Felix: The very moment that my tooth fell out was like the greatest feeling in the whole world!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
All I Want for Christmas Is My . . .
. . . one front tooth.
Felix: The very moment that my tooth fell out was like the greatest feeling in the whole world!
Felix: The very moment that my tooth fell out was like the greatest feeling in the whole world!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
King of the World? Big Deal
I think we'd have to talk to her first.
Felix: Dad, is the Tooth Fairy imaginative?
***
One man's King of the World is another man's...
Cosmo: I am the toilet manager!
***
Not all learning is curriculum-based.
Felix: Before school, when she didn't think we were listening, I heard Miss Whitmore say that she's overworked and underpaid. I said, "I heard that!" Miss Fitzpatrick said she's REALLY overworked and REALLY underpaid.
***
The weather report makes children spring into action.
Felix: I need to move my soccer trophies away from the window because there are going to be severe storms today. (Moves them.) I put them on the shelf and now, if there's a thunderstorm or a tornado, they won't be damaged, at least not very much.
***
Hey, fair is fair.
Cosmo: Even though Felix got to the finish line first, it was still a tie.
***
No idea.
Cosmo: (looking at my beard, I think) Wow, your skin is growing tall.
***
I feel the same way, often.
C: It wasn't fun, it was grown-up.
***
No comment.
F: I wish I could just walk around showing off in my underwear.
***
Priorities.
F: The most important things to me are: first, macaroni and cheese with hot dog slices; second, my family; third, Spain. I am so obsessed with Spain.
***
City kids learn hard truths early.
Felix: (pointing to the bus driver's plexiglas safety shield) Daddy, what's that for?
Keir: (not wanting to suggest that riding the bus isn't safe) Um, I think that's so people don't sneeze on the bus driver.
F: Oh. I thought it was in case someone shot a gun at him.
Felix: Dad, is the Tooth Fairy imaginative?
***
One man's King of the World is another man's...
Cosmo: I am the toilet manager!
***
Not all learning is curriculum-based.
Felix: Before school, when she didn't think we were listening, I heard Miss Whitmore say that she's overworked and underpaid. I said, "I heard that!" Miss Fitzpatrick said she's REALLY overworked and REALLY underpaid.
***
The weather report makes children spring into action.
Felix: I need to move my soccer trophies away from the window because there are going to be severe storms today. (Moves them.) I put them on the shelf and now, if there's a thunderstorm or a tornado, they won't be damaged, at least not very much.
***
Hey, fair is fair.
Cosmo: Even though Felix got to the finish line first, it was still a tie.
***
No idea.
Cosmo: (looking at my beard, I think) Wow, your skin is growing tall.
***
I feel the same way, often.
C: It wasn't fun, it was grown-up.
***
No comment.
F: I wish I could just walk around showing off in my underwear.
***
Priorities.
F: The most important things to me are: first, macaroni and cheese with hot dog slices; second, my family; third, Spain. I am so obsessed with Spain.
***
City kids learn hard truths early.
Felix: (pointing to the bus driver's plexiglas safety shield) Daddy, what's that for?
Keir: (not wanting to suggest that riding the bus isn't safe) Um, I think that's so people don't sneeze on the bus driver.
F: Oh. I thought it was in case someone shot a gun at him.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Father's Day Edition
For Father's Day, here's a quick roundup of Felix and Cosmo's wit and witticisms over the past couple of months.
***
Looking at a video box that someone lent us.
Cosmo: Mommy, doesn't this look like a good movie?
Marya: Yes, it does.
C: But why does it have a girl in it?
M: Do you guys want to know something? There are more girls in the world than boys.
F: You're just being mean.
***
Felix: I am gonna be rich. Do you know why? Because I'm going to invent a 30-dollar bill, a 40-dollar bill, and a 15-dollar bill.
***
At bedtime, testing his night vision.
Cosmo: I think my eyes glow in the dark.
***
Inventory.
Felix: How come I only have 53 marbles in here? There should be 138.
***
I only know one trick, too.
Felix: Stop showing us so much magic, Daddy. You're going to turn us into magicians.
