's own footprint in the middle of the Hudson.As you can see, we were all a bit shocked by the size.Also how close it got

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-77321380682648236802008-04-04T22:09:00.002-04:002008-04-04T22:27:25.549-04:00

I have to say, this photo doesn't even really do her justice. Stripes on the arms, different stripes on the legs, a floral print skirt layered over the cropped pants with slightly too-big Sanibel Island T-shirt to top things off? That's tame. I mean, here she at least stuck to her standard pink/purple combo.Just a few hours earlier while walking to school she had accesorized with her blue

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-15728432033597699532008-04-03T20:33:00.013-04:002008-04-03T21:45:39.706-04:00

[Remember Jack Nicholson's "You can't handle the truth!"? Right. The following should be read like that.]I don't have time for the little slot!Now how am I really supposed to get these coins into the bank?This is Part Two of Tommy's "Solving First Problems" series. Interested in Part One?[OK, ok this is nerdy and a bit of a stretch but hey I love that. Time will tell, however, if it is

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-69702191660334202862008-04-03T20:20:00.003-04:002008-04-03T21:43:34.802-04:00

Well, not exactly. More like 11:15AM.But still: it was my first phone call from an institution where I had left any of my children that began with "Ms. Jamison, your son [Thomas]..."While the facts are still a bit murky, it seems Thomas took a tumble from one of the higher vantage points of the indoor climbing apparatus and ended up with his first bloody nose. He is totally fine.I did get the

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-87189762345666019822008-04-01T22:43:00.000-04:002008-04-01T22:44:57.817-04:00

Huh? Tough Guy?

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-37024892477989511862008-04-01T22:28:00.007-04:002008-04-02T22:41:52.783-04:00

That's what she said into her train whistle microphone as I walked into the living room.The facts are clear: Anna and Jack are in a band. They are a band.And they gave that band a great name.Regular readers will be familiar with Anna's love of horses; less well known is Jack's obsession with the tape measure. He drags that thing everywhere.And he definitely looks good with a guitar in his hand

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-61633876072261984852008-04-01T22:16:00.004-04:002008-04-01T22:24:14.336-04:00

Jack has a job.Yes, that's right. A job.Isn't that great?What does he do?He works for Anna. He's her personal stylist.Isn't that great?Every morning when Anna is ready to get dressed, she asks Jack to come upstairs and help her pick out her things for the day. They go up there, he sits in her pink chair and she closes the door. Then the two of them collaborate on the outfit. Jack's palette

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-68569782990531195042008-04-01T21:56:00.006-04:002008-04-01T22:07:25.644-04:00

Me: "Jack! Don't put that in your mouth! You can't brush your teeth with soap! You can't eat that!"Anna clicks the switch on her Strawberry Shortcake electric toothbrush. The bristles stop churning. She composes her 'thoughtful face'."But Mommy, aren't there germs inside our bodies?"Me: "What? Well... yeah. Right. Remember? The white blood cells--the 'Dr-Fix-It cells'--they help fight

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-69940541850393167502008-03-29T22:59:00.004-04:002008-03-29T23:21:05.321-04:00

Some vacation pearls of wisdom:Anna and Jack are having some discussion about cat ownership. I tune them out. Then I hear this:"... it's because the vegetarian doesn't put the claws back in ..."I notice Anna pulling and twisting Jack's hair with both hands and I point this out to her."Aw Mom... I was just making antenna-s!""Hey Mom, you found your sweater. So... does it sweat?"[Cue peals of

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-76951749071559338622008-03-29T22:56:00.003-04:002008-03-29T23:03:54.227-04:00

"We'll make China by sundown. I just know it."

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-72579724818087502052008-03-29T22:49:00.005-04:002008-03-29T22:56:04.048-04:00

So This is how I found Anna one sunny afternoon in Florida.So I asked her what she was digging for. She told me "treasure".So I asked her what treasure is.And she told me:"Oh, necklaces and cake and cupcakes with frosting and candy and chocolate..."I am, however, left trying to imagine the pirate who buried such a booty.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-36711319559410451202008-03-29T22:34:00.005-04:002008-04-01T21:52:36.525-04:00

OK, then.Get the floating body into the water...

