handiman

Timothy got a tool kit for Christmas and loves to use the hammer and screwdriver. Here, he's helping Paul put together our new end tables.

look what i can do

using his screwdriver

jess and lucy visit

Friends of Paul's, who live in the UK but are originally from South Africa, are here visiting us. They arrived last Wednesday and leave this Thursday. It's been a great visit, and Tim has thoroughly enjoyed having their daughters, Jess (age 3.5) and Lucy (age 2.5) around. We believe that their company has helped him deal with the arrival of his baby brother.

dinner a la jason

a movie and a drink

It was a crisp afternoon, but the kids were thrilled to bundle up and run around the local park.

lucy

jess

on the swing

still swinging

coming out of the tunnel

in the tunnel

steering the ship

happy birthday

Two years old today! Timothy started the day with presents from Paul and I. He knows exactly what the word present means and just how to go about opening them. Mid morning, we enjoyed a relatively clear video call with Gran, Grand-da and Aunt Melissa. They watched while Timothy opened his presents that they gave to him. He was delighted with all of them. This afternoon we went to Gramps and Gee Gee's for cake, ice cream and more presents. Paul and I appreciate the thoughtful gifts and love from our families.

cake

sampling some frosting

blowing out the candles all by himself

verdict: a normal first day

Paul worked at the office all morning, but was able to come home to pick Timothy up with me at noon. He'll work from here for the rest of the day. (I love this about his new job.)

The assistant director called me at about 11:15 to report on Tim. She said he'd been having a very normal day: up and down. Every time the door opened, he'd cry a little. They think he was hoping it would be us. But he played with the dinosaurs and colored a picture of a penguin and an egg, so it wasn't a whole morning of tears.

We entered the room together. He was standing alone, pulling at his hair and looking a little sad. When he saw us, he ran for Paul and started to cry just a little but recovered as soon as Paul had him in his arms. He showed us his picture, especially the egg and then made his hand motions for stirring and cooking an egg. When we make him a scrambled egg, we put a chair in the kitchen for him to stand on and we do it together. He holds it while I break it. He salt and peppers it, and we stir it up together. He helps me pour it into the pan and then watches as I cook it. Paul does the same with him. Unfortunately, he likes cooking the egg much better than eating it.

Friday may be a little harder as he'll know what's in store for him when we take him over there, but it will get better. I don't want him to go through this for the first time as a five year old entering school.

He's down for a much deserved and desired nap. Tea time!

first day of nursery school

The house is quiet, eerie quiet. No trains are blowing their whistles, Noddy's oh-so-annoying theme song isn't playing on the TV, Old MacDonald is mute. Is this the best cup of coffee I've ever had?

first day smiles

Paul and I walked Timothy over to his first day of nursery school at 07:30 this morning. The sun tinged the snow on the ground that strange mix of orange and pink that only nature can produce. Tim was excited. Once in the door, he knew the way to the classroom and led Paul and I down the hall and through the door to a room full of girls and toys. Paul left first because he had to go in to work today and I needed to get checked out on the protocols. Tim hugged him good-bye and happily returned to the toys. When I said good-bye, he thought he was to say good-bye to the toys as well and waved his hand and walked to the door. I explained that he got to stay and play while I went home. He looked doubtful. Whether he doubted he wanted to stay without me or doubted that he got to stay without me, I'll never know, but he let me leave and went with Miss Christine back to the toys. The assistant director said she'd call me mid-morning to let me know how it's going.

He is set up now to go to school every Wednesday and Friday morning until 12:00. We can change the days as we need as long as we give them notice. His schedule there is as follows:
Breakfast at 08:00
Circle Time with the whole class for large muscle movement and music at 08:30
Diaper changes and hand washing at 09:30
Outside play at 09:45
Fine Motor Play and Art at 10:15
Story Time at 10:45
Clean Up and Hand Washing at 11:00
Lunch at 11:15
Diaper changes and Hand Washing at 11:45

Even though he's got 11 more days until he's two, he's in the class for 24-36 month old children. There's no point in having him start in the other class and get comfortable only to move him. There are three others that have just turned two, so he's not going to be the only young one, and it will be good to get him around some slightly older kids. Maybe he'll start to add more words to his vocabulary. He's developing a complex language of signs, but these are all of his own creation, and Paul and I are the only people who understand it.

I'll try to report back on his day this afternoon if I get the time. For now, I have some serious house cleaning to do. After another cup of quiet coffee that is.