Spelling Bee

Scene: This morning, a letter-loving Poki is playing with a bumblebee maraca from his instrument box. He looks at the wings, which are shaped like the letter "B"...

Poki: Hey! He has "B" wings!

Mom: That's right--they do look like the letter "B"!

Poki: Buh...buh...bumblebee! He has "B" wings because bumblebee starts with the letter "B"! Buh...buh...bumblebee! Buh...Buh...Bum-Buhle-Bee! Hey bumblebee has lots of the letter "B" in it!


Way to go, Poki! You'll be reading before we know it!

Letter To Santa

The following is a letter I dictated to my mom:

Dear Santa,

I've been a very good boy this year and I hope I'm on your nice list! I would like to visit you and help you build toys with my hammer. I would bring you a present to go with your other presents. And I would also give you a hug. I would also give you a kiss.

This year for Christmas, I hope that you will bring me a present. I would like a garbage truck with a dumpster. I would also like a garage for my cars. And I would like some new books.

I'm excited about seeing you and singing Jingle Bells with you!

Love,
Poki

ps
I would also like a gas tank and a crossing gate.

What I'm Up To...

Let's be honest, I really don't have time to wait for Mom to take pictures or videos of me anymore. I'm far to busy for that. That's why Mom has decided to post a little list of all the things I can do now (since my 2nd birthday), since she can't catch me in action with the video camera anymore. So here you go:

I can...

-count to 20 in English (sometimes skipping 14)
-count to 10 in Russian
-count to 3 in Spanish and German
-identify all my letters
-identify some numbers between 1 and 10
-know all my colors
-know left and right
-spell my name (speaking, not writing)
-spell "boots" (thanks to Laurie Berkner)
-sleep in a big boy bed
-drink from a regular cup
-wash my hands by myself (pull the stool to the sink, turn on the water, soap up, rinse, dry and move the stool back)
-get undressed by myself
-dress myself (with a little help)
-get in my carseat by myself
-drop kick a football
-get my own cup of water
-make my own PB&J
-peddle my tricycle by myself
-sit at the table without a booster seat
-make Dad's coffee in the morning (I scoop the beans into the grinder, grind them, then pour them into the coffee maker. Mom or Dad helps measure the water and pour it into the coffee maker. Then I turn it on)

That's all we can think of for now, but we'll post more soon!

Original or Crispy?

Scene: Playing with the telephone yesterday. Picks up the phone and pretends to dial.

Poki: Hello, Fire Department? This is an emergency! We need to rescue Mommy! She is engulfed in flames! Crispy flames! The flames are very crispy!

Mom: Wait--did you say "crispy"?

Poki: (With an undeniably annoyed and impatient tone in his voice) Yes, crispy. The flames are very crispy.

Move Over Steve Perry! Here Comes Poki!

People don't usually believe me when I tell them my favorite band is Journey. Well--here is the proof. Some kids beg to watch movies when they get in the car...I beg for "Wheel in the Sky" or "Don't Stop Believing." I sing both of those songs all the time, but when they're actually playing, I just listen and smile...and jam out.

How To Make The Perfect Sandwich

Tonight, playing after dinner. Daddy and Poki are pretending to take a toy moose to school in the school bus. Poki says he is the teacher of moose school.

Daddy: What are you going to teach the moose, Poki?

Poki: I'm going to teach them how to make a sandwich.

Daddy: Oh, that's a good thing to know. How do you make a sandwich?

Poki: First you take the bread and put it together like this. (Claps hands). Then you open it up like this. (Opens hands). And then you go, "La la la la la la la!" (Dances from side to side with jazz hands).

Letter To Santa

Well, the holiday toy catalogs have arrived so Mom and I sat down this morning and started my letter to Santa. If anyone is interested in the things I am asking for, I've added them to my Amazon Wish List (to which you can find a link to just to the right).

Now Mom is shopping for an "elf on the shelf"...whatever that is.

Halloween!

This year's Halloween lasted about 2 weeks and we could not have had more fun!

It all began with my and Scarlett's second anniversary celebration at "Boo at the Zoo." (More about that later!)



