Robert Anthony and Claire Emily

Watch Out, John Hancock

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:14:00 +0000

Robert wanted to write all of our names on his dry-erase-board easel, so he asked me to write them so he could copy them.

Me in the black, obviously, him in the green. I circles all of our names individually in MSPaint to show you. (Ignore the R25N -- long story.) From the top:

ROBERT - The R is very long, the O down and to the right. The B is above the O, with the long stem. (He skipped the E for some reason.) The lowercase R is in the bottom right corner, with the T to its left.
MOMMY - The first M is actually the large letter, second from right, that looks like an upside-down U. The O is on the right, then the MMY goes right to left, next to the big M. (YMMMO.)
CLAIRE - The C is in the bottom left corner, the lowercase L just above it. The A is down and to the right, the I is the two dots just to the right of the C, then a lowercase R, then the E is the little squiggle below the R. No idea why he threw a T on the end.
DADDY - This is actually pretty clear -- just read right to left, and understand that the DDY looks like PPP.
PEANUT - Across the bottom, left to right, in the correct order.

A little hard to explain -- makes a lot more sense if you were watching him do it!

This Is How Lennon & McCartney Started

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:22:00 +0000

Robert asked me to bring my guitar up for a little jam session this evening.

We even switched guitars for a while.

And Robert tried adding drums as well.

Robert also drew a family picture on his easel. The magnetic letters have no specific significance, but they do serve to tell who's who. The green "M" is on Daddy, the red "F" is on Mommy (the thing that looks like a tail is "a lot of hair"), the green "D" is on Claire (her head is the little circle on the top right corner -- her head is much smaller than ours, her legs are very long, her arms are sticking out from her legs, and her belly is the oval-shaped thing in the middle), the red "N" is on Peanut (surprisingly accurate, really), and the yellow "C" is on Robert.

(Looks like he has a future designing album covers for the Meat Puppets, at least.)

"You Have Underwear"

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:37:00 +0000

I don't know that words are necessary to describe the lyrical genius.

Playing Library

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:36:00 +0000

Robert set up a bunch of boxes and put his play laptop on the boxes, along with the phone and a couple of Grandpa's paperback books on top.

"What are you doing, Robert?" I asked.

"I'm not Robert," he replied. "I'm a Librarian."

At first I was tickled. He pretty much got it right, based on what he sees going on at the library. He sat there on a stool, typing away and occasionally picking up the phone and saying, "Hello, Hi. OK, Let me see."

And the thing that tickled me most was the fact that the books were sort of an afterthought. He occasionally picked one up to refer to it, or "beep" it with an imaginary scanner. But mostly his library work was done with the phone and computer.

Then something a little disturbing happened.

Robert got more boxes, some pillows, and Grandma's leg, and used them to create a barrier around himself and his little setup. Soon, he was entirely closed in.

"Now what are you doing?" I asked.

"I not want those kids bothering me. I is the Librarian. Don't bother me."

Really???

After a few more minutes, I asked him again what he was doing.

"Go Away! I'm too busy!"

He looked at me with a disgusted expression.

"Go away! I'm too busy!" He told me, and turned back to the computer.

Oh, really??

"I is a Plant!"

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:34:00 +0000

When Grandma went to water her plants, Robert decided to help. Form inside, Mommy heard squeals and shouts, so she went to investigate. Grandma was "watering" Robert as he stood there shouting, "I is a plant!"

Seneca Park Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:17:00 +0000

Eric, Rachel, and Claire at the zoo... with the back of Robert's head. He refused to turn around.Robert was excited to see one of his favorite animals, the alligator. He had been disappointed the previous day with the lack of alligators on Grandma Place's farm.
Rachel and Claire

When Robert saw the wading pool thing, he immediately dropped hi pants to go for a swim. After he was decent once again, he went for a wade instead.

Claire, smiling as usual.
Stopping at an educational tortoise exhibit.
Claire, reading the map to be sure we did not get lost.
Robert with Eric and Aunt Chrissy.
Trying to break in to the Elephant barn.
Watching the elephants get ready for their bath
Face to face with a baboon.
Rachel and Eric posing with some of the wildlife.
Rachel and Robert on the train. The highlight of Robert's day.

What do you know? Macaroni and cheese!
More water fun.
The ladies taking a break while the boys play.
Robert is now obsessed with "getting way bigger" like his cousin, Eric.
Looking at the Rhinos.
Claire liked the Orangutan, and he seemed to like her. They looked at each other for a while, until the orangutan suddenly threw up all over, and there was a swarm on orangutans fighting over who would get to eat it. Yuck.
Mommy then took Claire to see slightly less gross orangutans.

