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Sun, Nov 26, 2006 3:00 PM
Several weeks ago, while reading a Sesame Street book, I made the mistake of telling Katie about Sesame Place, an amusement park about 45 minutes from our house. "We can go and visit all of the Sesame Street characters this summer," I said.

When she jumped up and proclaimed, "Dummer! Ready, Mommy?!", I thought we were in trouble. When she woke up the next day and "Dummer!" was the first thing out of her mouth, I KNEW we were in trouble.

Since there's no way to fast-forward through the winter and spring months, I instead showed her the Sesame Place website. While there, we discovered that they have "Breakfast with Big Bird and Friends" on weekends in November and December. So, we booked our tickets and started waiting.

Today was the big day, and it wasn't a disappointment. The whole set-up was great (I'd highly recommend it to anyone with small kids or grandkids!). There were ample opportunities to interact and be photographed with the characters. During several musical numbers, kids and parents were invited to dance with them, too.

In the course of numerous pre-event conversations about who'd be at this breakfast, Katie would always ask, "Cookie, too?!" Yet, when she saw Cookie Monster in person, she was completely terrified! Even so, we all had a great time. I'm definitely eager to take her back to the park this "dummer" so we can get the full experience.

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Sat, Nov 25, 2006 7:00 PM
Last night Katie and I were reading some bedtime books. She picked up one of her favorites--Cookie's Week, a gift from Nay Nay--and announced confidently, "Coo-kie Week! Din-dy! War! Thomas!"

If you look at the cover (http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0698114353/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-2150259-7492625#reader-link) you'll understand why I was a bit taken aback. Admittedly, we have read this book countless times--and I always read the author's and illustrator's names--but I hadn't read it last night. She remembered that on her own. I shudder to think what ELSE she is storing away in that brain of hers.

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Wed, Nov 22, 2006 9:15 AM
I have never wanted to be one of those moms who acts as if her perfectly normal child were a genius (I hope I never seem like that in these posts). In fact, I'm sure that much of what Katie does is indeed quite normal for a kid her age. Even so, as her parents (and the people who remember her as a tiny helpless baby), Steve and I are still downright amazed by some of the things she does and says. Katie retains almost every detail of every experience--and she loves to recount and/or re-enact much of it. Lately he and I have been laughing and saying, "Doesn't she miss ANYTHING?"

For instance, this morning on the way to school, she and I were at the stop sign at Harvard Drive and Street Road. Out of nowhere, she points straight ahead and announces, "Katie goo dit way." Before I could even acknowledge that she was correct, she pointed to the right and announced, "Pee-duh parlor a-way." And then she pointed left and said, "Mawl a-way." I think her sense of direction is already better than mine (which, unfortunately, isn't saying much).

The weekend before last, while Steve was blowing leaves and Katie and I raked, her buddy Heather stopped over to say hello. Well, last night in the garage Katie noticed the rake hanging on the wall. She nodded emphatically as she said, "Rake... Heathuh..." It took me a second to connect the dots, but then I realized she was remembering that afternoon.

There are about 15 other examples that would require too much set-up for the pay-off. But, suffice it to say, we really need to watch what we say and do now; nothing goes unnoticed, it seems.

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Mon, Nov 20, 2006 9:30 AM
Here are some miscellaneous stories pertaining to Katie's speech:

* After being told numerous times that Gran and Paw-Paw will be coming back around the same time as Ho-Ho, she has taken to spontaneously announcing, "Gan-Paw-Paw-Ho-Ho-NEW-car-Katie-deat!" Which translates to, "Gran and Paw-Paw are coming at Christmas time, and they'll be driving their new car that has my carseat in it." She knows that Gran and Paw-Paw live in Kentucky ("Tuh-ee"), that Grandma Renee is in New Jersey ("Neeew Jer-zey") and that Grandpa Frank is out west in Arizona ("Dona").

* There are a few consonant clusters that Katie has yet to master. "St" comes out as a hard "G" (Sesame Street is simply "Geet") and "Sh" is often a "D" (her schoolmate Sean is "Dawn"). She also uses "D" for all "th" words, such as "dat," "dit," and "dere." "Y" is one exception to the "D" rule; she substitutes "L" for "Y," so that yogurt is "low-get" and something yucky is, oddly enough, "lucky."

