Fire Safety

Earlier this fall, the fire department came to visit Luke's preschool.  It wasn't a normal preschool day for him, so  took him up there just for the safety demonstration.  When the fire fighters asked the group of kids what you should do if your house is on fire, Luke, my shy little guy, raised his hand in front of the entire group and replied, "You go outside."  My heart swelled with pride and I was equally impressed that he knew the right answer and that he was brave enough to speak up in front of a group of 30 to 40 kids.

Later that day, I was bragging on Luke to Daddy.  Reminding Luke about the event earlier in the morning, I said to him, "Luke, what do you do if our house is on fire."  He piped up, "You go outside."  To which I responded,"Yes, that's right, good job."  Turns out he wasn't finished, as he then added "And when you're outside, you start a fire!" in a maniacal voice.  He may have followed up with a crazy laugh, I'm not sure, I was in a bit of shock.  This kid has a dark, dark sense of humor that I think is going to take some getting used to.

Go There, Then Over There

Caleb doesn't talk much yet.  So far he just has a few words - mom (ma), dad (da), sippy cup/milk/drink (ba), hi, bye, and a special sound for the cat that is a crowing sound he makes by sucking air in.  That being said, he knows exactly what he wants, where, when and how.  He's figured out how to direct people through a series of pointing gestures and one syllable sounds best described as "eeh."

Today Caleb came up to me and put his arms up to be picked up.  He then pointed toward the kitchen and said "eeh" and we were off.  Unfortunately, his pointing is not very accurate and he never looks in the direction he points.  It's more of a palm-up, grand sweeping gesture that is reminiscent of some upper class matron that can't be bothered and should be accompanied with a drawn out "dahling, would you be a dear..."  And thus began today's game of Marco Polo/ Hot and Cold.  We went all over the kitchen, from counter top to counter top, looked in the fridge, each time never coming up with what he was looking for.  The typical items of interest - sippy cup, crackers, fruit, cheese, were all shoved away with disdain.  Finally, he indicates toward the pantry and - aha! - spots what he is looking for right away...raisins!  Raisins.  A five minute search for a box of raisins.  This kid has really got to learn some more words.  

I'm a Ninja

Luke has been sick, but is feeling better... much better.  He's bouncing around the house this morning, perhaps a bit stir-crazy, but not free of illness for 24 hours, so he's staying home from preschool.  Spinning around the house in his green Thomas the Train pajamas, he says to Ryan, "I'm the green ninja," a reference to one of his favorite shows/toys/marketing genius, Lego Ninjago.  A couple of spins later and he follows with, "And Brady is my sensei."  So much truth there.

How to Get a Cat Down from a Tree

Some background - A little while ago we got a kitten.  Her name is Callie (or Kalamazoo, depending on if she is in trouble or not) and she's now about 6 months old.  She's been spending time outside during the day lately when we're home and recently discovered our large elm tree in the front yard.  The lowest branch on the tree is about 15 feet off the ground and apparently it made Brady nervous for her to be up in the tree.  So, he decided she needed to come down.  I walked  around the corner of the house to see Brady with a football in his hand and his arm cocked back ready to throw it up into the tree.  I initially didn't realize Callie was in the tree, so he got a throw off before I could stop him.  As it bounced off a branch, I looked over to see Brady's friend standing opposite of him with his arms held out ready to catch the cat.  It took me several minutes to convince the boys that:

1.  Knocking the cat our of the tree with a football is a terrible idea.  In fact, I think I used the phrase "terrible idea" more than once talking to them.

2.  If they did succeed in knocking her out of the tree, she could be really hurt, either from the football hitting her, or from the fall.

3.  No matter how hard they try, they will not be able to catch a falling cat in their arms.

4.  Cats come down out of trees on their own if you leave them alone.

The whole time that I am trying to explain all of this to the boys, Brady is standing there holding the football, ready to throw it again; his friend is standing there with his arms out saying, "I can catch her, I really can"; both boys are looking at me with doubtful looks on their faces that say "I hear what you're saying, but I really think the football method is a better idea", and Callie is climbing higher and higher into the tree.  Finally, I convince the boys to move on and shortly after, Callie, deciding the aerial assault is over, climbed back down the tree.  Crisis averted.