Claire's First Visit to Geneseo

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:43:00 +0000

Reunion weekend! Claire (Class of '31) enjoyed her first trip to Geneseo. Robert (Class of '28), of course, has already been there, but enjoyed the fountain.

And running around campus.

And taking pictures of himself.

Including "timer" pictures.

And taking pictures of us.

And of Claire.

What a cute mother-daughter combo!

1890's Fair

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:37:00 +0000

Our church has an 1890's fair every July 4 weekend, so we went to check it out.

Robert made sand art...

...and lots of 1890's "celebrities" were on hand to educate the kids. Here, Robert meets Wilhelm Roentgen.

We sat and watched the puppet show for a little while:

Robert was thrilled with the barbershop quartet.

Seriously, thrilled. He moved up to the front row.

A Quiet Morning At Home

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:31:00 +0000

The morning after July 4, we spent a quiet morning playing with Robert's car mat.

Robert put all his animals and cars out.

Claire got to play too!

Because every playground needs a lion:

Some of Robert's photo expertise:

At the Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:04:00 +0000

Robert, Claire, Grandma and Mommy took a trip up to the farm last week. Robert immediately wanted to see a cow up close. But not too close.

"OOOHHHH! Look at that chicken! That's a BIG chicken!"
The calves were more Robert's speed... but as you can see, this calf wanted nothing whatsoever to do with Robert.
Grandma and Claire.
Heading into the barn. Robert was fascinated by the gutters. "Why that floor have a hole in it?" he asked.

The highlight of the day was taking a tractor ride. Unfortunately we have a before and after picture, but the camera batteries died for the "during" pics. Suffice it to say, Robert was a natural when it came to driving tractors. If by "natural," we mean he steers like a drunken monkey.

Grandma Place and Claire.
Then, Robert discovered sheep.

Grandma showed him how to feed hay to the sheep.

Claire, meanwhile, lounged around in her "Kentucky Derby" hat.

Grandma Place helped Robert find more hay for the sheep. ("Where that green stuff?")
(Pardon the "soft focus" on this shot.)

Our New July 4 Tradition at the Ducks

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:05:00 +0000

For the second year in a row, we spent the evening of July 4 enjoying fireworks with the Long Island Ducks. Claire slept through the beginning...

...but woke up eventually, and enjoyed the company -- and the taste -- of Mr. Met:

Robert, meanwhile, stuck to the fries.

And his quacker.

He quacked at the whole row.

We picked up a Quackerjack to go with Mr. Met for Claire.

Robert was thrilled with the fireworks!

July 4 - Happy Birthday Aunt Lauren & Pop-Pop!

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:36:00 +0000

For July 4, we went over to Nanny and Pop-Pop's for the birthday celebration. Robert celebrated by playing wiffle ball with his cousins:

And by eating watermelon.

Claire celebrated by chewing on her caterpillar.

Then Robert brought out... well, his "parade drum." He marched...

...and marched...

...and marched...

...and marched.

But he came back in time to help blow out the candles:

Robert took the blanket and a chair... and made himself a bed.

We convinced him to use a baseball glove instead of the chair.

Eventually, he went back to the parade, using his tee as a trombone.

Letchworth State Park

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:57:00 +0000

Monday brought a trip to Letchworth State Park and the waterfalls. Robert was tired:

But he was eager to see the big waterfalls.

Cutest. Baby. Ever.

We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch by the falls. (Thank you, Wegman's subs.)

Robert asked Emily to take a picture of him.

Then he asked her to take a "silly picture."

Then Robert had to take silly pictures of everyone else:

(I know. Even "silly," she's still the cutest baby ever. You're welcome, world.)

After lunch, we walked down to see the middle falls.

There were two layers of rainbows, as Robert indicates here.

Robert's actually become pretty good with a camera, considering he's only three and a half:

We also stopped at the Glen Iris Inn to look at the koi before we left.

Red Wings, July 12

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Part of our sojourn to Geneseo included a trip up to Frontier Field, where Robert got... macaroni and cheese.

And a claw.

And a sticker.

By the end of the game, Claire was pretty exhausted.

So was her big brother.

But not too exhausted for cotton candy!

After the game, Robert used his cotton candy energy to run the bases with Spikes and Mittsy, the Wings' mascots...

...and apparently, every other kid in Rochester.

I swear these photos are in order; it was like that big group swooped in on him as he rounded third, and were gone by the time he touched home plate.

