UU Flower Communion Today

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!

Doctor Robert

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!

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

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

Weather Day, Part I

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.