Hair today, then gone away!

Seems we don't have enough scrap paper for Mateo to practice cutting.

Things had gotten suddenly quiet out in the livingroom so I called to him to see what he was up to. He quietly came into the office and stood beside me not saying a thing. I turned to see what was up and broke out laughing. He was missing a good lock of hair from his bangs, right at the center of his forehead!

The reason was a mix between "...there was nothing else around to cut." and "...there was no one here to stop me." Well, he wasn't wrong there.

He wouldn't let me take a picture though. Since this happened late on a Saturday afternoon and his hair was in desperate need of professionl corrective measures, we couldn't do anything until Tuesday after school. This didn't seem to bother him until Sunday night when it sank in that his friends at school would see him like this. Suddenly he felt a cold coming on and figured he shouldn't go to school the next day. The next morning he complained of a sore throat and then a stomache ache. Didn't work. He finally got over it, and I don't think anyone noticed or said anything because he didn't mention it again. The trim was a little extreme but it's growing back nicely.

Tough day at school

Two minutes in the penalty box for misbehaving. I watched him slide semi-conciously down the wall to the floor!

Caaannnddyyyy! ooopps, I mean Hallowe'en!

Poppa isn't writing as fast as we are talking, something about sugar rushes and over excitement but I hope he's getting most of it. He looks kind of tired.

Tonight was Hallowe'en. We just got back from our rounds and my buddy Jordan came to join us. So did William and both of their families too. It was fun to all go together. Poppa drove us to a town nearby where the big street was blocked off by police and fire vehicles and we could walk anywhere we wanted. Mikah and I just split our lode with Momma's help. It looks pretty fair although I still think I collected more than what is now my share. How could that happen? I watched Momma going through everything and the pile on my side in the picture seems pretty big. Hmmm ... Now Mikah.

I was a black knight; the evil one, ha hah! Momma and Poppa made me a neat costume with a helmet and shield too. Mateo was a monster. Poppa called it the Grim Reaper. I was a little bit "scarried" to go to all those houses. Poppa came with me to some but there were so many scary kids and decorations and it was dark. At one store there was a lady giving candy and she was a knight too and her costume was a real one. Cool! There were fire trucks and police cars on the road and no cars could pass. It was fun with all the people walking on the street. I was in my stroller because I was tired. I also didn't let Poppa take a picture of me and now no one else will see how I looked in my costume. I still want to use it to play so maybe he'll take a picture then.

Can I have another candy? Just one more! Pleeeeeaaaaaassse???

Hey! Where's our free time?

So much happening, so little time. We had to get Poppa to write something just to fill the gap since the last entry. It is Friday so we'll do a "catch up" on the weekend because there is only rain, rain and more rain in the forecast.

1st trip to the big D ... entist

We think Poppa was more nervous than us about this trip to the dentist, and he didn't even have an appointment. But we made him so proud: not a peep from either of us! We went through the whole thing like real troopers. The lady that cleaned our teeth was really nice and friendly and gave us rides up and down in the big chair, and the dentist let us take 2 surprises each out of the big box because we were so good and had no cavities! All those little tools they have are so cool. Poppa was so happy that we had to tell him to stop talking about it because it was getting annoying. Now we have 6 months to get ready for the next trip. Stay tuned to see what happens!

Just me!

It's Friday! I know what you're thinking: "He's 2 years old and he knows the days of the week - wow!" Now you're surprised because I am 2 years old and I know what you're thinking! I love this Internet stuff.

Well, it is that day that I should have gone to my other daycare place but so many kids there are sick that Momma and Poppa thought it would be better if I didn't go. Soooo, that means I got to stay home with Poppa all day; just me. I still had to take a nap but that was in the car when we went for a drive. We also played with my little trucks and when he did some work, I played with his tools and some pointy little things I think he said are called screws. I was right there on the floor beside him so I wasn't in any danger. Poppa always makes sure I'm OK when he let's me play with his real tools. Phew, that's enough typing for now. After all I am only 2 years old! Almost 3 though. Don't forget my birthday!

Out of control.

This is not fair!! I never get to write anything. Mateo is getting all the screen time even when it is bad news. And today again. Another note home!! This is too much.

Haha! I fooled you! He did bring home another note BUT this one said he had a great day and should keep up the good work. When Poppa read it he tricked Mateo, who got really upset saying he didn't do anything bad today and had tried really hard to have a good day. And then Poppa said that's why there is a cool sticker on it and it says keep up the good work. Mateo's expression changed pretty quick! I think he's trying hard to learn to read so he can check these notes out before our parents see them. I heard him doing some letters the other day and he knows quite a few. What no one realises is; so do I!! Don't tell anyone, OK?

