Spencer's Poetry Slam

Hi!

Today, Spencer's first grade class had a Poetry reading. Erika, Jasmine and I all made it down to his classroom where the event was held. They videotaped each reading but what I have here is video taken with our digital camera. It's less than ideal, but it's what I've got.

Oh yeah, that reminds me. It's my birthday on May 1st so, you know, if you wanted to buy me a digital camcorder, that would be sweet.

Anyway. I was extremely impressed with the writing these kids did and, of course, very proud of Spencer. They were tasked with writing observations about objects like shells, marbles and rocks in ways they hadn't experimented with before.

Here's the video followed by a transcript of Spencer's poems (it's tough to hear him). He was so enthused by the project that he wrote two pieces! He was the only one. Good job, Spence!

The Strongest Drill
By Spencer Sullivan

The shell is a drill
Strongest drill in the world

It can go through
Wood, metal, crystal
Anything
Hard to use

It smells like chocolate
Feels hard
Like crystal

The Radio of Light
by Spencer Sullivan

In the radio
Might be an opera
Or my favorite band

It could be
Funky people
Old school people
Rock people

Do you know
What keeps the power going?

Rubber Ducky!

Well, it was bound to happen. The obligatory "bath" video that I'm sure will embarrass my daughter for years and years. It's rated G ;-)

Warning!!!!: I knock a plastic cup over just a few seconds in and it is LOUD. So, keep that volume low for a second.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Hey Everybody!

Jasmine and I recorded this video greeting. We miss everyone and hope you're all doing great!

Hi- Ho!

OK... So I'm pretty sick. I downed some Robitussin and now, despite the product label's claims otherwise, am drowsy. Jasmine is not. In fact, she's got a pretty amazing amount of energy today.
Still, I couldn't pass up the chance to share what I think is a pretty cute video of Jasmine chatting with her Kermit doll. Kermit is actually a bit larger than little Jasmine but, as you will see, she has no problem wildly wielding him about. This is also the most vocal I've seen her to date. "Pretty cute" yawns her sick dad Caleb, "I just wish she would take a nap with me.. or make me some chicken soup or something"

Dig it:

Nom Nom Nom

Hi everyone...

Jasmine is teething. The oral equivalent of Multnomah Falls began a couple of days ago, quickly followed by the urgent need to chaw on anything she could get her hands on. She's still talking a lot and growing at a quick pace. A once balding head is now full of little hairs. There's some strawberry blonde in there amongst some very brilliant, almost white hairs.

A week or so ago Jasmine managed to roll over from her tummy to her back. She's just now managing to roll from back to tummy. When on her tummy, she tries SO HARD to crawl. You can tell the sweet one wants to be mobile. It's amazing to watch her grow up.

Here's a video of Jaz munching down on a toy whilst working on her core strength. Yes, I'm aware of the dangers of leaving an infant unsecured on a couch, which is why I never leave her side ;-)

Packed Friday

Dude... Today is going to be seriously busy. First up this morning is Spencer's Jog-a-thon, followed immediately by playdate/sleepover madness that leads into Mom's birthday party hosted here at the house. Kazow! It should be fun.

I wrapped up my speaker review last night and sent it off. Writing reviews is weird. It fits somewhere between more conventional journalism that focuses on facts and an opinion piece. Where the former tends to lack the personality of the writer, the latter tends to lean heavily on witicisms and personal insight. I haven't been so nervous about something I wrote since the 11th Grade of High School. Funny.

Jasmine keeps yapping away and I just can't keep myself from picking up the camera and shooting off videos. If you're interested, here she is having a "chat" with Mom this morning.

For those readers who will be coming over tonight: See you soon!

A Fistfull of Firsts

Hi everyone!

Last night Jasmine had her first real laugh. While getting ready for bed, Spencer extemporaneously broke out in some sort of spastic interpretive dance (he's been know to do that from time to time.) Apparently, Jasmine was SO MOVED by the artistic display of spazzitude that she busted out laughing! Unfortunately, I missed the event but you know I have been working the dance moves trying to replicate whatever it was Spencer did to get her laughing. So far, not much luck.

I have recorded a few videos of Jasmine doing her baby talk thing. I know I'm probably one of the few that finds this SO adoreable but, hey, it's my blog and I'll post lots of videos if I wanna!

Here's one of Jasmine playing in her chair:


Another of Jasmine talking to her mobile:


And here's a random video of some squirrels building a nest out in our back yard. I found this pretty fun to watch. Hope it translates well to video. My apologies in advance for the really, really bad Aussie Wildlife Narrator impression: