Ieine Kliene Nacht Music

Instead of reading together at night before bed, James has been asking for me to play videos of classical music. He picks the titles from his Baby Einstein DVD collection. Last night, we were fascinated by this recording:


Wow! I can literally "see" the music. It's fascinating that someone could think up these intricate interweaving of music and then note it down. I wonder if Mozart saw this in his head?

It reminds me of the Matrix:



... which is probably why James likes it!

Sibling DIfferences In Shoe Shopping

She: Visit several stores, punctuated by hangry episodes and at least a dozen variations of "I want them, but: there's a seam / tightness in the toes / no one wears shows like this / nah." Buy at least one pair of new socks to make show wearing bearable. Can't be any socks, there are usually at least 3 qualities that MUST be present for sock wearing. Deal with Accessories Temptation on both our parts.

Finally get lucky at REI / Big 5, far from home. Once (as in only once) I scored during Black Friday Deals weekend at Old Navy with Uggs. Current favourite shoes are glossy black rain boots. They look fantastic, but they are rain boots, bought on Amazon.com after searching in vain at Garretts, Old Navy, Costco, and Target.

 

He: Make plans to spend up to an hour at Payless Shoes, mostly looking for the right size and something on sale-ish. Run late and decide WalMart will have take care of frozen chicken nuggets, bigger underpants, and shoes for James.

Stroll down shoe aisle at the back of the store, after scoring last package of undies in the new size. Spot 2 pairs very blue tennis shoes. Whisk off his sandal and hold them up to the soles and decide he's probably now a size 6. Ask if he likes them. "Yes." Ask if he really will wear these shoes. Every day. "Yes." Purchase shoes after snagging chicken nuggets. We pretty much traveled in a rectangle inside the store and were out in 20 minutes, 5 minutes from home. With any luck, both pairs will last for more than 6 months.

Special Exp. / Wordless Wednesday: Stairs

What did James love most about the place where way stayed last week? Stairs! We don't have them in our house. I'd have let him climb them over and over ... except there was a room downstairs with a TV & VCR, and he just would NOT stay away from all those buttons ...

So we'd have some play time each day on the stairs. I think he liked the carpeting too. It's good to see him hanging on to railings and supporting himself, evening pulling himself up with his arms. He's been getting better at this on the monkey bars, and things like this help even more.

Although I doubt there will be stairs at the event, I plan to take my camera along this Saturday on the Walk for Autism Speaks and get a few special shots of James on his 2 mile walk with me. He is sure to find something fun to explore!

For more great images or to join in the fun, Visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs. Please, please, please -- check out today's Special Exposure Wednesday post. It brought tears to my eyes (good ones), because we went through something very similar with James last year, minus the boat. A very happy birthday to you, big guy!


and ... Wordless Wednesday

This is Only a Test ...

James has always used his feet as a second pair of hands. Exhibit A:



When he was exploring his hands with his mouth, that meant all four of them. If we gave him something to play with so we could get his diaper changed on the changing table (because otherwise it was like trying to pin a diaper on a thrashing ferret), all four hands would be used to explore and handle the play thing.

What is it with the feet?

I get the going barefoot thing because I do it too. I just can't see using my feet to help me read. Or fling (not kick) items across the room. Or being used to help tell me about a new object.

Maybe I should try it. Even Mommies can learn something new every day.