Mab is army-crawling now, has been for about a week. She can pick things up between her thumb and forefinger, pass things from hand to hand, roll around. The other day we took something away from her and she howled angrily, then, still howling, rolled away from us twice, to the other side of the room, where she grabbed something else and chomped on it, yes, still howling.

I am now realizing how very, very dirty all our floors are.

October 2011

October 2011

Subtle signs that we read a lot of older children's fiction

Faelan, upon being told to stop splashing: "But Mab finds it amusing!"
And upon being told that breakfast comes after getting dressed: "But why must I wait?"

I also see signs that he is questioning our authority...

Knowledge

Faelan: I know all, all, all things that are true.

Joel: Oh yeah? What's the boiling point of water?

Faelan: To make tea!

September 2011 Photos

September 2011

Smithereens

Faelan, pounding a rock on a pile of dirt he has placed on the patio: This is what the enemies of dirt do.

Amity: What, smash the dirt to smithereens?

Faelan: Yes.

Amity, pointing to the pulverized dirt: Hey, that's what these are called - smithereens!

Faelan: No, these are dirtmareens.

Amity: I don't understand. What does that mean?

Faelan: They are mareens that haven't been smithered.

Faelan, five minutes later: Come see what has been smithered!

August 2011

August 2011