***
During the run-up to the World Cup, ESPN kept announcing the first game on June 11.
Felix: I can't believe they showed my birthday on TV. I'm famous!
***
On our way to the Shedd Aquarium, we walked through a pedestrian underpass where an a capella group was enthusiastically singing "Love Shack."
Keir: Look, Cosmo, singers!
Cosmo: I will chop their heads off!
***
Felix: Grandpa Tom has lived in that house for a really long time.
Keir: It's a nice house, and he really likes it.
Felix: Well, he has a really nice sprinkler.
***
At bedtime one night I told the thrilling story of how Grandpa Tom and I caught a squirrel in our basement when I was a kid.
Felix: So Grandpa Tom caught the squirrel.
Keir: Yes, I was kind of afraid of that squirrel, so it's lucky I had a grownup to help me.
Cosmo: Next time you're a kid, you will know to just close the crate really fast.
***
Felix: So, NAME REDACTED asked, if Grace couldn't come to my party, if she could come in her place. And I said no, because NAME REDACTED is always bothering me. She's always putting her hands down my pants and trying to kiss me.
Keir: (Thinking, they grow up so fast.) Uh...why does she do that?
Felix: She just likes to get poop on her hand so she can rub it on my face.
***
Watching rain streak the windows of the bus.
Cosmo: I think it's 'bout to pour.
****
Cosmo: When I get older I want to invent a train track for cars.
***
Learning that yellow is now Felix's favorite color, not orange.
Keir: Felix, how long has yellow been your favorite color?
Felix: I've been fooling you for four or five years.
***
Explaining severe tire damage.
Keir: ...so that's why they put this sign here, so people don't accidentally drive over this the wrong way and ruin their tires.
Felix: If I were doing this I would be more clever and I would not put up a sign to warn them.
***
More World Cup. (Felix supports the U.S. with Argentina as his second team.)
Felix: I have a dark feeling in my heart that Spain is going to win.
***
Looking at a video box that someone lent us.
Cosmo: Mommy, doesn't this look like a good movie?
Marya: Yes, it does.
C: But why does it have a girl in it?
M: Do you guys want to know something? There are more girls in the world than boys.
F: You're just being mean.
***
Felix: I am gonna be rich. Do you know why? Because I'm going to invent a 30-dollar bill, a 40-dollar bill, and a 15-dollar bill.
***
At bedtime, testing his night vision.
Cosmo: I think my eyes glow in the dark.
***
Inventory.
Felix: How come I only have 53 marbles in here? There should be 138.
***
I only know one trick, too.
Felix: Stop showing us so much magic, Daddy. You're going to turn us into magicians.
***
During the run-up to the World Cup, ESPN kept announcing the first game on June 11.
Felix: I can't believe they showed my birthday on TV. I'm famous!
***
On our way to the Shedd Aquarium, we walked through a pedestrian underpass where an a capella group was enthusiastically singing "Love Shack."
Keir: Look, Cosmo, singers!
Cosmo: I will chop their heads off!
***
Felix: Grandpa Tom has lived in that house for a really long time.
Keir: It's a nice house, and he really likes it.
Felix: Well, he has a really nice sprinkler.
***
At bedtime one night I told the thrilling story of how Grandpa Tom and I caught a squirrel in our basement when I was a kid.
Felix: So Grandpa Tom caught the squirrel.
Keir: Yes, I was kind of afraid of that squirrel, so it's lucky I had a grownup to help me.
Cosmo: Next time you're a kid, you will know to just close the crate really fast.
***
Felix: So, NAME REDACTED asked, if Grace couldn't come to my party, if she could come in her place. And I said no, because NAME REDACTED is always bothering me. She's always putting her hands down my pants and trying to kiss me.
Keir: (Thinking, they grow up so fast.) Uh...why does she do that?
Felix: She just likes to get poop on her hand so she can rub it on my face.
***
Watching rain streak the windows of the bus.
Cosmo: I think it's 'bout to pour.
****
Cosmo: When I get older I want to invent a train track for cars.