I had a great day at my daycare. It was only me and Remi because the other guys are all sick. Nathalie took us to the park all morning and I think I heard her tell Poppa that we're going to the mini-putt tomorrow. Yeee haaaawww!! What's a mini-putt?

Kindergarten - Lucky day 13

I bet you can't guess what I brought home from school today! If you are a new reader, here's a quick reference and another. It was a pretty large piece of paper and since I can't read, I only found out what it was about once Momma had read it. Great. I didn't hurt anyone. Well, OK, that 1 kid just a bit, but everyone knows he is a big faker, and he hit me first. How come nobody saw that? I'm just trying to fit in to all this new school stuff: "Do this. Don't do that. Like this. Over here, not there. Listen to me." Enough already! I want to decide sometimes too. My parents taught me how. They gave me choices. I don't want to be like all those other kids who tow the line like good little soldiers. BORING!!

Poppa wasn't even home yet and Momma had already decided that I couldn't watch any TV or play games on Poppa's computer. I had my bath right away. Put on my PJs and had to stay in my room until supper. When he came home, I thought my Poppa would be upset too so I didn't want to talk to him. Big mistake. My being silly and not talking made him upset but I guess he figured Momma already gave me all I could handle and really just wanted to find out what I was thinking. I'm 5 years old. What do you think I was thinking?

Weekend at Omi's house

Momma and Poppa had a wedding to go to on Saturday so Mikah and I got to stay at Omi's house for the weekend. Wooooohooooo, paaaaarrrrrtyyyyy!! We had a great time. The neighbours had a garage sale and Danny, their son, gave us some cool toys he doesn't play with anymore. He's 9 years old but he still played with us and had a good time. The next day Calvin came over and we played with him all day. He sure is happy when he sees Mikah and me. Mikah took his nap without using his su-su so maybe he won't be using it anymore. When Momma and Poppa came to pick us up we all went to Calvin's house so that Mikah and me could play with his cats. We didn't stay very long though because it was close to supper time and we had a long drive home. Then we were tired and cranky and the wheels just kinda fell off the cart along the way.

Not so proud parents

I did something bad again. possibly worse than last week's episode because this time my note to take home was from the principal. There were 2 of us, and I told Poppa I started it, but that it was the other boy's idea. I know it was not a smart thing to do. Even when I was doing it I was thinking that something could happen but I continued anyway until the principal saw us and made us stop. Then we got a good talking to, and the letters to our parents.

Do you want to know what I did? I'll just say it involved some empty plastic water bottles (Terry Fox Run at school), pebbles from the playground and the cars in the teacher's parking lot, on the other side of the fence. I'm 5 years old. You can figure it out.

I know it was wrong. I'm sorry. I'll try to think about stuff more before I do something like this again.

Proud parents

The guys are asleep now and I really wanted to write this from our perspective: 2 proud parents. Tonight we went to "Meet the teacher night" at Mateo's school. Mikah came along also. There was a nice corn roast outside beforehand and the kids who had come along with their parents were playing in the playground. Mateo was watching out for his little brother and still managing to squeeze in a few tricks too.

All of a sudden we see Mateo carrying a plastic bag, going around picking up the litter in the schoolyard. At a fairly good clip no less. A few minutes later another kid joined him just like that! Then a third! They were covering good ground. One lost interest after a few minutes and then the other too, but hey, they're 5 years old in a playground! However, Mateo kept at it. He even emptied the bag he had into a garbage can and kept going.

We asked him what had made him start doing this and he replied that it would make the schoolyard a cleaner place for the kids to play in and that the teachers wouldn't have so much to pick up.

A tear in my eye? Ya, allergies.

1 day dog.

Yesterday was such a cool day! A lost dog came to our backyard. It was a girl dog and she had no tags. She was so nice. She listened to Poppa, and Mikah and I gave her water in a bowl and she drank it. We could pet her and she liked us. She explored all around our house and didn't go away. Not even when we went in for lunch. Mikah got a tennis ball and we took turns throwing it for her. Poppa threw it furthest and she would run so fast and bring it back to us and drop it on the ground too. She hung around with us for a long time. Poppa said she was surely someone elses dog and just got out of her yard, and that they would probably come around looking for her. Sure enough later the same day I was playing in the field with her and a man came to take her home again. I was sad. Momma and Poppa told me that I did a really good job of caring for her. Hopefully I can have my own dog soon.

