The Apple Falls Not Far at All

I am told quite often that K is a sweet kid, not that I need a reminder. I hear it so much that it seems like I have canned responses:

"That's all her mom!" or "I blame that on her mom!" or "That's her mom in her!"

I'll tell you this. They are not canned responses. I truly mean it. The following are examples of the notes Evin leaves Kesiah in her lunch. Please excuse the quality. I had to be all spy and ninja like to get them without Evin noticing. Why did I sneak shots of paper? It's more fun that way! Anyway, I think you can see where K gets her sweetness.

My Heart Belongs to Mommy (Still)

Bedtime at the Family G household is usually one parent reading bedtime stories to K. Sometimes K gets the pleasure of both of us, either by request or just because. Tonight was a "just because" night. K did choose mommy to read her stories but I snuggled in next to her to listen to the stories too. I was met with the most satisfying smile as I got cozy. The conclusion of the story is normally followed by some snuggling time. At the conclusion of tonight's story...

Kesiah: Daddy I want you to...
Kesiah: Mommy, how do you politely say...
Kesiah: (inaudible whisper)
Mom: (inaudible whisper)
Kesiah: I want to cuddle only with mommy. Could you please leave?
Dad: Sure. Thanks for asking my nicely. Kiss me first.
Kesiah: Muah.
I attempt to get up.
Kesiah: YOUR CANE YOUR CANE!

I guess I have been getting use to having almost equal status with mommy and I have been feeling extra special with all the attention I've been getting due to my darn ankle. At least, I didn't have to say "Now is that the way to talk to me?"

I find it sweet that she cares enough for my feelings that she asked how to say politely "I don't want you, go!" and to remind me that I have a cane.

Daddy's Little Helper

Well, I did it again. This time it was me on the losing end of a match against a trampoline. K has a great sense of empathy and loves to pretend to help the sick and injured. Now that her daddy is hurt, she is willing and happy to jump to action...

Dad: Kesiah, could you get me a glass of water? It's just too hard for me to walk.
Kesiah: Sure.
She returns with a big empty glass.
Kesiah: I can't reach the sink.
Dad: That's okay sweetheart. You can use the bathroom sink.
Kesiah: Okay!
Dad: Thank you, baby.
This time she returns with the glass filled about an eighth of the way.
Dad: The glass wouldn't fit, huh?
Kesiah shakes her head but I gladly finish what she was able to give me.
Kesiah: Do you want more?
Dad: That would be great baby. Thank you!
This time she returns with a full glass.
Kesiah: Daddy, look! I used my cup to fill your glass.

She was so proud that she figured out to use her "after teeth brushing rinse" cup to fill my glass. This warmed my heart knowing that she was motivated by the desire to help her daddy. Later, we had lunch at Nana's. While Evin and Nana were preparing our meal, I plopped myself on the couch and Kesiah kept me company...

Kesiah: (holding about 8 toy animals) Daddy, want to play with me?
Dad: Of course, baby!
Kesiah: (isolating one of the animals) This one is the seeker. You be the seeker and the rest will hide.
Dad: Sweetheart, I can't really move around a lot.
Kesiah: (throwing the seeker in to my lap) That's fine. I won't hide far. Close your eyes.
She then proceeds to hide the rest of the animals within two feet of me.
Kesiah: Open your eyes. I made sure you can find them. Want a hint?

The rest of the day was spent injured on the couch with Kesiah using my lap or my arm as a pillow with random kisses on my cheek and touching my forehead checking for a temperature. I have the BEST KID EVER!

Storytelling

K's favorite activity is anything that has to do with a narrative. While I am pleased with her enthusiasm for stories, it can backfire once in a while. Not too long ago...

Kesiah: Daddy, could you tell me a story please?
Dad: Sure. Once...
Kesiah: Make it a long long one.
Dad: Okay, Once upon a time...
Kesiah: Make it about the kangaroos. The daddy kangaroo, mommy kangaroo, and baby kangaroo named K.
Dad: Okay, Once upon a time, there were three...
Kesiah: and K is sick.
Dad: May I tell the story?
Kesiah: Sure.
Dad: Once...
Kesiah: and K never gets better. Ever. She is sick forever and her mommy and daddy are happy because everyone is sick and never gets better.
Dad: Okay. (pausing and waiting for more)
Kesiah: and there's an angry monster that is MEAN and a fairy with a broken wand and can't ding everyone better.
Kesiah: and the fairy is sad because her wand is broken and she goes to the doctor and everyone is running away from the monster because he's scary and the princess yells "Off with her head"!
Kesiah: The princess wants to wear the same clothes to bed but she can't because they are dirty and her daddy gets all mixed up and says different things like "you're clothes got dirty when you saved all of China" and the princess says "No, daddy that was Mulan!"
Kesiah: Yes, tell it like that.
Dad: Do you want to tell the story?
Kesiah: No thank you. That's okay, you can do it.

This Gift is Off the HOOK!

Yet another old photo that was revived in my memory from a comment by my awesome brother-in-law, Moshe. This was taken by him at K's 4yo birthday party. She opens a gift, finds some pretty dresses, removes the dresses from the hanger, raises the hangers in genuine glee, and yells "I GOT HANGERS!!!"

A side note about her party... she originally wanted a monster themed party. After we coordinated with the folks at "Little Shop of Stories", she changed her mind and wanted to have a princess party. Well, being a little girl in love with the world she changed her mind again but finally came to her ultimate party theme. She wanted (and received) a Monster, Princess, Purple Party!

Does it have all the wifi's and the larger G.B.'s?

