PopLee Ponderings

Ice Skating

Marina Lee — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:54:00 GMT

Sebastien and I went ice skating on Sunday. He had been talking about
'falling down' ice skates for weeks. Especially after our last attempt
to ice skate was aborted after falling to acquire a parking spot! I
could only imagine how crowded the rink was.

This time we were prepared. We got there BEFORE the open skate was
supposed to start. Time to pay, find skates, and get them laced.
Sebastien 'skated' last year with Mihai on plastic ice and double
bladed skates. This was his first time on real ice and with single
bladed skates ie "Falling Down Skates". We got on the ice and I
quickly reached the decision that this was a terrible idea. His feet
were going everywhere, I had no idea where to begin to help him figure
it out, and he was less than interested in listening to me. I was
adamant about making fists when he fell down. Not that he could get up
on his own. We did a few laps with one hand on the boards and my
balancing him with his other hand. He tripped all over the toe pick
and his skates. Eventually he figured out he could use the boards to
get back up. A few more laps. And then I needed a lunch break. (I was
ready to leave). Restored blood sugars, off we went again. After a lap
he was NOT AT ALL INTERESTED in my help. Off we went trying to figure
out his feet. And he did it! (for six or so steps and then down on the
ice in a heap). By now he had figured out how to stand up without his
feet moving out behind). And around the rink we went. Him skating and
falling (managing most times to twist around while falling to land on
his stomach) and getting back up again. One lap around, and twenty or
so trips to the ice, and I was ready to leave. I don't think it even
occurred to Sebastien to give up! I was in absolute awe of this little
boy who was determined to figure it out! I was almost moved to tears
when he told me "I don't want your help!" Two laps latter and he was
ready to leave. He knew I was proud of his accomplishment, and he used
it to get some candy out of me after nap time....

When we got home he drew this picture of the faling down ice skate
man. Those are skates on the feet. With just one blade.

Enjoy.

Rescue Helicopter

Marina Lee — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:06:35 GMT

An original piece of construction courtesy of Sebastien.

A rescue helicopeter.

You can hear a clip of his describing it.

Bear in a Cave

Marina Lee — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:59:39 GMT

Sebastien drew this the other morning. The colors carefully match his
lovey 'Bear'. (We own three of them, two bumpy Bear's, and one Soft
Bear, for some reason less loved).

Bear's 'name' is written above (or to the side as the case may be).

Scuba by Sebastien

Marina Lee — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:12:58 GMT

Another drawing. Sebastien really enjoys drawing. So much so that the
teachers are coming up with more art projects for all the kids in his
class to do.

This one is a of a man scuba diving. Along with his submarine, a
shark, and a fish.

Princess Bride: Cliffs of Insanity by Sebastien

Marina Lee — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:10:56 GMT

The Saturday of The Snow Storm of 2009, Sebastien watched the Princess
Bride at our neighbor's house. (He watched and apparently remembered a
remarkable amount of the movie). In one memorable scene, two parties
are scaling a cliff, having arrived at the foot of the cliff by boat.
Once atop of the cliff there is a sword fight scene.

One month later, Sebastien drew the following picture. We had not
talked about the movie. He made the drawing at school.

A little interpretation: Orange cliff, with orange sail boat at the
bottom. Blue rope, with two blue people climbing. Both carrying orange
swords.

We are astounded at his memory, accuracy, and his use of color!

May your day be Merry

Marina Lee — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:28:29 GMT

As you can see, the kids were overwhelmed with presents.

Sebastien got his stocking first thing in the morning, and had to play
with EVERY item. He then waited till after breakfast and some TV
before ripping into his presents. It took some persuasion to open only
one at a time, and to prevent him from punching out his brother every
time Tristan came to play. Tristan liked ripping the wrapping paper
and was demanding for his toys. But lost interest quickly. The best
part of Christmas for Tristan is the tree and the decorations. Very
few of them will be left on our 'tree' by the end of the day.

May your day be full of family and fun.

Winter Wonderland

Marina Lee — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:24:38 GMT

Sebastien was an Eskimo in a past life! This afternoon, walking back
from the playground, I asked Sebastien what he would tell his teacher
that he did this weekend. "Play in the snow, Shovel, Sled, Sleep,
Sled, Sleep, play in the snow, sled, sleep, sled, play in the snow".
That was his weekend. With some baking and tv thrown in for good
measure.

Atleast 18 inches of snow. Mihai shoveled our both our cars, our
driveway and sidewalk, the neighbors sidewalk, and a path around to
the back of the house to the back door. A whole lot of shoveling. He
got inspiration from the neighbors and tunneled an igloo out of the
snow/ice. Sebastien had fun undoing that work and the cleared
pathways. We put some bird seed out. and then he proceeded to sit by
the bird bath calling for the birds. They didn't come. Someone was
quite upset.

Tristan couldn't decide what to make of the snow.That's not true. He
knows he doesn't like a face full of snow. The rest of it is still up
for debate. He wants to be outside, but would currently prefer the
white stuff weren't there. Sledding is not yet his thing. Especially
when sledding with Daddy involves a face full of the white stuff. I
figured out a way to keep his fingers not wet, which was likely the
problem the first time. Double gloves. While I glove him up, he opens
and closes and open and closes his fist. Cute. Until he figures out he
can use his teeth to get the gloves off. The gloves that took five
minutes to get all the fingers lined up in properly....

Opps

Marina Lee — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:23:54 GMT

Well. What is the holiday season without a little vice?!

Both my kids had a first.

Tristan took his first sip of beer. We were at a neighbors house
having lunch after a play in the snow. Tristan was walking around.
Picked up an almost empty bear bottle, from teh recycling. Took a
swig. And promptly threw up his lunch. (Who wouldn't throw up after
drinking day old beer?)

Fireman Mike came over for dinner tonight. We gave him a small present
of a slots dice game. And then we, sebastien included, proceeded to
play a few rounds. Two cent buy in ("look the gold one!"). I think we
all lost, although Mike lost the least. Mihai probably lost the most.

Happy Winter Solstice (almost)!

First haircut

Marina Lee — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:48:06 GMT

I had been meaning to take Tristan to the kids hair cut place, but he
always had a runny nose.
Finally Cheryl nagged me into getting the hair out of his eyes.

We did it together (with a little food to keep the child entertained).
It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

A few days later I cut Sebastien's hair, at his request! The bangs
aren't quite straight. But he is never still long enough for anyone to
notice!

Belated Tristan Birthday

Marina Lee — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:42:57 GMT

We celebrated Tristan's birthday late this year. On his birthday he
was on day two of what turned out to be a five day fever. Not the flu.
But miserable none the less. We celebrated two or three weeks later up
at Cheryl and Dan's house. They were kind enough to let the friends
gather at their house for a celebration.

The photos are self explanatory.