Mark set up a WISH LIST for Fintan for Xmas/Birthday and it is:

http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/23NV22FOG36W/ref=cm_sw_em_r_wl

Good luck, hope it works... if not, we'll try to fix it.

:D Ing

First Parent-Teacher Conference

Fintan's fireman outfit for Halloween.

So today I had Fintan's first "parent-teacher conference." Yes, this is only pre-school, but when your child spends 40 hours in a school environment you can't help but wonder what's going on, how's he fitting in, what is he learning, etc.

His teacher is very sweet and very good, and it seems like she spends a lot of time with him (I say this from observation in drop-ins as well as from our conversation). It's no wonder, he is sweet, happy, open and eager to learning, "honest" about learning, and very outgoing. I learned a few new things and validated some other things about him that I've perceived.

First let me just say that the Montessori method, when implemented properly, is a great way to develop the brain without specific academics, though when a child is ready for academics he will get appropriate exposure to that as well. The best thing about it is that Fintan is learning the concepts before the mechanics, so that things like math aren't just mechanical but that he actually understands what he is doing. I could only wish such a thing upon him once he enters a traditional school system, that he continue to learn actual concepts and not just become a regurgitation monkey. That said, so far so good.

He is apparently unusually good at stereognostis for his age. To put it in game jargon, he's good at tetris-like things; he is good at figuring out how shapes can be made out of other shapes, of "thinking outside the box" of obvious shapes, being able to perceive things in the visual-spacial realm and put them together logically without help. I attribute this to - or perhaps it simply explains - his affinity for mazes and puzzles, his ability to build with Legos and his shape-oriented Magnabloks, and his intensity when configuring train or car tracks. He is also making leaps with his language skills in pronunciation, forming complex sentences, and spelling and phonetics. He also has a very strong ear for music. These are all very left-brained attributes, to put it simply, which I find intriguing considering he is slightly left-hand dominant, which should indicate right-brain dominance.

On the other hand, he is highly imaginative, and although his art is pretty downright awful (but who is expecting much from a 3-year-old? I mean just because Aisling can draw Disney characters on model already... haha), he can write any letter or number and usually does so in a non-linear, artistic way, even combining letters into scribbly pictures. He loves music and makes up his own lyrics to songs and his own tunes sometimes, and also makes up his own stories and conversations and things - normal for his age but demonstrating that he does have some right-brain activity going on as well. Perhaps the right hemisphere is being occupied primarily by the conceptual part of learning, which is not as easy to see in productive ways, but which aids the learning process and ends up outputting in things like math, music and spelling skills.

His best friend is a boy in another classroom whose name is Bennett, who is apparently very shy. So he helps to tone down Fin's over-activeness, while Fin brings out Bennett's playfulness. Fin is very social and loves to socialize with the other kids. He is also very polite, using his please and thank-yous. He is always cheerful and really seems to enjoy school. It's nice to hear all these things. No discipline problems, no under-developed cognitive areas, nothing to worry about.

His teacher said she is working with him on concepts of addition, phonetic spelling, and pronunciation, as well as writing linearly (that is, a word or equation on a line and in the right direction). These are not surprises to me, and it's good to hear. He's also learning science, cultural studies, and other enriching programs taught at age-appropriate levels, which build a foundation for more academic pursuits later. It's fun to hear him come home and talk about the moon and the Earth, even if he is only imagining them as little colored balls on a mobile right now.

Oh and last but not least, his identity is "F-Train boy" - every kid has been learning from him about the NY subway system and the F train in particular, and some kids even call him "F Train" when they don't know his name. Pretty cute - makes his dad proud :)

Halloween Begins

Halloween, Here We Come

Fintan poses. Gawd. So dorky. Please forgive.

This is just before he slipped on the straw and fell on his arse into the stemmy baby pumpkins, which resulted in a howl, cry, and a bruise on his bum-cheek. Poor baby.

What is it with these things that kids can jump for HOURS!?

They had a cool hay-bale maze which he loved.

Of course he could have run around in this for hours.

