Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang - Van Duinen style

Richler's classic, Jacob Two-Two..., has now become part of our family vocabulary.

"Pretend you're the Hooded Fang" Claire said to me today during lunch. And so, I acted out our Van Duinen version (which ended up being a mix between the book's description of the Hooded Fang and the waitress character named Mrs. Francois - the character that the kids love for me to act out whenever we have moments like this. My acting career ended in middle school. Mrs Francois is the extent of my repertoire.)

Claire's favorite part of the story is when the Hooded Fang starts crying and wails, "I want my mommy." I talked with her about my idea to have a mother daughter book club when she gets older. After I described what people do in a book club, she thought for a moment and then started giggling. "If we had a book club about Jacob Two-Two, I would want to talk about how the Hooded Fang cries and wants his mommy" she said barely able to contain herself.

A delightful book - one that I enjoyed (re)reading as much as Claire did.

Learning from my kids

The kids are making forts today. As I carry a load a laundry through the room, I stumble over blankets, pillows, and the worlds that they represent. I need to be reminded that everyday objects like the cushions on our ugly couch can be transformed into magical kingdoms, that food tastes better when eaten in a small dark home created by little hands, that the laundry can wait.

Duct tape darling

Our little man in motion continues in his quest of finding and eating everything in sight.

We can now add duct tape to the list.

To get to this new stage of gourmet eating, Jacob ate through the plastic and foam from the kid sized table and chairs that we have in our toy room. Yup. He ate the plastic (and foam underneath) off the chairs.

To cover it up, Jon slapped down multiple layers of duct tape, priding himself in being able to outsmart the kid.

Alas. The duct tape was intact for just a few hours before we noticed Jacob tearing off pieces of duct tape from the chair.

What's next?

The Deconstructor and the scary Three Little Pigs

I took Claire and David to a symphony performance this past weekend. Together with the Ballet Company, the GR Symphony performed a version of Little Red Riding Hood.

It was fun. The orchestra members were all wearing different colored shirts depending on their musical "family" and before things began, some orchestra members came into the audience and let kids touch their instruments. The conductor, who Claire referred to as the "deconstructor", was funny and did a great job of having the kids interact with him. (Hmmm. Deconstructor. Have my grad school terms rubbed off on my darling 5 year old?!)

All was going well until the Three Little Pigs ran on stage (this version of Little Red Riding Hood was quite funny).

It was at this point that David got freaked out. He buried his face in my chest for the rest of the performance, emerging only to accept the peppermint, sucker and piece of gum that I offered to him in the hopes of getting him out of his frightened frame of mind. The bribing didn't work. He slobbered on the candy while remaining buried in my shirt.

Put your napkin on your lap!

I've been working on table manners with the kids. My efforts haven't seemed successful.

Last Sunday, we had Sunday dinner with our friends the Hekmans. As we were all beginning to eat, David shouts out (in his endearing/annoying almost 3 year old voice that only has one volume level) to Grandpa Jim, whose napkin lay untouched beside him,

"Put your napkin on your lap!"

Legos

Claire got some Legos for her birthday from Aunt Laura and Uncle Jay. We spread them out over the dining room table and Jon helps them create houses, cars, creatures and the like.

Claire needs to get used to the idea that you don't need to make the same things every time you play with Legos. David needs to stop crying every time one of his Lego pieces breaks off. Jacob needs to learn that Legos aren't to be eaten. And Jon? Jon needs to remember that reality exists outside of his Lego worlds :)

Double fisting it

Jacob has developed a love for holding objects in both of his hands...for extended periods of time. A few days ago, he held a toothbrush in one hand and a dish scrubber in the other all morning. He even went down for his nap tightly holding to both.

Watching football with Claire

Jon and Claire are sitting on the couch watching some Sunday afternoon football.

I can't help but overhead some of their conversation.

"That car is driving way too fast" (car commercial)

"Dad, do any girls play football?"

"Why are they wearing those masks on their faces?"

"Are they friends with each other?"

"Why do those girls with the pom poms look so silly?" (ok, I added that one)