***
Learning that yellow is now Felix's favorite color, not orange.
Keir: Felix, how long has yellow been your favorite color?
Felix: I've been fooling you for four or five years.
***
Explaining severe tire damage.
Keir: ...so that's why they put this sign here, so people don't accidentally drive over this the wrong way and ruin their tires.
Felix: If I were doing this I would be more clever and I would not put up a sign to warn them.
***
More World Cup. (Felix supports the U.S. with Argentina as his second team.)
Felix: I have a dark feeling in my heart that Spain is going to win.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Spring Pictures
It's been far too long since we sorted or posted any photos. I just did some selects for 2010, which you can see in their Facebook album. Selected selects below...
Sunday, May 02, 2010
New Contraption!
Marya, Felix, and Cosmo spent the morning working on a pretty amazing contraption. It was hard to get all the parts to work correctly - sometimes it seemed as though every time one part got fixed, another one broke - but eventually, after a mere 36 tries, it worked! (With one small assist.)
Friday, April 16, 2010
And, in this corner, wearing 4T pajamas . . .
Cosmo punched me in the mouth last night and gave me a bloody lip. Still, he needs to work on his aim: he was trying to punch Felix.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thomas the Tank Engine Meets Rube Goldberg
Inspired by OK GO, Felix and Cosmo and I built our own contraption yesterday. (Felix selected the music.)
Felix also insisted that I include the second take. Just taking orders....
Felix also insisted that I include the second take. Just taking orders....
Thursday, March 11, 2010
2009 in Pictures
It's been far too long since we posted any pictures here. But tonight I finished kind of a greatest hits of 2009 on Facebook, which you should be able to check out even if you're not on Facebook. Kind of a myopic selection - no relatives beyond our nuclear family - but the album was originally called "Felix and Cosmo," and this blog is called "Felix and Cosmo," and I can't help it if their parents sneaked into a few shots.
OK, Felix and Cosmo, GO!
Felix and Cosmo are crazy about this video. It's hard to hear the song over their shrieking. We like it, too. It's a higher level of mayhem than most Rube Goldberg contraptions.
Friday, March 05, 2010
The Fighting Felixes
Felix: I wish I had 6,000 brothers.
Keir: I'm glad you don't. I feel tired just thinking about it. If you had 6,000 brothers, I'd have to deal with 6,000 fights.
F: No, there would be 3,000 fights. Two brothers for every fight.
K: Felix, you're right! Good math.
F: Or it could be like two armies, each with 3,000 kids, and one big fight. The red army could fight the blue army.
Keir: I'm glad you don't. I feel tired just thinking about it. If you had 6,000 brothers, I'd have to deal with 6,000 fights.
F: No, there would be 3,000 fights. Two brothers for every fight.
K: Felix, you're right! Good math.
F: Or it could be like two armies, each with 3,000 kids, and one big fight. The red army could fight the blue army.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Die, Litterbug, Die!
How does this work again?
F: Faizuddin told me that he thinks, if he tries hard enough -- and earns enough money, like $200 or $50,000 -- when he grows up he can be my dad. When you die, he can replace you, and we'll have a new dad.
K: Well, that would make me sad. I like being your dad.
C: You won't even know. You'll be in the cemetery.
*****
F: Life is hard being a cat, huh, Cooper?
*****
C: Did you know that there's another McDonald's?
*****
Because I couldn't get your attention.
F: Dad, why are you waving your hand at me? I'm not a motion sensor!
*****
They've tried every other kind of fighting....
C: Felix, let's have a smile fight!
F: That doesn't even make sense.
*****
Parenting in the new millenium.
F: He's in my personal space.
C: He's in MY personal space.
F: Well, he's not showing me respect.
*****
Cosmo is a big fan of sticks.
M: Cosmo, you have to do your bark stripping over the trash.
*****
As mentioned previously.
K: Cosmo, put that stick down. You can't take a stick on the bus.
C: (in tears) But what if I need to break some ice outside of my house?!
*****
Only if we warn them of the consequences first.
C: Dad! There's some litter on the ground.
