"I want tickle"

 

I never thought I'd be watching much Caillou. This is an example of parents repressing their own inclinations for the good of their child. Owen likes him, so we suck it up. It's fortunate that a show premiered on Playhouse Disney that I hate much more, Jojo's Circus. Caillou looks better in comparison, and I'm grateful that I don't have to watch any creepy clowns and stilted claymation. Who develops these shows, shouldn't they be fun? At least Caillou has that European veneer to entertain me, and help me get past those weird live action sequences. And I like the Gilbert the cat's snide indifference. He feels like a real cat.

Owen has been ravenous this week. He ate like a lumberjack, in spite of a cold that gave him (and us) many bad nights. Owen's pretty stoic, and even when he's sick, he's still pretty active. He was unhappy lying down at night, when his stuffed up head gave him weird pressure, but he was fine during the day. Except for the sleep deficits, it was business as usual. I think the eating and early hours is the continuation of a growth spurt. I'm watching my little toddler stretch out into a boy, and I'm trying to adjust to two growth spurts close together. Don't toddlers eat less and grow less when they're two? The other night, Owen chowed through is Dad's pesto ravioli before working on his own serving of pierogi. Then it was on to grapes and green beans.

Actually, his sleep hasn't been all that good even after his cold went away - we're wondering what's up. I hope it's just a passing phase; I really don't like getting up so much earlier than the sun!

Owen and Scott did some manly bonding. They were in the tub together, and Scott passed gas. He apologized to Owen, who then turned so his own fanny was facing Scott, and did the same thing. It was hilarious and horrifying. It's one of those stories I probably should have leave out (sorry Scott!), but it's too cute and embarrassing not to have on record for Owen's future.

We continue to enjoy Owen's growing sophistication. I'm amazed at simple things, like his ability to recognize animals even in stylized drawings. No matter what phase the moon is in, it's still the moon. He can ask us for things, comment on things, in such a sophisticated way, although I'm still stunned that he can use English to communicate in ways he's put together himself. He can use his words to make observations which clearly reflect his own thinking. Wow.

Food fixations: This week he loves the herbed chicken patties, pierogis, pesto ravioli, kidney beans, chopped pears and peaches, raisins, grapes, cantaloupe. That is, if we won't give him cake, cookies, ice cream, jelly beans or M&M's. We try to be low key with treats, how did he catch on to what's yummy (and evil) so quickly?

The outdoor pictures, above, were taken at the holiday festival held at the local Waldorf School. Owen was indifferent to the crafts and indoor activities, instead remaining close by the bunny hutch and the chicken coop. He liked the big draft horses and the pony, but not as much as the bunny rabbit and the funky chickens. Conveniently, baked good were being sold in the building right next to the bunny hutch, but I'm sure that was a coincidence, aren't you?

My favorite part was seeing Old Man Winter -- I love the seasonal, nature-centered approach of Waldorf schools. Alas, we aren't rich enough to send him there or I know I'd spare Owen from public school entirely!