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-45503937072238053222008-03-29T22:23:00.003-04:002008-03-29T22:27:50.434-04:00

Let's see:Discovering that Jack will get upset when he dumps a handful of rocks down the front of Jack's shirt.Discovering that Jack will get upset when he dumps multiple buckets of water over Jack's head during bath time.Discovering the cool sound that is made when he bangs his bike helmet into Jack's bike helmet as they ride along behind Mommy in their "carriage".Thomas is really a boy's boy.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-26799388151136623292008-03-26T20:53:00.003-04:002008-03-27T00:17:29.164-04:00

That's right: the birds!... the bees!... the elevated pollen count! Truly a magical time of rebirth.On a more specific note, I have one two year old who won't stop laying on his back on the floor underneath my skirt and another one who takes every opportunity to talk about "breast-es-es".(I have two, he wants me to have one. I have big ones, his are too small.)Lovely.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-16125954165426583532008-03-24T22:03:00.005-04:002008-04-01T21:54:06.595-04:00

Yep, it was that time again. Time to have someone prod and poke enough to convince me that my children (the male variety, at least) are healthy. But looking back, I probably didn't need that. I probably should have guessed this when:Jack tried to convince me that we didn't need to go to the doctor with the old "But we have doctor in our apartment..." routine. Oh yes - that would be Fisher

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-562425264526760272008-03-19T22:34:00.005-04:002008-03-19T22:45:38.956-04:00

I experienced the rare triple play:- One brother suddenly feels sick and throws up- In response, the other brother also throws up[Mommy freaks out, gets everyone to the relative safety of the kitchen's tile floor, and strips everyone completely. Including diapers. I felt a small pang of (reverse? negative?) intuition when I did this, but as Jack had just thrown up again and Anna had started to

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-90261610619658808192008-02-29T20:26:00.003-05:002008-02-29T20:41:59.293-05:00

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-51472745676215031782008-02-16T22:36:00.002-05:002008-02-16T22:41:01.405-05:00

Thomas has a plastic fish that squirts water. They all use it in the tub all the time.But tonight, something was different. Tonight, Thomas squirted water out of the fish, looked up with a huge smile plastered on his face and stated very clearly:"Fishie make poo poo!"And then erupted into laughter.Sigh. I can only imagine the numerous and varied scatological gems that he will impart over the

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-41290215779816278742008-02-16T22:25:00.006-05:002008-02-16T22:35:48.207-05:00

You know those New Yorker cartoon caption contests? Where they draw the cartoon and you come up with the punch line? Well, this is similar. No cartoon, but you get the idea.Scene: Jack is running out of the bathroom waving... the plunger.I know, eeeeewwww. But go ahead, guess the dialogue. I mean, just try.Done? Here's what he really was shouting:"I is rescue you Mommy, I is rescue you!"

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-64428218508179097982008-02-03T21:46:00.001-05:002008-02-04T08:55:43.709-05:00

"Mommy, I think the boys [at preschool] understand about pretty things on Valentine's Day..."

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-56948832515476137152008-02-03T21:42:00.000-05:002008-02-04T09:01:31.556-05:00

- You finally get to that yoga class and unroll your mat... and discover it is covered with Thomas the Tank Engine stickers- You hear yourself at McDonalds saying things like "No, no, no you are not having any more french fries until you eat all of that cheeseburger!"And then you realize: I am eating at McDonalds.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-45951456463130579492008-02-03T21:39:00.000-05:002008-02-04T08:54:31.836-05:00

"You just put your lips together and blow..."Part 2 of Anna's "Channeling Screen Legends" series.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-12992191463195043132008-02-03T21:22:00.000-05:002008-02-04T08:55:22.522-05:00

A sit-in is what happens when one of your children sits down on the corner of 84th Street and Riverside and refuses to move. This generally occurs when you have three children and they are all with you, you have no stroller (or more importantly, no straps), and your child is not happy about leaving the park.A putsch is what happens when his twin brother joins him on the ground.Martial law is

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-36516550231745654762008-01-25T22:07:00.000-05:002008-01-25T22:14:26.386-05:00

When you can't decide which dress to wear on a playdate (the one with stripes or the one with ruffly sleeves?), but you get dressed anyway.And you come downstairs, and Mommy asks "Anna, are you wearing two dresses?"And you say: "Yes, I couldn't decide which one so I just decided to wear them both."

