Ick factor

Warning! This post may rate pretty high on your ick factor. I'm including this photo and story for several reasons: Oliver took it, some of you occasionally complain that I am never in the photos, it gives me a chance to challenge your ick factor.
So here it is--or rather, here I am...in a guarderobe in Castle Hedingham. Just to be a little clearer, I'm sitting over a whole in a wooden board that opens onto a long shaft down to the castle basement. Oliver thought it would be really cool to have a photo of me on a castle toilet, so he took one. On the castle tour we saw where the shaft emptied into the basement--right next to the place for food storage. Ick!
My own personal ick factor was increased with the help of a book called "Castle Diary," which Krista checked out for us in Hamburg. The book tells the goings on of knights and castles from a page's point of view; it's really neat. Reading through the book, Oliver and I were pleased to find a drawing of the castle toilet. We learned all about the Gong Farmer, whose job it was to muck out castle toilets when they clogged. Descriptions of the GF's cart and clothing were very detailed--flies his constant companions, smells that never wash clean, castle residents begging for rain. Suffice it to say that by the end of the description I was queasy just from the thought of it.
Subsequently, my boys have enjoyed taunting me with my visceral reaction to the portrayal of GF. Whatever it takes for a giggle, I guess.
How's your ick factor?

happy boy

Yes, yes, yes, I know: I should be posting the first of many installments that recount our adventures abroad. But, like my four year old son, the happiness about his most recent achievement is foremost in my mind, so you'll have to wait to hear about visits to castles, swordplay with grandad, and climbing Cat Bells with grandad guitar.
17 hours after our plane touched down we were in the doctor's office--no worries; it was a pre-planned visit to the audiologist to check out OP's hearing. He passed without any doubts and was advised that, with both ear tubes out of his eardrums, he could now swim! We made a pilgrimage to Target yesterday to purchase a very cool pool; photos to follow. In the meantime, OP very much enjoyed his first shower!

How do you do?

Oliver's class got to visit the nearby horse stables this morning. What good fun! They held onto a tether with colored circles and ambled merrily through the parking lot to the white fence, where they waited patiently and in great anticipation of a how-do-you-do? with a horse. Before they met the horse they got to see chickens and goats. When the big moment finally came, Lauren showed her grooming tools to the children and then groomed her horse in front of them. They also got to feel a horseshoe, knock on a helmet, guess the different parts of a saddle, and see the horse's teeth. Each child who wanted to got to come forward for a brief personal encounter with Jackie O., the horse. A fun time was had by all!

belly photo

We enjoyed a great visit with Claire last weekend. OP anxiously waited her arrival. When we heard her approach he went cautiously to the door, then burst from it, proclaiming, "I love your fat belly!" Immediately he went to her to take her hand and bring her in. He was ready to bestow the gift our family had brought for their family: _Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?_. It was meant for the shower the following day, but who could deny him in his enthusiasm? He gave Auntie Claire the book and proceeded to read the whole book to his new cousin, who currently resides in Claire's belly.
The next morning OP ate a huge breakfast in anticipation of the belly photo shown here. All weekend he enjoyed loving on his Auntie and her Baby Bear. It was fab!

Casting a Big Shadow

Oliver was recently given a digital camera, so we took it out for a spin after the recent chalk festival. He wanted to document all artwork with animals or superheroes. Here's my favorite--not because of the artwork, but because our little artist's shadow nicely complements his chosen image. When we pointed this out to him, he said, "No, that's my pop. Look how big it is!"

"That's good, mama. Now papa..."

I know, I know; it's shameful. I haven't posted any new photos or stories in almost a month. You're not more sorry than I am, I can assure you! Nothing a dozen spring breaks in a row wouldn't cure! And now, a new entry, but no photo. How cruel. This story, however, is worth posting, even without a photo.

Mama and papa are quite proud of the little tyke--especially when he reads whole pages on his own. (It's quite astounding, actually. Sometimes we really have no idea of the extent of his capabilities.) I guess, in good educator fashion, we reward heavily with verbal praise, such as, "that's good!" (One receives oneself back in such fascinating ways from a child!) At any rate, in the car today, OP started asking us questions: "Now mama, is a killer whale a dolphin?" I answer dutifully: "Well, yes, Oliver, we just read in your new book that a killer whale is a dolphin." "That's good, mama! Now papa, what can you tell me about mammals?" Papa's turn: "They're warm-blooded, they need air, and they give milk to their babies." "That's good, papa!"

I guess it was his turn to be the parent/teacher/coach today. Philip and I were proud--and thoroughly entertained!

twofer

Who knew I'd get two drummers? My boys come up with fascinating combinations--inspired by Bjork and general bourgeois anst, methinks. Only occasionally do I have to remind them, "Not so hard; it is a musical instrument!" Neighborhood friends, on the other hand, not so discerning. Nevermind. It's a welcome addition to the family--lots of fun and no mess!