September 2010

A night out on the town...

Four Steps

Tuesday, Thomas took four steps to Jason! He didn't make it all the way, but it was an awesome attempt. He was holding the round end table and Jason was sitting in the dining chair when Thomas set off to go to Daddy.

Thomas First Year!

Amadeus

I had the privilege of going to Amadeus opening night performance at the Clarence Brown Theater last Thursday. I had such a good time that I am still "enjoying" myself even days later. Just the experience of going to the Theater was amazing. The production was spectacular and me, the audience, into the story, made me love and hate the characters, and feel the emotions and passions of the characters portrayed by the actors. The music was perfect and the opera singers really were fantastic. The lighting and scenery were so integral to creating the atmosphere--there is just nothing like this in a film production.

One of the best scenes was when Siveli first encountered Mozart, quite by accident, while inadvertently hidden in an armchair in a sitting room where he witnessed Mozart acting immature and lude with his soon-to-be fiance. Mozart's music was then played and Siveli talked through his first experience of how the music moved him and how he was so upset that the perfect god-like music was coming from out of the infantile man. The first act made me dislike Mozart and feel pity on Siveli. The second act took me on a different journey to dislike Siveli and feel pity on Mozart. The play was complete with classic themes and mechanics of drama and comedy that told a moving story. I'm so glad that I got to see this production!

I really could write so much more about this! I just wish I had time!

Thomas' first candy

Today, Thomas ate his first piece of bona fide candy. There was no fanfare. In fact, no one noticed until it was too late. Now, we've not come across the point of no return. I would still not want Thomas to have candy for a long time. He simply doesn't need this in his diet.
Here's what happened: Jason gave Joanna three pieces of candy. She sat two down and ate one. At some point she was going to get the other two pieces ... Jason said he spotted Thomas chewing and had something in his raised fist.

Impromptu Family Gathering

Chris and Tracy came over Sunday. They called as they were leaving Lenoir City to let us know they were heading over. Jason and Joanna were napping. Thomas and I were not. His 20 minute post church ride home nap was enough to keep him in the game until 7 p.m. Once they got here, Jason and Chris talked with the neighbor. Then, Rachel called Chris and while they were talking I mentioned she might want to come over, too. Then Tracy texted Canellen and here we all were, enjoying a meal together. Spaghetti with our homemade maranara and grilled chicken. Nice times. I wish I had thought to take a picture!
Joanna wore Chris out bouncing and Thomas dumped over Chris' drink.

Wows on Potty Training.

http://aplaceofourown.org/watch_video.php?type=field&id=435&pos=0&rate=hi&player=rp
Joanna saw this Place of Our Own episode on potty training and she was
interested after that at Thanskgiving at my Dad's house she asked to
go to the potty and Aunt Terri took her.
Today, I found this on the web site. I like Dr. Harvey Karp and that
Place of Our Own show, so I read this
article:  http://aplaceofourown.org/question_detail.php?id=237

A few things jumped out at me. I probably shouldn't quote the whole
article,but here is the big thing: "If your child expresses a
willingness to use the potty, the biggest mistake you can make is to
jump up and down, applaud, and make a huge deal about it. If you blow
it out of proportion, it will backfire on you. Your reaction may scare
the kid. They may start to think that it's too important and won't
want to do it. Some kids will use it against you when they're mad."

Another article:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/potty-training/CC00060/METHOD=print