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-1438239002513173082008-01-25T22:03:00.000-05:002008-01-26T06:25:49.225-05:00

Well, that's easy.When Anna begins her reply to you with: "Like horsie's grandmother always says..."Then you know you're about to hear some ancient wisdom.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-39798942312898894062008-01-16T21:40:00.000-05:002008-01-16T21:46:50.447-05:00

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-54512522260268934892008-01-16T21:31:00.000-05:002008-01-31T22:15:18.729-05:00

So. Ballet.3- and 4- year old ballet at Discovery Programs in New York City, in particular. In 3- and 4- year old ballet you do not get to wear your tutu every day. No, no, no.You save the tutu for two performances each semester. For the Fall 2007 semester, one of those performances was today.Given that she is not allowed to wear her tutu every Wednesday morning with the rest of her outfit,

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-82740161287882402562008-01-04T22:55:00.000-05:002008-01-06T20:36:15.101-05:00

That would be right after Christmas.When, after reviewing both their 'take' and that of their friends, they finally are aware of all the things they didn't get but really need.That are available for purchase.I had to go into a toy store to buy a baby gift. Anna was with me.She immediately saw the paint-it-yourself horse model kit. (Imagine: A pink coat! A purple mane! Wow!) She really

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-80200717185339798922008-01-02T22:35:00.000-05:002008-01-04T22:54:19.259-05:00

Here it is! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...As I was writing this post the Halloween season was upon us. Which of course obligated us to celebrate by making sugar cookies (and no small mess) in our buddies' grandmother's kitchen. Throwing flour? Eating raw dough? Not Jack's thing.He liked the rolling pin.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-57397612902837284852007-12-29T23:59:00.000-05:002007-12-31T18:08:53.921-05:00

Yes, it's December 29th. The kids made you no less than three cakes.Out of pegs. (Gotta stay thin, ha ha ha....)

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-23179329456656196612007-12-29T21:47:00.000-05:002007-12-30T16:28:57.461-05:00

We went to Rochester for Christmas. But more on that later.I asked Anna to help me out by packing her bag.[Ten minutes later]Anna: "Mommy, I'm done. I packed my dresses."Mommy: "Really? All of them?"Anna: "No! [scoffing as only a 4-year old can]... Just the pretty ones."

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-65748570801693018872007-12-29T21:45:00.000-05:002007-12-29T21:47:00.057-05:00

You know: the one whose kid ruins the Christmas group photo.Note Thomas in the shadows all the way to the right in the middle, above Anna. He started out on the couch like everyone else. As soon as the cameras were raised, he decided to get up and sit just a bit farther away.And in case you were wondering, this is The Porcelli Family: (roughly) The Fourth Generation.(This holiday season has

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-32597397284363061862007-12-29T21:13:00.000-05:002007-12-29T21:33:16.130-05:00

Uh, that would be Jack.He is also always listening. Which is possibly more disconcerting.But the good news is I think he is going to be a fairly witty conversationalist. Some examples:Jack after oh-so-obviously peeing in the bathtub:"Mine potty here."Jack after discovering a rash on his tummy:"I pink, Mommy! I pink!"Jack after twirling around in a circle while imitating Anna:"House spinning,

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-51579043144325700742007-12-29T21:08:00.000-05:002007-12-29T21:11:15.949-05:00

I put Anna to bed."Mommy, aren't there 12 days of Christmas? So this was only the second one?"

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-46242896136948661412007-12-25T21:52:00.000-05:002008-01-01T22:04:23.067-05:00

Well fame costs.And right here is where you start paying--in sweat.[Back in the 80s, I really loved that show.]This is where it all began.The "little Gingers" featured in Discovery Programs' performance of the Nutcracker on December 9th in New York City? Think that came easy?Think. again.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-4793664618173281162007-12-25T21:40:00.000-05:002007-12-25T21:51:30.479-05:00

"Mommy, can we put sticks in the middle of our rug and make a fire?"

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-43329076416730562822007-12-25T21:33:00.000-05:002007-12-26T22:15:44.529-05:00

Anna is sitting at the table. Her plate is empty. She lets me know that she is ready for dessert.Mommy goes to the sink to wash her hands.Mommy encounters the remains of Anna's dinner. At the bottom of the drain.Mommy whacks her toe on the step stool that is pulled up in front of the sink.After some questioning and a bit of a heart-to-heart regarding the importance of truth and trust and being

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-43324826550548391772007-12-25T16:08:00.000-05:002007-12-25T21:19:30.895-05:00

Anna, Anna, Anna. A few points:(1) Anna likes to play games. Scrabble Jr, Boggle Jr, Checkers, Pet Show, Chutes and Ladders, Princess Monopoly--if it has letters, a spinner, or sparkly components, she is definitely interested. (2) Anna likes to make rules. Or (strictly as needed) make up rules. My advice is: If you are playing a game with her and she says "let's just check the instructions",