K: It makes me mad when I see people litter. I want them to treat our city with respect.
C: If I saw that, it would make me so mad I would just want to kill them.
F: Faizuddin told me that he thinks, if he tries hard enough -- and earns enough money, like $200 or $50,000 -- when he grows up he can be my dad. When you die, he can replace you, and we'll have a new dad.
K: Well, that would make me sad. I like being your dad.
C: You won't even know. You'll be in the cemetery.
*****
F: Life is hard being a cat, huh, Cooper?
*****
C: Did you know that there's another McDonald's?
*****
Because I couldn't get your attention.
F: Dad, why are you waving your hand at me? I'm not a motion sensor!
*****
They've tried every other kind of fighting....
C: Felix, let's have a smile fight!
F: That doesn't even make sense.
*****
Parenting in the new millenium.
F: He's in my personal space.
C: He's in MY personal space.
F: Well, he's not showing me respect.
*****
Cosmo is a big fan of sticks.
M: Cosmo, you have to do your bark stripping over the trash.
*****
As mentioned previously.
K: Cosmo, put that stick down. You can't take a stick on the bus.
C: (in tears) But what if I need to break some ice outside of my house?!
*****
Only if we warn them of the consequences first.
C: Dad! There's some litter on the ground.
K: It makes me mad when I see people litter. I want them to treat our city with respect.
C: If I saw that, it would make me so mad I would just want to kill them.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Recent Observations, Observed
He's answered his own question here.
Felix: Daddy, why do you always look so happy after you watch 90 minutes of soccer? Watching TV makes your brain more softer.
*****
After the recent "Hooligans" video I noted Felix's summary ("We made quite a hullaballoo, didn't we?") but I forgot to mention something he said while we were watching the game:
F: I'm going to get my scarf and wave it at the television.
*****
Gee, thanks, kid.
F: You're the oldest. You're 40, Mom is 38, I'm 5, and Cosmo is 3. Cosmo has the longest to live. You have a pretty long time to live before you die, but not as long. Who knows? Maybe you'll live to be 117!
*****
Existential linguistics.
F: What is up with the word "love"?
*****
Cosmo enjoys getting dressed in the morning.
Cosmo: Don't these colors look good on me?
And again, another day:
C: I look really cool with white and black.
*****
But he still often prefers his mother to his father.
F: Daddy, I'm sorry, but I just don't think Cosmo likes you very much.
*****
"Girl stuff" is still an issue.
C: I don't know why they're advertising so much girls.
*****
But, at root, it's all about self-validation.
C: Hey, C begins with Cosmo!
Felix: Daddy, why do you always look so happy after you watch 90 minutes of soccer? Watching TV makes your brain more softer.
*****
After the recent "Hooligans" video I noted Felix's summary ("We made quite a hullaballoo, didn't we?") but I forgot to mention something he said while we were watching the game:
F: I'm going to get my scarf and wave it at the television.
*****
Gee, thanks, kid.
F: You're the oldest. You're 40, Mom is 38, I'm 5, and Cosmo is 3. Cosmo has the longest to live. You have a pretty long time to live before you die, but not as long. Who knows? Maybe you'll live to be 117!
*****
Existential linguistics.
F: What is up with the word "love"?
*****
Cosmo enjoys getting dressed in the morning.
Cosmo: Don't these colors look good on me?
And again, another day:
C: I look really cool with white and black.
*****
But he still often prefers his mother to his father.
F: Daddy, I'm sorry, but I just don't think Cosmo likes you very much.
*****
"Girl stuff" is still an issue.
C: I don't know why they're advertising so much girls.
*****
But, at root, it's all about self-validation.
C: Hey, C begins with Cosmo!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
A Christmas Concert
Felix gave us a recital this afternoon; Cosmo made a very special guest appearance.
In this number, Felix is rightly proud of his "jazz hands."
I cringed a little bit when he announced a song called, "I Am Somebody Special"--but I think he pulls it off.
That's all for now--it was quite the concert. In case you're interested, here's the set list he made before he started:
In this number, Felix is rightly proud of his "jazz hands."