Then this Friday, we started off the day with a trick-or-treat seminar at playgroup. Okay, it wasn't so much a seminar as if was a practice round where the parents sat in chairs around the room and handed out healthy treats to all the kids who came over to them and said "trick or treat!" It was super fun.





Then Friday afternoon, we finally carved jack-o-lanterns! We each had our own this year--which is a good thing because Mom and Dad have begun an intense competition and they need their own pumpkins. The new thing about this year is that I had my own too! Even Leroy had his own!

Here are Mom and Dad's all lit up! Mom says they modeled them after each other.



This is Mom's



And this is Dad's



And this is mine! (Mom says I can help carve one next year, but I did help scoop the goop out of the bigger pumpkins this year).



And here is Leroy's! He's a really good artist--especially considering he has no thumbs.



After pumpkin carving, we went to East Rock park for an outdoor movie! First, there was a parade starring the kids in costume, then we cuddled up and watched "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" on the big screen. It was so much fun! We brought dinner and Dad even brought a thermos of hot chocolate to help keep us toasty. Unfortunately, it was very, very dark so Mom couldn't really get many pictures.

Here's a picture of all the kids in costume swarming around Ruby's dad, who was leading me and Ruby to the parade starting point.



And here is a cute shot of my dragon paws while I'm enjoying my picnic supper.



The next morning, we went to a touch-a-truck fundraiser. Mom will post pictures from that later!

Then, that night, we went...drumroll...trick or treating!!!!!

The gang: Scarlett the princess girl, Holden the bat, and Poki the dragon!



The dragon in action...



We met up with my friends Jessie (the princess) and Martha (the cowgirl) too. Here we all our heading up to a house.



After a bit more than an hour, I was exhausted. Dad had to give me a ride home.



But that exhaustion didn't last for long! After trick-or-treating, we had a pizza party at our house! Scarlett, Holden, Ruby, Lyla, Jessie and Martha (and their parents) all came over for pizza...and for the older non-pregnant folks, beer...and for the much younger folks, candy! In fact, at one point, the younger crowd all hid behind the rocking chair in my room and got into Jessie's candy stash. No one knows exactly how much we ate, but when Mom looked behind the chair later, it looked like a gang of mice had gotten loose in a candy store. There were candy bits, lollipop sticks and wrappers everywhere. I pretty much had the time of my life.

I can't wait for next year!!!

Don't I Wish...

5 minutes ago, when Poki woke from his nap.

Poki: Will you take me to the pyramids someday?

Mom: Yes! Absolutely.

Poki: Let's drive there.

Dad: Do you know how long it would take for us to drive there, Poki? It would probably take about 3 straight weeks.

Poki: Oh! Let's go now!

Imaginary Friend

Guess who has one? Yep...me. And Ping Pong too. At least I'm imagining that he knows (and hangs out with) my imaginary friend.

I got up this morning and told Mom and Dad that there was a croccodile in my room. I brought them in there and pointed to my bookshelf. Mom asked me if the croccodile lets me pet it and I said yes, then I pet it (very gently, just like Mom taught me to pet animals). Then Mom pet him and he bit her! But then he kissed it and made it better. Mom asked if he has a name and I said, "Yes! His name is 'Big'!" He likes to hide in my books and in my closet. Later, I told Mom that Big was in her belly with Ping Pong. I've been talking about him all morning. He was waiting for us while we went to Touch-A-Truck this morning. Right now he is taking a nap in Mom's belly with Ping Pong while I nap in my big boy bed.

So there you have it! I think Mom was three when she had her first (of many) imaginary friends. I guess they should have expected it to come at some point, but Mom and Dad were pretty surprised. I'll keep you posted about how long Big sticks around.

Dancing Dragon

Here is a little glimpse into the serious fun we had at Boo at the Zoo yesterday. Pictures to come!

This Is Big! This Is Huge!

Okay, I think I will just let the pictures speak for themselves...

7:00 pm



8:00 pm



10:00 pm





Yep! Goodbye, crib! Hello, Big Boy Bed! I've slept in my new bed for 3 nights now and haven't had a single problem. You know why? Cause I'm a big boy, that's why!

An extra special thank you to Pippi and Marna for the awesome hand-me-down bed!