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-17727798144764878932007-12-25T15:46:00.000-05:002007-12-25T22:00:35.632-05:00

Sigh.Yes, it is true. Evidence:Last week, Anna brought a donut shaped cardboard cutout home from preschool. Her assignment: to decorate the cardboard as a wreath in any way that she wants.Anna and I started to work on this. Fast forward ten minutes:[cue mental image of she and I surrounded by scraps of felt, strands of garland, Elmer's, glitter, and craft glue, and a horse made out of a pipe

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-14158871404220296332007-12-25T15:36:00.000-05:002007-12-25T15:45:23.284-05:00

The whole NC-17 debate really loses some of its luster when your two year old is coming up with content like this.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-63628401443170850782007-12-17T20:43:00.000-05:002007-12-17T20:49:26.081-05:00

Nah. Party like a Princess. Now that's a party.A 'Princess Dress-Up Tea Party' for Caroline's fourth birthday, to be exact, and there is a little shop on the Upper East Side that does only this kind of thing. Dresses, tiaras, wands, sparkly slippers, jewelry, purses, makeup, tea and cake. Truly astonishing. Anna loved it.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-45180500387071903302007-12-17T20:33:00.000-05:002007-12-17T20:34:35.524-05:00

... and Anna and Sloane went to see their first Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. The place was packed with elementary school girls; Gummy bears were sold alongside champagne at intermission.Anna liked it a lot, particularly the second act. Particularly Hot Chocolate and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Only she keeps referring to her as the "Tooth Plum Fairy".Which, in the land of sweets, seems somehow

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-1735128042565603302007-12-12T20:58:00.000-05:002007-12-13T16:03:43.855-05:00

I don't know.Tommy doesn't know either.But it sure didn't taste like Anna's Strawberry Swirl Surprise, that's for sure.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-82028585213904499912007-12-09T23:33:00.000-05:002007-12-09T23:40:28.951-05:00

It truly was a gorgeous day in NYC on Thanksgiving. Some proof:

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-61808843622458358922007-12-09T23:23:00.000-05:002007-12-09T23:35:49.291-05:00

It was Tommy's first Potato Head.And we were all speechless.He was really, really, really proud of himself.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-36199351133384309442007-12-08T21:45:00.000-05:002007-12-08T21:47:31.304-05:00

I will relay a short anecdote:Thomas pushes Jack.I tell Tommy to apologize.Tommy looks at Jack.Tommy says "I sorry Jack."... and delivers another good shot to Jack's midsection.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-18088257102760602382007-12-08T21:38:00.000-05:002007-12-08T21:42:28.310-05:00

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream ?Well, to make a long story short, times have changed.My children now cry for: Mita-mins, La-la-pop, and Happy To You.Which, roughly translated from Tommy-speak, yields: Vitamins, Lollipops, and Birthday Cake.Nice. Progress is our middle name.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-88895023895465488612007-12-08T21:14:00.001-05:002007-12-08T21:31:03.417-05:00

Sigh.All I will say is, at the end of my "roundtable discussion with current parents", after Anna and all the other children came bounding back into the room with their little flashlight souvenirs, I was very happy that Anna jumped on my lap, smiled, asked me to open my mouth, and shined her little light inside.How cute is this?, I thought. Clearly, any admissions professional would be able to

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-51370086706123004262007-12-04T21:45:00.000-05:002007-12-08T07:50:17.135-05:00

Just in time for the chilly New York City winter, Thomas and Jack's friend Jonas has introduced us to man-tights. Jonas is from Norway, where man-tights are evidently de rigueur.Or whatever that is in Norwegian.(Standarden? Normal praksis? Google was not so helpful with this one.)Let's see: Jack loved them immediately. Fashion, you know.Thomas had to be convinced. Clearly it wasn't too

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-40389716109467390142007-12-04T20:59:00.000-05:002007-12-04T21:21:10.840-05:00

Anna is still busy trying to sort out exactly what happens when things die.One of my standard lines about this is that people usually die when they are either very. very old or very, very sick. And since neither she nor anyone else in her family nor any of her friends fit this description right now she shouldn't spend time worrying about it.This had been working for a few months, but then last

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-50502663703246747812007-11-30T21:33:00.000-05:002007-12-02T15:46:01.168-05:00

Anna: "Mommy, I can't find my rain boots in the closet."Me: "Anna, I know they're in that closet. If you didn't find them, you're going to have to look harder." [Yes, I said this. I know, I know.]Anna: "Well... I don't have that much bigger eyes!"