I cringed a little bit when he announced a song called, "I Am Somebody Special"--but I think he pulls it off.
That's all for now--it was quite the concert. In case you're interested, here's the set list he made before he started:
Monday, December 07, 2009
What have you done with St. Nicholas, Santa?
We stopped by Christkindlmarkt last Friday after work. The kids smiled nicely--but shyly trusted that Santa could intuit their material desires.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Hooligans
Excitement was running high before the Chicago Fire's playoff game against Real Salt Lake (I only have one Fire scarf; hence the Aston Villa).
Afterward, Felix, said, "We made quite a hullaballoo, didn't we?"
Afterward, Felix, said, "We made quite a hullaballoo, didn't we?"
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Veterans Day
Felix got to spend Veterans Day with the Davies family. Thanks, guys--looks like you had fun!
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Male/Female
After reading a book about whales, which identified several whales as "male" or "female", Cosmo thought he had it figured out:
C: There are two kinds of males: females and emails.
C: There are two kinds of males: females and emails.
Our Little Outliers
Tonight, before we all watched Home Alone, I gave the boys a little preview....
Keir: ...so the boy's parents accidentally go on vacation without him. And, at first he's scared, but then he's excited to do all the kinds of things his parents never let him do.
Cosmo: Like wash dishes!
Felix: And cook salad!
Not sure our guys are the target audience, but they did enjoy it when Joe Pesci's head caught on fire. I can't believe how long it's been since I properly updated the blog, but at least I've been taking notes. The following exchanges are all from the last couple of months.
*****
Keir: (admiring a vintage mid-rise) Wow, what a fancy building.
Felix: I don't think I'd like to live in that building. I think it's mostly girls who live there, and I don't like all that princess stuff. If there were boys who lived in that building, I think they'd be moaning to leave.
*****
For weeks, Cosmo would look off into the distance and then exclaim....
Cosmo: Daddy, look how far I can see!
*****
As you may have gathered, Felix is NOT into girl stuff.
F: I don't like to play with girls because they're always chatting about tea parties and stuff like that. I like to play with boys. We play Power Rangers and tag.
*****
Explaining this moving business.
K: So, even though we found an apartment we want to buy, we have to sell our apartment before we can buy it. So it might be a long time before we can move.
C: (worried) We don't have enough money in our jars!
M: Don't worry, you guys don't have to pay for it. Mommy and Daddy will pay for it.
*****
Trying to sell them on the Pattington.
Keir: That building has the same number of apartments as ours, but it's a lot bigger, because their apartments are bigger.
Marya: Their apartments are fancier, too.
Keir: Wouldn't it be nice to live in such a fancy building?
Felix: I don't think so. Fancy stuff is for girls.
*****
Felix has a future in diplomacy. As a doormat.
F: When we were in line outside the bathroom waiting to go outside, Khali pushed me. But he said he was sorry. And I said, if you say that every time you push me, I'll be your best friend forever. And he said it's a deal.
*****
C: Don't you often wonder what's inside Legos?
F: I know what's inside Legos: Lego material. It's the same material as on the outside.
*****
K: Cosmo, I don't think it's a good idea to jump off the couch onto Felix.
C: (Brightly) But he's very soft!
*****
C; Daddy, do you know why I don't like rectangles too much?
K: No, why?
C: I don't like rectangles too much because I don't like rectangles so much.
*****
Siding with his parents but overdoing it.
F: (to Cosmo) You're going to have a time out and it's going to last your whole life and you'll die in the time out chair.
*****
Now it's Felix's turn for a time out.
K: You may not treat your brother like that. And I wouldn't let him treat you like that, either.
F: And I also may crush you.
*****
K: Well, I'm glad you don't have diarrhea.
C: Yeah, but diarrhea is just lots of poop in your underwear.
Keir: ...so the boy's parents accidentally go on vacation without him. And, at first he's scared, but then he's excited to do all the kinds of things his parents never let him do.
Cosmo: Like wash dishes!
Felix: And cook salad!
