Thursday, August 28, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Parade at Preschool
Friday at school was the Purim Parade. Ellie dressed up as a queen! James and Evan got to go watch. We are both very proud of Ellie for helping a friend during the parade. She wasn't asked to help, she just helped! We (all of us, not just James and I) must be doing something right!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The Music Studio
Today Ellie's class got to take a little field trip to a place called The Music Studio in Albany. (Evan got to go too!) Both kids really enjoyed playing instruments and dancing around! Here are three quick videos from the trip.
The first is my favorite. The teacher asked for a volunteer and right away Ellie's hand shot up and she exclaimed "pick me!!!!". Here she is working on a rhythm with the teacher.
This is the teacher telling the kids about different beats and rests. Watch Evan! haha
They were pretending to be airplanes. When the notes were high they were flying and when the notes were low they had to land.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Each night before she goes to sleep, Ellie (knows exactly how to manipulate me into letting her stay awake) asks me to tell her about my day at work. "How was work?" she asks, and genuinely wants to know. She remembers certain kids and asks if I saw them that day. She asks if the kids made good choices. I think it's great because I completely model for her how to talk about the day so it isn't just "it was good." Then it is her turn to talk about her day at school. First I ask her how she felt during circle time. She remembers and can express why she felt happy, angry or whatever. Then it's like a faucet turns on and she tells me (in detail) everything she did that day. I'm pretty sure she just wants to stay awake, but I love hearing her stories (some of them are even funny! She knows how to make a story funny!!!) She reports back about her art projects, and tells me the steps she took to create her work (meanwhile I'm taking mental notes for my kindergarten kids). Then it is song time. My musical learner teaches me the words to new songs "Repeat after me, Mom!" I love it and our pillow talk.
Here is a long video but it's fun to watch. She is singing songs from her preschool, which happens to be Jewish as well. (We are not Jewish, so she literally teaches me new sounds, which is why she giggles when she makes the ch sound). The second video is of her pretending to take her pups to school.
Here is a long video but it's fun to watch. She is singing songs from her preschool, which happens to be Jewish as well. (We are not Jewish, so she literally teaches me new sounds, which is why she giggles when she makes the ch sound). The second video is of her pretending to take her pups to school.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Lost and Found Videos
I found an old Flip camera that we hadn't used in a couple of years. Here are two of the videos that were on it. It is funny to pretend Ellie has brown hair- I think she and Evan act so much alike at times. (Mostly the "look" that she gives the camera).
Artist Ellie
Ellie telling me about all of the different artists we've learned about!
Ellie painting a tea set from Grandma and Grandpop Duffy
Sunday, February 23, 2014
February Fun
February always feels like it never happened. It goes by so fast, before I know it it has turned to March! This year was no different!
The Duffy Kids continue to amaze us, and exhaust us. We have to keep a close eye on Evan because he is a climber and an explorer via his mouth! If you only knew the things we find in his poop- one example is the label to a pepsi 2 liter bottle!! What!? His favorite place to be is on top of the dining room table (or any table). One day I know we will look back and miss these days. Now that we are in the thick of them, however, we just wish he would enjoy activities on the ground. :) He is learning to speak words now...but in his own language. It's very different than Ellie, who picked up on pronunciation right away. Evan is a daddy's boy, as well. This morning he woke up an hour early and I got him and brought him into bed to snuggle with me. He saw James and crawled right over to him and cuddled up in his arms. (He then proceeded to say "Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dada. Dada..." over and over). It was so sweet.
Ellie is hysterical with the things she comes up with. We were going to meet Sara at the mall today so I wanted to put Ellie's hair in a rubber band to keep it out of her eyes. "No, Mom. You can't do that to me...it's TACKY!" Ha!!! She also told me all about condensation after I got out of the shower, and later pointed out a meteor on Evan's (solar system themed) wall. The kid has a better memory than I do. It's amazing and exciting to teach her new things and expose her to science experiments, new songs or vocabulary words. The difficulty is in that she is still is only three years old and her maturity hasn't caught up to her brain. She constantly challenges us for her independence and it's heartbreaking (but completely necessary) to set and enforce boundaries for her.
