Grandparent's Day

Sunday was grandparent's day, which seems like a bit of a manufactured holiday to me since it also seems relatively new, but I suppose no more manufactured than mother's or father's day. I thought I'd use the opportunity to write about Joaquin's relationship with my mom. Besides weeks when we have been out of town, Lola Elle has come over every week. Since I've been back to work, she picks him up once a week early from day care and they go home to have fun.



When he first started 'calling' people on the phone, it was Lola ("Lola? Bring me hot dogs!"). Now he does all kinds of fun things because of her.

• Every time he climbs something, he puts his arms up and shouts "I am king!"
• He sings the Young Frankenstein version of Puttin on the Ritz. So imagine (in regular voice) "If you're down and you don't know..." followed by (Frankenstein voice) "Puttin on the Ritz!"
• Whenever he wants to get down from something, even when he's irritated, he says "Get down, get down, jungle boogie!"
• When you ask him what day Lola picks him up, he'll say "Tickle Tuesday"
• And he's been sick lately and when I ask him to blow his nose he says, "Up your nose with a rubber hose!"
• When he gets out of the spa and wants a towel, he says "Want to wrap you up in my love?"
  

They have such a special relationship, which is such a blessing--for him and for Gideon and I!

Trash Money!

Here's Joaquin doing 'happy face'. He also does sad face and surprised face.

Joaquin has begun to personify things and play pretend. Here are two exchanges from the weekend:

1. (To the dime he found under his slide) "Oh, hello trash money! Would you like to slide? Thank You! You're welcome!" (Send dime down the slide)

2. (To the bubbles I am blowing while he's in the turtle pool) "Hello bubbles! Stay right there! Would you like to play with weeds?"

And this one is about a month old now, but it's funny. He pulled 2 wine bottles out of the recycle bin and brought them into the living room (at the same time--this kid is strong!). He put them on the table and said, "This one is for Joaquin, this one is for Daddy!" One of them was actually a sparkling juice, so he was actually right.