Who is Anonymous?

Poppa, why don't we know who left a comment? Why didn't they write their name so we know who it is? Well, maybe they didn't want to register, which is OK, but they could have at least put their name into their message. If they didn't put their names, then they are strangers, right? Yes. So why are we talking to them? We shouldn't talk to strangers. You're right, however, we aren't really talking to anyone in particular because we don't know who it is or was, so it doesn't count. Why?

Don't worry guys. We'll pull out the big guns and track their IPs! Everybody's watching somebody. Huh? You'll learn this stuff all too soon boys. Let's go play with your cars.

First note from teacher

Today my parents got their first note from my teacher. It wasn't good news. Poppa wasn't too thrilled when he picked me up and saw it in my folder. The details about what I did aren't important. What is important is that I learn from my mistakes. Tomorrow I will write a note to the teacher to apologise.

I got to bring my favorite toy to daycare today: my big, red firetruck. It was bigger than all the other guys toys and it makes real siren noises. Haha!!

We got mail

Every day we ask Poppa if there is any mail for us. Well, mostly I do (Mateo). The answer is always the same: "No, sorry guys. nothing for you. If you want to receive letters then why don't you start by writing one to your friends. They will surely write you back, and then you too will have mail." Great. Thanks Dad. You know we can't write yet. Today, though, the answer was different. It was a "Yes!" Wooohooo! We got mail! It didn't matter who it was from, we got mail. Turns out it was from Poppa's aunt Elfi, in Switzerland. She wrote each of us a postcard and let us know she reads our blog! Yeah! Hi Tante Elfi! Thank you for the gifts! Our papier maché projects are still unfinished. They were too thin, so we had to put another 2 coats of paper on and wait for it to dry. Then we never got back to it. We do use them as helmets sometimes! Poppa will take a picture and put it here soon.

The boys of summer.

Last day at the beach today, and no school! It was a beautiful day and still hot enough to go swimming. Momma and Poppa took us out in a pedal boat and we jumped in the water in the really deep part of the lake. There were hardly any people at the beach. The lifeguards served up some BBQ hotdogs and drinks for a free lunch - yummy! We spent the whole afternoon playing in the sand and water. Then we packed it all up, probably for the last time, and walked home. Mikah fell asleep on the floor in the livingroom right after his bath.

I'm sure Poppa or Momma will still bring us down, but just for an early morning or evening walk, like we did the other day. It was so quiet in the morning. We sat on the dock and looked at the fish swimming around my fingers. Cool!

2nd day of Kindergarten ...even better than the 1st!

Today was my second day in Kindergarten. All the kids in my class were there today. We did a bunch of fun things, but I can't remember what. I have a new friend who is in Grade 2, but I am as big as he is, even a bit bigger! I could be in Grade 2. Poppa picked me up and took me to the doctor for a vaccination. Momma showed me how much it would hurt with a pinch on my arm. Poppa did too, but his pinch didn't hurt as much. Then when the doctor stuck me with the needle, it hardly hurt at all. I think they just enjoyed pinching me. Maybe that also numbed the pain.

Me now, me now, meeeee. And I went to my other daycare today. I only go there on Fridays. I cried when we got there because I thought I was going to Nathalie's house. Poppa stayed with me for a while and gave me hugs while I calmed down. The lady in my room is nice. Some of my friends from the last session are back too, and there were a whole bunch of new toys to check out. We had sugar cookies for our afternoon snack and they were orange! Ha!

First day of Kindergarten!

Today was the day. My first day in a real school. Check it out: my school . I was really pumped. Momma, Poppa and Mikah all brought me there, and even came into my classroom. Man, what a let down. They don't even have any cool toys there :( I still had a good time, but I told my parents it was just OK. We were only 4 kids in the class because not everyone started on the same day. Tomorrow we will be 14. At recess we went outside to play but since I didn't know anyone yet, I just hung out. Poppa said tomorrow will be better because there will be more kids in my class to make friends with. We'll see.

Momma made me a good lunch and packed it in my new Hulk lunchbag. That's cool! I want the same lunch for tomorrow too. Poppa ironed my new shirt and it looks just like the one he had on today. That was neat too. Now it's way past my school night bedtime. Back tomorrow!

Where's Mateo?

