We've been calling Joshua by his middle name, Remy. He's taking to it pretty well. I certainly enjoy saying it more.
Remy and Ender have taken to wrestling. My mattress is on the floor. It is their favorite arena. Remy is the more aggressive combatant. This is surprising to me, as he is generally milder in all things. In hindsight, Remy has been the most resistant to the pain of pressure points. Remy also withstands cold much better than Ender. At this point, I believe Remy to be physically tougher but more emotionally sensitive than Ender, if comparisons must be made.
Joshua also gives fierce growls while he prepares to attack. I've seen him play monster before, and he will learn that this manner will give him a considerable psychological advantage over his opponents.
I also hope to teach them to laugh when they get hurt, as it makes enemies quite unsure of themselves when their attacks are met with laughter.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Remy and Ender and I went wading. On our usual trip to the park, I was crestfallen to see our running-round fields flooded with irrigation water. The twins and I played for a bit on the slides and swings. A few ducks were quacking about. Screw this, I thought to no one.
I waded out into the muddy water. My boots are designed for mountaineering and my feet remained dry. My pants and shirt were also designed for such activities so I did not fear damage.
My secret goal of being a water-proof uncle had finally manifested.
Remy followed me into the muck. After a few deliberate steps, he was slogging along happily after me.
Ender whined at us from the edge of the water. He took a few tentative steps towards the water but he clearly didn't like the squishiness of the mud at the edge. Only after I took his hand would he venture further.
He never did get used to the very muddy parts. A couple of times he fell and just sat for a bit. Ender walks on his toes a lot, a style not suited for muck stability.
Despite these obstacles, on we slogged. We were able to get very close to the ducks. There was a beautiful mallard with a lustrous green head. When he flew, he revealed bright pink spots on his wings, on the back part of what might correspond to the upper arm of a human.
The twins seemed happy to see the ducks. I hope to take them to Kiwanis park to see geese. That should scare the hell out of them.
I am excited to teach them science. I must get a microscope so we can take water samples.
I waded out into the muddy water. My boots are designed for mountaineering and my feet remained dry. My pants and shirt were also designed for such activities so I did not fear damage.
My secret goal of being a water-proof uncle had finally manifested.
Remy followed me into the muck. After a few deliberate steps, he was slogging along happily after me.
Ender whined at us from the edge of the water. He took a few tentative steps towards the water but he clearly didn't like the squishiness of the mud at the edge. Only after I took his hand would he venture further.
He never did get used to the very muddy parts. A couple of times he fell and just sat for a bit. Ender walks on his toes a lot, a style not suited for muck stability.
Despite these obstacles, on we slogged. We were able to get very close to the ducks. There was a beautiful mallard with a lustrous green head. When he flew, he revealed bright pink spots on his wings, on the back part of what might correspond to the upper arm of a human.
The twins seemed happy to see the ducks. I hope to take them to Kiwanis park to see geese. That should scare the hell out of them.
I am excited to teach them science. I must get a microscope so we can take water samples.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Da Boys, Da Boys
Remy and Ender have been having an excellent day so far. Ender is quick to wake up. Remy's eyes open like the coming dawn. A small slit appears, then slowly grows full. Remy sits upon my lap now and watches me type. They are enthralled with the computer and I don't doubt that they will soon become far more proficient than I. I consider myself a bit behind these days anyway. Behind is not the best word. I communicate very well, but I take more time. Faster faster faster? If I want to make mistakes, I will use my voice. If I want to make big mistakes, I write.
Remy growls like me. He also has learned to narrow his eyes, as I do when angry. His eyes are dark, dark, and when he smiles they burst into happy crinkles. Remy is the sweetheart. Much more sensitive to the slings and arrows of misfortune, when confronted with an obstacle Remy tends to fall down. I mean he falls down onto his back and lies there.
Ender is of hardier emotional stock. Tenacious and manipulative, he will attempt, fail, try again, and if he fails again he will try something else. An example by comparison, which should never be done with siblings as many loving parents say, but that is inevitable and should not be assumed to be a comparison of worth, just of capability.
Ender and Remy's toys are in a tall hamper. They can easily reach toys at the top, but their little baby arms can't get the toys at the bottom. When they first encountered this obstacle, Remy reached and reached and cried when he couldn't get his truck or stuffed animal or whatever the toy was. Ender made the same reaching attempt and also failed, perhaps more so than Remy because Ender is the shorter. Ender pushed the hamper over, crawled inside, and grabbed the ball or helmet or music box or whatever it was.
But Remy knows a good idea when he sees it. Tipping the hamper has become standard operating procedure for any tall container.
I am pleased, because this puts them on par with the average raccoon. Not as agile, not yet, but a few days ago Barbara came upon them both on the kitchen table happily rooting through her purse like little pig-pockets. They had climbed on the chair and then onto the table. The kitchen table is no longer the safe haven it has served as so well. This should please my mother. She gets most anxious when objects clutter the kitchen table. Her hands involuntarily open and clench, open and clench when she sees mess. I love my mother, but I have to remind myself that she had less than a traditional childhood.
Ender is sitt1ing on my knee and has removed my hat. The temperature outside is approaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 26.6 degrees Celsius. We will go to the big park, a short wagon ride up the road. Always a good time.
Remy growls like me. He also has learned to narrow his eyes, as I do when angry. His eyes are dark, dark, and when he smiles they burst into happy crinkles. Remy is the sweetheart. Much more sensitive to the slings and arrows of misfortune, when confronted with an obstacle Remy tends to fall down. I mean he falls down onto his back and lies there.
Ender is of hardier emotional stock. Tenacious and manipulative, he will attempt, fail, try again, and if he fails again he will try something else. An example by comparison, which should never be done with siblings as many loving parents say, but that is inevitable and should not be assumed to be a comparison of worth, just of capability.
Ender and Remy's toys are in a tall hamper. They can easily reach toys at the top, but their little baby arms can't get the toys at the bottom. When they first encountered this obstacle, Remy reached and reached and cried when he couldn't get his truck or stuffed animal or whatever the toy was. Ender made the same reaching attempt and also failed, perhaps more so than Remy because Ender is the shorter. Ender pushed the hamper over, crawled inside, and grabbed the ball or helmet or music box or whatever it was.
But Remy knows a good idea when he sees it. Tipping the hamper has become standard operating procedure for any tall container.
I am pleased, because this puts them on par with the average raccoon. Not as agile, not yet, but a few days ago Barbara came upon them both on the kitchen table happily rooting through her purse like little pig-pockets. They had climbed on the chair and then onto the table. The kitchen table is no longer the safe haven it has served as so well. This should please my mother. She gets most anxious when objects clutter the kitchen table. Her hands involuntarily open and clench, open and clench when she sees mess. I love my mother, but I have to remind myself that she had less than a traditional childhood.
Ender is sitt1ing on my knee and has removed my hat. The temperature outside is approaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 26.6 degrees Celsius. We will go to the big park, a short wagon ride up the road. Always a good time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)