Halloween Decorations!

Perhaps you remember the decorations Mom and I made last year? (For a reminder, click here). Well, we decided to continue the tradition this year, but this time with some slightly more complicated craft supplies...including googly eyes! Those were my favorite, if you couldn't guess. I insisted on trying them on.



And here is our finished product!





Happy Halloween!

A Message From Mom

I owe you all an apology. I assure you, I get the message. You all want some updates from Poki and Ping Pong. I've gotten your emails and phone messages. I haven't forgotten, I'm just a bit overwhelmed with my three jobs, blog for CT parents, being a "stay-at-home" mom (That's in quotes because I'm rarely at home anymore!), and dealing with the exhaustion of being pregnant.

I promise to have updates as soon as I can spare a few minutes. I promise! Please be patient. Updates are coming soon!

Backseat Driver

Scene: Driving on the highway yesterday. A truck passes us.


Poki: Watch out for that truck, Mommy!

Mom: Okay, honey, I will.

Poki: Don't crash into it, Mommy!

Mom: I won't, don't worry.

Poki: I will put on the brakes, Mommy.

Mom: Thanks, Poki. I'm so glad you have faith in my driving.

Poki: You're welcome.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Dodaddy and Mimi are here visiting and they decided to get me a very special belated birthday present: A pet! Anyone who knows Dodaddy knows that this is quite appropriate. Fortunately for my mom, he didn't get me a puppy, but he did get me a fish. Two fish, actually! I decided to name them both after my Dodaddy and a couple of beloved characters who happen to not only share his name, but the colors of the fish. Here they are...

Thomas and Clifford



If you couldn't already guess, Thomas is the blue fish (like the blue tank engine) and Clifford is the red fish (like the big red dog). But most importantly, these are also my Dodaddy's two names.



I love them so much already. All I've wanted to do all day is watch them and feed them. Thanks, Dodaddy and Mimi!

ps
Don't worry, we will move them off the radiator as soon as we find a better spot...and before we turn on the heat.

Drumroll Please...

I've reached a decision. After months of my mom calling my little brother or sister "the baby in the belly," I've decided to take matters into my own hands and have given this fetus a proper adorable name. So, my pint sized sibling, I christen thee...

Ping Pong!

Yep, that's right. I've named the poor thing Ping Pong. My mom has been asking me what we should name the kid forever. Then a few weeks ago, I said "Ping Pong Baby." She thought I was kidding, but every time she's asked since, I've said the same thing. So Ping Pong it is. Hey, anything is better than The Baby in the Belly, right? And this kid deserves a blog worthy name...like Pokolodi or Poki, for example.

By the way, check back in next Friday, Oct. 9th to find out if Ping Pong is a boy or a girl--that's right folks! Things are sure happening alot sooner this time around!

Sunday In The Park With Scarlett!

Okay, so because my mom is totally lame, totally busy (with her 2 jobs, chasing me and growing a human in her body), and (currently) totally sick with a stomach bug, we're just going to have to link to Scarlett's blog. Apparently her mom is better all around--even though she has another baby to take care of AND works full time. Like I said, my mom is totally lame.

Anyway, take a break from my bitterness and look at the super cuteness that is me and Scarlett HERE.

(Tiny) Green Thumb

Today, Mom and I started our first long-term project: We planted flowers in tiny flower pots. Mom thought it would be fun for me to plant something and watch it grow, but what she forgot is that I am 2 and I don't like to wait for things to happen. She also forgot that, because I am 2, I might not understand the concept of flowers growing from seeds. So, guess what happened?

I scooped the soil into the pots...



carefully sprinkled the seeds onto the soil...



and then exclaimed, "All done! I'm ready to plant flowers now, Mommy!" Yeah, I didn't get it. Nevertheless, I agreed to wait to see what happens in a few weeks.

Here are our finished flower pots!



And here they are in their sunny new home with a lovely view of all the trucks that drive by. (The best kind of view, in my opinion).



Come back to check on our progress! We'll be sure to post updates as we get them.

Happy Happy!

Happy Birthday, Granny!

AND

Happy Namesday, Daddy!

I love you guys!!!

