Music Class

 

 Here is Jack in the middle of music class doing the "scarf dance". I find our music class to be a fascinating study in Jack's personality. First of all, every time we are in the car he begs for the "CD" of the kids' music from class. He always wants to listen to the CD and must enjoy the songs even though he doesn't necessarily smile or sing along with it. Then there's the class.

 When we arrive he gets completely quiet and somewhat clingy. He sits in my lap while we sing and shake the maracas. And he stares. And I mean STARES at the teacher and the shakers. While the other kids are shaking their maracas and looking around and smiling, Jack is studying the teacher with a blank gaze and barely participating. His friend is copying the teacher and lifting them up and banging them on the ground and following directions. Jack is still staring at the teacher and occasionally offering a shy smile when she does something funny. Next we usually do a dance where I can get him to stand and watch us dance but he generally doesn't move around. Again, stands and observes. Then all the drums and percussion comes out and he'll run to the middle to retrieve some drums and starts banging on them. Finally he warms up. Then when we are almost done with our hour, he usually decides it's okay to participate and talk and exude some kind of emotion.

Yesterday we did a (superhero) scarf dance at the end of class and Jack was FINALLY into it. Success!

 

When it was all over he looked at me and very quietly asked "dance?" Sadly I had to tell him that class was over but that maybe we could dance next week.

Week in Review - 11/10/12

 

Another week filled with fun, joy, tears, amazement, tantrums, ups and downs. :) I guess that's life with a toddler. On the plus side, his alphabet and reading skills are growing by leaps and bounds and it's so cool to see. He is constantly singing the ABC song and spends a lot of time playing quietly with his letters each day.

  

I swear I didn't help him with this...or even ask him to spell his name.

Grandma was up visiting and he made sure that she knew how to write all her letters too.

  

I think the thing that amazes me most is his new trick with books. Not really a trick but, somehow, in the last 20 months after reading book after book literally hundreds of times, he seems to have memorized most of them. I mean, duh, I guess. But still. Now I catch him sitting by himself with a book "reading" out loud. Hitting the key words and doing all the inflections. And when we're reading together, he'll help me out with the first word or two of every page. It's adorable. And so awesome! Guess he's really been listening for the past 1000 times I've read "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb".

  

My little nerd...

On the flip side, we're still working on his social skills. Man, this kid is not outgoing. He would so rather be home or play by himself. The exception is probably with his close two or three friends. He says their names and seems to look forward to seeing them. His friend Nick is super friendly and tries to give Jack hugs with varying success.

   

He also hangs with his tomboy girlfriend Mackenzie who's cool and ridiculously outgoing.

  

Before we get to the rest of the cute pictures, just a side note and thanks to my mom and leslie who let me get out for a few nights of fun. First was my friend Ali's premiere for the movie she produced. Check us out on the red carpet.

  

Felt pretty lucky to tag along with the producer to the after party and enjoy my free cocktails and reserved seating.

  

And the next night I was lucky enough to tag along with my sister to a screening of "Argo" which I really enjoyed. And it was fun to see a Q&A after with Affleck and some of the cast. Good times.

  

Okay, enough about me. Here are more pics from the week!

 

Finally we get to break out the pants and sweatshirts!

Deep in thought

His new favorite activity...RUNNING!

One key at a time, just like daddy taught him

playing the drum in his music class

catnap in the car at 8am because he won't sleep past 5

and spending quality time with the only friend he's truly excited about 

and affectionate towards...pepe the dog.

Week in Review - 4/7/12

Another week, another batch of cute photos. This really is such a great age. He is just so darn adorable. And the coolest thing is that he seems to be learning so much every day. His walking is so much better and he practices walking up steps every day. He can open every door. He knows where to go when I say we are going to get in the car or change his diaper or go in the front yard or do laundry. Yesterday I told him we were going to the store and he left the room and came back with the reusable shopping bag that I take to Vons every time. I mean, COME ON! That's amazing. I'm not saying he's a genius (in fact I'm sure this is quite normal) but damn if it isn't surprising to see him start to understand everything I say. Communicating is great. He can clearly tell me what book he wants to read and what food he wants to eat. He is even finally getting the "all done" sign. Better late than never.

He's in such good spirits too. Everything and anything is hysterical. He giggles and laughs all the time. Playing peekaboo in the tent? Hysterical.

Walking in the baby walker? Sooo funny.

Riding in the front of the shopping cart? "I'm the king of the world!!"

And crawling through the tunnel? Funniest thing he's ever experienced.

Jack definitely loves the freedom that walking brings. His favorite thing is when I put him down or take him out of the stroller and just let him go. He loves it and I love seeing how much he enjoys exploring everything. He's such a curious little guy and it's so cool to watch him. Here he is climbing all over a flat bed cart when I put him down at Home Depot.

Here he is running towards the park. Apparently I wasn't carrying him fast enough.

I put him down at the zoo in this big plaza and this is him before he took off like a shot. Exploring every corner of the plaza and playing with every kid he came across.

And now here's even more pictures from the week...

playing with his friend Violet in his tent

ready for his first swim of 2012

living the good life in southern california

big boy...too big to be carried.

praying to the god of ceiling fans

sleeping like his mommy...hands up!

locking mom out of the house

getting dirty and wet as usual

naked guitar playing time

those bangs might need a trim

absolutely fascinated by the shadows on the floor