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-5397586187911219752007-11-30T21:17:00.000-05:002007-11-30T21:32:57.525-05:00

Jenny is confronted with the scene of Anna in the bathroom struggling to take off her tights. Anna tells Jenny they are wet and that she wants to change them. Given the context, Jenny quite sensibly assumes this has happened as the result of a bathroom-related accident. Or rather: a lack-of-a-bathroom-related incident.Anna says No, No, No:"No! That's not what happened on the bottom of my

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-9441227192820438982007-11-30T20:57:00.000-05:002007-11-30T21:13:47.474-05:00

... from summer to fall.In terms of 'stop-traffic-ability', Marilyn has some serious competition from these three.And they're not even showing any skin. (Well, mostly none.)

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-28648201135768903682007-11-30T20:48:00.000-05:002007-11-30T21:14:05.447-05:00

We stopped for a few photos.Not in front of the theater itself or the tree in Rockefeller Center, for some reason---no, no, we chose to stand in front of the GAP and pose inside the 86th Street subway station.But despite the lack of photographic proof, we did manage to see see the Rockettes do their Christmas Spectacular.Well: at least one hour of it. And it was a good hour, broken only by

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-22776076840031836192007-11-25T20:40:00.000-05:002007-11-26T12:30:47.685-05:00

We knew he was fond of hoses. I mean: really fond.But did we have any idea that he could make a hose out of Magnetos?No, we did not.But then there it was, and here he is spraying down the big cardboard box.I'm not sure what it is with Jack and things that spray. And evidently it is not just the water that is appealing to him; Jack gets that same maniacal "hose look" when he's holding a hair

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-70109256623539984232007-11-23T20:40:00.000-05:002007-11-23T23:06:17.560-05:00

I'll give you a quote , and you try to guess the context and the brother that said it.Ready? Here we go:"Only hands go in there..."Yep. It's Jack. And he was talking about the sink, ok?"Ommy climbed up too!"Jack again. After both had been discovered atop Mt. Dresser-est."Ommy broke it!"See a pattern here? Jack lets me know what his brother has been up to."Go away Mommy over there."Jack

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-75488127035015170592007-11-23T20:19:00.001-05:002007-11-23T20:39:24.442-05:00

Some special things the brothers do (often to each other):Tackle in the open field (at the ankles or waist), while trying to disguise it as a hug.If you are watching the Jets twenty years from now and a big, blond, non-tattooed linebacker puts a tooth-rattling hit on some poor scrappy wide receiver and you lip read as they are crashing to the turf and realize the linebacker is shouting "Uggies!

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-1048214876216418772007-11-23T20:14:00.000-05:002007-11-23T20:16:34.247-05:00

When your daughter begins to refer to her twin brothers as 'Trinidad' (Jack) and 'Tobago' (Thomas), then you know it is time to put away the talking globe.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-62335034539711450212007-11-18T21:35:00.000-05:002007-11-24T18:21:40.662-05:00

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-70156772521583953772007-11-18T21:26:00.000-05:002007-11-30T21:40:11.053-05:00

Jack wants to know:How lucky am I to get a room that is the exact width of me plus my guitar?Uh, why is it that I can check out, but then can't actually leave?Who is this other kid putting his neck on my instrument?Aaaaaah! Why oh why isn't the rock and roll lifestyle all it's cracked up to be?What is with the size of this door, anyway?And why is Mommy taking a pictureinstead of helping me???

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-48516946934046252242007-11-18T21:07:00.000-05:002007-11-24T13:33:48.723-05:00

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-59928425789532835942007-11-18T21:00:00.000-05:002007-11-18T21:03:35.682-05:00

... Anna's world expands. "Mommy, can you buy all those things on TV?"

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-9673512207577044822007-11-18T20:57:00.000-05:002007-11-18T21:03:50.764-05:00

"Mommy, you're so bossy!""Mommy, you're always telling me things I don't want to know!"