Not sure our guys are the target audience, but they did enjoy it when Joe Pesci's head caught on fire. I can't believe how long it's been since I properly updated the blog, but at least I've been taking notes. The following exchanges are all from the last couple of months.
*****
Keir: (admiring a vintage mid-rise) Wow, what a fancy building.
Felix: I don't think I'd like to live in that building. I think it's mostly girls who live there, and I don't like all that princess stuff. If there were boys who lived in that building, I think they'd be moaning to leave.
*****
For weeks, Cosmo would look off into the distance and then exclaim....
Cosmo: Daddy, look how far I can see!
*****
As you may have gathered, Felix is NOT into girl stuff.
F: I don't like to play with girls because they're always chatting about tea parties and stuff like that. I like to play with boys. We play Power Rangers and tag.
*****
Explaining this moving business.
K: So, even though we found an apartment we want to buy, we have to sell our apartment before we can buy it. So it might be a long time before we can move.
C: (worried) We don't have enough money in our jars!
M: Don't worry, you guys don't have to pay for it. Mommy and Daddy will pay for it.
*****
Trying to sell them on the Pattington.
Keir: That building has the same number of apartments as ours, but it's a lot bigger, because their apartments are bigger.
Marya: Their apartments are fancier, too.
Keir: Wouldn't it be nice to live in such a fancy building?
Felix: I don't think so. Fancy stuff is for girls.
*****
Felix has a future in diplomacy. As a doormat.
F: When we were in line outside the bathroom waiting to go outside, Khali pushed me. But he said he was sorry. And I said, if you say that every time you push me, I'll be your best friend forever. And he said it's a deal.
*****
C: Don't you often wonder what's inside Legos?
F: I know what's inside Legos: Lego material. It's the same material as on the outside.
*****
K: Cosmo, I don't think it's a good idea to jump off the couch onto Felix.
C: (Brightly) But he's very soft!
*****
C; Daddy, do you know why I don't like rectangles too much?
K: No, why?
C: I don't like rectangles too much because I don't like rectangles so much.
*****
Siding with his parents but overdoing it.
F: (to Cosmo) You're going to have a time out and it's going to last your whole life and you'll die in the time out chair.
*****
Now it's Felix's turn for a time out.
K: You may not treat your brother like that. And I wouldn't let him treat you like that, either.
F: And I also may crush you.
*****
K: Well, I'm glad you don't have diarrhea.
C: Yeah, but diarrhea is just lots of poop in your underwear.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Under the Weather
(I was cheating. I put them to sleep with a 1-1 draw between AC Milan and Real Madrid.)
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Kindergarten Is Hard on Parents, Too
Keir: Yesterday, Felix's very first day of kindergarten, went pretty well, I think, although it was really designed more for parents than for kids. After two hours of learning the rules and finding his way around--amid a crowd of kids and parents--he was done. But we think his teacher, Mrs. Parker, will be great. She did manage a little floor time with the kids and that was fun to watch. She used a frog puppet named Kelso, who was also shy about his first day at school, to put the kids at ease. Felix and Cosmo still really love to talk to puppets and it's so watching their faces when they do so--they fully enter the puppet reality. When Mrs. Parker told the kids that they could each bring Kelso home for a weekend, Felix raised his hand. "I'd really like to bring Kelso
home for the weekend, but I can't," he said. "We don't have any flies at our house."
Marya: Dropping Felix off this morning, for his first full day, was great. He was so excited, he ran straight for his teacher, then proceeded to run around with the mob of kids who were running around in circles. I was teary as I walked away, looking back and seeing him - a boy growing up, excited to be part of a new group. Then I realized I was clutching his backpack and had to go back, which sort of broke the moment.
home for the weekend, but I can't," he said. "We don't have any flies at our house."
Marya: Dropping Felix off this morning, for his first full day, was great. He was so excited, he ran straight for his teacher, then proceeded to run around with the mob of kids who were running around in circles. I was teary as I walked away, looking back and seeing him - a boy growing up, excited to be part of a new group. Then I realized I was clutching his backpack and had to go back, which sort of broke the moment.
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