Eventually he made a friend (a girl his age) and they chased each other in the maze for half an hour while I selected a suitable large pumpkin. He'd have played another hour if I had let him, but it was bath-time.

Compare all that with this photo of him three years ago. Dang, what a doll! Now he's a strapping young lady killer.

Apple Picking - 2009

Earlier this month we went to New York for our annual apple picking trip. I have more and better photos on my other computer which I will upload shortly... but here's a start.

A hooded youngster contemplates the intricacies of the human view of the future some 50 years ago... as engraved on this enormous granite flooring.

It's not NYC if you don't have a hot dog or pretzel from a cart.

I'm a nut. I'm a nut. I'm an acorn nut.

The Unisphere is one of Bunky's favorite sights.

If you're interested, here is a link to my photos from my trip to China. If it doesn't let you view, let me know.

http://travel.webshots.com/album/575241506IudVtF?vhost=travel

"Dear Santa..." - Fin's 2009 Christmas List

Bunky has way too much stuff. I mean, it's ridiculous. Maybe this is "normal" but it's out of control. He has 100 things to play with and plays with the same 4 basic types of things interminably. (That word came to mind, but it might not be the right word ;) haha.)

Anyway, in addition to sending a good portion of his older, less-well-loved, and seldom-used toys to charity (or my Nanny taking it for her younger grandkids, along with all the outgrown clothes, including some of those I inherit from Wendy's boy, for which I am grateful but he still outgrows them)...

Fin's Christmas wish-list is here.

Moon Rocket. I think he would be over the moon for this gift.

Jet Setter playset. I think he's flown more than most adults.

Bath Music. There's something to be said for noise and bubbles!

Railroad Xing. Oh me oh my. He would flip a frikkin lid over this!!!

Gearations. The kind of thing he'd do for hours.

Train Set. He saw this one and wrote a letter to Santa right away.

Lego People. He loves people, though he also likes my 100+ minifigs...

Generally speaking, Fin's play pattern is to create a ring of universe around himself while he sits on the floor, and any vehicle with wheels or that is person-like is fair game. That's why I think the Moon Rocket will be a hit, for example, because he will make up his little stories and the people will talk to each other and it's a kind of doll house environment.

He also absolutely loves trains. Like, obsessively. Subway trains, freight trains, passenger trains, old locomotives, steam engines, diesels, you name it. To him, anything with stripes becomes train tracks (even the pattern of the tiles on the grocery store floor). His favorite thing about the train world, though, is the GATE. He loves the arm going up and down and the dinging and he'll play that with daddy's legs or a paper tube or anything. Kid's a freak about it. I am anticipating he will soon inherit some friends' wooden train sets by the boxload, but if you find something cute, I'm sure he'll love it.

Though he isn't a Lego builder, he likes Lego people, and he likes his Lego vehicles. He's also into Firetrucks (he wants to be a fireman for Halloween - yay Uncle Erik!), so something like this Lego set would be cute, as would this fire station. Here's one that's a plane with lots of people. And of course, ugly as it is, he'd probably love this train. He already has every Duplo train set for Thomas & Friends, so don't get any more of those. We even have enough track to make 4 loops. However, we certainly can't go wrong with more switching tracks and road crossings (because they have gates! haha).

Well that's pretty much it. I'd like to say we don't need anything... we don't, really... but I know people like to give and he's definitely the spoiled one to give to, so these things should inspire you. Enjoy shopping!

P.S. Mom (me) only really ever wants Lego. I'm particularly keen on the newer sets that are like old-style buildings and French buildings and stuff. X1. X2. X3. So cute! Will be great to help complete my Lego Movie Studio. hehe! I also need about 50 road baseplates (ex), so that's always a welcome contribution. As for Mark, he's in to pirates and pointy objects and geeky things. Email me for suggestions.

Our Vancouver Visit

A few weeks ago we went to Vancouver to visit Omi & Bapa in their boat. We had lots of fun.

(click images to see bigger)

Omi has her own Japanese restaurant in Granville Island!

We had lots of fun on the giant tree bridges in Capilano.

We crossed the big, big bridge!

There were lots of places to go in Capilano!

Mommy & Finny immortalized in a totem pole!

Photos, Drawings, and Proud Mama!

Here are some photos of my wonderful child! :)

Click photos to enlarge.

Fin gets his first set of full gear. We actually got him a helmet with cage, too. His skates are too small now but he'll be taking lessons on figure skates for a while first anyway.

Fintan doesn't like to draw or color. He loves to trace letters - he knows how to write them all, plus numbers - he is amazing at mazes - but he doesn't like to draw or color. Then today, he called us into his room, and this is what he had drawn on his whiteboard. It should be pretty obvious which are ours that we drew originally, and which are his.

By the way, the black figure is Omi, complete with knee caps and eyelashes and eyebrows; the red one is Mama.

Of course, I'm so proud that he spelled out Mama instead of Daddy. Plus see how he put a boot on the M as an artistic integration of the Mom-figure. Ahhhh, such talent!

Passed out on the couch after a hard day's ... camp.

Farmers' Market day - and look, I can hold a scary bunny on my lap long enough for mom to take a photo!

Opening my new NY Subway t-shirt from Dad!

Mom & Finny at the beach on July 4.

Finny enjoys the beach.

Look, Ma, a fan! Yes, Finny, you have many fans.

Dad & Fin at the horrible Broadway Deli in Santa Monica.

Fin makes some friends (Nirmal and Ikey).

Fintan's First Race!

Fintan started school a couple weeks ago - just two days a week for half day. I am hoping this will help him adjust to going full time in September. The school is a Montessori style preschool with a great reputation and a great facility. He is already enjoying it immensely - and amazingly enough, he is so exhausted when he comes home that he apparently puts himself to bed for a nap! (Now if only we could get this to happen on weekends...)

Since I am racing in my first triathlon in September, I decided to sign Fintan up for the 7-and-under 50-yard-dash. He gets all sorts of cool stuff by participating, and he only has to raise $20 (unlike me, who has to raise $200). He doesn't really know it yet but he's going to have fun. Dad will take lots of photos of him (and maybe a few of me) in Malibu doing this big race, and we'll all have a good laugh and some fun.

Meanwhile, I promise to upload some photos soon. As it is, it's nearly 1am and I really need to get to bed - and any chance of me showing up at my 6am swim tomorrow is pretty much blown. :)

Bunky's Modeling Job (not)

Omi came to visit and Bunky was long overdue for some professional photos, so we went and had a long morning waiting our turn and riding the train... more on that later.

He was a fabulous model, doing everything asked of him, staying in the crazy poses she was putting him in, etc. But ultimately we liked the less-posed photos best. Here is my darling boy looking like a preschool model! (He really loves getting his photo taken.)

Click to enlarge (and print).

Our Big Boy & His New Bed

It's true, Fintan has been sleeping between us in our Cal King bed for over a year. Long story. That time has ended. With much celebration and child-involvement, we not only purchased our little angel his own "big boy bed" and graduated him to "big boy" status, but he has actually slept in it both nights!

It is, perhaps, the ugliest and cheapest twin bed Ikea has to offer, but we (a) didn't feel the need to spend a fortune on a bed for so little a guy, and (b) plan to graduate to a bunk bed in the next few years, because those are more fun. This one is fine - and big enough for mom or dad or grandma to curl up with him and read a story.

I think his favorite part about it is the big maple leaf blanket - it was his shower gift from Sunshine Annie. Now we really get to make use of it!



Here is our big boy snuggling in his new bed. Next to the bed is his rotating train lamp, which he can watch in the dark and dizzify himself to sleep (hey, it worked last night).

As part of our process of transforming him from "our baby" to "a big boy" we:

• made a big deal about him being a "big boy" now starting at least a week earlier
• hyped him up to help us shop for his big boy bed, which he enjoyed
• let him feel a part of the decision (although ultimately he had nothing to do with it, as we ended up going back to Ikea as a last resort)
• let him help us take down and put away the crib
• let him help Daddy build the new bed (safely)
• let him help Mama clean and rearrange his bedroom
• spent a lot of time hyping up how cozy it is
• continued making a big deal about how he was going to be such a big boy in his own bed now
• also encouraged him to use the step-stool in front of the big toilet, so that he could use the "big boy potty" instead of his little plastic potty
• snuggled with him to make him feel secure
• praised him the next morning
• etc.