Below are a few videos from the past week or so. Enjoy!
The Duffy Kids continue to amaze us, and exhaust us. We have to keep a close eye on Evan because he is a climber and an explorer via his mouth! If you only knew the things we find in his poop- one example is the label to a pepsi 2 liter bottle!! What!? His favorite place to be is on top of the dining room table (or any table). One day I know we will look back and miss these days. Now that we are in the thick of them, however, we just wish he would enjoy activities on the ground. :) He is learning to speak words now...but in his own language. It's very different than Ellie, who picked up on pronunciation right away. Evan is a daddy's boy, as well. This morning he woke up an hour early and I got him and brought him into bed to snuggle with me. He saw James and crawled right over to him and cuddled up in his arms. (He then proceeded to say "Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dada. Dada..." over and over). It was so sweet.
Ellie is hysterical with the things she comes up with. We were going to meet Sara at the mall today so I wanted to put Ellie's hair in a rubber band to keep it out of her eyes. "No, Mom. You can't do that to me...it's TACKY!" Ha!!! She also told me all about condensation after I got out of the shower, and later pointed out a meteor on Evan's (solar system themed) wall. The kid has a better memory than I do. It's amazing and exciting to teach her new things and expose her to science experiments, new songs or vocabulary words. The difficulty is in that she is still is only three years old and her maturity hasn't caught up to her brain. She constantly challenges us for her independence and it's heartbreaking (but completely necessary) to set and enforce boundaries for her.
Below are a few videos from the past week or so. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
How to Build a Fort
For Christmas we received a perfect gift from Dad and Linda...a GoPro camera! Not only does it take very clear photos and videos but it is waterproof! We have been using it a lot- from videos on the beach in the Bahamas or in the snow in Albany! The only problem is that James has the videos on his computer so once he gets them to my youtube account I can get them up here!
One day, James set up the GoPro on the fireplace mantle and pressed play. 30 minutes later, the kids and he had set up a huge circus tent fort. I then took the video and sped it up 2000x in imovie. The result is a hilarious video of the event. Watch it four times...once for each of the people and once to watch it as a whole.
One day, James set up the GoPro on the fireplace mantle and pressed play. 30 minutes later, the kids and he had set up a huge circus tent fort. I then took the video and sped it up 2000x in imovie. The result is a hilarious video of the event. Watch it four times...once for each of the people and once to watch it as a whole.
Catching Up
It's been awhile since I posted videos, so here are a few to keep you entertained!
Starting us off is an interview with Ellie. She is describing all of the things she wants to do and be when she grows up (from January 5th). She continues telling us, even a month later, that she wants to be a builder when she grows up.
Next is a video of the kids spinning around when they don't think I am watching. They play so well together. I can't help but to hope that they will always be so close with each other.
Ellie loves to watch these cat movies on the iPad. I asked her to provide commentary while I videoed this one...
Starting us off is an interview with Ellie. She is describing all of the things she wants to do and be when she grows up (from January 5th). She continues telling us, even a month later, that she wants to be a builder when she grows up.
Next is a video of the kids spinning around when they don't think I am watching. They play so well together. I can't help but to hope that they will always be so close with each other.
Ellie loves to watch these cat movies on the iPad. I asked her to provide commentary while I videoed this one...
It's hard to believe that our Evan is 16 months old already! Ellie was 15 months old when we found out Evan was on the way...time flies. Here is Evan playing around at his 15 month doctor appointment.
During the long winter days, we keep ourselves busy by inventing new games. Here we are playing "kitchen kickball" with a gallon jug. The kids were so excited and happy. Who am I kidding, we all were excited and happy!!!
Here is a video of Ellie singing "Hard Day's Night" and "Here Comes The Sun".
Last for today is a video of Evan talking on the phone with Grandma B. He is getting to be very vocal these days! We can understand his language and using sign language has helped a lot to understand what he wants or is trying to tell us. My favorite part is when he kisses the picture of Grandma on the phone.
The Bahamas
As I sit here typing, I hear the plow going by our house and I think of where we were just a few days ago. Ahh..to be in paradise once again!!