Sneakers

Granny got some new speakers for me recently and they have quickly become a favorite toy. Here are a couple funny stories about my sneakers. My mom thinks I'm quite the clever kid.


Scene I: Poki decides he wants to wear his brand new sneakers.

Mom: Are you going to wear your sneakers today?

Poki: Yep. I'm going to sneak around in my sneakers!



Scene II: This morning, Poki comes in wearing his brand new sneakers on his hands.

Poki: Ha! I'm wearing shoe gloves!

Goodbye, Cute Word... You Will Be Missed.

I've stopped saying what has been my mom's favorite "Poki version" of a word. It's a sad, sad day in our house. Let's please all have a moment of silence for "Row-Ray." You've now been replaced with the "correct" version, "Leroy."

Sigh...

Where Are You Going, Poki?

Great-Grandparents!

This week, I went to Tennessee to visit my family. There were two people in particular that were on the top of the list of folks to visit: Babi and Nana. I'm such a lucky kid. So many people don't even get a chance to know their grandparents, and I know all of mine plus three of my great grandparents: Babi, Sasha and Nana.

Here I am with Babi and my Aunt Tata.



And here I am (actually looking a bit like my mom for like the first time ever) with Mom, Granny, Dad, and Nana.



We love you! Thanks for a wonderful visit!

B-O-O-T-S Boots!

We're back from our long car trip to Tennessee and we have lots of fun videos and pictures to post--but to wet your appetites, here is a cute video of me singing in the car.



More to come soon!

First Joke

In case you can't understand my little cartoon voice, here is a translation...

Poki: Knock Knock!

Mom: Who's there?

Poki: Boo

Mom: Boo who?

Poki: Please don't cry--it's only a joke!

Big News!

(In case anyone out there hasn't seen my mom in person, in which case, this will come as no surprise!)

So, meet the baby in the belly, or as my mom calls him, Poki II: Electric Boogaloo.



This picture was taken weeks ago. I've been assured s/he looks much more human now--and will look even more human when s/he arrives around March 5, 2010!

Blueberry and Apple Picking!

This weekend, we went with Scarlett and her crew to Lyman Orchards to pick blueberries and apples. We had a blast! I mean, my mom thought I might have fun, but she had no idea how much I would like it. We got some great pictures too. Unfortunately, Dad took all the pictures with his fancy camera and that means we have to wait for him to have a spare minute to upload and format the fancy pictures...and that means we will wait forever. Fortunately, Scarlett's mom was prepared as usual. She even made a super cute slideshow for Scarlett's blog, in which I have a co-starring role. Check it out!

Finn and Emilia's First Birthday(s) Party!

This Saturday, Mom and I went to Emilia's house to celebrate her and Finn's first birthdays. I'll be honest, Mom was a little worried that I might be a little difficult because I'm a whole year older than these guys and their friends, but she could not be more wrong. I had a blast! I did not want to leave. I even made a new friend. I mean, he was my arch nemesis for five minutes, but then he became pretty much my best friend ever. The bottom line is, we had a blast! Here are some pictures from the party:

Here's the birthday boy!



And here are the adorable and delicious cakes! (Who are we kidding? This is what I was waiting for!)



The big moment!



Birthday girl Emilia really enjoyed her cake.



Finn enjoyed his too, I guess.



Okay, Finn enjoyed his cake alot.



Okay, Finn enjoyed his cake more than he's ever enjoyed anything in his whole 1 year of life!



Just watch him in action...



Following my first birthday cake, Mom says she found crumbs in my diapers two days later (and after 2 baths). Finn didn't even leave a crumb on the plate. He savored every morsel--as well he should have!

Happy Birthday, Finn and Emilia! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you!

Not Quite Pavarotti...

but you've got to admit, I've got range.

First Haircut

Today my mom took me to get my first real haircut. She has trimmed my bangs, around my ears and my rat-tail before, but she thought it was time for me to have a proper cut--not just a trim. I was developing what she and Dad affectionately call a "baby comb-over."

We went to Tantrum Salon, which is a new kid's salon in Hamden--and they are great! The ladies were so nice and, perhaps more importantly, so fast! Not that it really mattered, because I was so good. (It helped that I got to watch Sesame Street and wear a super hero cape.)