All in all it's been quite successful so far!

Here's our big boy taking photos out front...

Here's our big boy in his new hockey gear! (he still needs a real helmet but everything's still a tiny bit too big for him)

He can't wait to go play hockey!!! (we'll be taking him to stick-time so he can learn to skate while being distracted by actually hitting the puck, which he does quite well out in the driveway)

Surf's Up! & Other Photos

Don't forget you can click to see the larger image. If you save photos off this blog, you'll want to save the larger image so you can print it or size it however you want. :)

I took Fin to the beach on Saturday.

We just played in the sand and got our feet wet.

He doesn't like walking on sand or grass barefoot.

Such a howlie.

Fin with Santa Monica Pier in the background.

Gremmie in the making.

Fin and Aisling have a playdate.
They got along really well!


Fin and my boss's son Vincent (8)
play at work. I had to bring him because
the nanny had a doctor appointment.

Here's a pic of Fin on Omi's boat having a blast.

Finny and Fergie on the boat.

My first bicycle ride.

I'm cute.

I'm silly.

Little drummer boy.

It's almost pre-school time

So at the very last second I decided to apply to a particular pre-school that I was previously boycotting, knowing full well my perfect child would not be accepted. It's a $100 application fee, so this is not cheap. But after all the other preschools I've looked at (well, three) that are on my way to work, none measure up to this one, and so I decided to go for it.

At worst I lost $100. At best, Fin goes to a good school that is very clean and safe and has a great program, isn't overly academic yet will continue to challenge him at his own level in both areas in which he is strong (pre-reading skills) and areas in which he is still lagging (some pre-math skills and world knowledge). Plus he'll get much more exposure to social skills and structure.

Anyway, after being put on the "waiting list" and expecting never to hear from them again (yet being tempted to bribe his way in), one day I got a call and so we decided to go for it.

He'll start part-time in July, and then work his way up to full time, depending on how we want to juggle the nanny situation and whether mark still has a job and all that. Keep your fingers crossed that he does keep his job for a while longer, because to pull Fin out of this school will break my heart.

Anyway, we have a slew of photos to upload, so stay tuned.

Fin Can Write His Own Name

Fintan can write his own name. Well, half of it, anyway. I have seen him write an "A" so the only test left is the "T" and then we'll have the whole thing. Mark this day in history, folks - Fin is only 37 months old.

Here's how the tale unfolds. Yesterday I asked him to draw Omi an "A" which I have seen him trace in his write-and-wipe books many times. He says the strokes out loud, "down, down, across," so I said draw an "A" and then helped him walk through it, down down across. Omi was impressed - honestly I was astounded. I hadn't expected him to do it.

So tonight we were playing in the bedroom and I said, "Show Daddy how you draw an 'A'," which he then did (it was more like an "H" but it was still impressive), and then Mark said, draw a "U" which he sort of did. Down, around, and up... So he erased those. On a whim I said, can you draw an "F?" and he looked ready to go so I said, "down, across, and across," and he actually drew the "F" you see below. Continuing on this roll I said, "Now draw an 'I'." I was expecting a down with a dot but he actually did the top bar and then the bottom bar and connected them with the long down-stroke. !!! You needn't ask if my heart was pounding already! "What comes next?" and Daddy said, "Draw the 'N'," which he started to do. I started to say "down" but Fin cut me off, saying, "No, no, up!" and he drew a line from the bottom up, then rounded it down like a small "n" - and then Mark said, "and back up," and so he went back up with it finishing the "N" as you see below.

And I said to Mark, quietly, "GET THE FRIGGIN' CAMERA! Nobody is going to believe this!!!"

The final product.

Someone celebrates his achievement.