We decided to leave Albany for Oswego on Monday (12/23). After an uneventful ride we met Uncle Danny, Aunt Becky and Jake, along with Grandma and PopPop at Canale's for dinner. We went back to my parents' house and opened all of the wonderful gifts from them. Ellie and Evan were so excited!!!! The next day was Christmas Eve and we hung out until mass at Our Lady in Minetto. It was cold and blustery in Oswego!! We decided to go to Syracuse and stay in a hotel so we didn't have to wake up so early for our flight the next morning. WELL...it snowed (HARD) the entire way to Liverpool. I grew up with snow and I still think it was awful. We finally made it to the hotel where we met up with Tommy.
The next day we got up early and made it to the airport with no problems. Despite almost missing our connecting flight, we made it safely to The Bahamas around 3pm. It was hard to imagine that it was actually Christmas Day!
As soon as we entered the airport in Nassau, a man came over to us and asked for our passports so we could bypass the long line. Having two exhausted looking children does have its perks :) By this time I already felt the vertigo coming on strong. I think I get it from the different pressure in the plane. Katie met up with us and a taxi was arranged to take us with Dad driving the rental car (on the left side of the road!). The taxi was rickety and the car seats barely buckled in, but alas we made it to our villa safely.
Walking to the beach reminded me of the movie Stargate. One moment, you are in the normal world, the next you are in a different place unlike any other. The water there was the most beautiful color- even more surreal than Hawaii's water. The sand was pure and so soft. We did try to swim but after being slammed by a wave I decided to not go in the water when there were large waves! (Something about sand in my hair and mouth....)
We spent most of our time at the pool or beach. My parents and sibs were generous with their time and let James and I relax while they watched the curious little kiddos. Ellie loved going to the pool because there was an inflatable "Shamu" that she named "Foofa". Evan absolutely enjoyed himself in the pool as well.
On Saturday, Tommy arranged for us to go on a snorkel adventure. I was excited because I love being under water looking at fish...but I should have really thought about the fact that there was a boat that took us out to sea...a boat...I get car sick on the way to the store if I'm not driving!!!! Within minutes both Katie and I were sea sick. We both rented wetsuits and I was getting claustrophobic in mine, but I didn't want to be cold so I kept it on. At the first stop, we got in the water (I thought that this would make the sea sick feeling go away) but the water was choppy so I was bobbing up and down there as well. I thought I died and went to hell. It was the worst feeling to be A. out of control and B. in a tight wetsuit C. sea sick! I tried to enjoy the fish and even a plane wreck that was used in one of the Jaws films but I had enough and got back on the boat. After I took the wet suit off it got better, but I was still feeling really sick and trying not to puke. The second stop was much more fun and the water less choppy. People were feeding the fish so schools of fish were swimming around us. It truly was a beautiful experience. The third stop (still feeling sea sick) was to feed the sharks. I can't recall the type of shark but some of them were pretty big!! Tommy, James and Katie went in and held a rope so that they could see the sharks being fed. I decided that I needed both of my hands and arms, thankyouverymuch, and would rather be on a boat going up and down up and down. (Just thinking of it now I'm feeling the motion. UGH). Even though I was so sick, it was a snorkel trip that I am glad we took, and I thank my parents for paying :)
Atlantis (the resort) was right near our villa and so one night we went over to explore. After dark, the guards go away and anyone can walk through the underground aquarium called The Dig. It was so beautiful that the next night we went back, this time with Ellie and my parents. How cool it must've been through Ellie's eyes!!! If you ever get the chance to get to Atlantis, make sure you go down at night.
The next day was my birthday and time to leave. It was sad to part with Katie, but we hope to see her soon (and there is always Skype!). We made it to Syracuse (with only one major baby freak out on the plane). It was then so hard to part with my parents and Tommy. Ellie asked the entire ride back to Albany why we weren't going to Oswego with them!!
So here we are, there and back again. Another adventure for the books. We are so fortunate that my parents include us in their travels and that Tommy plans it out to the smallest detail!!
