All Sorts of Stuff

One of the limos


Linus waiting patiently for a look at Obama


Being super cute


If you watched any of the news about Obama being in Denver to sign the Recovery Act, well we were there! In the morning leading up to heading the one block to the Museum of Nature and Science to welcome our fine president, Linus kept bringing up the topic. Some of what he said included:
"Yay! Barack Obama will be happy to meet us."
"We'll clap and smile."
"Did the girls come? I really like them."
While smoothing down his shirt he said, "We are neat and tidy for Obama."
After saying that Obama might visit our house he said, "Maybe he'll want to use my crayons and draw a picture in my notebook. A picture of himself."
"What will he wear?" I said, "A suit and either a red or blue tie. Probably red today." (He did.)

As we walked to the museum we joined up with some neighbors and people who parked on our street for the big event. As a group we expressed our giddiness and debated from which way the motorcade would come and where should we stand. We stood very near the corner where the motorcade came from the north and then turned into the Museum drive. For it just being the motorcade and our not getting an actual Obama sighting, I was surprised by how emotional I was about it. It was hard to snap pictures, cheer, and wave all at the same time. There were three limos in the motorcade and I couldn't tell which one he was in. After the police let us cross the street to go back to City Park, we went and stood near the police tape that kept the people back from the Museum. We waited for a long time for an Obama sighting because we'd been told that Obama and Biden were going to see the solar panels on the roof. After waiting for over an hour I was finally able to convince Linus to go home.

The wind was terribly gusty and blowing dirt in our eyes. It was also rather cold. I thought the police standing guard there probably thought I was the one making Linus stay there in the cold, but instead it was he who had the courage or craziness to tough it out. He was sad about not seeing Obama. I knelt down to his level and talked with him about our both being disappointed, but wasn't it fun to welcome Obama to our Museum? He felt better then and we walked home.

Today at the bank Linus told the banker that Obama had been on tv and she was amazed that he knew who the president was. I just shrugged and said, "We talk about Obama a lot at home."

He and I have been running a number of errands to government and bank offices as I get my business started. I'm so proud of his behavior. At the Department of Revenue today he sat in a chair and read his magazine while I conducted my business. He behaves like a polite and well-mannered kid.

Preschool update: Linus didn't get in to either of the preschools to which we applied. Both schools require parents to commit early in March, so we'll see how far the schools get in their waiting lists. The especially bad news is that Linus is dead last on the waiting list at the Denver Cooperative Preschool, so odds aren't in his favor.

Preschool Disappointment

We received a letter today telling us Linus didn't get into Montview. I'm very disappointed. If I'm going to part with Linus, that was the place I'd want him to be. His friend Chase got in. I'm sure his other two friends got in because they both have older brothers already attending there. Life isn't always fair. One sweet thing on this topic: two of the moms had told me recently that they really hoped Linus would be in class with their daughters. I'm pleased that they feel that way about him.

I signed Linus up for a program at the Denver Firefighters Museum. We attended for the first time today. There were five boys attending. They started by playing on a rug with toy fire trucks. Then the teacher, Miss Bree, read a story about rhinos being fire fighters. She talked to them about what things have fire (matches, candles, stoves) and to stay away from them. Then they watched a little video about what to do if fire gets on their clothing. They did a fun activity to practice the stop, drop, and roll procedure. She stuck flames on them made of felt and then they took turns rolling around on a mat to get the fire off. For a craft they colored a picture of Sparky, the teaching character that fire stations use, glued a colored flame on him, glued him to a rolled up piece of construction paper, and they each can practice stop, drop, and roll with Sparky.

On the way home I complimented Linus on his courteous behavior. He listened to the teacher and did what she asked. A couple of the other kids played with the toys when they weren't supposed to and talked instead of paying attention.

Dress Up

Linus and I went to a thrift store in search of pants in size 3T and some clothes for him and his friends to play dress up. I was thrilled to find a pair of red cowboy boots that are only a few sizes too big for him. We went through the racks trying to find a cowboy shirt and instead ended up with this patriotic one that looks appropriate to wear in a rodeo. We also found the fancy pink hat and a green purse. Here is the ensemble he put together when we got home.

He was pretty excited about the prospect of playing dress up, but hasn't played with any of it since. He is perfectly content to pretend he is wearing a hard hat. This morning his hard hat was a cardboard box he put on his head. The only way he would let me sweep the house was if I pretended I was a construction worker moving dirt.

Linus' Two Cents Worth

After eating one tangerine, he asked for another one. After a few bites of it he told me, "This is an exceptionally good one." It struck me as being a very well developed sense of taste and difference.

This morning Matthew helped Linus put a different outfit on the Madeline doll and as the two of them headed upstairs I could hear Linus say, "I like Madeline best. She's my friend."

Last night I was in my craft room doing work for my new business. As Linus headed toward the door I could hear Matthew warn him that "mama is working." Linus replied, "That is insane of her." Matthew and I both busted out laughing. It was appropriate commentary on several levels.

He's been having more tantrums lately. During one of his bouts of being contrary he blamed it on his body. Here is how the conversation went:
Me: Tell your body to behave.
L: My body isn't being have!
Thirty seconds later he hugs me.
L: My body is hugging your body.
M: I like your body.
L: I like your body too.
M: I also like your mind.

(Pictures are from Linus' first pony ride and the first time he's eaten with chopsticks. I got him cheater chopsticks for Christmas.)

Knife Lesson

A few weeks ago I gave Linus his first hands-on knife lesson and had him slice up two zucchini for the pasta dish we made together for supper. He is very good about listening to and following directions. I kept a very close eye on him the entire time and was impressed at how careful he was being.

He tends to be a careful kid. He climbs down things instead of jumping off of them and he is cautious as he climbs tall structures at the play ground. For the most part he makes sound decisions regarding safety. Even so, I don't let my guard down too much. I can just imagine trying to explain to the emergency room personnel why my two-year-old was using a knife.

A few days ago I accidentally tipped over the kitchen trash can and it made a loud thump sound. Linus called in from the living room, "Are you okay mama? Do you need me?" He truly is a sweetheart.