Before: Just look how long it was getting!





During...









And After...Voila!



It looks even cuter now that is has dried and fluffed up a bit. My mom can't believe what a big boy I look like now!

Flashdance Moment

Even the kid next to Poki is creeped out...

AC/DC

Scene: Tonight, Dad finally installs the air conditioners. Poki and Mom are sitting in the living room waiting for it to cool down.

Dad: Did you make sure all the windows are closed since we are running the ACs?

Mom: Yep!

Poki: Me too, Mommy. I want to running the AC and see President Obama.

Mom: You want to do what?

Poki: I want to running the AC to see Obama, Mommy. Are you going to running the AC too?

Mom: Do you mean Washington DC, Poki?

Poki: Yes, Runnington DC to see Obama, Mommy.

We're Baaaaaack!

...back from the beach, that is. We had a ton of fun and have lots of pictures to come!

Wisenheimer

Scene: This morning at the library. Poki and an extremely bossy 4-year-old play at the train table.

Annoying 4-year-old: What are you doing? That's a passenger train! You can't put that in front of the engine! No! You have Percy, then a passenger train, then Thomas -you can't do that! You have to put the passenger train behind Thomas!

Poki calmly lifts one of the trains and looks the boy right in the eye (with a look of complete and total patience).

Poki: No, this is not a passenger train. This is a tanker. This is a milk tanker.

And you know what? He was right. So THERE, mean kid!

Friends

Ruby's mom just sent my mom a couple of great pictures of me and Ruby from some recent playdates. We've been hanging out quite a bit this summer.

Here we are having a little j-u-i-c-e b-o-x, as my mom calls it. I don't know why she insists on spelling everything good.



And here we are on our Fourth of July hike. Mom has more hiking pictures to post, so look for those soon!



Thanks, Sarjan! We love them! And we love you guys!

Sweetie-Pie

Scene I: In the car this afternoon.

Mom: Are you my sweetie-pie?

Poki: Noooo. I'm Poki.

Mom: That's right! You're my sweetie-pie Poki.

Poki: Noooo. I'm a boy.

Mom: That's right! You're my sweetie-pie Poki boy.

Poki: Noooo. I'm...I'm...I'm...wearing a shirt in the car.


Scene II: Playing in the backyard, about 15 minutes after previous conversation. Poki says something funny.

Mom: You're a silly goose, Poki.

Poki: Noooo. I'm Sweetie-Pie.

Happy Waffle Day!

Scene: This morning in the kitchen. Poki is watching Dad get together the fixins together for breakfast--Dad is breaking in the waffle iron he got for Father's Day.


Dad: Poki, do you know what today is? It's a very special holiday today. It's Independence Day.

Poki: Noooooooo...it's Waffle Day.

What's Behind That Book?

Sheez! Get your minds out of the gutter, people! I'm wearing big boy underpants!!! Granny knows I'm working on potty training and thought I might need a little incentive. She's pretty much a genius, because was little boy wouldn't want to wear Lightning McQueen underwear?! Or Thomas or Buzz Lightyear or Wall-E underwear? Mom told me that I could wear them all the time if I use the potty regularly.





Thanks, Granny! Smart thinking!

Theme Dinner

Every now and then, my parents and I have a theme dinner. Dinner is our one real time together every day and sometimes we like to make it kind of special. Well, we had one of those last night.

As I have mentioned before, when I sit on the potty 10 times, I get a prize, and one of those prizes was the book version of "Lady and the Tramp." I love it. In fact, I ask to read it a several times every day. Well, Saturday night, I told Mom that I wanted to eat spaghetti and meatballs like Lady and the Tramp so, the next day, Daddy spent all day making homemade meatballs and sauce (I know! Seriously!) and we had a Lady and the Tramp dinner party.

I picked up the whole "spaghetti slurp" pretty quickly...



And then it was time for the lady in the house to take over the Lady role. Silly Mommy...



I like these theme dinners (and sometimes breakfasts--"If You Give A Pig A Pancake" anyone?) so much that my parents want to do lots more. So be on the lookout!