I know this is an old picture but here it clearly shows that K wants an iPhone.

The Fun One

Evin told me about this one. The night of Abuela's concert:

Mom: Gather your things so we can leave for the concert.
Kesiah: Okay.
Moments later, Evin checks on Kesiah only to find her playing with her toys.
Mom: Kesiah I said to gather your things.
Kesiah: Oh yeah. Okay.
She continues playing.
Mom: If you do not gather your things, you will stay here and I will go to the concert.
Kesiah: That's fine. I want to stay home with daddy.
Mom: Okay, then daddy will go to the concert and I will stay here.
Kesiah then jumps up gathers her shoes and jacket.

Who's the fun parent? Yeah, that's right!

Words of Wisdom

Almost a year ago, I used to practice with my Lindy G.F., F.G. Some of our practice sessions took place at my house since I had to watch K. K was thoroughly content to watch us dance and listen to the input we would give each other. Well, one time I was having a particularly rough day while telecommuting...

Dad: Oh c'mon! (yelling at the laptop)
Kesiah: Daddy, what's wrong? Are you sick?
Dad: No baby, I'm just frustrated at work.
Kesiah: Do what F.G. says?
Dad: What's that baby?
Kesiah: Just play.

It's a Really Big Stork!

After seeing Abuela perform with her orchestra this past weekend, K spotted a pregnant woman and excitedly approached her (A special thanks to Bela on this one. Although I was there I could not hear her over the laughter)....

Kesiah: (excitedly) Is there a baby in your tummy?
Momma-to-be: Yes.
Kesiah then lifts the new momma's shirt, gently strokes her tummy, then points to her belly button.
Kesiah: Is that the baby's finger pushing through your tummy?
Momma-to-be: (roar of laughter) Haha. No it's my belly button.
Kesiah: How did the baby get in there?

Our Little Word Painter

Here's another one from that past that I randomly remembered. I've heard from many people how impressed they are with K's vocabulary (that's all her mommy). What impresses me the most is K's ability to choose the exact word that conveys all of her ideas. For example, when she was almost 4yo...

When asked if she slept well and if she had nice dreams:

Kesiah: I sink in to my dreams.

Commenting on playing the piano:

Kesiah: Listen. (She then taps on a few keys) Drops of sound.

Among wanting to grow up to become a doctor, a mommy, and/or an illustrator, she also wants to be an author. I think she is on the right track. Just in case you are wondering, according to her, she is already a Scientist and a Lindy Hopper. So there is no need to set those as goals.

Bath Time Fun Time

Kesiah's current favorite bath time game is best described as "Hearing Impaired Octopus Gymnastics". Seriously. There is an octopus involved and it is hearing impaired. She made up this game and looks forward to playing it. I think that I'm going to have to film this one.

Well, you're kind of right...

A while ago, Noah had to go work for a week in DC. While he was gone, Kesiah asked after him and was curious where in the world he was.

Kesiah: Is Daddy coming home today?

Mommy: No, sweetheart, not today.

Kesiah: Where is he?

Mommy: In Washington, DC. Hey, you know who lives there. Who lives in Washington, DC?

Kesiah: Robots?

Well, hm. Yes?

Wrapped Tightly Around that Little Finger

The internationally renowned mommy of this happy family was off dancing, teaching, and earning a living in Zurich leaving me and K to find ways to entertain ourselves. On the night before Evin was returning...

Daddy: Guess who's back tomorrow?
Kesiah: (shrugs shoulders)
Daddy: Mommy!
Kesiah: oh
Daddy: Mommy will be home tomorrow. Aren't you excited?
Kesiah: Daddy, our time together has been sooooo special. I don't want it to end.

Yep, I am completely and utterly FUSED to that finger of hers.

Finding Potty

Just 1 min ago...

Kesiah: (on the potty) WaaaahWoooooAaaahWoooooahhhhhh!
Daddy: (thinking to himself) What the???
Kesiah: OooooooohAhhhhhhhWoooooahhhhh!
Kesiah: WaaaaahOooooAhhhhhWoooooahhhhh
Kesiah: Wooowaaaah.... Mommy! I can speak whale!

Apparently they watched "Finding Nemo" instead of taking a nap at school today.

Short Stories

Last night at bedtime...

Dad: Good night my love.
Kesiah: Could I have one more story?
Dad: Yes, but it will have to be short. It's late.
Kesiah: Can you make it up? No no no. Can I make one up?
Dad: Sure, I would love to hear it.
Kesiah: One day there was a daddy kangaroo, a mommy kangaroo, and a baby kangaroo named K.
Kesiah: They live happily ever after.
Kesiah: Was that short enough?

The Legend of the Guardians: The Pumpkins of Ga'Hoole

Hello again, it's been a while so let's start with a quick one...

For Halloween, Kesiah chose to be a pumpkin. Evin, being her rocking self, made an awesomely cute costume (pictures to come soon). K LOVED it and she looked adorable. Since mommy was off gallivanting in Zurich, I decided to take Kesiah to the movies Halloween morning as a special treat. We saw "The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole". It was a bit too "big kid" for her and she didn't like it. Yeah, I should have known.

Well, off for some early Trick or Treating to save the day...

Kesiah: CAW!!!! CAW!!!! (Let me remind you, she's dressed as a pumpkin)
Dad: Hey love, what are you doing?
Kesiah: I'm an Owl Guardian and I'm going to save the day and get candy!
Dad: (chucking) You know love, crows caw.
Kesiah: I KNOW! CAW!!! CAW!!!