UU Flower Communion Today

noreply@blogger.com (cdorso) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:52:00 +0000

The past few Sundays, we've been visiting the Unitarian Universalist fellowship in Stony Brook. Their annual end-of-fiscal-year celebration, the "flower communion," was today, so we each picked out a flower and joined the ceremony.

It's damn near impossible to get both of them smiling and looking at the camera at the same time, so this was as close as we were going to get:

Claire was much more interested in how her flower tasted.

When we arrived, Robert was excited to add his flower -- and our flowers -- to the vases in the front of the room.

On the way out, Robert chose one of the big orange flowers to take home:

Messy Eater!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:18:00 +0000

Doctor Robert

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:58:00 +0000

Always concerned with his sister's health, Robert gives Claire a daily checkup.

He listens to her heart,

gives her at least on shot,

and checks her ears.
Claire usually giggles and tries to squirm away. She's good at rolling, and it's only a matter of time before she can actually escape.

But, for now, she really can't escape Dr. Robert's evil clutches.
Tonight, he had some trouble getting her to "Say Ah!"
She just wanted to eat the flashlight.
So, when Robert wanted to take her temperature, he tried another tactic to get her mouth open.
"6 pounds." Whew, that's a relief! Last night her temperature as "35."
Claire looks stunned, but has a clean bill of health. Until tomorrow.

Summer! Finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:40:00 +0000

Today, Robert (with help from Daddy) went through all of his toys and picked out everything that was a "baby toy" to give to Baby Claire. As a reward for his generosity, we took him to Toys R Us and told him he could pick one toy. Robert chose a pool. Since it was hot out (and finally not raining!!), we set it up after lunch. Robert was thrilled.

(Please disregard the baby doll floating face down in the background of the pics. I know. It gives me the creeps, too.)

"Swimming":Dancing:
Bending:
Yelling at his toys, "You not go near the hose!"
Here he is reprimanding "Fisherman Pete" for going near the hose.
"Take a picture of me for Regular Grandma!"
When Claire woke up from her nap, we brought her out to try the pool. Robert explained the rules to her: "No splashing water, and always have a grown up with you."

We dipped he toe in, and found out quickly that she was NOT A FAN.
I took this picture to prove that she can cry.
So Daddy went in with Robert instead.
Mommy and Claire just watched.
I guess this is an ankle-deep version of water polo?
Photo courtesy of Robert:
Claire was much happier sunbathing on a towel. Just like Mama.

Weather Day, Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:34:00 +0000

Here is an excerpt from a recent performance of "Weather Day." Notice how it abruptly ends with a bow.

Weather Day, Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:18:00 +0000

Robert, the budding musician, loves to do 20-30 minute long performance art pieces that he makes up as he goes along. Lately, he does these for the benefit of his sister, often with guitar accompaniment. Lately, he has been doing variations of his composition, "Weather Day," Which features dramatic dynamic contrasts, emotional outburst, and a catchy chorus. It can (and has) go on for hours.

Claire is always suitably impressed.

Apparently, this one had some sad parts in it. It usually does.

Father's Day, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:11:00 +0000

(OMG How cute is she?)
Claire and Mommy getting ready for Father's day (photo credit: Robert)
The best we could do for a father's day picture. It is so hard to get them both looking at the camera and not looking dumb.

Daddy and his little girl.
Because of the terrible weather, we moved the picnic inside. Luckily, the roses love the rain.
Claire and Pop-Pop:
Pop-Pop and his grandkids:
Father's day!

Flag Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:07:00 +0000

On June 14th, Chris got out the flag and brought it outside. Robert spied him and said, "Daddy, why you have that flag?" Before Chris could respond, Robert's face lit up and he got very excited. "Is it FLAG DAY?!?!?! YAY!!!!" Good job, preschool.

Flowers and Mommy

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Taken by Robert.

First Day of School

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:01:00 +0000

Claire had her first day of school on June 9th, 2009. Here she is all ready to go...

And a flashback from May 30, 2006 when Robert had his first day. There is definitely a family resemblance..

Swingin'

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Clasper) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:47:00 +0000

Got the baby swing back out for Claire.

Robert immediately took over. Apparently, it is the big brother's job to push the little sister in the swing.

STOP TAKING PICTURES!

(As you can see, the fence is still not painted. Give us a break - we're working on it.)

Robert decided to twist himself up on his swing...
... and fell off the most graceful manner.
Mommy eventually took over pushing both of them, which is more of a feat of dexterity than you might think.