* We must often say "okay?" in a patronizing and assumptive manner because now we're getting that back in spades. Favorites include "I do dat, 'kaaaaaaaaay?" or "I eat it, 'kaaaaaaaaaaaaay?" or "Right here, 'kaaaaaaaay?" or "Dit one, 'kaaaaay?"

* She often has me read the same book three, four, or five times in a row. Then, when she feels she's learned enough of it, she'll interrupt me in the middle of a page and say, "Katie read it!" She then proceeds to "read" in a loud and passionate manner, often with great gesticulations and even some accidental spitting! She usually manages to get about one key word per spread right, which isn't bad, but most of it still sounds like gobbledygook. In fact, Steve summed it best when he said she looks and sounds like a Middle Eastern dictator delivering a speech in Arabic.

* And, finally, she's having an absolute ball as Danielle's dog, Angel, stays with us for a couple of days. Watching Katie with Angel is, I imagine, a close approximation of how Katie would be with a younger sibling. She's alternately protective ("BIT IT, AIN-JUH! No kay-on! Doggie dick," which means, "Spit that out, Angel! You can't eat crayons; they'll make you sick!"), overly loving (I've actually caught the two of them doing something eerily similar to French kissing!), and jealous/possessive over toys and dolls ("NO, AIN-JUH, MY Daw-bay Dortcake!" which means, "Don't touch my Strawberry Shortcake doll!").

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Thu, Nov 16, 2006 8:30 AM
Last night, Katie Couric featured a story about the male biological clock--how older dads are more likely to have children with austism or schizophrenia. The story failed to mention another more common "side effect" of being an older dad: the grandpa mix-up.

On Monday evening, Paw-Paw and I took Katie to Wegmans. While I did some shopping, he chased her around the store. She stopped in to the floral shop, where an employee immediately recognized her. "I know you!" she gushed. "Your name is Katie and your birthday is in July!"

My dad spoke with the woman and found out that her granddaughter and Katie are just days apart in age. When he identified himself as Katie's Paw-Paw, she said "Oh, then I guess she was with her OTHER Paw-Paw yesterday."

When I told Steve the story, he laughed and said he and Katie had been smelling all the flowers and he had indeed struck up a conversation with the woman working there.

* * *

At pickup yesterday, there was a big chalkboard sign that said "We asked the children what they are thankful for" and pointed to a collection of artwork on the wall. Each page contained a child's name and drawing/painting, along with the teacher's written record of what that child said in response to the question.

As I scanned all the pictures, I saw that Ashley is thankful for "Ashley and Momma" and Brett is thankful for "Princess," which I assume is a family pet. And Katie? She is thankful for "Daddy" (aka "The Other Paw-Paw").

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Sun, Nov 12, 2006 6:30 PM
Paw-Paw is in town this week for a visit ("Paw-Paw. No Gan," Katie explains). As most of you know, Paw-Paw is retired and accustomed to resting whenever he sees fit. Steve told Paw-Paw to pack "Quiet Time" away in his suitcase because there won't be any until he goes back home. And so far, Katie hasn't disappointed.

When he arrived yesterday, Paw-Paw was feeling ill and wanted to rest for just a few minutes. But it was only a few SECONDS before Katie let herself in the room to visit with him. This morning Paw-Paw was trying to rest again--and was again interrupted by the "Pawwwww-Pawwwww" call. Katie proceeded to raid his wallet and take all his cash and cards. I'm not sure he minds, though. When she grabbed both his cheeks and planted a big smooch on him, he said, "I'll take you to the mall, and I'll buy you ANYTHING you want!"

Speaking of the mall, all three of us went on this rainy day. Paw-Paw treated Katie to a Reese's Cup Blizzard and three rides on the holiday "too-too tain." He also kept her occupied while Steve and I did some shopping at Toys R Us. (Photos to come!)

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Tue, Nov 7, 2006 1:30 PM
Years ago, my good friend Stacey emailed me this story -- http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1999/10/14/bathroom_humor/index.html -- about the "poop-joke gene." After sharing an apartment with me for several years, Stacey knew I have a lot in common with the essay's author. In other words, I definitely inherited that gene (from my father, no doubt), and much like the author's husband, Steve did not.

Until Sunday, I wasn't sure about Katie's status.

She and I were upstairs doing laundry. While waiting for a load to finish, I suggested we watch a Sesame Street video in the master bedroom. As always, she lost interest in the TV in about two minutes. Spontaneously, she started lifting my sweatshirt and blowing on my stomach. Enormous whoopee-cushion sounds filled the room. I was laughing so hard I couldn't stand it--and so was she. She carried on for a few more minutes before I decided to test if she really "got" the joke.

"Katie, what does that sound like?" I asked.

She replied, "Tooooooooots!" while cackling hysterically.

Katie and I later went to the back landing to demonstrate the sounds for Steve. He gave in and laughed--but not nearly as hard as we did!

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Mon, Nov 6, 2006 2:30 PM
On Saturday, Steve and I spent most of the day at a wedding ceremony and reception. While we were gone, Danielle looked after Katie. When we arrived home, Katie was in bed--leaving plenty of time for Danielle to tell us the day's stories...

Katie almost always gives me a hard time when I try to style her hair. But she let Danielle put her mop into two pigtails before they headed out to the "pee-duh parlor" for a slice. Danielle said it took about an hour, but Katie ate an entire slice of cheese pizza. After running another errand, they headed home and Katie passed out for a nice, long snooze. (Danielle always lucks out when it comes to Katie's naps!)

After Katie woke up, she and Danielle headed to Danielle's mom's house to visit with them. Danielle said Katie made herself right at home. For instance, she smeared jelly on the table, Windexed it off--and then didn't want to give back the spray bottle. (Oh, how she loves Windexing...)

Interestingly, Katie seems to totally understand the concept that she and Danielle have the same father but different mothers. When quizzed, Katie identified Danielle's mom as "Dee Mommy." When asked who Danielle's daddy is, Katie said, "Katie Daddy." And when asked who Katie's mommy is, she replied, "Dew-dee" (Steve's been teaching her that my name is "Susie").

Danielle said at one point, Katie wanted to go upstairs and called for "Dee" to come with her. Halfway up, she stopped and called for "Dee Mommy" to come, too. Danielle said that Katie was positively enthralled by all the "Hello Kitty" gear in her room--and that Katie completed a thorough inspection of all the rooms and closets. LOL

Another highlight of the day for Katie: a sugar donut from Dunkin' Donuts ("oohh, Deeee!" Katie proclaimed with glee). Later, when Katie was having a PB&J on pita for dinner, Angel snatched a bite from Katie's hand. Livid, Katie started screaming and carrying on, which in turn caused Danielle to yell at the dog. Apparently that was just what Katie wanted. She joined in--wagging her finger and "reprimanding" Angel--and then seemed instantly satisfied.

Danielle put her to bed and Katie slept right through till morning. Ah, I could get used to this...!

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Wed, Nov 1, 2006 12:30 PM
The verdict's in: Katie LOVES Halloween.

Although she initially rejected her witch's costume, last night she objected to taking it OFF! She had an absolute ball going door to door and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters who rang our bell.

After dinner, Katie and her dad went out to visit our nearest neighbors. Steve reported that Katie was a bit timid and shy when approaching their front doors. But when I took her back out--we ventured all the way to the front of the development--she was hardly shy! She was strutting around like the Queen Witch, very confident in the whole candy-obtaining process.

We came back home and she handed out candy to other kids before asking to go BACK out with her dad. They went back for a brief third round, then came home before heading out for the fourth and final trick-or-treating jag.

All told, Katie visited the Walshes three times and the Seiders twice. I believe she kept going to the Walshes not for goodies, but to see Maddie (who was an adorable poodle!). I think her motives were more selfish with the Seiders; they were giving out glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets, which Katie definitely liked.

At any rate, I was once again reminded of how nice our neighborhood is for such occasions. I think there are 50-60 houses in our development, and I'd wager that 85% of them have young kids. That combination leads to lots of festive-looking homes--and just the right number of parents, kids, and dogs out and about for the Halloween fun.

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