A Cocktail of Memories

Summer Friends

The Rat Pack: Audrey, Olie, Solvi, Tilly

So, obviously, now that BOTH children are whirlwinds of energy, I have little time to update this blog. But I still like to check in just in case some of you haven't heard the latest.

As of my last post Solvi was becoming more head strong. This remains true, but she's still a total sweetie, charmer (or "relational," as Sheila insists on calling her). Her favorite game is making tea or entire meals for me, Chad, or Baby and Dolly. Or she'll put us to bed - a game that consists of having us lie down while she covers us with "blankets", usually a series of many wash clothes. But come meal times, it's hard to get her to settle. One classic interaction that occurred this summer was during a meal when we were trying to coax Solvi to sit still and eat using positive reinforcement. While Oliver quietly ate his entire meal, we tried in vain to elicit the same from Solvi by praising the smallest amounts of time without getting up. Finally, an exasperated Oliver rightly inquired, "Can I get some praise here!?"

Solvi also still bowls people over with her verbosity, subtle understanding and worldly awareness. This summer after playing with Sheila, it was time for a nap. Solvi protested hurling herself around her crib. (She can be quite the drama queen.) Sheila tried to sooth her by validating her feelings, "Solvi, I know you're sad." To which Solvi corrected, "I'm not sad, I'm UPSET!"

Then the other day at the park she moved my purse after a lady sat down on the bench next to it. When I told her to put it back down, she said, "But Mommy, I was afraid someone would steal your money!" How is she even aware that that's a risk?

One of our favorite Solvi-ism this summer occurred whenever you were mad at her. "Daddy," she's state frankly, "open your forehead."

So now after a fun filled summer with Tilly and Audrey and dragons and faeries and mermaids, school has started again. Oliver is in a Pre-K class of kids that were cognitively ready for kindergarten, but age wise, just missed the cutoff. Read, it's definitely pre-academic, with no more free play. Oliver is having a hard time adjusting, "Mom, there are no cars or animals to play with!" Or my favorite: "I say I want to draw, the teacher says I have to play house, I say I want to play house, the teacher says I have to draw." To be fair to the Newton school system, rigorous tho it is, Oliver is a hair's breath from reading.

Cocktails!

(So there's a story with this shot. Every night in the summer my friend, Al, Tilly and Audrey's Mom, makes herself a delicious cocktail. Really they are THE BEST. For the under 21 crowd, she also makes a non-alcoholic concoction of fruit juices. Tho they pack less punch (or more I guess if you want to be literal), they are still referred to by all as "cocktails." So when summer was approaching this year. Oliver exclaimed, "Mom, summer's almost here. That means Tilly, and Audrey, and Alexandra and COCKTAILS!")

A gift from Marnie and Al

Chad, Audrey, Marnie, Nadav, Al, Solvi, Tilly, Balloon, Olie

One more funny note: both kids are obsessed with bling. Last month I took Solvi to J.Crew where she ran around donning everything that glittered. She finally discovered the piece d' resistance: gold sequinned Mary Janes. When I told her she had to remove the $60 shoes, she loudly protested, wailing: "But they're PARKLY!!!" Then Oliver and I made a painting for Tilly the other day after which he proceeded to have an imaginary conversation with her. Oliver, toy cell plastered to his ear, as himself, "Hi Tilly, I painted you a butterfly." Oliver as Tilly, "Is it sparkly?" Oliver as himself, "Yes, yes it is!"

More Summer Friends

Finn and the horseshoe crab

Investigations w/ Tilly

Dashiell and the snow cone

Kassy and Hans!