Usually when I wake up I call for someone to get me out of my bed. If Momma or Poppa don't respond right away, I can count on Mateo to come in my room and keep me company or at least give me some books and a few toys to pass the time until our parents wake up. Well, this morning I called and no one came. I heard Poppa say he would be right here, but 15 minutes went by and nothing happened, so I called him again. This time he came in right away, looking kind of sleepy. It was already 6:15, come on! But what surprised me was that Mateo was nowhere to be seen, or heard. I asked Poppa where he was and he asked me the same question right back (what's up with that?). Then it clicked.

Mateo had spent the night at Grandmaman and Papou's house. We brought him there last night for a two day stay. Today I got to watch the dragon movie I like and no one argued with me. Then I had cereal with Poppa. While he got ready, I played one of the Dora games on his computer by myself. That is something I can't do when Mateo is here.

Then the phone rang and it was my big brother. He talked with Poppa for a bit and then wanted to speak to me too! I was so excited. I asked if he had a good dodo, and what he was doing today. He seemed to be having a good time. We'll hear all about it when he comes home tomorrow.

Poppa picked me up from daycare and we shot a few hoops in the yard at home. I also got to see Josette's new cat on my own. She came to get me right out of the truck when we got home and Poppa came over a few minutes later. It is really big, and white, and not white. His name is Gringo and I could pet him without getting scratched. He's really nice.

I do miss my brother but I like doing stuff alone with Poppa and Momma and by myself also. We're going to pick him up tomorrow afternoon. I can't wait.

Still waiting

Three more days until school starts! Today Momma took me to work with her. I brought my lunch in my new Hulk lunchbag. She had a movie for me to watch and a few other things to keep me busy. I also went to a meeting with her. I sat and listened to blah blah blah and Momma secretly played a word game with me. By lunchtime I was ready to do something else so Poppa picked me up and brought me home, where he had some work to finish. When he was done he brought me to the beach. It was closed but we now how to get in by the lake. There were only a few people there. We swam out to the dock so I could jump in and do bomb splashes. The water sure isn't as warm as it was a few weeks ago. Mostly we played on the beach and made a big castle. I like building things with Poppa. Momma and Mikah came to get us and we drove to Grandmaman and Papou's house. I'm staying there by myself for 2 dodos. I didn't fuss when Momma told me about the visit a few days ago, but I sure made a stink when she started to leave with Mikah! I turned on the waterworks bigtime, just to make her feel guilty. Once she left everything went back to normal.
M a n i p u l a t i o n ! They think they know what I'm up to, but every now and then I throw them a curve just to keep them on their toes!!

Hey Calvin!

Omi is a having a garage sale today; whatever that is. She doesn't even have a garage. We don't get it. We're going to help and Calvin will be there too. Sounds like we'll have some fun!

Jordan!

School is just around the corner for me. Momma already started going back to work. Mikah started daycare, and I'm just waiting, and waiting. I went to work with Poppa for a half a day. That was fun because I could play games on the computer. After lunch he took me to Jordan's house and we brought him back home with us. We played for a couple of hours and when Momma came home, we all went to the beach and had a blast. He ended up staying for supper also. I only saw him once all summer, but we sure had fun that time, and today too. We won't be going to the same school so hopefully we'll be able to get together a couple of times before Christmas. He only lives 15 minutes away.

Road trip!

We're back! Momma and Poppa took us to see the real ocean and a way huge beach. Wow, was that ever cool! We did real camping there for 4 days. We went to a beach near Old Orchard, Maine. Both of us were so excited when we got to the beach the first evening that we couldn't stop jumping in the waves when we saw the water. It was kind of cold but so what! After supper Poppa made a fire and we had marshmellows. The next day Mateo went for a long walk with Momma along the beach looking for seashells. We had a picnic lunch there and then went back to the campground when Mikah woke up from his nap. There are 3 heated pools at the campground and we wanted to check those out too.

On Friday we went to the beach again and this time we set up closer to the rocks. Poppa took me exploring by the rocks. We only found snails but it sure was fun. As the tide was going out Poppa noticed a sandbar becoming visible way out in the water and said we could probably walk there through the water. I had to hold his hand tightly because the current was so strong it kept pulling us out. We finally made it to the sandbar. It was so neat! We were way out from the beach like on an island and no one else was there, except 1 kid who followed us and some guy who had the same idea as Poppa and got there first because he was exploring alone. Then a few people spotted us and came out too, so Poppa decided to hop over to the next sandbar. More strong currents but when we got there, wow, I was so excited! There were pools of water in the sand and I jumped from one to the next. We found a tiny crab that I put in my bucket and then I spotted a clam that hadn't dug in yet. It was huge and squirted me when I picked it up. I put it in the bucket to show Mikah and Momma. After a while more and more people walked out to where we were. Since we had been gone quite some time we decided to head back to our spot on the beach. It was getting cloudy so we went back to our camp and Momma took Mikah and me to the pool again. Poppa came too after his liquid refreshment.

