Fun to be found everywhere

One of the things I like so much about the boys, as I've posted about before, is their ability to find amusement anywhere. This clip is from the building where I take guitar lessons. We were at a playground nearby and Jamie needed a bathroom so we came here. He was a little nervous about this unsanctioned usage, so we pretended to be commandoes sneaking in on a mission. That didn't stop him from finding a little baseball to play...

Adventures in Connorland

Connor is very much aware that Connor World is not like the place the rest of us live. Yesterday he produced some extended narrative about Connorland, which is, I think, a nation in Connor World. I'll let the master speak for itself. I didn't have the camera when he started but the crucial information is that in Connorland people can change into animals when they want (Connor would like to do that in this world very much). Enjoy

For the birds

It really seems possible that Connor was an animal, or various animals, in previous lives. This morning on the way to school, not normally a time given to reflection or introspection, but more often an opportunity for grumbling and venting, Connor announced, out of nowhere, "I really wish sometimes I could be a bird. I could live up in the trees in a cozy nest and snuggle the baby blue jays!"

Hard at work

So Jamie was promoted to the advanced cello group this year, which he was very proud of, but which has also meant quite a lot of work. There is a Suzuki workshop coming up in a couple of weeks, which is followed by concert that is sort of the centerpiece of the year. His teacher has chosen a very challenging piece, Breval's Sonata in C Major, for them to perform. She knew this would be a stretch for Jamie, but he has been really dogged in working on it. At his last lesson though she told him very frankly, and without any reproach, that while he's been working hard if he can't improve some technique things he won't be able to perform it. She asked then if he wanted to keep trying, with no guarantee of being able to perform it. He actually thought for a minute and said yes, which impressed me. So here is a progress update, with him playing a couple of sections...

Oh, and yes, shirtless is the preferred state for practicing cello, as for so much else.

When Connor grows up...

So the other day, Connor walks up to me and says, "So, Dad. What do you think I will be doing in 15 years? A) sitting in my pool, in my mansion, counting my money or B) rescuing cheetahs?" Before I could answer he said, "Yep, you guessed it, it's B!" (For the record that's totally what I was going to say).

Over the weekend he and a friend were playing in the boys' room and they built a zoo for his stuffed animals. Here he is describing it, as well as performing a much-advertised show. We got updates about the starting time very minute and then a rather shrill announcement summoning us to the zoo. Enjoy!

Yes!

I've mentioned Connor's habit of giving a big "Yes!" and doing a double fist-pump when something goes his way, so I've videoed him here. I really feel like this should be an internet meme. He's playing it up a bit here, but you'll get the idea I think. Sometimes it's more subtle, even stealth as when he's secretly pleased about things. But one of the great things about is that it is marshalled for happy occasions both big and small. So you could get a "Yes!!" from questions ranging from "Are we going to Italy this summer?" (which implies, will there be a lot of gelato?) to "Can we have a sleepover?"to "Can I have eggnog with dinner?" to "Did I spell 'brain' right?" Anyway, enjoy, and when something goes your way give a Connor "Yes!!!"

Connor plays with gravity and inertia

One thing that the boys' very clever mother has learned to tap into is the power of novelty. This doesn't mean buying them new things all the time, but rather that the well-timed re-introduction of a toy can be very effective and bring much joy to all parties, alleviating some of the "I'm bored!" comments that drive parents nuts. Lately we've pulled out matchbox cars to some good effect, for instance. This is nice for us too because it brings back the old days when we would watch Connor send cars down a ramp for hours at a time.

But Sarah scored a real success last week in bringing out the marble run blocks from the closet. Connor has been playing with them constantly ever since. We are frequently (every 2-3 minutes in some cases) called upon to look at his creations and marvel at his skill in manipulating the effects of gravity. Here he is describing one of his more elaborate setups to date: