Connor tells the story of his birth

Connor Mops

Look at that winning smile!

Connor Draws

Final Countdown!

As my mom pointed out yesterday, today is Connor's last day of being two!
We spent yesterday getting ready for a birthday celebration. A few final two-year old updates.

Last weekend at the park we met a mom who mentioned a website she let her one year old look at. She attributed his knowledge of the letters of the alphabet to this site. The other day in need of a new "activity" I decided to check it out- really just curious as to how that would work. Connor and I explored a few of the pages on the site but the one he really fell for was "Earth Day." It features an activity in which the user clicks and drags cans, paper, and plastic into recycling cans. I didn't think he would be able to master the fine motor skill required to place the cursor on the item, but he got it.

Connor's also been making various pre-reading word sound associations (phonological awareness?). Yesterday he said, "Hey! Weekend sounds like key," and last weekend he said, "Hey! Pans go in the pantry."

This morning I was talking about the backbone and rambling on about animals and mammals. "Hey!" he excalimed. "Animals and mammals rhyme." While they don't exactly rhyme, they're close enough, and I didn't know Connor knew what rhyming was.

What is N-J-A-K?

"I got you some more C-A-N-D-Y," I remarked to the dad after returning from the grocery store this morning.
"Ah, great," he replied.
"What do the letters mean?" Little Pitcher piped up.
So I told him the word that I spelled and why I spelled it.
Later, after dinner tonight, he came to me and asked, "Where's the N-J-A-K?"

Good try, right? Since he had eaten a decent dinner, I gave him some C-A-N-D-Y.

Miyu-chan to Yuki-chan to Connor

In the spring we met a Japanese family with two children: Yuki-chan is about half a year younger than Connor, and Miyu-chan just started kindergarten (although she had already completed a whole year of kindergarten in New York. I think her parents find the lack of standardization in school starting age baffling. Isn't it? In Japan everything starts in April. April 1 is the cut-off date throughout Japan, from the north to the south. So much simpler, don't you think?)
The other day Connor had a playdate with them. We found out that Connor and Yuki have the same cap! They were too busy to pose, so I got only action shots. Below you can see all the hard work that was being done. Also, notice their amazing playroom! It's any kid's dream.






p.s. If you're wondering why in every single picture Connor is wearing that same shirt, it's because he loves it, he wears it every time it's clean. When I let him dress himself, that's the outfit he chooses.

Genuine Camper

This is the tent in which Connor slept last night (in our backyard). I was very impressed. It was cool last night (65) and midway through the night his dad offered to bring him inside, but he insisted on staying in the tent. -- Don't worry, he had lots of blankets.

This is a very exciting development. We are getting closer to achieving our goal of an "outdoor baby." (Before he was born we joked about having an outdoor baby, in the way others have outdoor dogs or cats.)

Super Why!

Connor's favorite television program is Super Why!, which he can watch at 7 if he gets up in time. It's a half-hour program for preschoolers that reinforces pre-reading skills like ABCs, rhyming, spelling, and comprehension. It was designed by a group led by one of the creators of Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues.

Funny Faces

Variations of Connor's "funny face":






Should we go ahead and get him an agent?

Happy Camper

(photo credit E. Faulks)

Are You Serious?

Connor is eating lunch that includes strawberries and vanilla ice cream. First of all, I was shocked that he ate strawberries. I didn't know he liked them.
I took the opportunity to explain that products made from milk are called "dairy." "Some cows are raised for meat, and others are raised for dairy..." I trailed off.
He paused from his feast, turned and looked at me. "Are you serious?" he asked.
My two-year old just asked me if I was serious.

Plus Two Years

Liam and Connor Babies

Flashback --- 7 Weeks

Came across this while searching through old photos for pictures of Walter ... c'mon, say "Awwww." Little Connor.

Summer School 2008

Especially in July when both parents were engaged in "extended year program" responsibilities, Connor occasionally spent a day on site observing summer school operations. It was a good experience for him. He loves going to schools (well, except his, on some days).


(photo credit MTC summer intern)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Connor's current book/video obsession is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Beware: this tune may be highly annoying/addictive, so view at your own risk.

Chopstick

Connor is getting ready for bed. He finished brushing his teeth, came to me and said, "I put chopstick on my lips." And handed me a tube of chapstick.

"I Do All My Own Stunts"

Connor, Carlos, and Sofia

Connor with second cousins several weeks ago on Mobile Bay

Bonk Bed

I just found out, Connor thinks he sleeps in a bonk bed, because if you jump on it, you'll *bonk* your head. "It can hurt you," he told me seriously, more than once.