That night we went to eat at the pier in Old Orchard. What a crazy place! So many people. I got to have cotton candy as a treat and then an ice cream cone for desert! The next day Momma and Poppa started packing up because we had to go home again. Mikah and I played with William, our new friend who was
from Québec, whom we had met already two days ago. The drive back was long but apparently we were very well behaved. I hope that means we can go again sometime soon!

In case you're interested

My personal net worth dropped by $0.01 this afternoon. I got my penny back (see August 14) but Momma didn't let me keep it. Mikah

It was a nice but slow day today. Momma gave me a Batman video game and I already know how to play it. I got 7 points. Mikah got a Mr. PotatoHead video game. These are cool because we can hold them in our hands and play them in the car when we go on long drives. Thanks Momma!

17 days until I start Kindergarten. I got a pile of stuff to bring to school, but nothing fun. It's just books and pencils and glue. Mateo

A penny saved (but where is it?)

We are both starting to learn the value of money, mostly change but hey, money is money, right? So here we are goofing around in Mateo's room and I find another penny. My piggy bank is all the way in my room and I don't want Mateo to grab it from me, especially because it is most likely his penny. I'm wearing a diaper so I don't have any pockets. Where can I hide the penny? I know!! I'll just pop it in my mouth and ... oh oh! Now, how am I going to get it back? Oh good, here comes Poppa. He doesn't look too impressed though, but he'll know what to do.

Huh? It will come out WHERE?!?!

Momma flipped out and called the Health Services to see what will happen to me. Poppa said "Feed him a quarter and see if he makes change." Funny guy! Apparently everything will be OK in a couple of days according to the nurse. We just have to keep any eye on my "coin return", whatever that is. Guess I won't be doing THAT again.

Saturday morning. What to do?

Hi! I'm Mikah, and I found Poppa's motorcycle helmet. It's good for racing too. My brother was sent to his room because he wasn't behaving, so I get to play with the cool stuff and he can't bug me - ya!

Previous to racing this morning (bright & early) ...
A round of street hockey anyone?

Then it was off to Mateo's soccer practice. I like soccer too but I'm still too young to play on a team. After soccer, Poppa said we could go to the go-kart track! Alright!! Momma came with us also. We had a great time. And when we got home - nap time again. Oh well, we'll still have the whole afternoon to play.

But what does it do?

Poppa, why are you writing all those words for me and Mikah? Can we play a game or color pictures on it? What's this? What does that say? What if I click on those letters? Why is it purple? I want to see Spider-Man on it, no Batman; a big one. Me too, Poppa, me too, a big one, OK? No I want to do it. Me. Let me Poppa!! Nooooo!! And the inevitable :'( I would like to continue but for reasons beyond my control, we'll carry on later.

We're sleeping now ...

Obviously it's passed our bedtime but we asked Poppa to sign off the day. We never made it to drawing those pictures. Instead, Momma had prepared an art activity for us: we made paper-maché masks! She's a teacher so she's home with us all summer - that's totally cool. Then we did a little chemistry experimenting in the kitchen. Mikah likes playing with food coloring and Mateo loves watching stuff happen when you mix certain ingredients; sorry - no receipies here! Nap time rolled around - yipee :( It rained most of the day so we were stuck indoors but we got to watch a movie and eat popcorn with Momma even though it wasn't that day before the weekend.

Be back soon!

Our first posting!

It is August 10, 2005. Summer vacation is winding down and it's raining today. Nothing special happening except that we've just created our first presence on the Internet! Since we can't yet read nor write, our Poppa is taking care of this blog for us until we get the hang of it. He knows a bit about this stuff and he's been introducing us to it as we get older. Editorial and creative input is still overseen by us, though!

So let's start with quick intros. My name is Mateo, and I'm 5 years old. And I am Mikah. I am 2.5 years old. We live in Sainte-Adèle, Québec, Canada. It's near Montreal. We have a lake with a great beach right next to our house where we have been going swimming almost every day this summer. Our attention span is still kind of short so we are off to color some pictures now and maybe Poppa can post them here later.