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 john -- August 8th, 2010After having a complete meltdown about having macaroni with cheese in it (ohhh, the horror!), Valerie went to get the settled-down Maia from the sleeping room. V: OK, I’m going to fix you a plate of mac and cheese now. M: But I don’t waaaaaant a plate. I want a bowl. V: No bowls. The bowls are all dirty. M, looking into the open cupboard: No they aren’t. Let me count the bowls. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Mom, there are plenty of clean bowls! We must choose wisely the battles to fight in the tug-o-war with Maia. john -- July 2nd, 2010After reading stories, Maia was lying on the couch between Valerie and I. The tiniest bit of tickling turned into a bout of continuous giggles. J: Why are you so giggly? I’m not even touching you. M: [stopping and briefly pondering] M: Because. I’m Maia. M: [continuing to giggle] john -- June 1st, 2010Maia comes trotting in saying, “Mommy, we’re having a block party!”
Why yes, yes we are! john -- May 16th, 2010Today was a special daddy-daughter outing with Maia. The first stop was Bill’s Cafe for breakfast. A short-stack of blueberry pancakes for Maia, and she nearly polished them off. Blueberry tongue — Nearly polished off a short-stack of blueberry pancakes. Maia’s comment about the streets of California cracked me up and left me thinking that the path that California is on is most certainly cracked and heading off into the weeds. OK, maybe that’s not what she was thinking, but, that was how I interpreted it. Maia says, “the streets of California are cracked” — wise beyond her years, she is. The next stop was a tour of San Jose Fire Station 13, that was arranged by a Gemini Crickets member that’s involved with the SJFD. The fireman were wonderful with the kids and taught them all about calling 9-1-1 in an emergency. Most of it went over Maia’s head, but, she had fun joining in with answering questions. Learning about how to call the fire station — dial 9-1-1 in an emergency! I never really gave it much thought, but, a fully suited up fireman must be completely frightening to a young child. They made a big deal about how fireman Hank was just a normal person before the gear, and afterward, he was still the same person. Suiting up — To show the kids that fireman aren’t scary afterward. About half the kids knew who Darth Vader was. It’s not quite Maia’s time to learn these things yet… Luke, I am your father. Then, we moved into the “office” of the station. In her most predictable manor, Maia wasn’t interested in joining with the rest of the kids and was off in her own little world. Group activity? — Not interested… The table was very literally a slab of bowling alley lane prior to being made into a table. Many of the fire stations have one and there was a competition to decorate them the best. Old bowling alley lane — Makes a fantastic dinning room table.
The swivel chairs proved irresistible Next, we moved into the TV room. Low maintenance mascot They made a special announcement over the PA welcoming the Gemini Crickets to the station similar to how a real emergency would be reported. Paging all Junior Firefighters
The group makes a stop in the TV room. This was a 2-story fire house, complete with two functioning sliding poles for quick egress when the call comes. According to the Wiki link, they are becoming a thing of the past. The obligatory fire pole. Next, we got to look over a fire engine. There was a long line of kids waiting to get into the cab, so, we checked out other parts of it first. Almost as big as the tire
And, this is where the little girls ride to the fire Finally, Maia got a turn in the truck. Good things come to those who wait, as I don’t think other kids got to try on the helmet. Just one size smaller, please!
An infectious smile As a special reward for “good behavior”, the kids were given a Junior Firefighter sticker. All smiles waiting for her sticker
Here you go!
See! — I’m a junior firefighter now! She insisted on sticking it on my shirt, even after suggesting that she should wear it. Junior Firefighter After the fire station tour, I tossed out the idea that we could go to a park before going home. Maia thought that was a “great idea” and that we should go to the park on Budd. Don’t have to twist my arm. Let’s go! “This is a FAST slide!” I’m really trying to get Maia to start pumping her legs on the swing and doing it herself. Just as soon as she started getting the knack of it, I think she realized it meant she actually had to work at making the swing go, and what’s the fun in that?!? She decided she’d had enough of that and begged me to push more. Push higher daddy!
Look, no hands! The water feature at the park has always been a favorite of hers. We didn’t bring any toys, but, the park seems to have inherited quite a few abandoned ones. Park rules: any unattended toys are fair game to be played with! Collecting water
I need to water the plants She’s become very interested in the garden we’ve planted behind the garage, and, I fear she’s feeling left out since I really haven’t been good about getting her to really help out and do my best to keep the tiny plants from getting trampled. Today, she got to do some planting of her own. “I’m planting carrots” And, after the park, we headed to neighborhood frozen yogurt joint for special treats. As luck would have it, Valerie was on her way home from errands at the same time and we all got to share. Between the two of us, I’m not sure whether it was Maia or myself that had more fun. It’s not everyday that we get to have such a carefree morning, but, I’m awfully thankful to Valerie for making it happen. Can’t wait to return the favor for her so I can do it again after that! john -- May 9th, 2010For whatever reason, Maia has to take her shoes off soon after getting in the car. Yeah, it’s small potatoes in the grand scheme, but, it messes with my sense of reason having to repeatedly fiddle with shoes and squirming feet. J: Maia, I’d like you to ask if it’s OK to take you shoes off in the car. M: [blank stares] J: Sometimes we make short trips and there’s no reason to take your shoes off. So, next time, please ask first, OK? M: But, then you would say, “No”. Yes dear Maia, your parents are killjoys. Get used to it… john -- May 1st, 2010Stella’s cranial orthosis is now a keep sake of days past. Ellen spied it on top of the book case in the kid’s room while visiting tonight: Ellen: Is that Stella’s helmet that she used to wear? Maia: Ohhh, Yes! E: She’s too big to wear it now. It won’t fit! M: Ummm, yeah. Her head used to be really square and she wore the helmet to make her head really circle. valerie -- April 25th, 2010As I was getting ready to teach my preschool lesson on food and nutrition, Maia wanders over and I start asking her to name some favorite foods: Me: “Maia, what food do you like to eat?” maia: “Nothing. I don’t like ANY food to eat.” (an all to common answer to any query lately) M: “Well, do you like strawberries?” m: “Yes.” M: “Do you like chicken?” m: “Yes.” M: “And what about bagels? And watermelon? And pop beans?” m: “Yes, I like those foods.” M: “OK, thanks. We’ll talk about them tomorrow.” m: “Um, mom, you forgot to ask if I like cereal.” M: “Do you like cereal, Maia?” m: “YES! Of COURSE I like cereal.” john -- April 3rd, 2010J: Maia, what are we going to do today? [we are going to a Gemini Crickets play group Easter egg hunt party] M: We’re going to a party! J: Yeah, what kind of a party? M: A party with booooysss! J: [shuddering] A what? M: A party with boys. ohh, and girls, too. Little did I know that Valerie hadn’t sold the egg hunt portion of the party to her. But, still, gonna have to watch that one… john -- February 6th, 2010Valerie got supplies so that Maia could make Valentine cards for all her friends. She’s been engrossed for the last hour+ putting on foamy stickers and glitter pen decorations as she works through the list of her friends (from memory). Each one has special consideration and I’ve completely ruined it by not taking note at the time of creation. Hopefully she either 1) remembers which is which or 2) it doesn’t *really* make a difference. This one is for David, which I recon she must have a special fondness for since his is the only one with multi-colored glitter pen work (not completed yet when pictured). Also, his only has 2 hearts — maybe that’s her pay backs for getting pushed over all those times  Makeing Valentines cards for all her friends |
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