I am working on getting videos and pictures posted now!!! Thanks for reading.
xxooL
We decided to leave Albany for Oswego on Monday (12/23). After an uneventful ride we met Uncle Danny, Aunt Becky and Jake, along with Grandma and PopPop at Canale's for dinner. We went back to my parents' house and opened all of the wonderful gifts from them. Ellie and Evan were so excited!!!! The next day was Christmas Eve and we hung out until mass at Our Lady in Minetto. It was cold and blustery in Oswego!! We decided to go to Syracuse and stay in a hotel so we didn't have to wake up so early for our flight the next morning. WELL...it snowed (HARD) the entire way to Liverpool. I grew up with snow and I still think it was awful. We finally made it to the hotel where we met up with Tommy.
The next day we got up early and made it to the airport with no problems. Despite almost missing our connecting flight, we made it safely to The Bahamas around 3pm. It was hard to imagine that it was actually Christmas Day!
As soon as we entered the airport in Nassau, a man came over to us and asked for our passports so we could bypass the long line. Having two exhausted looking children does have its perks :) By this time I already felt the vertigo coming on strong. I think I get it from the different pressure in the plane. Katie met up with us and a taxi was arranged to take us with Dad driving the rental car (on the left side of the road!). The taxi was rickety and the car seats barely buckled in, but alas we made it to our villa safely.
Walking to the beach reminded me of the movie Stargate. One moment, you are in the normal world, the next you are in a different place unlike any other. The water there was the most beautiful color- even more surreal than Hawaii's water. The sand was pure and so soft. We did try to swim but after being slammed by a wave I decided to not go in the water when there were large waves! (Something about sand in my hair and mouth....)
We spent most of our time at the pool or beach. My parents and sibs were generous with their time and let James and I relax while they watched the curious little kiddos. Ellie loved going to the pool because there was an inflatable "Shamu" that she named "Foofa". Evan absolutely enjoyed himself in the pool as well.
On Saturday, Tommy arranged for us to go on a snorkel adventure. I was excited because I love being under water looking at fish...but I should have really thought about the fact that there was a boat that took us out to sea...a boat...I get car sick on the way to the store if I'm not driving!!!! Within minutes both Katie and I were sea sick. We both rented wetsuits and I was getting claustrophobic in mine, but I didn't want to be cold so I kept it on. At the first stop, we got in the water (I thought that this would make the sea sick feeling go away) but the water was choppy so I was bobbing up and down there as well. I thought I died and went to hell. It was the worst feeling to be A. out of control and B. in a tight wetsuit C. sea sick! I tried to enjoy the fish and even a plane wreck that was used in one of the Jaws films but I had enough and got back on the boat. After I took the wet suit off it got better, but I was still feeling really sick and trying not to puke. The second stop was much more fun and the water less choppy. People were feeding the fish so schools of fish were swimming around us. It truly was a beautiful experience. The third stop (still feeling sea sick) was to feed the sharks. I can't recall the type of shark but some of them were pretty big!! Tommy, James and Katie went in and held a rope so that they could see the sharks being fed. I decided that I needed both of my hands and arms, thankyouverymuch, and would rather be on a boat going up and down up and down. (Just thinking of it now I'm feeling the motion. UGH). Even though I was so sick, it was a snorkel trip that I am glad we took, and I thank my parents for paying :)
Atlantis (the resort) was right near our villa and so one night we went over to explore. After dark, the guards go away and anyone can walk through the underground aquarium called The Dig. It was so beautiful that the next night we went back, this time with Ellie and my parents. How cool it must've been through Ellie's eyes!!! If you ever get the chance to get to Atlantis, make sure you go down at night.
The next day was my birthday and time to leave. It was sad to part with Katie, but we hope to see her soon (and there is always Skype!). We made it to Syracuse (with only one major baby freak out on the plane). It was then so hard to part with my parents and Tommy. Ellie asked the entire ride back to Albany why we weren't going to Oswego with them!!
So here we are, there and back again. Another adventure for the books. We are so fortunate that my parents include us in their travels and that Tommy plans it out to the smallest detail!!
I am working on getting videos and pictures posted now!!! Thanks for reading.
xxooL
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