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-48550561530446521622007-11-18T20:42:00.001-05:002007-12-08T22:33:26.514-05:00

Exersaucers! (Remember those from way back when?)Currently very popular for chicken fights amongst the playroom set.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-42174457463286207892007-11-18T18:36:00.000-05:002007-11-21T00:24:21.359-05:00

I'm almost embarrassed posting this but then I ask myself two questions:(1) Will I want to remember this twenty years from now?And (2) Will it still be funny?Yes and oh, yes.Good. Now that that is taken care of:Jack and Thomas are in the tub.Jack shouts 'Pee pee! Pee pee!'.I take Jack out of the tub. Jack sits on the toilet.And he sits.And he sits.Jack looks down. He grabs his penis (

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-11595222931441651122007-11-12T21:16:00.000-05:002007-11-14T18:59:39.542-05:00

Anna is filled with them. Here's a sample.We start with the investigative and matter-of-fact:"Mommy, how do the plants just disappear when winter comes?""Mommy, why do bees make honey?""What is holding the terrace up?"... and continue with the touching yet slightly mischievous:"Do Mommies always remember what you [Anna] are doing while they [Mommies] are sleeping?""Mommy, why are farmers the

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-24373069323232823592007-11-12T21:04:00.000-05:002007-11-12T21:15:13.774-05:00

Well, we saw this coming. And even before that. And even before that. But when Aunt Stacy handed him that guitar for his belated 2nd birthday, everything just clicked.It is Thomas, however, who likes to shout 'ROCK... AND... ROLL' at random moments throughout the day.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-9593371763840295982007-11-07T19:54:00.000-05:002007-11-15T12:18:40.317-05:00

Cough Medicine. Ah, yes. Health in a bottle. All my children love it.Purple, sugary liquid in a cute little cup? No-brainer. They see a medicine bottle, they come running. The cries of "Med-sin! Med-sin!" fill the air.I line up the two (or three) little measurement cups in a row on the counter. Jenny holds the children back while I pour. The poor sibling whose fortune it is to not be

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-55807280699641075812007-11-04T20:27:00.000-05:002007-11-12T22:06:37.816-05:00

(1) Anna and I are walking to preschool. Anna asks:"Mommy, what was the city like before it was ready?"Before it was ready? For what? A west side stadium? Congestion pricing for motorists?"Before it was ready for people. You know, when there were no buildings or streets or taxis and just subway tunnels but no trains?"Ah. I told her there were forests. And grass. And animals. But no '

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-45215914652505621652007-11-04T20:21:00.001-05:002007-11-04T20:24:10.882-05:00

Anna has registered a complaint re the aesthetics our modern (i.e. extreme post-war) apartment building. She has decided that she really wants to live in a building "with carvings".Hmmm. Not up on your architectural terminology?No worries: 'carvings' is the technical term for gargoyles, cornices, friezes, pediments, pilasters, or balustrades. Anna doesn't understand why CVS or Filene's

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-67363651825772258262007-11-03T23:08:00.000-04:002007-11-04T20:40:31.230-05:00

Sometimes things can get a little crazy; a sippy cup might even get knocked over before the TV has its chance to fully take control of my children's brains.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-44784949747880093512007-11-03T17:02:00.000-04:002007-11-06T21:12:36.267-05:00

... was never this interesting.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-392109308260755772007-11-03T16:56:00.000-04:002007-11-04T20:38:52.853-05:00

1 Princess, 2 knights.We went to preschool (where we ran into quite a few other princesses) and then the Natural History Museum for trick or treating.And it was not very long into the evening when we decided to make the switch from swords to Dora bags. :)Sadly (or maybe not so), it was an early night because Anna had a Kindergarten interview the next day. (But that is a story of another kind...)

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-45122377323593594862007-11-03T16:44:00.000-04:002007-11-03T16:45:51.844-04:00

Guess what? Anna told me why she gets up so early.She is trying to "beat the sun".This whole 'saving daylight' idea was clearly not invented by someone living with small children.

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-46171920625695312412007-11-02T20:45:00.000-04:002007-11-02T20:53:30.784-04:00

I hated it when my Mom brushed my hair.Anna hates it when I brush her hair.The other day I was brushing Anna's hair.I stopped brushing for a moment to reach for a barrette."Mommy, you're hurting me!"Anna quickly realized that the brush was nowhere near her hair; I took this moment to savor the small satisfaction inherent in knowing that, surely, my point had been made.And then:"...You're hurting

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-72817580630904757412007-11-02T20:29:00.000-04:002007-11-04T21:18:19.186-05:00

(Read the first installment here.)Day 1Halloween: We are eating dinner. I ask Anna how her day was. Minimal response.So then I ask her about Drake. I saw him sitting next to her at circle time. And I heard from Drake's mom that he wants to marry Anna.Anna smiled. Then she finished chewing. She said "He leaned over to me at circle time and whispered 'I want to marry you'." Then she smiled

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29909881.post-59339876580850888712007-11-01T22:09:00.001-04:002007-11-01T22:11:13.028-04:00

trishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970410708331545323noreply@blogger.com0