Time For Tea

"Sit here" Madeline tells us as she pats the seat next to her and pours a cup of tea. She loves her new musical tea pot from Gran T. It makes a little whistling tea pot sound when the tea is ready, and plays teatime tunes that can turn any tea party into a dance party. Gran T spent hours sipping tea with our girl this past weekend, and Donald and I have been enjoying our tea parties as well.

Spinning 70s Style

It probably oozes BPA, lead paint, and unfiltered cigarettes, but the 1973 sit-n-spin is a fun blast from the past and an engineering marvel from the days when children ran loose in the streets until dinner and “child safety” meant making your toddler fasten their seat belt when they were riding in the front. This thing is fast, and much better made than the 21st-century models, which at some point were re-designed to go a lot slower. We got a hot tip from a local dad in the know and thanks to e-bay Patrick and Madeline have been getting a taste of their parents' carefree youth. One recent afternoon found Patrick happily spinning and telling me "I don't need to go to the park today Mommy." On the day it arrived Madeline was fussy all through dinner and Donald and I couldn't figure out why--until we let her out of her high chair and she ran over to her new toy for a spin and a giggle. She especially likes the little console in the middle. It’s a great resting place for her ever-present snack cup.

Sisterly Devotion

Madeline loves Patrick with the adoring devotion that only a baby sister can muster. "Bubba" is her first word every morning, and she is happiest when she is right next to him. She occasionally finds herself negotiating to share space at the workbench or trying to get her hands on the precious Robin action figure, but a lot of times she is content to bring her brother legos for one of his many "ships", settle in next to him on the couch to watch "hat" (The Cat in the Hat) after dinner, or just stand next to him (very close) and watch what he is doing. She is a hugger, and after a round of particularly enthusiastic hugs the other day Patrick told us "I am getting tired of all this hugging!" Madeline even likes to keep Patrick company while he uses the potty, and happily takes a perch on the step stool while she waits for bubba, then flushes for him and claps her hands. Good job bubba!